α 2 -Macroglobulin: Autologous Protease Inhibition Technology

α -Macroglobulin (A2M) is a plasma glycoprotein best known for its ability to inhibit a broad spectrum of serine, threonine, and metalloproteases as well as inflammatory cytokines by a unique bait-and-trap method. A2M has emerged as a unique potential treatment of cartilage-based pathology and infla...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America Vol. 27; no. 4; p. 909
Main Authors:	Cuéllar, Jason M, Cuéllar, Vanessa Gabrovsky, Scuderi, Gaetano J
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-11-2016
Subjects:	alpha-Macroglobulins - immunology alpha-Macroglobulins - therapeutic use Humans Peptide Hydrolases Pregnancy-Associated alpha 2-Macroglobulins α-macroglobulin (A2M) Cytokines Autologous Arthritis Inflammation Discogenic back pain Anti-inflammatory Osteoarthritis
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Summary:	α -Macroglobulin (A2M) is a plasma glycoprotein best known for its ability to inhibit a broad spectrum of serine, threonine, and metalloproteases as well as inflammatory cytokines by a unique bait-and-trap method. A2M has emerged as a unique potential treatment of cartilage-based pathology and inflammatory arthritides. This article describes the unique method by which A2M not only inhibits the associated inflammatory cascade but also disrupts the catabolic process of cartilage degeneration. Autologous concentrated A2M from plasma is currently in use to successfully treat various painful arthritides. Future directions will focus on recombinant variants that enhance its anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying potential.
ISSN:	1558-1381