Synthesis and reactivity of a 5-azido analogue of neuraminic acid.

A peracetylated phenyl 2-thioglycoside (1) of a 5-azido analogue neuraminic acid methyl ester was prepared from a known 5-amino precursor by a diazo transfer reaction. Glycosidation of 1 by alcohols proceeded smoothly in CH3CN to give alpha-sialylated products in good yield.

Introduction of monosaccharides having functional groups onto a carbosilane dendrimer: a broadly applicable one-pot reaction in liquid ammonia involving Birch reduction and subsequent SN2 reaction.

Benzylthioalkyl glycosides of D-glucuronic acid, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and N-acetylneuraminic acid (common monosaccharide constituents of natural oligosaccharide chains) have been prepared as sulfide precursors for the carbohydrate coating of dendric carbosilane cores and used in a generally applicable one-pot reaction (Birch reduction in liquid ammonia and subsequent SN2 reaction) to generate a thioether linkage between the monosaccharide moieties and a carbosilane dendrimer. The dendrimers were uniformly functionalized with the monosaccharides in good yields.

Cancer regression induced by modified CTL therapy is regulated by HLA class II and class I antigens in Japanese patients with advanced cancer.

Autologous cancer-specific bulk CTLs are unlikely to be induced by in vitro CTL generation (ivtCTLG) using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of cancer patients when autologous cancer cells are used as in vitro stimulators. However, autologous cancer-specific bulk CTLs are frequently activated when allogeneic cancer cells are used as in vitro stimulators, regardless of the type of cancer cell. We have developed a cancer-specific immunotherapy called modified CTL therapy, which involves adoptive immunotherapy of autologous cancer-specific bulk CTLs after active immunization of autologous or allogeneic cancer cells screened as in vitro stimulators according to their ability to induce autologous cancer-specific CTLs (ACS. CTLs). Cancer did not regress in patients in whom ACS.CTLs were not induced by ivtCTLG using the patients' PBMCs in therapy. Cancer regression, albeit temporary, occurred solely in patients under the immunological condition that ACS.CTLs were induced by ivtCTLG using PBMCs through the therapy. The induction of ACS.CTLs by ivtCTLG using patient PBMCs in therapy was related to patients' HLA class II antigens. HLA DR8 was seen more frequently in ACS.CTL-inducible patients than in ACS.CTL-uninducible patients (P=0.051). On the contrary, HLA DQ3 was seen more frequently in ACS.CTL-uninducible patients (P=0.055). On the other hand, the success in therapy, albeit temporary, was related mainly to patients' HLA class I antigens. HLA B61 was seen more frequently in patients whose therapy proved effective than in patients whose therapy proved ineffective (P=0.018). HLA Cw7 was seen more frequently in therapy-ineffective patients (P=0.040).

Protective effects of soyasapogenol A on liver injury mediated by immune response in a concanavalin A-induced hepatitis model.

The present study was carried out to analyze the effects of soyasapogenol A on the liver injury mediated by the immune response in concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice. Soyasapogenol A reduced the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells in the liver and significantly lowered the elevated level of plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) 2 h after concanavalin A treatment, and then markedly reduced the elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase activity and decreased the number of apoptotic bodies in the liver parenchymal cells but not in the sinusoidal cells at 24 h. Since the effect of soyasapogenol A on the elevated plasma TNF-alpha level was not appreciable compared to the preventive effect of soyasapogenol A on the elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase level, these results suggest that soyasapogenol A directly prevents apoptosis of hepatocytes, and secondly, inhibits the elevation of plasma TNF-alpha, which consequently resulted in the prevention of liver damage in the concanavalin A-induced hepatitis model.

Derivatization of soyasapogenol A and their hepatoprotective activities.

Fifteen derivatives of soyasapogenol A (1), which is another aglycon moiety of soyasaponins from soybean together with soyasapogenol B (2), were prepared and their in vitro hepatoprotective effects were evaluated.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-amino-2-deoxy- and 6-amino-6-deoxy-cyclomaltoheptaose polysulfates as synergists for angiogenesis inhibition.

2-Amino-2-deoxy-cyclomaltoheptaose was prepared from beta-cyclodextrin perbenzoate [heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl)cyclomaltoheptaose] by a series of reactions including selective de-O-benzoylation at C-2 of one of the perbenzoylated D-glucopyranosyl moieties, oxidation to the 2-ulose derivative, oxime formation, and reduction to the 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose moiety. This compound and 6-amino-6-deoxycyclomaltoheptaose accessible from beta-cyclodextrin through the known procedure were sulfated to give polysulfated aminocyclomaltoheptaose derivatives (3, 5). Employing beta-cyclodextrin polysulfate as a reference compound, the synergistic effects of 3 and 5 for cortexolone or angiogenesis inhibitory activity were examined by rabbit-corneal micropocket assay system. In contrast to the significant anti-angiogenesis activity of the beta-cyclodextrin polysulfate-cortexolone pair, neither 3 nor 5 showed any cooperative activity with cortexolone in the inhibition of basic FGF-induced angiogenesis.

Interglycosidic acetals. Part 3. Synthesis and structure determination of cyclic monobenzylidene acetals of cyclodextrin derivatives bridging between two contiguous D-glucopyranosyl residues.

Transacetalation of fully 6-O-pivaloylated alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins with benzaldehyde dimethylacetal in the presence of (+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid gave monobenzylidene acetals (4, 5, 6) in moderately good yields. Benzylation of the beta-cyclodextrin derivative 5 followed by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the benzylidene group and acetylation afforded a di-O-acetyl-non-adeca-O-benzyl derivative 9. NMR spectroscopic analysis of 9, including two-dimensional HOHAHA and 1H-(13)C correlation experiments revealed that the benzylidene group bridged the O-2 and O-3 positions of contiguous D-glucopyranosyl residues. Reductive ring-opening of the benzylidene acetal with lithium aluminum hydride/aluminum chloride afforded predominantly a 2(1)-O-unprotected derivative 10 in good yield.

Synthesis of 1D-(1,3,5/2,4)-4-acetamido-5-amino-1,2,3-cyclohexanetriol and its incorporation into a pseudo-disaccharide.

The synthesis of the title compound and 1D-(1,3,5/2,4)-4-acetamido-5-amino-3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)- 1,2,3-cyclohexanetriol [sequence: see text] is described. Starting from methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside 2L-(2,4,5/3)-4-acetamido-3-benzoyloxy-2-benzyloxy-5- hydroxycyclohexanone [sequence: see text] was prepared via a series of transformations including the regioselective ring opening of the benzylidene acetal and the mercury(II)-catalyzed carbocyclic ring closure reaction of 5-enopyranoside. Stereoselective reduction of ketone 11 with NaBH(OAc)3 gave 1D-(1,2,4/3,5)-2-acetamido-3-O-benzoyl-4-O-benzyl-1,3,4,5- cyclohexanetetrol [sequence: see text] (88%), which was then converted into 1D-(1,3,5/2,4)-4-acetamido-5-azido-3-O-benzoyl-2-O- benzyl-1-O-pivaloyl-1,2,3-cyclohexanetriol [sequence: see text] through selective 5-OH protection, 1-O-mesylation, and subsequent azide displacement. Saponification and hydrogenation of this gave the title compound. Selective O-debenzoylation with 1.1 equiv of K2CO3 in MeOH gave 1D-(1,3,5/2,4)-4-acetamido-5-azido-2-O-benzyl-1-O- pivaloyl-1,2,3-cyclohexanetriol [sequence: see text] (73%). Glycosylation of this compound with methyl (2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide) uronate in Ch2Cl2, using silver triflate as the promoter, afforded 1D-(1,3,5/2,4)-4-acetamido-5-azido-2-O-benzyl-3-O-(methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate)-1-O- pivaloyl-1,2,3-cyclohexanetriol [sequence: see text] and subsequent hydrogenation of this compound gave the basic pseudo-disaccharide.

The novel mAb QR6.6 detects a surface molecule on immature thymocytes and inhibits their proliferation on thymic epithelial cells.

We previously reported that the nude mouse-derived splenic T cell clone N-9F exhibits a proliferative response when cultured on thymic stromal cells. This N-9F proliferation is mediated by direct cell-to-cell interactions between T and thymic stromal cells. A thymic epithelial cell clone, SL10.3, also supports N-9F growth. To identify the molecule involved in T cell development in the thymus, we established mAb specific to the N-9F clone. One of these mAb, QR6.6, was found to inhibit the N-9F proliferative response on SL10.3. QR6.6-positive cells were detected in thymus but not in other lymphoid organs such as bone marrow, lymph nodes, or spleen. QR6.6-positive cells accounted for 3 to 5% of the cells in adult thymuses whereas higher percentages were found in neonatal (10-20%) and fetal thymuses (70% at E17 and 10-20% at E15). The positive cells were primarily CD4-8- thymocytes in fetuses and CD4-8- to CD4+8+ thymocytes in adults. The QR6.6 mAb precipitates a 100 kDa molecule from the N-9F clone. The addition of the mAb to fetal thymus organ culture reduces the recovery of cells at culture day 4. It was also found that the mAb inhibits fetal thymocyte proliferation on the SL10.3 thymic epithelial cell line. These results suggest that the 100 kDa molecule detected by the QR6.6 mAb may play a crucial role in the early stage of thymocyte development.

Synthesis of a new allosamidin analog, N,N'-diacetyl-beta-chitobiosyl allosamizoline and its inhibitory activity against some chitinases.

A new allosamidin analog (2), possessing an N',N'-diacetylchitobiosyl moiety as a constituent, was stereoselectively synthesized through the coupling reaction between the disaccharide thioglycoside derivative (5) and allosamizoline derivative (6). The inhibitory activity of 2 against chitinases derived from an insect, yeast and mold were tested and compared with that of allosamidin (1).

Chemical behavior of benzylidene acetal groups bridging the contiguous glucose residues in malto-oligosaccharide derivatives.

Treatment of phenyl alpha-maltoside with an excess of alpha, alpha-dimethoxytoluene in the presence of (+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid, followed by partial hydrolysis to remove unstable acyclic acetal substituents, gave phenyl 3,2':4',6'-di-O-benzylidene-alpha-maltoside. Thus, one of the benzylidene groups formed an eight-membered cyclic acetal ring bridging the two monosaccharide components. This acetal function was stable under conventional acylation and alkylation conditions, but was selectively hydrolyzed by 80% acetic acid at room temperature. Treatment of a per-O-benzoyl derivative of 1 with N-bromosuccinimide-barium carbonate afforded phenyl 2,6,3', 4'-tetra-O-benzoyl-6'-bromo-6'-deoxy-alpha-maltoside in 80% yield. Reductive ring opening of the tri-O-benzyl derivative of 1 with lithium aluminum hydride-aluminum chloride gave a 2,3,6,3',4'-penta-O-benzyl derivative, while reduction with sodium cyanoborohydride-hydrogen chloride or borane trimethylamine complex-aluminum chloride afforded a 2,3,6,3',6'-penta-O-benzyl derivative in good yield. Similar regioselectivity was observed in the reductive cleavage of a 1,6-anhydro-3',2'':4'',6''-di-O-benzylidene-beta- maltotriose derivative.

A 60-kDa thymic epithelial cell surface protein as a potent molecule mediating the cellular interaction with immature T cells.

A unique 60-kDa surface protein expressed on the thymic epithelial cells was characterized as a potent molecule participating in the interaction between thymic stromal cells (TSC) and immature T cells. Previously, we reported an athymic mouse-derived T cell clone, N-9F, which proliferates on TSC. In the present study, we established a TSC clone, SL10.3, from a BALB/c mouse. SL10.3 has an epithelial cell nature and supports N-9F and fetal thymocytes growth in vitro. The two rat monoclonal antibodies, AS19 and AS32, directed to the SL10.3 cell surface inhibited N-9F and fetal thymocytes growth on SL10.3, suggesting that the reactive molecule may mediate the cellular interaction between TSC and immature T cells. Both antibodies are directed to the same 60-kDa protein with a pI point of 5.4, but to different epitopes on the protein. The 60-kDa protein is distributed on thymic epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells, but not on the hematopoietic cells tested.

A new synthetic hypoglycaemic polysaccharide.

The synthetic (1-->6)-alpha-D-glucopyranan with branching and without branching were tested as a new hypoglycaemic drug. (1-->6)-alpha-D-glucopyranan having an alpha-D-glucopyranosyl branch at the C-3 position (1) showed a remarkable hypoglycaemic activity on i.p. injection to mice. The polysaccharide having both alpha- and beta-glucopyranosyl branches (2) also lowered the blood sugar (glucose) level in mice. On the other hand, the synthetic linear (1-->6)-alpha-D-glucopyranan (3) and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl branched polysaccharide (4) did not have a hypoglycaemic function, indicating that the branching glucose units are essential for the biological activity.

The synthesis of cyclopropano nucleosides.

A tricyclic, fused cyclopropano nucleoside 8 containing a ketal group was synthesized by the one-pot seven sequential reactions of a trimesylated allofuranosyl adenine derivative 6 with Mg(OMe)2. When KOH was used instead of Mg(OMe)2, an alpha, beta-unsaturated ketonucleoside 7 was obtained.

Peracetylated laminaribiose: preparation by specific degradation of curdlan and its chemical conversion into N-acetylhyalobiuronic acid.

beta-Laminaribiose octaacetate (2b) was prepared in greater than 50% yield from the microbial polysaccharide curdlan by specific degradation with a yeast cell-wall lytic enzyme preparation, Kitalase,and subsequent acetylation. Acetolysis of curdlan also gave alpha-laminaribiose octaacetate (2a) in 27% yield. The usefulness of these peracetates 2a and 2b as starting materials for organic synthesis was shown by converting 2b into N-acetylhyalobiuronic acid (23), the disaccharide repeating unit of hyaluronic acid. The conversion was carried out via a series of reactions, which included azidonitration of the glucal derivative and selective alkylidenation or direct tritylation to discriminate two primary hydroxyl groups existing in the disaccharide intermediates.

Proliferation of an athymic mouse-derived T-cell clone on thymic stromal cells with interleukin-2.

An athymic mouse-derived CD4+8+ T-cell clone, N-9F, was established. It expresses both full length gamma and delta T-cell receptor (TcR) mRNA. N-9F clone was not maintained by interleukin-2 (IL-2) alone but required another soluble mediator(s), contained in concanavalin A-stimulated splenocyte culture supernatant, for its proliferation. By culturing N-9F on thymic stromal cells, [3H]thymidine incorporation was retained and expression of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) was induced. This phenomenon was also observed on thymic stromal cells from H-2 allogeneic mice, but not on other cell types such as splenic adherent cells or fibroblasts. After addition of recombinant IL-2 into the N-9F culture with thymic stromal cells, N-9F showed enhanced IL-2R expression and greatly proliferated. The inability to detect any soluble factors in thymic stromal cell culture supernatant suggests that this interaction is mediated by direct cell contact between T and thymic stromal cells. Because a CD2-negative subclone, N-9.23, also proliferated on thymic stromal cells, there might exist a type of molecule other than CD2/LFA3 or TcR/MHC involved with thymic stroma and T-lymphocyte interaction.