The Effect of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) on Respiratory Burst of Human Peripheral Blood Phagocytes

Abstract

The effect of C-reactive protein (CRP) on the oxidative response of human peripheral blood monocytes and granulocytes was investigated. The respiratory burst of phagocytes induced by phorbol-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or opsonized zymosan (OZ) was measured in luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence.

The effect of CRP on PMA-induced monocyte chemiluminescence (CL) depended both on CRP concentration and incubation time. A short incubation of cells with CRP (15–30 min.) enhanced the oxidative burst. Preincubation of cells for 1h (or longer) with low doses of CRP (about 2 μg/ml) increased, while with higher (>10 μg/ml) inhibited PMA-stimulated chemiluminescence. CRP reduced also PHA or OZ-induced monocyte respiratory response. CRP diminished PMA, PHA, and OZ-induced granulocyte chemiluminescence, except the response to PHA in the presence of low doses CRP (about 5 μg/ml).

The action of CRP on phagocytes probably involves activation of some intracellular mechanisms. During immune response, CRP could protect tissues against damage by excess of free oxygen and its biological active derivatives.