Description
Alpha 1-Antitrypsin (SERPINA1) is a glycoprotein serine protease inhibitor (serpin), inhibiting a wide variety of proteases. An acute-phase plasma protein found at 95-350 mg per 100 ml that functions as a protease inhibitor. Clinically, its deficiency is associated with two major diseases: pulmonary emphysema and early onset/juvenile hepatic cirrhosis. It is elevated in inflammatory conditions, malignancies, liver disease and pregnancy and also after surgical trauma and use of oral contraceptives