Medical Definition of Serum amyloid A
Serum amyloid A: A superfamily of acute-phase proteins. The level of serum amyloid A (SAA) in the blood increases dramatically in response to tissue injury and inflammation. SAA also acts as a cytokine, influencing cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and aggregation.
Serum amyloid A is so-named because it is related to the A proteins of secondary amyloidosis. See also: Acute-phase protein.
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionaryhttp://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=30788
Last Editorial Review: 6/9/2016
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