Alpha-2-Macroglobulin: Protease Inhibitor Treatment (PRP Variant)

Alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) is a major plasma glycoprotein best known for its ability to inhibit a broad spectrum of inflammatory mediators, such as metalloproteases and inflammatory cytokines by a unique “bait-and-trap” method. A2M has emerged as a unique potential treatment for cartilage-based pathology and inflammatory arthritides. A2M can be concentrated from an autologous source and injected into diseased tissue to enhance healing, prevent further degradation, and protect normal tissue. A2M not only inhibits the associated inflammatory cascade, but also disrupts the catabolic process of cartilage degeneration. Any pathology that is protease-mediated may benefit from A2M therapy. The half-life is quite long, so successful treatment can result in months of pain relief. Autologous concentrated A2M from plasma is currently used successfully to treat various painful arthritides, including mild to moderate osteoarthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, enthesopathies, and spinal discogenic pain. Recent work has shown that recombinant A2M may be able to enhance cartilage regeneration. The discovery of A2M as the body’s own healing mechanism, with anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying potential, offers great promise.