Reactive proteins, specifically acute phase proteins, are a group of proteins whose serum concentrations change significantly in response to inflammation. One of the most well-known of these is C-reactive protein (CRP). Here are some key reactive proteins involved in the inflammatory response:
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C-Reactive Protein (CRP): A widely used clinical marker of inflammation and tissue injury. It increases rapidly in response to acute inflammation.
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Serum Amyloid A (SAA): Another acute phase protein that increases during inflammation and can be a marker for infection and other inflammatory conditions.
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Fibrinogen: Involved in blood clotting, fibrinogen levels increase in response to inflammation and are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Haptoglobin: Binds free hemoglobin and plays a role in immune response; levels can increase in chronic inflammatory states.
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Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT): An inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes, its levels rise in response to inflammation.
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Alpha-2 Macroglobulin: A protease inhibitor that also increases during inflammation.
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Interleukin-6 (IL-6): A cytokine that acts as both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory agent; it stimulates the production of acute phase proteins.
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Complement Proteins: Such as C3 and C4, which are part of the innate immune response and increase in concentration during inflammation.
These proteins are important in diagnosing and monitoring various inflammatory conditions, infections, and chronic diseases. Their levels can be measured through blood tests to provide insight into a patient's inflammatory status.