C-reactive protein (CRP) is a circulating protein mainly secreted from the liver. This acute phase protein consists of five identical non-glycosylated subunits of 23 kDa, that give rise to a symmetrically arranged globular protein with molecular weight of approximately 120 kDa. It has long been recognized that CRP is closely related to immunology, inflammation and host defence; as a result it has been used as an inflammatory marker. However, the development of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) ELISA had addressed its role in other clinical issues. There is accumulating evidence suggesting the important role that CRP plays in mediating cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. Normally CRP is presenting only in a trace amount in circulation (<1 mg/ml) but can increase over 1,000-fold under acute inflammatory state. Individuals with blood CRP levels <1 mg/ml, 1-3 mg/ml and >3 mg/ml are considered to have low, moderate and high risk, respectively, of CVD and myocardial infraction. Therefore, blood CRP level has become a promising biomarker for CVD risk.
Relevant recent publications:
1. Should C-reactive protein be a target of therapy? Oh J, Teoh H, Leiter LA. Diabetes Care. 2011 May;34 Suppl 2:S155-60.
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