AMYLOIDOSIS
, INTRODUCTION
• Amyloidosis is a disease characterized by the
deposition of an abnormal protein called amyloid in the
connective tissues and organs of the body in a variety of
clinical settings and inhibits normal functioning.
• Amyloid is a heterogeneous group of fibrous, insoluble
protein-carbohydrate complex that forms when
normally soluble proteins such as become misfolded
and adopt a fibril structure.
• Amyloid has similar morphological appearance, staining
properties and physical structures but different protein
or biochemical composition.
, PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF AMYLOID
• With the light microscope and haematoxylin and
eosin stains, amyloid appears as an amorphous,
eosinophilic, hyaline, extracellular substance.
• By electron microscopy, all types of amyloid
consist of continuous, non-branching fibrils with
a diameter of approximately 7.5 to 10 nm.
• X-ray crystallography and infrared spectroscopy
demonstrate a characteristic cross-β-pleated
sheet conformation.
, PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF AMYLOID
• This conformation is seen regardless of
the clinical setting or chemical
composition.
• This is responsible for the distinctive
pink appearance under light microscope
with Congo red staining and apple
green birefringence of amyloid when
viewed with polarizing microscope.
, INTRODUCTION
• Amyloidosis is a disease characterized by the
deposition of an abnormal protein called amyloid in the
connective tissues and organs of the body in a variety of
clinical settings and inhibits normal functioning.
• Amyloid is a heterogeneous group of fibrous, insoluble
protein-carbohydrate complex that forms when
normally soluble proteins such as become misfolded
and adopt a fibril structure.
• Amyloid has similar morphological appearance, staining
properties and physical structures but different protein
or biochemical composition.
, PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF AMYLOID
• With the light microscope and haematoxylin and
eosin stains, amyloid appears as an amorphous,
eosinophilic, hyaline, extracellular substance.
• By electron microscopy, all types of amyloid
consist of continuous, non-branching fibrils with
a diameter of approximately 7.5 to 10 nm.
• X-ray crystallography and infrared spectroscopy
demonstrate a characteristic cross-β-pleated
sheet conformation.
, PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF AMYLOID
• This conformation is seen regardless of
the clinical setting or chemical
composition.
• This is responsible for the distinctive
pink appearance under light microscope
with Congo red staining and apple
green birefringence of amyloid when
viewed with polarizing microscope.
