Electron immunohistochemical localization in rat bronchiolar epithelial cells of tryptase Clara, which determines the pneumotropism and pathogenicity of Sendai virus and influenza virus.

The intracellular localization in rat bronchiolar epithelial cells of a novel trypsin-like protease named tryptase Clara, a possible activator of inactive viral fusion glycoprotein of influenza A and wild-type Sendai virus in the respiratory tract, was examined by electron microscopy. In thin sections embedded in LR White, gold particles indicating immunoreactivity of tryptase Clara were detected specifically in secretory granules of Clara cells. No immunoreactivity was detected in bronchiolar ciliated cells, alveolar cells including epithelial Type I and II cells, or alveolar macrophages. Some granules enveloped in a thin membrane and labeled intensely with immunogold particles were seen protruding from peripheral and submembrane regions and a few were observed free in the airway lumen. Scanning electron microscopy also revealed smooth droplets along the main body of Clara cells. These data suggest that tryptase Clara is secreted into the bronchiolar lumen. These findings are the first to show the subcellular localization of tryptase Clara in rat bronchioles and suggest the site of proteolytic activation of the progeny of enveloped pneumotropic viruses, such as Sendai virus and influenza virus.