title: The comparative evaluation of alpha-2-macroglobulin and immunoglobulin levels in sera of patients with bronchial asthma.
abstract: Alpha-2-macroglobulin is the major serum antiprotease capable of inhibiting proteolytic enzymes. Protease-antiprotease homeostasis within the respiratory tract can be altered in bronchial asthma. On the other hand, in their disorder marked changes in immunoglobulin levels are observed and are related to the clinical stage of the disease. Consequently, we hypothesized, that a correlation between the levels of alpha-2-macroglobulin and immunoglobulins might have been existing. In order to evaluate this concept, the comparative analysis of serum alpha-2-macroglobulin and immunoglobulin levels in patients with extrinsic (atopic) and intrinsic (non-atopic) bronchial asthma, and in patients with bronchospastic and emphysema dominated components, was carried out by radial immunodiffusion assays. The positive linear correlation between alpha-2-macroglobulin and IgM levels was observed in patients of all tested groups. These results were discussed in view of the known role of the natural inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes, i.e. alpha-2-macroglobulin, in the protection of asthmatic lung.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000276:immunology; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins