Histochemical investigation of acid mucosubstances in secondary amyloidosis

Abstract

Sections of liver and spleen from six cases of secondary amyloidosis have been examined, by various improved histochemical methods, for acidic mucosubstances. The results indicate a complex in amyloid deposits of protein and sulphated mucopolysaccharides in which the principal substance is heparan sulphate with traces of chondroitin sulphates. Deposits also contain sialic acid. The results are compared with chemical analyses of the same tissues and isolated fibrils which confirm the presence of heparan sulphate, chondroitin sulphates, and a sialic acid containing protein.