Deposition and removal of cutaneous beta 2-microglobulin

These studies were designed to track the cutaneous deposition of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M) in patients on chronic hemodialysis, patients with chronic renal insufficiency and patients with successful renal transplants. Immunoperoxidase staining of skin biopsies from dialysis patients demonstrated significantly increased amounts of beta 2M compared to controls (p < 0.01). There was a strong positive correlation between the skin beta 2M content and the years of dialysis treatment. Renal transplant recipients had decreased skin content of beta 2M compared to hemodialysis patients. There was no difference in the skin beta 2M content in patients with chronic renal insufficiency not on hemodialysis and controls. No dialysis patient had amyloid in the skin by Congo red stain. We conclude that beta 2M accumulates in the skin of patients on chronic hemodialysis. This beta 2M is not in the form of amyloid. Successful renal transplantation allows for the removal of beta 2M from the skin indicating that beta 2M not in the form of amyloid can be mobilized from tissue sites.