Cathepsin X

CTSXprotein

Cathepsin X, a macrophage-derived protease, degrades fibrous-cap collagen and elastin, promoting plaque rupture in acute coronary syndromes.

Pathway placement

Cascade stepFibrous-cap degradation & rupture

Confidencehigh

RationaleMacrophage cysteine protease; degrades extracellular matrix and fibrous cap; associated with plaque rupture in NSTEMI.

Also acts inVascular inflammation

Druggability

Not assessed (no mapped human gene target).

Assay & specimen

Class-level default (no specific cleared assay)— generic method inferred from analyte class; confirm against a specific product insert before use.

Specimen

Serum or plasma

Collection tube

Serum separator (gold/red-top, SST) · K2/K3-EDTA (lavender-top)

Method / principle

Sandwich immunoassay (ELISA) — research-grade unless a cleared assay exists

Reagent / substrate

Matched anti-target antibody pair (capture + labeled detection)

Platform

ELISA microplate or multiplex (Luminex/MSD)

Turnaround · availability

Send-out / research · Research-grade (no universal clinical assay)