The mitochondrial TSPO ligand Atriol mitigates metabolic-associated steatohepatitis by downregulating CXCL1.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO, 18 kDa) is pivotal in binding cholesterol and facilitating its transfer from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Atriol is a TSPO ligand disrupting cholesterol binding by targeting the cholesterol-recognition amino acid consensus domain. Prior research has shown that TSPO deficiency improved metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). We hypothesized that Atriol may have the potential to alleviate MASH. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vitro cell culture studies revealed that Atriol treatment effectively mitigated MASH by restoring mitochondrial function, inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, and reducing hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. SD male rats were fed a GAN diet for 10 months to induce MASH. During the final two weeks of feeding, rats received intraperitoneal Atriol administration daily. Atriol treatment significantly ameliorated MASH by reducing lipid accumulation, diminishing hepatic lobular inflammation and fibrosis, decreasing cell death, and inhibiting excessive bile acid synthesis. Moreover, Atriol restored mitochondrial function in primary hepatocytes isolated from MASH rats. In search of the mechanism(s) governing these effects, we found that Atriol downregulated the proinflammatory chemokine CXCL1 through the NF-κB signaling pathway or via myeloperoxidase (MPO) in HSCs and Kupffer cells. Additionally, in vitro, studies further suggested that CXCL1 treatment induced dysfunctional mitochondria, inflammation, HSCs activation, and macrophage migration, whereas Atriol countered these effects. Finally, the mitigating effects of Atriol on MASH were reproduced by pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB or MPO and neutralization of CXCL1. CONCLUSION: Atriol ameliorates MASH both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating its potential therapeutic benefits in managing MASH.

Targeting Chikungunya Virus Replication by Benzoannulene Inhibitors.

A benzo[6]annulene, 4-(tert-butyl)-N-(3-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl) benzamide (1a), was identified as an inhibitor against Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) with antiviral activity EC90 = 1.45 µM and viral titer reduction (VTR) of 2.5 log at 10 µM with no observed cytotoxicity (CC50 = 169 µM) in normal human dermal fibroblast cells. Chemistry efforts to improve potency, efficacy, and drug-like properties of 1a resulted in a novel lead compound 8q, which possessed excellent cellular antiviral activity (EC90 = 270 nM and VTR of 4.5 log at 10 µM) and improved liver microsomal stability. CHIKV resistance to an analog of 1a, compound 1c, tracked to a mutation in the nsP3 macrodomain. Further mechanism of action studies showed compounds working through inhibition of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase in addition to CHIKV nsP3 macrodomain. Moderate efficacy was observed in an in vivo CHIKV challenge mouse model for compound 8q as viral replication was rescued from the pyrimidine salvage pathway.

Novel Organophosphate Ligand O-(2-Fluoroethyl)-O-(p-Nitrophenyl)Methylphosphonate: Synthesis, Hydrolytic Stability and Analysis of the Inhibition and Reactivation of Cholinesterases.

The organophosphate O-(2-fluoroethyl)-O-(p-nitrophenyl) methyphosphonate 1 is the first-in-class, fluorine-18 radiolabeled organophosphate inhibitor ([18F]1) of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In rats, [18F]1 localizes in AChE rich regions of the brain and other tissues where it likely exists as the (CH3)(18FCH2CH2O)P(O)-AChE adduct (ChE-1). Characterization of this adduct would define the inhibition mechanism and subsequent postinhibitory pathways and reactivation rates. To validate this adduct, the stability (hydrolysis) of 1 and ChE-1 reactivation rates were determined. Base hydrolysis of 1 yields p-nitrophenol and (CH3) (FCH2CH2O)P(O)OH with pseudo first order rate constants (kobsd) at pH 7.4 (PBS) of 3.25 × 10-4 min-1 (t1/2 = 35.5 h) at 25 °C and 8.70 × 10-4 min-1 (t1/2 = 13.3 h) at 37 °C. Compound 1 was a potent inhibitor of human acetylcholinesterase (HuAChE; ki = 7.5 × 105 M-1 min-1), electric eel acetylcholinesterase (EEAChE) (ki = 3.0 × 106 M-1 min-1), and human serum butyrylcholinesterase (HuBChE; 1.95 × 105 M-1 min-1). Spontaneous and oxime-mediated reactivation rates for the (CH3) (FCH2CH2O)P(O)-serine ChE adducts using 2-PAM (10 µM) were (a) HuAChE 8.8 × 10-5 min-1 (t1/2 = 131.2 h) and 2.41 × 10-2 min-1 (t1/2 = 0.48 h), (b) EEAChE 9.32 × 10-3 min-1 (t1/2 = 1.24 h) and 3.33 × 10-2 min-1 (t1/2 = 0.35 h), and (c) HuBChE 1.16 × 10-4 min-1 (t1/2 = 99.6 h) and 4.19 × 10-2 min-1 (t1/2 = 0.27 h). All ChE-1 adducts undergo rapid and near complete restoration of enzyme activity following addition of 2-PAM (30 min), and no aging was observed for either reactivation process. The fast reactivation rates and absence of aging of ChE-1 adducts are explained on the basis of the electron-withdrawing fluorine group that favors the nucleophilic reactivation processes but disfavors cation-based dealkylation aging mechanisms. Therefore, the likely fate of radiolabeled compound 1 in vivo is the formation of (CH3)(FCH2CH2O)P(O)-serine adducts and monoacid (CH3)(FCH2CH2O)P(O)OH from hydrolysis and reactivation.

A novel fluorine-18 ß-fluoroethoxy organophosphate positron emission tomography imaging tracer targeted to central nervous system acetylcholinesterase.

Radiosynthesis of a fluorine-18 labeled organophosphate (OP) inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and subsequent positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using the tracer in the rat central nervous system are reported. The tracer structure, which contains a novel ß-fluoroethoxy phosphoester moiety, was designed as an insecticide-chemical nerve agent hybrid to optimize handling and the desired target reactivity. Radiosynthesis of the ß-fluoroethoxy tracer is described that utilizes a [(18)F]prosthetic group coupling approach. The imaging utility of the [(18)F]tracer is demonstrated in vivo within rats by the evaluation of its brain penetration and cerebral distribution qualities in the absence and presence of a challenge agent. The tracer effectively penetrates brain and localizes to cerebral regions known to correlate with the expression of the AChE target. Brain pharmacokinetic properties of the tracer are consistent with the formation of an OP-adducted acetylcholinesterase containing the fluoroethoxy tracer group. Based on the initial favorable in vivo qualities found in rat, additional [(18)F]tracer studies are ongoing to exploit the technology to dynamically probe organophosphate mechanisms of action in mammalian live tissues.

Use of the hydantoin isostere to produce inhibitors showing selectivity toward the vesicular glutamate transporter versus the obligate exchange transporter system x(c)(-).

Evidence was acquired prior to suggest that the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) but not other glutamate transporters were inhibited by structures containing a weakly basic α-amino group. To test this hypothesis, a series of analogs using a hydantoin (pK(a)∼9.1) isostere were synthesized and analyzed as inhibitors of VGLUT and the obligate cystine-glutamate transporter (system x(c)(-)). Of the hydantoin analogs tested, a thiophene-5-carboxaldehyde analog 2l and a bis-hydantoin 4b were relatively strong inhibitors of VGLUT reducing uptake to less than 6% of control at 5mM but few inhibited system x(c)(-) greater than 50% of control. The benzene-2,4-disulfonic acid analog 2b and p-diaminobenzene analog 2e were also good hydantoin-based inhibitors of VGLUT reducing uptake by 11% and 23% of control, respectively, but neither analog was effective as a system x(c)(-) inhibitor. In sum, a hydantoin isostere adds the requisite chemical properties needed to produce selective inhibitors of VGLUT.

Anti-tubercular agents. Part 5: synthesis and biological evaluation of benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide based congeners.

In an effort to discover new and effective chemotherapeutic agents from this laboratory for the treatment of tuberculosis, here in we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of novel benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide (BTD) based congeners by using rifampicin, streptomycin; ciprofloxacin and amphotericin as positive controls. Further, to understand structural requirements for exploring the structure activity relationship of BTDs, cytotoxicity and in vivo study of recently reported potent molecule 4 (MIC = 1 microg/mL) is also discussed.

Conformationally-restricted amino acid analogues bearing a distal sulfonic acid show selective inhibition of system x(c)(-) over the vesicular glutamate transporter.

A panel of amino acid analogs and conformationally-restricted amino acids bearing a sulfonic acid were synthesized and tested for their ability to preferentially inhibit the obligate cysteine-glutamate transporter system x(c)(-) versus the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT). Several promising candidate molecules were identified: R/S-4-[4'-carboxyphenyl]-phenylglycine, a biphenyl substituted analog of 4-carboxyphenylglycine and 2-thiopheneglycine-5-sulfonic acid both of which reduced glutamate uptake at system x(c)(-) by 70-75% while having modest to no effect on glutamate uptake at VGLUT.

Anti-tubercular agents. Part IV: Synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation of nitroheterocyclic-based 1,2,4-benzothiadiazines.

In continuation of our earlier work on benzothiadiazines, we have prepared a series of nitrofuran, nitrothiophene and arylfuran coupled benzothiadiazines and evaluated them for antimycobacterial and antibacterial activities. One of the compounds 2f has shown good in vitro antimycobacterial activity. All the synthesized compounds have shown moderate to good antibacterial activity.

1,2,4-benzothiadiazine linked pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine conjugates: synthesis, DNA-binding affinity and cytotoxicity.

Benzothiadiazine-pyrrolobenzodiazepine conjugates linked through different alkane spacers have been prepared. These new classes of hybrid molecules exhibit cytotoxicity against many cancer cell lines. Their DNA thermal denaturation studies have been carried out and one of the compounds (4b) elevates the DNA helix melting temperature of the CT-DNA by 6.7 degrees C after incubation for 36 h.

Anti-tubercular agents. Part 3. Benzothiadiazine as a novel scaffold for anti-Mycobacterium activity.

In an effort to develop new and more effective therapies to treat tuberculosis, a series of benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide derivatives were synthesized and their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare was evaluated. One of the compounds, 8c, exhibited potent anti-tubercular activity, particularly for the resistant strains and thus prompted us to investigate its in vivo profile. However, the in vivo testing in a mouse model of tuberculosis infection did not show significant anti-tubercular activity, probably because of its poor bioavailability.