(1) Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;(2) Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Mail Code J2, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
Abstract:
Background
Cystatin C (CysC) is a potent nonorgan-specific cysteine protease inhibitor and may contribute to elastolysis and tissue destruction by a mechanism of protease–antiprotease imbalance. Given the prevalence of CysC in the serum of smokers and its role in tissue destruction, we aimed to evaluate the association between CysC and emphysema.
