C1 inhibitor: evidence for decreased hepatic synthesis in hereditary angioneurotic edema

AM Johnson, CA Alper, FS Rosen, JM Craig - Science, 1971 - science.org
AM Johnson, CA Alper, FS Rosen, JM Craig
Science, 1971science.org
Although the C1̅ inhibitor was detected in 5 to 10 percent of normal hepatic parenchymal
cells by means of the immunofluorescent technique, none was seen in liver biopsies from
two individuals with hereditary angioneurotic edema having low concentrations of C1̅
inhibitor in the serum. In contrast, the percentages of cells which reacted with fluorescent
antiserums to C4 and transferrin were normal. These data suggest that in most subjects with
hereditary angioneurotic edema, there is decreased synthesis of the C1̅ inhibitor but …
Although the C1̅ inhibitor was detected in 5 to 10 percent of normal hepatic parenchymal cells by means of the immunofluorescent technique, none was seen in liver biopsies from two individuals with hereditary angioneurotic edema having low concentrations of C1̅ inhibitor in the serum. In contrast, the percentages of cells which reacted with fluorescent antiserums to C4 and transferrin were normal. These data suggest that in most subjects with hereditary angioneurotic edema, there is decreased synthesis of the C1̅ inhibitor but normal synthesis of C4, and that the disease results from this biosynthetic error.
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