Evaluation of Small Molecule FRET Reporter for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Proteolytic Activity in a Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Model

Proteases such as neutrophil elastase (NE) and matrix metalloprotease 12 (MMP-12) are key factors in inflammatory processes and contribute the gradual destruction of extracellular lung matrix in chronic inflammation. We now hypothesize that activity levels of inflammation-relevant proteases may be useful indicators for the onset and progression of obstructive lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis or COPD. With the recently published small molecule FRET protease reporters NEmo and LaRee, for detection of NE and MMP-12 activity, respectively, it is possible to monitor protease activity at the single cell level.