Immunoassay of P-Component in Amyloidotic Sera.

Abstract

Rabbits immunized with an alkaline extract of amyloid-laden spleen produce antibodies to P-component, an a-globulin contained only in amyloid but not non-amyloid tissues. Monospecific antiserum was used to measure levels of the P-component in sera from patients with biopsy proven amyloidosis as well as controls. The P-component was present in the serum of each of 21 patients with amyloidosis, although the levels did not differ significantly from those in 14 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 23 healthy blood donors. The serum from new-born infants contained little or no detectable P-component.