The role of alpha-1-antitrypsin protein in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a potent antiprotease playing an important role in maintaining protease-antiproteasebalance. It protects the structures of extracellular matrix against destruction by proteolytic enzymes. Loss ofelasticity occurs when increased protease activity is accompanied by qualitative impairment or reduced concentrationsof antiproteases. Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is a risk factor for obstructive lung disease, includingemphysema, liver and kidney disorders and, less often, follicular panniculitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis(previously Wegener’s granulomatosis). Literature also emphasises the role of AAT in the development of aorticaneurysms, and results of biochemical studies support this theory. Aortic aneurysm is an important clinicalproblem, unceasingly associated with high mortality. For this reason, it is exceptionally important to identify itsrisk factors. Studies on the relationship between AAT and development of AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm)have been conducted since the 1990s. Due to the development in molecular diagnostic techniques, new reportson the topic appeared over the last decade