Cathepsins (S and B) and their inhibitor Cystatin C in immune cells: Modulation by interferon-β and role played in cell migration

We investigated the modulation of Cathepsin S, Cathepsin B and Cystatin C expression in immune cells by interferon (IFN)-beta, and their role in cell migration. Cathepsin levels were increased in monocytic and T line cells upon activation. IFN-beta abolished this increase of Cathepsin B in monocytes and of Cathepsin Sin T cells, while increased Cystatin C. Neutralizing Cystatin C increased cell migration, while migration of monocytes and T cells was inhibited by IFN-beta, by Cystatin C, and T cell migration was suppressed by Cathepsin S and B inhibitors. These findings support further studies in the importance of Cathepsins and Cystatins in immunomodulation. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.