Enhancement of AA-amyloid formation in mice by transthyretin amyloid fragments and polyethylene glycol

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2000 May 1;1474(3):331-6. doi: 10.1016/s0304-4165(00)00032-5.

Abstract

The mechanism behind amyloid formation is unknown in all types of amyloidosis. Several substances can enhance amyloid formation in animal experiments. To induce secondary systemic amyloid (AA-type amyloid) formation, we injected silver nitrate into mice together with either amyloid fibrils obtained from patients with familial polyneuropathy (FAP) type I or polyethylene glycol (PEG). Mice injected with silver nitrate only served as controls. Amyloid deposits were detectable at day 3 in animals injected with amyloid fibrils and in those injected with PEG, whereas in control mice, deposits were not noted before day 12. Our results indicate that amyloid fibrils from FAP patients and even a non-sulfate containing polysaccharide (PEG) have the potential to act as amyloid-enhancing factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid / isolation & purification
  • Amyloid / pharmacokinetics
  • Amyloidosis / blood
  • Amyloidosis / chemically induced
  • Amyloidosis / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
  • Congo Red
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Kidney Diseases / chemically induced
  • Kidney Diseases / metabolism
  • Liver Diseases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Polyneuropathies / blood
  • Prealbumin / isolation & purification
  • Prealbumin / pharmacokinetics
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein / analysis
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein / biosynthesis*
  • Silver Nitrate
  • Splenic Diseases / chemically induced
  • Splenic Diseases / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Prealbumin
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • transthyretin-related amyloid fibril protein, human
  • Congo Red
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Silver Nitrate