Abstract
Deficiency of protease inhibitors (PI) may cause chronic lung disease (e.g. alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency). Inhaled proteases have been shown to induce bronchoconstriction. We therefore determined serum concentrations of C1-inactivator (C1 Ina), alpha-2-macroglobulin (a2 M), inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (IaI), alpha-1-antitrypsin (al AT) and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (al Achy) in 138 children with bronchial asthma and 50 healthy controls, using radial immunodiffusion technique. The asthmatics were grouped according to the predominant precipitating factor (allergen, infection) and subdivided according to the degree of clinical severity. In each group children without signs of obstruction had lower levels of al Achy than controls (p < 0.01). This difference was masked during allergen induced symptoms. With infection, elevated levels for al Achy and al AT (p < 0.01) and decreased levels for IaI (p < 0.05) were obtained, whereas Cl Ina and a2 M remained unchanged. Recently al Achy has been demonstrated to be of major importance in the immediate and specific defence of lung tissue against chymotrypsin like proteases, which are released by polymorphonuclear leucocytes and mast cells. Deficiency of al Achy may lead to inadequate control of bronchial inflammation and this may contribute to bronchial hyperreactivity.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Seidenberg, J., Seidenberg, C., Rieger, C. et al. DEFICIENCY OF ALPHA-1-ANTICHYMOTRYPSIN IN ASTHMATIC CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 19, 1092 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00138
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00138
