Abstract | OBJECTIVE: PATIENTS: DESIGN: We used PEG precipitation to screen for macroprolactinaemia in 625 serum samples from 292 patients with hyperprolactinaemia visiting a city hospital over the last 5·5 years. Macroprolactinaemia was defined by PEG-precipitable PRL ratio greater than 60%. IgG-bound PRL and anti-PRL autoantibodies were measured by protein G and (125) I-hPRL binding studies, respectively. We also examined the autoantibody specificity and binding characteristics. RESULTS: In 39 patients with macroprolactinaemia, IgG-bound PRL was present in 87% and anti-PRL autoantibodies in 67%. A non- IgG-bound form of macroprolactin was found mainly in sera with marginally elevated PEG-precipitable PRL. The higher the PEG-precipitable PRL ratio, the greater the likelihood that autoantibodies were involved in the composition of macroprolactin. The autoantibodies were IgG type and specific to human PRL and had a low affinity and high capacity. Long-term follow-up (2-17 years) revealed that the ratios of PEG-precipitable PRL, IgG-bound PRL and anti-PRL autoantibody-bound PRL were relatively stable. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that higher PEG-precipitable PRL ratio in macroprolactinaemic sera might preferentially indicate the presence of anti-PRL autoantibodies and that macroprolactinaemia might be a long-lasting condition.
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Authors | Naoki Hattori, Takashi Ishihara, Yasuhiko Saiki, Akira Shimatsu |
Journal | Clinical endocrinology
(Clin Endocrinol (Oxf))
Vol. 73
Issue 6
Pg. 792-7
(Dec 2010)
ISSN: 1365-2265 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 20874771
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. |
Chemical References |
- Autoantibodies
- Immunoglobulin G
- prolactin, polymeric
- Polyethylene Glycols
- Prolactin
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Topics |
- Adult
- Autoantibodies
(immunology, metabolism)
- Female
- Humans
- Hyperprolactinemia
(blood)
- Immunoglobulin G
(immunology, metabolism)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polyethylene Glycols
(chemistry)
- Prolactin
(blood, chemistry, immunology, metabolism)
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