Receptor-Ligand Kinetics Influence the Mechanism of Action of Covalently Linked TLR Ligands

ACS Chem Biol. 2021 Feb 19;16(2):380-388. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00924. Epub 2021 Feb 1.

Abstract

We report a mechanistic study comparing the immune activation of conjugated Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists and their unlinked mixtures. Herein, we synthesized a set of six linked dual agonists with different ligands, molecular structures, receptor locations, and biophysical characteristics. With these dimers, we ran a series of in vitro cell-based assays, comparing initial and overall NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) activation, cytokine expression profiles, as well as time-resolved TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha) expression. We show that initial activation kinetics, ligand specificity, and the dose of the agonist influence the activity of these linked TLR systems. These results can help improve vaccine design by showing how linked TLR agonists can improve their potency with the appropriate selection of key criteria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / chemical synthesis
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / pharmacology*
  • Kinetics
  • Ligands
  • Lipopeptides / chemical synthesis
  • Lipopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oligonucleotides / chemical synthesis
  • Oligonucleotides / pharmacology*
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Toll-Like Receptors / agonists*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring
  • Ligands
  • Lipopeptides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha