title: Aetiology of emphysema.
abstract: There is now overwhelming evidence that lung destruction resulting in emphysema is largely due to enzymatic action on pulmonary connective tissues, mainly elastin. These enzymes are probably derived from neutrophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes and alveolar macrophages. Arguments are advanced to show that release of these enzymes is related to cigarette smoking. This explanation for the pathogenesis of emphysema is compatible with the distribution of the disease within the lung noted in epidemiological studies. If this conclusion with regard to the role of cigarette smoking is correct it must follow that, apart from patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, emphysems is a disease which could be almost entirely eliminated if the smoking habit was abandoned.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D004646:Emphysema / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D012907:Smoking / Q000150:complications; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency