[Amyloid deposits in hemodialysis patients: immunochemical analysis]

We have analyzed 9 amyloid deposits isolated from 7 patients treated by long-term hemodialysis [6] and/or hemofiltration [1] for 8 to 19 years. Amyloid deposits were extracted from carpal tunnel synovitis [7] or femoral bone [2]. Proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, two-dimensional electrophoresis and the identification was made by Western Blotting and specific antibody fixation. Several proteins were found: immunoglobulin light chains, beta 2 microglobulin (B2M), as well as globin chains, albumin and hemopexin. These findings suggest that amyloid deposits are not only made of B2M, but also with other protein species not cleared by dialysis membranes. Among these proteins, B2M and immunoglobulin light chains have well known amyloidogenic properties. We suggest that the role played by the remaining proteins on the pathogenesis of dialysis associated amyloidosis should also be considered.