title: Beta-2 microglobulin--an immunogenetic marker of inflammatory and malignant origin.
abstract: Major contributions have been made in the last few years to the knowledge of the structure, fate and cellular origin of beta-2 microglobulin (B2M); but the question of its function still remains unclear. The concept of B2M being simply a marker of renal physiology seems less satisfactory when reference is made to its relationship to the immunogenetic system. Although assay of B2M cannot be considered as a specific diagnostic tool, it still may be regarded as a useful parameter in monitoring inflammatory, malignant, and auto-immune disease activity.
mesh_terms: D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000276:immunology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D007938:Leukemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D006680:HLA Antigens; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin