Pulmonary antiprotease defense
Mornex, J.F.
La Revue du Praticien 43(2): 204-208
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-2640 PMID: 8502941 Document Number: 411506
The pulmonary alveolar spaces are spatially organized in order to facilitate gaz exchanges. Proteases, responsible for the destruction of the connective tissue and for the disorganization of the alveolar structures, are present within the lung. Neutrophil elastase is the most important. Numerous antiproteases are present in the lung the most important being alpha-1-antitrypsin. Its blood level is diminished during an autosomal hereditary disease: alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. It can be corrected by infusion of purified alpha-1-anti-trypsin.