C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase serum protein synthesized by the liver in response to interleukin-6 (IL-6) during inflammation. It is involved in several host defense related functions based on its ability to recognize foreign pathogens and damaged cells of the host and to initiate their elimination by interacting with humoral and cellular effector systems in the blood. Consequently, the level of this protein in plasma increases greatly during acute phase response to tissue injury, infection, or other inflammatory stimuli.
