C-Reactive Protein Promotes Adhesion of Monocytes to Endothelial Cells via NADPH Oxidase-Mediated Oxidative Stress

The study from 2012 explored the connection between C-reactive protein (CRP) and the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells, a critical step in the development of atherosclerosis. It included 36 patients with increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and 34 controls, as well as in vitro experiments with monocytes from five healthy donors. The findings indicated that patients with increased carotid IMT had abnormal lipid metabolism, higher levels of CRP, and oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonylation. The study demonstrated that CRP could promote monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion by up-regulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and activating NADPH oxidase (NOX)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn activated inflammation-related signaling pathways. The conclusion was that CRP contributes to atherosclerosis by promoting monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells through NOX-mediated oxidative stress.