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.

• 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.

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

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.

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

• 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