The new, more comprehensive view of the protein CRP also puts CRP apheresis at the center of therapeutic options for several diseases from myocardial infarction to covid-19

Hennigsdorf, February 17, 2021 - Pentracor GmbH, based in Hennigsdorf near Berlin (convertible bond ISIN: DE000A289XB9, WKN: A289XB), has achieved a major success with the publication of an article in the renowned immunology journal "Frontiers in Immunology". The title: "C-reactive protein activates cell death in poorly perfused cell tissue". The article, reviewed by the editors and several physicians at Frontiers, can be considered a milestone in the formation of opinion for clinical physicians on the new view of the physiological function of the protein CRP. For Pentracor, the article may pave the way in the medium term for the widespread use and further market penetration of the CRP apheresis developed and patented by the company. This blood washing procedure immediately and significantly reduces CRP in blood plasma.

The Textbook Opinion on CRP

C-reactive protein (CRP) is best known as an acute phase protein. Until recently, the textbook opinion was that the only physiological function of the protein CRP was to mark dying or dead cells to initiate their disposal. Moreover, CRP has been useful in distinguishing bacterial from viral infections and in diagnosing the severity of infections. CRP also serves as a prognostic parameter for the progression of cardiovascular disease.

The new View on CRP

However, according to recent findings, the characterization of CRP goes beyond the biomarker function outlined above. However, the new view that CRP is a mediator or even a trigger of the destruction of oxygen-depleted human cellular tissue is currently still largely ignored in medical circles.

The following two empirical findings are new. First, CRP also labels and disposes of vital cells that are cut off from oxygen supply. In cases of internal injury such as myocardial infarction or stroke, this mechanism leads to larger scars in cellular tissue and significantly lower performance or neuronal deficits in affected patients. Second: Animal experiments have recently shown that a high CRP level leads to a drop in blood pressure. This finding is highly relevant for patients with pronounced inflammation. Since their blood pressure often needs to be stimulated with medication. The influence of CRP on blood pressure also shows that the molecular functions of CRP have not yet been comprehensively analyzed and described. In any case, the role of the protein CRP in critically ill patients is far underestimated today.

CRP in Covid-19 as a Cause of Damage

These two physiological effects also occur in covid-19. Parts of the lung tissue are cut off from oxygen supply by water retention. In parallel, inflammation characterized by CRP increases dramatically. It is now discussed by experts that the strong inflammatory reaction causes most of the damage in Covid-19 and not Corona.

Comprehensive Discussion

In eight pages, the technical article comprehensively lays out in detail that CRP is a mediator of cell death. Also discussed is the direct, rapid, and extreme effect of CRP on blood pressure. Studies treating CRP as a therapeutic target are also discussed in detail. The article discusses in detail the clinical experience with CRP in myocardial infarction. They confirm the new view of CRP as a pathological molecule. It is discussed that CRP has the same dangerous function in stroke as in myocardial infarction. Likewise, it is presented that the factor CRP can significantly increase the destruction of cellular tissue in covid-19.

The authors conclude: Accepting CRP as pathological offers promising therapeutic options whenever inflammatory responses prove to be too intense or not beneficial.

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Background

This article is based on 115 professional publications as sources. The publisher specifically notes any conflicts of interest of the authors: Ahmed Sheriff is CEO of Pentracor GmbH. Patrizia Brunner is an employee of iAdsorb GmbH. Stefan Kayser and Birgit Vogt acted as editors as employees of Pentracor GmbH.

Frontiers has reviewed the article - also with critical queries to the authors by way of a peer review process - by two independent physicians with regard to content as well as science.

Company contact

Pentracor GmbH
CEO Ahmed Sheriff
+49 221 9140 970
sheriff@pentracor.de