noun
- Plural of elastase; enzymes that break down elastin, a protein found in connective tissue.
Usage: technical; biochemistry
Examples
- Elastases are produced by certain bacteria and white blood cells.
- The pancreas secretes elastases as part of the digestive enzyme complex.
- Neutrophil elastases play a role in inflammatory responses.
- Researchers studied how elastases degrade elastin in lung tissue.
- Bacterial elastases can damage host tissues during infection.