Thermolabile beta-2 macroglycoprotein (Hakata antigen) in liver disease: biochemical and immunohistochemical study.

Thermolabile beta-2 macroglycoprotein is a novel serum protein that was detected by an autoantibody in sera of a Japanese woman with systemic lupus erythematosus. We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for this glycoprotein and measured its serum levels in patients with chronic liver disease. There were significant correlations between serum levels of this glycoprotein and those of albumin and cholinesterase. The serum levels of TL beta 2MG decreased with increasing severity of cirrhosis. Immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal anti-thermolabile beta-2 macroglycoprotein antibody revealed positive staining in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. These data strongly suggested that hepatocyte may be one of the production sites of this glycoprotein. Measurement of serum levels of this glycoprotein was useful for evaluation of hepatic function in chronic liver disease.