alpha-2-macroglobulin enriched plasma

Alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) enriched plasma is an autologous biologic therapy used primarily in orthopedics to treat degenerative joint and spinal conditions like osteoarthritis. A2M is a large, naturally occurring tetrameric plasma glycoprotein that acts as a powerful broad-spectrum protease inhibitor. Its unique mechanism of action involves a "bait-and-trap" method: when catabolic proteases—such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and ADAMTS—cleave the A2M bait region, the A2M molecule undergoes a conformational change that physically traps the enzyme, which is then cleared from the joint via endocytosis. By neutralizing these destructive enzymes that break down the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage, A2M-enriched plasma helps restore homeostatic balance within the joint, reduces inflammation, and may slow the progression of cartilage degradation. The product is typically prepared at the point of care by concentrating the A2M protein from a patient's own blood using specialized centrifugal or filtration systems.

Brand names

APICAlpha2ActiveAlpha-2ActiveAlpha 2ActiveOrtho-A2MOrtho-A-2MOrtho-A 2M

Other names

A2M-enriched plasmaA-2M-enriched plasmaA 2M-enriched plasmaAutologous A2M concentratealpha-2-macroglobulin concentratealpha2-macroglobulin concentratealpha 2-macroglobulin concentrateA2M plasma therapyA-2M plasma therapyA 2M plasma therapy