Tryptase from human mast cells does not activate purified human Hageman factor.

The effect of tryptase, a neural protease released from human lung mast cell secretory granules, on purified human Hageman Factor (Factor XII) was examined. No increase in Hageman Factor enzymatic activity was detected after incubation with tryptase at 37 degrees C; activation of Hageman Factor by bovine trypsin served as a positive control. Furthermore, pre-incubation of Hageman Factor with tryptase did not diminish the subsequent activation of Hageman Factor by trypsin. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was also performed to show that incubation with tryptase does not alter the molecular weight of Hageman Factor. Therefore, tryptase neither activates nor destroys human Hageman Factor.