886034-79-3

Upstream product

• 886034-78-2 benzyl 2,4,6-tri-O-pivaloyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1->4)-2,3,6-tri-O-pivaloyl-β-D-glucopyranoside 
• 74801-29-9 phenyl-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-1-thio-β-D-galactopyranoside 

Relevant academic research and scientific papers

Synthesis and biological evaluation of α-galactosylceramide (KRN7000) and isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3)

Glycoceramides can activate NKT cells by binding with CD1d to produce IFN-γ, IL-4, and other cytokines. An efficient synthetic pathway for α-galactosylceramide (KRN7000) was established by coupling a protected galactose donor to a properly protected ceramide. During the investigation, it was discovered that when the ceramide was protected with benzyl groups, only β-galactosylceramide was produced from the glycosylation reaction. In contrast, the ceramide with benzoyl protecting groups produced α-galactosylceramide. Isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3) was prepared by glycosylation of Galα1-3Galβ1-4Glc donor with 2-azido-sphingosine in high yield. Biological assays on the synthetic KRN7000 and iGb3 were performed using human and murine iNKT cell clones or hybridomas.

Modification of the ceramide moiety of isoglobotrihexosylceramide on its agonist activity in stimulation of invariant natural killer T cells

Isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3) is an endogenous antigen of mammalian cells and can stimulate invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells to evoke autoimmune activities by the release of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines. Th1 cytokines are correlated with the antitumor and antiviral response, while Th2 cytokines are correlated with the amelioration of autoimmune diseases. iGb3 is a very weak agonist compared to the exogenous α-galactosylceramide; however, modification of the ceramide moiety has been advocated as one of the approaches to improve its stimulatory activity and to change the bias of release of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Two analogues of iGb3, 2H-iGb3 and HO-iGb3 with different ceramide moieties, were synthesized. Bioassay results showed that HO-iGb3 was much more effective in stimulating iNKT cells than iGb3 at low concentration. The assay also showed that the CD1d/2H-iGb3 complexes are remarkably efficient in stimulating iNKT cells.