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Methods for Detecting Cytotoxic Amyloids Following Infection of Pulmonary Endothelial Cells by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Published on: July 12, 2018
Systemic amyloidoses
Luis M Blancas-Mejía1, Marina Ramirez-Alvarado
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. Blancasmejia.luis@mayo.edu
Abstract:
The amyloidoses are a group of protein misfolding diseases in which the precursor protein undergoes a conformational change that triggers the formation of amyloid fibrils in different tissues and organs, causing cell death and organ failure. Amyloidoses can be either localized or systemic. In localized amyloidosis, amyloid deposits form at the site of precursor protein synthesis, whereas in systemic amyloidosis, amyloid deposition occurs distant from the site of precursor protein secretion. We review the type of proteins and cells involved and what is known about the complex pathophysiology of these diseases. We focus on light chain amyloidosis to illustrate how biochemical and biophysical studies have led to a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of this devastating disease. We also review current cellular, tissue, and animal models and discuss the challenges and opportunities for future studies of the systemic amyloidoses.
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