C reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute phase reactant synthesized primarily in the liver hepatocytes. It is a pentraxin (cyclic pentameric protein) compound of five identical nonglycosylated subunits of 206 amino acids each (M.W 24kDa) that are bound noncovalently to form the physiologic CRP molecule(M.W. 117.5kDa). CRP binds to several nuclear components, including chromatin and histones. This may indicate that it functions as a scavenger during cell necrosis. CRP also appears to have the strongest association with cardiovascular events; It may, therefore, be associated with ischemic heart disease. Its rapid increase in synthesis within hours after tissue injury or infection suggests that it contributes to host defense and that it is part of the innate immune response. Displays several functions associated with host defense: it promotes agglutination, bacterial capsular swelling, phagocytosis and complement fixation through its calcium-dependent binding to phosphorylcholine. Can interact with DNA and histones and may scavenge nuclear material released from damaged circulating cells.