Disclosed are cationic lipids which are compounds of Formula (I′). Cationic lipids provided herein can be useful for delivery and expression of mRNA and encoded protein, e.g., as a component of liposomal delivery vehicle, and accordingly can be useful for treating various diseases, disorders and conditions, such as those associated with deficiency of one or more proteins.

##STR00001##

A number of triterpene saponin variants with different modifications on their central glycosyl ester linkage are described. Also described are methods of making and method of using such triterpene saponin variants.

A number of triterpene saponin variants with different modifications on their central glycosyl ester linkage are described. Also described are methods of making and method of using such triterpene saponin variants.

A glycoside compound of fatty acids that includes the general formula: GalNAc-GalNAc-Glc-O—R, where GalNAc is α- or β-D-N-acetylgalactosamine, Glc-O—R is a molecule of α- or β-D-glucose esterified to a monounsaturated fatty acid (R), where R is selected from 12:1(n) and where n is an integer between 2 and 11; 11:1(n) and where n is an integer between 2 and 10; 10:1(n), and where n is an integer between 2 and 9; 9:1(n), and where n is an integer between 2 and 8; 8:1(n), and where n is an integer between 2 and 8; 7:1(n) and where n is an integer between 2 and 7; and 6:1(n), and where n is an integer between 2 and 6. The compound has activity against plant pathogens, and induces the defense, and promotes the growth, of plants.

A glycoside compound of fatty acids that includes the general formula: GalNAc-GalNAc-Glc-O—R, where GalNAc is α- or β-D-N-acetylgalactosamine, Glc-O—R is a molecule of α- or β-D-glucose esterified to a monounsaturated fatty acid (R), where R is selected from 12:1(n) and where n is an integer between 2 and 11; 11:1(n) and where n is an integer between 2 and 10; 10:1(n), and where n is an integer between 2 and 9; 9:1(n), and where n is an integer between 2 and 8; 8:1(n), and where n is an integer between 2 and 8; 7:1(n) and where n is an integer between 2 and 7; and 6:1(n), and where n is an integer between 2 and 6. The compound has activity against plant pathogens, and induces the defense, and promotes the growth, of plants.

Disclosed is a novel composition of lipid nanoparticles for stabilizing a nucleic acid drug and enhancing delivery in vivo. Lipid nanoparticles include a nucleic acid drug and a lipid, and the nucleic acid includes all of mRNA-based vaccines, RNA for immune boosters, miRNA, siRNA, pDNA, antisense ODN, and pDNA. The lipid of nanoparticles includes a trehalose-based lipid, an ionizable lipid, a phospholipid, a PEG-lipid, and a structure-maintaining lipid. The structure-maintaining lipid provides a composition that can replace commonly used cholesterol with a lithocholic acid derivative, a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative, or a diosgenin derivative. The lipid nanoparticles can be used as a vaccine or therapeutic agent, depending on the type of nucleic acid drug that is used.

Essentially pure compounds of the formulas (I) to (V) are provided. Compositions and methods for enhancing or stimulating an immune response are also provided. The compounds, provided are advantageous in that the compounds are essentially pure and free from contaminants encountered when such compounds are purified from natural sources.

Essentially pure compounds of the formulas (I) to (V) are provided. Compositions and methods for enhancing or stimulating an immune response are also provided. The compounds, provided are advantageous in that the compounds are essentially pure and free from contaminants encountered when such compounds are purified from natural sources.

The invention is intended to provide an excellent antitumor agent. An antitumor agent contains a glycolipid glycoside compound represented by Formula (1) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient: ##STR00001##
in the formula, R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are the same as or different from each other and represent an alkanoyl group or a hydrogen atom, and A represents a sugar alcohol residue or a polyol residue.

The invention is intended to provide an excellent antitumor agent. An antitumor agent contains a glycolipid glycoside compound represented by Formula (1) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient: ##STR00001##
in the formula, R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are the same as or different from each other and represent an alkanoyl group or a hydrogen atom, and A represents a sugar alcohol residue or a polyol residue.