What is an Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) Injection?
With approximately 30+ million of the Americans suffering from arthritic and degenerative conditions, scientists and other researchers have found a new biological treatment in the field of regenerative medicine known as Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) human plasma protein, also known as A2MD, CPAMD5, FWP007, and S863-7. This group also contains the pregnancy zone protein (PZP). Both Alpha(2)-M and PZP are broadly specific proteinase inhibitors. The main goal of A2M injection is to target the most common health problems that the people face today.
A2M is a molecule that occurs naturally in your bloodstream and when injected into the painful area, begins to promote healing.
The protein encoded by A2M is a protease inhibitor and cytokine transporter. Using an amino acid “bait”-and-trap mechanism to inhibit a broad spectrum of proteases, including trypsin, thrombin, as well as collagenase. It can also inhibit inflammatory cytokines, and it thus disrupts inflammatory cascades. Mutations in this gene are a cause of alpha 2 macroglobulin deficiency. A2M gene is also implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) due to its ability to mediate the clearance and degradation of A-beta, the major component of beta-amyloid deposits.
Scientific evidence points to A2M to be the key to stopping osteoarthritis at the molecular level. A2M is a Broad Spectrum Multi-Purpose Protease Inhibitor (a powerful chemical in destroying proteins that cause arthritis) that captures and inactivates the three major chemicals that lead to joint breakdown and cartilage damage. Once these bad chemicals are trapped by A2M, the body can then quickly eliminate them.
Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) injections are a cutting-edge new treatment for osteoarthritis and other painful orthopedic conditions. A2M is a human plasma protein molecule that occurs naturally in your bloodstream and when injected into the osteoarthritic or painful area, begins to promote healing.
Structure of Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M)
It is produced by the liver, human Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) is a major component of the alpha-2 band in protein electrophoresis. It functions as a broad-spectrum protease-binding protein. It is a large plasma glycoprotein that has long been known as an irreversible inhibitor of a variety of proteinases. More recently, it has been reported that numerous growth factors, cytokines, and hormones bind to alpha 2M through diverse mechanisms. A2M is also produced in the brain where it binds multiple extracellular ligands and is internalized by neurons and astrocytes.
Human Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) protects your tissues and boosts natural healing by binding to destructive enzymes that cause cartilage decay and osteoarthritis. Four identical subunits that are bound together by –S-S- bonds make Alpha 2 Macroglobulin. Each monomer of human alpha-2-macroglobulin is composed of several functional domains, including:
- Macroglobulin domains
- A thiol ester-containing domain
- A receptor-binding domain
Overall, alpha-2-Macroglobulin is the largest major non-immunoglobulin protein in human plasma.
These enzymes called proteases perform an essential metabolic function: breaking down proteins. However, they can also eat away at your cartilaginous tissue, especially if that tissue has been damaged by a traumatic injury or overuse. As the cartilage degenerates, the joint becomes inflamed, leading to chronic pain and stiffness.
A2M protein molecules create protease inhibitors by binding to them, rendering them harmless and allowing them to be flushed naturally from your body. But the A2M protein molecule itself is large and complex. It travels easily through the bloodstream, but not through your “avascular” cartilage – meaning it has no veins.
A2M protein Is able to inhibit all four classes of proteinases by a unique ‘trapping’ mechanism. Containing a peptide stretch, called the ‘bait region’ which contains specific cleavage sites for different proteinases, when a proteinase cleaves the bait region, a conformational change is induced in the protein that traps the proteinase. The entrapped enzyme remains active against low molecular weight substrates (activity against high molecular weight substrates is greatly reduced). Following cleavage, in the bait region a thioester bond is hydrolyzed and mediates the covalent binding of the protein to the proteinase.
How does A2M Therapy Work?
An A2M injection deposits a rich supply of A2M protein directly into the injured area. The injected protein molecules quickly get to work, protease binding and removing destructive enzymes from your joint tissue.
At your appointment, your blood will be drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate it into red and yellow plasma. The yellow plasma, concentrated 6X with A2M protein molecules, will be re-injected into your joint.
The procedure is minimally-invasive, and not painful. Most patients tell us they feel an improvement in symptoms and mobility on the very same day. The anti-inflammatory effects may last for several months, depending on your circumstances.
Early, regular treatments can relieve pain, promote tissue growth, and slow or stop the progression of joint degeneration. It can even prevent or limit the onset of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Who is a Good Candidate for A2M Injections?
A2M is a safe and effective treatment many joint pain conditions, including:
- Osteoarthritis (Knee arthritis, Hip arthritis)
- Joint injuries (Shoulder, Knee, Elbow, Rotator cuff)
- Labral Tear
- Torn meniscus
- Spinal injuries (Neck, Back)
- Lumbar and sacral osteoarthritis
- Coccydynia
- Sciatica (Lumbar radiculopathy)
- Herniated disc (Slipped disc, Disc displacement)
- Degenerative disc disease
A simple biomarker test can tell if you’re a good candidate for this A2M injections.
Nuvo Spine specializes in minimally-invasive, non-surgical, innovative techniques for pain management. Our board-certified orthopedic pain specialist will assess your condition and design your individualized pain management plan. If you’re looking for long-lasting pain relief that protects your joints and staves off osteoarthritis, call our offices today.
