title: Effects of C-reactive protein on human lymphocyte responsiveness.
abstract: C-reactive protein (CRP), a trace serum protein that increases markedly in concentration during inflammatory reactions, was recently shown to bind to a subset of human IgG-FcR-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes in the presence of a ligand such as pneumococcal C-polysaccharide (CPS). CRP has also been detected on a small percentage of PBL that are associated with NK activity. In the present study, we assessed the effects of CRP and CRP-CPS complexes on a variety of human lymphocyte functions in vitro. CRP and CRP complexes significantly enhanced (generally two to threefold) cell-mediated cytotoxicity, minimally enhanced the MLC reaction, and induced a small but regularly detectable blastogenic response in resting PBL. CRP or CRP-CPS complexes had no effect on mitogen-induced blastogenesis, PWM-induced generation of IgM plaque-forming cells, E-rosette formation, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, or NK activity. The basis for the preferential ability of CRP to enhance cytotoxicity responses in vitro is under further investigation.
mesh_terms: D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D012397:Rosette Formation
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; C027158:polysaccharide C-substance (Streptococcus); D002097:C-Reactive Protein