RAPID ASSAY FOR HUMAN A(1)-PROTEINASE INHIBITOR DEFICIENCY

THIS PROPOSAL INVOLVES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMPLE ASSAY FORMEASURING FUNCTIONAL (1)-PROTEINASE INHIBITOR LEVELS IN HUMAN TISSUES. THE PROCEDURE UTILIZES THE FACT THAT INCUBATION OF EXCESS PORCINE PANCREATIC ELASTASE WITH EITHER PLASMA OR SERUM SAMPLES WILL RESULT IN COMPLEX FORMATION WITH FUNCTIONAL (1)-PROTEINASE INHIBITOR IN THESE FLUIDS. RESIDUAL ENZYME ACTIVITY CAN THEN BE CALCULATED AND A DETERMINATION MADE AS TO INHIBITOR LEVELS PRESENT IN THE ORIGINAL SAMPLE. THE TECHNIQUES TO BE UTILIZED SHOULD PROVIDE A RAPID AND RELIABLE PROCEDURE FOR THE EARLY SCREENING OF INDIVIDUALS WITH A GENETIC DEFICIENCY IN (1)-PROTEINASE INHIBITOR AND, THERBY, REDUCE THE RISK OF DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILIAL EMPHYSEMAIN THIS SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION.