1,4-Cyclohexanecarboxylates: potent and selective inhibitors of phosophodiesterase 4 for the treatment of asthma.

Evaluation of a variety of PDE4 inhibitors in a series of cellular and in vivo assays suggested a strategy to improve the therapeutic index of PDE4 inhibitors by increasing their selectivity for the ability to inhibit PDE4 catalytic activity versus the ability to compete for high affinity [3H]rolipram-binding sites in the central nervous system. Use of this strategy led ultimately to the identification of cis-4-cyano-4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxyl ic acid (1, SB 207499, Ariflo), a potent second-generation inhibitor of PDE4 with a decreased potential for side effects versus the archetypic first generation inhibitor, (R)-rolipram.

Regulation of stress-induced cytokine production by pyridinylimidazoles; inhibition of CSBP kinase.

Members of three classes of pyridinylimidazoles bind with varying affinities to CSBP (p38) kinase which is a member of a stress-induced signal transduction pathway. Based upon SAR and protein homology modeling, the pharmacophore and three potential modes of binding to the enzyme are presented. For a subset of pyridinylimidazoles, binding is shown to correlate with inhibition of CSBP kinase activity, whereas no significant inhibition of PKA, PKC alpha and ERK kinase activity is observed.

Pharmacology of the pyrroloimidazole, SK&F 105809--I. Inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production and of 5-lipoxygenase- and cyclooxygenase-mediated metabolism of arachidonic acid.

SK&F 105809 [2-(4- methylsulfinylphenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-6,7-dihydro-[5H]-pyrrolo[1,2- a] imidazole] was determined to be a prodrug for the sulfide metabolite SK&F 105561 [2-(4- methylthiophenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-6,7-dihydro-[5H]-pyrrolo[1,2-a] imidazole] which inhibited interleukin-1 (IL-1) production in vitro and both 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase activities in vitro and ex vivo. SK&F 105561 inhibited partially purified 5-LO with a half-maximal concentration (IC50) of 3 microM. This inhibition was reversible, independent of preincubation time, and dependent on the concentration of the substrate arachidonic acid. SK&F 105561 also inhibited purified PGH synthase with the potency dependent on the level of peroxidase activity. The IC50 was 100 microM in the absence of peroxidase activity, whereas an IC50 of 3 microM was observed in the presence of peroxidase activity. Using human monocytes, SK&F 105561 inhibited A23187-stimulated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production with IC50 values of 0.1 and 2 microM, respectively. In addition, IL-1 production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes was also inhibited (IC50 2 microM). Oral administration of SK&F 105809 to rats resulted in a dose-related generation of SK&F 105561 and in the inhibition of thromboxane B2 and LTB4 production ex vivo with a half-maximal dose (ED50) of 15 and 60 mg/kg, respectively. SK&F 105561 showed weak inhibitory activity on 12-lipoxygenase with an IC50 of greater than 200 microM. Neither SK&F 105561 nor SK&F 105809 inhibited the stimulated-turnover of arachidonic acid-containing phospholipids in human monocytes or the activity of cell-free phospholipases A2 and C. Moreover, neither SK&F 105561 nor SK&F 105809 antagonized the binding of LTB4 or leukotriene D4 to membrane receptors. From these results, SK&F 105561, the active principle of SK&F 105809, acts as an inhibitor of both inflammatory cytokine and eicosanoid production.

Inhibition of inflammatory cell infiltration by bicyclic imidazoles, SK&F 86002 and SK&F 104493.

The mode of action of the dual inhibitors of eicosanoid metabolism, SK&F 86002 and SK&F 104493 was evaluated on inflammatory cell infiltration induced in mice by carrageenan, monosodium urate crystals, and arachidonic acid. The results were compared to those seen with standard antiinflammatory compounds. Inflammatory cell infiltration was inhibited by SK&F 86002. SK&F 104493, colchicine, and phenidone but not naproxen. In vivo, PMN infiltration induced by LTB4 was inhibited by colchicine but not by SK&F 86002, SK&F 104493, or phenidone treatment. Similarly, in vitro chemotaxis to LTB4 was not inhibited by SK&F 86002. The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, SK&F 86002, SK&F 104493, and phenidone inhibited LTB4 production in vivo as well as inflammatory cell infiltration induced by arachidonic acid. The data are consistent with the suggestion that the bicyclic imidazoles inhibit PMN infiltration by virtue of inhibition of LTB4 production.

Synthesis and evaluation of multisubstrate inhibitors of an oncogene-encoded tyrosine-specific protein kinase. 2.

Tyrosine-specific protein kinases that transfer the terminal phosphate from ATP to protein acceptors are associated with certain transforming viruses and cell surface growth factor receptors. Here we describe the synthesis and testing of potential multisubstrate inhibitors of this class of enzymes. The inhibitors were prepared by covalent attachment of the terminal phosphate of ATP or its tetraphosphate analogue to tyrosine mimics. Testing against p60v-abl, the tyrosine kinase from the Abelson murine leukemia virus, showed that the series of inhibitors was moderately potent (IC50 values as low as 13 microM). However, structural modification of the tyrosine mimic, including replacement with a serine-like moiety, had little effect on potency. It is therefore concluded that the ATP moiety is largely responsible for binding and that the enzyme requires additional structural features for recognition of the tyrosine-containing substrate.

Biochemical characterization of hepatic microsomal leukotriene B4 hydroxylases.

omega-Hydroxylation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) has been reported in human and rodent polymorphonuclear leukocytes; preliminary information indicates that this metabolism is cytochrome P-450 dependent. Therefore, these studies were initiated to characterize the cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolism of LTB4 in other tissues. LTB4 was metabolized by rat hepatic microsomes to two products, 20-hydroxy(omega)-LTB4 and 19-hydroxy(omega-1)-LTB4. The formation of these metabolites was both oxygen and NADPH dependent indicating that a monooxygenase(s) was responsible for these reactions. The apparent Km and Vmax for LTB4 omega-hydroxylase were 40.28 microM and 1202 pmol/min/mg of protein, respectively. In contrast, the apparent Km and Vmax for LTB4 (omega-1)-hydroxylase were 61.52 microM and 73.50 pmol/min/mg of protein, respectively. Both LTB4 omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylases were inhibited by metyrapone in a concentration-dependent fashion. However, SK&F 525A inhibited LTB4 (omega-1)- but not omega-hydroxylase. In contrast, alpha-naphthoflavone decreased LTB4 omega- but not (omega-1)-hydroxylase activities. The differences in the Km apparent for substrate as well as the differential inhibition by inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 suggest that the omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylations of LTB4 in hepatic microsomes are mediated by different isozymes of P-450. Furthermore, several additional characteristics of LTB4 hydroxylases indicate that these isozymes of P-450 may be different from those which catalyze similar reactions on medium-chain fatty acids, such as laurate and prostaglandins.

Structural requirements for chemotactic activity of leukotriene B4 (LTB4).

LTB4 (5s, 12R dihdroxy-6, 14-CIS-8, 10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid) formed in activated neutrophils by lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid is an extremely potent chemotaxin. We examined structural requirements for chemotactic and aggregatory activity of the ligand using synthetic LTB4 and several of its isomers. Additionally we examined the potency of two analogs, nor- and homo-LTB4. Dose response curves for neutrophil chemotaxis to these compounds were obtained using a modified Boyden chamber. The mean distance cells moved into the filter was determined after 30 minutes. Peak chemotactic activity of LTB4 was at 10(-7)M. At higher concentrations, chemotactic activity was decreased. The shape of the dose response curve was similar to that of FMLP except that maximum chemotaxis to LTB4 was consistently greater than chemotaxis to FMLP. A mixture of the two epimers at c-5 and c-12 shifted the response curve to the right but did not lower maximum activity. Increasing or decreasing the chain by one carbon between the first hydroxyl group and the carboxyl group also shifted the response curve to the right without lowering maximal activity. Changing the 6 double bond from cis to trans has a greater effect. Activity was only detectable at high concentrations and maximum activity achieved was less than 50% that of LTB4. Thus the chain length between the carboxyl and C-5 hydroxyl groups, the c-5 and c-12 absolute stereochemistry and the stereochemistry of the delta6 double bond are all important structural features for chemotactic activity with delta6 stereochemistry apparently having the greatest contribution. The relative potencies of these compounds in inducing aggregation were comparable to their chemotactic potencies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Induction of suppressor cells, interleukin-2 production and mitogenesis with monomeric concanavalin A: different actions of tetrameric and monomeric concanavalin A.

The ability of a photoalkylated monomeric concanavalin A (Con A) derivative to induce mitogenesis, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and suppressor cells in murine spleen cell cultures has been compared with the activity of native, tetrameric Con A. The monomeric derivative was prepared by photochemically induced alkylation of tryptophan residues of tetravalent Con A in the presence of chloroacetamide followed by sizing chromatography [Tanaka et al. (1981) J. Biochem. 89, 1643-1646]. The monomeric derivative appeared to display less mitogenic activity than the tetramer and was also less effective in inducing IL-2 production. No difference was detected between the monomeric and tetrameric forms of Con A in inducing suppressor cells. The data suggest that cross-linking and bridging via sugar-binding sites, while potentiating mitogenesis and IL-2 production, had little effect on suppressor cell induction.

5,6-Diaryl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles: a new class of immunoregulatory antiinflammatory agents.

A series of substituted 5,6-diaryl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles were synthesized and evaluated in the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis and mouse oxazolone-induced contact sensitivity assays to determine the potential of these compounds for use as immunoregulatory antiinflammatory agents. This class of compounds was derived by combining salient structural features of the antiinflammatory agent flumizole and the immunoregulatory drug levamisole. Unlike the latter two, a number of compounds in the target series were found to possess the desired combination of activities. Exploration of structure-activity relationships in the adjuvant-induced arthritic rat assay revealed that optimal potency was exhibited by symmetrically substituted 5,6-diaryl compounds having one of the following alkyl heteroatom or halogen functions at the para position: methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, N-ethyl-N-methylamino, fluoro, or chloro. Scrambling of these two substituent classes to yield the asymmetrically substituted 5,6-diaryl compounds resulted in potent activity only with the 5-alkyl heteroatom, 6-halo-substituted regioisomers. However in the oxazolone-induced contact sensitivity assay, no consistent relationship of variation in activity with structural change was apparent. The initial target compound 5,6-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole (1) was compared with its progenitors in additional models of inflammation and immunoregulation.

Metabolism of leukotriene B4 in hepatic microsomes.

Leukotriene B4 was metabolized in rat hepatic microsomes to two products. Mass spectral analysis of these two metabolites indicated that the major metabolite was the 20-hydroxy metabolite while the minor metabolite was the 19-hydroxy metabolite. The formation of these metabolites required NADPH and was linear with time (20 min) and protein (1.6 mg/ml). The Km apparent and Vmax for omega hydroxylation of LTB4 was 14 uM and 0.138 nmol/min/mg protein. In contrast, the km and Vmax for omega minus one hydroxylation was 54 uM and 0.093 nmol/min/mg protein. These results suggest that omega and omega minus one hydroxylations of LTB4 may be mediated by different isozymes of hepatic P-450.

Antiinflammatory activity of 5,6-diaryl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles. Isomeric 4-pyridyl and 4-substituted phenyl derivatives.

Isomeric 5(6)-(4-pyridyl)- and 6(5)-(4-substituted-phenyl)-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles were prepared by a mixed benzoin-imidazothione route, and their structures were assigned by spectral comparison to compounds of established substitution pattern. The structural assignment was confirmed by X-ray analysis. Examination of the compounds for antiinflammatory activity by an adjuvant arthritic rat assay revealed strikingly higher potencies for one analogous series than for their isomers. This selectivity was paralleled in the ability to stimulate cell-mediated immunity, as reflected in an oxazolone-induced contact sensitivity model. A drug-receptor complex is proposed that requires at least three sites of interactions.

Gastric antisecretory 9H-xanthen-9-amines.

A series of 9H-xanthen-9-amines possessing a wide variety of nitrogen substituents at C-9 was prepared for evaluation of gastric antisecretory activity. These substituents included the acetamidine, imidate, pyrimidine, thiazoline, quinuclidine, 2-hydrazinopyridine, aminopiperidine, aminoalkylimidazole, and aminoalkylpyridine moieties. The majority of compounds in this series inhibited gastric acid secretion when tested orally in the pylorus-ligated rat. Potency was increased by intraduodenal administration and diminished by incubation with gastric juice, suggesting partial degradation of the compounds in the gastric environment. A representative example, 3-(9H-xanthen-9-ylamino)-1-ethylpiperidine, exhibited similar activity in dogs, although no free compound could be detected in the blood. It is therefore hypothesized that this compound is either rapidly bound to tissue and/or metabolized to an active species.

A high performance liquid chromatography assay for the rapid analysis of the subunit content of concanavalin A.

A high performance liquid chromatography system is described which provides a rapid and convenient assay for the relative amounts of intact (26000 dalton) and fragmented (14000 and 12000 dalton) subunits present in preparations of concanavalin A. Analyses were performed on an HPLC size exclusion column using either 8M urea or 6M guanidine hydrochloride as denaturing eluents. The efficiency and resolving power of this technique were confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This HPLC assay facilitated the monitoring of the purification of concanavalin A to prepare a homogeneous preparation necessary for its biological evaluation.

Cannabinols and feeding in sheep.

Marijuana, long used for the euphoria which results, recently has been found to stimulate hunger in humans but in several laboratory animals cannabinoids decrease food intake. Sheep, relatively more sensitive to chemicals that affect food intake, were injected IV with the d-and l-isomers of tetrahydrocannabinol and with a 9-aza-cannabinol) 9-AC) (8-(1,2-dimethylheptyl)-5,5-dimethyl-5H-[1]benzopyranol[3,4]pyridin-10-01, HCL) and feeding behavior was monitored. In the first 30 min, food intake was increased by the l-isomer and by 9-AC but not affected by d-delta 9-THC. After 24 h, feed intake was decreased by at least one dose of d-and l-delta 9-THC and 9-AC. The l-but not d-isomer was active at very low doses compared with doses used in many laboratory animals.