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Is there a role of C ‐reactive protein in red blood cell aggregation?
Author(s) -
Flormann D.,
Kuder E.,
Lipp P.,
Wagner C.,
Kaestner L.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of laboratory hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.705
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1751-553X
pISSN - 1751-5521
DOI - 10.1111/ijlh.12313
Subject(s) - erythrocyte sedimentation rate , fibrinogen , c reactive protein , erythrocyte aggregation , chemistry , medicine , meta analysis , red blood cell , sedimentation coefficient , endocrinology , biochemistry , enzyme , inflammation
Summary Introduction Numerous clinical studies related the plasma level of C‐reactive protein ( CRP ) to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR ) independent of the kind of disease. The molecular regulation of the process is unknown. Methods We performed a meta‐analysis of 10 previous studies and experimentally probed for a direct action of CRP on red blood cells ( RBC s) by different methods including determination of a microscopic aggregation index, Ca 2+ imaging and analysis of sedimentation experiments. Results The meta‐analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation (Pearson coefficient of 0.37; P < 0.0001), but we could not find any experimental evidence for a direct CRP – RBC interaction. Instead, we could confirm a correlation between fibrinogen level and ESR . Conclusion Therefore, we concluded that CRP and ESR cannot account for nor replace each other as a diagnostic measure. The correlation between CRP level and ESR is most probably caused by fibrinogen, because its increase coincides with elevated CRP levels.