THE SERINE PROTEINASE INHIBITORY PROTEINS OF THE HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL-DISK - THEIR ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND VARIATION WITH AGING AND DEGENERATION

Serine proteinase inhibitory proteins (SPIs) were extracted from human disc tissues using 2 M GuHCl and subjected to CsCl density gradient ultracentrifugation. The SPIs recovered in the low buoyant density fractions (rho less-than-or-equal-to 1.35 g/ml) were purified by a combination of gel-permeation, ion-exchange, trypsin affinity, and reverse-phase high performance chromatographies. Characterisation of the major disc SPI by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focussing, enzyme inhibition and pH stability studies indicated that this small molecular weight (12-14 kDa), highly basic (pI > 9.S), acid-stable but alkaline-labile protein possessed potent inhibitory activity against bovine pancreatic trypsin and chymotrypsin, and human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G. Two-major and two-minor low molecular weight cationic SPI species were identified by reverse-phase HPLC. The predominant species was identical to a human articular cartilage SPI sharing amino terminal sequence homology with the mucus proteinase inhibitors (MPIs). It also cross-reacted with an antiserum to the MPIs and behaved identically to secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) when examined by reverse phase HPLC, and SDS PAGE. A higher molecular weight (54 kDa), anionic (pI approximately 4.6) SPI was also purified and identified as alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-PI). Quantification of alpha1-PI and the small molecular weight cationic disc inhibitors indicated that the latter were depleted in morphologically degenerate disc tissues while levels of alpha1-PI were somewhat higher although a large proportion of the alpha1-PI was inactive. A depletion of total SPI levels was evident overall in degenerate discs suggesting a functional role for these inhibitory proteins in the maintenance of IVD matrix homeostasis.