Papain-induced asthma—physiological and immunological features

Cysteine Proteases

“…Such exposure may induce asthma, rhinitis and allergy (Baur and Fruhmann, 1979;Flindt, 1978;Novey et al, 1979). Papain is used in laboratory practice for artificial induction of emphysema (Martorana et al, 1982) and osteoarthritis (Kopp et al, 1983) in experimental animals.…”

Spred1, a Suppressor of the Ras–ERK Pathway, Negatively Regulates Expansion and Function of Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells

“…Th2 cells have been implicated as a possible source of these type 2 cytokines, but the recent discovery of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) raises the possibility that group 2 ILCs (ILC2s) may in fact be innate sources of type 2 cytokines, especially IL-5 and IL-13 (2)(3)(4). For example, papain, a plant-derived cysteine protease that is known to cause occupational asthma (5), was shown to induce asthmatic airway inflammation in Rag-deficient mice (6), and ILC2s were subsequently demonstrated to play a critical role in this acute inflammation model (7). ILC2-derived IL-13 has been shown to be critical in that it promotes the migration of activated lung dendritic cells into the draining lymph nodes to induce differentiation of Th2 cells, suggesting that ILC2s are also involved in type 2 adaptive immune responses (8).…”

Papain [MAK Value Documentation, 2004]

“…In the bronchial provocation test using aS pinhaler device, bronchial uptake of 5mgp apain mixed with 195 mg lactose caused ad ual reaction with ad rop in FEV 1 by about 40% after 20 minutes and by about 50% after 210 minutes. No bronchial reactions were seen after provocation with lactose and meat tenderiser without papain (Novey et al 1979).…”