C-Reactive Protein ELISA - High Sensitivity CRP

High Sensitivity Enzyme Immunoassay for the Quantitative Determination of C-Reactive Protein Concentration in Human Serum

FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

SUMMARY
C-Reactive protein (CRP) was identified by Tilet and Francis (1930) in the plasma of patients with pneumonia, and was named for its ability to bind and precipitate the C-polysaccharide of pneumococcus. It is an alpha globulin with a molecular mass of approximately 110,000 to 140,000 daltons, and is composed of five identical subunits, which are noncovalently assembled as a cyclic pentamer. CRP is synthesized in the liver and is normally present as a trace constituent of serum or plasma at levels less than 0.3 mg/dl. Its physiological roles are numerous and varied, but with several functions similar to those of immunoglobulins, CRP appears to function in host defense.

CRP is one of the acute-phase proteins, the serum or plasma levels of which rise during general, nonspecific response to a wide variety of diseases. This include infections by gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, acute phase of rheumatoid arthritis, abdominal abscesses, and inflammation of the bile duct. CRP may also be found in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome and multiple sclerosis, certain viral infections, tuberculosis, acute infectious hepatitis, many other necrotic and inflammatory diseases, burned patients and after surgical trauma. Although the detection of elevated levels of CRP in the serum is not specific for any particular disease, it is a useful indicator of inflammatory processes. CRP levels rise in serum or plasma within 24 to 48 hours following acute tissue damage, reach a peak during the acute stage (approximately 1000x constitutive level) and decrease with the resolution of inflammation or trauma. The concentration increase of CRP in human serum or plasma may last for several days before decreasing to normal levels.

The detection of CRP is a more reliable and sensitive indicator of the inflammatory process than the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which may also be influenced by physiological changes not associated with an inflammatory process. Current testing methods including latex agglutination, nephelometry, and radial immunodiffusion (RID) have the general disadvantages of low sensitivity, whereas enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) provide the highest sensitivity and specificity.

As elevated CRP values are always associated with pathological changes, the CRP assay provides useful information for the diagnosis, therapy and monitoring of inflammatory processes and associated disease. Additionally, measurement of CRP by high-sensitivity CRP assays may add to the predictive value of other cardiac markers (myoglobin, creatine-kinase-MB, troponin I and T), which are used to assess the risk of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. As increases in CRP values are non-specific, they should not be interpreted without a complete patient history evaluation, and measurements of CRP should be compared to previous values.

PRINCIPLE OF THE TEST
The hsCRP ELISA is based on the principle of a solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The assay system utilizes a unique monoclonal antibody directed against a distinct antigenic determinant on the on the CRP molecule. This mouse monoclonal anti-CRP antibody is used for solid phase immobilization (on the microtiter wells). A goat anti-CRP antibody is in the antibody-enzyme (horseradish peroxidase) conjugate solution. The test sample is allowed to react simultaneously with the two antibodies, resulting in the CRP molecules being sandwiched between the solid phase and enzyme-linked antibodies. After a 45-minute incubation at room temperature, the wells are washed with water to remove unbound labeled antibodies. A tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) reagent is added and incubated for 20 minutes, resulting in the development of blue color. The color development is stopped with the addition of 1N HCl changing the color to yellow. The concentration of CRP is directly proportional the color intensity of the test sample. Absorbance is measured spectrophotometrically at 450 nm.

EXAMPLE OF STANDARD CURVE
Results of a typical standard run with optical density readings at 450 nm shown in the Y axis against C-Reactive Protein concentrations shown in the X axis. This standard curve is for the purpose of illustration only, and should not be used to calculate unknowns. Each user should obtain his or her own data and standard curve.