SERPINA1 and alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency: In human augmentation patients, MDMs isolated after an infusion of AAT are better able to control infection to Mycobacterium intracellulare due to greater phagosome-lysosome fusion and increased autophagosome formation/maturation.70 Whether this is also an effect with organisms more likely to be relevant to COPD and exacerbations needs to be confirmed however this suggests that augmentation therapy may potentially prevent bacterial exacerbation in AATD patients due to improved macrophage function, although this requires further and more relevant research.