The C-reactive protein of tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis is an acute phase protein that interacts with bacterial pathogens and stimulates the antibacterial activity of peripheral blood leukocytes

► CsCRP, a C-reactive protein of tongue sole, was expressed in major tissues. ► Pathogen infection upregulated CsCRP expression in kidney, spleen, blood, and liver. ► CsCRP level in blood was drastically increased following bacterial infection. ► rCsCRP was able to bind Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. ► rCsCRP enhanced the activity of peripheral blood leukocytes.