Anti-CRP autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythromatosus is a chronic inflammatory disease with autoimmunological origin. The etiology is complicated and not fully understandable, but it seems to be related with disturbances of apoptotic products removal, stemming from inadequate C-reactive protein amounts. The cause of low CRP concentrations, incompatible with the inflammatory process, can be due to its binding to anti-CRP antibodies with the formation of immunological complexes. In addition, the occurrence of antibodies against the C-reactive protein can be correlated with higher probability of clinical symptoms appearance. The frequency of anti-CRP antibodies occurrence in a group of 45 patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus came to 6.67%. No correlation was found between anti-CRP antibodies and serum concentration of C-reactive protein. This result indicates, that low values of CRP in systemic lupus erythematosus are not related to their binding with antibodies. There was no correlation between anti-CRP and the activity of the disease, but higher disease activity (SLEDAI) was observed in patients with higher levels of anti-CRP antibodies. Serum concentration of circulating nucleosomes was significantly higher in patients with low serum CRP.