Biological and antiviral activities of chemically synthesized lipid A-subunit analogues, GLA-27 and GLA-60, were investigated with respect to defense mechanisms such as macrophage and natural killer (NK) cell activation and interferon (IFN)-inducing activity. GLA-27, a 4-O-phosphono-D-glucosamine derivative carrying 3-O-tetradecanoyl (C14) and 2-N-3-tetradecanoyloxytetradecanoyl (C14-O-(C14] group, and GLA-60, a similar analogue carrying 3-O-linked C14-O-(C14) and 2-N-linked 3-hydroxytetradecanoyl (C14-OH) groups, strongly inhibited the formation of pox tail lesions and the growth of vaccinia virus at the tail lesion sites in infected mice. The antiviral activity of GLA-60 was about 1000-fold higher than that of muramyldipeptide (MDP), a representative immunomodulator. GLA-27 and GLA-60 had stronger immunomodulating activity than MDP in macrophage activation, NK cell activation and IFN-inducing activity, although it was weaker than natural lipid A. Toxic manifestations such as pyrogenicity, local Schwartzman reaction and lethality were far less pronounced for GLA-27 and GLA-60 than for natural lipid A.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Antiherpes activity of chemically synthesized lipid A-subunit analogue GLA-60 in immunosuppressed mice.

Intraperitoneal administration of 10 micrograms GLA-60, a chemically synthesized lipid A analogue, to mice one day after treatment with 200 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide (CY) significantly increased the number of macrophages, lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in the peritoneal cavity. The intrinsic antiviral activity of macrophages against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) as well as natural killer (NK) activity against YAC-1 target cells was stimulated by administration of GLA-60 to CY-immunosuppressed mice. When the mice were administered GLA-60 prior to HSV-1 infection, virus growth was inhibited and the mortality rate of infected mice was reduced. Thus, GLA-60 is a potent immunomodulator achieving its antiviral action through enhancement of nonspecific host defense mechanisms. Combined treatment of GLA-60 with the antiviral agent acyclovir (ACV) resulted in greater protection against HSV-1 in the CY-immunosuppressed mice than did single treatment with either GLA-60 or ACV.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Psoralen-containing vinyl monomer for conjugation of double-helical DNA with vinyl polymers.

We have synthesized a vinyl monomer having a psoralen moiety, which can form a photoadduct with double-helical DNA. The monomer 1 was proved to have an ability to crosslink DNA double strands through a photochemical reaction when irradiated by UV light. The resulting DNA having vinyl groups was copolymerized with a comonomer such as acrylamide and N-isopropylacrylamide to give rise to a DNA-vinyl polymer conjugate. A conjugation based on covalent bondings was verified by using gel electrophoresis; the conjugation efficiency was found to be dependent upon concentration of the monomer which had been used in the antecedent photochemical reaction. This monomer will be a useful tool when anchoring double-helical DNA on polymeric materials for separating and sensing DNA-binding substances.

Acrylic Resins↗