| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico?II, Naples, Italy;2. Department of Biology, University “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy;3. Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, The United Kingdom;4. Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy;5. Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico?II, Naples, Italy |
| Abstract: | A semisynthetic approach to novel lipid A derivatives from Escherichia coli (E. coli) lipid A is reported. This methodology stands as an alternative to common approaches based exclusively on either total synthesis or extraction from bacterial sources. It relies upon the purification of the lipid A fraction from fed‐batch fermentation of E. coli, followed by its structural modification through tailored, site‐selective chemical reactions. In particular, modification of the lipid pattern and functionalization of the phosphate group as well as of the sole primary hydroxyl group were accomplished, highlighting the unusual reactivity of the molecule. Preliminary investigations of the immunostimulating activity of the new semisynthetic lipid A derivatives show that some of them stand out as promising, new immunoadjuvant candidates. |
