New amphiphilic glycopolymers by click functionalization of random copolymers - application to the colloidal stabilisation of polymer nanoparticles and their interaction with concanavalin A lectin

Glycopolymers with mannose units were readily prepared by click chemistry of an azido mannopyranoside derivative and a poly(propargyl acrylate-co-N-vinyl pyrrolidone). These glycopolymers were used as polymer surfactants, in order to obtain glycosylated polycaprolactone nanoparticles. Optimum stabilization for long time storage was achieved by using a mixture of glycopolymers and the non-ionic triblock copolymer Pluronic^® F-68. The mannose moieties are accessible at the surface of nanoparticles and available for molecular recognition by concanavalin A lectin. Interaction of mannose units with the lectin were evaluated by measuring the changes in nanoparticles size by dynamic light scattering in dilute media.

Two-dimensional supramolecular assemblies involving neoglycoplipids: Self-organization and insertion properties into Langmuir monolayers

In nature, interfacial molecular recognition and chirality are of fundamental significance for the construction of biological assemblies. Lipid monolayers at liquid interface can be used as biomimetic models for studying molecular interactions in such assemblies. In this article, we will focus on the use of Langmuir monolayers for studying self-organization and insertion properties of several neoglycolipids. Two types of glycolipids have been considered, one in the context of the analysis of glycoconjugates of biological relevance, and one dealing with the ability of some glycoprobes to insert into a monolayer in relation with their efficiency for serving as membrane imaging systems.

Self-organization of synthetic cholesteryl oligoethyleneglycol glycosides in water

Lectin-sugar recognition systems are of interest in the pharmaceutical field, especially for the development of drug carriers, tailored for selective delivery. This paper deals with the anhydrous and aqueous self-organization properties of a synthetic cholesteryl oligoethyleneglycol glycoside with the aim of their incorporation in liposomes. Successive phases (lamellar, R3m, Im3m, micelles) have been described depending on water content and temperature. As a result of the presence of sugar residues and their hydration ability, this glycolipid shows a large range of packing parameter with increasing water content. However, because of oligoethyleneglycol spacer, a slight dehydration has been observed with increasing temperature from 20 to 60 degrees C.

Validation of lipolysis product extraction from aqueous/biological samples, separation and quantification by thin-layer chromatography with flame ionization detection analysis using O-cholesteryl ethylene glycol as a new internal standard

A general and easily accessible method for the extraction followed by the simultaneous separation and quantitative determination of triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, monoacylglycerols and free fatty acids has been improved and optimized based on existing protocols using liquid-phase extraction and thin-layer chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection (TLC/FID Iatroscan). After lipid extraction in the presence of a suitable new synthetic internal standard, namely CholE1, a single elution step using n-heptane/diethyl ether/formic acid (55:45:1, v/v/v) was applied. This method was validated in line with international bioanalytical method validation guidelines using two different matrix systems: purified water and human gastro-intestinal fluid. Overall, the assay was found to have high levels of precision with coefficients of variation ranging from 1.48% to 11.0% and accuracy ranging from -13.3% to +5.79% RE. The confidence limits of the lipid mean recovery rates varied between 89.9% and 104%. This method is therefore highly suitable for quantifying the lipolysis products generated in vitro during the hydrolysis of various fats and oils by digestive lipases, as well as those collected from the gastro-intestinal tract in the course of human clinical studies on lipid digestion.

Preparation of biotinylated glyconanoparticles via a photochemical process and study of their bioconjugation to streptavidin

We report here the preparation of novel biotinylated glyconanoparticles from well-defined biotinylated glycopolymers and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) synthesized via the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization process. The in situ reduction of the biotinylated glycopolymers, PNIPAAm, poly(ethylene glycol), and HAuCl4 via a photochemical process resulted in the formation of biotinylated gold nanoparticles. The multifunctional biotinylated glyconanoparticles were then evaluated for their bioconjugation toward streptavidin using UV-vis spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The biotinylated nanoparticles underwent aggregation in the presence of streptavidin as revealed by spectrophotometry, which indicates the accessibility of the biotin for conjugation. These results were further confirmed by surface plasmon resonance even in the case of surface-immobilized streptavidin.

Thermotropic liquid crystalline glycolipids

Are the liquid crystalline properties of the materials of living systems important in biological structures, functions, diseases and treatments? There is a growing consciousness that the observed lyotropic, and often thermotropic liquid crystallinity, of many biological materials that possess key biological functionality might be more than curious coincidence. Rather, as the survival of living systems depends on the flexibility and reformability of structures, it seems more likely that it is the combination of softness and structure of the liquid-crystalline state that determines the functionality of biological materials. The richest sources of liquid crystals derived from living systems are found in cell membranes, of these glycolipids are a particularly important class of components. In this critical review, we will examine the relationship between chemical structure and the self-assembling and self-organising properties of glycolipids that ultimately lead to mesophase formation.

Further biochemical characterization of human pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 expressed in yeast cells

Recombinant human pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 (rHPLRP2) was produced in the protease A-deficient yeast Pichia pastoris. A major protein with a molecular mass of 50 kDa was purified from the culture medium using SP-Sepharose and Mono Q chromatography. The protein was found to be highly sensitive to the proteolytic cleavage of a peptide bond in the lid domain. The proteolytic cleavage process occurring in the lid affected both the lipase and phospholipase activities of rHPLRP2. The substrate specificity of the nonproteolyzed rHPLRP2 was investigated using pH-stat and monomolecular film techniques and various substrates (glycerides, phospholipids, and galactolipids). All of the enzyme activities were maximum at alkaline pH values and decreased in the pH 5-7 range corresponding to the physiological conditions occurring in the duodenum. rHPLRP2 was found to act preferentially on substrates forming small aggregates in solution (monoglycerides, egg phosphatidylcholine, and galactolipids) rather than on emulsified substrates such as triolein and diolein. The activity of rHPLRP2 on monogalactosyldiglyceride and digalactosyldiglyceride monomolecular films was determined and compared with that of guinea pig pancreatic lipase-related protein 2, which shows a large deletion in the lid domain. The presence of a full-length lid domain in rHPLRP2 makes it possible for enzyme activity to occur at higher surface pressures. The finding that the inhibition of nonproteolyzed rHPLRP2 by tetrahydrolipstatin and diethyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate does not involve any bile salt requirements suggests that the rHPLRP2 lid adopts an open conformation in aqueous media.

Synthesis and Liquid Crystalline Properties of Mono-, Di- and Tri-O-alkyl Pentaerythritol Derivatives Bearing Tri-, Di- or Monogalactosyl Heads: The Effects of Curvature of Molecular Packing on Mesophase Formation

Self-organisation and self-assembly are critical to the stability of synthetic and biological membranes. Of particular importance is consideration of the packing arrangements of the various molecular species. Both phospho- and glycolipids can pack in ways in which curvature can be introduced into self-organised or self-assembled systems. For instance, it is known that the degree of curvature can affect the structures of any condensed phases that are formed. In this article we report on a systematic study in which we have varied the shapes of glycolipids and examined the condensed phases that they form. In doing so, we have also unified the shape dependency of lyotropic liquid crystals with those of thermotropic liquid crystals. In order to undertake this systematic study a range of different pentaerythritol derivatives was synthesized, which covers combinations of one to three alkyl chains of different lengths (6,7,9,10,11,12,14,16 carbon atoms) and three to one galactosyl heads. Mono- and di-O-galactosyl derivatives were prepared directly by glycosylation of the corresponding alcohols using 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl or acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate or bromide as the donors; the tri-O-galactosyl derivatives were synthesized from O-alkyl-O-benzyl di-O-galactosyl pentaerythritol intermediates, followed by de-O-benzylation and glycosylation steps. All of the fully deprotected products were obtained by standard methods, and their self-organising and self-assembling properties examined.

Glycolipid patterns supported by human serum albumin for E. coli recognition

We demonstrated that human serum albumin (HSA) patterns constructed in a solid substrate by using micro-contact printing (muCP) technique supported the deposition of phospholipid bilayer containing glycolipid, 10-tetradecyloxymethy-3,6,9,12-tetraoxahexacosyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside (PB1124). It is observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) that the obtained glycolipid patterns are well-defined, stable and can be used to recognize and immobilize Escherichia coli (E. coli). This strategy is promising to perform bacterial detection through solid surface recognition in a way of biosensors.

Highly sensitive gold nanoparticles biosensor chips modified with a self-assembled bilayer for detection of Con A

In this paper, an improved method for detection of Concanavalin A (Con A) with label-free optical biosensors is reported. 1-Dodecanethiol (DDT) was self-assembled onto gold nanoparticles which were deposited on glass slides, and then glycolipid molecules were inserted into dodecanethiol by physical interactions only. The recognition between Con A and carbohydrate was observed by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The absorption spectrum shifted when Con A was bound to the sugar residues of glycolipids immobilized onto nanogold slides, while almost no spectrum change was observed when another nonspecific protein molecule met the nanogold slides. The self-assembled bilayer on nanogold substrates had very high sensitivity for Con A, the minimum detection concentration of Con A can be down to 0.1 nM. In addition to the ultra sensitivity for investigating carbohydrate-lectin interaction, the self-assembled bilayer structure, is expected to replace many receptors which require time-consuming organic syntheses for the fixation to the transducer. The simplicity and sensitivity of this biosensor architecture once again show the prospect of nanogold application in biosensor.

Establishment of mass spectrometric fingerprints of novel synthetic cholesteryl neoglycolipids: the presence of a unique C-glycoside species during electrospray ionization and during collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry

In this study we evaluated the fragmentation pattern of 16 novel amphiphilic neoglycolipid cholesteryl derivatives that can be efficiently used to increase cationic liposomal stability and to enhance gene transfer ability. These neoglycolipids bear different sugar moieties, such as D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-trideuterioacetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyllactosamine, L-fucose, N-allyloxycarbonyl-D-glucosamine, and some of their per-O-acetylated derivatives. Regardless of the structure of the tested neoglycolipid, QqToF-MS analysis using electrospray ionization (ESI) source showed abundant protonated [M+H]+ species. We also identified by both QqToF-MS and low-energy collision tandem mass spectrometry (CID-MS/MS) of the [M+H]+ ion, the presence of specific common fingerprint fragment ions: [Cholestene]+, sugar [oxonium]+, [(Sugar-spacer-OH)+H]+, [oxonium-H2O]+, and [(Cholesterol-spacer-OH)+H]+. In addition, we observed a unique ion that could not be rationally explained by the expected fragmentation of these amphiphilic molecules. The structure of this ion was tentatively proposed with that of a C-glycoside species formed by a chemical reaction between the sugar portion and the cholesterol. MS/MS analysis of this unique [C-glycoside]+ confirmed the validity of the proposed structure of this ion. The presence of an amino group at position C-2 and free hydroxyl groups of the sugar motif is crucial for the formation of a "reactive" sugar oxonium ion that can form the [C-glycoside]+ species. In summary, we precisely established the fragmentation patterns of the tested series of neoglycolipid cholesteryl derivatives and authenticated their structure as well; moreover, we speculated on the formation of a C-glycoside with the ESI source under atmospheric pressure and in the collision cell during MS/MS analysis.

Syntheses of an α-d-Gal-(1→6)-β-d-Gal diglyceride, as lipase substrate

Two different routes were explored to afford 3-O-(6-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-1,2-di-O-dodecanoyl-sn-glycerol. In the first one, the key step was the glycosylation of the 3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-sn-glycerol acceptor with 2-pyridyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside as the donor. In the second one, the key step was the coupling of 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate donor with 1,2-O-isopropylidene-sn-glycerol. Even though the number of steps was the same in both pathways, the first one afforded a better overall yield (12.4%) than the second one (6.5%). This eight-step synthesis allowed the preparation of the expected glycolipid, which was used as substrate for recombinant GPLRP2 galactolipase using the monomolecular film technique.

Syntheses of α-d-galactosamine neoglycolipids

Several N-acetyl-alpha-d-galactosamine neoglycolipids, as well as hydrophobized T and T(N) antigen analogues, were prepared for embedment onto liposomes. Three different lipidic structures were used for the anchoring, that is cholesterol, 1,3-bis(undecyloxy)propan-2-ol and 1,3-bis(3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecyloxy)propan-2-ol. Oligoethyleneglycol spacers were used to link the carbohydrate and the hydrophobic moieties; their lengths were varied in order to obtain model compounds for the selective recognition by sialyl transferases involved in cancer processes. Glycosylation reactions were optimized to sluggish amphiphilic acceptor alcohols, in order to reach good 1,2-cis-stereoselectivities and acceptable yields. This aim was achieved by using 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-d-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate as the donor, trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as the promoter and diethyl ether or mixtures of diethyl ether and dichloromethane as solvents.

Influence of a neoglycolipid and its PEO-lipid moiety on the organization of phospholipid monolayers

The surface properties of the neoglycolipid (GlcNAcE(3)G(28)) and of its PEO-lipid (E(3)G(28)) moiety mixed with phospholipids (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC; distearoylphosphatidylcholine, DSPC; diarachidoylphosphatidylcholine, DAPC; and dibehenoylphosphatidylcholine, DBPC) were studied in Langmuir monolayers at various mixture compositions and surface pressures. The pi-A isotherms of the pure compounds revealed that because of the presence of the sugar group in its molecule, GlcNAcE(3)G(28) collapsed at a higher surface pressure and occupied a larger molecular area than the PEO-lipid moiety. It was also observed that the presence of the PEO-lipid (E(3)G(28)) in the mixtures triggered a strong alteration of both phospholipid pi-A isotherm profiles and surface diffraction spectra, an indication that the disordering of the initially structured phospholipid monolayers took place. Unlike E(3)G(28), GlcNAcE(3)G(28) did not disorganize phospholipid monolayers but generated a partial segregation of the film-forming components. The calculated excess free energies of mixing (DeltaG(exc)) for GlcNAcE(3)G(28)-phospholipid mixtures enabled us to predict the stability of such systems.

Size Effect of Polydiacetylene Vesicles Functionalized with Glycolipids on Their Colorimetric Detection Ability

In this paper, the size effect of the polydiacetylene vesicles functionalized with glycolipids on their colorimetric detection ability has been studied. Polydiacetylene vesicles in which were incorporated glycolipids acted as a model system for the affinochromatic property. Visible color changes from blue to red could be observed to the naked eye owing to Con A binding to the sugar moiety and be detected quantitatively by the visible absorption spectrum. In the experiment, small and uniform vesicles were obtained after extrusion through membranes with different pore sizes. The morphology and mean size distribution of the extruded vesicles were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. Our work shows that the smaller the vesicles are, the stronger is the effect, making the detection of Con A easier. The results may apply to the sensitivity enhancement of polydiacetylene biosensors for the recognition of other biomolecules.

An alternative high yielding and highly stereoselective method for preparing an α-Neu5NAc-(2,6)-d-GalN3 building block suitable for further glycosylation

This paper deals with new approaches to alpha-Neu5NAc-(2,6)-D-GalN3 building blocks, suitable as glycosylation donors. The major improvement, by comparison with the results of the literature, lies in the glycosylation step of a new d-galactosamine acceptor (tert-butyldimethylsilyl 3-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranoside) with O-methyl-S-[methyl(5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-non-2-ulopyranosyl)onate] dithiocarbonate as the N-acetylneuraminic acid donor. The reaction affords the expected disaccharide in high yield (85%) and a complete alpha-Neu5NAc stereoselectivity. A subsequent oxidation step, eliminating the glycal by-product allows an easier purification. Afterwards, the tert-butyldimethylsilyl disaccharide can be transformed into a donor, after cleavage of the anomeric group in smooth conditions.

Cholesteryl oligoethyleneglycol glycosides: Fluidizing effect of their embedment into phospholipid bilayers

Glycosides of cholesteryl oligoethyleneglycols have been synthesized and embedded in liposome bilayers. Several methods as steady-state fluorescence polarization, differential scanning calorimetry, zeta potential, and agglutination have been used to describe the physicochemical outcome of the incorporation of these synthetic glycolipids within phospholipid layers. From calorimetry and fluorescence experiments, it is apparent that the glycolipids decrease the transition temperature of the bilayers in a more important extent than cholesterol. Furthermore, the thickness of the aqueous layer fixed around the liposome is independent of the presence of glycolipids, suggesting that their hydrophilic parts (tetraethyleneglycol spacer and sugar moiety) are not completely extended towards the aqueous phase. Nevertheless, an important and specific interaction has been observed between such glycosylated liposomes and vegetal lectins.

In situ formation of C-glycosides during electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry of a series of synthetic amphiphilic cholesteryl polyethoxy neoglycolipids containing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine

In this communication, the structural analysis of six synthetic O-Linked amphiphilic cholesteryl polyethoxy neoglycolipids containing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine was performed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the positive ion mode, with a QqTOF-MS/MS hybrid instrument. The MS/MS analyses provided evidence for the "in situ" formation, in the collision cell of the tandem mass spectrometer, of an unexpected and unique [C-glycoside]+ product ion, resulting from an ion-molecule reaction between the N-acetyl-D-glucosamine oxonium ion and the neutral cholesta-3,5-diene molecule. Quasi MS3 analysis of this ion resulted in the dissociation of the precursor [C-glycoside]+ ion, which produced the expected third generation N-acetyl-D-glucosamine oxonium and the protonated cholesta-3,5-diene product ions.

Kinetics Study of Bungarus fasciatus Venom Acetylcholinesterase Immobilised on a Langmuir-Blodgett Proteo-Glycolipidic Bilayer

This study deals with the kinetics properties of an enzyme immobilised in a defined orientation in a biomimetic environment. For this purpose, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was captured at the surface of a nanostructured proteo-glycolipidic Langmuir-Blodgett film through specific recognition by a noninhibitor monoclonal antibody (IgG) inserted in a neoglycolipid bilayer. Modelling of this molecular assembly provided a plausible interpretation of the functional orientation of the enzyme. The AChE activity being stable for several weeks, the enzyme kinetics were investigated, and fitted perfectly with heterogeneous biocatalytic behaviour representative of cellular enzymatic catalysis. The AChE-IgG-glycolipid nanostructure was directly interfaced with an efficient optical device. Such an association, leading to an intimate contact between the nanostructure and the biochemical signal transducer, gives direct access to the intrinsic AChE behaviour. This study thus demonstrates the potential for direct investigation of the kinetic behaviour of an immobilised enzyme on a lipid bilayer through an efficient transduction system.

Human pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 is a galactolipase

Human pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 (HPLRP2) was found to be expressed in the pancreas, but its biochemical properties were not investigated in detail. A recombinant HPLRP2 was produced in insect cells and the yeast Pichia pastoris and purified by cation exchange chromatography. Its substrate specificity was investigated using pH-stat and monomolecular film techniques and various lipid substrates (triglycerides, diglycerides, phospholipids, and galactolipids). Lipase activity of HPLRP2 on trioctanoin was inhibited by bile salts and poorly restored by adding colipase. In vivo, HPLRP2 therefore seems unlikely to show any lipase activity on dietary fat. In human pancreatic lipase (HPL), residues R256, D257, Y267, and K268 are involved in the stabilization of the open conformation of the lid domain, which interacts with colipase. These residues are not conserved in HPLRP2. When the corresponding mutations (R256G, D257G, Y267F, and K268E) are introduced into HPL, the effects of colipase are drastically reduced in the presence of bile salts. This may explain why colipase has such weak effects on HPLRP2. HPLRP2 displayed a very low level of activity on phospholipid micelles and monomolecular films. Its activity on monogalactosyldiglyceride monomolecular film, which was much higher, was similar to the activity of guinea pig pancreatic lipase related-protein 2, which shows the highest galactolipase activity ever measured. The physiological role of HPLRP2 suggested by the present results is the digestion of galactolipids, the most abundant lipids occurring in plant cells, and therefore, in the vegetables that are part of the human diet.

Synthesis of Amphiphilic Phenylazophenyl Glycosides and a Study of Their Liquid Crystal Properties

Several 4-(4'-N,N-didodecylaminophenylazo)phenyl 1,2-trans glycosides 5a-e with various carbohydrate heads (beta-D-gluco, beta-D-galacto, beta-lacto, beta-D-xylo, and alpha-D-manno) have been synthesized. The key step was the formation of phenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborates 2a-e from the per-O-acetylated 4-aminophenyl glycosides 1a-e. These salts were condensed with N,N-didodecylaniline under phase transfer conditions and the per-O-acetylated 4-(4'-N,N-didodecylaminophenylazo)phenyl 1,2-trans glycosides 4a-e were fully de-O-acetylated by the Zemplén method. The self-organizing liquid crystal properties of the compounds were investigated by a variety of techniques, including polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. All but one of the materials exhibited smectic A, lamellar phases. Remarkably, the glucose derivative exhibited a rectangular disordered columnar phase. This result has implications with respect to the induced curvature created by the recognition processes of the glucose headgroup relative to the other sugar moieties and to the prevalence of various glycolipids in cell membranes

Specific interaction of lectins with liposomes and monolayers bearing neoglycolipids

The interaction of three lectins (wheat germ, Ulex europaeus I, and Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinins: WGA, UEA-I and LTA) with either N-acetyl-D-glucosamine or L-fucose neoglycolipids incorporated into phospholipid monolayers and liposome bilayers was studied at the air/water interface and in bulk solution. The results show that for both systems studied, synthesized neoglycolipids were capable of binding their specific lectin and that, in general, the binding of lectins increased with the increase in the molar fraction of the saccharide derivative incorporated in either the monolayers or bilayers. However, whereas for UEA-I, molecular recognition was enhanced by a strong hydrophobic interaction, for WGA and LTA successful recognition was predominantly related to the distance between neighboring sugar groups. The observed lengthy adsorption times of these lectins onto their specific ligands were attributed to interfacial conformational changes occurring in the proteins upon their adsorption at the interfaces.

Preferential orientation of an immunoglobulin in a glycolipid monolayer controlled by the disintegration kinetics of proteo-lipidic vesicles spread at an air–buffer interface

The insertion of immunoglobulin (IgG) in a glycolipid monolayer was achieved by using the ability of new proteo-glycolipid vesicles to disintegrate into a mixed IgG-glycolipid interfacial film after spreading at an air-buffer interface. The interfacial disintegration kinetics was shown to be directly dependent on the initial vesicle surface density and on the buffer ionic strength. The presence of the immunoglobulin in the glycolipid film was displayed by an increase of the lateral compressibility (Cs) during monolayer compression. Cs magnitude modifications, due to the antibody effect on the monolayer packing, decreases as the spread vesicle density increases. At interfacial saturation, the lateral compressibility profile becomes similar to that of a control monolayer without antibody. However, the careful analysis of the mixed monolayer after transfer by Langmuir-Blodgett technique (ATR-FTIR characterisation, enzyme immunoassociation) clearly demonstrated that the antibody was still present in such conditions and was not completely squeezed out from the interface as compressibility changes could have meant. At nonsaturating vesicle surface density, IgG molecules initially lying in the lipid matrix with the Y-shape plane parallel to the interface move to a standing-up position during the compression, leading to lateral compressibility modifications. For a saturating vesicle surface density, the glycolipid molecules force the IgG molecules to directly adopt a more vertical position in the interfacial film and, consequently, no lateral compressibility modification was recorded during the compression.

Self-organizing properties of natural and related synthetic glycolipids

In this article we report on the syntheses, self-organizing properties, and structures of a variety of cerebrosides and related synthetic glycolipids. The thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystalline properties of the materials were evaluated in detail. All of the families of materials studied exhibited columnar mesophases. In the dry state the aliphatic chains were found to be located on the exterior of the columns, whereas in the wet state the reverse was the case with the polar headgroups on the exterior. Thus, the aliphatic chains act almost like hydrocarbon solvents in the dry state.

Syntheses and interfacial behaviour of neoglycolipid analogues of glycosyl ceramides

Four glycosyl ceramides analogues having D-galactose or 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose moieties linked to enantiomeric lipids have been synthesised to study their interfacial behaviour at the air/water interface. The lipid chains were prepared in two steps by opening 1,2-epoxyhexadecane using Jacobsen kinetic hydrolytic resolution (KHR) followed by an azidosilylation reaction of the diol so obtained. Glycosylation reactions were realised either with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate or 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-allyloxycarbonylamino-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose as donors and (2R)- or (2S)-2-azidohexadecanol derivatives as acceptors. Transformation of the azido glycosides into N-acylated products was done by a modified Staudinger reaction in the presence of fatty acyl chlorides. The four neoglycolipids are able to form a condensed monolayer at the air/water interface; their pi-A isotherm diagrams are similar to that described for the natural glycosyl ceramides. The detailed analysis of the isotherms, taking into account the chirality of the lipid chains, allowed to determine the contribution of the different parts of the molecule under the monolayer packing.

Syntheses of neoglycolipids with hexitol spacers between the saccharidic and the lipidic parts

Four neoglycolipids having 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose or D-galactose moieties linked to the lipidic part by a glucitol or a mannitol spacer-arm have been synthesized. The key step of the synthetic strategy was the regiospecific or regioselective beta-glycosylation of partially protected glucitol or mannitol acceptors by either 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-iodo-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl azide or 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate donors.

[Accuracy of pressure measurements obtained with a new rectal balloon catheter]

The accuracy of measurements performed by a balloon catheter used to record abdominal pressure during urodynamic investigations was verified on a test bench.

OBJECTIVE

To study the accuracy and precision of the pressure measurements obtained with a new rectal balloon catheter (ref. 95018 Laboratoires Vermed), designed to record abdominal pressure during urodynamic assessments. The clinical value of this catheter, using air for pressure transmission, is its simplicity, as there is no contamination of the perfusion circuit or transducer, no purging of the circuit, and artefacts related to movements of the tubing are eliminated.

METHOD

The catheter was placed in a pressure chamber fitted with a precise, calibrated regulation system allowing programmed pressure variations from 10 to 150 cmH2O. Pressures recorded by the test catheter were compared to reference pressures applied to the chamber. The frequency of acquisition of pressure measurements was 100 Hertz and the resolution was 10 Hertz. This model was used to study the accuracy of pressure measurements and the response times of the catheter. Measurements were performed with a volume of 2 ml of air introduced into the catheter (volume recommended by the manufacturer), and the optimal volume was investigated by inflating the catheter until the best result was obtained. The evaluation was based on calculation of the mean difference observed between the two measurements and the scatter of the differences observed.

RESULTS

When the catheter was filled with 2 ml of air, pressures measured by the catheter were overestimated an average of 1.1 cmH2O (standard deviation = 1), and 95% of the differences between the two measurements were within +/- 2.15 cmH2O. The optimal air volume was found to be 1.5 ml. With this air volume, no significant difference was observed between the two measurements. The mean observed difference was 0.2 cmH2O (SD = 1.2), which means that 95% of the differences were situated within the range of +/- 2.35 cmH2O.

CONCLUSION

The pressure recording method with this new catheter is validated in terms of physical parameters.

Fucosyled neoglycolipids: synthesis and interaction with a phospholipid

The interfacial behavior of the neoglycolipids formed of Guerbet alcohol (G(28)) bound to a triethylene glycol spacer (E(3)) and to a sugar moiety (alpha- and beta-fucose) spread at the air/water interface has been studied under dynamic conditions of compression. Although the alpha (alpha-FucE3G28)- and beta-fucose (beta-FucE3G28) derivatives possessed the same chemical structure, the positioning of the sugar moiety relative to the whole molecule had a significant influence on the organization of neoglycolipid molecules in the spread monolayers. Thus, beta-fucose molecules exhibited higher compressibilities and larger molecular areas than a alpha/beta (84/16%) mixture (alpha(84)-FucE3G28). The comparison of the compressional behavior of the fucose derivatives with that of Guerbet alcohol in the absence and in the presence of the triethylene glycol spacer shows that the presence of the E(3) chain is necessary to stabilize the lipid at the interface and that the incorporation of a sugar moiety into the molecule resulted in an important expansion of a monolayer. Despite their different interfacial behaviors, the two sugar derivatives formed ideal mixtures when cospread at the air/water interface. Conversely, in the presence of a phospholipid, such as DMPC, repulsive interactions were observed and appeared to be stronger for DMPC/alpha(84)-FucE3G28 mixed monolayers. The membrane fluidity of DMPC liposomes bearing the studied amphiphilic molecules was assessed by fluorescence depolarization measurements. The results reveal that whereas G(28) was deeply inserted into the liposome bilayers, the presence of a E(3) chain and of a sugar moiety in these bilayers induced a transfer of the amphiphilic derivatives from the hydrophobic core towards polar headgroups of phospholipid molecules.

Syntheses of amphiphilic glycosylamides from glycosyl azides without transient reduction to glycosylamines

Protected glycosyl azides react with acyl chlorides in the presence of triphenylphosphine to afford glycosylamides in high yields, at room temperature. Starting from the beta-glycosyl azides, the reaction is highly stereoselective and occurs with retention of configuration, whereas the alpha-azido anomers display a lower stereoselectivity giving rise to alpha/beta mixtures of glycosylamides. The reaction was applied to several monosaccharidic azides and to lactosyl azide with various acyl chlorides; it was shown to be of general use for preparing 1,2-trans beta-glycosylamides.