Immunomodulatory properties of novel nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (nod2) agonistic desmuramyldipeptides

J Med Chem. 2012 Jul 26;55(14):6478-88. doi: 10.1021/jm300503b. Epub 2012 Jul 5.

Abstract

There is a pressing need for the development of novel adjuvants for human use. The minimal bioactive structure of bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN), muramyldipeptide (MDP), and its derivative murabutide (MB) have long been known for their adjuvant activities. For this reason, a series of novel desmuramyldipeptides have been designed and synthesized as part of our search for therapeutically useful MDP analogues. Since nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (Nod2) is a putative receptor for MDP, we used engineered HEK293 cells overexpressing Nod2 to screen and validate our compounds for their Nod2-agonist activity. Their immunomodulatory properties were subsequently assessed in vitro by evaluating their effect on proinflammatory cytokine production of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/ionomycin-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Herein, we present novel desmuramyldipeptides, the most active of them possessing immunoenhancing properties as a result of their potent Nod2-agonistic effect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine / analogs & derivatives
  • Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Dipeptides / chemical synthesis
  • Dipeptides / chemistry
  • Dipeptides / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Design
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Immunologic Factors / chemical synthesis
  • Immunologic Factors / chemistry
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / agonists*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Dipeptides
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein
  • Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine
  • murabutide