Data Sheet 1_Monomeric CRP is prevalent in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and correlates with clinically relevant markers.pdf

Molecular dynamics simulations of CRP were conducted at 30 °C, 37 °C, and 50 °C to evaluate structural stability and dissociation. CRP stability was further assessed under NaCl and CaCl₂ gradients. Functional effects were evaluated by spectral flow cytometry.</p>Results<p>Commercial ELISA correlated with clinical CRP measurements (p=0.002, r=0.39) but did not detect mCRP by ELISA or by Western blot.

Presence of mCRP was confirmed in RA serum using an mCRP-specific antibody by ELISA and Western blot and was significantly elevated compared to controls. mCRP levels correlated with anti-CCP antibodies (p=0.02, r=0.4). pCRP dissociation was unaffected by ionic gradients. Simulations showed reduced pCRP stability at 37 °C compared to 30 °C and 50 °C, suggesting increased structural fluctuation. Higher mCRP levels were associated with suppression of CD11c expression by flow cytometry.</p>Discussion<p>Standard assays fail to detect mCRP in RA.

Elevated mCRP and its associations with autoimmunity and cellular markers suggest it may contribute to disease mechanisms and represent a clinically relevant biomarker.</p>