Platelet-derived thrombospondin-1 is necessary for the vitamin D-binding protein (Gc-globulin) to function as a chemotactic cofactor for C5a

The chemotactic activity of C5a and C5a des Arg can be enhanced significantly by the vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), also known as Gc-globulin. DBP is a multifunctional 56-kDa plasma protein that binds and transports several diverse ligands. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which DBP functions as a chemotactic cofactor for C5a using neutrophils and U937 cells transfected with the C5aR (U937-C5aR cells). The results demonstrate that U937-C5aR cells show C5a chemotactic enhancement only to DBP in serum, but, unlike mature neutrophils, this cell line cannot respond to DBP in plasma or to purified DBP. Analysis by SDS-PAGE and isoelectric focusing revealed no structural difference between DBP in serum compared with DBP in plasma. However, plasma supplemented with either serum, DBP-depleted serum, or activated platelet releasate provides a required factor and permits DBP to function as a chemotactic cofactor for C5a. Fractionation of activated platelet releasate revealed that the additional factor possessed the properties of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). Finally, purified TSP-1 alone could reproduce the effect of serum or platelet releasate, whereas Abs to TSP-1 could block these effects. These results provide clear evidence that TSP-1 is needed for DBP to function as a chemotactic cofactor for C5a.