Inflammatory Markers

Inflammatory Markers

Definition: Inflammatory markers are substances in the body that indicate the presence of inflammation. They are often proteins or other molecules released during the inflammatory response and are measured in blood tests to assess inflammation levels in various diseases.

Functions of Inflammatory Markers

• C-reactive Protein (CRP):

• Inflammation Marker: CRP levels rise in response to acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, making it a useful biomarker for detecting inflammation.
• Immune Response: It plays a role in the immune system by binding to phosphocholine expressed on the surface of dead or dying cells and some bacteria, promoting their clearance by immune cells.
• Clinical Significance: Elevated CRP levels can indicate infections, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR):

• Function: Measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube; faster rates indicate inflammation.
• Clinical Use: Used to detect inflammation associated with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and infections.

• Interleukins (IL):

• Examples: IL-6, IL-1β.
• Function: Cytokines that play significant roles in the inflammatory response. Elevated levels can indicate autoimmune diseases, infections, and certain cancers.

• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α):

• Function: A cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is part of the body’s immune response. Elevated levels are associated with various inflammatory diseases.

• Fibrinogen:

• Function: A protein involved in blood clotting that also increases during inflammation. High fibrinogen levels can indicate chronic inflammation and are used as a cardiovascular risk marker.

Measurement of Inflammatory Markers

• Various tests are used to measure these markers, including CRP tests, ESR tests, and specific cytokine assays. High-sensitivity tests (like hs-CRP) can provide more detailed insights into cardiovascular risk.

Clinical Relevance

1. Diagnosis of Diseases: Inflammatory markers are crucial for diagnosing conditions such as infections, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory disorders.
2. Monitoring Disease Activity: Changes in levels of these markers can help assess disease progression or response to treatment.
3. Risk Assessment: Certain markers, like CRP and fibrinogen, can be used to evaluate cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion

Inflammatory markers play a vital role in understanding the presence and extent of inflammation in the body. They are essential tools for diagnosing and monitoring various health conditions related to inflammation.

References

1. Pepys MB, Hirschfield GM. “C-reactive protein: a critical update.” Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2003; 111(12): 1805-1812. DOI: 10.1172/JCI200318388
2. Horne BD, et al. “Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate: A Review.” American Family Physician. 2004; 70(9): 1711-1717.
3. Dinarello CA. “Historical insights into cytokines.” European Journal of Immunology. 2007; 37(S1): S34-S45. DOI: 10.1002/eji.200737358
4. Aggarwal BB, et al. “Tumor necrosis factor: a key regulator of the immune system.” The Journal of Immunology. 1999; 162(3): 1130-1135.
5. Kaptoge S, et al. “C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and cardiovascular disease prediction.” New England Journal of Medicine. 2010; 362(1): 8-20. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa0902905