Amyloid

amyloid /am·y·loid/ (am´i-loid)

1. starchlike; amylaceous.

2. the pathologic, extracellular, waxy, amorphous substance deposited in amyloidosis, being composed of fibrils in bundles or in a meshwork of polypeptide chains.

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AA amyloid  a pathological fibrillar low-molecular-weight protein formed by cleavage of serum amyloid A (SAA) protein. It is deposited in the tissues secondary to chronic inflammatory conditions; see secondary amyloidosis, under amyloidosis.

Aß amyloid  an abnormal peptide found in aggregates in the cerebrovascular walls and the cores of the plaques in Alzheimer's disease; it is derived from amyloid precursor protein.

AL amyloid  a pathological fibrillar low-molecular-weight protein derived from circulating monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains, usually ? chains; it may be composed of whole chains, fragments, or both. It is deposited in the tissues in primary amyloidosis (q.v.).

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am·y·loid (m-loid)

n.

1. A starchlike substance.

2. A hard, waxy deposit consisting of protein and polysaccharides resulting from the degeneration of tissue.

adj.

Starchlike.

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Amyloid

Amyloid protein resembles a starch and is deposited in tissues during the course of certain chronic diseases.

Mentioned in: Amyloidosis, Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Familial Mediterranean Fever

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amyloid (am´loid´),

n a starchlike protein-carbohydrate complex that is deposited abnormally in some tissues during certain chronic disease states, such as amyloidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tuberculosis.

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amyloid

1. starchlike; amylaceous.

2. an eosinophilic homogeneous hyaline material deposited extracellularly in glomeruli in particular. Because of its characteristic ß-pleated pattern it is resistant to proteolysis and is insoluble.

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amyloid AA

derived from serum amyloid A protein in reactive systemic (secondary) amyloidosis.

amyloid AL

derived from immunoglobulin light chains in immunocytic or primary amyloidosis; usually associated with myeloma.

islet amyloid polypeptide

a polypeptide produced in the pancreatic ß-cells and co-released with insulin; inhibits insulin release and may counteract insulin action in peripheral tissues. Deposits are found in the pancreas of cats with diabetes mellitus.