Leukocyte proteinases in wound healing: roles in physiologic and pathologic processes

Leukocytes express a number of proteinases which play critical roles in phy siologic processes during wound healing. However, if the activity of these proteinases is uncontrolled, they can contribute to devastating tissue inju ry that can affect most organ systems. Until recently, little was known abo ut the mechanisms by which leukocytes retain the activity of their proteina ses within the extracellular space which contains highly effective proteina se inhibitors. Studies of the cell biology of leukocyte proteinases have be gun to identify the mechanisms by which proteinases can circumvent the effe cts of physiologic proteinase inhibitors. Herein, we will review the cell b iology of leukocyte proteinases, and we will discuss the mechanisms by whic h leukocyte proteinases can contribute to physiologic processes occurring d uring wound healing, as well as their roles in pathologic processes.