β-2-Microglobulin (B2M) is a secreted protein with 1 Ig-like C1-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain which belongs to the beta-2-microglobulin family. B2M component of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, involved in the presentation of peptide antigens to the immune system. Polymers of beta 2-microglobulin can be found in tissues from patients on long-term hemodialysis. B2M is a protein found on the surface of many cells and plentiful on the surface of white blood cells. Serum B2M concentration is increased in renal diseases, various malignant diseases and some inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. B2M may adopt the fibrillar configuration of amyloid in certain pathologic states. The capacity to assemble into amyloid fibrils is concentration dependent. B2M has been shown as a marker for monitoring inflammatory disease activity and it appears likely to have a destructive role in amyloidosis-related arthritis. B2M might be involved in the OA (osteoarthritis) pathogenesis. Defects in B2M are the cause of hypercatabolic hypoproteinemia. Affected individuals show marked reduction in serum concentrations of immunoglobulin and albumin, probably due to rapid degradation. B2M could be a potential therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.
