Purification of human alpha 1 antiprotease-pancreatic elastase complex. Interaction with homologous elastin.

A human alpha 1-antiprotease (alpha 1.AP)-human pancreatic elastase ( HPE11 ) complex was isolated from plasma, or prepared from commercial alpha 1.AP. The complex was identified and isolated by affinity chromatography, using Concanavalin A or IgG anti-elastase as ligands, in association with Sephacryl gel filtration. The alpha 1.AP- HPE11 complex was shown to bind with aorta and with purified aortic elastin. In both cases, the complex exhibited elastinolytic activity.