Glycolipids as potential immunologic adjuvants.

A group of 1-thio-beta-L-fucopyranosides containing hexadecane, 9-octadecene, adamantane, 1,2-diphenyltetrafluoroethane, and 3-hexynyl- and 3,6-dioxaoctylcholesterols were synthesized as potential immunologic adjuvants. Many of these fucosyl lipids and 6-(5-cholesten-3 beta-yloxy)hexyl 1 thioglycosides were found to give good response to subunit A/Victoria influenza virus. Carbohydrates with L-fucose and D-galactose backbones appeared essential for adjuvant activity. Lactose which has a terminal D-galactose moiety was found to be active, whereas L-arabinose which lacks a 5-(hydroxymethyl) group was inactive.