Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
11:48
Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes
Published on: May 31, 2018
11.6K
C-Reactive Protein Controls IL-23 Production by Human Monocytes
Chiara E Geyer1, Melissa Newling2,3, Lathees Sritharan2,3
1Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|November 13, 2021
Summary
C-reactive protein (CRP) uniquely induces the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-23 in human monocytes. This finding highlights CRP's distinct role in inflammation beyond its function as a marker.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein elevated during inflammation.
- While CRP is a marker of inflammation, it can also actively promote it.
- Human monocytes are key innate immune cells involved in inflammatory responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytokine profile induced by CRP in human monocytes.
- To compare CRP's effect on cytokine production with pattern recognition receptor (PRR) ligands.
- To elucidate the transcriptional mechanisms underlying CRP-induced cytokine production.
Main Methods:
- Stimulation of human monocytes with CRP and various PRR ligands.
- Analysis of cytokine production, specifically IL-23.
- Measurement of gene transcription for IL-23 and IL-12 family members.
Main Results:
- CRP uniquely induced the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-23 production by monocytes.
- CRP primarily enhanced IL23A gene transcription, unlike PRR ligands.
- Combined CRP and PRR ligand stimulation significantly reduced IL-23 production.
Conclusions:
- CRP acts as a distinct ligand that promotes IL-23 production in monocytes.
- This CRP-mediated IL-23 induction may influence systemic immune responses in inflammatory conditions.
- Understanding CRP's role in IL-23 production offers insights into immune regulation during infection and inflammation.
