Widespread vascular production of C-reactive protein (CRP) and a relationship between serum CRP, plaque CRP and intimal hypertrophy

Abstract

Objectives: Evidence of local vascular production and a relationship between serum hsCRP levels and tissue expression of CRP in subjects with vascular disease would support a direct role for CRP in atherosclerosis. Methods and results: Vascular tissue from subjects undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABGS) (n = 28) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) (n = 25) were studied. Histological samples were assessed for intima-media ratio (IMR) and CRP by immunohistochemistry. CRP mRNA was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. CRP mRNA was seen in all plaques, non-atherosclerotic artery and atrium but no difference in mRNA expression was seen between plaque and non-atherosc..