Pneumonia
Education on Pneumonia and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin research from the Mark Egly Foundation, with patent claims clearly labeled as hypothesis.
Research hypothesis, not medical advice
The connections described on this page come from Mark Egly's patent filing and ongoing research. They are not established medical facts. Always work with your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Research hypothesis. The connection between Pneumonia and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin is described in Mark Egly's 2020 patent filing. This is not established medical fact and is not medical advice. Always talk with your doctor about your own health.
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a health condition discussed in Mark Egly's research on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin. Respiratory conditions affect the lungs and breathing. AAT is well known for protecting lung tissue from enzyme damage.
What Mark Egly's patent discusses
The American Thoracic Society has published that Neutrophil Elastase ("NE") can cause the neutralization of other neutrophils' ability to fight off bacteria. As documented by McCarthy et al, AAT inhibits neutrophil elastase ("NE") in the lungs. AAT also inhibits other neutrophil-derived proteases. Thus, AAT protects lung tissue from degradation. There is a significantly higher burden of neutrophils in the lungs of individuals with AATD compared with healthy individuals, and the significant neutrophil burden contributes to increased proteolytic activity and inflammation. Further, NE impairs the ability of other neutrophils to kill bacteria within the lungs. Matsuse et al demonstrated that NE plays a critical role in severe pneumonia. Levels of NE in plasma were found to be significantly higher in severe pneumonia as compared to moderate pneumonia. NE and its relationship to cytokine storms also plays a key role in pneumonia. A cytokine storm occurs when there is an excessive and uncontrolled release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It can result in acute respiratory distress syndrome ("ARDS"), multiple organ failure, and death. Cytokine storms have been seen in severe SARS, MERS, and…
How this may relate to Alpha-1
Mark Egly's patent proposes that when the body has too little working Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, or when neutrophils release too much neutrophil elastase, inflammation and tissue damage may worsen. For Pneumonia, the patent suggests that testing for AATD or low circulating AAT could help guide care. This is a research hypothesis, not a proven treatment path for everyone with this condition.
What you can do
If you or a family member lives with Pneumonia, consider learning about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and discussing AAT testing with your healthcare team. The Mark Egly Foundation offers education and community support: