Melbourne Medical School Collected Works - Research Publications

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Author: Peter, Karlheinz × Author: Baratchi, Sara × Author: Morton, Craig × Start date: 1994 ×

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    A novel phosphocholine-mimetic inhibits a pro-inflammatory conformational change in C-reactive protein
    Zeller, J ; Shing, KSCT ; Nero, TL ; McFadyen, JD ; Krippner, G ; Bogner, B ; Kreuzaler, S ; Kiefer, J ; Horner, VK ; Braig, D ; Danish, H ; Baratchi, S ; Fricke, M ; Wang, X ; Kather, MG ; Kammerer, B ; Woollard, KJ ; Sharma, P ; Morton, CJ ; Pietersz, G ; Parker, MW ; Peter, K ; Eisenhardt, SU (WILEY, 2023-01-11)
    C-reactive protein (CRP) is an early-stage acute phase protein and highly upregulated in response to inflammatory reactions. We recently identified a novel mechanism that leads to a conformational change from the native, functionally relatively inert, pentameric CRP (pCRP) structure to a pentameric CRP intermediate (pCRP*) and ultimately to the monomeric CRP (mCRP) form, both exhibiting highly pro-inflammatory effects. This transition in the inflammatory profile of CRP is mediated by binding of pCRP to activated/damaged cell membranes via exposed phosphocholine lipid head groups. We designed a tool compound as a low molecular weight CRP inhibitor using the structure of phosphocholine as a template. X-ray crystallography revealed specific binding to the phosphocholine binding pockets of pCRP. We provide in vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept data demonstrating that the low molecular weight tool compound inhibits CRP-driven exacerbation of local inflammatory responses, while potentially preserving pathogen-defense functions of CRP. The inhibition of the conformational change generating pro-inflammatory CRP isoforms via phosphocholine-mimicking compounds represents a promising, potentially broadly applicable anti-inflammatory therapy.