Tags: Protein.
Haptoglobin (abbreviated as Hp) is the protein that in humans is encoded by the HP gene. In blood plasma haptoglobin binds free hemoglobin (Hb) released from erythrocytes with high affinity and thereby inhibits its oxidative activity. The haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex will then be removed by the reticuloendothelial system (mostly the spleen). In clinical settings the haptoglobulin assay is used to screen for and monitor intravascular hemolytic anemia .
