A potential role for tissue kallikrein-related peptidases in human cervico-vaginal physiology
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Julie L.V. Shaw
Abstract
Human tissue kallikrein-related peptidases (KLK) are a family of 15 genes located on chromosome 19q13.4 that encode secreted serine proteases with trypsin- and/or chymotrypsin-like activity. Relatively large levels of many KLKs are present in human cervico-vaginal fluid (CVF) and in the supernatant of cultured human vaginal epithelial cells. Many KLKs are also hormonally regulated in vaginal epithelial cells, particularly by glucocorticoids and estrogens. The physiological role of KLK in the vagina is currently unknown; however, analysis of the CVF proteome has revealed clues for potential KLK functions in this environment. Here, we detail potential roles for KLKs in cervico-vaginal physiology. First, we suggest that KLKs play a role in the vagina similar to their role in skin physiology: (1) in the desquamation of vaginal epithelial cells, similar to their activity in the desquamation of skin corneocytes; and (2) in their ability to activate antimicrobial proteins in CVF as they do in sweat. Consequently, we hypothesize that dysregulated KLK expression in the vagina could lead to the development of pathological conditions such as desquamative inflammatory vaginitis. Second, we propose that KLKs may play a role in premature rupture of membranes and pre-term birth through their cleavage of fetal membrane extracellular matrix proteins.
©2008 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Kallikreins and kallikrein-related peptidases
- Guest Editorial
- The 2nd International Symposium on Kallikreins and Kallikrein-Related Peptidases (ISK 2007) and the Commemorative Gold Medal of the E.K. Frey–E. Werle Foundation of the Henning L. Voigt Family
- Highlight: Kallikrein, kinins and kallikrein-related peptidases
- Structures and specificity of the human kallikrein-related peptidases KLK 4, 5, 6, and 7
- Development of peptides specifically modulating the activity of KLK2 and KLK3
- Kallikreins and proteinase-mediated signaling: proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) and the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases and cancer
- Prostatic trypsin-like kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and other prostate-expressed tryptic proteinases as regulators of signalling via proteinase-activated receptors (PARs)
- Human tissue kallikreins as promiscuous modulators of homeostatic skin barrier functions
- A potential role for tissue kallikrein-related peptidases in human cervico-vaginal physiology
- microRNAs: a new frontier in kallikrein research
- Functions of KLK4 and MMP-20 in dental enamel formation
- Genetic deficiency in tissue kallikrein activity in mouse and man: effect on arteries, heart and kidney
- Development of diabetic cardiomyopathy and the kallikrein-kinin system – new insights from B1 and B2 receptor signaling
- Doxorubicin cardiomyopathy-induced inflammation and apoptosis are attenuated by gene deletion of the kinin B1 receptor
- Attenuation of left ventricular dysfunction by an ACE inhibitor after myocardial infarction in a kininogen-deficient rat model
- Tissue kallikrein and kinin infusion promotes neovascularization in limb ischemia
- Kallikreins as microRNA targets: an in silico and experimental-based analysis
- Kallikreins are associated with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and promote neurodegeneration
- Immunofluorometric activity-based probe analysis of active KLK6 in biological fluids
- Kallikrein 6 is a mediator of K-RAS-dependent migration of colon carcinoma cells
- Gene expression changes associated with the anti-angiogenic activity of kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells
- An AKT activity threshold regulates androgen-dependent and androgen-independent PSA expression in prostate cancer cell lines
- Quantitative RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemical localization of the kallikrein-related peptidases 13 and 14 in lung
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Kallikreins and kallikrein-related peptidases
- Guest Editorial
- The 2nd International Symposium on Kallikreins and Kallikrein-Related Peptidases (ISK 2007) and the Commemorative Gold Medal of the E.K. Frey–E. Werle Foundation of the Henning L. Voigt Family
- Highlight: Kallikrein, kinins and kallikrein-related peptidases
- Structures and specificity of the human kallikrein-related peptidases KLK 4, 5, 6, and 7
- Development of peptides specifically modulating the activity of KLK2 and KLK3
- Kallikreins and proteinase-mediated signaling: proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) and the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases and cancer
- Prostatic trypsin-like kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and other prostate-expressed tryptic proteinases as regulators of signalling via proteinase-activated receptors (PARs)
- Human tissue kallikreins as promiscuous modulators of homeostatic skin barrier functions
- A potential role for tissue kallikrein-related peptidases in human cervico-vaginal physiology
- microRNAs: a new frontier in kallikrein research
- Functions of KLK4 and MMP-20 in dental enamel formation
- Genetic deficiency in tissue kallikrein activity in mouse and man: effect on arteries, heart and kidney
- Development of diabetic cardiomyopathy and the kallikrein-kinin system – new insights from B1 and B2 receptor signaling
- Doxorubicin cardiomyopathy-induced inflammation and apoptosis are attenuated by gene deletion of the kinin B1 receptor
- Attenuation of left ventricular dysfunction by an ACE inhibitor after myocardial infarction in a kininogen-deficient rat model
- Tissue kallikrein and kinin infusion promotes neovascularization in limb ischemia
- Kallikreins as microRNA targets: an in silico and experimental-based analysis
- Kallikreins are associated with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and promote neurodegeneration
- Immunofluorometric activity-based probe analysis of active KLK6 in biological fluids
- Kallikrein 6 is a mediator of K-RAS-dependent migration of colon carcinoma cells
- Gene expression changes associated with the anti-angiogenic activity of kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells
- An AKT activity threshold regulates androgen-dependent and androgen-independent PSA expression in prostate cancer cell lines
- Quantitative RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemical localization of the kallikrein-related peptidases 13 and 14 in lung
