Compounds for altering cell surface sialic acids and methods of use therefor

摘要

The present invention is based on the identification of compounds in the form of biosynthetic precursors which can be used to modulate neuronal growth, inhibit cellular entry by pathogens and modulate immune responses. The invention further describes acylated mannosamines, and derivatives thereof, which can be used to alter the sialic acid substituents of sialoglycoconjugates.