Chymases are a family of serine proteases found primarily in mast cells, though also present in basophil granulocytes (e.g. alpha chymase mcpt8). They show broad peptidolytic activity and are involved in a variety of functions. For example, chymases are released by mucosal mast cells upon challenge with parasites and parasite antigens promoting an inflammatory response. Chymases are also known to convert angiotensin I to angiotensin II and thus play a role in hypertension and atherosclerosis.^[1]

Because of its role in inflammation it has been investigated as a target in the treatment of asthma^[2].

References [link]

1. ^ Caughey, GH. Mast cell tryptases and chymases in inflammation and host defense. Immu Revs 2007 (217): 141-154. PMID 17498057
2. ^ de Garavilla et al. Journal of Biochemistry 2005(280) pp.18001-18007.

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