Sulfur Mustard Increases Elastase-Like Activity in Homogenates of Hairless Guinea Pig Skin

The pathologic mechanisms underlying sulfur mustard (HD)-induced skin vesication are as yet undefined. Enhanced proteolysis activity has been postulated as the cause of HD-induced dermal epidermal separation. Using a chromogenic assay, we previously reported that HD-exposed hairless guinea pig skin biopsies demonstrated increased proteolysis of the peptide substrate Tosyl-gly-pro-arg-p-nitroanilide, Chromozym TH (TH). Elastaise activity has been...