Alpha₁-antitrypsin synthesis by human lymphocytes

Denovo synthesis of alpha₁-antitrypsin (α₁AT) by human peripheral lymphocytes has been demonstrated in the present study. Treatment of the mononuclear cells with concanavalin A(Con A) resulted in a triple increase in the amount of α₁AT synthesized by the untreated cells. A small amount of α₁AT, equivalent to that synthesized by the unstimulated mononuclear cells, was observed in cultures of monocyte-depleted lymphocytes, with or without Con A stimulation. Monocytes treated with or without Con A scarcely synthesized α₁AT. Conditioned media derived from monocyte enriched mononuclear cells treated with Con A enhanced about threefold α₁AT synthesis by the Con A-stimulated lymphocytes. α₁AT is suggested to be synthesized by lymphocytes assisted by monocytes.