Autophagy connects toxic gain of function to cellular degeneration.

(A) Representative images from n = 20 PiZZ subjects comparing polymer accumulation, LC3B staining and hepatocyte degeneration. The top row is an inset of LC3B staining from the middle row (marked with a black box). AAT polymer staining in the same region is presented in the bottom row. individuals with moderate and high accumulation of AAT. Black Arrows represent puncta of LC3B in degenerate hepatocytes. Red Arrows represent staining of LC3B around AAT inclusions. (B) Representation and quantification of Annexin V Foci (Black Arrows) were more prominent in individuals with degeneration, Bars represent mean and standard deviation p-value is calculated from student’s t-test.