THE INVITRO PRODUCTION OF ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN VARIANTS BY HUMAN-FETAL ORGANS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 1  (4-5) , 251-261
Abstract
Immunological identity of .alpha.-fetoprotein (AFP) produced in vitro by various fetal organs was demonstrated in the yolk sac, liver, intestine and kidney. AFP produced in vitro by these organs, present in fetal serum and in samples of amniotic fluid was heterogeneous when studied by lectin affinity immunoelectrophoresis. Results obtained with concanavalin A were comparable to those obtained with lentil agglutinin, but concanavalin A separated AFP into 2 variants only, while lentil agglutinin recognized 3 AFP variatnts. AFP produced by the yolk sac, intestine and kidney was similar in their proportions of variants and differed clearly from liver AFP. The ratios of AFP variants present infetal serum were dissimilar to those of yolk sac AFP and of liver AFP. The ratios of AFP variants present in fetal serum were dissimilar to those of yolk sac AFP and of liver AFP. Relative amounts of AFP variants in fetal serum were similar in the 1st and last trimesters of gestation. The proportions of AFP variants present in amniotic fluid in the 1st trimester of gestation were different from fetal serum, but, at the end of pregnancy, they become identical to those observed in fetal serum. Application of AFP variants for prenatal and cancer diagnosis is discussed.