A simple method for isolating alpha 2 macroglobulin-cytokine complexes.
There is the need for a simple, effective procedure for separating alpha 2 macroglobulin-cytokine complexes from free cytokine in order that the nature and possible immunological significance of cytokine-binding by alpha 2 macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) might be further investigated. This presentation describes a method which exploits the presence of zinc-binding sites on alpha 2-M which permit the isolation of complexes from other proteins by zinc-affinity chromatography. Furthermore the method may be used in either a column or batch format.