title: Serum calprotectin: review of its usefulness and validity in paediatric rheumatic diseases.
abstract: In most childhood rheumatic diseases, specific diagnostic markers are not yet available. Therefore, a major emphasis in medical research today is directed to the discovery of new inflammation molecules, like calprotectin. Calprotectin (MRP8/MRP14) is a complex of calcium- and zinc-binding proteins that belong to the S100 protein family. This protein is directly released by leukocytes during the interaction with inflammatory activated endothelium at the site of inflammation. Increased plasma calprotectin levels have been found in inflammatory chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In these diseases, serum calprotectin has been shown to correlate with disease activity and laboratory variables of inflammation such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). This review outlines the validity and the possible applications of calprotectin as a new inflammation marker in paediatric rheumatic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Anthea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marsili
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nozzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Pathology, SS Annunziata Hospital, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Faricelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiarelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Breda
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000097:blood*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex