Proteolysis of human C-reactive protein produces peptides with potent immunomodulating activity

We have studied the ability of human C-reactive protein to modulate the immune response in vitro. Whereas native C-reactive protein did not induce phagocytic leukocytes to chemotax or to produce superoxide, treatment of purified C-reactive protein with human neutrophil-derived acid proteases produced substances with potent effects on leukocyte function. Close examination of the primary structure of human C-reactive protein revealed three regions evenly distributed throughout the protein each of which contain peptide sequences closely resembling the amino acid sequence of the immunomodulator peptide tuftsin, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg. We have synthesized the three peptides which include Thr-Lys-Pro-Leu ([Leu4]tuftsin), Gly-Lys-Pro-Arg ([Gly1]tuftsin), and Thr-Lys-Pro-Gln ([Gln4]tuftsin) and assayed them for biological activity. The three synthetic peptides were found to stimulate phagocytic leukocytes to chemotax, produce superoxide, and induce mononuclear cells to produce interleukin 1 in vitro at concentrations similar to those concentrations required for tuftsin to induce these phenomena. These results support a potentially important role for C-reactive protein as a possible immunomodulator during inflammation.