Chitotriosidase as a marker of macrophage stimulation.

Serum chitotriosidase activity was determined in different conditions accompanied by macrophage stimulation. Stimulation of macrophages with zymosan, yeast polysaccharide carboxymethylglucan (fraction II), and lysosomotropic preparation Triton WR-1339 1.5-2.0-fold increased enzyme activity. Chitotriosidase activity in intact Wistar rats was similar to that in humans, while in CBA and A/Sn mice this parameter was 5-fold higher. Sharp increase in chitotriosidase activity in the serum from patients with type I Gaucher's disease was probably related to intense secretion of the enzyme by macrophages. Under experimental conditions, stimulation of rat and mouse macrophages (mainly liver cells) caused no increase in chitotriosidase activity typical of patients with Gaucher's disease.