Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The cerebrospinal fluid and plasma concentrations of γ-trace and β2-microglobulin at various ages and in neurological disorders

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Journal of Neurology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The concentrations of γ-trace and β2-microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were determined in 64 individuals of various ages without signs of organic disorder in the central nervous system (CNS). A strong connection was found between the CSF level of γ-trace and the age of the individual, with the CSF level of newborns being 3–4 times that of adults. A similar, but less marked, connection was found for the CSF level of β2-microglobulin and the age of the individual. The plasma levels of the two proteins also varied with the age of the individual, but the variations were not as great as those of the CSF levels. The results strongly emphasize the necessity of using age-matched reference values when CSF and plasma levels of the proteins are to be evaluated in different groups of patients.

thirteen children and 98 adults with various neurological disorders were also examined. Significantly increased CSF levels of γ-trace and β2-microglobulin as well as increased plasma concentration of γ-trace and CSF/plasma gradient of β2-microglobulin were found in infectious disorders. Increased γ-trace concentration in plasma and β2-microglobulin concentration in CSF were seen in cerebrovascular disorders. The mechanisms which regulate the turnover of proteins in CSF are discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Die Konzentration von γ-Trace und β2-Mikroglobulin wurde in Liquor und Plasma von 64 Personen unterschiedlichen Alters bestimmt, welche keine Zeichen einer organischen Störung des ZNS aufwiesen. Es zeigte sich ein enger Zusammenhang zwischen der Liquorkonzentration von γ-Trace und dem Alter der betreffenden Person, wobei Neugeborene einen 3–4fach höheren Wert als Erwachsene aufwiesen. Eine ähnliche, jedoch weniger ausgeprägte Altersabhängigkeit wurde für die Konzentration von β2-Mikroglobulin im Liquor festgestellt. Die Plasmakonzentration der beiden Proteine variierte ebenfalls je nach Alter der Person, die Schwankungen waren jedoch nicht so deutlich wie im Liquor. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, daß es dringend erforderlich ist, für die Bestimmung der Proteine in Liquor und Plasma Kontrollwerte aus der betreffenden Altersgruppe zu verwenden.

Zusätzlich wurden 13 Kinder und 98 Erwachsene mit neurologischen Erkrankungen untersucht. Signifikant erhöhte Liquorwerte von γ-Trace und β2-Mikroglobulin, eine erhöhte Plasmakonzentration von γ-Trace sowie ein erhöhter Liquor/Plasma-Gradient für β2-Mikroglobulin wurden bei Infektionskrankheiten gefunden. Bei cerebrovasculären Erkrankungen waren die γ-Trace-Konzentration im Plasma und der β2-Mikroglobulin-Wert im Liquor erhöht.

Die Mechanismen der Proteinregulierung im Liquor werden diskutiert.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aperia, A., Broberger, U.: Beta-2-microglobulin. An indicator of renal tubular maturation and dysfunction in the newborn. Acta Pediatr. Scand. 68, 669–676 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Berggård, I., Bearn, A. G.: Isolation and properties of a low molecular weight β2-globulin occurring in human biological fluids. J. Biol. Chem. 243, 4095–4103 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Brenner, B. M., Hostetter, T. H., Humes, H. D.: Molecular basis of proteinuria of glomerular origin. N. Engl. J. Med. 298, 826–833 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Butler, E. A., Flynn, F. V.: The occurrence of post gamma protein in urine: a new protein abnormality. J. Clin. Pathol. 14, 172–178 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ĉejka, J., Fleischmann, L. E.: Post-γ-globulin: isolation and physico-chemical characterization. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 157, 168–176 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Clausen, J.: Proteins in normal cerebrospinal fluid not found in serum. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. (N.Y.) 107, 170–172 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Evrin, P.-E., Nilsson, K.: β2-microglobulin production in vitro by human hematopoietic, mesenchymal, and epithelial cells. J. Immunol. 112, 137–144 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Evrin, P.-E., Wibell, L.: Serum β2-microglobulin in various disorders. Clin. Chem. Acta 43, 183–187 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Felgenhauer, K.: Protein size and cerebrospinal fluid composition. Klin. Wochenschr. 52, 1158–1164 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Felgenhauer, K., Schliep, G., Rapic, N.: Evaluation of the blood-CSF barrier by protein gradients and the humoral immuno response within the central nervous system. J. Neurol. Sci. 30, 113–128 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ganrot, K., Laurell, C.-B.: Measurement of IgG and albumin content of cerebrospinal fluid, and its interpretation. Clin. Chem. 20, 571–573 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gekle, D., Kult, J., Roth, R.: Lysozym and β2-Microglobulin im Liquor gesunder Kinder und bei Kindern mit Erkrankungen des Zentralnervensystems. Klin. Wochenschr. 55, 189–191 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Goldstein, G. W.: Pathogenesis of brain edema and haemorrhage: Role of the brain capillary. Pediatrics 64, 357–360 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hammock, M. K., Milhorat, T. H.: The cerebrospinal fluid: current concepts of its formation. Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. 6, 22–26 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Henriksson, L., Voigt, K.: Age-dependent differences of distribution and clearance patterns in normal RIHSA cisternograms. Neuroradiology 12, 103–107 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Johansson, B. G., Ravnskov, U.: The serum level and urinary excretion of α2-microglobulin, β2-microglobulin and lysozyme in renal disease. Scand. J. Urol. Nephrol. 6, 249–256 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Klatzo, I.: Pathologic aspects of the blood-brain barrier. In: Neurotoxicology I, Roizin, L., Shiraki, H., Grčević, N. (eds.), pp. 577–584. New York: Raven Press 1977

    Google Scholar 

  18. Lindvall, M., Edvinsson, L., Owman, C.: Effect of sympathomimetic drugs and corresponding receptor antagonists on the rate of cerebrospinal fluid production. Exp. Neurol. 64, 132–145 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Link, H., Tibbling, G.: Principles of albumin and IgG analyses in neurological disorders. III. Evaluation of IgG synthesis within the central nervous system in multiple sclerosis. Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 37, 397–401 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Link, H., Zetterwall, O., Blennow, G.: Individual cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins in the evaluation of increased CSF total proteins. Z. ges. Neurol. Psychiat. 203, 119–132 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Löfberg, H., Grubb, A. O.: Quantitation of γ-trace in human biological fluids: indications for production in the central nervous system. Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 39, 619–626 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  22. MacPherson, C. F. C.: Quantitative estimation of the γc-globulin in normal and pathological cerebrospinal fluids by an immunochemical method. Clin. Chim. Acta 11, 298–309 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  23. MacPherson, C. F. C., Cosgrove, J. R.: Immunochemical evidence for a gammaglobulin peculiar to cerebrospinal fluid. Can. J. Biochem. 39, 1567–1574 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Manuel, Y., Colle, A., Leclercq, M., Tonelle, C.: Low molecular weight proteinuria. Contrib. Nephrol. 1, 156–162 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Milhorat, T. H.: The third circulation revisited. J. Neurosurg. 42, 628–645 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Olsson, J.-E., Nilsson, K.: Gamma-globulins of CSF and serum in multiple sclerosis: Isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gel and agar gel electrophoresis. Neurology (Minneap.) 29, 1383–1391 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Pepe, A. J., Hochwald, G. M.: Trace proteins in biological fluids. III. Quantitation of γ-trace and major spinal fluid proteins including β-trace. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. (N.Y.) 126, 630–633 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Pollay, M.: Review of spinal fluid physiology: Production and absorption in relation to pressure. Clin. Neurosurg. 24, 254–269 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Schaub, B., Bluet-Pajot, M. T., Szikla, G., Lornet-Videau, C., Mounier, F., Talairach, J.: Distribution of β2-microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid and in cystic fluid of brain tumours. Pathol. Biol. 26, 381–385 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Schliep, G., Felgenhauer, K.: The α2-macroglobulin level in cerebrospinal fluid; a parameter for the condition of the blood-CSF barrier. J. Neurol. 207, 171–181 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Schliep, G., Felgenhauer, K.: Serum-CSF protein gradients, the blood-CSF barrier and the local immune response. J. Neurol. 218, 77–96 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Schumacher, G. B., Beebe, G., Kibber, R. F., Kurland, L. T., Kurtzke, J. F., McDowell, F., Nagler, B., Sibley, W. A., Tourtellotte, W. W., Willmon, T. L.: Problems of experimental trials of therapy in multiple sclerosis: report of the panel on the evaluation of experimental trials of therapy in multiple sclerosis. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 122, 552–561 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Shuster, J., Gold, P., Poulik, M. D.: β2-microglobulin levels in cancerous and other disease states. Clin. Chim. Acta 67, 307–313 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Tenhunen, R., Ilvanainen, M., Kovanen, J.: Cerebrospinal fluid β2-microglobulin in neurological disorders. Acta Neurol. Scand. 57, 366–373 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Tibbling, G., Link, H., Öhman, S.: Principles of albumin and IgG analyses in neurological disorders. I. Establishment of reference values. Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 37, 385–390 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Walravens, Ph., Laterre, E. C., Estas, A., Heremans, J. F.: Further studies on low molecular weight proteins common to cerebrospinal fluid and urine. Clin. Chim. Acta 18, 335–343 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Wenzel, D., Felgenhauer, K.: The development of the blood-CSF barrier after birth. Neuropaediatrie 7, 175–181 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Wibell, L., Evrin, P.-E., Berggård, I.: Serum β2-microglobulin in renal disease. Nephron 10, 320–331 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Weisner, B., Bernhardt, W.: Protein fractions of lumbar, cisternal and ventricular cerebrospinal fluid. J. Neurol. Sci. 37, 205–214 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Dermatology Clinical Chemistry and Paediatrics, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Malmö, Sweden

    H. Löfberg, A. O. Grubb, T. Sveger & J. -E. Olsson

  2. Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden

    H. Löfberg, A. O. Grubb, T. Sveger & J. -E. Olsson

Authors
  1. H. Löfberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. O. Grubb
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Sveger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. -E. Olsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Löfberg, H., Grubb, A.O., Sveger, T. et al. The cerebrospinal fluid and plasma concentrations of γ-trace and β2-microglobulin at various ages and in neurological disorders. J. Neurol. 223, 159–170 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00313180

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00313180

Key words

Search

Navigation