Immunochemical composition of cryoglobulins generated in stroke.

Introduction: Cryoglobulins are abnormal immune complexes where both the antigens and the antibodies are immunoglobulins. The ability of cryoglobulins to bind C-reactive protein and low density lipoproteins, activate complement, and stimulate production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha generates interest in studying cryoglobulins in ischemic stroke.
Materials and Methods: We determined blood levels of cryoglobulins in patients with ischemic stroke at different time points of stroke onset and identified the composition of cryoglobulins isolated from the blood on the first day of stroke onset.
Results: On days 1-14, significantly elevated levels of cryoglobulins were detected with the maximum level on day 3.
Discussion: Determination of immunoglobulin (Ig) content of cryoglobulins revealed the presence of a mixture of polyclonal IgG, IgA, and IgM, C3 complement protein and its activation split products, C1q complement protein, pathogenic lipoprotein-X, and beta-lipoprotein.
Conclusion: We suggest that cryoglobulins are involved in post-ischemic inflammatory response through activation of the complement cascade and cytokines production.