MMP9 and cystic fibrosis: However, evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid found high levels of inflammatory markers in both patients with CF and NCFBE.(38) The levels of neutrophil elastase (and neutrophils), matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 in patients with NCFBE were higher than those in healthy controls but were lower compared to patients with CF.(38) Notably, there are no reported differences in the bronchial circulation or bronchial blood flow to damaged airways that could explain the disparate response to inhaled therapies in patients with NCFBE compared with those with CF.(33)