Characterization of the acute phase serum protein response in pigs

Acute inflammation was induced in pigs using a single subcutaneous turpentine injection. The acute phase serum protein response was analyzed using crossed immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion. The concentration of C reactive protein and haptoglobin increases 5–7 times 48 h after the injection, whereas the concentration of an α2‐globulin, named pig major acute phase protein (pig‐MAP), increases at least 15‐fold. A molecular mass of 115 kDa for pig‐MAP was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This protein did not crossreact with antisera to human hemopexin, ceruloplasmin, H‐kininogen and complement factor C3. Albumin and α‐lipoprotein were negative acute phase proteins because their concentration significantly decreased during inflammation. Finally, the concentration of α1‐acid glycoprotein, fetuin, α1‐protease inhibitor, transferrin and α2‐macro‐globulins, as well as total proteins, did not change significantly during inflammation.