Isolation, characterization, and quantitative analysis of C-reactive protein from horses

C-reactive protein (CRP) was isolated from equine serum by use of calcium-dependent affinity chromatography conjugated pneumococcal C-polysaccharide, anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. It was identified as genuine CRP by its immunochemical cross-reactivity with anti-human CRP, its homology with human CRP in amino acid composition, and its pentameric structure as revealed by electron microscopy. Purified equine CRP had a molecular weight of approximately 118,000 and was composed of 5 identical, nonglycosylated and noncovalently associated subunits with molecular weight of approximately 23,000 each. Equine CRP migrated in the region between beta- and gamma-globulin by results of immunoelectrophoresis, and its isoelectric point was about 7.0. In horses, increased CRP concentration was associated with clinical pneumonitis, enteritis, and arthritis, compared with values obtained in clinically normal horses by use of single radial immunodiffusion method. After IM administration of turpentine oil or castration, serum CRP concentration increased to 6 times higher than baseline values. Results indicate that CRP may be an acute-phase reactant protein in horses.