WS1279

Optically active lipopeptide derivatives have been synthesized by the use of chiral glycerol derivatives. Lipopeptide WS1279 derivatives with (R)-glycerol moieties showed a higher mitogenic activity than those with the (S)-configuration. Various N-protected lipopeptide and N-deprotected derivatives showed increased mitogenic activity.

The structure of WS1279, isolated from Streptomyces sp. as an immunoactive lipopeptide, has been deduced on the basis of chemical and physical evidence as S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)propyl]-N alpha-palmitoyl-Cys-Asn-Ser-Gly-Gly-Ser- OH. This was confirmed by synthesis.

WS1279, a new lipopeptide isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces willmorei No. 1279, stimulated the proliferation of mouse bone marrow cells in vitro and accelerated the recovery of granulocyte counts in bone marrow from leukopenia induced by mitomycin C (MMC) in mice. The glycerylcysteine moiety of WS1279 is necessary and the lipid peptide structure is required for manifestation of full stimulating activity in vitro. WS1279 was the most effective on the proliferation of bone marrow cells among the tested immunostimulants in vitro. However, the effect of WS1279 on restoration of reduced granulocyte counts in MMC-induced leukopenia in mice was less than that of FK-565, lipopolysaccharide, picibanil or forphenicinol. WS1279 augmented host resistance to infection with Staphylococcus aureus 47 in normal and immunosuppressed mice.