Battle of the Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation
Systemic inflammation is monitored with various biomarkers; of these, C-reactive protein (CRP) is widely used due to its cost effectiveness and widespread implementation. However, its lack of specificity and delayed kinetics have directed interest in cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which offers rapid respons...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/4/438 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850183669670477824 |
|---|---|
| author | Emilia Stec-Martyna Karolina Wojtczak Dariusz Nowak Robert Stawski |
| author_facet | Emilia Stec-Martyna Karolina Wojtczak Dariusz Nowak Robert Stawski |
| author_sort | Emilia Stec-Martyna |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Systemic inflammation is monitored with various biomarkers; of these, C-reactive protein (CRP) is widely used due to its cost effectiveness and widespread implementation. However, its lack of specificity and delayed kinetics have directed interest in cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which offers rapid responses to cellular damage. Our review compares the use of CRP and cfDNA in myocardial infarction, sepsis, and physical exercise, focusing on their origins, kinetics, and clinical utility. cfDNA release from apoptotic or damaged cells increases within minutes to hours, providing an early marker of cellular stress. In myocardial infarction, cfDNA peaks early, indicating acute injury, while CRP rises later, reflecting prolonged inflammation. In sepsis, cfDNA correlates strongly with disease severity and prognosis, outperforming CRP in early diagnosis. During physical exercise, cfDNA offers an immediate picture of cellular stress, whereas CRP’s delayed response limits its utility in this context. The interaction between CRP and cfDNA suggests their combined application could improve diagnostic accuracy and prognostic assessments. As cfDNA testing becomes more widely available, researchers will need to develop standardized protocols and determine how it can best complement CRP measurements in clinical practice. This approach offers promise for improving the management of systemic inflammation across diverse medical conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c7ad0c06f4e148b587bf741f22393e4d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-c7ad0c06f4e148b587bf741f22393e4d2025-08-20T02:17:19ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-04-0114443810.3390/biology14040438Battle of the Biomarkers of Systemic InflammationEmilia Stec-Martyna0Karolina Wojtczak1Dariusz Nowak2Robert Stawski3Research Laboratory CoreLab, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka St., 92-215 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, PolandSystemic inflammation is monitored with various biomarkers; of these, C-reactive protein (CRP) is widely used due to its cost effectiveness and widespread implementation. However, its lack of specificity and delayed kinetics have directed interest in cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which offers rapid responses to cellular damage. Our review compares the use of CRP and cfDNA in myocardial infarction, sepsis, and physical exercise, focusing on their origins, kinetics, and clinical utility. cfDNA release from apoptotic or damaged cells increases within minutes to hours, providing an early marker of cellular stress. In myocardial infarction, cfDNA peaks early, indicating acute injury, while CRP rises later, reflecting prolonged inflammation. In sepsis, cfDNA correlates strongly with disease severity and prognosis, outperforming CRP in early diagnosis. During physical exercise, cfDNA offers an immediate picture of cellular stress, whereas CRP’s delayed response limits its utility in this context. The interaction between CRP and cfDNA suggests their combined application could improve diagnostic accuracy and prognostic assessments. As cfDNA testing becomes more widely available, researchers will need to develop standardized protocols and determine how it can best complement CRP measurements in clinical practice. This approach offers promise for improving the management of systemic inflammation across diverse medical conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/4/438biomarkerscell-free DNA (cfDNA)C-reactive protein (CRP)exercisemyocardial infarctionsepsis |
| spellingShingle | Emilia Stec-Martyna Karolina Wojtczak Dariusz Nowak Robert Stawski Battle of the Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation Biology biomarkers cell-free DNA (cfDNA) C-reactive protein (CRP) exercise myocardial infarction sepsis |
| title | Battle of the Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation |
| title_full | Battle of the Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation |
| title_fullStr | Battle of the Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Battle of the Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation |
| title_short | Battle of the Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation |
| title_sort | battle of the biomarkers of systemic inflammation |
| topic | biomarkers cell-free DNA (cfDNA) C-reactive protein (CRP) exercise myocardial infarction sepsis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/4/438 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT emiliastecmartyna battleofthebiomarkersofsystemicinflammation AT karolinawojtczak battleofthebiomarkersofsystemicinflammation AT dariusznowak battleofthebiomarkersofsystemicinflammation AT robertstawski battleofthebiomarkersofsystemicinflammation |