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    Science. 2008 Feb 1;319(5863):624-7.

    Cathepsin K-dependent toll-like receptor 9 signaling revealed in experimental arthritis.

    Source

    Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan.

    Abstract

    Cathepsin K was originally identified as an osteoclast-specific lysosomal protease, the inhibitor of which has been considered might have therapeutic potential. We show that inhibition of cathepsin K could potently suppress autoimmune inflammation of the joints as well as osteoclastic bone resorption in autoimmune arthritis. Furthermore, cathepsin K-/- mice were resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Pharmacological inhibition or targeted disruption of cathepsin K resulted in defective Toll-like receptor 9 signaling in dendritic cells in response to unmethylated CpG DNA, which in turn led to attenuated induction of T helper 17 cells, without affecting the antigen-presenting ability of dendritic cells. These results suggest that cathepsin K plays an important role in the immune system and may serve as a valid therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases.

    PMID:
    18239127
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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