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Systemic AA Amyloidosis in the Common Marmoset

New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Southborough, MA (EL, SD, KGM); Human Immunology and Cancer Program, Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN (CLM, SMD, AS, DTW); and Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA (DGS)

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a small New World primate native to Brazil that has been used extensively in biomedical research. A retrospective analysis of archived hematoxylin and eosin–stained tissue sections and clinical records was conducted at the New England Primate Research Center on 86 marmosets more than 1 year of age that were euthanized during the past decade because of morbidity and failure to thrive. Approximately 17% (15 of 86) were found to have amyloid deposits in one or more organs, including the liver, adrenal glands, kidneys, and intestine. This material was shown by amino acid sequence analysis to be composed of serum amyloid A (SAA)–related protein. This type of amyloidosis, designated AA or "secondary," is associated typically with an inflammatory process that induces elevated levels of the SAA amyloidogenic precursor molecule. Notably, there were no significant pathologic differences or other distinguishing features in animals with amyloid versus those without; furthermore, on the basis of the limited number of serum specimens available for analysis, the SAA concentrations in the two groups were comparable, thus suggesting the possible inheritable nature of the disorder. In this respect, the common marmoset provides a unique experimental model for study of the pathogenesis and treatment of AA and other forms of systemic amyloidosis.

Key words: AA amyloid; amyloidosis; common marmoset.

Request reprints from Dr. E. Ludlage, New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Southborough, MA 01772-9012 (USA). E-mail: elisabeth_ludlage{at}hms.harvard.edu

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