%0 Journal Article %A Kelly, Emer %A Greene, Catherine M. %A McElvaney, Noel G. %D 2019 %T Targeting neutrophil elastase in cystic fibrosis. %U https://repository.rcsi.com/articles/journal_contribution/Targeting_neutrophil_elastase_in_cystic_fibrosis_/10785665 %2 https://repository.rcsi.com/ndownloader/files/19298666 %K Cystic Fibrosis %K Enzyme Inhibitors %K Humans %K Leukocyte Elastase %K Medicine %X

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal hereditary disease characterised by neutrophil-dominated lung inflammation. These abundant neutrophils produce neutrophil elastase (NE), a destructive serine protease that has direct actions on extracellular matrix proteins and has a role in the host response to inflammation and infection.

OBJECTIVE: This review examines the prospect of developing novel therapies for CF by targeting NE. The authors explore the functions of NE and of naturally-occurring and synthetic NE inhibitors.

METHODS: A literature search was conducted exploring the functions of NE and inhibitors of NE; naturally occurring and synthetic.

CONCLUSIONS: Targeting NE in CF offers therapeutic potential, but optimal inhibitors that can be delivered safely and effectively to the lung are still under development.

%I Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland