KRN7000 is a synthetic glycosphingolipid developed as an anticancer drug candidate, which upon association with the CD1d protein activates NKT cells. This event leads to the release of different cytokines, which modulate a TH1 response (antitumoral and antimicrobial functions) or a TH2 response (against autoimmune diseases). Unfortunately, the simultaneous secretion of both cytokines limits the therapeutic potential of KRN7000, as they can antagonize the biological functions of each type alone. For that reason, the synthesis of new KRN7000 analogues with a more biased TH1/TH2 profile is an area of special interest [1].
It has been suggested that TH1 response is certainly favoured by stabilization of the KRN7000–CD1d–NKT complex [2]. In this regard, it has been recently demonstrated that perfluorinated chains produce stronger interactions with hydrophobic cavities of proteins than its hydrocarbon counterparts [3].
In this communication, we will report the synthesis of set of KRN7000 analogues bearing different perfluoroalkyl chains at the ceramide moiety, with the aim of increasing the stability of the complex to obtain a selective TH1 response. Biological implications based on binding affinity towards mouse CD1d protein as well as mouse and human iNKT cell stimulation experiments will also be discussed.
Acknowledgments
Financial support: Ministerio de Economia y Competividad, Spain (Project CTQ2017-89750-R and CTQ2014-58664-R), Universitat Rovira i Virgili for a grant (D.C., Martí Franquès program, Ref: 2012BPURV-16), Ramón y Cajal contract (RYC-2015-17705 to O.B.).
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