Serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are acute-phase proteins predominantly produced and secreted by hepatocytes. Other cells including lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages can also produce these proteins. The induction of SAA and CRP synthesis is triggered by a number of cytokines, chiefly IL-6, which is released from a variety of cell types, but mainly from macrophages and monocytes at inflammatory sites