MPO (Myeloperoxidase)

MPO is a glycoprotein with a alpha2beta2 heteromultimer expressed in all cells of the myeloid linage. MPO is abundantly present in azurophilic granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. It is an important enzyme used during phagocytic lysis of engulfed foreign particles which takes part in the defense of the organism through production of hypochlorus acid. Involvement of MPO has been described in diseases such as atherosclerosis, lung, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Autoimmune antibodies to MPO are involved in Wegener's disease.