Summary
The significance of C-reactive protein (CRP) in acute viral hepatitis was studied by measuring the serum CRP level in patients with acute hepatitis type A (AHA), B (AHB), and non-A, non-B (AHNANB) and examining its localization in liver biopsy specimens by the immunohistochemical method. The mean value of the serum CRP level determined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), was markedly increasd in the acute phase of AHA and AHB, particularly the former. It decreased rapidly in both AHA and AHB during the convalescent phase, but was generally low in AHNANB with no marked difference between the acute phase and the convalescent phase. Under light microscopy, CRP was stained in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, and immuno-reactive products were observed in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) by electron microscopy. In the acute phase, the intensity of staining was slightly greater in AHA, decreasing during the convalescent phase in AHA and AHB, but only weak staining was observed in all patients with AHNANB. Evaluation of CRP may be useful for clarification of differences in clinical manifestations and the mechanisms of inflammation among different types of hepatitis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gastell JV, Gomez-Lechon MJ, David M, et al: Recombinant human interleukin-6 (IL-6/BSF-2/HSF) regulates the synthesis of acute phase proteins in human hepatocytes. FEBS LETTERS 1988;232:347–350
Tillett WS, Francis TJ: Serological reaction in pneumonia with a non protein somatic fraction of pneumococcus. J Exp Med 1930;52:561–571
Pepys MB, Baltz ML: Acute phase protein with special reference to C-reactive protein and related proteins (Pentraxins) and serum amyroid A protein. Adv Immunol 1983;34:141–212
Migita S: CRP. Hoechest Clinical Immuno-Review 1984;41: 253–260 (in Jpn)
Wago H: Acute phase protein The Japanese journal of Clinical Medicine 1987;45:1002–1009 (in Jpn)
Ma MH, L Biempica: The normal human liver cell. Cytochemical and ultrastructural studies. Am J Pathpl 1971;62:353–390
Forssmann WG, Ito S: Hepatocyte innervation in primates. J Cell Biol 1977;74:299–313
Dinarello CA: Interleukin-1 and pathogenesis of acute-phase response. N Engl J Med 1984;311:1413–1418
Kushner I, Feldmann G: Control of the acute phase responce. Demonstration of C-reactive protein synthesis and secretion by hepatocytes during acute inflammation in the rabbit. J Exp Med 1978;148:466–477
Koj A: Cytokines Regulating Acute Inflammation and synthesis of Acute Phase Proteins. Blut 1985;51:267–274
Tanikawa K, Sata M, Setoyama H, et al: Changes of the Kupffer cell and clinical manifestiations in acute hepatitis type A. Kupffer Cell Foundation Cells of the Hepatic Sinusoid, Vol. 1 1986;371–376
Macintire SS, Kushner I, Samols D: Secration of C-rective Protein Becomes More Efficient during the Course of the Acute Phase Response. J Biol Chem 1985;260:4169–4173
Robey FA: Binding of C-Reactive Protein to Chromatin and Nucleosome Core Particles. J Biol Chem 1984;259:7311–7316
Gool JV, Vugt HV, Nie ID: Acute Phase Reactants Enhance CC14 Induced Liver Cirrhosis in the Rat. Exp Mol Pathol 1986;44:157–168
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported in part by a Grant in Aid for intractable hepatitis from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Atono, Y., Sata, M. & Tanikawa, K. Kinetics of C-reactive protein in acute viral hepatitis. Gastroenterol Jpn 24, 655–662 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774164
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774164