Total synthesis of the natural antigen involved in the hyperacute rejection response to xenotransplants Original Research Article

The major glycosphingolipid in pig vascular endothelium is the ceramide pentasaccharide Galα(1→3)Galβ(1→4)GlcNAcβ(1→3)Galβ(1→4)Glcβ(1→0)Cer (1), which binds specifically to human anti-Gal antibody and is involved in the hyperacute rejection response in xenotransplantation from pig to man. The synthesis of 1 and its methyl glycoside 2 is described.