Synthesis of dendritic polyglycerol anions and their efficiency toward L-selectin inhibition

Biomacromolecules. 2011 Jul 11;12(7):2502-11. doi: 10.1021/bm200250f. Epub 2011 May 20.

Abstract

A versatile route for the synthesis of highly functionalized, polyanionic macromolecules based on dendritic polyglycerol was applied by means of the Huisgen-Sharpless-Meldal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition ("click-reaction") of polyglycerolazide precursors and alkyne-functionalized anions such as sulfonates, carboxylates, phosphonates, and bisphosphonates. In addition, the corresponding polyglycerol phosphate has been synthesized via direct hydroxyl interconversion of polyglycerol to the corresponding phosphate with a degree of functionalization >80% by analogy to the synthesis of previously reported polyglycerol sulfates (dPGS). On the basis of the finding that dPGS exhibits high affinity for L- and P-selectin, the potential of these novel polyanionic, multivalent macromolecules of varying anionic nature as L-selectin inhibitors has been evaluated in vitro by means of a competitive concentration dependent binding assay. Affinity of all polyanions toward L-selectin was demonstrated with distinct IC(50) values ranging from the low nanomolar to the high micromolar range. The efficiency of L-selectin inhibition increases in the order carboxylate < phosphate < phosphonate ≈ sulfonate < bisphosphonate < sulfate. Additional DLS and ζ-potential measurements of these polyanions were performed to correlate their binding affinity toward L-selectin with their anionic nature. However, a direct correlation of effective charge and particle size with the determined IC(50) values turned out to require further in-depth studies on the microstructure of the polyanions but clearly indicate an exceptional position of dPGS among the studied dendritic polyelectrolytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anions / chemical synthesis
  • Anions / chemistry
  • Dendrimers / chemical synthesis
  • Dendrimers / chemistry
  • Dendrimers / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Glycerol / chemical synthesis
  • Glycerol / chemistry
  • Glycerol / pharmacology*
  • L-Selectin / chemistry
  • L-Selectin / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Particle Size
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / pharmacology*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Anions
  • Dendrimers
  • Polymers
  • L-Selectin
  • polyglycerol
  • Glycerol