Role of the galactosyl moiety of collagen glycopeptides for T-cell stimulation in a model for rheumatoid arthritis.

Two protected derivatives of beta-D-galactopyranosyl-5-hydroxy-L-lysine, in which HO-4 of galactose has been O-methylated or replaced by fluorine, have been prepared. The building blocks were incorporated at position 264 of the peptide fragment CII259-273 from type II collagen by solid-phase synthesis. The ability of these two glycopeptides, and two CII259-273 glycopeptides in which HO-4 of galactose was either unmodified or deoxygenated, to elicit responses from T-cell hybridomas obtained in a mouse model for rheumatoid arthritis was then determined. The hybridomas were all highly sensitive towards modifications at C-4 of the beta-D-galactosyl residue of CII259-273, highlighting the role of HO-4 as an important contact point for the T-cell receptor. Most likely, this glycopeptide hydroxyl group is involved in hydrogen bonding with the T-cell receptor.