Cor Vasa 2004, 45(10):484-491
Atherosclerosis and natural autoantibody. Part 2: Natural autoantibody and C-reactive protein
- 1 Kardiochirurgická klinika
- 2 Ústav klinické imunologie a alergologie, Fakultní nemocnice a Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Hradec Králové, Česká republika
Natural IgM class antibody and C-reactive protein (CRP) are phylogenetically old effector mechanisms of innate immune response. Their molecules feature a pentameric structure. CRP and IgM class antibody activate the complement in a classic manner. Under physiological circumstances, they are involved in the removal of apoptotic cells. After invasion of the body by pathogenic bacteria, CRP and IgM class antibody mount the first line of defense removal the invading organisms from the circulation. In apoptotic cell membranes, in the cellular membranes of some pathogenic bacteria, and in modified lipoprotein particles, natural antibody and CRP recognize an identical biding ligand, which is the phosphorylcholine molecule. In the body, choline phosphate is an antigen epitope becoming available as a result of oxidation of apoptotic cell membranes and LDL particles. In the early stages of atherosclerosis, natural IgM class antibody and CRP exert a protective effect on the vessel wall consisting in the removal of oxLDL from the circulation without simultaneous immune response activation. Through the genetic predisposition of the body and the action of external factors, which can include some infectious diseases, this originally antiatherogenic reaction turns into a proatherogenic process.
Keywords: Natural antibodies; C-reactive protein; Phosphorylcholine; Apoptosis; Atherogenesis
Published: October 1, 2004 Show citation