Serum amyloid P-component is an acute-phase reactant in the mouse

Abstract

THE acute-phase reaction in mammals is characterised by an increase in the concentration of certain plasma proteins which starts within hours or days of most forms of acute tissue damage or inflammation, and persists with chronic inflammation and malignant neoplasia1–4. Among acute-phase reactants are protease inhibitors, coagulation factors, complement components and transport proteins as well as proteins without known in vivo roles, such as the classical reactant, C-reactive protein (CRP)1–4. The pathophysiological significance of the acute-phase reaction is not known, but it is a usual accompaniment of tissue damage, and it is of clinical value in the assessment of disease activity4. We now report that in the mouse, serum amyloid P-component (protein SAP)5, which is a stable plasma protein in man6, is a major acute-phase reactant. In addition, our observations facilitate investigation of the function of protein SAP and of the pathogenesis of amyloidosis, which is a serious disease in man.