Pitfalls in the synthesis and biological evaluation of sialyl-Lewis(x) mimetics as potential selectin antagonists

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(96)01178-7

The lower molecular weight analog 12 of sialyl Lewis(x) was prepared and effected equal binding affinity to E- and P-selectin compared to the parent tetrasaccharide. If 12 was prepared using acidic ion exchange resins, false positive test were produced, especially binding to P-selectin seemed to be considerably enhanced. Traces of polyanions released from the resins which are difficult to detect by routine analysis were identified to be highly potent selectin inhibitors, probably by their action on a non-carbohydrate binding site.