The Chemotactic Role of CReactive Proteins in Ischemic Strokes Whitney Sher, Danielle Toth, Michelle

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The Chemotactic Role of C-Reactive Proteins in
Ischemic StrokesWhitney Sher, Danielle Toth,
Michelle Vu, Brad White, Elizabeth
ZagarAffiliated with Dr. Allan Angerio, PhD
Abstract C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an
immunoregulator. It is an inflammatory marker in
strokes and therefore is a strong predictor of
the risk for vascular events, namely ischemic
stroke. Not only is CRP an indicator for strokes
but actively participates in the pathophysiology
of stroke. CRP attracts macrophages to injured
arterial walls and exacerbates the process of
cerebral atherosclerosis. Cerebral
atherosclerosis promotes strokes. Our literature
review shows that such illnesses as obesity,
diabetes, and hypertension correlates with high
levels of CRP and strokes. Drugs that lover CRP
levels may have a beneficial effect on cerebral
vascular disease.

• Findings
• High levels of CRP, macrophages, fibrinogen, and
  thrombi lead to increases in inflammation,
  atherosclerosis, and ischemic stroke.
• Adipose tissue secretes a tumor necrosis factor
  which causes the synthesis of Interleukin-6
  which, in turn, stimulates the production of CRP
  from the liver.
• The reaction at the site of injury or infection
  activates many cytokines, including TNF-alpha and
  Interleukin-1 and 6. These cytokines trigger
  systemic responses such as the activation of
  complement and clotting mechanisms. They also
  increase the concentration of CRP, fibrinogen,
  and activated macrophages.
• CRP directly contributes to human atherosclerotic
  plaque formation and binds low density
  lipoproteins to the arterial wall which draws
  forth macrophages.
• High concentrations of CRP on the arterial wall
  cause more uptake of LOX-1, which binds LDL and
  macrophages to it.

The Pathway of Inflammation to Ischemia
Introduction According to recent research,
there is a relationship between c-reactive
proteins (CRP) and macrophages in ischemic
strokes. Studies are showing that the levels of
CRP are an accurate measurement in determining a
persons risk for cardiovascular diseases. CRPs
are acute phase proteins, otherwise known as
markers for inflammation. They appear in the
blood to aid in the destruction of foreign
organisms, along with macrophages, which are
large cells in the blood that assist in removing
waste, foreign, and harmful substances. Produced
mostly in the liver, CRPs were discovered by
Tillet and Frances in 1930. Named for
precipitating pneumococcal C-polysaccharide
around calcium, CRPs are part of the pentraxin
protein group.
Conclusion Our results indicate that CRPs and
macrophages are strongly associated with
inflammatory reactions leading to a build-up of
atherosclerotic plaque on arterial walls in
vessels permeating the brain. This would explain
why the concentration of the CRP in the blood is
a useful predictor of cerebrovascular disease in
patients. It can also be noted that this risk is
greater in hypertensive, diabetic, or obese
patients. Studies regarding the correct timing of
the assessment of CRP levels in relation to
ischemic stroke are still being conducted.
Therapy treatment for patients at risk of
ischemic stroke include statin and salicylate
drugs.