Functional Analysis of Archaeal Glyceroglycolipids and Their Application to Drug Discovery Fields

Archaea represent a third domain of life distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes. Although they are commonly recognized as inhabitants of extreme environments, they are also widely detected in the human microbiota, including the oral cavity, skin, and gut. This mini-review explores archaeal glyceroglycolipids, focusing on their functions and potential in drug development. Archaeosomes, formed from these lipids, exhibit greater stability than conventional liposomes, making them promising vaccine carriers. Symbiotic archaeal glyceroglycolipids activate the innate immune receptor macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle), inducing T-helper 1 (Th1)/Th17 responses and functioning as potential vaccine adjuvants.