Change in alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotype after orthotopic liver transplant.

The aim of the present study was to determine the interval after orthotopic liver transplant during which the alpha 1-AT phenotype in the serum changes. Eleven patients could be evaluated because the donor and recipient had different alpha 1-AT phenotypes. The results showed that within 1 to 3 days of the transplant donor alpha 1-AT is already present in the serum of the recipient, and subsequently the transplanted liver continued to synthesize alpha 1-AT of the donor phenotype. The result confirmed that liver parenchymal cells are the main site of alpha 1-AT synthesis.