Binding of C-reactive protein (CRP) by human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vivo.
Antigenicity of C-reactive protein (CRP) on the surface of human lymphocytes was investigated by use of indirect immunofluorescence technique with anti-CRP antibodies. CRP on the lymphocyte surface (sd-CRP) belongs to two different categories: i) CRP produced by lymphocytes and inserted into cell membrane (s-CRP), ii) CRP produced primarily by the liver and bound by the lymphocytes (sb-CRP) in calcium-dependent manner. In human peripheral blood of healthy donors approximately 2.5% of lymphocytes expressed membrane CRP (s-CRP) and 1.5% of lymphocytes bound CRP in calcium-dependent manner (sb-CRP). Percentage of s-CRP lymphocytes increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, while population of sb-CRP lymphocytes did not change significantly, except cases where serum CRP concentration reached more than 50 micrograms/ml. Thus, it can be concluded that CRP is bound to the distinct population of lymphocytes, bearing specific membrane receptors.
Lozański
G
G
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, University School of Medicine, Poznań.
Pawłowski
T
T
Błazczak
P
P
Wiktorowicz
K
K
Mackiewicz
S H
SH
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000097:blood; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001665:Binding Sites; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002118:Calcium