Neutrophil elastase (NE) and NE inhibitors: Canonical and noncanonical functions in lung chronic, inflammatory diseases (cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Proteases and antiproteases have multiple important roles both in normal homeostasis and during inflammation. Antiprotease molecules In ay have developed in a parallel network, consisting of alarm and systemic inhibitors. Their Primary function was thought until recently to mainly prevent the potential injurious effects of excess release of proteolyiic enzymes, such as neutrophil elastase (NE), from inflammatory cells. However, recently, new potential roles have been ascribed to these antiproteases. We will review canonical and new noncanonical functions for these molecules, and more particularly, those pertaining to their role in innate and adaptive immunity (antibacterial activity and biasing of the adaptive immune response).