No abstract

Chain of command: Multi‐block glycopolymers made of mannose (M, see figure), glucose, and di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether (D) monomers were synthesized using a technique to control the polymer sequence. These highly monodisperse glycopolymers were then tested for binding and inhibition of DC‐SIGN, a protein important for HIV infection.

A series of cyclodextrin-based glycoconjugates, including glycoclusters and star glycopolymers, were synthesized via combination of CuAAC Huisgen coupling and copper-mediated living radical polymerization. These glycoconjugates showed high affinity binding to the human transmembrane lectin DC-SIGN and act as inhibitors to prevent the binding of HIV envelope protein gp120 to DC-SIGN at nanomolar concentrations. The star block glycopolymers showed high loading capacity of hydrophobic anticancer and anti-HIV drugs, indicating promising applications in HIV-therapeutic and smart drug delivery.