SERPINA1 Gene Variants in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency is one of the most common genetic disorders in Caucasian population. There is a link between granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and most frequent variants of SERPINA1 gene encoding severe alpha-1 antitripsin deficiency. However, the potential effect of PiZ, PiS as well as other SERPINA1 variants on clinical course of vasculitis are not well understood. The aim of the study was to analyze the potential effect of A1AT protein phenotype representing the SERPINA1 gene variants on the clinical course of GPA. The study group consisted of 64 subjects with GPA, stratified according to the disease severity: patients in active phase (group I, n = 12), patients during remission on treatment (group II, n = 40) or untreated (group III, n = 12). Normal PiMM SERPINA1 genotype was detected by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or direct sequencing in 59 patients, PiMZ genotype in 2, and PiIM, PiMS or PiSZ in 1 patient respectively. The patients with abnormal PiZ, PiS, or PiI allele constituted 17% in group I, 5% in group II, and 8% in group III. The serum content of A1AT and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) assessed by nephelometry did not differ between the groups. Interestingly, the mean serum antiPR3-antibodies level detected by Elisa method was significantly greater in the GPA patients with PiZ, PiS, or PiI SERPINA1 variants than in the PiMM homozygotes. In summary, heterozygous PiMZ, PiMS, and PiSZ genotype was detected in 7.8% of total group of GPA patients, and in 10.5% of those with lung lesions. The abnormal alleles of PiS and Pi*Z may affect the clinical course of the disease.