Zwitterionic polysaccharide A1 (PSA1), isolated from the capsule of the anaerobic bacterium Bacteroides fragilis, has been shown to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses in mammals and is believed to be important in establishing a balanced immune system which is mediated by T-lymphocytes. The immunologic property is because of its zwitterionic character and any attempts in neutralizing either of the charges results in a strongly reduced biological activity of the polysaccharide.In order to better understand the mechanism of immunological activity, attempts are being made to synthesize the charged sugar moieties and attach them together by PEG resins or cycloalkane diol chains. Evaluation of the polysaccharide's ability to produce cytokines and chemokines in antigen presenting cells and T-cells using sandwich ELISA assay tests will be carried out on the molecules synthesized. The results obtained will aid in the development of agonists and antagonists for the treatment of asthma and allergies, as well as, other immunological disorders.  References:Van      den Bos, L. J.; Boltje, T. J.; Provoost, T.; Mazurek, J.; Overkleeft, H.      S.; van der Marel, G. A.; Tetrahedron      Letters, 2007  , 48, 2697-2700Tzianabos,      A.; Wang, J. Y.; Kasper, D. L.; Carbohydrate      Research, 2003  , 338, 2531-2538

Synthesis of an immunomodulatory zwitterionic polysaccharide

244th National Meeting (2012)

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