Laboratory tests - C-reactive protein
What it is
- A pentameric acute phase protein of the pentraxin family, synthesised by hepatocytes under IL-6 control
- Function: binds phosphocholine exposed on damaged host cell membranes and on certain pathogen surfaces (pneumococcal C-polysaccharide - hence the name)
- -> activates the CLASSICAL complement pathway (via C1q)
- -> opsonisation and phagocytosis by binding Fc-gamma receptors
- -> clearance of apoptotic cells and nuclear debris
- *An innate immune opsonin, not merely a marker*
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