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Biomedical subjects

S V Pizzo

Publications and source records attributed to S V Pizzo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Activated alpha 2-macroglobulin promotes mitogenesis in rat vascular smooth muscle cells by a mechanism that is independent of growth-factor-carrier activity.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) proliferation is important in atherosclerosis. We previously demonstrated that methylamine-activated alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) cause a synergistic proliferative response in quiescent rat aortic vSMCs [Stouffer, G. A., La-Marre, J., Gonias, S. L. & Owens, G. K. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 18,340-18,344]. The first goal of this study was to determine whether the synergy is due to the ability of alpha 2M-methylamine (alpha 2M-MeNH2) to bind TGF-beta 1 and target the growth factor to vSMCs that express the alpha 2M receptor. Receptor-recognized alpha 2M derivatives without TGF-beta 1-binding activity, including ternary alpha 2M-trypsin, an 18-kDa proteolytic fragment of the alpha 2M subunit, and the corresponding recombinant receptor-binding fragment (rRBF) increased vSMC [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell number in a manner similar to alpha 2M-MeNH2. In combination with TGF-beta 1, each alpha 2M derivative caused a synergistic vSMC proliferative response. vSMCs responded comparably when treated with alpha 2M-MeNH2 and TGF-beta 1 simultaneously or in sequence. Furthermore, alpha 2M-MeNH2-TGF-beta 1 complexes increased [3H]thymidine incorporation no more than alpha 2M-MeNH2 alone. These results indicate that TGF-beta 1 binding to alpha 2M is not responsible for the synergistic mitogenic activity. Additional studies were undertaken to determine whether activated alpha 2M independently induces a signal-transduction response in vSMCs. alpha 2M-MeNH2 and rRBF caused a rapid, transient increase in vSMC inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. This response was pertussis-toxin insensitive. Receptor-associated protein (RAP; 170 nmol/L) inhibited 91-95% of the specific binding of 125I-alpha 2M-MeNH2 and 125I-rRBF to vSMC; however, RAP did not affect the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate response or the mitogenic response. These studies suggest that vSMCs express a receptor, other than low-density-lipoprotein-receptor-related protein, that transduces a signal in response to activated alpha 2M. This receptor may mediate the mitogenic activity of alpha 2M in vSMC culture.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Ligation of the alpha 2-macroglobulin signalling receptor on macrophages induces protein phosphorylation and an increase in cytosolic pH.

We have recently described an alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) signalling receptor which is distinct from the low-density lipoprotein-related protein/alpha 2M receptor (LRP/alpha 2MR). Ligation of the macrophage signalling receptor by alpha 2M-methylamine stimulates production of several second messengers and involves a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein. We now report that binding of alpha 2M-methylamine, or the cloned M(r) = 20,000 receptor-binding fragment from rat alpha 1M, to macrophage alpha 2M signalling receptors induces protein phosphorylation. By use of a monoclonal antibody to phospholipase C gamma l (PLC gamma l) we were able to identify it as one target for protein phosphorylation. Phosphorylation was time and concentration dependent, being optimal at about 60 s of incubation and a 100-200 nM ligand concentration. By use of a second monoclonal antibody directed against phosphotyrosine, we were able to demonstrate that at least a portion of the label was incorporated into one or more tyrosine residues. PLC gamma l phosphorylation was then studied in membrane preparations at 4 degrees C in order to minimize serine or threonine modification. Preincubation of macrophage membranes with genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, drastically reduced phosphorylation of PLC gamma l. Receptor-associated protein, which blocks alpha 2M binding to LRP/alpha 2MR but not to the alpha 2M signalling receptor, had no effect on alpha 2M-methylamine-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma l. Binding of lactoferrin to LRP/alpha 2MR failed to induce phosphorylation of PLC gamma l, further supporting the hypothesis that the alpha 2M signalling receptor and LRP/alpha 2MR are distinct entities. Growth factors which induce tyrosine phosphorylation typically cause a rise in cytosolic pH. Binding of a2M-methylamine to macrophages also gradually increased the intracellular pH in a concentration-dependent manner, being optimal at a 200 nM ligand concentration. The increase in pH was amiloride sensitive. We propose that receptor-recognized forms of a2M may function like growth factors with regard to macrophage regulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable complexes between serpins and active or inactive proteinases contain the region COOH-terminal to the reactive site loop.

Recently inhibitors of the serpin family were shown to form complexes with dichloroisocoumarine (DCI)-inactivated proteinases under native conditions (Enghild, J. J., Valnickova, Z., Thøgersen I., and Pizzo, S. V. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 20159-20166). This study demonstrates that serpin-DCI/proteinase complexes resist dissociation when analyzed in reduced SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Previously, SDS-stable serpin-proteinase complexes have been observed only between serpins and catalytically active proteinases. The stability of these complexes is believed to result from an acyl-ester bond between the active site Ser195 of the proteinase and the alpha-carbonyl group of the scissile bond in the reactive site loop. We have further analyzed the structure of the SDS-stable serpin-proteinase and serpin-DCI/proteinase complexes. The results of these studies demonstrate the presence of the COOH-terminal region of the serpin in both complexes. Since (i) modification of Ser195 does not prevent formation of SDS-stable complexes and (ii) COOH-terminal peptides are present in both complexes, the previously described mechanism does not sufficiently explain the formation of SDS-stable complexes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Specific binding of urinary-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) to vitronectin and its role in mediating u-PA-dependent adhesion of U937 cells.

The present paper described interactions of urinary-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) with isolated protein components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) using kinetic and ligand-blotting analyses, as well as adhesion studies with u-PA-saturated U937 monocytic cells. Kinetic analyses showed that fibronectin and laminin were moderately effective at decreasing activation of plasminogen by u-PA (3-4-fold decrease in kcat/Km), while activation was stimulated slightly by collagen types I and IV (2-4-fold increase in kcat/Km). Ligand-blotting experiments using intact immobilized ECM proteins demonstrated that u-PA binds predominantly to vitronectin. This was supported by ELISA studies, which showed concentration dependent, saturable, reversible binding of u-PA to vitronectin (Kd,app. of 97 nM). Limited proteolysis of vitronectin followed by ligand-blotting analysis demonstrated u-PA binding to a specific vitronectin fragment (M(r) 49,000), and binding was shown to occur through the N-terminal fragment of u-PA. N-terminal sequence analysis indicated that this binding fragment of vitronectin originates with Thr-122 and comprises the hemopexin domain, including the heparin-binding region of the vitronectin molecule. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type I did not compete with u-PA for binding to vitronectin, suggesting both molecules may co-localize on vitronectin. In contrast, binding of u-PA to vitronectin was significantly inhibited by plasminogen, suggesting these molecules share a common binding site on vitronectin. In addition to in vitro studies, experiments were performed to assess the contribution of direct binding of u-PA to vitronectin on the adhesive behaviour of U937 cells. Binding of u-PA-saturated U937 cells to vitronectin was inhibited 66% by excess vitronectin, suggesting that direct binding of u-PA to vitronectin is the mechanism by which u-PA-dependent adhesion of U937 cells to vitronectin is mediated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Sialic acid content of plasminogen 2 glycoforms as a regulator of fibrinolytic activity. Isolation, carbohydrate analysis, and kinetic characterization of six glycoforms of plasminogen.

Six glycoforms of plasminogen 2 were isolated using a combination of lectin affinity chromatography and chromatofocussing, and the sialic acid content of each glycoform was determined. The kinetics of activation of each glycoform by tissue-type plasminogen activator were analyzed on a fibrin surface and in solution. The second-order rate constant (measured on a fibrin surface) decreased from 1.65 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 to 3.77 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 as the sialic acid content of the glycoforms increased from 1.3 mol/mol of protein to 13.65 mol/mol of protein. A similar correlation was noted for activation in solution. Each glycoform was converted to plasmin, and the inhibition constants for the reaction between alpha 2-antiplasmin and plasmin glycoforms were determined. All overall Ki values, reflecting the final essentially irreversible complex, were in the picomolar range. Sialic acid does not affect inhibition of plasmin by alpha 2-antiplasmin; however, hypersialylated plasmin does not appear to have a kringle-dependent component to inhibition.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed1995

alpha 1-Microglobulin destroys the proteinase inhibitory activity of alpha 1-inhibitor-3 by complex formation.

The immunoregulatory plasma protein alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1-m) and the proteinase inhibitor alpha 1-inhibitor-3 (alpha 1I3) form a complex in rat plasma. In the present work, it was demonstrated that the alpha 1I3.alpha 1-m complex has no inhibitory activity, the bait region was not cleaved by low amounts of proteinases, and it was unable to covalently incorporate proteinases. The results also indicated that the thiolester bond of the alpha 1I3.alpha 1-m complex was broken. The alpha 1I3.alpha 1-m complex was cleared from the circulation much faster than native alpha 1I3, with a half-life of approximately 7 min. Structurally, however, the alpha 1I3.alpha 1-m complex was similar to native alpha 1I3 rather than alpha 1I3 cleaved by proteinases. It is speculated that the role of alpha 1-m is to destroy the function of alpha 1I3 by blocking the bait region and breaking the thiolester and causing its physical elimination by rapid clearing from the blood circulation. It is also possible that the formation of complexes between alpha 1-m and alpha 1I3 may serve as a mean to regulate the function of alpha 1-m since its complex with alpha 1I3 is taken up rapidly by cellular receptors for alpha-macroglobulins.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1995

Oxidized low density lipoprotein suppresses activation of NF kappa B in macrophages via a pertussis toxin-sensitive signaling mechanism.

The interaction of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and macrophages is generally believed to be a significant inductive step in atherogenesis. Endocytosis of ox-LDL by scavenger receptors (SR) on macrophages is one result of this interaction, as is suppressed expression of several lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated, inflammatory genes such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Events subsequent to SR ligation, including intracellular signaling events if any, have not been established. We report here that ox-LDL initiates rapid hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 2 (PIP2) and intracellular fluxes of Ca2+ in macrophages, both of which are sensitive to pertussis toxin. ox-LDL also suppresses the LPS-induced binding of macrophage extracts to an NF kappa B sequence oligonucleotide and the LPS-initiated accumulation of RNA specific for TNF-alpha. These latter two effects are pertussis toxin-sensitive. Ligation of SR by ox-LDL thus initiates a pertussis toxin-sensitive signaling pathway in macrophages, which involves hydrolysis of PIP2 and which can suppress expression of the TNF-alpha gene by modulating activation of NF kappa B.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

A plasma membrane-associated component of ovarian adenocarcinoma cells enhances the catalytic efficiency of matrix metalloproteinase-2.

Several recent investigations have demonstrated that matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) binds to the cell surface and undergoes zymogen activation via a plasma membrane-associated activity. The purpose of this study was to determine if association of MMP-2 with the plasma membrane also modulates the catalytic efficiency of the active enzyme. Using density gradient centrifugation, we isolated the plasma membrane fractions of two ovarian adenocarcinoma cell lines, DOV 13 and OVCA' 432, previously described either to express MMP-2 or to express no gelatinolytic metalloproteinases, respectively. While DOV 13 cells contained plasma membrane-associated MMP-2 and OVCA 432 did not, both cell types were able to bind exogenous MMP-2. Furthermore, plasma membrane fractions from these cells significantly enhanced the rate of cleavage of [14C]gelatin I substrate by both MMP-2 tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) complex (2.5-8-fold) and TIMP-2-free MMP-2 (5.9-fold). This stimulatory activity was dose-dependent, soluble in Triton X-100, and abolished by trypsin treatment of the membranes, but was stable to heat treatment. Plasma membrane stimulation of MMP-2 resulted in a 3.8-4.6-fold increase in the catalytic efficiency of gelatinolysis. These data suggest that, in addition to promoting zymogen activation, cell surface binding of MMP-2 may regulate enzyme activity by increasing the rate of substrate cleavage. Via this mechanism, tumor cell types that do not express MMPs (such as OVCA 432) nevertheless may be able to utilize exogenous MMP-2 to mediate proteolysis associated with invasion and metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Lipoprotein (a) in the regulation of fibrinolysis.

Elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)] are associated with increased an risk of developing atherosclerosis. This increased risk may be due to an Lp(a)-mediated depression of fibrinolytic activity. Lp(a) regulates fibrinolysis by controlling the activity of plasminogen activators. Lp(a) is a low density lipoprotein with an apoprotein(a) subunit which has a high degree of homology with the fibrinolytic zymogen plasminogen. The apoprotein(a) subunit contains up to thirty seven copies of a domain homologous to the plasminogen kringle 4 domain, which enables Lp(a) to bind to fibrin. The subunit also has a zymogen domain, but it is not activated by plasminogen activators. Lp(a) inhibits plasminogen activation by competing with plasminogen for access to plasminogen activators bound to vascular surfaces. Lp(a) also competes with the irreversible inhibitor of plasminogen activators, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Therefore increases in Lp(a) concentration may decrease fibrinolytic activity by preventing activation of plasminogen, but Lp(a) may also prolong plasminogen activation by preventing the irreversible inhibition of the activators. At elevated levels of Lp(a) the decreased rate of plasmin generation may not be offset by the prolongation in plasminogen activation, and fibrinolysis will be inhibited.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of plasminogen binding and activation on extracellular matrices produced by vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells.

Plasminogen is the zymogen form of the serine proteinase plasmin. Although plasmin functions primarily as a fibrinolytic enzyme, recent evidence from numerous laboratories indicates that plasmin is also active in extracellular-matrix (ECM) proteolysis. The role of plasmin in ECM degradation suggests that activation of plasminogen may be regulated by interaction with components of the ECM. In the current study, we have investigated binding and kinetic interactions between plasminogen, plasminogen activators and ECM synthesized by either vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCECM) or endothelial cells (ECECM). We report binding of plasminogen, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and urinary-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) to intact SMCECM with concentrations of ligand yielding half-maximal binding (B50) of 34, 5 and 15 nM, respectively. ECECM bound only plasminogen and t-PA, with B50 values of 32 nM and 10 nM, respectively. The initial rate of t-PA-catalyzed plasminogen activation was enhanced 41-fold in the presence of SMCECM and 27-fold on ECECM. In contrast, u-PA-catalyzed activation on SMCECM and ECECM was increased only 1.5-fold or 3-fold, respectively. These data suggest that the ECM may provide an alternative surface for assembly and regulation of plasminogen activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Complexes between serpins and inactive proteinases are not thermodynamically stable but are recognized by serpin receptors.

The serpin mechanism of action may resemble the "standard mechanism" described for small protein inhibitors of serine proteinases. Since these inhibitors are able to bind active site-modified target proteinases, we have investigated the interactions between two serpins and their 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin (DCI)-inactivated target proteinases. alpha 2-Antiplasmin and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor bound stoichiometrically to DCI-inactivated chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) and DCI-inactivated human neutrophil elastase, respectively. Similar to active proteinases, the DCI-inactivated proteinases failed to bind complexes between serpins and synthetic reactive site loop peptides. Thus, the abilities of active and inactive proteinases to bind the serpins probably depend on the same structural characteristics. The thermodynamic stability of the alpha 2-antiplasmin-DCI/chymotrypsin and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor-DCI/human neutrophil elastase complexes was similar to that of virgin serpins. However, in mouse plasma elimination studies the two complexes were removed rapidly from the circulation, suggesting that they have adopted the receptor recognized conformation. Consequently, cleavage of the reactive center peptide bond and formation of an inhibitor-acyl enzyme complex is neither obligatory to serpin-proteinase complex formation nor essential for the conformational change responsible for receptor mediated endocytosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

The relationship between low density lipoprotein-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) receptors and the newly described alpha 2M signaling receptor.

alpha 2-Macroglobulin (alpha 2M)-methylamine binding to macrophages appears to involve two receptors. Binding of alpha 2M-methylamine to low density lipoprotein-related protein (LRP) results in cellular uptake and degradation, while binding to a newly described alpha 2M signaling receptor elevates intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and inositol phosphates. We now demonstrate that binding of lactoferrin, Pseudomonas exotoxin A, and lipoprotein lipase to LRP on macrophages results in increased [Ca2+]i and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate. Receptor-associated protein, which binds to LRP but not the alpha 2M signaling receptor, blocks the lactoferrin signal but has no effect on alpha 2M-methylamine signaling. The latter observation supports our hypothesis that a distinct signaling receptor binds alpha 2M-methylamine. We further demonstrate that the signaling events induced by lactoferrin may involve a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, while the alpha 2M signaling receptor appears to be coupled to a pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Evidence for a second alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor.

alpha 2-Macroglobulin (alpha 2M)-methylamine binds to purified low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), and it is assumed that LRP functions as the alpha 2M receptor in vivo. Binding of alpha 2M-methylamine to macrophage receptors elevates intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i), inositol phosphates, and cyclic AMP. We have employed human alpha 2M-methylamine and recombinant receptor binding fragment (RBF) to study transduction mechanisms. Macrophages exposed to either ligand demonstrated a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i. Since the 39-kDa LRP/alpha 2M receptor-associated protein (RAP) blocks alpha 2M binding to LRP, we explored the effects of RAP upon signaling. Pretreatment of macrophages with RAP did not block the increase in [Ca2+]i elicited by alpha 2M-methylamine or RBF, suggesting a distinct binding site. RBF also elicited a transient 1.5-2.0-fold increase in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate. In permeabilized macrophages, GTP gamma S and Gp-p(NH)p potentiated and sustained this inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate increase. Preincubation of permeabilized macrophages with GDP beta S abrogated the effects of GTP gamma S. Our results suggest that the signaling alpha 2M receptor is coupled to a pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein and possibly to a cholera toxin-sensitive G protein. We conclude that macrophages contain a second alpha 2M receptor that is G protein-coupled.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1994

Secretion of extracellular matrix-degrading proteinases is increased in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

The biochemical events associated with tumor invasion involve localized degradation of the basement membrane by tumor-associated proteinases. In this study, we have characterized the proteinase secretion profiles of 5 ovarian epithelial carcinoma cell lines (DOV 13, OVCA 420, OVCA 429, OVCA 432, OVCA 433) as well as normal ovarian epithelial cells. Immunocapture assays demonstrated that all 5 carcinoma cell lines produce both secreted and surface-associated plasminogen activator. Urinary-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) production was one order of magnitude greater than production of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). Furthermore, t-PA secretion by normal ovarian epithelial cells was not detectable, whereas u-PA production was 17- to 38-fold lower than in ovarian carcinoma cells. Western-blotting analysis demonstrated that u-PA was secreted as the single chain form (scu-PA) when cells were cultured in serum-free medium. Incubation of plasminogen with ovarian carcinoma cell-conditioned medium resulted in direct activation of the zymogen to plasmin. Furthermore, following incubation of cells with plasminogen, plasmin was eluted from the cell surface, indicating that ovarian carcinoma cells contain binding sites for plasminogen/plasmin which are accessible to surface-associated plasminogen activators. In addition to plasminogen activators, metalloproteinases were also produced by DOV 13, OVCA 429 and OVCA 433 cells. DOV 13 cells produce a 68-kDa metalloproteinase similar to matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) whereas a 92-kDa enzyme similar to MMP-9 is secreted by OVCA 429 and 433. Together, ovarian carcinoma-associated plasminogen activators and metalloproteinases catalyze the hydrolysis of the major basement membrane protein components, type-IV collagen, type-IV gelatin, laminin and fibronectin. The enhanced proteolytic capability of ovarian carcinoma cells relative to normal ovarian epithelium suggests a biochemical mechanism by which invasion and spread of ovarian epithelial carcinoma may be mediated.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1994

The effect of substituted laminin A chain-derived peptides on the conformation and activation kinetics of plasminogen.

Conversion of the zymogen plasminogen (Pg) to the active enzyme plasmin is catalyzed by proteinases such as tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). Interaction of Pg with small ligands such as lysine or macromolecular ligands such as fibrin induces a dramatic conformational change in the zymogen which enhances its efficacy as a t-PA substrate, thereby increasing catalytic efficiency of the activation reaction. We have previously demonstrated that a synthetic peptide derived from amino acids 2091-2108 of the laminin A chain (designated LamA2091-2108) can significantly enhance t-PA-catalyzed Pg activation. To probe the mechanism of this stimulatory reaction, we have determined the effect of substituted LamA2091-2108 derivatives on Pg activation by t-PA. Substitution of charged residues in LamA2091-2108 with neutral amino acids decreases the kcat/Km observed in the presence of native LamA2091-2108. Furthermore, fluorescence-quenching experiments demonstrate that whereas LamA2091-2108 alters the solvent accessibility of Pg Trp residues, charge-substituted peptides have little effect on Pg conformation. These data suggest that LamA2091-2108 stimulates Pg activation by inducing a conformational change in the zymogen similar to that observed upon binding of other ligands such as lysine and fibrin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Adjuvant-free in vivo targeting. Antigen delivery by alpha 2-macroglobulin enhances antibody formation.

The proteinase "inhibitor" alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) is able to entrap and form covalent linkages with diverse proteins during a transient proteinase-activated state. These complexes are rapidly endocytosed after binding to receptors present on macrophages and other cells. We have previously shown that compared to free hen egg lysozyme (HEL), alpha 2M-complexed HEL undergoes enhanced macrophage uptake, processing, and presentation to T hybridoma clones in vitro. Inasmuch as it is not clear whether T hybridoma responses accurately reflect primary immune responses in vivo, we studied antibody production in rabbits using two Ag complexed with either human alpha 2M (H alpha 2M) or a homologous protein purified from rabbit plasma, alpha 1-macroglobulin (R alpha 1M). Pathogen-free NZW rabbits received s.c. injections with adjuvant-free preparations of free HEL or porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE), H alpha 2M-HEL-PPE complexes, R alpha 1M-HEL-PPE complexes, or mixtures of the uncomplexed proteins. Complexing the Ag to alpha 2M resulted in 10 to 500-fold higher IgG titers compared to uncomplexed controls. Injection of Ag complexed to either H alpha 2M or R alpha 1M resulted in levels of anti-HEL IgG comparable to those elicited by emulsification in CFA. Inasmuch as inflammatory proteinases such as neutrophil elastase can initiate covalent complex formation with alpha 2M, we propose that "proteinase-activated" alpha 2M may mediate receptor-enhanced Ag uptake by macrophages, resulting in augmented Ag processing and antibody production.

Animals↗