Alpha 1   antitrypsinin the livers of patients with emphysema.
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.
D002467:Cell Nucleus; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis* / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors