Design, synthesis, And applications of galectin modulators in human health

Alison Mackinnon*, Wei Sheng Chen, Hakon Leffler, Noorjahan Panjwani, Hans Schambye, Tariq Sethi, Ulf J. Nilsson

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    4 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Over the last decade, the family of galectin proteins has been identified as key regulators of important biological processes. They bind β-D-galactopyranoside residues in glycoconjugates, and by presenting multiple binding sites, within one galectin or by forming dimers or multimers, they can cross-link glycoproteins and form galectin-glycoprotein lattices. Such lattices formed on the cell surface or in vesicles have been shown to control, for example, surface residence time and signaling by receptors. Hence, compounds modulating galectin binding to their glycoprotein ligands are of potential clinical interest. This chapter describes the design and development of disubstituted thiodigalactoside derivatives that form optimal interactions with the galectin-3 binding site resulting in double-digit nanomolar affinities. Studies are discussed in which such galectin-3-modulating compounds have been important in elucidating galectin-3 mechanisms, including galectin-3 trafficking, cancer, inflammation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. Medically relevant models using the galectin-3 modulators in characterizing macrophage alternative activation and chronic inflammation, myofibroblast activation and fibrosis, and ocular angiogenesis are discussed in more detail. In summary, the high galectin-3 affinity and definitive effects in relevant models of the disubstituted thiodigalactosides identify them as promising as lead compounds for drug development, albeit leaving a challenge in terms of optimizing PK/ADME properties.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationCarbohydrates as Drugs
    EditorsPeter H. Seeberger, Christoph Rademacher
    PublisherSpringer International Publishing
    Pages95-121
    Number of pages27
    ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-08675-0
    ISBN (Print)978-3-319-08674-3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 27 Apr 2014

    Publication series

    NameTopics in Medicinal Chemistry
    PublisherSpringer International Publishing
    Volume12
    ISSN (Electronic)1862-2461

    Keywords

    • Angiogenesis
    • Cancer
    • CD98
    • Fibrosis
    • Galectin
    • Macrophage
    • Modulator
    • Myofibroblast
    • Small molecule
    • TGF-β
    • VEGF

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Design, synthesis, And applications of galectin modulators in human health'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this