Macroglobulin
A macroglobulin is a plasma globulin of high molecular weight.[1]
IgM, pictured, is an example of a macroglobulin. Another example is alpha-2 macroglobulin.
Elevated levels of macroglobulins (macroglobulinemia) may cause manifestations of excess blood viscosity (as is the case for IgM antibodies in Waldenström macroglobulinemia) and/or precipitate within blood vessels when temperature drops (as in cryoglobulinaemia).
Other macroglobulins include α2-macroglobulin, which is elevated in nephrotic syndrome, diabetes, severe burns, and other conditions, while a deficiency is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
References
- "Definition: macroglobulin from Online Medical Dictionary". Archived from the original on June 24, 2008.
External links
- Macroglobulins at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
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