41 results about "Galactosyl ceramide" patented technology

Methods for synthesis and preparation of alpha-glycosphingolipids are provided. Methods for synthesis of α-galactosyl ceramide, and pharmaceutically active analogs and variants thereof are provided. Novel alpha-glycosphingolipids are provided, wherein the compounds are immunogenic compounds which serve as ligands for NKT (natural killer T) cells.

Immunogenic compositions, cancer vaccines and methods for treating cancer are provided. Compositions comprising: (a) a glycan such as Globo H or an immunogenic fragment thereof, wherein the glycan is conjugated with a carrier protein by a linker such as para-nitrophenyl; and (b) an adjuvant comprising glycolipid capable of binding CDId on a dendritic cell, such as an a-galactosyl-ceramide derivative, wherein the immunogenic composition induces an immune response that induces a higher relative level of IgG isotype antibodies as compared to IgM isotype antibodies, are provided. Immunogenic compositions comprising the carrier protein diphtheria toxin cross-reacting material 197 (DT-CRM 197) and the adjuvant C34 are provided. Antibodies generated by immunogenic compositions disclosed herein further neutralize at least one of the antigens Globo H, stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3) and stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4). Therapeutics against breast cancer stem cells comprising immunogenic compositions comprising Globo H, SSEA-3 or SSEA-4 conjugated with DT-CRM 197.

There are disclosed compound of formula I, in which R1 represents a hydrophobic moiety adapted to occupy the C′ channel of human CDId, R2 represents a hydrophobic moiety adapted to occupy the A′ channel of human CDId, such that R1 fills at least at least 30% of the occupied volume of the C′ channel compared to the volume occupied by the terminal nC14H29 of the sphingosine chain of α-galactosylceramide when bound to human CDId and R2 fills at least 30% of the occupied volume of the A′ channel compared to the volume occupied by the terminal nC25H51 of the acyl chain of α-galactosylceramide when bound to human CDId R3 represents hydrogen or OH, Ra and Rb each represent hydrogen and in addition, when R3 represents hydrogen, Ra and Rb together may form a single bond, X represents or —CHA(CHOH)nY or —P(═0)(0−)0CH2(CH0H)mY, in which Y represents CHB1B2, n represents an integer from 1 to 4, m represents 0 or 1, A årepresents hydrogen, one of B1 and B2 represents H, OH or phenyl, and the other represents hydrogen or one of B1 and B2 represents hydroxyl and the other represents phenyl, in addition, when n represents 4, then A together with one of B1 and B2 together forms a single bond and the other of B1 and B2 represents H, OH or OSO3H and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; the compounds of formula I are indicted for use in the treatment of a virus, microbial infection, parasite, an autoimmune disease, cancer, allergy or asthma

The present invention relates to a method for screening a modulator of a TMEM16 family member, which comprises the following steps:(1) treating cells expressing the TMEM16 family member with a candidate of the modulator, and(2) determining whether the candidate alters distribution of a lipid selected from phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, and galactosylceramide in plasma membrane of the cells,wherein a candidate which increases distribution of phosphatidylserine in the outer leaflet of plasma membrane compared to control is selected as a modulator enhancing a function of the TMEM16 family member, and a candidate which decreases distribution of phosphatidylserine in the outer leaflet of plasma membrane compared to control is selected as a modulator suppressing a function of the TMEM16 family member, anda candidate which increases distribution of phosphatidylcholine or galactosylceramide in the inner leaflet of plasma membrane compared to control is selected as a modulator enhancing a function of the TMEM16 family member, and a candidate which decreases distribution of phosphatidylcholine or galactosylceramide in the inner leaflet of plasma membrane compared to control is selected as a modulator suppressing a function of the TMEM16 family member.

The invention provides analogs of alpha-galactosyl ceramide that increase the immune response elicited by various antigens. It also provides methods of using such compounds to increase the effectiveness of vaccines.