Activities and concentration of alpha-1 antitrypsin and cystatin C in serum from patients with house dust mite asthma.

Background: The proteolytic activities of house dust mite (HDM) allergens are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma by cleaving T-junction protein complexes, increasing the permeability of airway epithelial cells, and enabling the allergens to reach the interstitial tissue. The human body contains natural protease inhibitors such as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) with antiserine protease activity and cystatin C with anticysteine protease activity.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the behavior of serum AAT and cystatin C levels in patients with HDM-allergic asthma.