A new protein designated α2-AP (acute phase) globulin, not present in normal rat serum, has been detected by immunochemical methods in a wide variety of pathologic states. The protein is a carbohydrate-containing euglobulin and migrates with the mobility of an α2-globulin in filter paper and agar gel. In acrylamide and starch gels it exhibits a very low mobility suggestive of a macroglobulin. It is not related antigenically to C-reactive protein or Cx-reactive protein. Possible factors responsible for the production of the protein were discussed. It was concluded that the appearance of the protein in the circulation represents a systemic manifestation of the acute inflammatory response, and that the synthesis of the protein is stimulated by substances released from injured or necrotic cells.
The effects of periodic challenge with turpentine on the concentration of the acute-phase reactants of serum were studied in young, adult, male Sprague–Dawley rats. The initial injection of the phlogogenic agent was followed by rapid and significant increases in the concentrations of plasma fibrinogen, total serum glycoprotein, serum complement, and the α2-AP globulin and seromucoid fractions. Variable response patterns were observed on subsequent challenges and in the intervals between. The conclusion was drawn that the acute-phase reactants of serum do not respond in a uniform manner to repeated challenge with a phlogogenic agent, and by inference their synthesis must be regulated by several different mechanisms.
The effects of adjuvant-induced arthritis in the rat on serum protein alterations were investigated in a longitudinal study. Injection of an emulsion of the Wax D fraction of the tubercle bacillus in oil elicited pronounced elevations in the α1-globulin, α2-globulin, and seromucoid fractions, and the total serum glycoprotein within 24 h. During the acute stage of the disease, significant increases were observed in protein-bound hexose, and in the fibrinogen, seromucoid, α1-, α2-, and β-globulin fractions. A new protein, α2-AP (acute phase) globulin, appeared in the serum concomitant with decreased levels of total protein, albumin, and γ-globulin. Remission was characterized by a reversal of the above changes. Spontaneous renewal of the arthritic symptoms caused comparable but less marked serum changes similar to those observed in the various clinical phases of rheumatic disease in man. It was concluded that although the serum changes parallel to a certain extent the degree of pathologic activity, they are not specific, and reflect a common systemic response to inflammation.
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