A Review of Anti-C Reactive Protein Antibodies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the prototype autoimmune disease, is characterized by the production of a plethora of autoantibodies with various roles in the development of disease-related tissue damage. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant with a pentameric structure. Under acidic or alkaline conditions, or when urea levels are high and/or calcium levels are low, the pentamer (pCRP) dissociates irreversibly into monomeric CRP (mCRP) and exposes new epitopes (neo-CRP). Importantly, anti-mCRP (but not anti-pCRP) antibodies have been described in patients with SLE, their prevalence varying from 4% to 78% in different cohorts. Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between autoantibodies directed against CRP (anti-CRP) and disease activity as well as their association with lupus nephritis (LN), frequently reporting discrepant findings. The main objective of the present review is to describe the role of anti-mCRP antibodies in SLE according to the currently available data.

Novel Biomarkers of Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease—Latest Insights in the Research Field

“…These molecules are well known for their role in humoral innate immunity. Depending on the length of the N-terminal region, they are divided into two categories: small ones, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) [123,124], which are synthesized in the liver secondary to the action of IL-6, and long constituents, such as pentraxin 3 (PTX3), which are produced by vascular and immune cells secondary to the proinflammatory status and through the involvement of toll-like receptors [125,126]. PTX mediates its effects by interacting with numerous ligands such as microorganisms, plasma proteins, extracellular matrix constituents, receptors, or growth factors.…”