Towards multivalent CD1d ligands: synthesis and biological activity of homodimeric α-galactosyl ceramide analogues.
Jervis PJ., Moulis M., Jukes J-P., Ghadbane H., Cox LR., Cerundolo V., Besra GS.
A library of dimeric CD1d ligands, containing two α-galactosyl ceramide (α-GalCer) units linked by spacers of varying lengths has been synthesised. The key dimerisation reactions were carried out via copper-catalysed click reactions between a 6"-azido-6"-deoxy-α-galactosyl ceramide derivative and various diynes. Each α-GalCer dimer was tested for its ability to stimulate iNKT cells.