| 摘要 |
An opsonin is disclosed which has been isolated from human serum and which is present at high levels in normal serum in distinction to the acute phase protein LBP. The opsonin comprises a protein in purified form that is capable of binding to lipopolysaccharide to form a complex that is recognized by a receptor on monocytes, macrophage cells and polymorphonuclear cells, and that possesses an apparent molecular weight of about 90 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis. The opsonin has been further characterized and appears to be a complex of a protease and a substrate for such protease. The substrate appears to possess some structural similarity to protein C inhibitor, and the opsonin is believed to be derived from a protease cascade leading to its availability for interaction with LPS. Diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are proposed, and testing procedures, materials in kit form, recombinant materials and procedures, and pharmaceutical compositions are likewise set forth. |
