Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a compound capable of reducing the uric acid level in a mammal for the prevention and/or the treatment of IL-I? driven lung pathology, particularly to treat lung inflammation such as chronic fibrosis, COPD and interstitial fibrosis and other IL-1? driven lung pathologies including those of autoimmune origin. Preferred compounds capable of reducing the uric acid level are selected from the group consisting of xanthine oxidase inhibitors, such as allopurinol, recombinant enzyme uricase and uricosuric compound capable of enhancing uric acid excretion, such as probenecid. The invention further relates to a method for identifying in vitro whether a patient presents an IL-1? driven lung pathology or is at risk to develop an IL-1? driven lung pathology, or for the screening of a compound for treating an IL-1? driven lung pathology.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a compound capable of reducing the uric acid level in a mammal for the prevention and/or the treatment of IL-1? driven lung pathology, particularly to treat lung inflammation such as chronic fibrosis, COPD and interstitial fibrosis and other IL-1? driven lung pathologies including those of autoimmune origin. Preferred compounds capable of reducing the uric acid level are selected from the group consisting of xanthine oxidase inhibitors, such as allopurinol, recombinant enzyme uricase and uricosuric compound capable of enhancing uric acid excretion, such as probenecid. The invention further relates to a method for identifying in vitro whether a patient presents an IL-1? driven lung pathology or is at risk to develop an IL-1? driven lung pathology, or for the screening of a compound for treating an IL-1? driven lung pathology.