[Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency]

Pulmonary emphysema and liver disease are the clinical expressions of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, an autosomal recessive genetic disease.

Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is usually associated with the homozygous Z variant of the SERPINA1 gene. Its clinical expression always consists in a substantial reduction of alpha 1-antitrypsin serum concentration and its variants are analyzed by isoelectric focalization or molecular techniques. Assessed by CO transfer alteration and CT scan, risk of pulmonary emphysema is increased by tobacco consumption. Assessed by transient elastography and liver ultrasound, risk of liver disease is increased by alcohol consumption or obesity. Treatment of COPD-associated alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency does not differ from that of other forms of COPD. In patients presenting with severe deficiency, augmentation therapy with plasma-derived alpha 1-antitrypsin reduces the progression of emphysema, as shown in terms of CT-based lung density metrics. Patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency with a ZZ genotype should refrain from alcohol or tobacco consumption, and watch their weight; so should their close relatives.

Modulation of alpha 1-antitrypsin liver production offers an interesting new therapeutic perspective.

Homozygous (Z) variants of the SERPINA1 gene confer an increased risk of pulmonary emphysema and liver disease, particularly among smokers, drinkers and obese persons.