Dendritic
![](/images/gifchars/beta2.gif)
-cyclodextrin (
![](/images/gifchars/beta2.gif)
CD) derivatives bearing multivalent mannosyl ligands have beenprepared and assessed for their binding efficiency toward the tetrameric plant lectin concanavalin A (ConA) and a mammalian mannose/fucose specific cell surface receptor from macrophages. The syntheticstrategy exploits the reactivity between isothiocyanate and amine functionalities for the high-yieldingassembly via thioureido links of the various building blocks, including host, spacer, branching, andcarbohydrate ligand elements. The methodology has been applied to the preparation of a series of
![](/images/gifchars/beta2.gif)
CD-polymannoside scaffolds differing in the ligand valency and geometry. This series allowed us to explore:(i) The effects of the glycodendritic architecture on the binding efficiency; (ii) the mutual influence betweenthe cyclodextrin core and the glycodendritic moieties on the molecular inclusion and lectin-binding properties;and (iii) the consequence of inclusion complex formation, using the anticancer drug docetaxel (Taxotère)as a target guest, on biological recognition. Our results confirm the high drug solubilization capability ofthis new type of
![](/images/gifchars/beta2.gif)
CD-dendrimer construct and indicate that subtle changes in the architecture of theconjugate may have imp
ortant consequences on receptor affinity. Interestingly, the host-guest interactioncan be monitored to build up supramolecular dynamic glycoclusters with increased lectin affinity. Alternatively,the information obtained from the structure-lectin-binding avidity-inclusion capability studies has beenput forward in the design of very efficient molecular transp
orters for docetaxel based on glycodendritic CDdimers.