α1-AT, a glycoprotein of molecular mass of 52 kDa, is a major plasma serine protease inhibitor serpin . α1-AT plays a central role as a protease inhibitor in controlling tissue degradation. As a major protease inhibitor in human plasma, α1-AT can complex with a broad spectrum of proteases including elastase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, thrombin, and bacterial leukocyte elastase. α1-AT is an acute phase reactant whose plasma concentration can rise by 3 to 4-fold above normal during inflammation, infection and malignant disease. α1-AT deficiency, one of the most common hereditary disorders, mainly affects the liver and lung [1,2]. The concentrations of α1-AT in plasma can be measured either by functional assays or by immunochemical methods. Functional assays evaluate inhibition of trypsin or elastase. Immunologic methods include radial immunodiffusion, electroimmunoassay and automated nephelometric methods.
Primary Language | English |
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Journal Section | Research Article |
Authors | |
Publication Date | January 1, 2005 |
Published in Issue | Year 2005 Volume: 1 Issue: 6 |