Role of C-Reactive Protein at Sites of Inflammation and Infection

Front Immunol. 2018; 9: 754. Published online 2018 Apr 13. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00754PMCID: PMC5908901PMID: 29706967Nicola R. Sproston and Jason J. Ashworth*Author information Article notes Copyright and License information PMC DisclaimerAbstractC-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute inflammatory protein that increases up to 1,000-fold at sites of infection or inflammation. CRP is produced as a homopentameric protein, termed native CRP (nCRP), which can irreversibly dissociate at sites of inflammation and infection into five separate monomers, termed monomeric CRP (mCRP). CRP is synthesized primarily in liver hepatocytes but also by smooth muscle cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, and adipocytes. Evidence suggests that estrogen in the form of hormone replacement therapy influences CRP levels in the elderly. Having been traditionally utilized as a marker of infection and cardiovascular events, there is now growing evidence that CRP plays important roles in inflammatory...