Binding of alpha2-macroglobulin to collagen type I: modification of collagen matrix by alpha2-macroglobulin induces the enhancement of macrophage migration.

Alpha2-macroglobulin (a2M) secreted by tissue macrophages and fibroblasts functions in the environment of extracellular matrix macromolecules. We supposed that it may interact with these molecules and change the properties of extracellular matrix. Modified variant of ELISA was used to prove the direct binding of human a2M to collagen.

Method to evaluate the proliferation of activated lymphocytes in a three-dimensional collagen matrix.

It is well known that the enhancement of the cell-matrix interactions represents one of the early steps in the process of lymphocyte activation. However, the information regarding the role of these interactions in the late stages of lymphocyte activation (in particular, the proliferation) is still controversial. This is basically due to the absence of adequate experimental models.

Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A, Alpha-2-Macroglobulin, Pregnancy Zone Protein and Their Complexes with IgG in Sera of Healthy Non-Pregnant and Pregnant Woman, and Patients with Breast Cancer.

The purpose of this study was to measure alpha-2-macroglobulin-IgG (alpha(2)-MG-IgG), pregnancy zone protein-IgG (PZP-IgG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A-IgG (PAPP-A-IgG) complex concentrations in serum in comparison with total alpha(2)-MG, PZP and PAPP-A concentration, and to determine the possible role of such complexes. Serum samples were obtained from 20 healthy women, 30 patients with verified metastatic breast cancer (stage III-IV) before the treatment and 40 healthy women with normal pregnancy (I-III trimester in dynamics). The serum concentrations of alpha(2)-MG-IgG, PZP-IgG and PAPP-A-IgG complexes were measured by ELISA.

Alpha2-Macroglobulin Modulates Interactions between Lymphocytes and Fibroblasts.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of apha2-macroglobulin (alpha(2)M) on lymphocyte adhesion to fibroblasts. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy donors and two fibroblast lines (human diploid embryo fibroblasts M-19 and mouse transformed fibroblasts L929) were used in the experiments. alpha(2)M treatment of fibroblast monolayer appeared to result in the enhancement of lymphocyte adhesion to fibroblasts.

Low-Molecular Collagen Peptides Have Different Effects on Peritoneal Macrophages and Neutrophils.

Two types of phagocytes - neutrophils and macrophages, are very important participants in inflammation. However, the roles played by these cells in the regulation of an inflammation are radically different. Neutrophils initiate and ensure the alteration phase.