Journal article
Opposing effects of monomeric and pentameric C-reactive protein on endothelial progenitor cells
I Ahrens, H Domeij, SU Eisenhardt, D Topcic, M Albrecht, E Leitner, K Viitaniemi, JB Jowett, M Lappas, C Bode, I Haviv, K Peter
Basic Research in Cardiology | Published : 2011
Abstract
C-reactive protein (CRP) has been linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The dissociation of native, pentameric (p)CRP to monomeric (m)CRP on the cell membrane of activated platelets has recently been demonstrated. The dissociation of pCRP tomCRPmay explain local pro-inflammatory reactions at the site of developing atherosclerotic plaques. As a biomarker, pCRP predicts cardiovascular adverse events and so do reduced levels and function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). We hypothesised that mCRP and pCRP exert a differential effect on EPC function and differentiation. EPCs were treated with mCRP or pCRP for 72 h, respectively. Phenotypical characterisation was done b..
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Grants
Awarded by Australian Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
This work has been supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (Peter K), the Australian Research Council (future fellowship, Peter K), the German Research Foundation (AH 185/1-1, Ahrens I), the Henning and Johan Throne-Holst's Foundation (Domeij H) and the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD (D/10/47670, Albrecht M). Dr. Martha Lappas is the recipient of an NHMRC RD Wright Fellowship (Grant No. 454777). The authors gratefully acknowledge the skilful technical assistance of Ruusu-Maria Merivirta, in the stem cell culture; the assistance of the Clinical Research Midwives Gabrielle Fleming, Astrid Tiefholz and Anne Beeston; and the Obstetrics and Midwifery staff of the Mercy Hospital for Women for their cooperation.