Isabelle Rico-Lattes

Synthetic soluble analogs of galactosylceramide (GalCer) bind to the V3 domain of HIV-1 gp120 and inhibit HIV-1-induced fusion and entry.

Galactosylceramide (GalCer) is an alternative receptor allowing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 entry into CD4-negative cells of neural and colonic origin. Several lines of evidence suggest that this glycosphingolipid recognizes the V3 region of HIV-1 surface envelope glycoprotein gp120. Since the V3 loop plays a key role in the fusion process driven by HIV-1, we decided to synthesize soluble analogs of GalCer with the aim to develop a new class of anti-HIV-1 agents that could neutralize HIV-1 infection through masking of the V3 loop. We describe a short route, in three steps, for the synthesis of soluble analogs of GalCer, using unprotected lactose as the starting sugar. The analogs were prescreened in an assay based on the interaction between a V3 loop-derived synthetic peptide and [3H]suramin, a polysulfonyl compound displaying high affinity for the V3 loop. One of the soluble analogs, i.e. CA52(n15), strongly inhibited the binding of [3H]suramin to the V3 peptide, with an IC50 of 1.2 μM. This molecule was also able to inhibit [3H]suramin binding to recombinant gp120 with similar activity. Using a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with highly specific anti-gp120 monoclonal antibodies, the region recognized by CA52(n15) could be mapped to amino acids 318-323, which corresponds to the highly conserved consensus motif GPGRAF. Interestingly, the region recognized by suramin, i.e. IQRGP-R-F, was partially overlapping this motif. CA52(n15) was able to inhibit HIV-1-induced cell fusion as well as HIV-1 entry into both CD4+ and CD4−/GalCer+ cells. A structure-activity relationship study showed that: (i) the antiviral activity of soluble analogs of GalCer correlates with V3 loop binding, and (ii) the hydrophobic moiety of the molecule plays an important role in this activity. Taken together, these data show that synthetic analogs of GalCer can inhibit HIV-1 entry into both CD4− and CD4+ cells through masking of the V3 loop.

Phosphorus-containing dendrimers bearing galactosylceramide analogs: self-assembly properties.

We report the synthesis and the supramolecular auto-assembly of catanionic phosphorus-containing dendrimers mimicking multisite analogs of galactosylceramide.

Cosmetic use formulations containing pentyl rhamnoside and cetyl rhamnoside

For the first time, we report here the synthesis and use of pentyl and cetyl rhamnoside as cosurfactant or surfactant, respectively, and their evaluation in cosmetic formulations. l‐rhamnose is more reactive than d‐glucose in direct acetalization with long alkyl chains of alcohol, because of its higher lipophilicity, whereas for short alkyl chains, glucose and rhamnose are equivalent. Furthermore, pentyl rhamnoside could be used as a new non‐toxic cosurfactant to formulate microemulsions. Finally, a white continuous aqueous phase emulsion and a liquid soap were evaluated for cosmetic uses. These new formulations showed very good cosmetic properties with high hydration properties and rapid cutaneous penetration.

Correlation between structure, aggregation behaviour and cellular toxicity of anti-HIV catanionic analogues of galactosylceramide

The self-association process of catanionic analogues of galactosylceramide and in particular the arrangement of their hydrophobic part seems to play a key role in their cellular toxicity

Cationic Porphyrin–Anionic Surfactant Mixtures for the Promotion of Self‐Organized 1:4 Ion Pairs in Water with Strong Aggregation Properties

We performed a systematic study on the spectroscopic and aggregation properties of stoichiometric mixtures (1:4) of the tetracationic meso-tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridinium)porphyrin (H2 TMPyP) and three sodium alkylsulfate surfactants (tetradecyl, hexadecyl, and octadecylsulfate) in an aqueous solution. The objective was to build a supramolecular aggregate, which would favor the internalization of tetracationic porphyrins in cells without chemical modification of the structure of the porphyrin. We show that stoichiometric H2 TMPyP/alkylsulfate (1:4) mixtures lead to the formation of large hollow spherical aggregates (60-160 nm). The TEM images show that the membrane of these aggregates are composed of smaller aggregates, which are probably rod-like micelles. These rod-like micelles have a hydrophobic core composed of the alkyl chains of the alkylsulfate surfactant, whereas the charged surface corresponds to the tetracationic porphyrins.