Mannose Glycoconjugates Functionalized at Positions 1 and 6. Binding Analysis to DC-SIGN Using Biosensors

Molecular recognition of Escherichia coli R1-type core lipooligosaccharide by DC-SIGN

Due to their ability to recognize carbohydrate structures, lectins emerged as potential receptors for bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Despite growing interest in investigating the association between host receptor lectins and exogenous glycan ligands, the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial recognition by human lectins are still not fully understood. We contributed to fill this gap by unveiling the molecular basis of the interaction between the lipooligosaccharide of Escherichia coli and the dendritic cell-specific intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAM)-3 grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN). Specifically, a combination of different techniques, including fluorescence microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, NMR spectroscopy, and computational studies, demonstrated that DC-SIGN binds to the purified deacylated R1 lipooligosaccharide mainly through the recognition of its outer core pentasaccharide, which acts as a crosslinker between two different tetrameric units of DC-SIGN. Our results contribute to a better understanding of DC-SIGN-LPS interaction and may support the development of pharmacological and immunostimulatory strategies for bacterial infections, prevention, and therapy.

Adenovirus-Inspired Virus-Like-Particles Displaying Melanoma Tumor Antigen Specifically Target Human DC Subsets and Trigger Antigen-Specific Immune Responses

Virus-like particles constitute versatile vectors that can be used as vaccine platforms in many fields from infectiology and more recently to oncology. We previously designed non-infectious adenovirus-inspired 60-mer dodecahedric virus-like particles named ADDomers displaying on their surface either a short epitope or a large tumor/viral antigen. In this work, we explored for the first time the immunogenicity of ADDomers exhibiting melanoma-derived tumor antigen/epitope and their impact on the features of human dendritic cell (DC) subsets. We first demonstrated that ADDomers displaying tumor epitope/antigen elicit a strong immune-stimulating potential of human DC subsets (cDC2s, cDC1s, pDCs), which were able to internalize and cross-present tumor antigen, and subsequently cross-prime antigen-specific T-cell responses. To further limit off-target effects and enhance DC targeting, we engineered specific motifs to de-target epithelial cells and improve DCs’ addressing. The improved engineered platform making it possible to display large antigen represents a tool to overcome the barrier of immune allele restriction, broadening the immune response, and paving the way to its potential utilization in humans as an off-the-shelf vaccine.

Molecular Recognition in C-Type Lectins: The Cases of DC-SIGN, Langerin, MGL, and L-Sectin

Carbohydrates play a pivotal role in intercellular communication processes. In particular, glycan antigens are key for sustaining homeostasis, helping leukocytes to distinguish damaged tissues and invading pathogens from healthy tissues. From a structural perspective, this cross-talk is fairly complex, and multiple membrane proteins guide these recognition processes, including lectins and Toll-like receptors. Since the beginning of this century, lectins have become potential targets for therapeutics for controlling and/or avoiding the progression of pathologies derived from an incorrect immune outcome, including infectious processes, cancer, or autoimmune diseases. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of these receptors is mandatory for the development of specific treatments. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about four key C-type lectins whose importance has been steadily growing in recent years, focusing in particular on how glycan recognition takes place at the molecular level, but also looking at recent progresses in the quest for therapeutics.

Convergent chemical synthesis of the pentasaccharide repeating unit of the O-antigen from E. coli O158

Synthesis of the pentasaccharide repeating unit of the O-antigen fromE. coliO158 through a convergent [3 + 2] strategy is reported.

Detection and quantitative analysis of two independent binding modes of a small ligand responsible for DC-SIGN clustering

Multiple binding modes at the same binding site can explain the higher binding affinity of a pseudotrimannotrioside compared to a pseudomannobioside.

Anti-HIV-1 activity of a tripodal receptor that recognizes mannose oligomers

The glycoprotein gp120 of the HIV-1 viral envelope has a high content in mannose residues, particularly α-1,2-mannose oligomers. Compounds that interact with these high-mannose type glycans may disturb the interaction between gp120 and its (co)receptors and are considered potential anti-HIV agents. Previously, we demonstrated that a tripodal receptor (1), with a central scaffold of 1,3,5-triethylbenzene substituted with three 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoyl groups, selectively recognizes α-1,2-mannose polysaccharides. Here we present additional studies to determine the anti-HIV-1 activity and the mechanism of antiviral activity of this compound. Our studies indicate that 1 shows anti-HIV-1 activity in the low micromolar range and has pronounced gp120 binding and HIV-1 integrase inhibitory capacity. However, gp120 binding rather than integrase inhibition seems to be the primary mechanism of antiviral activity of 1.

Importance of topology for glycocluster binding to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia ambifaria bacterial lectins

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and Burkholderia ambifaria (BA) are two opportunistic Gram negative bacteria and major infectious agents involved in lung infection of cystic fibrosis patients. Both bacteria can develop resistance to conventional antibiotherapies. An alternative strategy consists of targeting virulence factors in particular lectins with high affinity ligands such as multivalent glycoclusters. LecA (PA-IL) and LecB (PA-IIL) are two tetravalent lectins from PA that recognise galactose and fucose respectively. BambL lectin from BA is trimeric with 2 binding sites per monomer and is also specific for fucose. These three lectins are potential therapeutic targets in an anti-adhesive anti-bacterial approach. Herein, we report the synthesis of 18 oligonucleotide pentofuranose-centered or mannitol-centered glycoclusters leading to tri-, penta- or decavalent clusters with different topologies. The linker arm length between the core and the carbohydrate epitope was also varied leading to 9 galactoclusters targeting LecA and 9 fucoclusters targeting both LecB and BambL. Their dissociation constants (Kd) were determined using a DNA-based carbohydrate microarray technology. The trivalent xylo-centered galactocluster and the ribo-centered fucocluster exhibited the best affinity for LecA and LecB respectively while the mannitol-centered decafucocluster displayed the best affinity to BambL. These data demonstrated that the topology and nature of linkers were the predominant factors for achieving high affinity rather than valency.

Quinoxalinone Inhibitors of the Lectin DC-SIGN

The C-type lectin dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) can serve as a docking site for pathogens on the surface of dendritic cells. Pathogen binding to DC-SIGN can have diverse consequences for the host. DC-SIGN can facilitate HIV-1 dissemination, but the interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with DC-SIGN is important for host immunity. The ability of pathogens to target DC-SIGN provides impetus to identify ligands that can perturb these interactions. Here, we describe the first stable small molecule inhibitors of DC-SIGN. These inhibitors were derived from a collection of quinoxalinones, which were assembled using a tandem cross metathesis-hydrogenation sequence. To assess the ability of these small molecules to block DC-SIGN-mediated glycan adhesion and internalization, we developed a sensitive flow cytometry assay. Our results reveal that the quinoxalinones are effective inhibitors of DC-SIGN-glycan interactions. These compounds block both glycan binding to cells and glycan internalization. We anticipate that these non-carbohydrate inhibitors can be used to elucidate the role of DC-SIGN in pathogenesis and immune function.

5-thiomannosides block the biosynthesis of dolichol-linked oligosaccharides and mimic class I congenital disorders of glycosylation

In a cell-based assay for novel inhibitors, we have discovered that two glycosides of 5-thiomannose, each containing an interglycosidic nitrogen atom, prevented the correct zymogen processing of the prohormone proopiomelanocortinin (POMC) and the transcription factor sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) in mouse pituitary cells and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, respectively. In the case of SREBP-2, these effects were correlated with the altered N-linked glycosylation of subtilisin/kexin-like isozyme-1 (SKI-1), the protease responsible for SREBP-2 processing under sterol-limiting conditions. Further examination of the effects of these compounds in CHO cells showed that they cause extensive protein hypoglycosylation in a manner similar to type I congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) since the remaining N-glycans in treated cells were complete (normal) structures. The under-glycosylation of glycoproteins in 5-thiomannoside-treated cells is now shown to be caused by the compromised biosynthesis of the dolichol-linked oligosaccharide (DLO) N-glycosylation donor, although the nucleotide sugars required for the synthesis of DLOs were neither reduced under these conditions, nor were their effects reversed upon the addition of exogenous mannose. Analysis of DLO intermediates by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis demonstrated that 5-thiomannose-containing glycosides block DLO biosynthesis most likely at a stage prior to the GlcNAc(2) Man(3) intermediate, on the cytosolic face of the endoplasmic reticulum.

'Click chemistry' synthesis of a library of 1,2,3-triazole-substituted galactose derivatives and their evaluation against Trypanosoma cruzi and its cell surface trans-sialidase

Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase (TcTS) plays a key role in the recognition and invasion of host cells and in enabling the parasite to escape the human immune response. To explore this potential drug target, we have synthesized a small library of substrate analogues based on 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives of galactose modified at either the C-1 or C-6 positions. This was achieved by coupling the appropriate azido-sugars with a panel of 23 structurally diverse terminal alkynes by using the copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction, giving a library of 46 derivatives in good to excellent yield and with complete regioselectivity. The sugar triazoles showed weak inhibition towards TcTS-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2'-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-alpha-d-N-acetylneuraminic acid in vitro (<40% inhibition at 1mM concentration); many of the compounds assessed proved to be acceptor substrates for the enzyme. Despite this modest inhibitory activity, in vitro trypanocidal activity assays against the trypomastigote form of T. cruzi Y strain revealed several compounds active in the low 100s of muM range. Further assessment of these compounds against cultured mouse spleen cells suggests a specific mode of anti-parasite action rather than a generic cytotoxic effect.

Synthesis of 3-N-sugar-substituted-2, 4(1H,3H)-quinazolinedionesas anti-angiogenesis agents

A series of novel 3-N-sugar-substituted quinazolinediones were synthesized through the cyclization of the intermediate 2-aminobenzamides using triphosgene as the condensing reagent. Their anti-angiogenesis activities were investigated. The compound 3-(2'-aminoglucosyl)-2,4-(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione, (5d) showed good anti-angiogenesis activity.

Synthesis of novel DC-SIGN ligands with an alpha-fucosylamide anchor

The dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) is a C-type lectin that appears to perform several different functions. Besides mediating adhesion between dendritic cells and T lymphocytes, DC-SIGN recognizes several pathogens some of which, including HIV, appear to exploit it to invade host organisms. The intriguing diversity of the roles attributed to DC-SIGN and their therapeutic implications have stimulated the search for new ligands that could be used as biological probes and possibly as lead compounds for drug development. The natural ligands of DC-SIGN consist of mannose oligosaccharides or fucose-containing Lewis-type determinants. Using the known 3D structure of the Lewis-x trisaccharide, we have identified some monovalent alpha-fucosylamides that bind to DC-SIGN with inhibitory constants 0.4-0.5 mM, as determined by SPR, and have characterized their interaction with the protein by STD NMR spectroscopy. This work establishes for the first time alpha-fucosylamides as functional mimics of chemically and enzymatically unstable alpha-fucosides and describes interesting candidates for the preparation of multivalent systems able to block the receptor DC-SIGN with high affinity and with potential biomedical applications.