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The role of calprotectin in pediatric disease
George Vaos1, Ioannis D Kostakis, Nick Zavras
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Alexandroupolis University Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace School of Medicine, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Insights
Calprotectin (CP) shows promise as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for various pediatric inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions. Further research is needed to fully understand its role in these diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Calprotectin (CP) is an S100 protein primarily expressed by neutrophils, possessing significant extracellular functions.
- CP plays a role in calcium and zinc binding, contributing to inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current findings on the role of Calprotectin (CP) in pediatric inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions.
- To summarize CP's utility in diagnosis, follow-up, relapse assessment, and treatment response evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on Calprotectin (CP) in pediatric diseases.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding CP's involvement in various pathological conditions.
Main Results:
- CP is implicated in the diagnosis and management of diverse pediatric conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and certain infections.
- Evidence suggests CP's utility in assessing disease activity and treatment efficacy across a spectrum of pediatric illnesses.
- CP's role extends to noninflammatory conditions and cancers in children.
Conclusions:
- Calprotectin (CP) demonstrates potential as a valuable biomarker in pediatric medicine.
- Additional research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms and applications of CP in pediatric pathology.
Abstract:
Calprotectin (CP) is a calcium- and zinc-binding protein of the S100 family expressed mainly by neutrophils with important extracellular activity. The aim of the current review is to summarize the latest findings concerning the role of CP in a diverse range of inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions among children. Increasing evidence suggests the implication of CP in the diagnosis, followup, assessment of relapses, and response to treatment in pediatric pathological conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, celiac disease, intestinal cystic fibrosis, acute appendicitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Kawasaki disease, polymyositis-dermatomyositis, glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, malaria, HIV infection, hyperzincemia and hypercalprotectinemia, and cancer. Further studies are required to provide insights into the actual role of CP in these pathological processes in pediatrics.
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