C-Reactive Protein Upregulates Complement-Inhibitory Factors in Endothelial Cells

Shu Hong Li, Paul E. Szmitko, Richard D. Weisel, Chao Hung Wang, Paul W.M. Fedak, Ren Ke Li, Donald A.G. Mickle, Subodh Verma*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background-Because complement-mediated vascular injury participates in atherosclerosis and C-reactive protein (CRP) can activate the complement cascade, we sought to determine whether CRP affects the expression of the protective complement-inhibitory factors on the cell surface of endothelial cells (ECs). Methods and Results-Human coronary artery or human saphenous vein ECs were incubated with CRP (0 to 100 μg/mL, 0 to 72 hours), and the expression of the complement-inhibitory proteins decay-accelerating factor (DAF), membrane cofactor protein (CD46), and CD59 were measured by flow cytometry. Incubation with CRP resulted in a significant increase in the expression of all 3 proteins. CRP-induced upregulation of DAF required increased steady-state mRNA and de novo protein synthesis. The increased expression of complement-inhibitory proteins was functionally effective, resulting in significant reduction of complement-mediated lysis of antibody-coated human saphenous vein ECs. Conclusions-These observations provide evidence for a possible protective role for CRP in atherogenesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)833-836
Number of pages4
JournalCirculation
Volume109
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 24 02 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Endothelium
  • Proteins

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