Haptoglobin is a hemoglobin-binding protein expressed by a genetic polymorphism as three major phenotypes: 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2. Most attention has been paid to determining haptoglobin phenotype as a genetic fingerprint used in forensic medicine. More recently, several functional differences between haptoglobin phenotypes have been demonstrated that appear to have important biological and clinical consequences. Haptoglobin polymorphism is associated with the prevalence and clinical evolution of many inflammatory diseases, including infections, atherosclerosis, and autoimmune disorders. These effects are explained by a phenotype-dependent modulation of oxidative stress and prostaglandin synthesis. Recent evidence is growing that haptoglobin is involved in the immune response as well. The strong genetic pressure favoring the 2-2 phenotype suggests an important role of haptoglobin in human pathology.

Biological and clinical significance of haptoglobin polymorphism in humans.

The discovery of α1-antitrypsin and its role in health and disease.

Role of inflammation (leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions) in vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Cigarette Smoking and Rheumatoid Arthritis

α1-Antitrypsin deficiency in Europe: geographical distribution of Pi types S and Z

Serum protein markers (α1-AT, Bf, C3, C4A, C4B, Hp and Tf) were studied in a series of 36 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and compared to normal blood donors. In agreement

Serum Protein Markers in Systemic Lupus erythematosus

Bf and C3 complement types were studied in 100 male and 100 female patients from northern Sweden with erosive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compared with population controls. A significantly decreased

Bf and C3 complement types in rheumatoid arthritis.

Frequencies of alpha-1-antitrypsin (Pi) phenotypes were studied in 100 female and 100 male Swedish patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis and compared with the population frequencies. A significant increase of rare Pi types (MS, MZ, MF and SZ) was found among the patients. However, the increase concerned mainly Z heterozygotes and was more strongly pronounced in male patients. The M-subtypes showed no association with rheumatoid arthritis. Previous investigations of Pi types in rheumatoid arthritis have shown somewhat variable results. The results so far indicate, however, that an association between the Z allele and rheumatoid arthritis is likely to exist, while the evidence for a relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and other Pi alleles is considerably weaker.

G Beckman

Papers

Serum Protein Markers in Systemic Lupus erythematosus

Bf and C3 complement types in rheumatoid arthritis.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin types and rheumatoid arthritis.