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α1-Antitrypsin Polymerizes in Alveolar Macrophages of Smokers With and Without α1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

Bazzan, E; Tinè, M; Biondini, D; Benetti, R; Baraldo, S; Turato, G; Fagiuoli, S; ... Cosio, MG; + view all (2018) α1-Antitrypsin Polymerizes in Alveolar Macrophages of Smokers With and Without α1-Antitrypsin Deficiency. Chest , 154 (3) pp. 607-616. 10.1016/j.chest.2018.04.039. Green open access

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The deficiency of α1-antitrypsin (AAT) is secondary to misfolding and polymerization of the abnormal Z-AAT in liver cells and is associated with lung emphysema. Alveolar macrophages (AM) produce AAT, however it is not known if Z-AAT can polymerize in AM, further decreasing lung AAT and promoting lung inflammation. AIMS: To investigate if AAT polymerizes in human AM and to study the possible relation between polymerization and degree of lung inflammation. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis with 2C1 monoclonal antibody specific for polymerized AAT was performed in sections of: 9 lungs from individuals with AAT deficiency (AATD) and severe COPD, 35 smokers with normal AAT levels of which 24 with severe COPD and 11 without COPD, and 13 non-smokers. AM positive for AAT polymers were counted and expressed as percentage of total AM in lung. RESULTS: AAT polymerization was detected in [27(4-67)%] of AM from individuals with AATD but also in AM from smokers with normal AAT with [24(0-70)%] and without [24(0-60)%] COPD, but not in AM from non-smokers [0(0-1.5)%] (p<0.0001). The percentage of AM with polymerized AAT correlated with pack-years smoked (r=0.53,p=0.0001), FEV1/FVC (r=-0.41,p=0.005), Small Airways Disease (r=0.44,p=0.004), number of CD8+T-cells and neutrophils in alveolar walls (r=0.51,p=0.002; r=0.31,p=0.05 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Polymerization of AAT in alveolar macrophages occurs in lungs of individuals with AATD but also in smokers with normal AAT levels with or without COPD. Our findings highlight the similarities in the pathophysiology of COPD in individuals with and without AATD, adding a potentially important step to the mechanism of COPD.

Type: Article
Title: α1-Antitrypsin Polymerizes in Alveolar Macrophages of Smokers With and Without α1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
Location: United States
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2018.04.039
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2018.04.039
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: COPD, cigarette smoking, emphysema, serpins
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > VP: Health
URI: https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10050403
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