Diversification of a Novel α-Galactosyl Ceramide Hotspot Boosts the Adjuvant Properties in Parenteral and Mucosal Vaccines.

The development of potent adjuvants is an important step for improving the performance of subunit vaccines. CD1d agonists, such as the prototypical α-galactosyl ceramide (α-GalCer), are of special interest due to their ability to activate iNKT cells and trigger rapid dendritic cell maturation and B-cell activation. Herein, we introduce a novel derivatization hotspot at the α-GalCer skeleton, namely the N-substituent at the amide bond.

An efficient synthetic route to O-(2-O-benzyl-3,4-di-O-acetyl-α/β-l-fucopyranosyl)-trichloroacetimidate.

An efficient synthetic route to prepare O-(2-O-benzyl-3,4-di-O-acetyl-α/β-l-fucopyranosyl)-trichloroacetimidate from l-fucose was developed by introducing the thiophenyl group at the anomeric center and the benzylidene functional group to protect the 3 and 4 positions. Although three approaches were considered, the best result was obtained when, after the 2-hydroxyl benzylation, both protective groups were simultaneously removed by using acetic anhydride and perchloric acid supported on silica as catalyst. Selective deacetylation of the obtained tri-O-acetate followed by the reaction of the resultant hemiacetal with trichloroacetonitrile and DBU afforded the trichloroacetimidate with an overall yield of 56% from the l-fucose.

Quantitative assessment of C-polysaccharide in capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae by PNMR.

Capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae are key components of commercially available anti-pneumococcal vaccines; meanwhile C-polysaccharide is considered an impurity. World Health Organization recommends a strict control over the presence of this biomolecule due to the possibility of introducing an undesired response. An alternative way for assessing this impurity is focused on detect the phosphocholine residues by means of quantitative H-NMR.

Expanding the Scope of Ugi Multicomponent Bioconjugation to Produce Pneumococcal Multivalent Glycoconjugates as Vaccine Candidates.

Conjugate vaccines against encapsulated pathogens like face many challenges, including the existence of multiple serotypes with a diverse global distribution that constantly requires new formulations and higher coverage. Multivalency is usually achieved by combining capsular polysaccharide-protein conjugates from invasive serotypes, and for , this has evolved from 7- up to 20-valent vaccines. These glycoconjugate formulations often contain high concentrations of carrier proteins, which may negatively affect glycoconjugate immune response.

Serotypic distribution and antimicrobial resistance of in Chinese children under 5 years after the introduction of the 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine: protocol for a scoping review.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) be included in immunization programs worldwide. In China, the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PREVNAR 7®) was authorized in 2008 but was not included in the national immunization programs. In 2016, PREVNAR 13®, a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), was licensed for optional use in China.

Assessing the immunogenicity and toxicity of the AFPL1-conjugate nicotine vaccine using heterologous and homologous vaccination routes.

Despite the increased risks of cancers and cardiovascular related diseases, tobacco smoking continues to be prevalent in the population due largely in part to the addictive nature of nicotine. Nicotine vaccines are an attractive alternative to the current smoking cessation options but have yet to be successful enough in clinical trials to reach the market due to a lack of neutralizing antibodies and inconsistent results. Using AFPL1 derived from the Cuban meningococcal vaccine as an adjuvant, we have previously published promising results with an intranasally administered nicotine vaccine.

Tuberculosis vaccine candidates based on mycobacterial cell envelope components.

Even after decades searching for a new and more effective vaccine against tuberculosis, the scientific community is still pursuing this goal due to the complexity of its causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Mtb is a microorganism with a robust variety of survival mechanisms that allow it to remain in the host for years. The structure and nature of the Mtb envelope play a leading role in its resistance and survival.

The Global Meningococcal Initiative meeting on prevention of meningococcal disease worldwide: Epidemiology, surveillance, hypervirulent strains, antibiotic resistance and high-risk populations.

Introduction: The 2018 Global Meningococcal Initiative (GMI) meeting focused on evolving invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) epidemiology, surveillance, and protection strategies worldwide, with emphasis on emerging antibiotic resistance and protection of high-risk populations. The GMI is comprised of a multidisciplinary group of scientists and clinicians representing institutions from several continents.

Areas Covered: Given that the incidence and prevalence of IMD continually varies both geographically and temporally, and surveillance systems differ worldwide, the true burden of IMD remains unknown.

Multicomponent polysaccharide-protein bioconjugation in the development of antibacterial glycoconjugate vaccine candidates.

A new synthetic strategy for the development of multivalent antibacterial glycoconjugate vaccines is described. The approach comprises the utilization of an isocyanide-based multicomponent process for the conjugation of functionalized capsular polysaccharides of and Typhi to carrier proteins such as diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. For the first time, oxo- and carboxylic acid-functionalized polysaccharides could be either independently or simultaneously conjugated to immunogenic proteins by means of the Ugi-multicomponent reaction, thus leading to mono- or multivalent unimolecular glycoconjugates as vaccine candidates.

Cross-protection induced by VA-MENGOC-BC® vaccine.

I would like to comment on the article "Commentary: Impact of meningococcal group B OMV vaccines, beyond their brief", DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.

NMR line-fitting quantification of polysaccharide N-acylurea-based modification in glycoconjugates of Salmonella Typhi Vi polysaccharide.

The polysaccharides modification via carbodiimide reaction is one of the most applied methods for obtaining conjugated vaccines against Salmonella enterica. However, N-acylurea carbodiimide adduct generated in the process is a critical impurity in carbohydrate-based vaccines. A quantitative NMR method was developed for assessing the N-acylurea carbodiimide adduct impurity.