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Review
. 2009 Nov;63(11):1634-41.
doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02179.x. Epub 2009 Aug 29.

C-reactive protein as a predictor of disease in smokers and former smokers: a review

S Tonstad  1 , J L Cowan
Affiliations
Free PMC article
Review

C-reactive protein as a predictor of disease in smokers and former smokers: a review

S Tonstad et al. Int J Clin Pract. 2009 Nov.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking is a classical and a major risk factor in the development of several diseases with an inflammatory component, including cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Improvements in assays for protein markers of inflammation have led to many studies on these factors and their roles in disease.

Aims: C-reactive protein (CRP) is one such marker and this review focuses on the evidence for using CRP as a diagnostic marker and how levels of this protein are modified according to the smoking status of the patient, both in terms of the current amount of cigarettes smoked and how CRP levels change following smoking cessation.

Conclusions: Assay of CRP levels may be useful in monitoring disease progression and determining risk of future cardiovascular complications. However, as this marker is also an indicator of acute inflammation and challenges to the immune system, some caution must be exercised in interpreting the available data on CRP levels in patients with different chronic comorbidities.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
C-reactive protein (CRP) is expressed primarily in hepatocytes, but can be expressed by other cell types. Transcription of CRP mRNA is mediated by interleukins-1β and -6 and transcription factors C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ. Once translated, the mature CRP protein forms a pentamer, characteristic of the pentraxin family of proteins. The CRP pentamer has two binding faces: the ligand binding face binds phospholipids (primarily phosphocholine) in the presence of calcium ions and may also bind snRNPs; the effector face of the pentamer binds substrates including the complement C1q protein and the Ig receptor FcγR. C/EBP, CCAAT/enhancer Binding Protein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; snRNP, small nuclear ribonucleoprotein; VLDL, very low-density lipoprotein
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References

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