C-reactive protein

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-002664",
  "term": "C-reactive protein",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A pentameric protein found in blood plasma, the levels of which rise in response to inflammation. It binds to phosphocholine on the surface of pathogens and damaged cells, activating the complement system and promoting phagocytosis. As an acute-phase reactant, its concentration in the blood can increase a thousand-fold during an inflammatory response, making it a widely used clinical biomarker for inflammation and infection.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "acute-phase response",
    "classical pathway",
    "opsonization",
    "phagocytosis"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2012, 84, 1113. 'IUPAC glossary of terms used in immunotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)' on page 1139 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-11-06-03)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/c-reactive-protein/"
}