Year: 2008
Type: review
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Inflammation is pivotal in all phases of atherosclerosis. Among the numerous inflammatory biomarkers, the largest amount of published data supports a role for C-reactive protein (CRP) as a robust and independent risk marker in the prediction of primary and secondary adverse cardiovascular events. In addition to being a risk marker, there is much evidence indicating that CRP may indeed participate in atherogenesis. CONTENT: In this review, we focus on the role of CRP in promoting atherothrombosis by discussing its effects on endothelial cells, endothelial progenitor cells, monocyte-macrophages, and smooth muscle cells. CONCLUSIONS: CRP is clearly a risk marker for cardiovascular disease and is recommended for use in primary prevention. In addition, CRP appears also to contribute to atherogenesis. However, much further research is needed, especially in appropriate animal models, to confirm the possible role of CRP in promoting atherothrombosis.
Source: Clinical Chemistry
Authors: Sridevi Devaraj, Uma Singh, Ishwarlal Jialal
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2055937950