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The role of chitin, chitinases, and chitinase-like proteins in pediatric lung diseases

Chitin, after cellulose, the second most abundant biopolymer on earth, is a key component of insects, fungi, and house-dust mites. Lower life forms are endowed with chitinases to defend themselves against chitin-bearing pathogens. Unexpectedly, humans were also found to express chitinases as well as...

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Main Authors: Mack, Ines (Author) , Hector, Andreas (Author) , Ballbach, Marlene (Author) , Kohlhäufl, Julius (Author) , Fuchs, Katharina J. (Author) , Weber, Alexander N. R. (Author) , Mall, Marcus A. (Author) , Hartl, Dominik (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 27 February 2015
In: Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics
Year: 2015, Volume: 2, Issue: 1
ISSN:2194-7791
DOI:10.1186/s40348-015-0014-6
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40348-015-0014-6
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Author Notes:Ines Mack, Andreas Hector, Marlene Ballbach, Julius Kohlhäufl, Katharina J. Fuchs, Alexander Weber, Marcus A. Mall and Dominik Hartl
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Summary:Chitin, after cellulose, the second most abundant biopolymer on earth, is a key component of insects, fungi, and house-dust mites. Lower life forms are endowed with chitinases to defend themselves against chitin-bearing pathogens. Unexpectedly, humans were also found to express chitinases as well as chitinase-like proteins that modulate immune responses. Particularly, increased levels of the chitinase-like protein YKL-40 have been associated with severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other inflammatory disease conditions. Here, we summarize and discuss the potential role of chitin, chitinases, and chitinase-like proteins in pediatric lung diseases.
Item Description:Gesehen am 04.06.2020
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:2194-7791
DOI:10.1186/s40348-015-0014-6

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