Galactosylsphingamides: new α-GalCer analogues to probe the F'-pocket of CD1d

Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 27;7(1):4276. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04461-7.

Abstract

Invariant Natural Killer T-cells (iNKT-cells) are an attractive target for immune response modulation, as upon CD1d-mediated stimulation with KRN7000, a synthetic α-galactosylceramide, they produce a vast amount of cytokines. Here we present a synthesis that allows swift modification of the phytosphingosine side chain by amidation of an advanced methyl ester precursor. The resulting KRN7000 derivatives, termed α-galactosylsphingamides, were evaluated for their capacity to stimulate iNKT-cells. While introduction of the amide-motif in the phytosphingosine chain is tolerated for CD1d binding and TCR recognition, the studied α-galactosylsphingamides showed compromised antigenic properties.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD1d / chemistry
  • Antigens, CD1d / metabolism*
  • Galactosylceramides / chemistry
  • Galactosylceramides / metabolism*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Probes / chemistry
  • Molecular Probes / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1d
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Molecular Probes
  • alpha-galactosylceramide