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British Journal of Experimental Pathology logoLink to British Journal of Experimental Pathology
. 1989 Aug;70(4):469–478.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in granulomatous inflammation of the mouse.

J Trojan 1, J Naval 1, H Jusforgues 1, J Uriel 1
PMCID: PMC2040556  PMID: 2475155

Abstract

Inflammatory granulomas constituted of various proportions of macrophages, polynuclear (PMNs) and mononuclear cells were induced in adult pathogen-free mice by injecting polyacrylamide beads into subcutaneous pouches. Using specific anti-mouse alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) antibodies, the presence of AFP was immunocytochemically demonstrated in the cytoplasm of macrophages and of immature PMNs (mature PMNs and mononuclear cells were AFP negative). AFP-labelling started as soon as 36 h after granuloma induction and reached a maximum 60-72 h later, to disappear on day 5. The examination of different organs in these mice also showed a transitory labelling for AFP of liver hepatocytes and of elements of kidney and of exocrine pancreas. Parallel to these findings, the selective concentration inside the granulomatous pouches of radiolabelled AFP injected in the course of inflammation was observed. These results suggest that (a) shortly after the inflammatory reaction the synthesis of AFP is resumed by the liver; (b) the newly synthesized AFP is secreted in the serum and preferentially taken up by the granulomas; and (c) consequently, in adult mice, AFP behaves as a positive acute phase reactant. The physiopathological implications of these facts are discussed in relation with the biological properties of AFP.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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