An immunological hypothesis for plasma protein catabolism.
A selective mechanism of plasma protein catabolism is suggested, based on three main assumptions: (1) plasma proteins are submitted to molecular ageing thus achieving "modified" forms after a given time period; (2) the system recognizing the "modified" molecules consists of preformed physiological autoantibodies; (3) the elimination of the immune complexes formed between "modified" proteins and the corresponding autoantibodies takes place via binding to Fc receptor bearing cells.
D000818:Animals; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D011817:Rabbits; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001798:Blood Proteins; D011961:Receptors, Fc