title: C-reactive protein and atherothrombosis.
abstract: Circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), the classical acute phase protein and sensitive systemic marker of inflammation, significantly predict atherothrombotic events and outcome after acute myocardial infarction, demonstrating the key role of inflammation in atherosclerosis and its complications. The binding specificity of CRP for low density lipoproteins, for modified low density lipoproteins, and for damaged and dead cells, coupled with the capacity of bound CRP to activate complement, and with the presence of CRP in atheroma and acute myocardial infarction lesions, all suggest a possible pathogenetic role of CRP. Development of drugs to block binding of CRP to its various ligands in vivo will enable this hypothesis to be tested.
authors: Centre for Amyloidosis and Acute Phase Proteins, Department of Medicine, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK. m.pepys@rfc.ucl.ac.uk
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Pepys
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Hirschfield
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein