Technical Field

The invention relates to compounds useful in the treatment of inflammation, allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, and related conditions. More specifically, the invention concerns substituted lactose that binds to selectin receptors and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The present invention is also directed to synthetic methods useful in obtaining these analogs and other lactose derivatives.

Background Art

It is now well established that cellular interactions are at least in part mediated by receptor/ligand interactions. One class of receptors is known to recognize the peptide sequence "RGD"; other receptors recognize carbohydrate ligands.

One class of receptors that recognize carbohydrate-based ligands mediates the adhesion of circulating neutrophils to stimulated vascular endothelium. This is a primary event of the inflammatory response and appears to be involved as well in allergic and autoimmune responses. Several receptors have been implicated in this interaction, including a family of putative lectins that includes gp90 ^MEL (Leu8), ELAM-1, and GMP-140 (PADGEM) and (Gong, J.-G., et al., Nature (1990) 343:757; Johnston, G.I., et al., Cell (1989) 56:1033; Geoffrey, J.S., and Rosen, S.D., J. Cell Biol. (1989) 109:2463; Lasky, L.A., et al., Cell (1989) 56:1045).

These lectins have been termed L-SELECTIN, E-SELECTIN, and P-SELECTIN. E-SELECTIN is perhaps the best characterized of the three selectins. It is particularly interesting because of its transient expression on endothelial cells in response to IL-1 or TNF (Bevilacqua, M.P., et al., Science (1989) 243:1160). The time course of this induced expression (2-8 hours) suggests a role for this receptor in initial neutrophil extravasation in response to infection and injury. Furthermore, Bevilacqua et al. (see Bevilacqua, M.P., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1987)

84:923 ^ς ) have demonstrated that human neutrophils or HL-60 cells will adhere to COS » transfected with a plasmid containing a CDNA encoding for the E-SEL . _TIN receptor. Information regarding the DNA sequences encoding for endothelial cell-leukocyte adhesion molecules are disclosed within PCT published application WO90/13300 published November 15, 1990.

Recently, several different groups have published papers regarding the ligand for E-SELECTIN. Lowe et al., (1990) Cell, 63:475-484 reported a positive correlation between the E-SELECTIN dependent adhesion of HL-60 cell variants and transfected cell lines, with their expression of the sialyl Lewis x (sLex) oligosaccharide, Neu Nac α2-3Gal-βl-4(Fuc αl-3)-GlcNAc. By transfecting cells with plasmids containing an α( 1,3/ 1,4) fucosyltransferase, they were able to convert non-myeloid COS or CHO lines into sLex-positive cells that bind in an E-SELECTIN dependent manner. Attempts to block E-SELECTIN dependent adhesion using anti-sLex antibodies were uninterpretable due to the agglutination of the test cells by the antibody. They concluded that one or more members of a family of oligosaccharides consisting of sialylated, fucosylated, lactosaminoglycans are the ligands for the lectin domain of E-SELECTIN. Phillips et al., (1990) Science, 250: 1130-1132 used antibodies with reported specificity for sLex to inhibit the E-SELECTIN dependent adhesion of HL-60 or LECH CHO cells to activated endothelial cells. Liposomes containing difucosylated glycolipids with terminal sLex structures inhibited adhesion, while those containing nonsialylated Lex structures were partially inhibitory. Walz et al., (1990) Science, 250: 1132- 1135 were able to inhibit the binding of a E-SELECTIN-lgG chimera to HL-60 cells with a monoclonal antibody directed against sLex or by glycoproteins with the sLex structure, but could not demonstrate inhibition with CD65 or CD 15 antibodies. Both groups concluded that the sLex structure is the ligand for E-SELECTIN. Patent Application No. WO92/02527 assigned to the present assignee and incorporated herein by refere ^~ t discloses and claims the foregoing minimum tetrasaccharide structure and ide_, ties the groups putatively interactive with the ELAM-1 receptor.

In contrast to E-SELECTIN, the properties of the ligands that bind to L- SELECTIN and P-SELECTIN are not as well worked out. L-SELECTIN appears

to bind a sialic acid bearing Ugand based on neuraminidase treatment of peripheral lymph node high endothelial venules which inhibits L-SELECTIN recognition. True et al., 1990, J. Cell Biol. Ill, 2757-2764. Further, other studies using soluble L-SELECTIN in direct binding/inhibition assays suggests that certain carbohydrate moieties may be important ligand components including mannose and fucose, particularly when sulfated or phosphorylated. Imai et al., 1990 J. Cell Biol. Il l, 1225-1232. More recent studies suggest that L-Selectin binds to sialyl Lewis X. Foxall, C, et al., (1992) Cell, in press.

The ligand to P-SELECTIN is thought to have an epitope related to sialyl Lewis x. This conclusion is based on studies using antibody with this specificity that block P-SELECTIN mediated adhesion of HL-60 cells to activated platelets or COS cells that express P-SELECTIN. Larsen et al. (1990) Cell 63, 467-474. Other experiments have shown that the adhesion of HL-60 cells to P-SELECTIN transfected cells is blocked by the pentasaccharide isolated from milk that has the Lewis" epitope. Recently, P-Selectin has been shown to bind to sulfatides. Aruffo,

A., et al. (1991) Cell, 67:35-44.

Because of the role of selectins in disease, particularly diseases involving unwanted cell-cell adhesion that occurs through selectin-ligand binding on defined cell types, the identification and isolation of novel ligands that would permit the regulation of such selectin-ligand binding is sorely needed.

Objects of the Invention

The invention provides agonists and antagonists which bind to selectin receptors and thus modulate the course of inflammation, cancer and related responses by modulating cell-cell adhesion events. In this aspect, the invention is directed to compounds of the formula:

(1)

wherein each R ¹ is independently H or lower alkyl (1-4C);

R ² is H, lower alkyl(l-4C), alkylaryl or one or more additional saccharide residues;

R ³ is a negatively charged moiety including SO4 ^\' , PO ₄ ~, or related group; Y is H, OH ¹ or lower alkyl(l-4C); and

X is -CHR^CHOR^Cffi^OR ¹ wherein R ⁴ and R ⁵ are each independently H, lower alkyl(l-4C), or taken together result in a five- or six-membered ring optionally containing a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NR ¹ ; said five- or six-membered ring optionally substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of R\ CH ₂ OR\ OR ¹ , OOCR ¹ , NR ¹ NHCOR ¹ , and SR ¹ with the proviso that if X represents a hexose substituent R ⁴ and R ⁵ , taken together, cannot provide a hexose substituent.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method to synthesize lactose derivatives which method comprises contacting an intermediate of the formula

(2) wherein each R ⁶ is independently H, lower alkyl (1-4C), or a protecting group; and wherein Y ¹ is H, OH ⁶ , OOCR ⁶ , or SR ⁶ ; wherein at least one R ⁶ , which is at the position to be substituted, and at most one adjacent R ⁶ is H and all other R ⁶ s are protecting groups; and R ⁷ is a protecting group, with an electrophile-donating moiety to obtain a product wherein the electrophile is substituted for the H of the OH at the position to be substituted.

In other aspects, the invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of formula 1 and to methods of treating inflammation using these compositions. In other aspects, the invention is directed to compounds of formula 2 and additional intermediates in the synthesis of selectin binding ligands or other useful lactosyl residue-containing moieties.

Modes of Carrying Out the Invention It is intended that all the references cited herein be incorporated into the patent application in their entirety.

The invention provides compounds that are useful in the treatment of inflammation by virtue of their ability to bind to selectin receptors. For example,

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the role believed to be played by one of the selectin receptors, ELAM-1, in mediating inflammation. Blood vessels are lined with endothelial cells capable of producing the ELAM-1 surface receptor.

Lymphocytes circulating in the vessel contain on their surfaces carbohydrate

ligands capable of binding to the ELAM-1 receptor. This results in transfer of the lymphocyte through the vessel wall and into the surrounding tissue. While this may have a useful effect in some circumstances, as in cases when the surrounding tissue is infected, excessive transfer of the lymphocytes through the vessel wall and into the tissue may also be excessive and cause unwanted inflammation. While not wishing to be limited by any particular theory, it is believed that the compounds of the present invention which bind the ELAM-1 receptor, antagonize the action of the surface ligands on the circulating lymphocytes and thus prevent their transfer through the blood vessel wall to cause inflammation in the surrounding tissue.

Assays to Identify Ligands

In their most general form assays for identifying lactose derivatives that act as selectin ligands involve contacting the appropriate selectin, L-SELECTIN, E- SELECTIN, or P-SELECTIN, with a putative ligand and measuring its binding properties.

Several assays are available to measure the capacity of a compound to bind to L-SELECTIN, E-SELECTIN, or P-SELECTIN, and such assays are well known in the art. For example, both the selectin and the putative ligand may be in solution for a time sufficient for a complex to form consisting of the selectin and ligand , followed by separating the complex from uncomplexed selectin and ligand, and measuring the amount of complex formed. Alternatively, the amount of uncomplexed selectin or compound could be measured.

A second and preferred assay format consist of immobilizing either the selectin or the putative ligand on a solid surface, and forming the selectin-ligand complex thereon by contacting the immobilized reagent with the non-immobilized reagent. The selectin-ligand complex is separated from uncomplexed reagents, and the amount of complex formed can be determined by measuring the amount of the non-immobilized reagent present in the complex. For example, the putative ligand can be affixed to a microtiter well, followed by adding the desired selectin to the well and measuring the amount of selectin bound to the ligand.

A variation of the above assay is to genetically engineer cells to express high levels of L-SELECTIN, E-SELECTIN, or P-SELECTIN on their surface, and

to use the cells in lieu of purified selectin. Radiolabeled COS cells have been used in this type of assay, and can be transfected with cDNA that encodes for L- SELECTIN, E-SELECTIN or P-SELECTIN. After the cells have had a sufficient time to adhere to the ligand coated microtiter well, non-adherent cells are removed and the number of adherent cells determined. The number of adherent cells reflects the capacity of the ligand to bind to the selectin.

Representative of the application of this type of assay is the identification of E-SELECTIN ligands. For example, a complete cDNA for the ELAM-1 receptor was obtained by PCR starting with total RNA isolated from IL-1 stimulated human umbilical vein endothelium. The resulting cDNA was inserted into the CDM8 plasmid (see Aruffo, A., and Seed, B., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1987) 84:8573) and the plasmid amplified in coli. Plasmid DNA from individual colonies was isolated and used to transfect COS cells. Positive plasmids were selected by their ability to generate COS cells that support HL-60 cell adhesion. DNA sequencing positively identified one of these clones as encoding for ELAM-1 (Bevilacqua,

M.P., et al., Science, (1989) 243:1160; Polte, T., et al., Nucleic Acids Res. (1990) 18:1083; Hession, C, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1990) 87:1673). These publications are incorporated herein by reference for their disclosure of ELAM-1 and genetic material coding for its production. The complete nucleotide sequence of the ELAM-1 cDNA and predicted amino acid sequence of the ELAM-1 protein are given in the above cited article by Bevilacqua et al., which DNA and amino acid sequences are incorporated herein by reference (see also published PCT patent application WO90/13300 which was published November 15, 1990, which is incorporated herein by reference). A full length cDNA encoding ELAM-1 was obtained by 35 cycles of the polymerase chain reaction with 1 μg of total RNA extracted from IL-1 stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells, utilizing primers complementary to the untranslated flanking sequences (5\'-GGTGCGGCCGCGGCCAGAGACCCGAGGAGAG-3\' and 5\'-GGTGTCGACCCCACCTGAGAGATCCTGTG-3\'). The 2Kb insert generated was gel purified, directionally cloned into the mammalian expression vector, CDM8 that had been modified by the insertion of a Sail site into the polylinker,

and grown in E. coli (MC1061/p3). Plasmids were isolated from individual colonies and used to transfect COS cells. Putative E-SELECTIN encoding plasmids were selected based on the ability of these transfected COS cells to support HL-60 cell adhesion 72 h posttransfection. A positive cDNA whose sequence corresponded to the published sequence of E-SELECTIN with two nucleic acid substitutions was used in all experiments. COS cells were transfected with 1 μg of this plasmid DNA per 3.5 - 5.0 x 10 ⁵ cells, with 400 μg/ml DEAE-dextran and 100 μM chloroquine for 4 h, followed by a brief exposure to 10% DMSO in PBS. Cells were metabolically radiolabeled overnight with carrier free ³² PO ₄ and harvested in PBS supplemented with 0.02% azide and 2 mM EDTA at 72 h posttransfection for use in cell adhesion studies.

E-SELECTIN transfected COS cells produced by the above method may be used to assay for glucuronyl glycolipid ligands. Similarly, COS cells may be transfected with cDNAs that encode L-SELECTIN and/or P-SELECTIN. The production and characterization of L-SELECTIN IgG chimera constructs have been previously described by Watson S. R. et al., (1990) J. Cell Biol. 110: 2221-2229. This chimera contains two complement binding domains, consistent with its natural expression. See Watson S. R. et al., (1991) J. Cell Biol. 115:235-243. P-SELECTIN chimera was constructed in a similar manner as described by Walz, G., et al (1990) Science 250, 1132-1135, and Aruffo, A. et al.(1991) Cell, 67, 35-

44, respectively. The chimeras may be expressed in a suitable host cell, for example, 293 cells and purified. Protein A affinity chromatography is the preferred method of purification. E-SELECTIN and P-SELECTIN may be constructed with truncated complement binding domains to standardize the size of the chimeras and to facilitate their secretion. A variation of the above assay is to genetically engineer cells to express high levels of L-SELECTIN, E-SELECTIN, or P-SELECTIN on their surface, and to use the cells in lieu of purified selectin. Radiolabeled COS cells have been used in this type of assay, and can be transfected with cDNA that encodes for L-SELECTIN, E-SELECTIN or P-SELECTIN. After the cells have had a sufficient time to adhere to the ligand coated microtiter well, non-adherent cells are removed and the number of adherent cells determined. The number of adherent cells reflects the capacity of the ligand to bind to the selectin.

Thus, any candidate compound of the formula 1 may be verified to bind ELAM-1 receptors by a positive result in the foregoing assays. These assays provide a simple screen for determining the relative effectiveness of the various members of the group consisting of compounds of formula 1.

Nontherapeutic Uses of Compounds of Formula 1

In addition to their use in treating or preventing inflammation as is further described hereinbelow, the compounds of formula 1 are useful in diagnostic and preparatory procedures both in vitro and in vivo. Compounds of formula 1 may be conjugated to solid substrates and used for the purification of selectin receptor protein from biological samples. This is conducted most conveniently by arranging the coupled substrate as an affinity chromatography column and applying a sample putatively containing the selectin receptor protein to the affinity column under conditions wherein the selectin receptor protein is adsorbed whereas contaminating materials are not. The selectin receptor protein is then subsequently eluted, for example, by adjusting the eluent solution to containing competing amounts of the compound of formula 1 or by adjusting pH or salt parameters. Techniques for affinity purification are well understood, and routine optimization experiments will generate the appropriate conditions for conduct of the procedure.

The compounds of formula 1 are also useful as detection reagents to determine the presence or absence of selectin or related carbohydrate-binding receptor ligands. For use in such diagnostic assays, a biological sample suspected to contain selectin receptor protein or a receptor protein closely related thereto is treated with the compound of formula 1 under conditions wherein complexation occurs between the receptor protein and the formula 1 compound, and the formation of the complex is detected. A wide variety of protocols may be utilized in such procedures, analogous to protocols applied in immunoassays. Thus, direct assay wherein the amount of complex formed is directly measured may be utilized; alternatively, competition assays may be used wherein labeled selectin receptor protein is supplied along with, and in competition with, the biological sample. In some forms of the assay, it is convenient to supply the compounds of formula 1 in

labeled form so that the complex is detected directly; in alternate procedures, the complex may be detected by size separations, secondary labeling reagents, or other alternate means. Suitable labels are known in the art, and include radioactive labels, fluorescent labels, enzyme labels, chromogenic labels, or composites of these approaches.

The compounds of formula 1 may also be used as competitive diagnostic reagents to detect the quantity of selectin receptor-binding components, such as surface ligands, in biological fluids. For the conduct of such assays, the compounds of formula 1 are labeled as described above and mixed with the biological sample and contacted with the appropriate receptor protein; the diminution of binding of the labeled compound of formula 1 to selectin receptor in the presence of biological sample is then determined.

The compounds of formula 1 may also be used in imagining studies in vivo to determine the location of selectin receptors in situ. For use in such assays, the compounds of formula 1 are supplied with labels which can be detected by in vivo imaging techniques, such as scintigraphic labels including indium 111, technetium 99, iodine 131, and the like.

Techniques for coupling compounds such as those of formula 1 to labels, chromatographic supports, or other moieties useful in employing the compounds in the relevant procedures are well understood in the art.

Antibodies may also be prepared to the compounds of formula 1 by coupling these compounds to suitable carriers and administering the coupled materials to mammalian or other vertebrate subjects in standard immunization protocols with proper inclusion of adjuvants. Suitable immunogenic carriers include, for example, Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH), tetanus toxoid, various serum albumins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and certain viral proteins such as rotaviral VP6 protein. These coupled materials are then administered in repeated injections to subjects such as rabbits, rats or mice and antibody titers monitored by standard immunoassay techniques. The resulting antisera may be used per se or the antibody-secreting cells generated by the immunization may be immortalized using standard techniques and used as a source of monoclonal preparations which are immunoreactive with the compounds of formula 1. The

resulting antibodies are useful in assay systems for determining the presence and/or amount of the relevant formula 1 compound. Such assays are useful in monitoring the circulating levels of compounds of formula 1 in therapeutic treatments such as those described below.

Administration in Anti-inflammatory Protocols

The compounds of the invention are administered to a subject in need thereof for prophylactically preventing inflammation or relieving it after it has begun. "Treating" as used herein means preventing or ameliorating inflammation and/or symptoms associated with inflammation. The compounds are preferably administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, the nature of the carrier differing with the mode of administration, for example, oral administration, usually using a solid carrier and I.V. administration using a liquid salt solution carrier. Typically, injectable compositions are prepared as liquid solutions or suspensions; solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid vehicles prior to injection may also be prepared. The compounds may also be emulsified or the active ingredient encapsulated in liposome vehicles.

Suitable vehicles are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, or the like, and combinations thereof. In addition, if desired, the vehicle may contain minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents or pH buffering agents. Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in the art. See, for example, Remington\'s Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, PA, 17th edition, 1985. Formulations may employ a variety of excipients including, for example, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin cellulose, magnesium carbonate, and the like. Oral compositions may be taken in the form of solutions, suspensions, tablets, pills, capsules, sustained release formulations, or powders. Particularly useful is the administration of the subject ligand molecules directly in transdermal formulations with permeation enhancers such as DMSO. Other topical formulations can be administered to treat dermal inflammation. In addition, transmucosal administration may be effected using penetrants such as bile salts or fusidic acid

derivatives optionally in combination with additional detergent molecules. These formulations are useful in the preparation of suppositories, for example, or nasal sprays. For suppositories, the vehicle composition will include traditional binders and carriers, such as polyalkylene glycols, or triglycerides. Such suppositories may be formed from mixtures containing the active ingredient in the range of about

0.5% to about 10% (w/w), preferably about 1% to about 2%.

Intranasal formulations will usually include vehicles that neither cause irritation to the nasal mucosa nor significantly disturb ciliary function. Diluents such as water, aqueous saline or other known substances can be employed with the subject invention. The nasal formulations may also contain preservatives such as, but not limited to, chlorobutanol and benzalkonium chloride. A surfactant may be present to enhance absorption of the subject proteins by the nasal mucosa.

Typically, the compositions of the instant invention will contain from less than 1% to about 95% of the active ingredient, preferably about 10% to about 50%. Preferably, between about 10 mg and 50 mg will be administered to a child and between about 50 mg and 1000 mg will be administered to an adult. The frequency of administration will be determined by the care given based on patient responsiveness. Other effective dosages can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art through routine trials establishing dose response curves. In determining the dose to be administered, it will be noted that it may not be desirable to completely block all selectin receptors of a particular type. In order for a normal healing process to proceed, at least some of the white blood cells or neutrophils must be brought into the tissue in the areas where any wound, infection or disease state is occurring. The amount of the selectin ligands administered as blocking agents must be adjusted carefully based on the particular needs of the patient while taking into consideration a variety of factors such as the type of disease that is being treated.

The compounds of the present invention are useful to treat a wide range of diseases, for example autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The compositions of the invention are applicable to treat any disease state wherein the immune system turns against the body causing the white

cells to accumulate in the tissues to the extent that they cause tissue damage, swelling, inflammation and/or pain.

Formulations of the present invention might also be administered to prevent the undesirable after effects of tissue damage resulting from heart attacks. When a heart attack occurs and the patient has been revived, such as by the application of anticoagulants or thrombolytic (e.g., tPA), the endothelial lining where a clot was formed has often suffered damage. When the antithrombotic has removed the clot, the damaged tissue beneath the clot and other damaged tissue in the endothelial lining which has been deprived of oxygen become activated. The activated endothelial cells then synthesize selectin receptors, for example ELAM-1 receptors, within hours of the cells being damaged. The receptors are extended into the blood vessels where they adhere to glycolipid ligand molecules on the surface of white blood cells. Large numbers of white blood cells are quickly captured and brought into the tissue surrounding the area of activated endothelial cells, resulting in inflammation, swelling and necrosis which thereby decreases the likelihood of survival of the patient

In addition to treating patients suffering from the trauma resulting from heart attack, patients suffering from actual physical trauma could be treated with formulations of the invention in order to relieve the amount of inflammation and swelling which normally result after an area of the body is subjected to severe trauma. Other conditions treatable using formulations of the invention include various types of arthritis and adult respiratory distress syndrome. After reading the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize other disease states and/or symptoms which might be treated and/or mitigated by the administration of formulations of the present invention.

Applications of Compounds of Formula 2

The compounds of formula 2 are intermediates in the preparation of compounds which contain a lactosyl unit. Notably, the compounds of formula 2

are useful in the preparation of compounds of formula 1 whose use is described hereinabove. In addition to the compounds of formula 1, alternative compounds containing a lactose residue may also be prepared, such as:

4- _-(3-O-carbonymethyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-3-O_-[2R,S)-glyc eryl]-D- glucopyranose;

4-O-(3-O-carbonymethyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-3-O-[2R,S)- 2,3-dideoxy-2,3- difluoro-propyl]-D-glucopyranose;

4-O-[3-O-{(lR,S)-l-(carboxy)ethyl}-β-D-galactopyranosyl] -3-O-[(2R,S)- glycosyl]-D-glucopyranose; 4-O-[3-O-{(lR,S)-l-(carboxy)ethyl}-β-D-galactopyranosyl]-3- O-(α-L- fucopyranosyl)-D-glucopyranose;

4-O-[3-O-(α-Neu5Ac)-β-D-galactopyranosyl]-3-O-[(2R,S)-g lyceryl]-D- glucopyranose;

4-O-[3-O-(α-Neu5Ac)-β-D-galactopyranosyl]-3-O-[(2R,S)-2 ,3-dideoxy-2,3- difluoro-propyl] -D-glucopyranose.

Multivalent Forms of the Receptor Binding Ligands

The affinity of the ligands of the invention for receptor can be enhanced by providing multiple copies of the ligand in close proximity, preferably using a scaffolding provided by a carrier moiety. It has been shown that provision of such multiple valence with optimal spacing between the moieties dramatically improves binding to receptor. For example, Lee, R. et al., Biochem (1984) 23:4255, showed that providing multivalent forms of lactose inhibited labeled ASOR binding to mammalian hepatocytes much more effectively when the lactose was supplied as a multivalent entity; the IC ₅₀ dropped from 500 μM for a single valent lactose to 9 for a divalent lactosyl compound to 4 for a trivalent lactosyl compound, and with ideal or optimal spacing between the three lactose moieties to 0.007 μM.

The multivalency and spacing can be controlled by selection of a suitable carrier moiety. Such moieties include molecular supports which contain a multiplicity of functional groups that can be reacted with functional groups associated with the ligands of the invention. A particularly preferred approach involves coupling of the lactose-derived ligands of the invention to amino groups

of the carrier through reductive amination. Reductive animation is a particularly convenient way to couple aldehyde moieties to free amino groups by first forming the Schiff base and then treating the conjugate with a reducing agent, such as a hydride reducing agent. Typically, the amino group-bearing carrier is mixed with the carbohydrate moiety at about pH 9 and allowed to form the Schiff base; the solvents are typically evaporated and reducing agent is added at high pH to complete the, reaction.

Particularly convenient carrier moieties to obtain multivalent forms of the invention ligands include proteins and peptides, particularly those containing lysyl residues which have ε-amino groups available for binding. It is also useful to include in the peptide or protein at least one tyrosine residue, as this offers a convenient site for labeling, for example with radioactive iodine. A particularly convenient carrier to obtain a trivalent couple is the peptide Lys-Tyr-Lys. Complete reaction of the ligands of the invention with the free amino groups on this peptide result in a trivalent moiety. Thus, compounds of the invention of the formula

wherein X, Y, and R ¹ , and R ³ are as above defined illustrate the multivalent compounds of the invention. Of course, a variety of carriers can be used, including proteins such as BSA or HSA, a multiplicity of peptides including, for example, pentapeptides, decapeptides, pentadecapeptides, and the like. Preferably, the peptides or proteins contain the desired number of amino acid residues having free amino groups in their side chains; however, other functional groups, such as sulfhydryl groups or hydroxyl groups can also be used to obtain stable linkages. For example, the carbohydrate ligands of the invention may be oxidized to contain

carboxyl groups at the reducing terminus which can then be derivatized with either free amino groups to form amides or with hydroxyl groups to form esters.

Preparation of the Compounds of Formula 1 The compounds of the invention of Formula 1 may be synthesized using an intermediate of Formula 2. The intermediate of Formula 2, in one embodiment, can be prepared directly from D-lactose using standard procedures. In this conversion, D-lactose is converted to the octaacetate in crystalline form, in over 95% yield in the method described by Hudson, C, and Kuns, A., J Am Chem Soc (1925) 47:2052. The octaacetate is, in turn, converted in more than 90% yield by the method of Hudson, C. (supra) or of Fischer, E. and Fischer, H., Ber (1910) 43:2521 to the corresponding lactosyl bromide, also a crystalline compound. The protected lactosyl bromide is converted by the method of Jansson, K., et al., J Org Chem (1988) 53:5629, in over 60% yield to the corresponding acylated trimethylsilyl ethyl lactose, which can be deprotected by deacylation in quantitative yield to obtain 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl lactoside, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl β-D- galactopyranosyl-β-D glucopyranoside. Alternative protecting groups at position 1 of the disaccharide may also be used.

This precursor of the compounds of Formula 2 is of the formula:

wherein R ⁷ is a protecting group, preferably SE or Bn, wherein SE represents -CH ₂ CH ₂ SiMe ₃ and Bn is benzyl.

Reaction Scheme 1 outlines the formation of one embodiment of the compounds of Formula 2 from this intermediate, where Bz represents benzoyl:

Reaction Scheme 1

Stepl

6a R\' = SE

Step 2 6b R ⁷ =Bn

7a R\' = SE 7b& ⁷ = Bn

In step 1 of the reaction scheme, the protected lactose, e.g., the trimethylsilyl ethyl derivative, is treated with an excess of 2,2-dimethoxypropane and dry camphor sulfonic acid is added to the reaction mixture which is stirred for 2-3 days at about room temperature. A suitable base, such as triethylamine is added and stirring continued for 10-20 minutes; the mixture is then concentrated to dryness and the base removed. In the case of benzyl lactoside, the method employed is that of D. Beith-Halahmi et al., Carbohvdr. Res., (1967) 5_:25, wherein benzyl lactoside is boiled for 3-4 hours in a large excess of dry acetone containing 4-toluene sulfonic acid. The reaction mixture is worked up using standard procedures to recover the product 6. This intermediate is then benzoylated under suitable conditions using, for example, benzoyl chloride to obtain the intermediate compound shown in reaction scheme as 1_.

The intermediate 1_ ^m &y then be further derivatized at the free hydroxyl at the 3-position of the glucoside residue or this position may be protected and the compound deprotected at positions 3 and 4 of the galactosyl residue and further derivatized at position 3. Position 4 of the galactosyl residue is relatively unreactive. A typical scheme for utilization of this key intermediate 1_ is shown in Reaction Scheme 2A. (In this scheme, Bz is benzoyl (PhCO-) and Bn is benzyl (PhCH ₂ -).

Reaction Scheme 2A

Reaction Scheme 2A (continued)

As shown in Reaction Scheme 2A, the intermediate 1_ is converted in two steps to intermediate JO by treatment under suitable conditions with protected methyl 1- thio-L-fucoside. The reaction is conducted in a nonaqueous aproctic solvent in the presence of cupric bromide, tetrabutylammonium bromide and molecular sieve. (S. Sato, et al., Carbohvdr. Res. (1986) 155.C6). The resultant compound shown as .H) is then selectively acetylated at position 4 of D-galactopyranosyl residue by the way of its 3,4- orthoester, according to literature procedure, without isolation of the intermediate (R.U. Lemieux and H. Drigwez, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. (1975) 97:4069) to give intermediate 1_L Sulfation of intermediate 11. produces intermediate .12 which is deacylated and hydrogenated to yield the final product JJ5, a selectin ligand.

In another embodiment of the instant invention, shown in reaction scheme 2B, intermediate 11. may be phosphorylated to yield intermediate .14 which upon deacylation and hydrogenation yields the final product J^. This compound would be expected to act as a selectin ligand.

Reaction Scheme 2B

Compounds of the Invention and Preferred Embodiments

As used herein, alkyl (1-6C) refers to a saturated straight or branched chain or cyclic hydrocarbyl residue containing 1-6C; lower alkyl is similarly defined but containing only 1-4C. As used herein, alkylaryl is of the formula (CH ₂ ) _m -Ar wherein m is 1-10 and Ar is a mono- or bicyclic aromatic residue optionally containing one or more heteroatoms. Typical embodiments of Ar include phenyl, naphthyl, quinolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, benzthiazoyl, benzimidazoyl, and the like.

R7 is a protecting group suitable for saccharide residues. Typical protecting groups include benzyl, benzoyl, various silylalkyl groups, such as trimethylsilylethyl (SE), and the like.

Exemplary compounds of formula 1 of the invention are those wherein R ³ is S0 ₄ -2, P0 ₄ -2, or other similar charged moiety.

Additional exemplary compounds of formula 1 include those wherein X is: 6-methyl-3,4,5-trihydroxypyran-2-yl,

6-acetyl-3,4,5,trihydroxypyran-2-yl,

6-propylamido-3,4,5,trihydroxypyran-2-yl,

6-propylamido-2,3,4-trimethoxypyran-2-yl,

6-ethyl-2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxypyran-2-yl, 6-N-ethylamino-2-hydroxy-3,4-ethoxypyran-2-yl,

3,4,5-tri-n-propyloxypyran-2-yl,

3 ,4,5-trihydroxypyran-2-yl,

2,3,4-trimethoxyfuran-2-yl,

2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyfuran-2-yl, 2-hydroxy-3,4-ethoxyfuran-2-yl,

3 ,4,5-tri-n-propyloxyf uran-2-yl, and

3,4,5-trihydroxyfuran-2-yl; or wherein both R ⁵ and R ⁶ are H and all R ¹ in X are H or methyl; or wherein X is 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoyl. Thus, particularly preferred compounds of formula 1 are those wherein all

R ¹ are H or methyl, Y is H, OH, OCH ₃ or OAc; and/or X is -CH ₂ (CHOH) ₃ H, 3,4,5-trihydroxypyran-2-yl, 3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methylpyran-2-yl, 3,4,5-

trimethoxypyran-2-yl, 3,4,5-trimethoxy-6-methylpyran-2-yl, 3,4,5-trihydroxyfuran-2- yl, 3,4,5-trimethoxyfuran-2-yl, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoyl, or 2,3,4- trihydroxynaphthoyl; and R ³ is S0 ₄ -2, P0 ₄ -2, or other similar charged moiety.

Most preferred of the compounds of formula 1 are those wherein all R ¹ are H, R ² is H, Y is H, OR ¹ , or lower alkyl.

For those compounds of formula 2 which represent intermediates preferred forms are those wherein the protecting groups represented by R ⁶ are benzyl or benzoyl, the protecting group represented by R ⁷ is trimethylsilylethyl or benzyl, and wherein Y ¹ is H, OR ⁶ wherein R ⁶ is benzyl or benzoyl as set forth above, and where the free hydroxyl group(s) is at position 3 of the glucosyl moiety or positions 3 and 4 of the galactosyl moiety. An additional preferred protecting group for positions 3 and 4 of the galactosyl moiety is isopropylidene.

The following examples are intended to illustrate but not to limit the invention.

Example 1 Preparation of 2-(Timethylsilyl) ethyl 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,6-di-O- benzoyl-3.4-O-isopropylidene-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-β-gluco pyranoside (7a). 2-(Trimethylsilyl) ethyl 4-O-(3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-β-D- glucopyranoside (K. Jansson et al., J. Org. Chem. (1988) 53: 5629-5647; 6.6g,

13.75 mmol) was dissolved in dry pyridine (120 mL). The mixture was cooled to - 45°C and stirred, while benzoyl chloride (9.07mL, 77.4 mMol.)was added dropwise, and stirring was continued for 4h at -45°C.

T.l.c. (8.5:1.5 toluene-ethyl acetate) revealed the presence of a major product, faster-migrating than the starting acetal. A small proportion of a still faster-migrating product (pentabenzoate) was also revealed by t.l.c. The mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane solution was successively washed with water, aqueous NaHCO ₃ , and water, dried (NajSO , and concentrated. The concentrate was applied to a column of silica gel with 9:1 toluene-ethyl acetate as the eluent and gave a solid which crystallized from methanol to afford 7a (5.2g, 42.3%), [α] _D +17.5 (c, 1.1, chloroform). ¹³ C NMR (CDC1 ₃ ): δ 167.16, 166.13, 165.87, 165.83 (4xPhCO),

111.23 (CMe ₂ ), 101.50, 100.24 (C-1, C-1\'), 82.57, 77.02 (C-3\', C-4), 73.65, 73.44, 73.01, 72.96, 72.06, 71.97 (C-5, C-5\', C-4\', C-3, C-2, C-2\'), 67.21 (OCH ₂ CH ₂ Si), 63.69, 62.72 (C-6, C-6\'), 27.62, 26.28 [C(CH ₃ ) ₂ ], and 17.75 (CH,CH,Si).

Example 2

Preparation of Benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzovI-4-O-(2,6-di-O-benzoyl- 3 ,4-O-isopropylidene- β-D- galactopyranosyl)- β-D- lucopyranoside (7b) . A stirred and cooled (-45°C, bath) solution of benzyl 4-O-(3,4-O- isopropylidene-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 5g, 10.6 mmol; D. Beith-Halahmi et al., Carbohydr Res. (1967) 5: 25) in dry pyridine (120 mL), was treated with benzoyl chloride (6 mL, 51.8 mmol), dropwise, and the stirring was continued for 4h at -45°C. T.l.c. (8.5:1.5 toluene- ethyl acetate) revealed the presence of a major product, faster-migrating than the starting acetal. A small proportion of a still faster-migrating product (pentabenzoate) was also revealed by t.l.c. The mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with dichloromethane.

The dichloromethane solution was successively washed with water, aqueous NaHCO ₃ , and water, dried (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), and concentrated. The concentare was then applied to a column of silica gel and eluted with 9:1 toluene-ethyl acetate. On concentration, the fractions corresponding to the major product gave a solid residue which crystallized from hot methanol to afford 7b (5.53g, 59%); m.p. 159-161°C;

[α] _D -4.2° (c, 1.3, chloroform). Η NMR (CDC1 ₃ ): 5 8.2-7.00 (m, 25H, arom.), 5.36 (t, 1H, J 7.8 Hz, H-2\'), 5.30 (dd, 1H, J 8.0, and 9.5 Hz, H-2), 4.68 (d, 1H, J 8.0 Hz, H-l\'), 4.56 (d, 1H, J 8.1 Hz, H-l), 3.94 (dd, 1H, J 8.2 and 9.6 Hz, H-3), 3.75 (dd, 1H, J 8.2 and 9.7 Hz, H-4), and 1.65 and 1.35 [2s, 3H each, C(CH ₃ ) ₂ ]; ¹³ C NMR (CDC1 ₃ ): δ 167.16, 166.17, 165.90, and 165.86 (4xPHCO),111.86

(CMe,), 102.10, 99.49 (C-1, C-1\'), 82.99(C-4), 77.60 (C-3\'), 74.02 (C-4\'), 73.60, 73.50, 72.66 (C-2, C-2,\'C-3, C-5, C-5\'), 70.73 (PhCH ₂ ), 64.29 and 63.20 ( C-6, C-6\'), and 28.26 and 26.88 [ (CH ₃ ) ₂ C]; positive ion LSIMS: 889.7 (M+H) ⁺ , 781.6 M-OBn) ⁺ , negative ion LSIMS: 934.1 (M+NO ₂ )\ 1041.1 (M+mNBA) ^" .

Example 3 Preparation of Benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl -α-L-fucopyranosyl)-4-O-(2,6-di-O-benzoyl-3,4-O-isopropylid ene-β-D- galactop yranosyl)- β-D- glucopyranoside (9b) . A mixture of compound 7b (4g, 4.5 mmol), methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-l-thio- α-L-fucopyranoside 8 (3.6g, 7.75 mmol) and powdered 4 A molecular sieves (lOg) in 5:1 dichloroethane-N,N-dimethylformamide (120 mL), protected from moisture, was stirred for 2h at room temperature. Cupric bromide (2g, 9 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (0.29g,0.9 mmol) were added and the stirring was continued for 35h at room temperature. More of the donor 8 (1.2g, 2.6 mmol, in

14.4 mL of 5:1 dichloroethane-N,N-dimethylformamide), cupric bromide (0.67g, 0.3 mmol), and molecular sieves 4 A (2g) were added, and the stirring was continued for 16h at room temperature. T.l.c. (9:1 toluene-ethyl acetate) then showed the presence of a major product, faster-migrating than 7b; a trace of unchanged 7b was also revealed by t.l.c. The mixture was filtered (a bed of Celite) and the solids thoroughly washed with chloroform. The filtrate and washings were combined and washed with aqueous NaHCO ₃ and water, dried and concentrated. The residue was applied to a column of silica gel and eluted with 9.5:0.5 toluene- ethyl acetate. Concentration of the fractions corresponding to the major product furnished a solid , which crystallized from ether to afford 9b (3.68g, 76%), based on reacted 7b. Compound 9b had m.p. 180-181°C; [α] _D -8° (c, 1.1, chloroform). Η NMR (CDCI ₃ ): δ 5.48 ( dd,l H, J 9.3 and 7.9 Hz, H-2\'), 5.40 ( d, 1 H, J 3.8 Hz, H-l fuc), 5.22 ( dd, 1 H, J 8.6 and 7.3 Hz, H-2), 4.49 (d, 1 H, J 8.6 Hz, H-l), 4.42 ( d, 1 H, J 7.9 Hz, H-l\'), 3.90 ( dd, 1 H, J 10.2 and 3.8 Hz, H-2 fuc), 1.49 and 1.35 , ( s, 1 H each, CMe ₂ ), and 1.29 ( d, 3 H, J 6.6 Hz, H-6 fuc); ¹³ C,

(CDC1 ₃ ): δ 166.86-165.22 (4xPhCO), 111.44 [C(CH ₃ ) ₂ ], 100.84, 99.80 (C-1,C-1\'), 63.17, 63.01 (C-6,C-6\'), 28.35, 26.86 [C(CH ₃ ) ₂ ], and 17.48 (C-6"); positive ion LSIMS: 1197.9 (M-OBn) ⁺ , negative ion LSIMS: 1350.2 (M+NO ₂ ) ^" , 1 457.3 (M+mNBA)\

Example 4 Preparation of 2-(Trimethylsilyl) ethyl 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-3-O- (2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L-fucopyτanosyl)-4-O-(2,6-di-O-benzo yl-3,4-O- isopropylidene- β-D- galactopyranosyl)- β-D- glucopyraoside (9a) . A mixture of compound 7a (5.2g, 5.78 mmol), compound 8 (4.68g,10.17 mmol) and powdered 4A molecular sieves (6g), in 5:1 dichloroethane-N,N- dimethylf ormamide (135 mL), protected from moisture, was stirred for 2h at room temperature. Cupric bromide (2.6g, 11.7 mmol), and tetrabutylammoniϋm bromide (3.77g, 11.7 mmol) were added , and the stirring was continued for a total of 48h at room temperature, additional amounts of 8 (2.34g, 5.09 mmol, in 60 mL of 5:1 dichloroethane-N,N-dimethylformamide), cupric bromide (1.3g, 5.85 mmol), tetrabutylammonium bromide (1.9g, 5.85 mmol) and 4A molecular sieves (3g) being added after 24h. T.l.c. (9:1 toluene- ethyl acetate) revealed the presence of a major product, faster-migrating than 7a, Some unreacted 7a was also revealed by t.l.c. After processing as described for 7b (to give 9b), followed by column chromatography, compound 9a (6.7g, 88%) was obtained as an amorphous solid; positive ion LSIMS: 1442.6 (M+Na) ⁺ , 1340.8 (M-NaSO ₃ ) ⁺ , negative LSIMS: 1396.2 (M-Na) ^" .

Example 5

Preparation of Benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L- fucopyranosyl)-4-O-(2,6-di-O-benzoyl-β-D-galactopyranosvD

-β-D-glucopyranoside (10b). Compound 9b (l.Og) in 70% aqueous acetic acid (600 mL), was stirred at 85-90°C, the progress of the reaction being monitored by t.l.c.(4:l toluene - ethyl acetate). After 2.5h, most of the starting acetal 9b was converted into a slower- migrating product. T.l.c. also indicated some cleavage of the α-L-fucosyl linkage, as evidenced by the presence of two by-products, one of which was marginally faster-migrating than the product (tribenzyl fucose), and the other slower-nitrating (disaccharide product). The acetic acid was evaporated under diminished pressure

(~40°C), the last traces being removed by co-evaporation with several added portions of toluene. The residue so obtained was purified in a column of silica gel

with 9:1 toluene -ethyl acetate as the eluent to give 10b (0.6g, 61.8%), as an amorphous solid. ¹³ C NMR (CDC1 ₃ ): δ 167.25, 166.80, 165.23 (4xPhCO), 100.65, 99.85 (C-1, C-1\'), 98.18 (C-1 fuc),79.55, 79.08 (C-3, C-4), 75.77, 73.20, 72.97, 70.30 (4xPhCH ₂ ), 63.38, 62.33 (C-6, C-6\'), and 17.16 (C-6 fuc); positive ion LSIMS: 1263.7 (M+H-2H) ⁺ , 1157.7 (M-OBn) ⁺ , negative ion LSIMS: 1417.1

(M+mNBA)- , 1310.3 (M+NO ₂ )\ 1263.2 (M-H) ^" .

Example 6 Preparation of 2- (Trimethylsilyl) ethyl 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-3-O- (2.3.4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl)-4-O-(2.6-di-O-benzoy l-β-D- galactop yranosyl)- β-D- glucop yranoside ( 10a) . Compound 9a (3g, 2.3 mmol) was taken in 70% aqueous acetic acid (300 mL) and the mixture was heated, with stirring, for 2h at 85-90 (bath). T.l.c. (4: 1 toluene-ethyl acetate) showed the presence of a major product with chromatographic mobility comparable to that of 10b. Processing as described for

9b (to give 10b), followed by column chromatography, gave trisaccharide diol 10a (2.3g, 79%) as an amorphous solid; [α] _D -20.6° (c, 1.1, chloroform). ¹³ C NMR (CDC1 ₃ ): δ 167.26, 166.98, 166.78, 165.04 (4 x PhCO), 101.31, 100.55 (C-1, C-1\'), 98.19 (C-1 fuc), 79.56, 78.98 (C-3, C-4), 75.75, 73.19, 72.98 (3 x PhCH ₂ ), 67.84 (OCH ₂ CH ₂ Si), 63.48, 62.19 (C-6, C-6\'), 18.45 (OCH ₂ CH ₂ Si),and 17.16 (C-6 fuc).

Example 7 Preparation of Benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-4-O-(4-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzoyl-β-D- galactopyranosyl)-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl )- β-D- lucop yranoside (l ib).

Compound 10b (0.56g) was dissolved in a mixture of benzene (30 mL) and triethyl orthoacetate (30 mL), containing 4-toluenesulfonic acid (0.15g), and the mixture stirred for lh at room temperature. The acid was neutralized with a little triethylamine, and the mixture evaporated to dryness. It was then taken in 80% aqueous acetic acid (50 mL) and stirred for 40 min at room temperature. T.l.c. (4:1 toluene-ethyl acetate) showed the presence of a major product,faster-migrating than diol 10b. The acetic acid was removed under diminished pressure, and several

portion of toluene were added to, and evaporated from the residue to furnish 1 lb (0.56g, 96.6%) as an amorphous solid, [α] _D -14.3° (c,l.l, chloroform). Η NMR (CDC1 ₃ ): δ 8.20-7.00 (m, 40 H, arom.), 5.51 (t, 1 H, J 8.0 Hz, H-2\'), 5.38 (d, 1 H, J 3.8 Hz, H-l fuc), 5.30 (d, 1 H, J 3.8 Hz, H-4\'), 5.20 (dd, 1 H, J 8.1 and 10.0 Hz, H-2), 4.62 (d, 1 H, J 8.2 Hz, H-l), 4.44 (d, 1 H, J 7.9 Hz, H-l\'), 1.82 (s, 3 H,

CH,CO), and 1.34 (d, 3 H, J 6.4 Hz, H-6 fuc). ¹³ C NMR (CDC1 ₃ ): δ 170.38 (CH£O), 166.15, 165.72, 165.57, 164.56 (4xPhCO), 100.45, 99.23 (C-1, C-1\'), 97.54 C-1 fuc), 79.48 (C-3). 77.57 (C-4), 74.08, 72.94, 72.70, 70.15 (4xPhCH ₂ ), 62.54, 60.78 (C-6, C-6\'), 20.59 (CH ₃ CO), and 16.88 (C-6 fuc); positive ion LSIMS: 1307.1 (M+H) ⁺ ), 1200.8 (M-OBn) ⁺ , negative ion LSIMS: 1460.9

(M+mNBA)-, 1353.6 (M+NO ₂ )\ 1306.8 (M-H) ^" .

Example 8 Preparation of 2-(Trimethylsilyl) ethyl 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-4-O-(4-O-acetyl- 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-3-O-(2,3.4-tri-O-ben zyl- -L- fucopyranosyl)- β-D- galactop yranoside (11a). A solution of compound 10a (1.87g), in a mixture of benzene (50 mL) and triethyl orthoacetate (50 mL), containing 4-toluenesulfonic acid (0.25g) was stirred for lh at room temperature. The acid was then neutralized with a few drops of triethylamine, and the mixture evaporated to dryness. The residue was mixed with

80% aqueous acetic acid (100 mL) and the mixture stirred for 40 min at room temperature. Processing as described for 10b ( to give 1 lb), gave the title compound 11a (1.86g,89%); a white amorphous solid; [α] _D -2.7° (c, 1.1, chloroform). ¹³ C NMR (CDC1 ₃ ): δ 171.03 (CH3CO), 166.78, 166.35, 166.18, 165.02 (4 x PhCO), 101.27, 101.09 (C-1, C-1\'), 98.17 (C-1 fuc), 80.10, 78.20 (C-3,

C-4), 74.67, 73.54, 73.30 (3 x PhCH ₂ ), 67.86 (OCH ₂ CH ₂ Si), 63.31, 61.42 (C-6, C- 6\'), 21.21 (CH ₃ CO), 18.47 (OCHjCH.Si), and 17.53 (C-6 fuc); negative ion LSIMS: 1470.8 (M+mNBA) ^" , 1363.7 (M+NO2) ^\' .

Example 9 Preparation of Benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L- fucopyranosyl)-4-O-(sodium 4-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzoyl-β-D- galactopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-β-D-glucopyranoside (12b). A mixture of compound 1 lb (0.6g, 0.46 mmol) and sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex (0.6g, 6.3 mmol) in dry pyridine (50 mL) was stirred for 2h at 55-60°C (bath), and then for 16h at room temperature. T.l.c. (6:1 chloroform - methanol) showed the disappearance of lib and the presence of a single slower-migrating product. Methanol (5 mL) was added, and the mixture stirred for 15 min (to decompose excess reagent). It was then concentrated and purified in a column of silica gel by elution with 10:1, followed by 6:1 chloroform-methanol. On concentration, the fractions corresponding to the product gave a solid residue, which was dissolved in 1:1 chloroform-methanol (30 mL) and treated with Amberlite IR 120 (Na ⁺ ) cation-exchange resin, and the mixture stirred fo lh at room temperature. It was then filtered and evaporated to dryness to give 12b

(0.58G, 89%) as an amorphous solid; [α] _D -5.1° (c, 1.8, 1:1 chloroform-methanol); positive LSIMS: 1433 (M+Na) ₊ , 1411.1 (M+H) ⁺ , negative LSIMS: 1563.9 (M+mNBA) ^" , 1386.7 (M-Na)\

Example 10

Preparation of 2-(Trimethylsilyl) ethyl 2.6-di-O-benzoyl-3-O- (2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl ^\' )-4-O-( sodium 4-O-acetyl- 2,6-di-O-benzoyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-β-D-glucopyranoside (12a). A mixture of compound 11a (0.45g, 0.39 mmol ) and sulfur trioxide- pyridine complex (0.45g, 4.7 mmol) in dry pyridine (25 mL) was stirred for 2h at

55-60°C, and then overnight at room temperature. After processing and purification, in a manner similar to the afore described, compound 12a (0.46g, 95.8%) was obtained as an amorphous solid; [α] _D +2.2° (c,1.5, 1:1 chloroform- methanol); positive ion LSIMS: 1442.6 (M+Na) ⁺ , 1341.1 (M-NaSO ₃ )\ negative ion LSIMS: 1395.5 (M-Na)\

Example 11 Preparation of O-α-L-fucopyranosyl-d— »3)-O-rsodium β-D- galactopyranosyl 3-sulfate-(l→4)l-D-glucopyranose (13b). Compound 12b (0.58g) in methanol (50 mL), containing a catalytic amount of sodium methoxide, was stirred overnight at 45-50. T.l.c. (13:6:1 chloroform- methanol-water) showed the presence of a single slower-migrating product. After cooling to room temperature, Amberlite IR 120 (H ⁺ ) cation-exchange resin was added till the mixture became neutral (pH paper). It was then filtered directly into a flask containing Amberlite IR 120 (Na ⁺ ) cation-exchange resin, and the mixture stirred for 45 min. It was then concentrated, and the residue repeatedly extracted with hexane-ether mixture to remove methyl benzoate. The partially-protected intermediate so obtained (0.38g,) was sufficiently pure to be utilized directly in the next step; negative ion LSIMS: 928.1 (M-Na) ^" . A portion (0.35g), without further purification, was taken in 80% aqueous methanol (30 mL), containing 10% palladium-on-carbon 0.35g). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature under a slight overpressure of H ₂ , when t.l.c. (5:4:1, or 13:6:1 chloroform- methanol-water) indicated the presence of a slower-migrating product, together with traces of some faster-migrating contaminants ( presumably due to incomplete hydrogenolysis). The mixture was filtered ( Celite bed) directly onto Amberlite IR 120 (Na ⁺ ) cation-exchange resin, and the solids thoroughly washed with aqueous methanol. After stirring with the resin for lh, the mixture was filtered and concentrated to a small volume, which was applied to a column of silica gel and eluted with 5:4:1 chloroform-methanol- water. Fractions corresponding to the product were pooled, concentrated to a small volume and treated with Amberlite IR 120 (Na ⁺ ) cation-exchange resin. The resin was filtered off and washed with water, and the filtrate and washings combined, refiltered ( 0.2 μM Cellulose acetate syringe filter), and lyophilized to give 13b , (183 mg, 84.3%; [α] _D -20.5° (c, 0.6, water). 1 H NMR (D ₂ O): δ 5.45 [d, 1 H, J 4.13 Hz, H-l fuc (β)], 5.39 [d, 1 H, J 3.81 Hz, H-l fuc (α)], 5.18 (d, 1 H, J 3.81 Hz, H-l), 4.66 (d, 1 H, J 7.93 Hz, H- 1\'), 4.55 [d, 1 H, J 7.62 Hz, H-l (β)]; negative ion LSIMS: 567.5 (M-Na) ^" , 421

(M-Na-Fuc)-.

Example 12 Preparation of 2-(Trimethylsilyl ethyl O-oc-L-fucopyranosyl-(l→3)-O -\ sodium β-D-galactopyranosyl 3-sulfate-(l— »4)1-β-D-glucopyranoside (13a). Compound 12a (0.45g) was O-deacylated in methanolic sodium methoxide (50 mL), exactly as described for J_0, to afford the corresponding partially benzylated intermediate (0.29g), which showed positive ion LSIMS: 983.9 (M+Na) ⁺ , 882.1 (M-NaSO ₃ ), negative ion LSIMS: 938.0(M-Na) ^" . This compound (0.24g) without any further purification, was subjected to catalytic hydrogenolysis in 80% aqueous methanol (30 mL) in the presence of 10% palladium-on-carbon (0.24g), and then processed in a manner analogous to the afore described to afford compound 13a

(125 mg, 72.7%), as a white fluffy material; [α] _D -49.2° (c,0.6. water).Η NMR (D ₂ O): δ 5.45 (d, 1 H, J 4.22 Hz, H-l fuc), 4.55 (d,l H, J 8.06 Hz, H-l\'),4.49 (d, 1 H, J 8,44 Hz,H-l), 4.32 (dd, 1 H, J 3.45 and 9.98 Hz, H-3\'); positive ion LSIMS: 713.8 (M+Na) ⁺ , negative ion LSIMS: 667.6 (M-Na) ^" .

Example 13 Preparation of a Multivalent Ligand, N,6N,6N\' Tris (20) Lys-Tyr-Lys Compound 13a or 13b, prepared in Example 12, may be derivatized to the peptide Lys-Tyr-Lys to obtain the trivalent conjugate derivatized at the two ε- amino lysine groups and the α-amino N-terminal of the peptide. To obtain this trivalent compound, 50 μl of 2 mM peptide Lys-Tyr-Lys (100 nmol) in 100 mM sodium carbonate, pH 9, are placed in a small Eppendorf tube containing 5 μl of 200 mM 20 (1 mmol), and the sample is evaporated to dryness in a SpeedVac for about 30 minutes. After evaporation, 50 μl of 800 mM NaCN BH, (recrystallized, 40 μmol) in

100 mM sodium carbonate, pH 9, is added and the mixture is incubated for 48 hours at 55°C. The resulting incubated mixture is run on a GPC peptide HPLC sizing column and fractions are collected and assayed for protein content by BCA protein assay. Protein-containing fractions are pooled, lyophilized and submitted for mass spectroscopy.

The results would show the formation of the derivatized peptide as containing 1, 2 or 3 moieties of compound 13a or 13b.

The trivalent derivative would be especially effective in inhibiting the binding of lactose to hepatocytes in an assay conducted as described by Lee, R. et al., Biochem (1984) 23:4255.

EXAMPLE 14

Selectin Ligand Properties of Lactose Derivatives Compounds 13a and 13b were tested for their capacity to bind to E and L selectin. The ELISA assay used consists of evaporating 2,3 sLex glycolipid, at 25 picomoles per well, onto microtiter wells, and then washing the excess off with water. The wells are blocked with 5% BSA at room temperature for an hour and then washed with PBS containing imM Ca. While the plate is being blocked, biotin labelled goat F(ab\') ₂ IgG (Fc specific) and streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase diluted 1:1500 in 1 % BSA-PBS (ImM Ca) are combined with either the E- or L-Selectin- IgG chimera (L91-10) at 200 ng/mL and incubated at 37 C for 15 minutes to allow a complex to form. This provides a soluble "multivalent" receptor. Compounds

13a and 13b were added at final concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 5.0 mM to the soluble receptor and allowed to react at 37 °C for 45 minutes. The solutions were then placed in the microtiter wells that had been washed after being blocked, and the plates incubated at 37 C for 45 minutes to allow the soluble receptor to bind to the known natural ligand, 2,3 sLex glycolipid. The positive control was the signal produced by soluble "multivalent" receptor reacted with only the ligand evaporated to the microtiter well. This was considered "100 % binding." The signal produced by receptor previously reacted with inhibitor is divided by the signal produced by the positive control, multiplied by 100, to calculate % receptor bound in the presence of the inhibitor. The reciprocal of this is % inhibition.

It is apparent from Table 1 that both compounds 13a and 13b inhibit binding of E selectin to 2,3 sLex glycolipid. Over the three concentrations tested 13b was the better inhibitor with the greatest difference apparent at 5mM concentration. At this concentration 13b showed 82.5% inhibition compared to 48% for 13a.

Table 1 INHIBITION OF E-SELECTIN BINDING TO sLeX

It is apparent from Table 2 that both compounds 13a and 13b also inhibit binding of L selectin to 2,3 sLex glycolipid. However, the difference here was considerably greater than the difference in % inhibition for binding to E selectin. For example, at 1.25 mM, 13b surprisingly showed 90% inhibition. 100% inhibition was observed at 2 mM and 5 mM. In marked contrast, 13b displayed only 13% inhibition at 1.25 mM and a maximum inhibition of 47% at 5 mM.

Table 2 INHIBITION OF L-SELECTIN TO sLex

CONC. (mM) % INHIBITION

13a 1.25 13 2.50 27 5.00 47

13b 1.25 90 2.50 100 5.00 100