Identification of pregnancy-associated alpha-macroglobulin on the surface of peripheral blood leucocyte populations.
Pregnancy-associated alpha-macroglobulin (PAM) was identified on the surface membranes of human peripheral blood leucocytes by immunofluorescent staining. Subjects having a high serum-level of the glycoprotein (pregnant and contraceptive steroid-treated women) were shown to possess a significantly greater proportion of PAM-positive cells than those (normal males) with a low concentration. However, no correlation was found between the serum values and the percentage of PAM-associated leucocytes. Studies employing purified leucocyte-types and the simultaneous detection of PAM and lymphocyte surface markers indicated that only subpopulations of T lymphocytes (23%) and monocytes (40%) were associated with this serum protein.
D000328:Adult; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000032:analysis; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins