Synthesis and conjugation of terminal α-galactose containing mono-, di-, and trisaccharides for immunization experiments
Abstract
Over 16 million people in Latin America are infected with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), the causative agent of Chagas disease, and up to 50,000 infected people die annually due to complications during the chronic stage of the disease. To date, there are no vaccines or effective drugs to treat chronic Chagas disease. It is known that T. cruzi contains cell surface mucin-like glycoproteins with terminal α-galactosyl residues, and it is well established that they are highly immunogenic. The exact structure of the immunogenic carbohydrate epitopes, however, remains unknown. To determine which epitopes have the ability to interact with the serum of patients suffering from chronic Chagas disease and elicit antibodies, a small library of potentially immunogenic saccharides have been synthesized and conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) carrier proteins. These synthetic glycoconjugates may help unravel the molecular details about the immunogenicity of T. cruzi and potentially aid in the development of a vaccine for Chagas disease. This thesis demonstrates the syntheses and conjugation of 6 terminal α-Gal containing saccharides for immunization experiments.
Subject Area
Biochemistry|Organic chemistry
Recommended Citation
Ashmus, Roger Allan, "Synthesis and conjugation of terminal α-galactose containing mono-, di-, and trisaccharides for immunization experiments" (2010). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI1482701.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1482701