Synthesis of eight glycosides of hexasaccharide fragments representing the terminus of the O-polysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Inaba and Ogawa, bearing aglycons suitable for linking to proteins

Towards the Complete Synthetic O-Antigen of Vibrio cholerae O1, Serotype Inaba: Improved Synthesis of the Conjugation-ready Upstream Terminal Hexasaccharide Determinant

Synthesis of the upstream terminal hexasaccharide part of the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Vibrio cholerae O1, serotype Inaba has been improved. The key improvements include but are not limited to optimized conditions for the stereoselectivity of glycosylation reactions involved and fewer number of synthetic steps, compared to previous approaches. Particularly noteworthy is conducting the glycosylation of the very reactive glycosyl acceptor 8-azido-3,6-dioxaoctanol with the fully assembled hexasaccharide trichloroacetimidate under thermodynamic control. It produced the desired α glycoside with an α : β ratio of 7 : 1, compared with the ratio of 1.1 : 1, observed when the coupling was conducted conventionally. Several substances, which were previously obtained in purity acceptable only for synthetic intermediates, were now obtained in the analytically pure state and were fully characterized. The structure of the key trisaccharide glycosyl acceptor was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structure determination.

Improved synthesis of the conjugation-ready upstream terminal hexasaccharide determinant has been described with special reference to the stereoselectivity refinement.

Enhanced stereoselectivity of alpha-mannosylation under thermodynamic control using trichloroacetimidates

O-Specific polysaccharides of Vibrio cholerae O1, serotypes Inaba and Ogawa, consist of alpha-(1-->2)-linked N-(3-deoxy-L-glycero-tetronyl)perosamine (4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-D-mannose). The blockwise synthesis of larger fragments of such O-PSs involves oligosaccharide glycosyl donors that contain a nonparticipating 2-O-glycosyl group at the position vicinal to the anomeric center where the new glycosidic linkage is formed. Such glycosyl donors may bear at C-4 either a latent acylamino (e.g., azido) or the 3-deoxy-L-glycero-tetronamido group. While monosaccharide glycosyl donors, even those bearing a nonparticipating group at O-2 (e.g., methyl), and the 4-N-(3-deoxy-L-glycero-tetronyl) side chain form alpha-linked oligosaccharides with excellent stereoselectivity, alpha-mannosylation with analogous oligosaccharide donors in this series is adversely affected by the presence of the side chain. Consequently, the unwanted beta-product is formed in a considerable amount. Conducting the reaction at elevated temperature under thermodynamic control substantially enhances formation of the alpha-linked oligosaccharide. This effect is much more pronounced when glycosyl trichloroacetimidates, rather than thioglycosides or glycosyl chlorides, are used as glycosyl donors.

Synthesis of spacer-equipped di-, tri-, and the tetrasaccharide fragments of the deacetylated O-PS1 of Citrobacter gillenii O9a,9b, and a related pentasaccharide

The title rhamnooligosaccharides [alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-1-O-(CH(2))(5)COOMe, alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-1-O-(CH(2))(5)COOMe, alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-1-O-(CH(2))(5)COOMe, and alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-1-O-(CH(2))(5)COOMe] were synthesized in a stepwise fashion from 5-methoxycarbonylpentyl 4-azido-4,6-dideoxy-2-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and orthogonally protected 1-thioglycoside glycosyl donors. The amorphous, final products were fully characterized as corresponding per-O-acetyl derivatives.

Immunogenicity of synthetic saccharide fragments of Vibrio cholerae O1 (Ogawa and Inaba) bound to Exotoxin A

Recombinant exotoxin A (rEPA) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa conjugated to Vibrio cholerae O1 serotype-specific polysaccharides (mono-, di- and hexasaccharide) were immunogenic in mice. Monosaccharide conjugates boosted the humoral responses to the hexasaccharide conjugates. Prior exposure to purified Ogawa lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enabled contra-serotype hexasaccharide conjugates to boost the vibriocidal response, but Inaba LPS did not prime for an enhanced vibriocidal response by a contra-serotype conjugate. Prior exposure to the carrier, and priming B cells with the LPS of either serotype, resulted in enhanced vibriocidal titers if the Ogawa hexasaccharides were used, but a diminished response to the Inaba LPS. These studies demonstrate that the 'functional' B cell epitopes on the LPS differ from those of the neoglycoconjugates and that the order of immunization and the serotype of the boosting conjugate can influence the epitope specificity and function of the antisera.

Immunological properties of complex conjugates based on Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa lipopolysaccharide antigen

Host protection by humoral immunity against Vibrio cholerae O1 confers lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specific vibriocidal antibodies. Levels of relevant specific antibodies are closely related to complement-mediated inactivation of the vibrios inoculum, especially on the mucosal surface of intestine. We have tested complex V. cholerae O1 Ogawa-detoxified lipopolysaccharide (dLPS) conjugates. The first conjugate contained glucan both as the immunomodulator and the matrix; the second conjugate contained immunologically inert amylose as matrix. Both d-LPS conjugates contain multiply attached dLPS antigen. These conjugates elicited a statistically significant increase of antigen-specific IgG levels in mice (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). The specific anti-conjugate IgG and IgA response after the second (booster) dose were significantly higher compared to pre-immune and whole-cell response. The most effective vibriocidal activity was observed in the case of conjugate, with glucan as the matrix. The highest correlation was found between vibriocidal activity and specific IgG2b (r=0.765) and IgA (r=0.887) sera levels. The determination of specific IgG subclasses and IgG2a + 2b/IgG1 ratio revealed a dominant T(H)1 cell response crucial for effective vaccine candidate.

Studies toward a conjugate vaccine for anthrax. Synthesis and characterization of anthrose [4,6-dideoxy-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanamido)-2-O-methyl-d-glucopyranose] and its methyl glycosides

The key step in the first chemical synthesis of anthrose (16) and its methyl alpha- (6) and beta-glycoside (22) was inversion of configuration at C-2 in triflates 10, 2, and 18, respectively, obtained from the common intermediate, methyl 4-azido-3-O-benzyl-4,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (1). To prepare methyl alpha-anthroside (6), methylation at O-2 of the gluco product 3, obtained from 2, was followed by hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis of the formed 2-methyl ether 4, to simultaneously remove the protecting benzyl group and reduce the azido function. Subsequent N-acylation of the formed amine 5 with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid gave the target methyl alpha-glycoside 6. Synthesis of methyl beta-anthroside (22) comprised the same sequence of reactions, starting from the known methyl 4-azido-3-O-benzyl-4,6-dideoxy-beta-D-mannopyranoside (17), which was prepared from 1. In the synthesis of anthrose (16), 1-thio-beta-glucoside 11, obtained from 1 through 10, was methylated at O-2, and the azido function in the resulting benzylated 1-thioglycoside 12 was selectively reduced to give amine 13. After N-acylation with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid, 1-thioglycoside 14 was hydrolyzed to give the corresponding reducing sugar, aldol 15, which was debenzylated to afford anthrose.

Lipopolysaccharides of Vibrio cholerae. I. Physical and chemical characterization

Vibrio cholerae is the causative organism of the disease cholera. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of V. cholerae plays an important role in eliciting the antibacterial immune response of the host and in classifying the vibrios into some 200 or more serogroups. This review presents an account of our up-to-date knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of the three constituents, lipid-A, core-polysaccharide (core-PS) and O-antigen polysaccharide (O-PS), of the LPS of V. cholerae of different serogroups including the disease-causing ones, O1 and O139. The structure and occurrence of the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) on V. cholerae O139 have been discussed as a relevant topic. Similarity and dissimilarity between the structures of LPS of different serogroups, and particularly between O22 and O139, have been analysed with a view to learning their role in the causation of the epidemic form of the disease by avoiding the host defence mechanism and in the evolution of the newer pathogenic strains in future. An idea of the emerging trends of research involving the use of immunogens prepared from synthetic oligosaccharides that mimic terminal epitopes of the O-PS of V. cholerae O1 in the development of a conjugate anti cholera vaccine is also discussed.

One-pot preparation of a series of glycoconjugates with predetermined antigen–carrier ratio from oligosaccharides that mimic the O-PS of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Ogawa

Di-through the pentasaccharide that mimic the upstream terminus of the O-specific polysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Ogawa were synthesized in the form of 5-methoxycarbonylpentyl glycosides and linked to BSA using squaric acid diester chemistry. The conjugation reactions were monitored by surface-enhanced laser-desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS), which allowed conducting the conjugation of the synthetic oligosaccharides in a controlled way and termination of the reaction when the desired molar hapten-BSA ratio had been reached. This made it possible to prepare, from one hapten in a one-pot reaction, a series of neoglycoconjugates having different, predetermined carbohydrate-carrier ratios. The accuracy of molecular mass determination in SELDI-TOF MS analysis could be increased by using the carrier protein as the internal standard.

Conjugating oligosaccharides to proteins by squaric acid diester chemistry: rapid monitoring of the progress of conjugation, and recovery of the unused ligand

Samples that are periodically withdrawn from the mixture of a conjugation reaction can be analyzed on a picomolar scale without any work-up or pre-purification using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) in combination with the ProteinChip System. The technique provides rapid information about the increasing molecular mass of the glycoconjugate formed, thereby allowing termination of the process when the desired incorporation of the ligand onto the carrier protein is achieved. The excess oligosaccharide used at the onset of conjugation can be recovered and used in preparation of a similar neoglycoconjugate. The overall economy of conjugations, which often involve labor-intensive linker-equipped oligosaccharides, can be markedly increased in this way.

Studies on vaccines against cholera. Synthesis of neoglycoconjugates from the hexasaccharide determinant of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Ogawa, by single-point attachment or by attachment of the hapten in the form of clusters

The terminal hexasaccharide of the O-antigen of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Ogawa, has been synthesized in the form of a glycoside whose aglycon (linker) allows conjugation to carrier proteins by reductive amination. The conjugate obtained from direct, single-point attachment of the linker-equipped hapten to chicken serum albumin (CSA) contained seven hapten residues/CSA. A neoglycoconjugate containing the carbohydrate antigen in the form of clusters was obtained using, as a hapten subcarrier, an oligopeptide containing 16 amino groups. It was treated with a limited amount of hapten, to give a hapten-carrying subcarrier (HCS). Subsequent conjugation of HCS to CSA, using squaric acid diethyl ester as a conjugation reagent, gave a cross-linked, glycocluster conjugate containing 51% (w/w) of the carbohydrate.

Studies towards neoglycoconjugates from the monosaccharide determinant of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Ogawa using the diethyl squarate reagent

The effect of reaction time, concentration and molar excess of hapten upon the efficiency of the conjugation of carbohydrates to proteins using the diethyl squarate reagent has been studied using chicken serum albumin (CSA) as the carrier protein and a linker-equipped D-glucose derivative as the hapten. A high degree of incorporation of the latter into CSA was achieved with high efficiency, and the use of a large excess of the ligand was not necessary. Conjugation of the immunodominant monosaccharide determinant of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Ogawa, bearing the same spacer, followed a similar pattern, showing that the nature of the carbohydrate does not substantially affect the outcome of the conjugation and that a predicted degree of antigen-loading onto carrier protein is possible to achieve.

Phase 1 evaluation of Vibrio cholerae O1, serotype Inaba, polysaccharide-cholera toxin conjugates in adult volunteers

Conjugate vaccines were prepared by binding hydrazine-treated lipopolysaccharide (DeALPS) from Vibrio cholerae O1, serotype Inaba, to cholera toxin (CT) variants CT-1 and CT-2. Volunteers (n = 75) were injected with either 25 microg of DeALPS, alone or as a conjugate, or the licensed cellular vaccine containing 4 x 10(9) organisms each of serotypes Inaba and Ogawa per ml. No serious adverse reactions were observed. DeALPS alone did not elicit serum LPS or vibriocidal antibodies in mice and only low levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-LPS in the volunteers. Recipients of the cellular vaccine had the highest IgM anti-LPS levels, but the difference was not statistically significant from that elicited by the conjugates. The conjugates elicited the highest levels of IgG anti-LPS (DeALPS-CT-2 > DeALPS-CT-1 > cellular vaccine). Both conjugates and the cellular vaccine elicited vibriocidal antibodies: after 8 months, recipients of cellular vaccine had the highest geometric mean titer (1,249), followed by DeALPS-CT-2 (588) and DeALPS-CT-1 (330). The correlation coefficient between IgG anti-LPS and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME)-resistant vibriocidal antibodies was 0. 81 (P = 0.0004). Convalescent sera from cholera patients had a mean vibriocidal titer of 2,525 that was removed by treatment with 2-ME. The vibriocidal activities of sera from all vaccine groups and from the patients were absorbed (>75%) by LPS but not by either CT-1 or CT-2. Conjugate-induced IgG vibriocidal antibodies persisted longer than those elicited by the whole-cell vaccine. Both conjugates, but not the cellular vaccine, elicited IgG anti-CT.

Synthesis of the dodecasaccharide fragment representing the O-polysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Ogawa, bearing an aglycon offering flexibility for chemical linking to proteins

Two azidohexasaccharide building blocks, of which the glycosyl acceptor was the 5-(methoxycarbonyl)pentyl glycoside, were coupled using the trichloroacetimidate technology. The 12 azido functions present in the dodecasaccharide thus formed were then converted to amino groups using hydrogen sulfide as a reducing reagent. Subsequent N-acylation with 4-O-benzyl-L-glycero-tetronic acid, followed by catalytic debenzylation yielded the desired spacer-equipped, title dodecasaccharide.

Synthesis of methyl alpha-glycosides of some higher oligosaccharide fragments of the O-antigen of Vibrio cholerae O1, serotype Inaba and Ogawa

The title oligosaccharides, the tri- through the hexasaccharide in the Inaba series and the penta- and the hexasaccharide in the Ogawa series, have been synthesized using 1-thioglycosides of precursors to 3-O-benzyl-perosamine (4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-D-mannose) as building blocks and N-iodosuccinimide/silver triflate as a promoter. The azido groups in the assembled oligosaccharides were reduced to amino groups, which were then acylated using 2,4-O-benzylidene-3-deoxy-L-glycero-tetronic acid as the derivatizing reagent. Catalytic hydrogenolysis, simultaneously of the benzyl and benzylidene groups, gave the desired products that were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.