Tissue distribution of rat macroglobulins in tumour-bearing rats

• Published in: International journal of experimental pathology 1999-04, Vol.80 (2), p.105-108
• Main Authors: Maltseva, N V, Zorina, R M, Mingaljev, N V, Krajushkina, N A, Chirikova, T S, Zorin, N A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Carcinoma 256, Walker - blood; Carcinoma 256, Walker - metabolism; Carrier Proteins - metabolism; Immunoelectrophoresis; Macroglobulins - metabolism; Male; Neoplasm Proteins - blood; Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism; Original; Pregnancy Proteins - metabolism; pregnancy-associated α1-glycoprotein; Rat; Rats; Tissue Distribution; tumour; α1-macroglobulin; α2-macroglobulin
• ISSN: 0959-9673; 1365-2613
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2613.1999.00103.x

Rat macroglobulins were determined in blood sera and extracts of tissues of intact rats and rats with Walker carcinoma by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The serum levels of α1‐macroglobulin (α1MG) α2‐macroglobulin (α2MG) and pregnancy‐associated α1‐glycoprotein (α1PAG) were 1.86 ± 0.07 mg/ml, 0.12 ± 0.02 mg/ml and 18.32 ± 4.07 AU/ml respectively in control rats. Maximum concentrations of α1MG were found in heart, lung and spleen and lesser quantities were in liver and thymus, while α2MG and α1PAG were not found at all in tissue extracts from control rats. Serum α2MG and α1PAG concentrations increased more than 30‐fold in tumour‐bearing rats compared to control animals, while α1MG serum concentration was little changed. Increases in all three macroglobulins occurred in the tissues of tumour‐bearing rats, particularly α1PAG. The tissue concentrations of α1MG and α2MG were similar and the tissue distribution was also similar with highest concentrations in heart and lung. Considerable quantities of the proteins were found in the tumour and part of peritoneum which made contact with the tumour. Changes in the protein concentrations in serum and tissue extracts of tumour‐bearing rats suggest that all members of rat macroglobulin family are disturbed during the development of the Walker carcinoma, though only α2MG and α1PAG were substantially elevated.