Protease-antiprotease imbalances differ between Cystic Fibrosis patients' upper and lower airway secretions

摘要

Background: Balanced levels of proteases and anti-proteases are essential in host defense systems. In CF patients' lungs, elevated protease/anti-protease-ratios contribute to damage of airway tissue and premature death with the inherited disease. Little is known about upper airway protease equilibrium in CF.