On-chip synthesis and screening of a sialoside library yields a high affinity ligand for Siglec-7

Disubstituted Sialic Acid Ligands Targeting Siglecs CD33 and CD22 Associated with Myeloid Leukaemias and B Cell Lymphomas

The siglec family of sialic acid-binding proteins are endocytic immune cell receptors that are recognized as potential targets for cell directed therapies. CD33 and CD22 are prototypical members and are validated candidates for targeting acute myeloid leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas due to their restricted expression on myeloid cells and B-cells, respectively. While nanoparticles decorated with high affinity siglec ligands represent an attractive platform for delivery of therapeutic agents to these cells, a lack of ligands with suitable affinity and/or selectivity has hampered progress. Herein we describe selective ligands for both of these siglecs, which when displayed on liposomal nanoparticles, can efficiently target the cells expressing them in peripheral human blood. Key to their identification was the development of a facile method for chemo-enzymatic synthesis of disubstituted sialic acid analogues, combined with iterative rounds of synthesis and rapid functional analysis using glycan microarrays.

Exploration of sialic acid diversity and biology using sialoglycan microarrays

Sialic acids (Sias) are a group of α-keto acids with a nine-carbon backbone, which display many types of modifications in nature. The diversity of natural Sia presentations is magnified by a variety of glycosidic linkages to underlying glycans, the sequences and classes of such glycans, as well as the spatial organization of Sias with their surroundings. This diversity is closely linked to the numerous and varied biological functions of Sias. Relatively large libraries of natural and unnatural Sias have recently been chemically/chemoenzymatically synthesized and/or isolated from natural sources. The resulting sialoglycan microarrays have proved to be valuable tools for the exploration of diversity and biology of Sias. Here we provide an overview of Sia diversity in nature, the approaches used to generate sialoglycan microarrays, and the achievements and challenges arising.

Reports from the award symposia hosted by the American Chemical Society, Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry at the 245th American Chemical Society National Meeting

We would like to congratulate all of the award winners for the well deserved honor. The award symposia provided a snapshot of some of the state-of-the-art research at the interface between chemistry and biology in the glycoscience field. The presentations serve as prime examples of the increasing integration of chemical and biological research in the area of glycoscience and how tools of chemistry can be applied to answer interesting, important, and fundamental biological questions. We look forward to many more years of exciting developments in the chemistry and chemical biology of glycoscience and anticipate improved tools and approaches will drive major advances while also spurring interests in the wider field.