title: Synthesis of NBD-alpha-galactosylceramide and its immunologic properties.
abstract: [formula: see text] A representative alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), KRN7000, can activate NKT cells through CD1d molecules, which play an essential role in the generation of the strong antitumor activity of KRN7000. Our previous study has demonstrated that alpha-GalCer binds directly to CD1d molecules. However, it is controversial whether CD1d binds alpha-GalCer in endosomal compartments. To address this question, we synthesized NBD-alpha-GalCer, which has strong fluorescent properties. We found that the NBD-alpha-GalCer has immunostimulatory activity that is stronger than that of KRN7000.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Laboratory, Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd., Gunma, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ehara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Koezuka
mesh_terms: D009327:4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D005699:Galactosylceramides; C046928:NBD-galactosylceramide; D009327:4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan; C103873:KRN 7000