title: Potential role of inhibitors of neutrophil elastase in treating diseases of the airway.
abstract: The potential therapeutic use of inhibitors of neutrophil elastase (NE) is reviewed with emphasis on diseases of the airway. In addition to its proteolytic properties, NE is a potent secretagogue and may be pro-inflammatory. The properties of natural occurring inhibitors of NE such as alpha-one antitrypsin and secretory leukoprotease inhibitor are reviewed. In addition, recombinant versions of naturally occurring inhibitors and synthetic small molecule inhibitors are potential therapies for respiratory diseases. For recombinant proteins, aerosol administration has been the preferred method of delivery. The inhaled mode of delivery can complicate the determination of dose responsiveness and thus the evaluation of safety and efficacy of these agents. In addition to the aerosolization issue, there remain other significant barriers to the successful deployment of these agents in clinical trials. These include the need for high standards for purification of recombinant proteins, the lack of understanding of interaction with airway secretions, the controversy over role of NE in the pathogenesis of nonhereditary COPD, and asthma, while the need for the safety of new classes of systemically delivered small molecules will need to be established.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11984-8172, USA.
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chughtai
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: O'Riordan
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase