Acute-phase proteins

Acute-phase proteins (pronunciation: /əˈkjuːt ˈfeɪz ˈprəʊtiːnz/) 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 (also called acute-phase response).

Etymology

The term "acute-phase protein" is derived from the observation that these proteins' levels increase or decrease during the acute-phase reaction. The term "acute" refers to the short-term nature of the reaction, while "phase" signifies a stage in a process. "Protein" refers to the nature of these substances as proteins.

Positive Acute-phase proteins

Positive acute-phase proteins include C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, procalcitonin, haptoglobin, and alpha 1-antitrypsin. These proteins usually have protective roles and are involved in aspects of the inflammatory response.

Negative Acute-phase proteins

Negative acute-phase proteins include albumin, transferrin, transthyretin, retinol-binding protein, antithrombin, and transthyretin. The levels of these proteins decrease during the acute-phase reaction.

Function

Acute-phase proteins have various functions in the immune response, including activation of the complement system, binding to pathogens to promote their elimination, modulation of the immune response, and participation in tissue repair processes.

Related terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Acute-phase proteins
Wikipedia's article - Acute-phase proteins

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Acute-phase proteins