THE ROLE OF PROTEINASES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF CHRONIC-BRONCHITIS

Proteinases have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many acute and chronic destructive lung diseases. Their role has been implied by a c ombination of genetic deficiency of their inhibitors and/or their abil ity to induce lung disease in animal models that resemble the human co unterpart. However, identification of proteinases in lung tissue has p roven difficult, with the exception of airway secretions, which often contain excessive and varied enzyme activity. Recent studies have focu sed on the role of these enzymes in the pathogenesis of airway disease s. This article reviews the evidence for their role in chronic bronchi tis, the implications of this role, and new approaches to therapy base d on the pathogenic mechanisms involved.