We are pleased to present to our readers the Proceedings of the Second International Symposium "Proteases: Potential Role in Health and Disease" which was held in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (FRG) during May 17-20, 1987. The topics discussed included those dealing with the physiology and pathophysiology of proteases and their inhibitors, the inter actions of proteases and hormones, the kallikrein-kinin, com plement and coagulation system, the function of proteases in arthritis, malignoma, pancreatitis, intestinal tract, lung and kidney disease as well as in hypercatabolic states (acute renal...