Human radical scavenger α1-microglobulin protects against hemolysis in vitro and α1-microglobulin knockout mice exhibit a macrocytic anemia phenotype
During red blood cell (RBC) lysis hemoglobin and heme leak out of the cells and cause damage to the endothelium and nearby tissue. Protective mechanisms exist; however, these systems are not sufficient in diseases with increased extravascular hemolysis e.g. hemolytic anemia. α1-microglobulin (A1M) is a ubiquitous reductase and radical- and heme-binding protein with antioxidation properties. Althou