Amyloid Involvement and Monoclonal Immunoglobulins

Abstract

At a relatively early date the coincidence of serum protein changes and amyloid tissue deposits invited speculation as to whether there might be an underlying intimate correlation or even a causual relationship (Magnus-Levy, Letterer). No

Table 1 Classification of amyloidoses

definite statement could be presented so far as to the extent of characteristic changes arising in the serum protein pattern in generalized amyloidosis in humans; the observations which are available on the employment of modern chemical methods of protein estimation are as yet too insufficient to warrant any explanations. More exhaustive investigations on this problem have been conducted by the group of Ossermann who on the strength of his findings postulates that abnormal gamma globulins or gamma globulin particles, which may be detected in serum or urine, actively participate in amyloid formation.