Serum C-reactive protein

A protein (discovered in 1941) that can bind to C-polysaccharides of pneumococcal cell walls in the serum of patients with acute inflammation is named C-reactive protein (CRP). The earliest semi-quantitative precipitation test was used, and now the preparation of high-quality antiserum can establish a quantitative method with high sensitivity, specificity and good reproducibility. CRP is synthesized by hepatocytes and has the function of activating complement and promoting phagocytosis of granulocytes and macrophages. CRP is the first to be considered to be an acute phase reaction protein, which is normally present in very small amounts, and its blood concentration rises sharply during acute trauma and infection. CRP is the most commonly used indicator of acute phase response in clinical practice.

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