Serum alpha_1-microglobulin variations in acute reaction phase

Research Project

Project/Area Number	05671929
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Laboratory medicine
Research Institution	Jichi Medical School
Principal Investigator	KAWAI Tadashi Jichi Medical School, Clinical Pathology, Professor, 医学部, 教授 (60048957)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	ITOH Yoshihisa Jichi Medical School, Clinical Pathology, Assosiate professor, 医学部, 助教授 (20129026) 高余洲自治医科大学, 医学部, 助手 (30234686)
Project Period (FY)	1993 – 1994
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 1994)
Budget Amount *help	¥1,800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,800,000) Fiscal Year 1994: ¥900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000) Fiscal Year 1993: ¥900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000)
Keywords	alpha_1-microglobulin / Interleukin 6 / IgA / Amyloid A / alpha-chain disease / alpha_1-マイクログロブリン / SAA / CRP / IL-6 / 肝硬変症
Research Abstract	alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-m) is a low molecular weight glycoportein of 30kDa synthesized at liver as most of proteins are. Serum variations of this protein were investigated both in patients with surgical operation and alpha-chain disease. 2) alpha1-microglobulin clinically proved to be a positive acute phase reactant. Serum value was ellvated postoperatively depending on the synthetic capacity of the liver reserved. Since its molecular weight was low, it is easily cleared from kidney, that have so far made it impossible to define this protein as a acute phase reactant. Futrher fundamental study is under way to elucidate precise mechanisms of alpha1-m reaction at the liver. For clinical significance, total measurement of this protein can be useful as a sensitive indicator of liver function and its recovery. 2) Structure analysis of an alpha-chain-alpha1-m complex in alpha-chain disease Basic structure of alpha-chain-alpha1-m complex is a heterodimer of Fcalpha and Fcalpha-alpha1-m complex, in latter of which alpha1-m covalently binds at 1 : 1 molar ratio. alpha1-m was extremely low in serum concentration as compared with that in alpha-chain. Immunohistochemical examinations have shown no alpha1-m positive localization in involved tissues, but structurally abnormal alpha-chain. A complex form should be synthesized elsewhere in the tissues in the body once alpha-chain is released into circulation from involved lymph nodes. 3) Development of a serum amyloid A (SAA) assay In the process of the present study, a precise assay for SAA was developed using a latex agglutination reaction. 4) Mechanisms of alpha1-m synthesis Effects of Interleukin 6 was investigated on synthetic capacity of alpha1-m by a hepatoma cell line (cCH4) to show that the alpha1-m was reduced in its value in the supernatant fluids, which contradicted the clinical findings.