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Clinical Biochemistry (Y2,S2) > Plasma Proteins > Flashcards

Plasma Proteins Flashcards

1
Q

What is serum

A

The liquid part of blood after coagulation - devoid of clotting factors such as fibrinogen

Serum = Plasma - Fibrinogen

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2
Q

What is plasma

A

The liquid, cell free part of blood, that has been treated with anti-coagulants

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3
Q

8 functions of plasma proteins

A
  1. Transport - eg: iron
  2. Maintaining plasma oncotic pressure
  3. Buffering pH change
  4. Defence mechanisms - immunoglobulins (antibodies)
  5. Coagulation & Fibrinolysis
  6. Misc. specialised functions
  7. Catalytic processes - enzymes
  8. Mechanical & structural - proteins in muscle
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4
Q

What are the 3 major plasma proteins

A
  • Albumin
  • Globulin
  • Fibrinogen
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5
Q

4 methods of measurement of plasma proteins

A
  1. Quantitative - measurement of a specific protein
  2. Semi-quantitative measurement by electrophoresis
  3. Measurement of biological activity
  4. Immunoassays - ELISAs
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6
Q

What do diseases that alter plasma proteins affect (4)

A
  1. The synthesis of proteins in the liver
  2. The distribution of proteins
  3. Their rate of catabolism
  4. Their rate of excretion
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7
Q

Where is albumin made

A

Liver

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8
Q

What is the range of albumin in the blood plasma

A

36-47 g/L

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9
Q

What, to do with albumin, can be used to assess liver function

A

Serum albumin conc is used to assess liver function

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10
Q

Overall functions of albumin (2)

A
  1. Binds & transports many diverse molecules
  2. Maintains osmotic pressure
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11
Q

What molecules (4) does albumin transport

A
  1. Metal ions - calcium & copper
  2. Free fatty acid - binds free fatty acid released by adipose tissue
  3. Bilirubin - protects from toxic side effects of unconjugated bilirubin
  4. Bile acid - carries bile acids recycled from intestine into the liver in the hepatic portal vein
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12
Q

What blood vessel does albumin carry bile acids from intestine into liver

A

The hepatic portal vein

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13
Q

What is colloid osmotic pressure

A

A form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins in blood plasma that tends to pull water into the circulatory system

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14
Q

Due to what conditions will there be a reduction in osmotic pressure, leading to fluid retention in tissues

A

In conditions where plasma proteins are reduced - proteinuria or malnutrition

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15
Q

What diseases / conditions cause abnormalities in albumin synthesis (4)

A
  1. Hereditary defects
  2. Liver disease
  3. Malnutrition
  4. Malabsorptive disease
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16
Q

What diseases / conditions cause abnormalities in albumin distribution (1)

A
  1. Increased capillary permeability - leakage of proteins into extravascular fluid (can be caused by physical damage)
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17
Q

What diseases / conditions cause abnormalities in albumin catabolism (1)

A
  1. Increased albumin breakdown as a result of injury or infection
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18
Q

What diseases / conditions cause abnormalities in albumin removal (3)

A
  • In non diseased state, little or no albumin excreted as too large to pass through glomerulus
    1. Increased loss through kidney
    2. Increased loss through GIT
    3. Increased loss through skin
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19
Q

Why may therapeutic albumin infusions be issued to patients (2)

A
  1. Burns
  2. Haemorrhages
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20
Q

In what conditions do increased alpha1- anti-trypsin levels occur (3)

A
  1. Pregnancy
  2. Acute infection
  3. Trauma
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21
Q

What can inactivate alpha1- anti-trypsin

A

Smoking

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22
Q

alpha1- anti-trypsin & role in liver damage

A

alpha1- anti-trypsin aggregates to form polymers causing liver damage followd by accumulation of collagen resulting in fibrosis

23
Q

Alpha2-globulins

Funcion of alpha2-macroglobulin

A

Binds & inactivates endopeptidases such as trypsin

24
Q

Alpha2-globulins

When is alpha2-macroglobulin increased (2)

A
  1. In nephrotic syndrome
  2. In some cases w cirrhosis
25
# Alpha2-globulins Function of haptoglobulins (2)
* Binds Hb to form HbHp complexes * Conserves iron stores in body
26
# Alpha2-globulins When are haptoglobulins decreased (2)
1. Intravascular haemolysis 2. Liver disease
27
# Alpha2-globulins When are haptoglobulins increased (3)
1. Acute infection 2. Nephrotic syndrome 3. Iron overload
28
# Alpha2-globulins Function of caeuroplasmin
Binds and transports copper
29
# Alpha2-globulins When is caeuroplasmin decreased (3)
1. Wilsons disease 2. Malnutrition 3. Nephrotic syndrome
30
# Alpha2-globulins When is caeuroplasmin increased (2)
1. Pregnancy 2. In women on oral contraceptives - due to metabolism of copper on these
31
# Alpha2-globulins Where is alpha-fetoprotein present
In tissue & plasma of foetus
32
# Alpha2-globulins alpha-fetoprotein: this appears grossly elevated in cases of what?
Approx 50% cases of hepatocellular carcinoma present w gross increases in alpa-fetoprotein levels
33
# beta-globulins Function of transferrin
It's the principal plasma transport protein for iron
34
# beta-globulins In what ratio does transferrin transport iron
2 x Fe3+ : TRF/Tf 2:1 (iron : transferrin)
35
What is the congenital deficiency of trasferrin
Atransferrinaemia
36
# beta-globulins When are increased levels of transferrin levels seen (1)
1. In iron deficiency states
37
# beta-globulins How do complement proteins interact (3) and why
1. Sequentially with Ag-Ab complexes 2. With one another 3. With cell membranes To destroy viruses & bacteria
38
# immunoglobulins Where are immunoglobulins made
In the cells of the lymphreticular system
39
# immunoglobulins Basic immunoglobulin structure
* 4 polypeptide chains * one pair light chains * one pair heavy chains
40
# immunoglobulins 5 types of heavy chains
1. gamma 2. alpha 3. mu 4. delta 5. epsilon
41
# immunoglobulins 2 types light chain
1. kappa 2. lambda
42
# immunoglobulins What are the 3 major classes of immunoglobulins & the 2 minor classes
MAJOR: 1. IgG 2. IgA 3. IgM MINOR: 1. IgD 2. IgE
43
# immunoglobulins Function of IgG
Major antibody of secondary immune response
44
# immunoglobulins Function of IgA
Secreted as a dimmer, the major antibody in submucous secretions
45
# immunoglobulins IgM functions
Major antibody of primary response Can tell if active infection from this
46
# immunoglobulins IgD function
Present of surface of B-lymphocytes - involved in antigen recognition
47
# immunoglobulins IgE function
Present on surface of mast cells & basophils (response to allergens)
48
# immunoglobulins How are immunoglobulins measured
* 5 bands in electrophoresis * Densitometry used to compare to control * Also by immunofixation or quantitatively by other means
49
What conditions are paraproteins found in (3)
1. Myeloma 2. Waldenstroms macroglobulinaemia 3. Heavy chain diseases
50
What do paraproteins arise from
Any of the Ig classes
51
What are light chains that spill into the urine called
Bence Jones proteins
52
detection of paraproteinaemia using serum protein electrophoresis
* serum protein electrophoresis * detection of discrete band * detection of an M compound * immunoelectrophoresis to determine the paraprotein type & conc
53
detection of paraproteinaemia using urine protein electrophoresis
* urine protein electrophoresis * detection of bence jones proteins

Clinical Biochemistry (Y2,S2) (5 decks)

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