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Increased elastase secretion by peripheral blood monocytes in cystic fibrosis patients

Morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) is predominantly due to destruction of pulmonary tissue. The host immune response may, in part, play a pathogenic role in pulmonary destruction in these patients. To further understand host immune response in CF, we examined the state of activation of peripheral blood monocyles in CF. Baseline elastase activity was 2.2‐fold greater in the CF monocytes than in controls. Pseudomonas aeruginosa mucoid exopolysaccharide (MEP) and high molecular weight polysaccharide (HMP) increased elastase activity in both control and CF monocytes, with a greater absolute increase in the CF monocytes. There was no difference in baseline or MEP‐stimulated secretion of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) or interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) between CF and control monocytes. Ibuprofen enhanced both MEP and HMP‐stimulated elastase activity, whereas dexamethasone suppressed both baseline and stimulated elastase activity > 20% in both CF and control monocytes. These results suggest that circulating monocytes in CF are stimulated in vivo, resulting in a remarkably elevated elastase activity in vitro. Elevated elastase release by peripheral blood monocytes as they enter the lung in response to chemotactic stimuli may contribute to lung destruction in CF.