REMOVABILITY OF CYTOTOXIC FRACTIONS TO MOUSE L CELL AND β₂-MICROGLOBULIN (β2m), IDENTIFIED FROM AMYLOID FIBRILS OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS), FROM DIALYSIS (RD) PATIENTS THROUGH A LEAKY MFMBRANE (BK)

Abstract

To identify pathogenic substances accumulated in chronic HD patients, ultrafiltrates obtained from them using BK were analyzed and bioassayed. Cytotoxic fractions (K1, K2) and β2m were isolated. On the other hand, β2m was identified as a major component of amyloid from HD patients with CTS. Further studies revealed; 1) Plasma β2m in patients is extraordinarily high (25-75 times that of normal) irrespective of HD duration. 2) β2m suppresses calcification of osteoblastic cell cultured just as aluminum. 3) Continuous use of BK decreases plasma β2m without any change in plasma total protein.