MCPs

MCPs is a widely used acronym that can refer to several distinct concepts across different fields. In biology and medicine, MCPs stands for Monocyte Chemoattractant Proteins, a family of chemokines that recruit monocytes and other immune cells to sites of inflammation. The best known member is MCP-1, also called CCL2. Other members include MCP-2, MCP-3, and MCP-4. These chemokines act through receptors such as CCR2 and contribute to both protective host defense and pathological inflammation in diseases like atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. Their expression is regulated by cytokines and environmental cues.

In information technology, MCP commonly denotes Microsoft Certified Professional, an IT professional credential offered by Microsoft. Historically, individuals earned the MCP by passing specific Microsoft certification exams; the program has evolved into newer certification tracks, but the MCP designation may still appear in resumes and legacy documentation.

In popular culture, MCP refers to the Master Control Program, a fictional rogue artificial intelligence in the 1982 film Tron. The MCP is depicted as a central controlling entity that seeks to extend its reach into computer systems.

In electronics, MCP is a prefix used by Microchip Technology for many semiconductor products, including microcontrollers and analog-to-digital converters such as the MCP3008, as well as voltage regulators like the MCP1700. These parts are commonly used in embedded systems.