Serum CRP interacts with SPARC and regulate immune response in severe cases of COVID-19 infection

Chengyang Liu; Chenyang Zheng; Xipeng Shen; Ling Liang; Qiuyu Li

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1259381

Frontiers in Immunology (Nov 2023)

Serum CRP interacts with SPARC and regulate immune response in severe cases of COVID-19 infection

Chengyang Liu,
Chenyang Zheng,
Xipeng Shen,
Ling Liang,
Qiuyu Li

Affiliations

Chengyang Liu: Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
Chenyang Zheng: School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
Xipeng Shen: School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
Ling Liang: Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
Qiuyu Li: Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1259381
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14

Abstract

Read online

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has been found elevated during COVID-19 infection, and associated with systematic inflammation as well as a poor clinical outcome. However, how did CRP participated in the COVID-19 pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Here, we report that serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are correlated with megakaryocyte marker genes and could regulate immune response through interaction with megakaryocytes. Molecular dynamics simulation through ColabFold showed a reliable interaction between monomeric form of CRP (mCRP) and the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC). The interaction does not affect the physiological activities of SPARC while would be disturbed by pentamerization of CRP. Interplay between SPARC and mCRP results in a more intense immune response which may led to poor prognosis. This study highlights the complex interplay between inflammatory markers, megakaryocytes, and immune regulation in COVID-19 and sheds light on potential therapeutic targets.

Published in Frontiers in Immunology

ISSN: 1664-3224 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/immunology

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords