Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The proteolytic fragments of native fibronectin (cryopeptides) complexed to pathological immunoglobulins in cryoglobulins were isolated from the serum of six different patients. Two peptides of 117,000 daltons and 70,000 daltons were purified and characterized by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. The priming effect of the mixture of these two peptides, referred to as cryopeptides, on neutrophil functions, namely the respiratory burst, exocytosis, and Ca2+ release, was investigated. Cryopeptides and cryoglobulins assayed separately did not increase neutrophil respiration or cytosol free calcium concentration; however, both of them induced granule enzyme secretion. Sequential exposure of neutrophils to either cryopeptides or the respective cryoglobulins, and then to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or serum opsonized zymosan, resulted in a synergistic stimulation of O2 uptake compared to the effect of N-formyl-peptides or opsonized zymosan tested separately; Ca2+ release was significantly enhanced by the pretreatment of neutrophils with cryopeptides. These data suggest that cryopeptides and cryoglobulins may play a role in host defense against bacterial infections through neutrophil activation.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Inflammation

Publication Date

08/1992

Volume

16

Pages

325 - 341

Keywords

Amino Acid Sequence, Calcium, Cell Separation, Cryoglobulins, Cytoplasmic Granules, Cytosol, Exocytosis, Fibronectins, Humans, Hydrogen Peroxide, Leukocytes, Molecular Sequence Data, Neutrophils, Oxygen, Peptide Fragments, Respiratory Burst