Synonyms: Beta-2 microglobulin, B2M, Thymotaxin, Beta2-Microglobulin.
Scientific editor: M. Merkusheva, PSPbGMU them. Acad. Pavlov, general medicine.
October, 2018.
Beta-2 microglobulin is produced by virtually all cells in the body and is present in the main body fluids: lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, serum, etc. The increase in the content of beta-2 microglobulin indicate pathological processes, often malignant character.
Assay for beta-2 microglobulin in the blood reveals the oncology patient (lymphoma, myeloma, etc.) severe inflammatory processes, as well as determine the degree of damage to the central nervous system and kidney apparatus.
Overview
Beta-2 microglobulin is a simple protein that is present in the histocompatibility antigen HLA circuit. It can be detected in all body fluids, but the level of beta-2 is in the blood serum of maximum reflect cell metabolism (Metabolism) and the likely proliferation (reproduction, growth, increase in volume) of lymphocytes, indicating a pathological process.
In the adult human protein secretion beta-2 is stable, so increasing its concentration is cause for the differential diagnosis of various diseases.
From the blood of beta-2 microglobulin goes to the kidneys where it is filtered and reabsorbed almost completely (absorbed). Thus, in normal urine in the protein or is not received at all, or detected in trace metabolites. The half-life of beta-2 microglobulin in the blood is just over 100 minutes (2.5 hours)1.
The concentration of beta-2 tumor marker in the blood increases when the kidney works, often with insufficient filter function. This problem may be due to:
- damage proximal tubules resulting transferred inflammatory and infectious processes;
- hereditary kidney disease;
- intoxication with heavy metals, alcohol, medications and other chemicals;
- radiation exposure (exposure) on the body.
The most common reasons for raising the level of beta-2 microglobulin in the blood are:
- increased activity of the immune system (the reaction to pathogens: fungi, viruses, bacteria, etc.);
- autoimmune disease;
- antigenic response of the organism, including cancerous processes (myeloma, lymphoma and other);
- transplant rejection.
The highest content of beta-2 microglobulin in B-lymphocytes. Therefore, the level of this protein is significantly increased in malignant processes, which are characterized by aggressive growth of tumor tissue and propensity to metastasize.
Determination of the blood marker used in Oncology and Hematology for projections of relapse and remission of malignant disease. When this analysis is not specific to a particular tumor.
Hypersecretion of a beta-2 microglobulin is directly linked with the development of amyloidosis, Especially in people on hemodialysis. Beta-2 microglobulin - the main component of amyloid fibrils. It accumulates in the joints and leads to destructive osteoarthropathy and pathological fractures. The most serious complications: the deposition of beta-amyloid in 2 paravertebral ligaments and intervertebral discs, leading to paralysis2.
testimony
- Identify the different types of cancer of blood cells;
- Differential diagnosis of tubular and glomerular kidney disease;
- Diagnosis and treatment of chronic renal failure;
- Staging and forms myeloma process, evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment, identifying the size of the tumor mass;
- Forecast of development of other cancers: lymphoma, leukemia, etc .;
- Monitoring of the patient's condition after kidney transplantation (to determine rejection reactions);
- Therapy patients who had contact with mercury and cadmium concentrates received intoxicating chemicals, drugs, alcohol, exposed to radiation;
- Assessment of the state of the central nervous system against the background of any oncological pathologies, AIDS;
- Diagnosing diseases of the lymphatic system which are accompanied by the activation of immune responses (multiple sclerosis);
- Diagnosis and treatment of severe viral infections (cytomegalovirus, HIV, etc.);
- Control of the course and treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Decoding test for beta-2 microglobulin in the blood can carry oncologist, transplant surgeon, nephrologist and physician.
Beta-2 microglobulin OK
Important! Norm. They differ depending on the reagents and equipment used in a particular laboratory. Therefore, when interpreting the results it is necessary to use standards adopted precisely in that. lab where to be tested. It is also necessary to pay attention to the units.
Age of the patient |
patient Sex | Valid values, mg / l |
| Day 1 - 4.3 weeks. | men | 1,603 – 4,790 |
| Women | 1,722 – 4,547 | |
| 4.3 weeks. - 6 months. | men | 1,423 – 3,324 |
| Women | 1,024 – 3,774 | |
| 6 months. - 1 year | men | 0,897 – 3,095 |
| Women | 0,999 – 2,282 | |
| 1 - 4 years | men | 0,827 – 2,228 |
| Women | 0,742 – 2,396 | |
| 4 - 7 years | men | 0,567 – 2,260 |
| Women | 0,546 – 2,170 | |
| 7 - 10 years | men | 0,772 – 1,712 |
| Women | 0,736 – 1,766 | |
| 10 - 13 years | men | 0,699 – 1,836 |
| Women | 0,704 – 1,951 | |
| 13 - 16 years | men | 0,681 – 1,954 |
| Women | 0,787 – 1,916 | |
| 16 - 19 years | men | 0,724 – 1,874 |
| Women | 0,555 – 1,852 | |
| 19 years and older | men | 0,670 – 2,329 |
| Women | 0,670 – 2,329 |
Important! Interpretation of the results is always carried out comprehensively. An accurate diagnosis on the basis of only one analysis impossible.
Increasing values
- Systemic inflammatory, infectious, viral and bacterial processes;
- Autoimmune diseases: multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and etc.;
- Amyloidosis;
- Hematological malignancies: Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, B-cell leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, etc .;
- Viral infections: mononucleosis, HIV AIDS), cytomegalovirus etc .;
- renal pathology: failure, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, Infarction of kidney, etc .;
- Rejection kidney transplant;
- Hemodialysis (some patients the level of beta-2 microglobulin is increased).
Increasing beta-2 microglobulin in the cerebrospinal fluid is observed during exacerbation of multiple sclerosis, dementia AIDS-related complex, with meningeal dissemination of acute leukemia and malignant lymphoma, neurosarcoid.
In the presence of renal disease high levels of beta-2 microglobulin in blood and decreased urine evidence of glomerular lesions of the kidney machine. If the protein concentration is reduced in the serum, but increased in the urine, the cause must be sought in the renal tubules.
Increasing beta-2-microglobulin values immediately after kidney transplantation may indicate the beginning of graft rejection reaction.
If the protein increases in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid on the background of cancer (leukemia, myeloma, etc.), as well as viral diseases (HIV, AIDS), it can mean that the CNS is involved in the pathological process system.
Reduced concentration of beta-2 microglobulin or no blood should be considered as the norm.
Factors affecting the result
- Systemic diseases, which accelerate the synthesis and breakdown of the cells (cytomegalovirus infection, inflammation and autoimmune diseases which activate the immune system);
- Medicines: cisplatin, carboplatin, cyclosporine, antibiotics (aminoglycoside), lithium and other drugs;
- A recent X-ray and MRI contrast;
- Recent PET / CT (positron emission computed tomography);
- Methods of analysis of blood (recommended to be screened in the same laboratory).
Training
The biomaterial for research: venous blood.
Method biomaterial sampling: the antecubital vein venipuncture.
The recommended duration of treatment: the morning from 8.00 to 11.00.
Mandatory conditions: strict fasting (after a 10-hour overnight fast). Immediately before the manipulation is allowed to eat only pure non-carbonated water.
Additional requirements:
- eve - a light evening meal without fat, heavy and spicy food;
- per day - the refusal of alcoholic and soft drinks, smoking, physical and emotional stress;
- 2-3 hours - lack of emotional stress;
- 3 hours - giving up chewing tobacco and smoking.
Important! 1-2 weeks before the planned date of analysis necessary to stop / suspend any treatments (physiotherapy, massage, physical therapy, etc..), move to a later date diagnostic and treatment manipulations and stop taking the drug funds. If it is impossible to fulfill this requirement you must agree in advance with your doctor applies a therapy, the dosage and type of medication.
sources:
- 1. Mahasweta Gooptu, MBBS. Beta2-Microglobulin. - Medscape, Sep 05, 2014.
- 2. Anita Basu, MD, FACP. Dialysis-Related Beta-2m Amyloidosis. - Medscape, Feb 03, 2017.
