C反应蛋白与动脉粥样硬化

C-reactive protein and atherosclerosis

C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)是人类非特异性急性期蛋白,是判断组织损伤和炎症反应的敏感指标之一。CRP的表达水平与动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis,AS)和心血管疾病的发生具有显著的相关性。但是关于CRP是否是AS的独立危险因素并参与AS的发病机制,目前尚存在很大争议。新近的研究发现,CRP与某些特定的配体结合后,五聚体结构CRP可分离形成单体结构CRP。这一发现为研究CRP蛋白与AS的相互关系提供了新的线索,对CRP及其单体结构的深入研究,将有可能帮助人们找到治疗心血管疾病的有效方法。就炎性反应标志物CRP及其单体(monomeric CRP,mCRP)与动脉粥样硬化的相关研究进展进行综述,以探讨分析CRP在AS中的作用。

C-reactive protein （CRP）, the non-specific acute phase proteins in human, is one of the sensitive indicators to assess tissue damage and inflammation response. It was reported that CRP levels predict the rate of atherosclerosis progression and the risk of cardiovascular events. These observations triggered intense controversies about potential atherosclerosis-promoting properties of CRP. Once CRP is bound to certain ligands, the pentameric structure of CRP is altered so that it can dissociate into monomers. The novel understanding of the CRP and mCRP may help people find an effective way to treat cardiovascular disease.