Heterozygous alpha-i antitrypsin deficiency as a co-factor in the development of chronic liver disease: a review

• Published in: Netherlands journal of medicine Vol. 65; no. 5; pp. 160 - 166
• Main Authors: KOK, K. F, WAHAB, P. J, HOUWEN, R. H. J, DRENTH, J. P. H, DE MAN, R. A, VAN HOEK, B, MEIJER, J. W. R, WILLEKENS, F. L. A, DE VRIES, R. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alphen aan den Rijn Van zuiden 01.05.2007
• Subjects: alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency - complications; alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency - diagnosis; alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency - genetics; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - genetics; Chronic Disease; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; General aspects; Hepatitis C - complications; Heterozygote; Humans; Liver Diseases - etiology; Liver Neoplasms - etiology; Liver Neoplasms - genetics; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Medical sciences; Tumors; Disease development; liver disease; Chronic disease; Deficiency; Alpha-i-antitrypsin deficiency; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Hepatic disease; Malignant tumor; Review; Heterozygosity; Medicine; Liver cancer; Chronic; Digestive diseases; Genetics; Bibliographic review

Alpha-I antitrypsin (AIAT) is an acute-phase protein that is produced in liver cells. AIAT deficiency is a hereditary disease which is defined by the hepatic production of an abnormal protein that can not be released into the plasma. This leads to deficiency of plasma AIAT and subsequently to an imp...