Glycopeptide analogues of PSGL-1 inhibit P-selectin in vitro and in vivo

Nat Commun. 2015 Mar 31:6:6387. doi: 10.1038/ncomms7387.

Abstract

Blockade of P-selectin (P-sel)/PSGL-1 interactions holds significant potential for treatment of disorders of innate immunity, thrombosis and cancer. Current inhibitors remain limited due to low binding affinity or by the recognized disadvantages inherent to chronic administration of antibody therapeutics. Here we report an efficient approach for generating glycosulfopeptide mimics of N-terminal PSGL-1 through development of a stereoselective route for multi-gram scale synthesis of the C2 O-glycan building block and replacement of hydrolytically labile tyrosine sulfates with isosteric sulfonate analogues. Library screening afforded a compound of exceptional stability, GSnP-6, that binds to human P-sel with nanomolar affinity (Kd~22 nM). Molecular dynamics simulation defines the origin of this affinity in terms of a number of critical structural contributions. GSnP-6 potently blocks P-sel/PSGL-1 interactions in vitro and in vivo and represents a promising candidate for the treatment of diseases driven by acute and chronic inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects*
  • Cell Aggregation / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • E-Selectin / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Glycopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • L-Selectin / metabolism
  • Leukocytes / drug effects
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Monocytes / drug effects*
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Neutrophils / drug effects*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • P-Selectin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • P-Selectin / metabolism
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • E-Selectin
  • Glycopeptides
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • P-Selectin
  • P-selectin ligand protein
  • L-Selectin