[C-reactive protein (CRP)--an acute-phase protein with importance in laboratory medicine in veterinary medicine]

Abstract

CRP is an acute phase protein (APP) formed by hepatic cells in acute phase reaction (APR). APR is initiated by a broad spectrum of cytokines of activated macrophages of blood and tissues. During the APR, plasma concentrations of APP are changed. Cytokines regulate APPs. CRP is a phylogenetically very old molecule. The degree of homology of amino acids in CRP is very high in a lot of species. CRP binding specificities depend on Ca++. The diagnostic importance of CRP in veterinary medicine is discussed.