Role of medullasin in granulocytes in the development of inflammation. I. Phlogistic activity and the effect on functions of macrophages and granulocytes.

Injection of a small amount of medullasin protease (20 micrograms) into the skin of guinea pigs or rabbits caused inflammation characterized by severe injury to endothelial cells in venules and by infiltration of a large number of macrophages. Medullasin inhibited macrophage chemotaxis in vitro, stimulated granulocyte chemotaxis, and potentiated the production of superoxide by macrophages. These results indicate that medullasin in granulocytes plays an important role in the development of inflammation.