Abstract: Abstract A substance is defined as amyloid if it has an affinity for Congo red dye and exhibits apple green birefringence under polarized light (Fig. 23-1, see Fig. 7-15). A three-dimensional, crystallographic, 13-pleated sheet structural conformation underlies this affinity for Congo red. By electron microscopy amyloid is composed of nonbranching filaments measuring 10-20 nm in diameter. There are many confusing concepts about amyloidosis. Even the origin of the term amyloid is a misnomer. In 1854, the distinguished pathologist Virchow coined the word, because of a presumed relationship to a polysaccharide based on affinity “or iodine and sulfuric acid. Later studies lemonstrated that amyloid is unequivocally :omposed of any number of unrelated proteins hat can be deposited in tissue. The protein involved determines the particular disease and predominant organs affected. Table 23-1 lists many types of amyloid proteins and their associated disorders. Familial amyloid polyneuropathies represent one of the many types of amyloidoses.
Publication Year: 2001
Publication Date: 2001-03-08
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 5
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