Facile synthesis of biotin-labelled α-galactosylceramide as antigen for invariant natural killer T cells

When iNKT cells are stimulated by the CD1d presented exogenous α-galactosylceramide, a myriad of cytokines are released that trigger a variety of immune responses. However, the invisibility and poor aqueous solubility of α-galactosylceramide during bioassays have rendered it difficult to study the aforementioned biological responses. Accordingly, a biotin-labelled α-galactosylceramide was prepared to facilitate detection of this antigen in the immune process. The problematic low solubility was also remedies via incorporation of a truncated acyl chain.