β-GlcCer

β-GlcCer activates Mincle

Synthetic β-glucosylceramide - Mincle agonist

Beta-glucosylceramide (β-GlcCer) is a naturally occurring glycolipid that specifically activates the macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) receptor [1]. Mincle is a member of the Dectin-2 family, that recognizes a variety of exogenous and endogenous stimuli, such as mycobacteria, certain fungi, and necrotic cells.

β-GlcCer is an intracellular metabolite which is recognized as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) and associated with cell death [1, 2].

In healthy individuals, β-GlcCer is located in the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi apparatus. Following cell damage, it is released into the extracellular milieu where it acts as a signal of cell damage. Of note, the accumulation of β-GlcCer within cells is believed to cause systemic inflammation in Gaucher disease [1].

Using InvivoGen's HEK‑Blue™ Mincle reporter cells, β-GlcCer was established as an endogenous Mincle agonist [1]. Upon β-GlcCer recognition, Mincle interacts with the Fc receptor common γ-chain (FcRγ) triggering Syk‑dependent signaling resulting in NF-κB, NFAT, and AP-1 activation. Of note, NF-κB activation by synthetic β-GlcCer was found to be comparable to that induced by the mycobacteria-derived TDM, an extensively studied exogenous Mincle agonist [1].

Due to its pro-inflammatory activity, β-GlcCer has been identified as a potential adjuvant for vaccination against infectious diseases and cancer [1]. 

Key highlights of β-GlcCer:

• Endogenous and specific Mincle agonist
• Activates NF-κB, NFAT, and AP-1
• Each lot of β-GlcCer is highly pure (≥95%) and functionally tested

InvivoGen's β-GlcCer is a synthetic glycosylceramide bearing an unsaturated long-chain (C24:1). It is of the highest quality, guaranteed free of bacterial contamination, and has been functionally validated using cellular assays.

References:

1. Nagata M. et al. 2017. Intracellular metabolite β-glucosylceramide is an endogenous Mincle ligand possessing immunostimulatory activity. PNAS. 114(16): E3285-E3294.
2. Ishikawa A. et al. 2019. Essential roles of C-type lectin Mincle in induction of neuropathic pain in mice. Sci Rep. 9(1):872.

Learn more about C-Type Lectin Receptors

Figures

Response of HEK-Blue™ hMincle cells to β-GlcCer and TDM.
HEK-Blue™ hMincle cells were stimulated with increasing concentrations of β-GlcCer and TDM (trehalose-6,6-dimycolate). After overnight incubation, the NF-κB response was determined using QUANTI-Blue™ Solution, a SEAP detection reagent, and by reading the optical density (OD) at 630 nm.

Specifications

CAS Number: 887907-50-8

Chemical name: C24:1 Glucosyl(ß) Ceramide (d18:1/24:1(15Z)) 

Formula: C₄₈H₉₁NO₈

Molecular weight: 810.24 g/mol

Purity: ≥ 95% by UHPLC

Solubility: 5 mg/ml isopropanol

Quality Control

• Activation of Mincle has been tested using HEK-Blue™ Mincle cells.
• Absence of bacterial contamination (e.g. lipoproteins and endotoxins) has been confirmed using HEK-Blue™ TLR2 and HEK‑Blue™ TLR4 cells.

Contents

• 5 mg beta-glucosylceramide (β-GlcCer)

β-GlcCer is shipped at room temperature.

Store at -20°C. Upon resuspension, store in an upright position at -20°C.

Resuspended product is stable 6 months at -20°C. 

Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Details

Chemical structure of β-GlcCer: