Related Experiment Videos
The systemic reaction during inflammation: the acute-phase proteins
Fabrizio Ceciliani1, Alessia Giordano, Valentina Spagnolo
1Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanitá, Pubblica Veterinaria, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Italy.
Protein and Peptide Letters
|July 30, 2002
Summary
The acute-phase response involves widespread physiological changes, including altered levels of acute-phase proteins produced by the liver. This review covers recent findings on these proteins and their roles in diseases like infections and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Immunology
Background:
- The acute-phase response is a systemic reaction to inflammation, involving diverse physiological and biochemical alterations.
- Acute-phase proteins (APPs) are key plasma proteins whose concentrations change significantly during the acute-phase response.
- Liver production of APPs is altered, leading to increased (positive APPs) or decreased (negative APPs) plasma levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding acute-phase proteins.
- To highlight the functional roles of APPs in various pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on acute-phase proteins.
- Analysis of changes in APP concentrations and their regulation.
- Examination of APP functions in disease contexts.
Main Results:
- Acute-phase proteins exhibit significant concentration changes, with some increasing over 1000-fold (e.g., C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A).
- These changes are primarily driven by altered hepatic synthesis.
- APPs play crucial roles in host defense against infections and in managing inflammatory lesions.
Conclusions:
- Acute-phase proteins are critical biomarkers and mediators of the acute-phase response.
- Further research into APP function is essential for understanding and treating inflammatory diseases and infections.