Calprotectin is a calcium- and zinc-binding heterodimeric protein complex composed of S100A8 and S100A9 subunits, primarily released by neutrophils and, to a lesser extent, by monocytes and epithelial cells. It plays a crucial role in the innate immune response by exerting antimicrobial effects through metal ion sequestration and modulating inflammatory signaling pathways. Due to its high stability in biological fluids and strong association with neutrophil activity, calprotectin serves as a reliable biomarker for detecting inflammation, especially in mucosal and epithelial surfaces. The most widely studied form, fecal calprotectin, is notably resistant to enzymatic degradation, making it an excellent non-invasive marker of gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation.
In clinical and research settings, calprotectin is extensively used to differentiate between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and non-inflammatory conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Elevated fecal calprotectin levels correlate with neutrophilic infiltration of the intestinal mucosa, serving as a proxy for endoscopic activity, disease severity, and response to therapy. In rheumatology and oncology, serum or synovial calprotectin levels have been explored as indicators of systemic inflammation and disease progression in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers. In infectious diseases, calprotectin’s antimicrobial properties and upregulation during sepsis and pneumonia have led to its evaluation as a prognostic marker. Thus, calprotectin represents a versatile, sensitive, and non-invasive biomarker applicable across multiple disciplines for diagnosis, monitoring, and prognostication of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
This product is manufactured in USA by Eagle Biosciences.