The Biochemical, Physiological, And Clinical Importance of Ceruloplasmin: A Review

Abstract

Ceruloplasmin is a glycoprotein multicopper oxidase and the main copper transport protein in humans. It is responsible for metal homeostasis, redox equilibrium, and inflammatory response in human plasma. It is produced mainly in the liver and acts as a ferroxidase enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron, enabling the transport of iron while reducing free radical formation from iron. In this way, ceruloplasmin participates in control of systemic iron homeostasis, antioxidant defense and tissue protection against oxidative damage. Furthermore, as a positive APPs itself, ceruloplasmin is considered the regulator of innate immune response and its circulating levels have been shown to raise during inflammation, infection and tissue injury. The clinical utility of ceruloplasmin testing is well established in the diagnosis and monitoring of disorders of copper metabolism, including Wilson’s disease, with emerging applications in cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases as well as chronic inflammatory diseases. Changes in the concentration, enzymatic activity and molecular structure of ceruloplasmin correlate with disease severity and prognosis. The aim of this review is to summarize the biochemistry, physiology and clinical implications of ceruloplasmin in view of recent developments and new perspectives relevant to its function as a biomarker and mediator in health a disease.

Keywords:

Acute Phase Proteins, Ceruloplasmin, Copper Metabolism, Hepatocytes

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