====== Inflammatory Proteins ======

Inflammatory proteins are molecules produced in response to infection, injury, or cellular stress. They mediate and regulate the inflammatory response, including immune cell recruitment, tissue repair, and resolution.

===== Key Categories =====

==== Cytokines ====
  * **Interleukin-1 (IL-1)**: Promotes fever and activates leukocytes.
  * **Interleukin-6 (IL-6)**: Induces acute-phase protein production in the liver.
  * **Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α)**: Central to systemic inflammation and fever.

==== Chemokines ====
  * **CCL2 (MCP-1)**: Recruits monocytes to inflamed tissues.
  * **CXCL8 (IL-8)**: Attracts neutrophils to the site of infection or injury.

==== Acute-Phase Proteins ====
Produced mainly by the liver in response to IL-6.
  * **C-Reactive Protein (CRP)**: Binds to pathogens and apoptotic cells; commonly used as a clinical inflammation marker.
  * **Serum Amyloid A (SAA)**: Elevated in chronic inflammation; associated with secondary amyloidosis.
  * **Fibrinogen**: Involved in blood clotting and inflammation.

==== Other Mediators ====
  * **High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1)**: Released during necrosis; triggers sterile inflammation.
  * **Complement components (C3a, C5a)**: Promote opsonization, cell lysis, and chemotaxis.

===== Clinical Relevance =====
  * Commonly measured markers: **CRP**, **IL-6**, **TNF-α**
  * Used in diagnosis or monitoring of:
    * Infections
    * Autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
    * Cardiovascular risk (e.g., high-sensitivity CRP)
    * Cancer-associated inflammation

  * Chronically elevated inflammatory proteins are associated with:
    * [[atherosclerosis]]
    * [[neurodegenerative diseases]] (e.g., Alzheimer's disease)
    * [[cancer]] progression