Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026
An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
Published on: February 8, 2019
High sensitivity CRP and serum amyloid A as expressions of low grade inflammation do not correlate with bFGF or VEGF
1Department of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. anders.larsson@clm.uas.lul.se
Insights
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and serum amyloid component A (SAA) are acute phase proteins. This study found no correlation between these inflammatory markers and angiogenic peptides like VEGF or bFGF in healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Acute phase proteins, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and serum amyloid component A (SAA), are key indicators of inflammation.
- Angiogenic growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), are implicated in tumor growth and vascular diseases.
- The interplay between inflammation and angiogenesis is complex, with potential roles in both cardiovascular and oncological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between acute phase proteins (hsCRP and SAA) and angiogenic growth factors (VEGF and bFGF) in a cohort of healthy human blood donors.
- To determine if low-grade inflammation, as indicated by hsCRP and SAA levels, influences the production of VEGF and bFGF.
Main Methods:
- Serum and EDTA plasma samples were collected from 80 healthy human blood donors.
- Levels of hsCRP, SAA, bFGF, and VEGF were quantified in these samples.
- Statistical analysis was performed to assess correlations between the measured biomarkers.
Main Results:
- A strong positive correlation was observed between hsCRP and SAA levels, confirming their co-regulation during the acute phase response.
- No significant correlations were found between hsCRP or SAA and the levels of VEGF or bFGF.
- These findings suggest that low-grade inflammation in healthy individuals does not significantly induce the production of these specific angiogenic peptides.
Conclusions:
- The acute phase response, as indicated by hsCRP and SAA, is not directly associated with elevated levels of VEGF or bFGF in healthy individuals.
- This study provides evidence against a direct link between common inflammatory markers and key angiogenic factors in the absence of overt disease.
- Further research is warranted to explore potential indirect mechanisms or specific disease contexts where these pathways may interact.
Abstract:
High sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and serum amyloid component A (SAA) are two acute phase proteins that have been shown to be prognostic markers in cardiovascular diseases. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are two angiogenic growth factors involved in the growth and invasion of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. They also play an important role in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The acute phase response induces the production of angiogenic peptides and angiogenic peptides have also been shown to induce the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. HsCRP and SAA, bFGF and VEGF in serum and EDTA plasma were measured in samples from 80 human blood donors. There were strong correlations between hsCRP and SAA but there were no significant correlation between hsCRP or SAA and any of the angiogenic peptides. Low-grade inflammation did not induce bFGF or VEGF production.
