The present invention relates to methods for increasing the activity of theimmune system and, especially, tometh-ods for increasing the activity of the immune system by modulation ofendogenous ectophosphatase levels. According to aparticu-larly preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to methodsfor the prophylaxis of mammals, and especially humanmam-mals, at risk of inflammatory diseases such as mammals suffering fromconditions such as surgery, digestive tract diseases,respi-ratory diseases, skin diseases, burn wounds, smoke inhalation,intoxication, severe blood loss, food poisoning, chemotherapy,ra-diation therapy, severe trauma or liver diseases, immunocompromisedconditions. For this, the present invention provides Use ofan ectophosphatase for the preparation of a medicament for the prophylaxis ofa mammal at risk of inflammatory diseases.
