title: Anti-inflammatory activity of neutrophil elastase inhibitors.
abstract: Neutrophil elastase is a protease that is involved in the tissue destruction and inflammation that characterize numerous diseases, including hereditary emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, ischemic-reperfusion injury and rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, elastase has been the object of extensive research to develop potent inhibitors that target its destructive and pro-inflammatory action. This review focuses on the anti-inflammatory activity of inhibitors that are currently, or were until recently in development, including purified or recombinantly produced endogenous inhibitors, genetically modified recombinant protein inhibitors and synthetic small-molecule inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherche, Hôpital Laval, Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie, l'Université Laval, 2725 chemin Sainte-Foy, Sainte-Foy, G1V 4G5, Canada. guy.tremblay@crhl.ulaval.ca
authors.forename: Guy M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: Marie France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Janelle
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bourbonnais
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D015843:Serpins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015843:Serpins; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase