(immunology) Any of a group of proteins that are produced by the liver and appear in the blood in increased amounts shortly after the onset of infection or tissue damage; they include C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, proteolytic enzyme inhibitors, and transferrin.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.