CuAAC synthesis of resorcin[4]arene-based glycoclusters as multivalent ligands of lectins

Molecular Recognition of Glycan-Bearing Glycomacromolecules Presented at Membrane Surfaces by Lectins: An NMR View

Lectin-glycan interactions are at the heart of a multitude of biological events. Glycans are usually presented in a multivalent manner on the cell surface as part of the so-called glycocalyx, where they interact with other entities. This multivalent presentation allows us to overcome the typical low affinities found for individual glycan-lectin interactions. Indeed, the presentation of glycans may drastically impact their binding by lectins, highly affecting the corresponding binding affinity and even selectivity. In this context, we herein present the study of the interaction of a variety of homo- and heteromultivalent lactose-functionalized glycomacromolecules and their lipid conjugates with two human galectins. We have employed as ligands the glycomacromolecules, as well as liposomes decorated with those structures, to evaluate their interactions in a cell-mimicking environment. Key details of the interaction have been unravelled by NMR experiments, both from the ligand and receptor perspectives, complemented by cryo-electron microscopy methods and molecular dynamics simulations.

Peptide-Resorcinarene Conjugates Obtained via Click Chemistry: Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top ten threats to public health, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). One of the causes of the growing AMR problem is the lack of new therapies and/or treatment agents; consequently, many infectious diseases could become uncontrollable. The need to discover new antimicrobial agents that are alternatives to the existing ones and that allow mitigating this problem has increased, due to the rapid and global expansion of AMR. Within this context, both antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and cyclic macromolecules, such as resorcinarenes, have been proposed as alternatives to combat AMR. Resorcinarenes present multiple copies of antibacterial compounds in their structure. These conjugate molecules have exhibited antifungal and antibacterial properties and have also been used in anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, and cardiovascular therapies, as well as being useful in drug and gene delivery systems. In this study, it was proposed to obtain conjugates that contain four copies of AMP sequences over a resorcinarene core. Specifically, obtaining (peptide)₄-resorcinarene conjugates derived from LfcinB (20-25): RRWQWR and BF (32-34): RLLR was explored. First, the synthesis routes that allowed obtaining: (a) alkynyl-resorcinarenes and (b) peptides functionalized with the azide group were established. These precursors were used to generate (c) (peptide)₄-resorcinarene conjugates by azide-alkyne cycloaddition CuAAC, a kind of click chemistry. Finally, the conjugates' biological activity was evaluated: antimicrobial activity against reference strains and clinical isolates of bacteria and fungi, and the cytotoxic activity over erythrocytes, fibroblast, MCF-7, and HeLa cell lines. Our results allowed establishing a new synthetic route, based on click chemistry, for obtaining macromolecules derived from resorcinarenes functionalized with peptides. Moreover, it was possible to identify promising antimicrobial chimeric molecules that may lead to advances in the development of new therapeutic agents.

Glycocalix[4]arenes and their affinity to a library of galectins: the linker matters

Galectins are lectins that bind β-galactosides. They are involved in important extra- and intracellular biological processes such as apoptosis, and regulation of the immune system or the cell cycle. High-affinity ligands of galectins may introduce new therapeutic approaches or become new tools for biomedical research. One way of increasing the low affinity of β-galactoside ligands to galectins is their multivalent presentation, e.g., using calixarenes. We report on the synthesis of glycocalix[4]arenes in cone, partial cone, 1,2-alternate, and 1,3-alternate conformations carrying a lactosyl ligand on three different linkers. The affinity of the prepared compounds to a library of human galectins was determined using competitive ELISA assay and biolayer interferometry. Structure-affinity relationships regarding the influence of the linker and the core structure were formulated. Substantial differences were found between various linker lengths and the position of the triazole unit. The formation of supramolecular clusters was detected by atomic force microscopy. The present work gives a systematic insight into prospective galectin ligands based on the calix[4]arene core.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Alkyne-Azide Cycloaddition (CuAAC) "Click" Reaction: A Powerful Tool for Functionalizing Polyhydroxylated Platforms

Click chemistry is currently one of the most used tools for the generation of complex organic molecules. The advantages of using click chemistry in organic synthesis are remarkable; in many cases, the reactions occur under mild conditions and are free of solvents, with high yields and short reaction times. This makes it an extraordinarily effective and viable alternative for obtaining complex/conjugated molecules. In this review, the use of click chemistry CuAAC is especially emphasized for polyhydroxylated platforms such as resorcinarenes or calixarenes, focusing mainly on aspects of synthesis, specifically conditions, reagents, and methodologies.

A Fucosylated Lactose-Presenting Tetravalent Glycocluster Acting as a Mutual Ligand of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lectins A (PA-IL) and B (PA-IIL)-Synthesis and Interaction Studies

The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic human pathogen associated with cystic fibrosis. P. aeruginosa produces two soluble lectins, the d-galactose-specific lectin PA-IL (LecA) and the l-fucose-specific lectin PA-IIL (LecB), among other virulence factors. These lectins play an important role in the adhesion to host cells and biofilm formation. Moreover, PA-IL is cytotoxic to respiratory cells in the primary culture. Therefore, these lectins are promising therapeutic targets. Specifically, carbohydrate-based compounds could inhibit their activity. In the present work, a 3-O-fucosyl lactose-containing tetravalent glycocluster was synthesized and utilized as a mutual ligand of galactophilic and fucophilic lectins. Pentaerythritol equipped with azido ethylene glycol-linkers was chosen as a multivalent scaffold and the glycocluster was constructed by coupling the scaffold with propargyl 3-O-fucosyl lactoside using an azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. The interactions between the glycocluster and PA-IL or PA-IIL were investigated by isothermal titration microcalorimetry and saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy. These results may assist in the development of efficient anti-adhesion therapy for the treatment of a P. aeruginosa infection.

Structural considerations for building synthetic glycoconjugates as inhibitors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectins

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogenic bacterium, responsible for a large portion of nosocomial infections globally and designated as critical priority by the World Health Organisation. Its characteristic carbohydrate‐binding proteins LecA and LecB, which play a role in biofilm‐formation and lung‐infection, can be targeted by glycoconjugates. Here we review the wide range of inhibitors for these proteins (136 references), highlighting structural features and which impact binding affinity and/or therapeutic effects, including carbohydrate selection; linker length and rigidity; and scaffold topology, particularly for multivalent candidates. We also discuss emerging therapeutic strategies, which build on targeting of LecA and LecB, such as anti‐biofilm activity, anti‐adhesion and drug‐delivery, with promising prospects for medicinal chemistry.

Synthesis, self-assembly and Langerin recognition studies of a resorcinarene-based glycocluster exposing a hyaluronic acid thiodisaccharide mimetic

Herein, we report the synthesis of an octavalent glycocluster exposing a thiodisaccharide mimetic of the repetitive unit of hyaluronic acid, βSGlcA(1 → 3)βSGlcNAc, constructed on a calix[4]resorcinarene scaffold by CuAAC reaction of suitable precursors. This glycocluster showed a strong tendency toward self-aggregation. DOSY-NMR and DLS experiments demonstrated the formation of spherical micelles of d ≅ 6.2 nm, in good agreement. TEM micrographs showed the presence of particles of different sizes, depending on the pH of the starting solution, thus evidencing that the negative charge on the micelle surface due to ionization of the GlcA residues plays an important role in the aggregation process. STD-NMR and DLS experiments provided evidence of the interaction between the synthetic glycocluster and Langerin, a relevant C-type lectin. This interaction was not observed in the STD-NMR experiments performed with the basic disaccharide, providing evidence of a multivalent effect.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed Click Chemistry in Glycoscience and Their Diverse Applications

Copper(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between organic azides and terminal alkynes, commonly known as CuAAC or click chemistry, has been identified as one of the most successful, versatile, reliable, and modular strategies for the rapid and regioselective construction of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles as diversely functionalized molecules. Carbohydrates, an integral part of living cells, have several fascinating features, including their structural diversity, biocompatibility, bioavailability, hydrophilicity, and superior ADME properties with minimal toxicity, which support increased demand to explore them as versatile scaffolds for easy access to diverse glycohybrids and well-defined glycoconjugates for complete chemical, biochemical, and pharmacological investigations. This review highlights the successful development of CuAAC or click chemistry in emerging areas of glycoscience, including the synthesis of triazole appended carbohydrate-containing molecular architectures (mainly glycohybrids, glycoconjugates, glycopolymers, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycoclusters, and glycodendrimers through regioselective triazole forming modular and bio-orthogonal coupling protocols). It discusses the widespread applications of these glycoproducts as enzyme inhibitors in drug discovery and development, sensing, gelation, chelation, glycosylation, and catalysis. This review also covers the impact of click chemistry and provides future perspectives on its role in various emerging disciplines of science and technology.

Cross-Linking Effects Dictate the Preference of Galectins to Bind LacNAc-Decorated HPMA Copolymers

The interaction of multi-LacNAc (Galβ1-4GlcNAc)-containing N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers with human galectin-1 (Gal-1) and the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of human galectin-3 (Gal-3) was analyzed using NMR methods in addition to cryo-electron-microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments. The interaction with individual LacNAc-containing components of the polymer was studied for comparison purposes. For Gal-3 CRD, the NMR data suggest a canonical interaction of the individual small-molecule bi- and trivalent ligands with the lectin binding site and better affinity for the trivalent arrangement due to statistical effects. For the glycopolymers, the interaction was stronger, although no evidence for forming a large supramolecule was obtained. In contrast, for Gal-1, the results indicate the formation of large cross-linked supramolecules in the presence of multivalent LacNAc entities for both the individual building blocks and the polymers. Interestingly, the bivalent and trivalent presentation of LacNAc in the polymer did not produce such an increase, indicating that the multivalency provided by the polymer is sufficient for triggering an efficient binding between the glycopolymer and Gal-1. This hypothesis was further demonstrated by electron microscopy and DLS methods.

Synthesis of Glycodendrimers with Antiviral and Antibacterial Activity

Glycodendrimers are an important class of synthetic macromolecules that can be used to mimic many structural and functional features of cell-surface glycoconjugates. Their carbohydrate moieties perform key important functions in bacterial and viral infections, often regulated by carbohydrate-protein interactions. Several studies have shown that the molecular structure, valency and spatial organisation of carbohydrate epitopes in glycoconjugates are key factors in the specificity and avidity of carbohydrate-protein interactions. Choosing the right glycodendrimers almost always helps to interfere with such interactions and blocks bacterial or viral adhesion and entry into host cells as an effective strategy to inhibit bacterial or viral infections. Herein, the state of the art in the design and synthesis of glycodendrimers employed for the development of anti-adhesion therapy against bacterial and viral infections is described.

Antimicrobial Activity of Calixarenes and Related Macrocycles

Calixarenes and related macrocycles have been shown to have antimicrobial effects since the 1950s. This review highlights the antimicrobial properties of almost 200 calixarenes, resorcinarenes, and pillararenes acting as prodrugs, drug delivery agents, and inhibitors of biofilm formation. A particularly important development in recent years has been the use of macrocycles with substituents terminating in sugars as biofilm inhibitors through their interactions with lectins. Although many examples exist where calixarenes encapsulate, or incorporate, antimicrobial drugs, one of the main factors to emerge is the ability of functionalized macrocycles to engage in multivalent interactions with proteins, and thus inhibit cellular aggregation.

Synthesis of N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylallosamine resorcinarene-based multivalent β-thio-glycoclusters: unexpected affinity of N-acetylallosamine ligands towards Wheat Germ Agglutinin

Herein, we report the synthesis of calix[4]resorcinarene-based multivalent ligands bearing β-S-GlcNAc and β-S-AllNAc recognition elements. A clickable β-S-AllNAc derivative was successfully prepared from a β-thioalkynyl GlcNAc precursor, making use of a 2,3-oxazoline intermediate, easily formed by intramolecular displacement of a triflate group located at the 3-position by the 2-N-acetate group. By reaction of these alkynyl-functionalized derivatives with an octaazido-calix[4]resorcinarene macrocycle having undecyl chains, two octavalent glycoclusters exposing the epimeric N-acetylhexosamines were obtained. In addition, a related calix[4]resorcinarene-based glycocluster having methyl groups instead of undecyl chains and β-S-GlcNAc residues was also synthesized. After an initial evaluation of the interaction of the undecyl-functionalized β-S-GlcNAc octavalent derivative with Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) by a turbidimetry experiment, the interaction of the three synthesized glycoclusters towards WGA was studied by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry. The results showed a favorable effect due to the presence of the undecyl chains in terms of affinity. Surprisingly, the β-S-AllNAc octavalent compound showed the highest affinity among the evaluated glycoclusters, showing for the first time that WGA interacts with β-AllNAc-bearing ligands. Molecular docking studies of β-AllNAc with WGA in comparison with β-GlcNAc contributed to the understanding of the atomic interactions responsible for this unexpected affinity.

Synthesis of β-d-galactopyranoside-Presenting Glycoclusters, Investigation of Their Interactions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lectin A (PA-IL) and Evaluation of Their Anti-Adhesion Potential

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen associated with cystic fibrosis. This bacterium produces, among other virulence factors, a soluble d-galactose-specific lectin PA-IL (LecA). PA-IL plays an important role in the adhesion to the host cells and is also cytotoxic. Therefore, this protein is an interesting therapeutic target, suitable for inhibition by carbohydrate-based compounds. In the current study, β-d-galactopyranoside-containing tri- and tetravalent glycoclusters were synthesized. Methyl gallate and pentaerythritol equipped with propargyl groups were chosen as multivalent scaffolds and the galactoclusters were built from the above-mentioned cores by coupling ethylene or tetraethylene glycol-bridges and peracetylated propargyl β-d-galactosides using 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The interaction between galactoside derivatives and PA-IL was investigated by several biophysical methods, including hemagglutination inhibition assay, isothermal titration calorimetry, analytical ultracentrifugation, and surface plasmon resonance. Their ability to inhibit the adhesion of P. aeruginosa to bronchial cells was determined by ex vivo assay. The newly synthesized multivalent galactoclusters proved to be significantly better ligands than simple d-galactose for lectin PA-IL and as a result, two representatives of the dendrimers were able to decrease adhesion of P. aeruginosa to bronchial cells to approximately 32% and 42%, respectively. The results may provide an opportunity to develop anti-adhesion therapy for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infection.

Sugared biomaterial binding lectins: achievements and perspectives

Lectins, a distinct group of glycan-binding proteins, play a prominent role in the immune system ranging from pathogen recognition and tuning of inflammation to cell adhesion or cellular signalling. The possibilities of their detailed study expanded along with the rapid development of biomaterials in the last decade. The immense knowledge of all aspects of glycan-lectin interactions both in vitro and in vivo may be efficiently used in bioimaging, targeted drug delivery, diagnostic and analytic biological methods. Practically applicable examples comprise photoluminescence and optical biosensors, ingenious three-dimensional carbohydrate microarrays for high-throughput screening, matrices for magnetic resonance imaging, targeted hyperthermal treatment of cancer tissues, selective inhibitors of bacterial toxins and pathogen-recognising lectin receptors, and many others. This review aims to present an up-to-date systematic overview of glycan-decorated biomaterials promising for interactions with lectins, especially those applicable in biology, biotechnology or medicine. The lectins of interest include galectin-1, -3 and -7 participating in tumour progression, bacterial lectins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA-IL), E. coli (Fim-H) and Clostridium botulinum (HA33) or DC-SIGN, receptors of macrophages and dendritic cells. The spectrum of lectin-binding biomaterials covered herein ranges from glycosylated organic structures, calixarene and fullerene cores over glycopeptides and glycoproteins, functionalised carbohydrate scaffolds of cyclodextrin or chitin to self-assembling glycopolymer clusters, gels, micelles and liposomes. Glyconanoparticles, glycan arrays, and other biomaterials with a solid core are described in detail, including inorganic matrices like hydroxyapatite or stainless steel for bioimplants.

Perylenediimide-based glycoclusters as high affinity ligands of bacterial lectins: synthesis, binding studies and anti-adhesive properties

Rapid access to perylenediimide-based glycoclusters allowed their evaluation as high affinity ligands of bacterial lectins and their potential as anti-adhesive antibacterials.

Open-resorcinarenes, a new family of multivalent scaffolds

A new family of multivalent ligand platforms, the open-resorcinarenes, has been prepared in a straightforward two-step reaction. Modification of the core gives a range of topologically diverse scaffolds; functionalisation confirms the versatility of this approach, as shown through the formation of an octacalixarene array.

Pentavalent pillar[5]arene-based glycoclusters and their multivalent binding to pathogenic bacterial lectins

Anti-adhesive glycoclusters offer potential as therapeutic alternatives to classical antibiotics in treating infections. Pillar[5]arenes functionalised with either five galactose or five fucose residues were readily prepared using CuAAC reactions and evaluated for their binding to three therapeutically relevant bacterial lectins: LecA and Lec B from Pseudomonas aeuruginosa and BambL from Burkholderia ambifaria. Steric interactions were demonstrated to be a key factor in achieving good binding to LecA with more flexible galactose glycoclusters showing enhanced activity. In contrast binding to the fucose-selective lectins confirmed the importance of topology of the glycoclusters for activity with the pillar[5]arene ligand proving a selective ligand for BambL.

Pillar[5]arene-Based Glycoclusters: Synthesis and Multivalent Binding to Pathogenic Bacterial Lectins

The synthesis of pillar[5]arene-based glycoclusters has been readily achieved by CuAAC conjugations of azido- and alkyne-functionalized precursors. The lectin binding properties of the resulting glycosylated multivalent ligands have been studied by at least two complementary techniques to provide a good understanding. Three lectins were selected from bacterial pathogens based on their potential therapeutic applications as anti-adhesives, namely LecA and LecB from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and BambL from Burkholderia ambifaria. As a general trend, multivalency improved the binding to lectins and a higher affinity can be obtained by increasing to a certain limit the length of the spacer arm between the carbohydrate subunits and the central macrocyclic core.

Cu-Catalyzed Click Reaction in Carbohydrate Chemistry

Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC), popularly known as the "click reaction", serves as the most potent and highly dependable tool for facile construction of simple to complex architectures at the molecular level. Click-knitted threads of two exclusively different molecular entities have created some really interesting structures for more than 15 years with a broad spectrum of applicability, including in the fascinating fields of synthetic chemistry, medicinal science, biochemistry, pharmacology, material science, and catalysis. The unique properties of the carbohydrate moiety and the advantages of highly chemo- and regioselective click chemistry, such as mild reaction conditions, efficient performance with a wide range of solvents, and compatibility with different functionalities, together produce miraculous neoglycoconjugates and neoglycopolymers with various synthetic, biological, and pharmaceutical applications. In this review we highlight the successful advancement of Cu(I)-catalyzed click chemistry in glycoscience and its applications as well as future scope in different streams of applied sciences.

Expeditive synthesis of trithiotriazine-cored glycoclusters and inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation

Readily accessible, low-valency glycoclusters based on a triazine core bearing D-galactose and L-fucose epitopes are able to inhibit biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These multivalent ligands are simple to synthesize, are highly soluble, and can be either homofunctional or heterofunctional. The galactose-decorated cluster shows good affinity for Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin lecA. They are convenient biological probes for investigating the roles of lecA and lecB in biofilm formation.

Aromatic thioglycoside inhibitors against the virulence factor LecA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Three small families of hydrolytically stable thioaryl glycosides were prepared as inhibitors of the LecA (PA-IL) virulence factor corresponding to the carbohydrate binding lectin from the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The monosaccharidic arylthio β-d-galactopyranosides served as a common template for the major series that was also substituted at the O-3 position. Arylthio disaccharides from lactose and from melibiose constituted the other two series members. In spite of the fact that the natural ligand for LecA is a glycolipid of the globotriaosylceramide having an α-d-galactopyranoside epitope, this study illustrated that the β-d-galactopyranoside configuration having a hydrophobic aglycon could override the requirement toward the anomeric configuration of the natural sugar. The enzyme linked lectin assay together with isothermal titration microcalorimetry established that naphthyl 1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside () gave the best inhibition with an IC50 twenty-three times better than that of the reference methyl α-d-galactopyranoside. In addition it showed a KD of 6.3 μM which was ten times better than that of the reference compound. The X-ray crystal structure of LecA with was also obtained.

Secondary sugar binding site identified for LecA lectin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The galactose-specific lectin LecA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a target for the development of new anti-infectious compounds. Sugar based molecules with anti-adhesive properties present great potential in the fight against bacterial infection and biofilm formation. LecA is specific for oligosaccharides with terminal α-galactoside residues and displays strong affinity for melibiose (αGal1-6Glc) with a Kd of 38.8 µM. The crystal structure of LecA/melibiose complex shows classical calcium-bridged binding of αGal in the primary binding site but also revealed a secondary sugar binding site with glucose bound. This sugar binding site is in close proximity to the galactose binding one, is independent of calcium and mainly involves interactions with a symmetry-related protein. This discovery would help to the design of new potent inhibitors targeting both binding sites.

Multivalent glycoconjugates as anti-pathogenic agents

Multivalency plays a major role in biological processes and particularly in the relationship between pathogenic microorganisms and their host that involves protein-glycan recognition. These interactions occur during the first steps of infection, for specific recognition between host and bacteria, but also at different stages of the immune response. The search for high-affinity ligands for studying such interactions involves the combination of carbohydrate head groups with different scaffolds and linkers generating multivalent glycocompounds with controlled spatial and topology parameters. By interfering with pathogen adhesion, such glycocompounds including glycopolymers, glycoclusters, glycodendrimers and glyconanoparticles have the potential to improve or replace antibiotic treatments that are now subverted by resistance. Multivalent glycoconjugates have also been used for stimulating the innate and adaptive immune systems, for example with carbohydrate-based vaccines. Bacteria present on their surfaces natural multivalent glycoconjugates such as lipopolysaccharides and S-layers that can also be exploited or targeted in anti-infectious strategies.