Haptoglobin: A Review Article

Haptoglobin(Hp) is one of the remarkable plasma protein encoded by the HP gene in humans. Hp plays a vital role in preventing loss of iron through the kidneys and protecting the kidneys from damage by haemoglobin via high affinity binding with free haemoglobin released from erythrocytes and consequently inhibiting its oxidative activity in plasma. Hp is a acute phase protein with immunomodulatory properties. Hp has codominant alleles HP1 and HP2 that results in three genotypes i.e. Hp1-1, Hp2-2 and Hp2-1. In this review, an attempt hasbeen madetohighlightthedifferenthaptoglobin phenotypesand its clinical implications. Haptoglobin polymorphism is associated with the various types of inflammatory diseases which includes infections, atherosclerosis, autoimmune disorders. This review is an effort summarising all studies done till date showing the relationships and role of haptoglobin with various diseases.