Difference in binding of killed and live Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes by C-reactive protein.
The binding and opsonic properties of C-reactive protein (CRP) for various species of bacteria were investigated. CRP bound more avidly to killed than to live Streptococcus pneumoniae, the binding varying among various serotypes; CRP hardly bound to a number of other bacterial species studied. CRP enhanced complement-dependent phagocytosis of live S. pneumoniae by granulocytes but did not enhance the phagocytosis of live Staphylococcus aureus or group B streptococci. We suppose that CRP may serve as an opsonin for killed bacteria and bacterial debris but is probably not an important opsonin for live bacteria other than S. pneumoniae.
de Beaufort
A J
AJ
Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.
Langermans
J A
JA
Matze-van der Lans
A M
AM
Hiemstra
P S
PS
Vossen
J M
JM
van Furth
R
R
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009895:Opsonin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011485:Protein Binding; D012703:Serotyping; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
D009895:Opsonin Proteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein