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Review
. 2023 Dec 31;11(4):e179.
doi: 10.15190/d.2023.18. eCollection 2023 Oct-Dec.

Role of C-reactive protein in disease progression, diagnosis and management

Sarah Ali  1 , Aiza Zehra  1 , Muhammad Umair Khalid  1 , Momina Hassan  1 , Syed Imran Ali Shah  2
Affiliations
Review

Role of C-reactive protein in disease progression, diagnosis and management

Sarah Ali et al. Discoveries (Craiova). .

Abstract

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a ring-shaped pentameric protein synthesized in the liver via CRP gene transcription. It is an inflammatory marker, whose serum levels can be measured using traditional and high-sensitivity tests. In healthy adults, the normal CRP serum concentrations vary between 0.8 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L. These can be grouped into low-, moderate-, and high-risk categories according to CRP levels of less than 1, 1-3, and greater than 3 mg/L, respectively. Elevated levels have been observed in infections, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and malignancies. However, it is not specific to any disease. Serum CRP levels have also been shown to indicate the risk of cardiovascular disease, owing to their role as inflammatory markers in atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Furthermore, its role in autoimmune diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, and its involvement in the development of cancers, including breast, colorectal, ovarian, prostate, and lung cancers, have also been studied. The involvement of CRP in determining the course of infection and differentiating between bacterial and viral infections has also been investigated. This review summarizes the published literature on C-reactive protein and its role in disease management and progression.

Keywords: Acute phase protein.; Biomarker; C-Reactive Protein; CRP; Inflammation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests: The Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Schematic representation of pCRP and mCRP interactions.
pCRP is released from hepatocytes due to inflammation and circulates through the systemic vasculature. pCRP once dissociated into mCRP becomes highly active. mCRP in turn interacts at different sites of inflammation including Immune Cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and part of the extracellular matrix.
Figure 2
Figure 2. CRP Structure with phosphocholine and calcium binding sites and function
Figure 3
Figure 3. Steps leading to increased serum CRP levels
Figure 4
Figure 4. Representation of the role of CRP in cardiovascular disease
Figure 5
Figure 5. Representation of the role of CRP in cancer
Figure 6
Figure 6. Individuals grouped into three categories based on CRP levels
Figure 7
Figure 7. Implication of CRP in cardiovascular fitness
Figure 8
Figure 8. CRP and management of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Figure 9
Figure 9. CRP and management of COPD
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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