{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) is a glycoprotein, also known as serum trypsin inhibitors or alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (A1PI). It is a serine protease inhibitor, a member of the serpin superfamily, that inhibits a wide variety of proteases. A1AT is produced in the liver and protects tissues from enzymes of inflammatory cells, especially elastase. A1AT serum concentration is in the range of 1.5 - 3.0 gram/liter in healthy adults, but the concentration can rise many fold upon acute inflammation. In its absence, elastase is free to break down elastin, which contributes to the elasticity of the lungs, the breakdown of elastin results in respiratory complications such as emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults and cirrhosis in adults or children. Mutation in A1AT can cause alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) with symptoms of shortness of breath, chronic cough, and liver problems."}]}]}