ABSTRACT
Elastic fibers play a critical role in normal lung function, particularly in modulating elastic recoil. Collapse of this polymeric structure accumulated over a period of years creates a chronic condition of permanent enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by destruction of the alveolar wall. The imbalance is worsened by conditions that lead to an inflammatory response in the lower respiratory tract by increasing the neutrophil elastase locally. The apparent success of enzyme replacement strategies and the desire to eliminate the potential risk of opportunistic infections associated with the use of products derived from human plasma has stimulated a number of biotechnology firms to produce the human protein through recombinant means. The Moloney murine leukemia virus represents an excellent vector system in that it has the properties of being able to efficiently transduce a wide variety of cells leading to stable integration of the proviral genome into the chromosome of the host cell.
