Immunohistochemical detection of advanced glycation end products in dialysis-related amyloidosis.

beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2m) isolated from the amyloid deposits in patients with dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) has been demonstrated to be modified with advanced glycation end products (AGE). We produced a monoclonal anti-AGE antibody which localized AGE to amyloid deposits in patients with DRA by immunohistochemistry. The connective tissues in the carpal tunnel were obtained from surgical specimens in six patients with DRA. AGE were localized to the beta 2m-positive amyloid deposits in these patients using the monoclonal anti-AGE antibody. AGE were also detected in infiltrating cells surrounding the amyloid deposits. The AGE-positive cells were identified as macrophages, since they showed positive staining with anti-CD68 antibody. In conclusion, AGE were demonstrated by immunohistochemical technique to be present in both beta 2m-positive amyloid deposits and surrounding macrophages in patients with DRA.