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Antibodies to C reactive protein
1Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|September 24, 2005
Summary
Researchers investigated antibodies to C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker. They found that anti-CRP antibodies were present in some patients, but their levels did not correlate with serum CRP concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key biomarker for inflammation.
- Elevated serum CRP levels are common in patients with inflammatory diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of antibodies against CRP in human sera.
- To determine if anti-CRP antibodies influence serum CRP concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting anti-CRP antibodies.
- Assay specificity confirmed through inhibition tests.
Main Results:
- Antibodies to CRP were detected in 25 out of 413 tested sera (6%).
- A higher prevalence of anti-CRP antibodies was observed in patients with rheumatic diseases.
- No correlation was found between anti-CRP antibody levels and serum CRP concentrations.
Conclusions:
- The presence of anti-CRP antibodies may not be directly linked to serum CRP levels.
- Low CRP levels in some individuals might be influenced by the presence of these antibodies, warranting further investigation.