TDB VacciGrade™ - Mincle-based Adjuvant

Chemical structure of TDB:

Trehalose-6,6-dibehenate (TDB) is a non-toxic synthetic analog of the mycobacterial cell wall component trehalose 6,6’ dimycolate (TDM, also known as cord factor).

TDB was shown to rely on the C-type lectin Mincle and the signaling molecules Syk and Card9 to trigger innate immunity [1]. Incorporation of TDB combined with the synthetic amphiphilic cationic lipid compound dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DDA) into liposomes, known as CAF01, has been shown to strongly enhance cellular and humoral responses against a protein antigen [2]. Adjuvanticity of the cationic DDA:TDB liposomes and sustained protection against disease challenge has been demonstrated in particular with a tuberculosis vaccine candidate [3, 4], and has good potential for application in a range of other diseases [5].

1. Schoenen H, et al., 2010. Cutting edge: Mincle is essential for recognition and adjuvanticity of the mycobacterial cord factor and its synthetic analog trehalose-dibehenate. J Immunol. ;184(6):2756-60.
2. Davidsen J, et al., 2005. Characterization of cationic liposomes based on dimethyldioctadecylammonium and synthetic cord factor from M. tuberculosis (trehalose 6,6'-dibehenate)-a novel adjuvant inducing both strong CMI and antibody responses. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1718(1-2):22-31.
3. Holten-Andersen L. et al., 2004. Combination of the cationic surfactant dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide and synthetic mycobacterial cord factor as an efficient adjuvant for tuberculosis subunit vaccines. Infect Immun. 72(3):1608-17.
4. Christensen D. et al., 2011. Cationic liposomes as vaccine adjuvants. Expert Rev Vaccines. 10(4):513-21.
5. Agger EM. et al., 2008. Cationic liposomes formulated with synthetic mycobacterial cord factor (CAF01): a versatile adjuvant for vaccines with different immunological requirements. PLoS One. 3(9):e3116.