- Acute phase protein
Acute-phase proteins are a class of
protein s whose plasma concentrations increase (positive acute phase proteins) or decrease (negative acute phase proteins) in response toinflammation . This response is called the "acute-phase reaction" (also called acute phase response).In response to injury, localinflammatory cells (neutrophil granulocyte s andmacrophage s) secrete a number ofcytokine s into the bloodstream, most notable of which are theinterleukin s IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8, and TNF-α.The
liver responds by producing a large number of acute-phase reactants. At the same time, the production of a number of other proteins is reduced; these are therefore referred to as "negative" acute phase reactants.Positive
Positive acute-phase proteins serve different physiological functions for the
immune system . Some act to destroy or inhibit growth of microbes, e.g.C-reactive protein ,Mannose-binding protein ,complement factors ,ferritin ,ceruloplasmin ,Serum amyloid A andhaptoglobin . Others givenegative feedback on the inflammatory response, e.g.serpin s.Alpha 2-macroglobulin and coagulation factors affect coagulation.Negative
Clinical significance
Measurement of acute phase proteins, especially C-reactive protein, is a useful marker of inflammation in both medical and veterinary
clinical pathology . It correlates with theerythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).They may also indicate liver failure [ cite journal |author=Ananian P, Hardwigsen J, Bernard D, Le Treut YP |title=Serum acute-phase protein level as indicator for liver failure after liver resection |journal=Hepatogastroenterology |volume=52 |issue=63 |pages=857–61 |year=2005 |pmid=15966220 |doi=]
References
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External links
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