Regulation of tumor necrosis factor secretion in leukocytes from alpha-1-antitrypsin deficient humans

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AT) is one of several alpha-globulins which have been shown to be inhibitors of human peripheral blood monocyte TNF secretion in vitro. AT deficiency states exist, within which individuals of either the PiSS or PiZZ phenotype have reduced hepatocyte and mononuclear phagocyte AT secretion when compared to normal PiMM subjects. Here we have compared the capacity of peripheral blood monocytes of all three phenotypes to respond to both enhancers and inhibitors of TNF secretion. All monocytes exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and endotoxin, PGE2, transforming growth factor-beta 1, whole plasma alpha-globulins, purified AT and IL-6 responded equally with respect to the secretion of TNF. Our findings show that the regulation of TNF secretion in leukocytes from AT deficient humans is normal and suggest that defective AT secretion alone does not result in the aberrant regulation of TNF secretion.