Risk factor for COPD in Genetics.

Exposure to poor air quality worsens symptoms and accelerates lung function decline in adults, especially if you have other risk factors for COPD. 

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AATD) deficiency is a genetic or inherited condition that affects the body’s ability to produce a protein (Alpha-1) that protects the lungs.

• The only established genetic risk factor for COPD is homozygosity for the Z allele of the alpha1-antitrypsin gene.
• Heterozygotes for the Z allele may also be at increased risk.

Other mutations affecting the structure of alpha1-antitrypsin or the regulation of gene expression have been identified as risk factors.

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