Proteins in fluid from non-keratinizing jaw cysts. 3. Identification of individual proteins with particular reference to alpha- and beta-globulins, including fibrinogen.

Abstract

Abstract. Fluids from 32 non‐keratinizing jaw cysts were examined by polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis, and by immunoelectrophoresis and double diffusion in agar against rabbit anti‐human serum and rabbit antisera monospecific for six different plasma proteins. Albumin, α1‐antitrypsin, α1‐acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid), transferrin, IgG, IgA, and IgM were invariably recognized. Most cyst fluids also reacted with antiserum to α1‐lipoprotein, α2‐macroglobulin, β1 C/β1A‐globulin (C3/C3c), and fibrinogen. Cyst fluid “fibrinogen” which showed somewhat slower electrophoretic migration than plasma fibrinogen, appeared as two precipitin bands or as one line with an apparently split cathodic end. Two cyst fluids exhibited one additional “fibrinogen” line located in the α1‐globulin region. C3, which was not detected in all cyst fluids, displayed an electrophoretic mobility between that of β1C‐ and β1A‐globulin of serum. In two cases an even faster C3 subtraction appeared. Double diffusion gave a “reaction of identity” between albumin and the α‐ and β‐globulins of cyst fluid and autologous scrum. Cystic “fibrinogen” and fibrinogen of human plasma gave a “reaction of partial identity”. These findings indicate that albumin and the main α‐ and A‐globulins of fluid from non‐keratinizing jaw cysts are derived from plasma and that breakdown products of fibrinogen or fibrin are also present. High levels of IgG and IgA, but decreased amounts of α2‐macroglobulin and C3 as compared to autologous serum are also suggested.