title: α-1-Antitrypsin deficiency: clinical variability, assessment, and treatment.
abstract: The recognition of α-1-antitrypsin deficiency, its function, and its role in predisposition to the development of severe emphysema was a watershed in our understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition. This led to the concept and development of intravenous replacement therapy used worldwide to protect against lung damage induced by neutrophil elastase. Nevertheless, much remained unknown about the deficiency and its impact, although in recent years the genetic and clinical variations in manifestation have provided new insights into assessing impact, efficacy of therapy, and development of new therapeutic strategies, including gene therapy, and outcome measures, such as biomarkers and computed tomography. The current article reviews this progress over the preceding 50 years.
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Stockley
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Research Laboratories, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK. Electronic address: a.m.wood@bham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alice M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D056947:Enzyme Replacement Therapy; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin
keywords: biomarkers; gene therapy; α-1-antitrypsin deficiency