Protease-antiprotease imbalance in the lungs of children with cystic fibrosis.

Publication Type	Academic Article
Authors	Birrer P, McElvaney N, Rüdeberg A, Sommer C, Liechti-Gallati S, Kraemer R, Hubbard R, Crystal R
Journal	Am J Respir Crit Care Med
Volume	150
Issue	1
Pagination	207-13
Date Published	07/01/1994
ISSN	1073-449X
Keywords	Cystic Fibrosis, Lung, Pancreatic Elastase, Proteins, Serine Proteinase Inhibitors, alpha 1-Antitrypsin
Abstract	Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized in the lung by chronic purulent bronchitis culminating in pulmonary insufficiency. There is evidence to suggest that neutrophil elastase (NE) released by neutrophils on the respiratory epithelial surface plays a major role in the pathogenesis of this lung disease. This study sought to determine the age of onset of the chronic neutrophil-dominated inflammation in CF and the consequences to the NE-anti-NE screen on the respiratory epithelial surface of the CF lung. NE and anti-NE defensive molecules were evaluated in respiratory epithelial lining fluid (ELF) in 27 children with stable CF (1 to 18 yr of age). Despite normal antigenic concentrations of alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) and secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI), 25 of 27 children with CF had neutrophil-dominated inflammation (> 500 neutrophils/microliters ELF). Active NE was found in ELF in 20 of 27 children, including two of four aged 1 yr. Western blot analysis showed the majority of alpha 1AT and SLPI molecules to be complexed and/or degraded. These observations demonstrate that a chronic imbalance of the NE-anti-NE protective screen develops early on the respiratory epithelial surface in persons with CF and is likely well established by 1 yr of age, with resultant potential for lung damage.
DOI	10.1164/ajrccm.150.1.7912987
PubMed ID	7912987