Serum alpha - fetoprotein levels in patients with cystic fibrosis and their parents and siblings.

Chandra, R. K.; Madhavankutty, K; Way, R. Clifton

doi:10.1136/bmj.1.5960.714

Cited by 26 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In this connection it should be kept in mind that the AFP synthesized by BALB/c/J mice could be formed in some organ other than the liver, although this does not seem likely, since AFP synthesis takes place almost exclusively in the liver and the yolk sac of the fetus (11). Finally, it is of interest to note that increased levels of AFP have been observed in patients with cystic fibrosis (12). Like the property described in this paper, cystic fibrosis is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, and it seems conceivable that the two traits are related.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic control of alpha-fetoprotein synthesis in the mouse.

Olsson¹,

Lindahl²,

Ruoslahti³

1977

The Journal of Experimental Medicine

127

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Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ~ is one of the major plasma proteins in mammalian fetuses, but it disappears almost completely after birth (1-3). In man the maximal level in the fetus is about 3 mg/ml, which decreases to a basal level of approximately 2-20 ng/ml in the adult (see reference 3). The concentration therefore declines more than 105-fold during development, and a very efficient control mechanism must operate to switch off the synthesis of AFP after birth. A similar drastic decrease in AFP concentration after birth occurs in mice. However, the basal level of AFP in the serum of adult mice is somewhat higher than in man (4). High serum AFP concentrations are also found in connection with primary liver cancer and teratocarcinoma (2, 5), and measurement of serum AFP level is widely used for the diagnosis of these tumors.The properties and occurrence of AFP suggest that this protein plays an important role both in normal embryogenesis and in various diseases. The chemistry and distribution of AFP have therefore been studied in detail (see references 2, 3). In contrast, virtually nothing is known about the genetic control of this protein. Knowledge about the genetics of AFP could contribute to the understanding of the process of malignant transformation and also give information of general importance concerning the genetic control of embryonal proteins. In particular, it should be of interest to gain knowledge about the mechanism that switches off AFP synthesis after birth. To approach the genetics of this mechanism, we assumed that a change in this mechanism might lead to a changed basal AFP concentration in adult mice. A mouse strain having an exceptionally efficient switch-off mechanism would be expected to have an unusually low basal AFP level, while a less efficient switch-off mechanism should lead to an unusually high basal level of AFP. We describe here a gene causing a remarkably high AFP concentration in adult mice. Materials and MethodsMice. All strains of mice except two were originally obtained from The Jackson Laboratory,

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic control of alpha-fetoprotein synthesis in the mouse.

Olsson¹,

Lindahl²,

Ruoslahti³

1977

The Journal of Experimental Medicine

127

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“…Reports in the literature, although not always consistent, now indicate that the measurement of AFP blood concentrations may be useful in the detection and/or differentiation of at least 18 newborn and infant disorders and possibly even more. These newborn disorders include ataxia telangiectasia (30,39), hereditary tyrosinemia (12,13), Indian childhood cirrhosis (9,28), biliary hypoplasia (1, 42), biliary atresia (36,42), hyperbilirubinaemia (23,31,32), Rhisoimmunizations (29), yolk sac tumors (6), testicular carcinoma and hepatoma (26,35), hepatoblastoma (6), prematurity (1), neonatal hepatitis (9,42), physiologic jaundice (20,34), infantile obstructive jaundice (27), choledochal cysts (27,42), and possibly cystic fibrosis (10,31), hypothyroidism (33), and ependymoblastoma (18). Although the diagnostic specificity of AFP detection might appear diminished, the range of identifiable perinatal problems may actually be increased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein in Early Infancy: Utilization of Dried Blood Specimens

et al. 1983

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“…AFP is also a tumor-associated antigen. Elevated AFP concentrations have been reported in various physiological states (fetal and early neonatal life, preg nancy) as well as in pathological conditions [17] including hepatoma, embryonal carci noma, Indian childhood cirrhosis [18][19][20], neonatal hepatitis [20][21][22], ataxia telengicclasia [20][21][22][23], cystic fibrosis [24,25]. A common denominator of many of these states is the frequent depression of immu nocompétence, especially cell-mediated im munity.…”

Section: Observations and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevated Serum α-Fetoprotein and Impaired Immune Response in Malnutrition

Chandra

1977

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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Serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) estimated in 33 malnourished children, was found to be elevated in 11 of 17 fetally growth-retarded infants and in 5 of 16 with postnatal nutritional deficiency. The majority of those with increased serum AFP concentration had associated liver dysfunction. Nutritional deprivation of growing rats resulted in an increase in AFP levels, especially in the offspring of starved female animals. The administration of purified AFP was associated with reduced antibody formation to sheep red blood cells. It is suggested that AFP exerts a modulating influence on immune response.

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Serum alpha - fetoprotein levels in patients with cystic fibrosis and their parents and siblings.

Cited by 26 publications

References 17 publications

Genetic control of alpha-fetoprotein synthesis in the mouse.

Genetic control of alpha-fetoprotein synthesis in the mouse.

Measurement of Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein in Early Infancy: Utilization of Dried Blood Specimens

Elevated Serum α-Fetoprotein and Impaired Immune Response in Malnutrition

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