Table 1

Airway inflammation at the start of an exacerbation in outpatients with COPD, with and without severe α1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency

Sputum measurements at start of the exacerbation compared with stable stateCOPDAAT deficiencyAAT deficiency vs COPD at start of the exacerbation
Myeloperoxidase↑↑↔
Elastase activity↑↑↑
Interleukin 8↔↑↑
Leukotriene B4 ↑↑↑
Secretory leukoprotease inhibitor↓↓↓
Sputum α1-antitrypsin↑↑↓
Albumin leakage (serum → sputum)↑↑↑