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CRP-mediated activation of complement in vivo: assessment by measuring circulating complement-C-reactive protein
G J Wolbink1, M C Brouwer, S Buysmann
1Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|July 1, 1996
Summary
The study developed a new method to detect C-reactive protein (CRP) activating complement in vivo. Elevated levels of complement-CRP complexes were found in kidney transplant patients, suggesting CRP
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The in vivo role of C-reactive protein (CRP) remains unclear.
- CRP is known to activate complement in vitro, but in vivo evidence is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for assessing CRP-mediated complement activation in vivo.
- To investigate the presence and significance of complement-CRP complexes in clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Developed specific ELISAs to detect complexes of CRP with complement factors C4b, C4d, C3b, and C3d.
- Assessed complement-CRP complexes in normal donors and kidney allograft recipients.
- Utilized mAb OKT3 infusion to differentiate CRP-dependent and independent complement activation.
Main Results:
- Complement-CRP complexes formed specifically during CRP-dependent activation in vitro.
- Circulating complement-CRP complexes were undetectable in healthy individuals.
- Significantly increased levels of complement-CRP complexes were observed in kidney transplant patients.
- Levels of complement-CRP complexes did not increase after mAb OKT3 infusion, confirming CRP independence.
Conclusions:
- Measurement of complement-CRP complexes is a viable tool for studying CRP-mediated complement activation in vivo.
- Increased complement-CRP complexes in clinical samples suggest CRP's role in activating complement in vivo.