Inhibition of proteinase 3 activity by peptides derived from human epidermis.

Elafin and antileukoprotease are potent peptide-like inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase and have been isolated from human skin and bronchial mucus. Elafin proved to be a potent inhibitor of proteinase 3, whereas other inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase such as antileukoprotease and eglin C proved to be much less effective.