title: Immunochemical characterization of the cryoglobulins: pathophysiologic implications.
abstract: Immunochemical study of the cryoglobulins has produced a classification of three main types which present clinical correlates. With the current standard immunofixation technique the vast majority of cryoglobulins are presently classified as type II. High-resolution immunoelectrophoretic techniques (immunoblotting and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) have helped to identify new sub-types whose clinical relevance is as yet undetermined. Nevertheless, these sensitive techniques could contribute to elucidate the various stages in the natural history of HCV-related cryoglobulins, from possible earlier HCV-antigen-driven polyclonal B cell proliferation, to autonomous monoclonal benign, to malignant B cell proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Medicina Interna ed Oncologia Medica, Università di Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Merlini
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zorzoli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anesi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perfetti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marinone
mesh_terms: D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D003450:Cryoglobulins