Synthesis and evaluation of sphinganine analogues of KRN7000 and OCH

[structures: see text] The phytosphingosine-containing alpha-galactosylceramides (alpha-GalCers), KRN7000 and OCH, have been shown to activate NKT cells via interaction with CD1d, a member of the CD1 family of antigen presenting proteins. Evidence from KRN7000 stimulation of NKT cells suggests that alpha-GalCers may have applications in the treatment or prevention of a range of viral, bacterial, and autoimmune conditions. Moreover, OCH, a truncated analogue of KRN7000, appears to induce a T(H)2 bias, which could have implications for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. We have prepared the direct sphinganine-containing analogues of KRN7000 and OCH, 1 and 2, and found them to be comparable in activity to the parent compounds in inducing the release of IL-2, IL-4, and IFNgamma. In addition, compound 2 leads to a cytokine bias similar to that seen with OCH. This is significant because sphinganines are more easily accessed than phytosphingosines, which should facilitate SAR studies.     

Divergent synthetic approach to 6'-modified α-GalCer analogues

A synthetic approach is presented for the synthesis of galacturonic acid and D-fucosyl modified KRN7000. The approach allows for late-stage functionalisation of both the sugar 6'-OH and the sphingosine amino groups, which enables convenient synthesis of promising 6'-modified KRN7000 analogues.     

Synthesis and biological activity of hydroxylated analogs of RCAI-80

RCAI-80 is one of the ester analogs of KRN7000 (α-galactosylceramide). This compound released mainly T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines, such as IL-4 rather than T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines, such as IFNγ from the invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. In addition, it has been known that some of the hydroxylated derivatives of KRN7000 make the cytokine secretion bias to Th2 by decreasing the IFNγ production to almost zero. This time, the three compounds having these two characteristic properties, namely an ester group and also some extra hydroxy groups existing on the ester side chain and/or on the 2-acyloxy-3,4-dihydroxyoctadecyl main chain of RCAI-80, were synthesized to examine the biological activities. As a result, it was found that these compounds made the cytokine secretion skew to Th2. Therefore, their effectiveness for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was examined. It was recognized that one of them showed moderate suppression of EAE symptom.     

Synthesis of NBD-alpha-galactosylceramide and its immunologic properties

[formula: see text] A representative alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), KRN7000, can activate NKT cells through CD1d molecules, which play an essential role in the generation of the strong antitumor activity of KRN7000. Our previous study has demonstrated that alpha-GalCer binds directly to CD1d molecules. However, it is controversial whether CD1d binds alpha-GalCer in endosomal compartments. To address this question, we synthesized NBD-alpha-GalCer, which has strong fluorescent properties. We found that the NBD-alpha-GalCer has immunostimulatory activity that is stronger than that of KRN7000.     

Molecular dynamics simulation study on the interaction of KRN 7000 and three analogues with human CD1d

Many analogues of KRN 7000, a synthetic glycolipid (α-galactosylceramide) exhibiting immuno-stimulatory activity and antitumor properties, were previously synthesized and tested in order to understand the reasons for the resulting biological activity and Th1/Th2 cytokine profile. Principles have been established for the interaction of such glycolipids with the human CD1d molecule but the exact mechanism by which different ligands with the same polar head elicit distinct biological responses remains unclear. Based on these experiments and on the available crystal structures, protein-ligand interactions are explored using molecular dynamics simulations. Hydrogen bond interactions are examined with regard to the polar group orientation. The influence of modulations on the dynamic behavior of the CD1d-glycolipid complex is addressed. Overall, our data support the mechanism by which the shortening of the α-GalCer sphingosine chain causes a significant twist of the CD1d α1 helix structure from residue Phe84 that affects the position of CD1d residues involved in the TCR recognition.     

Synthesis of tritium labeled KRN7000

The synthesis of a multiple tritiated analog of KRN7000 (α-galactosyl ceramide) is described, enabling further studies to quantitate the affinity of KRN7000 for its receptor and to study its pharmacokinetic properties.     

Concise syntheses of immunostimulating glycolipids, α-galactosyl ceramides

α-Galactosylceramides (α-GalCers) are well known as immunostimulating agents having therapeutic potential. To facilitate the synthesis of α-GalCers and their derivatives, a novel and convergent strategy was designed, which is expected to be versatile for the preparation of a variety of analogues in a diversity-oriented fashion. As an initial demonstration of our strategy, KRN7000 and OCH were synthesized in eight steps from a common intermediate, which is easily obtainable in a multi-gram scale.     

RCAI-61, the 6′-O-methylated analog of KRN7000: its synthesis and potent bioactivity for mouse lymphocytes to produce interferon-γ in vivo

RCAI-61, the 6′-O-methylated analog of KRN7000, and six other analogs with modified 6′-position of the galactose moiety of KRN7000 were synthesized to examine their bioactivity for mouse lymphocytes. Methyl α-d-galactopyranoside was the starting material for RCAI-58, 61, 64, 83, 85, and 86, while RCAI-87 was prepared from methyl β-l-arabinopyranoside. Bioassay showed RCAI-61 to be a much more potent stimulant of mouse lymphocytes than KRN7000 and RCAI-56 to induce the production of a large amount of IFN-γ in vivo.     

Total synthesis of α-1C-galactosylceramide, an immunostimulatory C-glycosphingolipid, and confirmation of the stereochemistry in the first-generation synthesis

A nonisosteric α-C-glycoside analogue of KRN7000 (α-1C-GalCer, 1) was reported to induce a selective type of cytokine release in human invariant natural killer cells in vitro. We report here a very concise synthetic route to 1 and its analogue 1'. The key steps include olefin cross-metathesis, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, and epoxide opening by NaN(3)/NH(4)Cl. Inversion of configuration at the amide-bearing carbon in the phytosphingosine backbone constructed by epoxide opening in our previous synthesis of 1 was verified, indicating that remote group participation is not involved during the epoxide-opening reaction.     

Expedient synthesis of the alpha-C-glycoside analogue of the immunostimulant galactosylceramide (KRN7000)

[Structure: see text] Key reactions in a concise synthesis of an alpha-C-galactosylceramide analogue of KRN7000 include a diastereoselective alkenylalane addition to an N-tert-butanesulfinyl imine and the use of an epoxidation/carbamate ring opening sequence to install the aminodiol stereotriad.     

Optical Control of Cytokine Production Using Photoswitchable Galactosylceramides

α-Galactosylceramides are glycosphingolipids that show promise in cancer immunotherapy. After presentation by CD1d, they activate natural killer T cells (NKT), which results in the production of a variety of pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokines. Herein, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of photochromic derivatives of KRN-7000, the activity of which can be modulated with light. Based on established structure–activity relationships, we designed photoswitchable analogues of this glycolipid that control the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ. The azobenzene derivative α-GalACer-4 proved to be more potent than KRN-7000 itself when activated with 370 nm light. Photolipids of this type could improve our mechanistic understanding of cytokine production and could open new directions in photoimmunotherapy.     

The first synthesis of a thioglycoside analogue of the immunostimulant KRN7000

The first total synthesis of a thioglycoside analogue of KRN7000, a potential immunostimulant, is described. Two key intermediates are alpha-galactosyl thiol 4 and phytosphingosine derivative 5, which were both prepared from D-galactose.     

Quantitative microarray analysis of intact glycolipid-CD1d interaction and correlation with cell-based cytokine production

The protein CD1d binds self and foreign glycolipids for presentation to CD1-restricted T cells by means of TCR recognition and activates T(H)1 and T(H)2 chemokine release. In this study, a variety of glycolipid ligands were attached to a microarray surface and their binding with dimeric CD1d was investigated. An alpha-galactosyl ceramide (alpha-GalCer) bearing a carbamate group at the 6'-OH position was tethered to the surface, and the dissociation constant on surface with CD1d was determined to reflect the multivalent interaction. Competition assays were then used to determine the dissociation constants (Ki) of new and intact glycolipids in solution. The 4-fluorophenyloctanoyl-modified alpha-GalCer (18) was found to bind most strongly with CD1d (Ki 0.21 microM), 2 orders of magnitude stronger than alpha-GalCer and more than three times more selective than alpha-GalCer for IFN-gamma release from NKT cells. Various alpha-GalCer analogues were analyzed, and the results showed that the binding affinity of glycolipids to CD1d correlates well with IFN-gamma production but poorly with IL-4 secretion by NKT cells, suggesting that tighter binding ligands could bias cytokine release through the T(H)1 pathway.     

Observation of intramolecular paramagnetic T1 spin decoupling in the 13C NMR spectra of triazacyclohexane complexes of Ni(II)

N-Benzyl-substituted complexes [(triazacyclohexane)Ni(NCMe)3](BF4)2 and their diamagnetic zinc analogues have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The T1 spin decoupling observed in their paramagnetic 13C NMR spectra can be quantitatively described by newly derived expressions that allow an independent determination of T2 of the 13C signal, T1 of the attached H or F, and the 1J coupling constant by line shape analysis.     

Phosphatidylinositol mannoside ether analogues: syntheses and interleukin-12-inducing properties

Phosphatidylinositol mannosides (PIMs) isolated from mycobacteria have been identified as an important class of glycolipids with significant immune modulating properties. We present here the syntheses of phosphatidylinositol dimannoside ether analogues 2 and 3 and evaluate their interleukin-12 (IL-12)-inducing properties along with dipalmitoyl PIM2 (1) in an in vitro bovine dendritic cell assay. Both synthetic PIM analogues and synthetic dipalmitoyl PIM2 (1) were effective at enhancing IL-12 production by immature bovine dendritic cells. Unexpectedly, ether analogue 2 was significantly more active than dipalmitoyl PIM2 (1) which indicates that modified PIM compounds can be strongly immunoactive and may have significant adjuvant activities.     

Conformational studies on 2-guanidinylthiazole, famotidine and some analogues

Conformational analysis of famotidine (FAMO) and some analogues have been performed using AM1 calculations. In addition, Conformational analysis were done on the 2-guanidinylthiazole moiety in order to see the effect of the N-sulfamoyl fragment and the methylthioethyl chain of FAMO on the thiazole ring. The results revealed that the N6H form (the guanidinium cation) was the most stable and might therefore be the best candidate for interacting with the histamine H2-receptor. The calculations for the N6H forms of FAMO and analogues showed a strong hydrogen bond anchoring the guanidine chain in the same plane as the thiazole ring, in agreement with X-ray diffraction and ¹H NMR studies.     

Synthesis and antiproliferative activities of 5-azacytidine analogues in human leukemia cells

Twenty-six 5-azacytidine analogues have been synthesized, including 4-amino- 6-alkyl-1-pyranosyl/ribofuranosyl-1,3,5-triazin-2(1H)-ones 1a-j, 6-amino-4-alkyl/aryl-1- pyranosyl/ribofuranosyl-1,3,5-triazin-2(1H)-ones 2a-f and 4-amino-6-alkyl-1,3,5-triazin-2- yl-1-thio-pyranosides/ribofuranosides 3a-j. The antiproliferative activities of these synthetic analogues were investigated in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Ribofuranosyl S-nucleoside 3a, a bioisostere of 5-azacytidine, had a similar antiproliferative ability as that of the latter. Introduction of a methyl at the 6 position of 5-azacytidine and/or replacement of the ribofuranosyl moiety with pyranosyl sugars or disaccharides significantly decreased the antiproliferative activities of the 5-azacytidine derivatives. Several compounds with the replacement of pyranosyl sugars enhanced all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation ability in human leukemia HL-60 cells.     

Does Exposure to UV Radiation Induce a Shift to a Th-2-like Immune Reaction?

In addition to being the primary cause of skin cancer, UV radiation is immune suppressive and there appears to be a link between the ability of UV to suppress the immune response and induce skin cancer. Cytokines made by UV-irradlated keratinocytes play an essential role in activating immune suppression. In particular, we have found that keratinocyte-derlved interleukin (IL)-10 is responsible for the systemic impairment of antigenpresenting cell function and the UV-induced suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Antigen presentation by splenic adherent cells isolated from UV-irradiated mice to T helper-1 type T (Th1) cells is suppressed, whereas antigen presentation to T helper-2 type T (Th2) cells is enhanced. The enhanced antigen presentation to Th2 cells and the impaired presentation to Th1 cells can be reversed in vivo by injecting the UV-irradiated mice with monoclonal anti-IL-10 antibody. Furthermore, immune suppression can be transferred from UV-irradiated mice to normal recipients by adoptive transfer of T cells. Injecting the recipient mice with anti-IL-4 or anti-IL-10 prevents the transfer of immune suppression, suggesting the suppressor cells are Th2 cells. In addition, injecting UV-irradiated mice with IL-12, a cytokine that has been shown to be the primary inducer of Th1 cells, and one that prevents the differentiation of Th2 cells in vivo, reverses UV-induced immune suppression. These findings support the hypothesis that UV exposure activates IL-10 secretion, which depresses the function of Th1 cells, while enhancing the activity of Th2 cells.     

H/D Exchange Processes in Flavonoids: Kinetics and Mechanistic Investigations

Several classes of flavonoids, such as anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols, and flavones, undergo a slow H/D exchange on aromatic ring A, leading to full deuteration at positions C(6) and C(8). Within the flavanol class, H-C(6) and H-C(8) of catechin and epicatechin are slowly exchanged in D₂O to the corresponding deuterated analogues. Even quercetin, a relevant flavonol representative, shows the same behaviour in a D₂O/DMSOd₆ 1:1 solution. Detailed kinetic measurements of these H/D exchange processes are here reported by exploiting the time-dependent changes of their peak areas in the ¹H-NMR spectra taken at different temperatures. A unifying reaction mechanism is also proposed based on our detailed kinetic observations, even taking into account pH and solvent effects. Molecular modelling and QM calculations were also carried out to shed more light on several molecular details of the proposed mechanism.     

Computer Modelling and Synthesis of Deoxy and Monohydroxy Analogues of a Ribitylaminouracil Bacterial Metabolite that Potently Activates Human T Cells

5-(2-Oxopropylideneamino)-6-d -ribitylaminouracil (5-OP-RU) is a natural product formed during bacterial synthesis of vitamin B2. It potently activates mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and has immunomodulatory, inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This highly polar and unstable compound forms a remarkably stable Schiff base with a lysine residue in major histocompatibility complex class I–related protein (MR1) expressed in antigen-presenting cells. Inspired by the importance of the ribityl moiety of 5-OP-RU for binding to both MR1 and the T cell receptor (TCR) on MAIT cells, each OH was removed in silico. DFT calculations and MD simulations revealed a very stable hydrogen bond between the C3′−OH and uracil N1H, which profoundly restricts flexibility and positioning of each ribityl-OH, potentially impacting their interactions with MR1 and TCR. By using deoxygenation strategies and kinetically controlled imine formation, four monodeoxyribityl and four monohydroxyalkyl analogues of 5-OP-RU were synthesised as new tools for probing T cell activation mechanisms.