Synthetic glycopeptide substrates for receptor-mediated endocytosis by macrophages

Mammalian macrophages contain a transport system that binds and internalizes glycoproteins with exposed mannose residues. This system and analogous systems on other types of cells require substrates to bear multiple nonreducing terminal residues of the appropriate sugar for effective uptake. Small multivalent synthetic glycopeptides with mannose residues covalently linked through a spacer arm to the alpha- and epsilon-amino groups of lysine, dilysine, and trilysine are competitive inhibitors of rat alveolar macrophage uptake of the neoglycoprotein mannosyl-bovine serum albumin with inhibition constants in the microM range. Various compounds could be covalently attached to the alpha-carboxyl group of these glycopeptides with substantial retention of inhibitory potency. This uptake system does not recognize galactose residues, and the galactosyl analog of an inhibitory mannosylpeptide did not inhibit uptake of mannosyl-bovine serum albumin. The trimannosyldilysine ligand is not only an inhibitor but also a substrate for specific uptake by macrophage, as shown with an 125I-labeled derivative. Macrophages bound 6.4 x 10(5) molecules per cell at 0 degrees C with a dissociation constant of 2 microM. At 21 degrees C the cells could internalize the labeled conjugate with an apparent Michaelis constant of 6 microM and a maximal velocity of 1.7 x 10(5) molecules per min per cel. The dissociation constant and Michaelis constant are similar to the inhibition constant of 9 microM determined at 21 degrees C for inhibition by this conjugate at mannosyl-bovine serum albumin uptake. These synthetic substrates may be useful in targeting pharmacologic agents to macrophages, and analogous compounds may target such agents to other types of cell.