Amyloidosis

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 13 Dec 2022

Amyloidosis (plural: amyloidoses) is a heterogeneous disease, or even considered a constellation of diseases, resulting in the deposition of relatively similar proteins. It has many causes and can affect any organ system.

The disease may have a male predilection. It typically affects middle-aged individuals around 60 years 5.

In view of the vast variety of clinical forms of amyloidosis, the potential spectrum of symptoms and signs is extremely broad, and can present in almost any way.

Amyloid comprises a group of proteins characterized by certain physical properties. There are at least 15 amyloid proteins, derived from diverse precursors. Some demonstrate the structural morphology of immunoglobulins, i.e. amyloid light chain.

In certain scenarios, the amyloid proteins are produced and deposited locally, whereas in others, the protein is distributed systemically. 

The majority occur in the systemic form:

  • AL (amyloid light chain)

    • synthesized by plasma cells, and seen in conditions with monoclonal proliferation of these cells

  • AA (amyloid associated)

    • derived from SAA (serum amyloid A) protein which is synthesized by the liver and forms part of the HDL3 lipoproteins

    • typically seen in chronic inflammatory disease or familial Mediterranean fever

  • 2M (amyloid ß2-microglobulin)

    • derived from ß2-microglobulin

    • seen in patients on haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis

  • hereditary (AApoA1) (apolipoprotein)

  • hereditary (AFib) (mutant fibrinogen) 

  • hereditary (ALys) (lysozyme)

  • ATTR (amyloid transthyretin)

Accounts for ≈15% of amyloidosis:

Amyloid deposition can occur in any part of the body, although some are more common and have specific imaging findings. These conditions are best discussed separately:

Amyloid is an insoluble extracellular proteinaceous substance composed of cross-ß-pleated sheets which display apple-green birefringence when viewed under polarized light after being treated with Congo red stain 1.

The word “amylon” was first used in 1834 by the German botanist Matthias Schleiden to describe the waxy starch in plants.

Rudolph Virchow then coined the word “amyloid” in 1854 to describe tissue deposits that stained like cellulose when exposed to iodine.

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