Biomaterial Database

Human serum amyloid A (SAA) protein: a prominent acute-phase reactant for clinical practice. 1996

E Malle, and F C De Beer

Karl-Franzens University Graz, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Austria.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins comprise a family of apolipoproteins synthesized in response to cytokines released by activated monocytes/macrophages. Acute-phase protein concentrations have been advocated as objective biochemical indices of disease activity in a number of different inflammatory processes. Clinical studies in large groups of patients with a variety of disorders confirmed the rapid production and exceptionally wide dynamic range of the SAA response. It is as sensitive a marker for the acute-phase as C-reactive protein (CRP). Recent studies indicate that SAA is the most sensitive non-invasive biochemical marker for allograft rejection. Further studies comparing the measurement of SAA to CRP could reveal other indications for its specific use. These studies are now more feasible given newer assays to measure this acute-phase reactant. Observations that the acutephase response is tightly coupled to lipoprotein abnormalities and the fact that acute-SAA proteins are mainly associated with plasma lipoproteins of the high density range suggested a possible role of this apolipoprotein (apo SAA) in the development of atherosclerosis. The expression of SAA mRNA in human atherosclerotic lesions and the induction of acute-phase SAA by oxidized low-density lipoproteins strengthen the hypothesis that SAA might play a role in vascular injury and atherogenesis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007239	Infections	Invasion of the host organism by microorganisms or their toxins or by parasites that can cause pathological conditions or diseases.	Infection,Infection and Infestation,Infections and Infestations,Infestation and Infection,Infestations and Infections
D007249	Inflammation	A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function.	Innate Inflammatory Response,Inflammations,Inflammatory Response, Innate,Innate Inflammatory Responses
D008075	Lipoproteins, HDL	A class of lipoproteins of small size (4-13 nm) and dense (greater than 1.063 g/ml) particles. HDL lipoproteins, synthesized in the liver without a lipid core, accumulate cholesterol esters from peripheral tissues and transport them to the liver for re-utilization or elimination from the body (the reverse cholesterol transport). Their major protein component is APOLIPOPROTEIN A-I. HDL also shuttle APOLIPOPROTEINS C and APOLIPOPROTEINS E to and from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins during their catabolism. HDL plasma level has been inversely correlated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases.	High Density Lipoprotein,High-Density Lipoprotein,High-Density Lipoproteins,alpha-Lipoprotein,alpha-Lipoproteins,Heavy Lipoproteins,alpha-1 Lipoprotein,Density Lipoprotein, High,HDL Lipoproteins,High Density Lipoproteins,Lipoprotein, High Density,Lipoprotein, High-Density,Lipoproteins, Heavy,Lipoproteins, High-Density,alpha Lipoprotein,alpha Lipoproteins
D005544	Forecasting	The prediction or projection of the nature of future problems or existing conditions based upon the extrapolation or interpretation of existing scientific data or by the application of scientific methodology.	Futurology,Projections and Predictions,Future,Predictions and Projections
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D006084	Graft Rejection	An immune response with both cellular and humoral components, directed against an allogeneic transplant, whose tissue antigens are not compatible with those of the recipient.	Transplant Rejection,Rejection, Transplant,Transplantation Rejection,Graft Rejections,Rejection, Graft,Rejection, Transplantation,Rejections, Graft,Rejections, Transplant,Rejections, Transplantation,Transplant Rejections,Transplantation Rejections
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000209	Acute-Phase Proteins	Proteins that are secreted into the blood in increased or decreased quantities by hepatocytes in response to trauma, inflammation, or disease. These proteins can serve as inhibitors or mediators of the inflammatory processes. Certain acute-phase proteins have been used to diagnose and follow the course of diseases or as tumor markers.	Acute Phase Reactant,Acute-Phase Glycoprotein,Acute-Phase Reactant,Acute-Phase Reactants,Proteins, Acute-Phase,Reactants, Acute-Phase,Acute-Phase Glycoproteins,Acute-Phase Protein,Acute Phase Glycoprotein,Acute Phase Glycoproteins,Acute Phase Protein,Acute Phase Proteins,Acute Phase Reactants,Glycoprotein, Acute-Phase,Glycoproteins, Acute-Phase,Phase Reactant, Acute,Protein, Acute-Phase,Proteins, Acute Phase,Reactant, Acute Phase,Reactant, Acute-Phase,Reactants, Acute Phase
D000685	Serum Amyloid A Protein	An ACUTE PHASE REACTION protein present in low concentrations in normal sera, but found at higher concentrations in sera of older persons and in patients with AMYLOIDOSIS. It is the circulating precusor of amyloid A protein, which is found deposited in AA type AMYLOID FIBRILS.	Amyloid Protein SAA,Amyloid Serum Protein SAA,Serum A Related Protein,Amyloid A Precursor,Amyloid A Protein,Amyloid A Protein-Related Serum Component,Amyloid Fibril Protein AA,Amyloid Protein AA,Amyloid Protein AA Precursor,Amyloid-Related Serum Protein (SAA),Serum Amyloid A,Serum Amyloid Protein A,Amyloid A Protein Related Serum Component
D001161	Arteriosclerosis	Thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of ARTERIES of all sizes. There are many forms classified by the types of lesions and arteries involved, such as ATHEROSCLEROSIS with fatty lesions in the ARTERIAL INTIMA of medium and large muscular arteries.	Arterioscleroses