Chymases (
EC3.4.21.39, mast cell protease 1, skeletal muscle protease, skin chymotryptic proteinase, mast cell serine proteinase, skeletal muscle protease) are a family of
serine proteases found primarily in
mast cells, though also present in
basophil granulocytes (e.g. alpha chymase mcpt8). Recently, Derakhshan et al. reported that a specific mast cell population expressed transcripts for Mcpt8.[1] They show broad peptidolytic activity and are involved in a variety of functions. For example, chymases are released by connective tissue-type mast cells upon challenge with
parasites and parasite
antigens promoting an inflammatory response, and chymase mcp1 and mcp2 are used for marker for mast cell degranulation in parasite infection such as
Nematode,[2]Trichuris muris[3][4] Chymases are also known to convert
angiotensin I to angiotensin II and thus play a role in
hypertension and
atherosclerosis.[5]
Because of its role in inflammation it has been investigated as a target in the treatment of asthma.[6]