Alpha-2-Macroglobulin is a large plasma protein which despite being majorly produced by the liver, is also locally produced by macrophages, adrenocortical cells and fibroblasts. It is encoded by the A2M gene in humans. It is an important constituent of the blood. It acts as an anti-protease and is hence able to inactivate a huge number of proteinases. It functions as an inhibitor of fibrinolysis and coagulation. It acts as a carrier protein because it can bind to numerous growth factors and cytokines.