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Natural killer T-cells, with an invariant T-cell antigen receptor α-chain (iNKT cells), are unique and conserved subset of lymphocytes capable of altering the immune system through their rapid and potent cytokine responses. They are reactive to lipid antigens presented by the CD1d molecule, an antigen-presenting molecule that is not highly polymorphic. iNKT cell responses frequently involve mixtures of cytokines that work against each other, and therefore attempts are underway to develop synthetic antigens that elicit only strong interferon-gamma (IFNγ) or only strong interleukin-4 responses but not both. Strong IFNγ responses may correlate with tighter binding to CD1d and prolonged stimulation of iNKT cells, and this may be useful for vaccine adjuvants and for stimulating anti-tumor responses. iNKT cells are self-reactive although the structure of the endogenous antigen is controversial. By contrast, bacterial and fungal lipids that engage the T-cell receptor and activate IFNγ from iNKT cells have been identified from both pathogenic and commensal organisms and the responses are in some cases highly protective from pathogens in mice. It is possible that the expanding knowledge of iNKT cell antigens and iNKT cell activation will provide the basis for therapies for patients suffering from infectious and immune diseases and cancer.

glycolipid, immune system, natural killer T-cells

NCBI PubMed ID: 27013447
Publication DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2016.01.003
Journal NLM ID: 101599820
Publisher: New York, NY: Elsevier
Correspondence: Kronenberg M
Institutions: Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, San Diego, USA, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, USA

Background: Natural products acquire vast and intriguing structural diversity and have been recognized as a tremendously diverse source of new lead compounds. Numerous bioactive secondary metabolites are present in the form of glycosylated molecules in which the sugar parts are normally associated with the interaction along with molecular recognition of the cellular target. Scope and approach: The presence of sugar entities are crucial as well as in some cases necessary, for therapeutic effects. Establishing novel and potent glycosylated secondary metabolites has formed a main goal in the natural product field from fungi and bacteria. These compounds possess a diverse range of sugar units. Key findings and conclusions: Fungi is considered one of the important sources for approved drugs with a diverse range of mode of action. The sugar part in numerous pharmacologically active natural products enhances bioavailability, biological potential, reduce toxicity, and improve stability. The vast majority of glyocosides showed antimicrobial effects, cytotoxic, antiviral and antiinflammatory effects. Notably, numerous fungal glycosides presented in this review illustrate significant antimicrobial effects towards various microorganisms especially against plant pathogens. The antimicrobial effects of these fungal glycosides indicate that these metabolites could be employed as natural preservatives in food in order to abolish or control the growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms.

glycoside, antimicrobial, fungi, food preservative, secondary metabolites

Publication DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.02.029
Journal NLM ID: 9426004
Publisher: Cambridge, UK: Elsevier Trends Journals
Correspondence: Hussain H ; Hussain H ; Xiao J ; Xiao J
Institutions: Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Halle (Saale), Germany, Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances of the Academy Sciences of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China, Department Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) H12, Islamabad, Pakistan, Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa, Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China, Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo - Ourense Campus, Ourense, Spain

The relationship between mold and asthma has been recognized for decades, but the molecular triggers of asthma generated by molds have not been fully elucidated. A glycolipid generated by Aspergillus species has recently been identified that triggers airway hyperreactivity via natural killer T cell activation. The synthesis of this glycolipid and structural variants designed to allow identification of the features of this glycolipid required for recognition by natural killer T cells is described.

NCBI PubMed ID: 24111801
Publication DOI: 10.1021/ol4024375
Journal NLM ID: 100890393
Publisher: American Chemical Society
Correspondence: paul_savage@byu.edu
Institutions: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA, Division of Immunology and Allergy, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Methods: 13C NMR, 1H NMR, ELISA, HR-ESI-MS, silica gel chromatography