title: Demonstration that C-reactive protein decreases eNOS expression and bioactivity in human aortic endothelial cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  C-reactive protein (CRP), the prototypic marker of inflammation, has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) deficiency is a pivotal event in atherogenesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We tested the effect of CRP on eNOS expression and bioactivity in cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). CRP decreased eNOS mRNA, protein abundance, and enzyme activity in HAECs. Furthermore, eNOS bioactivity assayed by cyclic GMP levels was significantly reduced by CRP. Preincubation of cells with CRP also significantly increased the adhesion of monocytes to HAECs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRP causes a direct reduction in eNOS expression and bioactivity in HAECs, further supporting its role in atherogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Research, Department of Pathology, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, Calif 95817, USA.
authors.forename: Senthil Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Venugopal
authors.forename: Sridevi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Devaraj
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yuhanna
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shaul
authors.forename: Ishwarlal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jialal
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III