Second-Generation Dendrimers with Chondroitin Sulfate Type-E Disaccharides as Multivalent Ligands for Langerin

Chondroitin sulfate type-E (CS-E) is a sulfated polysaccharide that shows several interesting biological activities, such as modulation of the neuronal growth factor signaling and its interaction with langerin, a C-type lectin with a crucial role in the immunological system. However, applications of CS-E are hampered by the typical heterogeneous structure of the natural polysaccharide. Well-defined, homogeneous CS-E analogues are highly demanded. Here, we report the synthesis of monodispersed, structurally well-defined second-generation glycodendrimers displaying up to 18 CS-E disaccharide units. These complex multivalent systems have a molecular weight and a number of disaccharide repeating units comparable with those of the natural polysaccharides. In addition, surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed a calcium-independent interaction between these glycodendrimers and langerin, in the micromolar range, highlighting the utility of these compounds as CS-E mimetics.