Synthesis of chiral phosphoantigens and their activity in gamma delta T cell stimulation

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2004 Sep 6;14(17):4471-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2004.06.052.

Abstract

Gammadelta T cells expressing Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cell receptors are activated by a broad range of phosphorus-containing small molecules, termed phosphoantigens, and are of interest in the context of the chemotherapy of B cell malignancies. Here, we report the synthesis of four pairs of chiral phosphoantigens: the bromohydrins of isopentenyl diphosphate (Phosphostim), the epoxides of isopentenyl diphosphate (EIPP); and the corresponding bromohydrin and epoxide analogs of but-3-enyl diphosphate. The ability of each compound to stimulate human Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells was determined by TNF-alpha release and cell proliferation. In these assays, the (R)-bromohydrin diphosphates were, on average, about twice as active as the (S)-bromohydrin diphosphates. In contrast, the (S)-form of EIPP was about twice as active as (R)-EIPP. The activities of the epoxy but-3-enyl diphosphates were both very low. These results suggest that chiral phosphoantigens, as opposed to racemic mixtures, may have utility in immunotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / chemical synthesis*
  • Alcohols / immunology
  • Antigens / chemistry*
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hemiterpenes / chemical synthesis*
  • Hemiterpenes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / metabolism*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Antigens
  • Hemiterpenes
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • bromohydrins
  • isopentenyl pyrophosphate