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Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice
Published on: January 16, 2015
Alpha 1 antitrypsinin the livers of patients with emphysema
Abstract:
Parenchymal liver cells from emphysema patients with an inherited deficiency of alpha(1)-antitrypsin contain globules of glycoprotein that bind fluorescent antibody to alpha(1)-antitrypsin. The globules can be seen after hematoxylin and eosinstaining or on electron microscopy, but are more readily demonstrated by PAS stain of amylase-treated liver sections. It appears that an inappropriately large amount of alpha(1)-antitrypsin is found in the liver even when there is a deficiency in the serum. Genetic variants of the normal antitrypsin molecule may be unable to leave their site of synthesis in the liver cell because of some molecular aberration.
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