The Protease Theory of Emphysema
Authors: MARK D. WEWERS
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1987)

Editorials1 November 1987The Protease Theory of EmphysemaMARK D. WEWERS, M.D., JAMES E. GADEK, M.D.MARK D. WEWERS, M.D., JAMES E. GADEK, M.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-107-5-761 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe elegant study of Weitz and colleagues reported in this issue (1) comes as a timely reconciliation of the controversy in our efforts to understand the pathogenesis of emphysema. The work of these investigators reflects an experimental continuum that dates to the dawn of modern thought on pulmonary emphysema. Before 1962, clinicians and investigators speculated that the destruction of alveolar surfaces resulted from the barotrauma attendant to limitation of expiratory airflow. Although this hypothesis encompassed the scientific evidence available at the time, the perspectives gained during the last quarter century suggest that limitation of airflow is a consequence, rather than...References1. WEITZCROWLEYLANDMANLIPMANYU TKSBT. Increased neutrophil elastase activity in cigarette smokers. Ann Intern Med. 1987;107:680-2. LinkGoogle Scholar2. LAURELLERIKSSON CS. The electrophoretic 1-globulin pattern of serum in 1-antitrypsin deficiency. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1963; 15:132-40. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. GROSSPFITZERTOLKERBABYAKKASCHAK PEEMM. Experimental emphysema. Arch Environ Health. 1965;11:50-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. TRAVISSALVESEN JG. Human plasma proteinase inhibitors. Annu Rev Biochem. 1983;52:655-709. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. AUERBACHHAMMONDGARFINKELBENANTE OELC. Relation of smoking and age to emphysema: whole-lung section study. N Engl J Med. 1972;286:853-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. JANOFFCARP AH. 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Development of an assay for in vivo human neutrophil elastase activity: increased elastase activity in patients with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency. J Clin Invest. 1986;78:155-62. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar16. DAMIANOTSANGKUCICHABRAMSROSENBLOOMKIMBELFALLAHNEJADWEINBAUM VAUWJPMG. Immunolocalization of elastase in human emphysematous lungs. J Clin Invest. 1986;78:482-93. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: The Ohio State University Hospitals PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byCOPD as an endothelial disorder: endothelial injury linking lesions in the lungs and other organs? 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ABBOUD, M.D., THARWAT T. FERA, M.D.Dyspnea and Cirrhosis 1 November 1987Volume 107, Issue 5Page: 761-763KeywordsEmphysemaPathogenesisProteases Issue Published: 1 November 1987 PDF downloadLoading ...