Discovery and biological activity of orally active peptidyl trifluoromethyl ketone inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase.

Previously we had shown that tripeptidyl trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) possessing an N-terminal diarylacylsulfonamide, such as ICI 200,880 and ICI 200,355, displayed unparalleled protection against the lung damage induced by human neutrophil elastase (HNE) when the inhibitors were administered intratracheally. Since the diarylacylsulfonamides were designed specifically to afford a long residence time in the lung, it was not unexpected that inhibitors from this class of TFMKs were not active when administered orally. Upon evaluating a large number of peptidyl TFMKs possessing a variety of N-terminal groups, several compounds were identified which demonstrated oral activity. Compounds were evaluated for their oral activity by measuring their ability to inhibit the increase in lung weight relative to body weight (Lw/Bw), the increase in red blood cells, and the increase in white blood cells induced by intratracheally administered HNE (100 micrograms/hamster). A number of tripeptidyl trifluoromethyl ketones containing neutral N-terminal groups displayed good oral activity, while those containing basic, acidic, or polar groups did not. Compound 50, possessing an N-terminal 4-(CH3O)C6H4CO group, was particularly effective, reducing Lw/Bw by 77%, red cells by 89%, and white cells by 91% when dosed at 37.5 mg/kg orally. Thus, by modifying the N-terminal group of tripeptidyl TFMKs, inhibitors can be designed which are effective in vivo when administered either orally or intratracheally.

A specific radioimmunoassay for the measurement of ICI 200,880, an elastase inhibitor, in human serum.

ICI 200,880, 4-(4-chlorophenylsulphonylcarbamoyl)benzoyl-L-valyl-L-proline-1(RS )-(1-trifluoroacetyl-2-methylpropyl)amide (I), is a human neutrophil elastase inhibitor in development by ICI Pharmaceuticals Group. A specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay has been developed for this compound in human serum. An hydroxysuccinimide ester analogue of ICI 200,880 was coupled to the lysine residues of bovine serum albumin, characterized by gel electrophoresis and injected into rabbits to stimulate antibody formation; a highly specific, high titre antibody was obtained. An 125I-diiodinated 4-hydroxy-phenyl derivative of ICI 200,880 was utilized as the radiolabelled antigen. Satisfactory zero and non-specific binding were achieved with a 2-h pre-incubation of ICI 200,880 and antiserum at 37 degrees C, followed by the addition of radiolabelled antigen and a second 2-h incubation. Separation of bound and free radiolabel was achieved by employing PEG-goat anti-rabbit IgG separant. Sensitivity of 25 pg ml-1 ICI 200,880 in human serum was achieved (n = 12), with quantitative recovery of 106%, inter-assay precision of 6.3% and an average relative binding statistically different than that of pooled human serum. Serum quality control samples spiked at 600 and 100 pg ml-1 ICI 200,880 averaged 104% recovery over 6 validation days, with intra-assay precision of 12.8% RSD and inter-assay precision of 9.2% RSD (n = 24). Cross-reactivity of the ICI 200,880 antibody to three known metabolites and several analogues was negligible. Over 1200 clinical samples following aerosol administration of ICI 200,880 have been analysed by this procedure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mechanism for slow-binding inhibition of human leukocyte elastase by valine-derived benzoxazinones.

Valine-derived benzoxazinones have been synthesized and found to be competitive, slow-binding inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE). Steady-state inhibition constants Ki are dependent on aryl substitution and reach a maximum of potency of 0.5 nM with the 5-Cl compound 6. UV-spectral data for the interaction of HLE and the unsubstituted inhibitor 3 indicate that the stable complex formed between enzyme and inhibitor is an acyl-enzyme that can either undergo ring closure, to reform intact benzoxazinone, or hydrolysis, to liberate an N-acylanthranilic acid. "Burst" kinetic data, derived from the direct observation of the interaction of HLE and 3, are consistent with results of the inhibition of catalysis experiments.

Mechanism of slow-binding inhibition of human leukocyte elastase by trifluoromethyl ketones.

Kinetics of inhibition have been determined for the interaction of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) with two series of peptide trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs): X-Val-CF3,X-Pro-Val-CF3,X-Val-Pro-Val-CF3, and X-Lys(Z)-Val-Pro-Val-CF3, where X is MeOSuc or Z. These compounds are "slow-binding" inhibitors of HLE and, thus, allow the determination of Ki, the dissociation constant for the stable complex of inhibitor and enzyme, as well as kon and koff, the rate constants for formation and decomposition of this complex. Maximal potency is reached with Z-Lys(Z)-Val-Pro-Val-CF3, which displays a Ki less than 0.1 nM. Upon binding to HLE, these compounds undergo addition by the hydroxyl of the active site serine to form a hemiketal. The evidence supporting a hemiketal intermediate includes Ki values of 1.6 and 80,000 nM for Z-Val-Pro-Val-CF3 and its alcohol analogue, linear free energy correlations between inhibitory potency and catalytic efficiency for structurally related TFMKs and substrates, and the pH dependence of kon for the inhibition of HLE by Z-Val-Pro-Val-CF3, which is sigmoidal and displays a pKa of 6.9. Hemiketal formation is probably not rate limiting, however. Kinetic solvent isotope effects of unity suggest that kon cannot be rate limited by a reaction step, like hemiketal formation, that is subject to protolytic catalysis. A general mechanism that is consistent with these results is one in which formation of the hemiketal is rapid and is followed or preceded by a slow step that rate limits kon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)