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New Paradigm in NKT Cell Antigens: MCS‐0208 (2‐(Hydroxymethyl)phenylthio‐phytoceramide) – an Aryl‐Phytoceramide Compound with a Single Hydroxyl Group Stimulates NKT Cells
Author(s) -
BorràsTudurí Roser,
Alcaide Anna,
Aspeslag Sandrine,
Usero Lorena,
Serra Carmen,
RouraMir Carme,
Elewaut Dirk,
Llebaria Amadeu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemmedchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.817
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1860-7187
pISSN - 1860-7179
DOI - 10.1002/cmdc.202000992
Subject(s) - cd1d , natural killer t cell , glycolipid , t cell receptor , chemistry , immune system , antigen , t cell , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry
Natural Killer T (NKT) cells play an important role in the immune response and can be activated by glycolipids presented by CD1d protein. We present MCS‐0208, an unprecedented arylthioether‐phytoceramide able to induce potent invariant NKT (iNKT) cell activation, notably when tested in human iNKT cells. This arylsphingolipid analog has a simple phenyl group containing a single hydroxyl substituent as a surrogate of the sugar ring. The phenylthioether structure contrasts with α‐galactosylceramide ( 1 ), the prototypical glycolipid used to induce iNKT cell stimulation, where the galactose 2’‐OH and 3’‐OH substituents are accepted as the minimal footprint and considered critical for NKT T cell receptor (TCR) recognition. A computational study supports the recognition of aromatic compound by the CD1d and TCR proteins as radically new structures for NKT cell stimulation.