However, perturbations of the elastin network of the adult lung can cause destruction of the alveolar walls that result in emphysema, and mutations in components of the elastogenesis pathway, such as tropoelastin, fibrillins and fibulins are also associated with a predisposition to emphysema (Rodriguez-Revenga et al., 2004; Urban et al., 2005; Hersh et al., 2006; Hucthagowder et al., 2006). This evidence concerns the gene ELN and pulmonary emphysema.