A novel phosphocholine‐mimetic inhibits a pro‐inflammatory conformational change in C‐reactive protein

Abstract: 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.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: A novel phosphocholine‐mimetic inhibits a pro‐inflammatory conformational change in C‐reactive protein ; day:05 ; month:12 ; year:2022 ; extent:36 ; EMBO molecular medicine / European Molecular Biology Organization ; (05.12.2022) (gesamt 36)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Zeller, Johannes ; Cheung Tung Shing, Karen S. ; Nero, Tracy L. ; McFadyen, James D. ; Krippner, Guy ; Bogner, Balázs ; Kreuzaler, Sheena ; Kiefer, Jurij ; Horner, Verena K. ; Braig, David Johannes ; Danish, Habiba ; Baratchi, Sara ; Fricke, Markus ; Wang, Xiaowei ; Kather, Michel ; Kammerer, Bernd ; Woollard, Kevin J. ; Sharma, Prerna ; Morton, Craig J. ; Pietersz, Geoffrey ; Parker, Michael W. ; Peter, Karlheinz ; Eisenhardt, Steffen Ulrich

Further information

• DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216236
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022120514292721189844
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:23 AM CEST