CHITOTRIOSIDASE AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

摘要

The invention relates to the novel discovery that smokers with COPD, but not subjects with mild, moderate or severe asthma, had greater BAL chitinolytic activity, increased levels of ChTRase, more ChTRase-positive cells in bronchial biopsies and an elevated proportion of alveolar macrophages expressing ChTRase than smokers without COPD, or never- smokers. Accordingly the present invention provides ChTRase antagonists, and compositions and methods for the diagnosis, monitoring, prevention, management, treatment or amelioration of COPD.