Future Directions in Amyloid Research

摘要: Since its recognition, the subject of amyloid and amyloidosis has been fraught with misconceptions errant pathways. Although Virchow applied to it a misnomer over 130 years ago, he correctly realized that systemic disease was caused by substance from blood (1). authoritatively promulgated single compound (2), more astute physicians diversity in clinical symptomatology ruled for chemical (3,4), generic term signifying complex (4). The early polarization studies Congo red stained inherently implied highly oriented ultrastructure which proven earliest electron microscopic (5,6). X-ray diffraction revealing all composed proteins s-pleated sheet configuration (7), purification first AL (8,9) suggested “tissue depositon anti-parallel, fibrils [may result] portions immunoglobulins other than light chains or immunoglobulins” (9). These suspicions were confirmed discovery clinically distinct fibril e.g. AL, AA, AF, AE, etc. (10). With realization deposits are β-pleated came awareness color after staining due unusual predilection β-structure (11,12) not result, as suggested, glycoprotein (2) even though rare protein found have polysaccharide moiety (13).