Chemical Hybridization of Vizantin and Lipid A to Generate a Novel LPS Antagonist

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2016;64(3):246-57. doi: 10.1248/cpb.c15-00828. Epub 2015 Dec 26.

Abstract

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antagonists have attracted considerable interest as promising candidates for the treatment of severe sepsis triggered by Gram-negative bacteria. In this article, we describe the development of a novel LPS antagonist based on chemical hybridization of vizantin and the hydrophobic molecular unit of LPS (lipid A). Vizantin, 6,6'-bis-O-(3-nonyldodecanoyl)-α,α'-trehalose, was designed as an immunostimulator from a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study with trehalose 6,6'-dicorynomycolate (TDCM). Our recent study indicated that vizantin displays adjuvant activity by specifically binding to the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/MD2 protein complex. Because lipid A unit (or LPS) is also known to trigger an inflammatory response via the same TLR4/MD2 complex as vizantin, we designed a hybrid compound of vizantin and lipid A with the aim of developing a novel biofunctional glycolipid. Focusing on the antagonism to Escherichia coli LPS in an in vitro model with human macrophages (THP-1 cells), we identified a potent LPS antagonist among the synthesized hybrid compounds. The novel LPS antagonist effectively inhibited LPS-induced release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 3.8 nM, making it a candidate for the treatment drug of Gram-negative sepsis and/or septic shock.

MeSH terms

  • Glycolipids / chemistry
  • Glycolipids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Lipid A / pharmacology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Lymphocyte Antigen 96 / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism
  • Trehalose / analogs & derivatives*
  • Trehalose / chemistry
  • Trehalose / pharmacology

Substances

  • 6,6'-bis-O-(3-nonyldodecanoyl)-alpha,alpha'-trehalose
  • Glycolipids
  • LY96 protein, human
  • Lipid A
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Lymphocyte Antigen 96
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Trehalose