Amyloid Related Serum Protein SAA (also known as serum amyloid A) is a dictionary definition of "Amyloid Related Serum Protein SAA"
Amyloid-Related Serum Protein SAA, or serum amyloid A (SAA), is an acute-phase reactant protein found in the blood. It belongs to the family of apolipoproteins and is predominantly synthesized in the liver under inflammatory conditions. SAA is a key participant in the formation of amyloid fibrils, which are insoluble protein aggregates that accumulate in various tissues and contribute to the pathology of several chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, amyloidosis, and certain cancers.
SAA levels are typically very low in healthy individuals, but they markedly increase during acute inflammation or infection. This rapid and robust increase in SAA synthesis occurs in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6, and is regulated by the transcription factor known as NF-κB. The elevated SAA levels function as an early responder molecule, initiating and modulating the inflammatory response by activating monocytes, neutrophils, and other cells of the immune system.
While SAA is an essential component of the innate immune system and contributes to host defense against pathogens, sustained and excessive production of SAA can lead to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. The persistent presence of high levels of SAA in the blood can result in the deposition of amyloid fibrils in various organs and tissues, leading to organ dysfunction and disease progression.
In summary, Amyloid-Related Serum Protein SAA is an acute-phase reactant protein that plays a crucial role in the innate immune response to inflammation. However, excessive and persistent elevation of SAA levels can contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases and the formation of amyloid fibrils, which are