1
|
Wen Y, Ding D, Luo MQ, Peng XQ, Wang EY, Wu YH, Zhou SH, Guo J. Rationally Designed Highly Potent NKT Cell Agonists with Different Cytokine Selectivity through Hydrogen-Bond Interaction. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39031770 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer) and its analogues as powerful agonists for natural killer T (NKT) cell manipulation have received significant attention in immunotherapy and adjuvant development. However, identifying new potent NKT cell agonists, especially those with Th1 selectivity that promote anticancer effects, remains a challenging task. In this work, we introduced a sulfonamide group into the acyl chain of αGalCer to form additional hydrogen bonds to intensify the glycolipid/CD1d interaction. Two compounds GCS-11 and GCS-12 demonstrated remarkable potency while exhibiting different cytokine induction patterns. Compared to αGalCer, the Th1-biased GCS-11 exhibited a 6-fold increase in IFN-γ but not IL-4, while the Th1/2-balanced GCS-12 elicited 7- and 5-fold increase in IFN-γ and IL-4, respectively, in vivo. These findings place them among the most potent NKT cell agonists, with superior antitumor effects. Therefore, hydrogen-bond-involved derivatization could be a powerful strategy to develop potent and polarized NKT cell agonists for various immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wen
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Dong Ding
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Meng-Qiang Luo
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Peng
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - En-Yang Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Ye-Hui Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Shi-Hao Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jun Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hao T, Mi T, Chu Q, Ma W, Cheng X, Zang Y, Li J, Li T. Stereospecific Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of KRN7000 Analogues with Thio-modifications at the Acyl Moiety. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:1102-1108. [PMID: 39015265 PMCID: PMC11247626 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
α-Galactosylceramide (KRN7000 or α-GalCer) analogues terminated with phenyl (Ph) groups at the acyl moiety possess more potency than KRN7000 to activate invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells for inducing a T helper 1 (Th1)-biased immune response. However, biological activities of phenyl glycolipids with thio-modifications at the acyl moiety remain unknown, and facile approaches for highly stereoselective synthesis of KRN7000 and its analogues are rather scarce. Herein, we exploited 4,6-di-O-tert-butylsilylene (DTBS)-directed stereospecific galactosylation to efficiently synthesize various α-GalCer analogues bearing thioamide, terminal thiophenyl and dual modifications at the acyl moiety. Biological evaluations suggest that a new analogue S34 featuring a terminal Ph-S-Ph-F group exhibits a more superior Th1-biased immune response in mice. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the introduction of a sulfur atom influences vital hydrogen bonding interactions between glycolipids and the cluster of differentiation 1d (CDld), thus adjusting the stability of the glycolipid-CDld complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianhui Hao
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tian Mi
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qinyu Chu
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School
of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Wenjing Ma
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xi Cheng
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School
of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yi Zang
- Lingang
Laboratory, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jia Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School
of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Tiehai Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saavedra-Avila NA, Pigni NB, Caldwell DR, Chena-Becerra F, Intano J, Ng TW, Chennamadhavuni D, Porcelli SA, Gascón JA, Howell AR. A Humanized Mouse Model Coupled with Computational Analysis Identifies Potent Glycolipid Agonist of Invariant NKT Cells. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:926-937. [PMID: 38477945 PMCID: PMC11075374 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells play an important role in many innate and adaptive immune responses, with potential applications in cancer immunotherapy. The glycolipid KRN7000, an α-galactosylceramide, potently activates iNKT cells but has shown limited anticancer effects in human clinical trials conducted so far. In spite of almost three decades of structure-activity relationship studies, no alternative glycolipid has yet emerged as a superior clinical candidate. One reason for the slow progress in this area is that standard mouse models do not accurately reflect the specific ligand recognition by human iNKT cells and their requirements for activation. Here we evaluated a series of KRN7000 analogues using a recently developed humanized mouse model that expresses a human αTCR chain sequence and human CD1d. In this process, a more stimulatory, previously reported but largely overlooked glycolipid was identified, and its activity was probed and rationalized via molecular simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noemi A. Saavedra-Avila
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY USA 10461
| | - Natalia B. Pigni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs CT USA 06269
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba (ICYTAC CONICET-UNC), Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba X5000HUA, Argentina
| | | | - Florencia Chena-Becerra
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY USA 10461
| | - Jose Intano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs CT USA 06269
| | - Tony W. Ng
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY USA 10461
| | | | - Steven A. Porcelli
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY USA 10461
| | - José A. Gascón
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs CT USA 06269
| | - Amy R. Howell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs CT USA 06269
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hu X, Xian MY, Wang XF, Zou GQ, Luo R, Peng H, Liu Z. Conformationally Restricted Analogues of α-Galactosylceramide as Adjuvant in COVID-19 Subunit Vaccine. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1647-1655. [PMID: 38116441 PMCID: PMC10726466 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
iNKT cells are a type of T lymphocyte that recognizes glycolipid antigens presented by CD1d protein. αGC is an agonistic glycolipid that activates iNKT cells and triggers immune modulatory cytokine responses, making it a promising vaccine adjuvant. To find more potent immunostimulating glycolipids, we prepared 4,6-O-galactosyl conformationally restricted analogues of αGC. Mice vaccinated with the SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Fc vaccine adjuvanted with these newly developed glycolipids produced robust anti-RBD antibody responses, comparable to those achieved with αGC. Importantly, we also found that omitting αGC, α-C-GalCer (Th1-type agonist), or C20:2 (Th2-type agonist) from the booster vaccine had negligible impact on antibody and cellular responses, potentially reducing the frequency of adjuvant use required to maintain potent immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xing Hu
- Key
Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education,
Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base
of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center
for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P. R. China
| | - Mao-Ying Xian
- Key
Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education,
Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base
of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center
for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P. R. China
| | - Xi-Feng Wang
- Key
Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education,
Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base
of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center
for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P. R. China
| | - Guo-Qing Zou
- Key
Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education,
Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base
of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center
for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P. R. China
| | - Rui Luo
- State
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P. R. China
| | - Hao Peng
- Key
Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education,
Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base
of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center
for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Key
Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education,
Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base
of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center
for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tognarelli EI, Gutiérrez-Vera C, Palacios PA, Pasten-Ferrada IA, Aguirre-Muñoz F, Cornejo DA, González PA, Carreño LJ. Natural Killer T Cell Diversity and Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5737. [PMID: 38136283 PMCID: PMC10742272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs), a type of unconventional T cells, share features with NK cells and have an invariant T cell receptor (TCR), which recognizes lipid antigens loaded on CD1d molecules, a major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-like protein. This interaction produces the secretion of a wide array of cytokines by these cells, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4), allowing iNKTs to link innate with adaptive responses. Interestingly, molecules that bind CD1d have been identified that enable the modulation of these cells, highlighting their potential pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive capacities, as required in different clinical settings. In this review, we summarize key features of iNKTs and current understandings of modulatory α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) variants, a model iNKT cell activator that can shift the outcome of adaptive immune responses. Furthermore, we discuss advances in the development of strategies that modulate these cells to target pathologies that are considerable healthcare burdens. Finally, we recapitulate findings supporting a role for iNKTs in infectious diseases and tumor immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo I. Tognarelli
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Cristián Gutiérrez-Vera
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Pablo A. Palacios
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Ignacio A. Pasten-Ferrada
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Fernanda Aguirre-Muñoz
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Daniel A. Cornejo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Leandro J. Carreño
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ganley M, Holz LE, Minnell JJ, de Menezes MN, Burn OK, Poa KCY, Draper SL, English K, Chan STS, Anderson RJ, Compton BJ, Marshall AJ, Cozijnsen A, Chua YC, Ge Z, Farrand KJ, Mamum JC, Xu C, Cockburn IA, Yui K, Bertolino P, Gras S, Le Nours J, Rossjohn J, Fernandez-Ruiz D, McFadden GI, Ackerley DF, Painter GF, Hermans IF, Heath WR. mRNA vaccine against malaria tailored for liver-resident memory T cells. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1487-1498. [PMID: 37474653 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01562-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium species transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Following a mosquito bite, Plasmodium sporozoites migrate from skin to liver, where extensive replication occurs, emerging later as merozoites that can infect red blood cells and cause symptoms of disease. As liver tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm cells) have recently been shown to control liver-stage infections, we embarked on a messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccine strategy to induce liver Trm cells to prevent malaria. Although a standard mRNA vaccine was unable to generate liver Trm or protect against challenge with Plasmodium berghei sporozoites in mice, addition of an agonist that recruits T cell help from type I natural killer T cells under mRNA-vaccination conditions resulted in significant generation of liver Trm cells and effective protection. Moreover, whereas previous exposure of mice to blood-stage infection impaired traditional vaccines based on attenuated sporozoites, mRNA vaccination was unaffected, underlining the potential for such a rational mRNA-based strategy in malaria-endemic regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitch Ganley
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lauren E Holz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Maria N de Menezes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Olivia K Burn
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Kean Chan Yew Poa
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah L Draper
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Kieran English
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susanna T S Chan
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Regan J Anderson
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin J Compton
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Andrew J Marshall
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Anton Cozijnsen
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yu Cheng Chua
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhengyu Ge
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - John C Mamum
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Calvin Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian A Cockburn
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Katsuyuki Yui
- Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Patrick Bertolino
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephanie Gras
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jérôme Le Nours
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Daniel Fernandez-Ruiz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Geoffrey I McFadden
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David F Ackerley
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Gavin F Painter
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Ian F Hermans
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - William R Heath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li H, Mao H, Chen C, Xu Y, Meng S, Sun T, Zong C. Efficient synthesis of α-galactosylceramide and its C-6 modified analogs. Front Chem 2022; 10:1039731. [PMID: 36505742 PMCID: PMC9732566 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1039731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of α-galactosylceramide (KRN7000) and its C-6 modified analogs remains a challenge due to the difficult α-1,2-cis-glycosidic bond. A non-participating benzyl (Bn) protecting group has been commonly used to favor the α-glycosylation product. Here, we report the α-selective glycosylation by using a bulky 4,6-O-di-tert-butylsilylene (DTBS) galactosyl donor, regardless of the 2-benzoyl (Bz) participating group. Compared with Bn, Bz groups can be selectively removed in basic conditions without impacting the C-6 azide modification. The azide has the potential for clicking with alkyne or being easily transformed to other functional groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Hongzhao Mao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | | | - Ying Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Shuai Meng
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Tiantian Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Chengli Zong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou, China,*Correspondence: Chengli Zong,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Saavedra-Avila NA, Dellabona P, Casorati G, Veerapen N, Besra GS, Howell AR, Porcelli SA. A humanized mouse model for in vivo evaluation of invariant Natural Killer T cell responses. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1011209. [PMID: 36263021 PMCID: PMC9574442 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1011209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells mediate immune responses when stimulated by glycolipid agonists presented by CD1d. In extensive studies of synthetic analogues of α-galactosyl ceramides, we identified numerous examples of significant differences in the recognition of specific glycolipids in wild type mice versus human iNKT cell clones or PBMC samples. To predict human iNKT cell responses more accurately in a mouse model, we derived a mouse line in which compound genetic modifications were used to express a human-like iNKT cell TCR along with human CD1d in place of the endogenous mouse proteins. Detailed transcriptional and phenotypic profiling demonstrated that these partially humanized mice developed an expanded population of T cells recognizing CD1d-presented glycolipid antigens, among which a subset characterized by expression of chemokine receptor CXCR6 had features characteristic of authentic iNKT cells. Responses to iNKT cell activating glycolipids in these mice generated cytokine production in vitro and in vivo that showed a pattern of fine specificity that closely resembled that of cultured human iNKT cell clones. Anti-tumor responses to variants of α-galactosyl ceramide in VαKI mice also correlated with their potency for stimulating human iNKT cells. This genetically modified mouse line provides a practical model for human presentation and recognition of iNKT cell activators in the context of a normally functioning immune system, and may furnish valuable opportunities for preclinical evaluation of iNKT cell-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paolo Dellabona
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Casorati
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Natacha Veerapen
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gurdyal S. Besra
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Amy R. Howell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Steven A. Porcelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Oh SF, Jung DJ, Choi E. Gut Microbiota-Derived Unconventional T Cell Ligands: Contribution to Host Immune Modulation. Immunohorizons 2022; 6:476-487. [PMID: 35868838 PMCID: PMC9924074 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2200006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides the prototypic innate and adaptive pathways, immune responses by innate-like lymphocytes have gained significant attention due to their unique roles. Among innate-like lymphocytes, unconventional T cells such as NKT cells and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells recognize small nonpeptide molecules of specific chemical classes. Endogenous or microbial ligands are loaded to MHC class I-like molecule CD1d or MR1, and inducing immediate effector T cell and ligand structure is one of the key determinants of NKT/MAIT cell functions. Unconventional T cells are in close, constant contact with symbiotic microbes at the mucosal layer, and CD1d/MR1 can accommodate diverse metabolites produced by gut microbiota. There is a strong interest to identify novel immunoactive molecules of endobiotic (symbiont-produced) origin as new NKT/MAIT cell ligands, as well as new cognate Ags for previously uncharacterized unconventional T cell subsets. Further studies will open an possibility to explore basic biology as well as therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sungwhan F. Oh
- Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Da-Jung Jung
- Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Eungyo Choi
- Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Romanò C, Clausen MH. Chemical Biology of αGalCer: a Chemist’s Toolbox for the Stimulation of Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) Cells. European J Org Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202200246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Romanò
- Technical University of Denmark: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet Department of Chemisty Kemitorvet 207 2800 Kgs. Lyngby DENMARK
| | - Mads Hartvig Clausen
- Technical University of Denmark Department of Chemistry Kemitorvet, Building 201 2800 Kgs. Lyngby DENMARK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Synthesis, Characterization, DFT study and Molecular Docking of (Z)-4-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzylidene)amino)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one and its Metal Complexes. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.131674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
12
|
Goto Y. Unique symbiont-derived sphingolipids: Dietary amino acids source branch formation. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:3-5. [PMID: 35026134 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Metabolites derived from symbionts have the potential to regulate host pathophysiological conditions, especially in the gut. In a recent issue of Nature, Oh et al. clarify unique molecular structures of α-galactosylceramides derived from B. fragilis and their immune-modulatory functions against host natural killer T (NKT) cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Goto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Division of Mucosal Symbiosis, International Research and Development Center for Mucosal Vaccines, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Meijlink MA, Chua YC, Chan STS, Anderson RJ, Rosenberg MW, Cozijnsen A, Mollard V, McFadden GI, Draper SL, Holz LE, Hermans IF, Heath WR, Painter GF, Compton BJ. 6″-Modifed α-GalCer-peptide conjugate vaccine candidates protect against liver-stage malaria. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:551-560. [PMID: 35656478 PMCID: PMC9092427 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00251a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-adjuvanting vaccines consisting of peptide epitopes conjugated to immune adjuvants are a powerful way of generating antigen-specific immune responses. We previously showed that a Plasmodium-derived peptide conjugated to a rearranged form of α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) could stimulate liver-resident memory T (TRM) cells that were effective killers of liver-stage Plasmodium berghei ANKA (Pba)-infected cells. To investigate if similar or even superior TRM responses can be induced by modifying the α-GalCer adjuvant, we created new conjugate vaccine cadidates by attaching an immunogenic Plasmodium-derived peptide antigen to 6″-substituted α-GalCer analogues. Vaccine synthesis involved developing an efficient route to α-galactosylphytosphingosine (α-GalPhs), from which the prototypical iNKT cell agonist, α-GalCer, and its 6″-deoxy-6″-thio and -amino analogues were derived. Attaching a cathepsin B-cleavable linker to the 6″-modified α-GalCer created pro-adjuvants bearing a pendant ketone group available for peptide conjugation. Optimized reaction conditions were developed that allow for the efficient conjugation of peptide antigens to the pro-adjuvants via oxime ligation to create new glycolipid-peptide (GLP) conjugate vaccines. A single dose of the vaccine candidates induced acute NKT and Plasmodium-specific CD8+ T cell responses that generated potent hepatic TRM responses in mice. Our findings demonstrate that attaching antigenic peptides to 6″-modifed α-GalCer generates powerful self-adjuvanting conjugate vaccine candidates that could potentially control hepatotropic infections such as liver-stage malaria. Candidate vaccines comprised of peptide antigen conjugated to 6″-modified α-GalCer analogues generate potent hepatic TRM responses in mice with a single dose inducing protective immunity against malaria in a Plasmodium sporozoite challenge model.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Meijlink
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Yu Cheng Chua
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Susanna T. S. Chan
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Regan J. Anderson
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Matthew W. Rosenberg
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Anton Cozijnsen
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourntie, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Vanessa Mollard
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourntie, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Sarah L. Draper
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Lauren E. Holz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian F. Hermans
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
- Avalia Immunotherapies Limited, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - William R. Heath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gavin F. Painter
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
- Avalia Immunotherapies Limited, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin J. Compton
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Host immunomodulatory lipids created by symbionts from dietary amino acids. Nature 2021; 600:302-307. [PMID: 34759313 PMCID: PMC8999822 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04083-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Small molecules derived from symbiotic microbiota critically contribute to intestinal immune maturation and regulation1. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control immune development in the host-microbiota environment. Here, using a targeted lipidomic analysis and synthetic approach, we carried out a multifaceted investigation of immunomodulatory α-galactosylceramides from the human symbiont Bacteroides fragilis (BfaGCs). The characteristic terminal branching of BfaGCs is the result of incorporation of branched-chain amino acids taken up in the host gut by B. fragilis. A B. fragilis knockout strain that cannot metabolize branched-chain amino acids showed reduced branching in BfaGCs, and mice monocolonized with this mutant strain had impaired colonic natural killer T (NKT) cell regulation, implying structure-specific immunomodulatory activity. The sphinganine chain branching of BfaGCs is a critical determinant of NKT cell activation, which induces specific immunomodulatory gene expression signatures and effector functions. Co-crystal structure and affinity analyses of CD1d-BfaGC-NKT cell receptor complexes confirmed the interaction of BfaGCs as CD1d-restricted ligands. We present a structural and molecular-level paradigm of immunomodulatory control by interactions of endobiotic metabolites with diet, microbiota and the immune system.
Collapse
|
15
|
Kharkwal SS, Johndrow CT, Veerapen N, Kharkwal H, Saavedra-Avila NA, Carreño LJ, Rothberg S, Zhang J, Garforth SJ, Jervis PJ, Zhang L, Donda A, Besra AK, Cox LR, Almo SC, Howell A, Evans EE, Zauderer M, Besra GS, Porcelli SA. Serial Stimulation of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells with Covalently Stabilized Bispecific T-cell Engagers Generates Antitumor Immunity While Avoiding Anergy. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1788-1801. [PMID: 33483371 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) mediate strong antitumor immunity when stimulated by glycolipid agonists. However, attempts to develop effective iNKT cell agonists for clinical applications have been thwarted by potential problems with dose-limiting toxicity and by activation-induced iNKT cell anergy, which limits the efficacy of repeated administration. To overcome these issues, we developed a unique bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) based on covalent conjugates of soluble CD1d with photoreactive analogues of the glycolipid α-galactosylceramide. Here we characterize the in vivo activities of iNKT cell-specific BiTEs and assess their efficacy for cancer immunotherapy in mouse models using transplantable colorectal cancer or melanoma tumor lines engineered to express human Her2 as a tumor-associated antigen. Systemic administration of conjugated BiTEs stimulated multiple iNKT cell effector functions including cytokine release, secondary activation of NK cells, and induction of dendritic cell maturation and also initiated epitope spreading for tumor-specific CD8+ cytolytic T-cell responses. The antitumor effects of iNKT-cell activation with conjugated BiTEs were further enhanced by simultaneous checkpoint blockade with antibodies to CTLA-4, providing a potential approach for combination immunotherapy. Multiple injections of covalently stabilized iNKT cell-specific BiTEs activated iNKT cells without causing iNKT cell anergy or exhaustion, thus enabling repeated administration for effective and nontoxic cancer immunotherapy regimens. SIGNIFICANCE: Covalently stabilized conjugates that engage the antigen receptors of iNKT cells and target a tumor antigen activate potent antitumor immunity without induction of anergy or depletion of the responding iNKT cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shalu Sharma Kharkwal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.,Elstar Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher T Johndrow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Natacha Veerapen
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Himanshu Kharkwal
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Montefiore Medical Centre, Bronx, New York
| | - Noemi A Saavedra-Avila
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Leandro J Carreño
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.,Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Samantha Rothberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Jinghang Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Scott J Garforth
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Peter J Jervis
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Lianjun Zhang
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Center for Systems Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Alena Donda
- Department of Oncology and Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amareeta K Besra
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Liam R Cox
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Gurdyal S Besra
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A Porcelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Natural and synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccine adjuvants and their mechanisms of action. Nat Rev Chem 2021; 5:197-216. [PMID: 37117529 PMCID: PMC7829660 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-020-00244-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Modern subunit vaccines based on homogeneous antigens offer more precise targeting and improved safety compared with traditional whole-pathogen vaccines. However, they are also less immunogenic and require an adjuvant to increase the immunogenicity of the antigen and potentiate the immune response. Unfortunately, few adjuvants have sufficient potency and low enough toxicity for clinical use, highlighting the urgent need for new, potent and safe adjuvants. Notably, a number of natural and synthetic carbohydrate structures have been used as adjuvants in clinical trials, and two have recently been approved in human vaccines. However, naturally derived carbohydrate adjuvants are heterogeneous, difficult to obtain and, in some cases, unstable. In addition, their molecular mechanisms of action are generally not fully understood, partly owing to the lack of tools to elucidate their immune-potentiating effects, thus hampering the rational development of optimized adjuvants. To address these challenges, modification of the natural product structure using synthetic chemistry emerges as an attractive approach to develop well-defined, improved carbohydrate-containing adjuvants and chemical probes for mechanistic investigation. This Review describes selected examples of natural and synthetic carbohydrate-based adjuvants and their application in synthetic self-adjuvanting vaccines, while also discussing current understanding of their molecular mechanisms of action.
Collapse
|
17
|
Saavedra-Avila NA, Keshipeddy S, Guberman-Pfeffer MJ, Pérez-Gallegos A, Saini NK, Schäfer C, Carreño LJ, Gascón JA, Porcelli SA, Howell AR. Amide-Linked C4″-Saccharide Modification of KRN7000 Provides Potent Stimulation of Human Invariant NKT Cells and Anti-Tumor Immunity in a Humanized Mouse Model. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:3176-3186. [PMID: 33296161 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Activation of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells by α-galactosylceramides (α-GalCers) stimulates strong immune responses and potent anti-tumor immunity. Numerous modifications of the glycolipid structure have been assessed to derive activating ligands for these T cells with altered and potentially advantageous properties in the induction of immune responses. Here, we synthesized variants of the prototypical α-GalCer, KRN7000, with amide-linked phenyl alkane substitutions on the C4″-position of the galactose ring. We show that these variants have weak iNKT cell stimulating activity in mouse models but substantially greater activity for human iNKT cells. The most active of the C4″-amides in our study showed strong anti-tumor effects in a partially humanized mouse model for iNKT cell responses. In silico analysis suggested that the tether length and degree of flexibility of the amide substituent affected the recognition by iNKT cell antigen receptors of the C4″-amide substituted glycolipids in complex with their antigen presenting molecule CD1d. Our findings establish the use of stable C4″-amide linked additions to the sugar moiety for further exploration of the immunological effects of structural modifications of iNKT cell activating glycolipids and highlight the critical need for more accurate animal models to assess these compounds for immunotherapeutic potential in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Santosh Keshipeddy
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3060, United States
| | | | | | | | - Carolina Schäfer
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Leandro J. Carreño
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - José A Gascón
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3060, United States
| | | | - Amy R. Howell
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3060, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Challenges of iNKT cell-based antitumor immunotherapies. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 18:1077-1078. [PMID: 32523114 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0479-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
|
19
|
Florean C, Dicato M, Diederich M. Immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory marine compounds against cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 80:58-72. [PMID: 32070764 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The recent advances in cancer immunotherapy confirm the crucial role of the immune system in cancer progression and treatment. Chronic inflammation and reduced immune surveillance are both features of the tumor microenvironment. Strategies aimed at reverting pro-tumor inflammation and stimulating the antitumor immune components are being actively searched, and the anticancer effects of many candidate drugs have been linked to their ability to modulate the immune system. Marine organisms constitute a rich reservoir of new bioactive molecules; some of them have already been exploited for pharmaceutical use, whereas many others are undergoing clinical or preclinical investigations for the treatment of different diseases, including cancer. In this review, we will discuss the immune-modulatory properties of marine compounds for their potential use in cancer prevention and treatment and as possible tools in the context of cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Florean
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, L-2540 Luxembourg
| | - Mario Dicato
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, L-2540 Luxembourg
| | - Marc Diederich
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hidaka Y, Kiya N, Yoritate M, Usui K, Hirai G. Synthesis of CH2-linked α-galactosylceramide and its glucose analogues through glycosyl radical-mediated direct C-glycosylation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:4712-4715. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cc00785d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Direct C-glycosylation of a conformationally constrained and stable C1-sp3 hybridized carbohydrate donor with a carefully designed sphingosine unit afforded the CH2-linked analogue of antitumor-active KRN7000 and its glucose congener.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hidaka
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Kyushu University
- Fukuoka 812-8582
- Japan
| | - Noriaki Kiya
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Kyushu University
- Fukuoka 812-8582
- Japan
| | - Makoto Yoritate
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Kyushu University
- Fukuoka 812-8582
- Japan
| | - Kazuteru Usui
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Kyushu University
- Fukuoka 812-8582
- Japan
| | - Go Hirai
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Kyushu University
- Fukuoka 812-8582
- Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Washah H, Agoni C, Olotu FA, Munsamy G, Soliman MES. Tweaking α -Galactoceramides: Probing the Dynamical Mechanisms of Improved Recognition for Invariant Natural Killer T-cell Receptor in Cancer Immunotherapeutics. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2019; 21:1354-1367. [PMID: 31738132 DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666191118103342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The last few decades have witnessed groundbreaking research geared towards immune surveillance mechanisms and have yielded significant improvements in the field of cancer immunotherapy. This approach narrows down on the development of therapeutic agents that either activate or enhance the recognitive function of the immune system to facilitate the destruction of malignant cells. The α -galactosylceramide derivative, KRN7000, is an immunotherapeutic agent that has gained attention due to its pharmacological ability to activate CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T(iNKT) cells with notable potency against cancer cells in mouse models; a therapeutic success was not well replicated in human models. Dual structural modification of KRN7000 entailing the incorporation of hydrocinnamoyl ester on C6" and C4-OH truncation of the sphingoid base led to the development of AH10-7 which, interestingly, exhibited high potency in human cells. OBJECTIVE/METHODS Therefore, to gain molecular insights into the structural dynamics and selective mechanisms of AH10-7 for human variants, we employed integrative molecular dynamics simulations and thermodynamic calculations to investigate the inhibitory activities of KRN7000 andAH10-7 on hTCR-CD1d towards activating iNKT. RESULTS Interestingly, our findings revealed that AH10-7 exhibited higher affinity binding and structural effects on hTCR-CD1d, as mediated by the incorporated hydrocinnamoyl ester moiety which accounted for stronger intermolecular interactions with 'non-common' binding site residues. CONCLUSION Findings extracted from this study further reveal important molecular and structural perspectives that could aid in the design of novel α-GalCer derivatives for cancer immunotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Houda Washah
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Clement Agoni
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Fisayo A Olotu
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Geraldene Munsamy
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E S Soliman
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Paul S, Chhatar S, Mishra A, Lal G. Natural killer T cell activation increases iNOS +CD206 - M1 macrophage and controls the growth of solid tumor. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:208. [PMID: 31387637 PMCID: PMC6685184 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0697-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background NKT cells play an important role in anti-tumor immunity. Alpha-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a synthetic glycolipid is presented to natural killer T (NKT) cells by most antigen-presenting cells through CD1d molecules leading to activation of NKT cells. However, the precise mechanisms of how α-GalCer-activated NKT regulate the polarization of the macrophages and effector T cells in the solid tumor are not studied adequately. Methods We induced solid tumor in C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneous injection of B16F10 cell line (1 X 106 cells) and monitored the tumor growth. Animals were given an intraperitoneal injection of α-GalCer (2 μg/injection) in 200 μl PBS on day + 1, + 5, + 10, + 15, and + 20 (with respect to tumor cell injection). Immune cells were characterized using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. NK cells, Gr1+ cells, and F4/80+ macrophages in the mice were depleted by intravenous injection of cell-specific antibodies. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test or one-way ANOVA. Results Our results showed that intratumoral NKT cells have a lower frequency of CD69, CD25, CD122, and IFN-γR expression; produced less inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and GM-CSF; higher frequency CD62L+ NKT cells; and also showed reduced proliferation as compared to the splenic NKT cells. Mice treated with α-GalCer showed a significantly increased frequency of IFN-γ-producing NKT cells, CD8+ T cells, and effector Th1 cells. Depletion of NK cells in α-GalCer-treated mice showed a lower frequency of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the tumor and prevented the α-GalCer-induced tumor growth. NKT cell activation with α-GalCer treatment significantly increased the iNOS+CD206− M1-macrophages and reduced the iNOS−CD206+ M2-macrophages in the spleen and tumor, and depletion of F4/80+ macrophages prevented the α-GalCer-induced reduction in the tumor growth. Conclusions We showed that activation of NKT cell with α-GalCer modulates the frequency of M1-macrophages and effector Th1 cells in the secondary lymphoid tissues and tumor microenvironment and inhibit tumor growth. The finding suggests that activation of NKT cells with α-GalCer may provide an effective anti-cancer outcome. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40425-019-0697-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Paul
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
| | - Sushanta Chhatar
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
| | - Amrita Mishra
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India
| | - Girdhari Lal
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhang Y, Springfield R, Chen S, Li X, Feng X, Moshirian R, Yang R, Yuan W. α-GalCer and iNKT Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapy: Realizing the Therapeutic Potentials. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1126. [PMID: 31244823 PMCID: PMC6562299 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
NKT cells are CD1d-restricted innate-like T cells expressing both T cell receptor and NK cell markers. The major group of NKT cells in both human and mice is the invariant NKT (iNKT) cells and the best-known function of iNKT cells is their potent anti-tumor function in mice. Since its discovery 25 years ago, the prototype ligand of iNKT cells, α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) has been used in over 30 anti-tumor clinical trials with mostly suboptimal outcomes. To realize its therapeutic potential, numerous preclinical models have been developed to optimize the scheme and strategies for α-GalCer-based cancer immunotherapies. Nevertheless, since there is no standard protocol for α-GalCer delivery, we reviewed the preclinical studies with a focus on B16 melanoma model in the goal of identifying the best treatment schemes for α-GalCer treatment. We then reviewed the current progress in developing more clinically relevant mouse models for these preclinical studies, most notably the generation of new mouse models with a humanized CD1d/iNKT cell system. With ever-emerging novel iNKT cell ligands, invention of novel α-GalCer delivery strategies and significantly improved preclinical models for optimizing these new strategies, one can be hopeful that the full potential of anti-tumor potential for α-GalCer will be realized in the not too distant future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingting Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ryan Springfield
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Siyang Chen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Xiaotian Feng
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rosa Moshirian
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rirong Yang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Weiming Yuan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hu L, Zhao C, Ma J, Jing Y, Du Y. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of α-galactopyranosylceramide mimics promoting Th2 cytokines production. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:1357-1362. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
|
25
|
Kim H, Song H, Park JG, Lee DS, Park SB. Development of α-GalCer Analogues with an α-Fluorocarbonyl Moiety as Th2-Selective Ligands of CD1d. ACS Med Chem Lett 2019; 10:773-779. [PMID: 31097998 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of α-GalCer analogues containing an α-fluorocarbonyl moiety at the terminal position of the acyl chain were designed for targeting polar residues in the hydrophobic cavity of CD1d using a structure-based approach. The acyl chain length was efficiently adjusted by an asymmetric alkyne-alkyne cross coupling strategy, and the newly synthesized α-GalCer analogues showed the high Th2-selective activity of iNKT cells. The biased activity of ligands could be caused by the hydrogen-bonding interaction between ligands and CD1d according to the Th2-selective cytokine secretion and molecular docking studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyunsoo Kim
- CRI Center for Chemical Proteomics, Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Heebum Song
- CRI Center for Chemical Proteomics, Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jun-Gyu Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Dong-Sup Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Seung Bum Park
- CRI Center for Chemical Proteomics, Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Amador-Molina A, Trejo-Moreno C, Romero-Rodríguez D, Sada-Ovalle I, Pérez-Cárdenas E, Lamoyi E, Moreno J, Lizano M. Vaccination with human papillomavirus-18 E1 protein plus α-galactosyl-ceramide induces CD8 + cytotoxic response and impairs the growth of E1-expressing tumors. Vaccine 2019; 37:1219-1228. [PMID: 30704821 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
CD8+ T cell-mediated immune response plays a major role in the clearance of virus-infected cells, including human papillomavirus (HPV). The effective treatment of women with normal cytology but persistent high risk-HPV infection or with low-grade intraepithelial lesions could take advantage of novel strategies based on vaccination with viral immunological targets with a wide spectrum of cross-protection. The helicase E1, expressed early during viral replication in HPV infection, is among the most conserved papillomavirus proteins, which makes it a good vaccine candidate. In the present study, we examined E1-specific CD8+ T cell and NK immune responses in a mouse model with α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) as an adjuvant. We found that mice immunized with E1 combined with α-GalCer elicited an E1-specific CD8+ T and NK cell cytotoxic responses, which correlated with growth inhibition of grafted melanoma B16-F0 cells expressing E1, both in prophylactic and therapeutic protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Amador-Molina
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Av. San Fernando No. 22, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Cesar Trejo-Moreno
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Av. San Fernando No. 22, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Damaris Romero-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Integrativa, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Isabel Sada-Ovalle
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Integrativa, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Enrique Pérez-Cárdenas
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Av. San Fernando No. 22, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Edmundo Lamoyi
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - José Moreno
- Dirección de Investigación, Hospital Juárez de México, Ciudad de México 07760, Mexico
| | - Marcela Lizano
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Av. San Fernando No. 22, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico; Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|