NIK-IKK complex interaction controls NF-κB-dependent inflammatory activation of endothelium in response to LTßR ligation.

NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK; also known as MAP3K14) is a central regulator of non-canonical NF-κB signaling in response to stimulation of TNF receptor superfamily members, such as the lymphotoxin-ß receptor (LTßR), and is implicated in pathological angiogenesis associated with chronic inflammation and cancer. Here, we identify a previously unrecognized role of the LTßR-NIK axis during inflammatory activation of human endothelial cells (ECs). Engagement of LTßR-triggered canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling promoted expression of inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules, and increased immune cell adhesion to ECs. Sustained LTßR-induced inflammatory activation of ECs was NIK dependent, but independent of p100, indicating that the non-canonical arm of NF-κB is not involved. Instead, prolonged activation of canonical NF-κB signaling, through the interaction of NIK with IκB kinase α and ß (also known as CHUK and IKBKB, respectively), was required for the inflammatory response. Endothelial inflammatory activation induced by synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients was significantly reduced by NIK knockdown, suggesting that NIK-mediated alternative activation of canonical NF-κB signaling is a key driver of pathological inflammatory activation of ECs. Targeting NIK could thus provide a novel approach for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.

Frank Lloyd-Griffiths.

One of the youngest people to ever qualify as a vet, he was a life-long practitioner whose philosophy was one of caring - whether it be for animals, student vets, farmers, local people or friends.

Anti-trypanosomal activity of non-peptidic nitrile-based cysteine protease inhibitors.

The cysteine protease cruzipain is considered to be a validated target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of Chagas disease. Anti-trypanosomal activity against the CL Brener strain of T. cruzi was observed in the 0.1 µM to 1 µM range for three nitrile-based cysteine protease inhibitors based on two scaffolds known to be associated with cathepsin K inhibition. The two compounds showing the greatest potency against the trypanosome were characterized by EC50 values (0.12 µM and 0.25 µM) that were an order of magnitude lower than the corresponding Ki values measured against cruzain, a recombinant form of cruzipain, in an enzyme inhibition assay. This implies that the anti-trypanosomal activity of these two compounds may not be explained only by the inhibition of the cruzain enzyme, thereby triggering a putative polypharmacological profile towards cysteine proteases.

Cathepsin C inhibitors: property optimization and identification of a clinical candidate.

A lead generation and optimization program delivered the highly selective and potent CatC inhibitor 10 as an in vivo tool compound and potential development candidate. Structural studies were undertaken to generate SAR understanding.

Discovery and evolution of phenoxypiperidine hydroxyamide dual CCR3/H1 antagonists. Part I.

The discovery of potent small molecule dual antagonists of the human CCR3 and H(1) receptors is described for the treatment of allergic diseases, for example, asthma and allergic rhinitis. Optimizing in vitro potency and metabolic stability, starting from a CCR1 lead compound, led to compound 20 with potent dual CCR3/H(1) activity and in vitro metabolic stability.

Discovery and evolution of phenoxypiperidine hydroxyamide dual CCR3/H1 antagonists. Part II: optimising in vivo clearance.

The second part of this communication focuses on the resolution of issues surrounding the series of hydroxyamide phenoxypiperidine CCR3/H(1) dual antagonists described in Part I. This involved further structural exploration directed at reducing metabolism and leading to the identification of compound 60 with a greatly improved in vivo pharmacokinetic profile.

Organocatalytic enantioselective one-pot four-component ugi-type multicomponent reaction for the synthesis of epoxy-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones.

Enantioselective multicomponent reaction: in the presence of a catalytic amount of chiral BINOL-derived phosphoric acid (TRIP), the reaction of an α-isocyanoacetate 1, an aldehyde 2, and an aniline 3, followed by addition of a toluene solution of α,ß-unsaturated acyl chloride 4 afforded the oxa-bridged tricycle 5 in excellent yield, diastereoselectivity, and enantioselectivity. Six chemical bonds, five stereogenic centers, and three cycles were formed in this one-pot four-component reaction.

Discovery of isoindoline and tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives as potent, selective PPARδ agonists.

Small molecule isoindoline and tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives have been identified as selective agonists of human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ. Compound 18 demonstrated efficacy in a biomarker for increased fatty acid oxidation, with upregulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4 (PDK4) in human primary myotubes.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of N-alkylated 8-oxybenz[c]azepine derivatives as selective PPARδ agonists.

We describe the discovery of small molecule benzazepine derivatives as agonists of human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) that displayed excellent selectivity over the PPARα and PPARγ subtypes. Compound 8 displayed good PK in the rat and efficacy in upregulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4 (PDK4) mRNA in human primary myotubes, a biomarker for increased fatty acid oxidation.

The effects of P2X7 receptor antagonists on the formation and function of human osteoclasts in vitro.

The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) has been implicated in the process of multinucleation and cell fusion. We have previously demonstrated that blockade of P2X7Rs on osteoclast precursors using a blocking antibody inhibited multinucleated osteoclast formation in vitro, but that P2X7R KO mice maintain the ability to form multinucleated osteoclasts. This apparent contradiction of the role the P2X7R plays in multinucleation has prompted us to examine the effect of the most commonly used and recently available P2X7R antagonists on osteoclast formation and function. When added to recombinant RANKL and M-CSF human blood monocytes cultures, all but one compound, decreased the formation and function of multinucleated TRAP-positive osteoclasts in a concentration-dependent manner. These data provide further evidence for the role of the P2X7R in the formation of functional human multinucleated osteoclasts and highlight the importance of selection of antagonists for use in long-term experiments.

Discovery of potent and selective adamantane-based small-molecule P2X(7) receptor antagonists/interleukin-1beta inhibitors.

A novel series of antagonists of the human P2X7 receptor is described. Modification of substituents enabled identification of compounds selective for the rat P2X7 receptor and provides useful pharmacological tools for evaluation of the role of P2X7 in disease.

Synthesis of alpha-iminoimidates by palladium catalysed double isonitrile insertion.

Palladium catalysed selective double insertion of isonitriles into aryl bromides with trapping by sodium alkoxides provides an efficient 4-component synthesis of unusual alpha-iminoimidates.