C-reactive Protein - A Phagocytosis-promoting Factor

Abstract

In an investigation of the phagocytosis of bacteria (Gaffkya tetragena) by isolated human neutrophil leucocytes in vitro, addition of pure human C-reactive protein considerably increased the phagocytic activity of the cells. It is conceivable that this property of CRP might be of importance in vivo in the cellular defence against bacteria and that CRP is identical with the barium sulphate adsorbable phagocytosis-promoting factor described by Surgenor.

Key Words:

• C-reactive protein
• leucocytes
• phagocytosis