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Yang, C. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/4692 (accessed on 07 December 2024).
Yang C. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/4692. Accessed December 07, 2024.
Yang, Catherine. "Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/4692 (accessed December 07, 2024).
Yang, C. (2020, December 24). Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/4692
Yang, Catherine. "Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency." Encyclopedia. Web. 24 December, 2020.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Edit

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that may cause lung disease and liver disease. The signs and symptoms of the condition and the age at which they appear vary among individuals.

genetic conditions

1. Introduction

People with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency usually develop the first signs and symptoms of lung disease between ages 20 and 50. The earliest symptoms are shortness of breath following mild activity, reduced ability to exercise, and wheezing. Other signs and symptoms can include unintentional weight loss, recurring respiratory infections, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat upon standing. Affected individuals often develop emphysema, which is a lung disease caused by damage to the small air sacs in the lungs (alveoli). Characteristic features of emphysema include difficulty breathing, a hacking cough, and a barrel-shaped chest. Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke accelerates the appearance of emphysema symptoms and damage to the lungs.

About 10 percent of infants with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency develop liver disease, which often causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). Approximately 15 percent of adults with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency develop liver damage (cirrhosis) due to the formation of scar tissue in the liver. Signs of cirrhosis include a swollen abdomen, swollen feet or legs, and jaundice. Individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are also at risk of developing a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma.

In rare cases, people with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency develop a skin condition called panniculitis, which is characterized by hardened skin with painful lumps or patches. Panniculitis varies in severity and can occur at any age.

2. Frequency

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency occurs worldwide, but its prevalence varies by population. This disorder affects about 1 in 1,500 to 3,500 individuals with European ancestry. It is uncommon in people of Asian descent. Many individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are likely undiagnosed, particularly people with a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD can be caused by alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency; however, the alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is often never diagnosed. Some people with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are misdiagnosed with asthma.

3. Causes

Mutations in the SERPINA1 gene cause alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This gene provides instructions for making a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin, which protects the body from a powerful enzyme called neutrophil elastase. Neutrophil elastase is released from white blood cells to fight infection, but it can attack normal tissues (especially the lungs) if not tightly controlled by alpha-1 antitrypsin.

Mutations in the SERPINA1 gene can lead to a shortage (deficiency) of alpha-1 antitrypsin or an abnormal form of the protein that cannot control neutrophil elastase. Without enough functional alpha-1 antitrypsin, neutrophil elastase destroys alveoli and causes lung disease. Abnormal alpha-1 antitrypsin can also accumulate in the liver and damage this organ.

Environmental factors, such as exposure to tobacco smoke, chemicals, and dust, likely impact the severity of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

4. Inheritance

This condition is inherited in an autosomal codominant pattern. Codominance means that two different versions of the gene may be active (expressed), and both versions contribute to the genetic trait.

The most common version (allele) of the SERPINA1 gene, called M, produces normal levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin. Most people in the general population have two copies of the M allele (MM) in each cell. Other versions of the SERPINA1 gene lead to reduced levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin. For example, the S allele produces moderately low levels of this protein, and the Z allele produces very little alpha-1 antitrypsin. Individuals with two copies of the Z allele (ZZ) in each cell are likely to have alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Those with the SZ combination have an increased risk of developing lung diseases (such as emphysema), particularly if they smoke.

Worldwide, it is estimated that 161 million people have one copy of the S or Z allele and one copy of the M allele in each cell (MS or MZ). Individuals with an MS (or SS) combination usually produce enough alpha-1 antitrypsin to protect the lungs. People with MZ alleles, however, have a slightly increased risk of impaired lung or liver function.

5. Other Names for This Condition

  • AAT

  • AATD

  • alpha-1 protease inhibitor deficiency

  • alpha-1 related emphysema

  • genetic emphysema

  • hereditary pulmonary emphysema

  • inherited emphysema

References

  1. Carrell RW, Lomas DA. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency--a model forconformational diseases. N Engl J Med. 2002 Jan 3;346(1):45-53. Review.
  2. de Serres FJ, Blanco I, Fernández-Bustillo E. Estimated numbers and prevalenceof PI*S and PI*Z deficiency alleles of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency in Asia. EurRespir J. 2006 Dec;28(6):1091-9.
  3. de Serres FJ, Blanco I, Fernández-Bustillo E. Estimating the risk for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency among COPD patients: evidence supporting targetedscreening. COPD. 2006 Aug;3(3):133-9. Erratum in: COPD. 2006 Dec;3(4):245.
  4. de Serres FJ, Blanco I, Fernández-Bustillo E. Health implications ofalpha1-antitrypsin deficiency in Sub-Sahara African countries and their emigrantsin Europe and the New World. Genet Med. 2005 Mar;7(3):175-84. Review.
  5. de Serres FJ, Blanco I, Fernández-Bustillo E. PI S and PI Z alpha-1antitrypsin deficiency worldwide. A review of existing genetic epidemiologicaldata. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2007 Dec;67(4):184-208. Review.
  6. de Serres FJ. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is not a rare disease but adisease that is rarely diagnosed. Environ Health Perspect. 2003Dec;111(16):1851-4. Review.
  7. DeMeo DL, Silverman EK. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. 2: genetic aspects ofalpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency: phenotypes and genetic modifiers of emphysemarisk. Thorax. 2004 Mar;59(3):259-64. Review.
  8. Fairbanks KD, Tavill AS. Liver disease in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency: areview. Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Aug;103(8):2136-41; quiz 2142. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2008.01955.x. Review.
  9. Fregonese L, Stolk J. Hereditary alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and itsclinical consequences. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2008 Jun 19;3:16. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-3-16. Review.
  10. Lomas DA, Parfrey H. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. 4: Molecularpathophysiology. Thorax. 2004 Jun;59(6):529-35. Review.
  11. Luisetti M, Seersholm N. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. 1: epidemiology ofalpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. Thorax. 2004 Feb;59(2):164-9. Review.
  12. Needham M, Stockley RA. Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. 3: Clinicalmanifestations and natural history. Thorax. 2004 May;59(5):441-5. Review.
  13. Perlmutter DH, Brodsky JL, Balistreri WF, Trapnell BC. Molecular pathogenesis of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency-associated liver disease: a meeting review.Hepatology. 2007 May;45(5):1313-23. Review.
  14. Ranes J, Stoller JK. A review of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2005 Apr;26(2):154-66. Review.
  15. Stoller JK, Aboussouan LS. Myths and misconceptions about {alpha}1-antitrypsindeficiency. Arch Intern Med. 2009 Mar 23;169(6):546-50. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2009.25.
  16. Stoller JK, Hupertz V, Aboussouan LS. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. 2006 Oct27 [updated 2020 May 21]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, BeanLJH, Stephens K, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA):University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2020. Available fromhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1519/
  17. Teckman JH, Lindblad D. Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency: diagnosis,pathophysiology, and management. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2006 Feb;8(1):14-20.Review.
  18. Teckman JH. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency in childhood. Semin Liver Dis. 2007 Aug;27(3):274-81. Review.
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