Synthesis of [Glu34]human splenin (hSP) and examination of its immunological effect on the reduced B-lymphocytes of uremic patients.

[Glu34]human splenin (hSP) was synthesized in a conventional manner by assembling ten peptide fragments followed by deprotection with 1 M trifluoromethanesulfonic acid-thioanisole (molar ratio, 1:1) in trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of m-cresol and dimethylselenide. Finally, the deprotected peptide was incubated with dithiothreitol to reduce sulfoxide on the methionine side chain. Incubation of peripheral lymphocytes isolated from uremic patients with the synthetic [Glu34]hSP showed an enhancing effect on the reduced B-lymphocytes, but synthetic human thymopoietin (hTP) had no effect under the same conditions.