Acute-phase proteins are a class of proteins whose plasma concentrations increase (positive acute phase proteins) or decrease (negative acute phase proteins) in response to inflammation. This response is called the acute-phase reaction. A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... An abscess on the skin, showing the redness and swelling characteristic of inflammation. ...

Inflammatory cells and red blood cells

In response to injury, local inflammatory cells (neutrophil granulocytes and macrophages) secrete a number of cytokines into the bloodstream, most notable of which are the interleukins IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8, and TNF-alpha. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (800x610, 382 KB)Two segmented neutrophil granulocytes, surrounded by red blood cells. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (800x610, 382 KB)Two segmented neutrophil granulocytes, surrounded by red blood cells. ... Human red blood cells Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate bodys principal means of delivering oxygen from the lungs or gills to body tissues via the blood. ... Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A macrophage of a mouse stretching its arms to engulf two particles, possibly pathogens Macrophages (Greek: big eaters, makros = long, phagein = eat) are white blood cells, more specifically phagocytes, acting in the nonspecific defense as well as the specific defense system of vertebrate animals. ... Cytokines are a group of proteins and peptides that are used in organisms as signaling compounds. ... Interleukins are a group of cytokines that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes, hence the -leukin) as a means of communication (inter-). The name is sort of a relic though; it has since been found that interleukins are produced by a wide variety of bodily... Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is secreted by the macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells. ... Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response to trauma, especially burns or other tissue damage leading to inflammation. ... Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells. ... In medicine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα, cachexin or cachectin) is an important cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and the acute phase response. ...

The liver responds by producing a large number of acute-phase reactants, most notable of which are: The liver is an organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. ...

• D-dimer protein
• C-reactive protein
• Mannose-binding protein
• Alpha 1-antitrypsin
• Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin
• Alpha 2-macroglobulin
• some coagulation factors (Fibrinogen, prothrombin, factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, plasminogen)
• Complement factors
• Ferritin
• Serum amyloid P component (see amyloid)
• Serum amyloid A

Serum albumin concentrations fall in acute disease states. For this reason albumin is sometimes referred to as a negative acute phase protein. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a plasma protein, an acute phase protein produced by the liver. ... Mannose-binding protein is a soluble factor in the human body that binds mannose residues to pathogens. ... Alpha 1-antitrypsin or α1-antitrypsin (A1AT) is a serine protease inhibitor (serpin). ... Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin is a alpha globulin glycoprotein and serpin. ... Alpha-2 macroglobulin is a large plasma protein found in the blood. ... The coagulation of blood is a complex process during which blood forms solid clots. ... Fibrin is a protein involved in the clotting of blood. ... Thrombin (activated Factor II) is a coagulation protein that has many effects in the coagulation cascade. ... Factor VIII (FVIII) is an essential clotting factor. ... Von Willebrand factor is a blood glycoprotein of the coagulation system. ... Plasmin is an important degrading enzyme (EC 3. ... A complement protein attacking an invader. ... Ferritin is a globular protein found mainly in the liver, which can store about 4500 iron (Fe3+)ions in a hollow protein shell made of 24 subunits. ... Serum Amyloid P component (SAP) is the identical serum form of Amyloid P component (AP), a 25kDa pentameric protein first identified as the pentagonal constituent of in vivo pathological deposits called amyloid (Cathcart et al, 1967). ... Amyloid describes various types of protein aggregations that share specific traits when examined microscopically. ... Serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins are a family of apolipoproteins associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in plasma. ... You may be looking for albumen, or egg white. ...

Measurement of acute phase proteins is a useful marker of inflammation in both medical and veterinary clinical pathology. Clinical Pathology is one of the two major divisions of Pathology. ...

See also

• Wikipedia:MeSH_D12.776#MeSH_D12.776.124.050_---_acute-phase_proteins

External links

• MeSH Acute-Phase+Proteins