IgM pyroglobulinemia with erythrocytosis presenting as hyperviscosity syndrome. II. Biochemical properties and mechanisms of pyrogel formation

Shaun R. McCann, Horace H. Zinneman, Martin M. Oken, Akhouri A Sinha

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

An immunoglobulin M with kappa light chains (IgMK) pyroglobulin from a patient with hyperviscosity syndrome, erythrocytosis and coagulation defects has been studied for its immunochemical properties. At physiologic temperatures the purified macropyroglobulin showed a striking tendency to aggregate in the pentamer as well as in the monomer form. This property was also observed in its H chains. Aggregate formation of the pentamers may have contributed to the blood viscosity and coagulation defects. Formation of pyrogel at 56 °C was observed with pentamers as well as monomers, but not with separated H or L chains. Amino acid analysis showed quantitative abnormalities of aspartic acid, glycine, cystine and leucine within the H chains. Solubility of the pyrogel in sodium dodecyl sulfate, the pyroglobulin's tendency to aggregate and the cystine deficit of H chains implicate conformational changes leading to hydrophobic bonding at 56 °C in the formation of pyrogel.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)321-325
Number of pages5
JournalThe American journal of medicine
Volume61
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1976

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'IgM pyroglobulinemia with erythrocytosis presenting as hyperviscosity syndrome. II. Biochemical properties and mechanisms of pyrogel formation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this