Bronchoalveolar lavage and the study of proteinases and antiproteinases in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive lung disease.
Bronchoalveolar lavage has been used for 15 yrs to investigate the role of proteinases and antiproteinases in the pathogenesis of emphysema, but the results are confused by numerous technical factors, many of which may prove insurmountable. Even if the problems can be overcome, the technique will probably not prove sensitive enough to provide a true insight into the pathogenesis of emphysema in man. Nevertheless, the studies with this technique have provided important information and methodologies that have advanced our scientific, if not pathological, knowledge. Perhaps further applications of the knowledge obtained, to cellular and genetic studies, will eventually establish the true mechanisms involved in determining whether a smoker remains "healthy" or develops disabling disease. Lavage may have played a major role in the study of emphysema, if for no other reasons than to establish the fact that the pathogenesis of the disease is far from clear.
Stockley
R A
RA
Lung Immunobiochemical Research Laboratory, General Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Burnett
D
D
D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D010450:Endopeptidases