[Amyloidosis: recent advances (author's transl)].

Recently acquired data have increased our knowledge of the structure of amyloid substance, and clarified its biochemical nature which leads to its progressive breakdown. Amyloid proteins differ greatly in their chemical composition, but amyloid substance itself is unique in that it possesses a characteristic spatial configuration in the form of folded layers. Current pathogenic hypotheses suggest a probable major role for the phagocytic cells, or even the total immunity system.