Amongst the lysosomal cysteine cathepsin family of proteases, cathepsin S (CTSS) holds
particular interest due to distinctive properties including a normal restricted expression …

Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF), are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity …

Many survivors of the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
developed residual pulmonary fibrosis with increased severity seen in older patients …

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients frequently suffer from multiple
comorbidities, resulting in poor outcomes for these patients. Diabetes is observed at a …

Although respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for more human deaths each year
than influenza, its pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood. Here high-resolution …

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the integrated form of chronic obstructive
bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema, characterized by persistent small airway …

Periodontal diseases are a range of polymicrobial infectious disorders, such as gingivitis
and periodontitis, which affect tooth‐supporting tissues and are linked to playing a role in the …

Cigarette smoking has marked effects on lung tissue, including induction of oxidative stress,
inflammatory cell recruitment, and a protease/antiprotease imbalance. These effects …

Rationale: CTSS (cathepsin S) is a cysteine protease that is observed at higher
concentrations in BAL fluid and plasma of subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary …

S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9) is elevated in plasma and bronchoalveolar
lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and …