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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 833-836 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Circulation |
Volume | 109 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 24 02 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Atherosclerosis
- Endothelium
- Proteins