Peptide of alpha1-antitrypsin: potential novel therapy

Background: We confirmed that alpha1-antitrypsin (A1AT) exhibits immunomodulatory activities that are unrelated to inhibition of neutrophil elastase. A1AT does not suppress but rather modulates production of pro- and anti-inflammatory substances, dependent on the cell/tissue response magnitude (output) to pro-inflammatory stimuli. A1AT down-regulates a hyper-immunity or hyper-inflammation without impairing the normal immune or inflammatory response necessary to defend against infection or injury. Methods: Human blood neutrophil and monocyte isolation by gradient centrifugation, explanted lung tissue culture, A1A…