Studies on quinazolines and 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides. 8.1, 2 synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of tricyclic fused quinazolines and 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides as potential alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists.

A series of 2-substituted methyl 2,3-dihydroimidazo[1, 2-c]quinazolin-5(6H)-ones (4), 3-substituted methyl 2, 3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolin-5(6H)-ones (5), 3-substituted methyl 2,3-dihydro-5H-thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazolin-5-ones (15a,b), 3-substituted methyl 2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-5(1H)-ones (16a,b), 3-substituted methyl 2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-b][1,2, 4]benzothiadiazine 5,5-dioxides (33a,b), 2-substituted methyl imidazo[1,2-c]quinazolin-5(6H)-ones (42-45a,b), 3-substituted methyl imidazo[1,2-c]quinazolin-5(6H)-ones (50-53a,b), 3-substituted methyl 5H-thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazolin-5-ones (55-56a,b), and 3-substituted methyl 5-(methylthio)-2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline (57) were synthesized as compound 1conformational rigid congeners for pharmacological evaluation as potential alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists. Compounds 4, 5, 33a,b, 44a,b, 45a,b, 52a,b, 53a,b, and 57 were found to possess high affinity for the alpha1-adrenoceptor. Compounds 5 and 57 were the most highly selective and potent alpha1 antagonists with Ki = 0.21 +/- 0.02 and 0.90 +/- 0.08 nM, respectively. The S-enantiomers of these two compounds (Ki = 0.13 +/- 0.01 nM for (S)-(-)-5; Ki = 1.0 +/- 0.2 nM for (S)-(+)-57) were 144-200-fold more potent than the R-enantiomers (Ki = 26 +/- 8 nM for (R)-(+)-5; Ki = 144 +/- 23 nM for (R)-(-)-57). Compound 4 showed 8-fold higher affinity to alpha1A-AR better than alpha1B-AR. These compounds possessed weak to no activity against the 5-HT1A receptor.

The cytoplasmic domain of stem cell antigen CD34 is essential for cytoadhesion signaling but not sufficient for proliferation signaling.

CD34 is widely used as a marker in the identification and purification of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells; however, its function within hematopoiesis is largely unknown. We have investigated the contribution of cytoplasmic domain of CD34 in cytoadhesion signaling and proliferation signaling in hematopoietic cells. Engagement of particular determinants of CD34 by monoclonal antibodies leads to homotypic adhesiveness of the full-length CD34-transfected BaF3 cells. However, this homotypic adhesiveness is abrogated in BaF3 cells transfected with the truncated CD34 lacking the cytoplasmic domain. Cytoadhesion signaling through the cytoplasmic domain of CD34 cannot be restored through that of erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR), suggesting that the cytoplasmic domain of CD34 is required for its signal transduction of cellular adhesion. In constrast, we show that replacing the cytoplasmic domain of EPOR or G-CSFR with that of CD34 abolished growth signal transduction in response to EPO or G-CSF in the chimeric receptor-transfected BaF3, 32D, and FDCP1 cells, whereas the wild-type EPOR- or G-CSFR-transfected cells responded to EPO or G-CSF growth signaling well. These results suggest that the cytoplasmic portion of CD34 may not contain the elements necessary to transduce a proliferative signal in hematopoietic cells. Thus, the function of CD34 in hematopoiesis is primarily on hematopoietic cell adhesion.

Long-term and high-dose trials of enzyme replacement therapy in the canine model of mucopolysaccharidosis I.

Enzyme replacement is a potential therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), a lysosomal storage disorder caused by alpha-L-iduronidase deficiency. Previous work showed improvement in the tissues of MPS I dogs treated intravenously for 3 months with recombinant human alpha-L-iduronidase (25,000 units or approximately 0.1 mg/kg/week). We have now treated an MPS I-affected dog for 13 months to assess the clinical effects of enzyme replacement. The treated dog gained more weight, was more active, and had less joint stiffness than the untreated littermate. Biochemical and histologic studies demonstrated uptake of alpha-L-iduronidase and decreased lysosomal storage in the liver, kidney, spleen, lymph nodes, synovium, adrenals, and lungs. The brain had detectable enzyme activity and decreased glycosaminoglycan storage although histologic improvement was not evident. Cartilage and heart valve did not show any detectable improvement. A fivefold higher dose (approximately 0.5 mg/kg) administered five times over 10 days to two other dogs resulted in higher tissue enzyme activity and similarly decreased glycosaminoglycan storage and excretion. Antibodies to human alpha-L-iduronidase were induced in all treated dogs and may be associated with immune complex deposition and proteinuria. Recombinant canine alpha-L-iduronidase also induced antibody formation to a similar degree. The results support the conclusion that enzyme replacement is a promising therapy for MPS I though immunologic complications may occur.

Strategies to suppress aggregation of recombinant keratinocyte growth factor during liquid formulation development.

Recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor (rhKGF) is a fairly unstable protein, posing a challenging problem for long-term storage. During storage, the protein unfolds at relatively low temperatures and the unfolded proteins aggregate rapidly, leading to the formation of large visible precipitates. Thermal unfolding of rhKGF displays a similar pattern, i.e., unfolding is followed immediately by aggregation as the temperature is increased. As the unfolding and aggregation (precipitation) of rhKGF limit the storage life of the protein, a search for stabilizers to suppress rhKGF unfolding and aggregation has been done by examining the effects of excipients on thermal melting temperature and on the rate of protein aggregation during storage. Sulfated polysaccharides and citrate are found to be effective in increasing the melting temperature of rhKGF or preventing its aggregation. In particular, 0.5% (w/v) heparin and high molecular weight dextran sulfate, and 0.5 M citrate are highly effective, decreasing the rates of rhKGF aggregation by about 50-fold. Other negatively charged small ions, such as phosphate, also have moderate stabilizing effects on rhKGF. A mechanistic study of the aggregation pathway of rhKGF has led to a better understanding of the stabilizing effects of these molecules. Molecules which enhance rhKGF conformational stability are capable of effectively suppressing rhKGF aggregation.

Effect of arginase on splenic killer cell activity in patients with gastric cancer.

Arginase has been detected in high levels in gastric cancer tissues. The effect of arginase on the activities of splenic natural killer (NK) cell, phytohemagglutinin activated killer (PAK) cell, and interleukin-2 activated killer (LAK) cell in patients with gastric cancer (N = 12) was evaluated in vitro. These activities in patients (N = 10) with trauma and benign lesions were used as control. The splenic NK and PAK cell activities in patients with gastric cancer were significantly lower than in the controls (P < 0.05), whereas LAK cell activity did not have significant difference. Arginase inhibited all splenic killer cell activities to a similar degree between patients with gastric cancer and the controls. The inhibition was dose-related. These data suggest that arginase may play a positive role in the spread of gastric cancer cells. However, LAK may be a potential approach of immunoadoptive therapy in the future.

Studies on quinazolines. 5. 2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline derivatives: a novel class of potent and selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists and antihypertensive agents.

A series of 2-[(substituted phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]- and 2-[(substituted phenylpiperidin-1-yl)methyl]-2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2- c]quinazolin-5(6H)-ones or -5(6H)-thiones, and 3-[(substituted phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinaz oline derivatives were synthesized, as conformationally restricted analogues of SGB-1534 and ketanserin, for evaluation as alpha-antagonists and antihypertensive agents. Most compounds containing a (substituted phenylipiperazinyl)methyl side chain displayed high binding affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptor with no significant activity at alpha 2-sites. Compounds having a (substituted phenylpiperazinyl)methyl at the 3-position of 2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolin-5(6H)-one ring system had a better activity than those with the same substituent at the 2-position. Structure-activity relationships for alpha 1-adrenoceptor affinity are presented and indicate that compounds with substitution at the ortho position on the benzene ring of the phenylpiperazine side chain moiety are more potent than those without substitution and/or substitutions at the 3- and 4-positions. Computer-assisted superimposition of SGB-1534 and 20b showed little structural correspondence between the quinazolinone and 2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline nucleus, and specific interactions of these molecular fragments with the receptor protein appear unlikely. Antihypertensive activity was evaluated via intravenous administration of each compound to spontaneously hypertensive rats, and compounds (16a, 16b, 20b, and 28b) illustrated similar efficacy to SGB-1534 when assessed after 6 h. The pA2 value for 16a against phenylephedrine in rat aorta was much higher than that of prazosin. On the basis of alpha 1-adrenoceptor affinity/selectivity in vitro and duration of antihypertensive action in vivo, compounds 20b and 28b warrant further evaluation.

Regulation of arginase production by glucocorticoid in three human gastric cancer cell lines.

Gastric cancer tissues have high levels of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and arginase. To investigate the interrelation of glucocorticoid, GR and arginase, three human gastric cancer cell lines (AZ-521, NUGC-3, KATO-III) were treated with hydrocortisone in the presence or absence of a glucocorticoid antagonist RU38486. GR were found to be present in all three lines, and hydrocortisone significantly increased the production of total arginase in all 3 lines. The induction of arginase production by hydrocortisone was inhibited by RU38486. These findings suggest that the regulation of arginase production by hydrocortisone in gastric cancer cells is mediated through GR.