Interpretive Handbook

Test 61767 :


Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1A) is a protein that inhibits the enzyme neutrophil elastase. It is predominantly synthesized in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. The inhibition function is especially important in the lungs because it protects against excess tissue degradation. Tissue degradation due to A1A deficiency is associated with an increased risk for early onset panlobular emphysema, which initially affects the lung bases (as opposed to smoking-related emphysema, which presents with upper-lung field emphysema). Patients may become symptomatic in their 30s and 40s. The most frequent symptoms reported in a National Institute of Health study of 1,129 patients with severe deficiency (mean age 46 years) included cough (42%), wheezing (65%), and dyspnea with exertion (84%). Many patients were misdiagnosed as having asthma. It is estimated that approximately one-sixth of all lung transplants are for A1A deficiency. Liver disease can also occur, particularly in children; it occurs much less commonly than emphysema in adults.


A1A deficiency is a relatively common disorder in Northern European Caucasians. The diagnosis of A1A deficiency is initially made by quantitation of protein levels in serum followed by determination of specific allelic variants by isoelectric focusing (IEF). While there are many different alleles in this gene, only 3 are common. The 3 major alleles include: M (full functioning, normal allele), S (associated with reduced levels of protein), and Z (disease-causing mutation associated with liver disease and premature emphysema). The S and Z alleles account for the majority of the abnormal alleles detected in affected patients. As a codominant disorder, both alleles are expressed. An individual of SZ or S-null genotype may have a small increased risk for emphysema (but not liver disease) due to slightly reduced protein levels. On the other hand, an individual with the ZZ genotype is at greater risk for early onset liver disease and premature emphysema. Smoking appears to hasten development of emphysema by 10 to 15 years. These individuals should be monitored closely for lung and liver function.


Historically, IEF has been the primary method for characterizing variants, though in some cases the interpretation is difficult and prone to error. Serum quantitation is helpful in establishing a diagnosis, but can be influenced by other factors. A proteomic method using trypsin-digested sera can detect the mutated peptides of the S and Z alleles, but can miss disease alleles other than the S and Z alleles. This test combines all of these methods to provide a comprehensive result.


Determining the specific proteotype for prognosis and genetic counseling for patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

For each of the possible alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1A) genotypes there is an expected range for the total serum level of A1A. However, a number of factors can influence either the A1A serum level or the A1A proteotype results, including acute illness (A1A is an acute-phase reactant), protein replacement therapy, the presence of other rare variants, or the presence of DNA polymorphisms. When the serum level differs from what is expected for that proteotype (ie, discordant), additional studies are performed to ensure the most appropriate interpretation of test results. Additional follow-up may include A1A phenotyping by isoelectric focusing, obtaining additional clinical information, and DNA sequencing.


This assay will not detect 5% of the known mutations that cause alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1A) deficiency. Therefore, the absence of a detectable mutation does not rule out the possibility that an individual is a carrier of, or affected with, this disease.






Errors in interpretation may occur if patients have had a recent blood transfusion or are on A1A replacement therapy.



100-190 mg/dL



Negative for S and Z phenotype (Non S Non Z)


1. Stoller JK, Aboussouan LS: Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Lancet 2005;365:2225-2236

2. McElvaney NG, Stoller JK, Buist AS, et al: Baseline characteristics of enrollees in the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Registry of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency Registry Study Group. Chest 1997;111:394-403