Alpha 1-Antitrypsin ELISA Kit

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (A1AT) is a 52-kDa glycoprotein primarily synthesized in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. It belongs to the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) family and plays a crucial role in protecting tissues from enzymes of inflammatory cells, especially neutrophil elastase. Under normal conditions, A1AT neutralizes these proteases to prevent uncontrolled tissue damage, particularly in the lungs. Genetic mutations in the SERPINA1 gene can lead to A1AT deficiency, resulting in decreased circulating levels or dysfunctional protein variants that predispose individuals to pulmonary emphysema and liver disease due to protease-antiprotease imbalance and intracellular protein accumulation.

In clinical settings, A1AT is used as both a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker. Quantitative measurement of serum A1AT levels aids in identifying deficiency states, while phenotyping or genotyping confirms specific SERPINA1 mutations (e.g., PiZZ, PiSZ). Low A1AT levels serve as a biomarker for risk assessment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and liver cirrhosis. Moreover, A1AT augmentation therapy—using purified A1AT—has become a treatment option for individuals with severe deficiency to slow lung tissue degradation.

In research settings, A1AT serves as a valuable biomarker for studying inflammation, oxidative stress, and protein misfolding disorders. Investigations focus on its role in modulating immune responses and its potential as a therapeutic target in conditions beyond classical deficiency, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Its biochemical properties and well-characterized genetic variants make A1AT an excellent model for exploring the pathophysiological consequences of protein misfolding, secretion defects, and molecular chaperone interactions.

This product is manufactured in USA by Eagle Biosciences.