N-i-Propoxy-N-biphenylsulfonylaminobutylhydroxamic acids as potent and selective inhibitors of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP

Structural manipulation of the pharmacophoric model of type A selective MMP inhibitors (MMPi), obtained by the insertion of some alkyl substituents R2 possessing an appropriate geometry, steric bulkiness and lipophilicity, is able to improve potency, in the subnanomolar range on MMP-2, and to give a good MMP inhibition on MMP-14 (MT1-MMP) in the designed MMPi of type C, while maintaining a good MMP-1/MMP-2 selectivity profile. The simultaneous inhibition of these two enzymes yields type C compounds, which are potent antiangiogenic agents, able to block a chemoinvasion model on HUVEC cells in the micromolar range.     

Amber force field implementation, molecular modelling study, synthesis and MMP-1/MMP-2 inhibition profile of (R)- and (S)-N-hydroxy-2-(N-isopropoxybiphenyl-4-ylsulfonamido)-3-methylbutanamides

Ab initio calculations (B3LYP/Lanl2DZ level of theory) were performed in this study to determine all the structural and catalytic zinc parameters required in order to study MMPs and their complexes with hydroxamate inhibitors by means of the AMBER force field. The parameters thus obtained were used in order to study the docking of some known MMPi (Batimastat, CGS 27023A and Prinomastat) and our previously described inhibitor a which had shown an inhibitory activity for MMP-1, and -2, with the aim of explaining the different selectivity. On this basis the two enantiomers (R)-b and (S)-b were designed and synthesized, as more potent MMP-2 inhibitors than our previously described inhibitor a. Between these two enantiomers the eutomer (R)-b proved to be 24.7 times and 15.3 times more potent than CGS 27023A and the parent compound a on MMP-2, maintaining a higher index of MMP-2/MMP-1 selectivity compared with CGS 27023A and the more potent inhibitor Prinomastat. The hydroxamate (R)-b can be considered as a progenitor of a new class of biphenylsulfonamido-based inhibitors that differ from compound a in the presence of an alkyl side chain on the C alpha atom, and show different potency and selectivity profiles on the two MMPs considered.     

Accelerated LV remodeling after myocardial infarction in TIMP-1-deficient mice: effects of exogenous MMP inhibition

Alterations in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) have been implicated in adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the direct mechanistic role of TIMPs in the post-MI remodeling process has not been completely established. The goal of this project was to define the effects of altering endogenous MMP inhibitory control through combined genetic and pharmacological approaches on post-MI remodeling in mice. This study examined the effects of MMP inhibition (MMPi) with PD-166793 (30 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) on LV geometry and function (conductance volumetry) after MI in wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in the TIMP-1 gene [TIMP-1 knockout (TIMP1-KO)]. At 3 days after MI (coronary ligation), mice were randomized into four groups: WT-MI/MMPi (n = 10), TIMP1-KO-MI/MMPi (n = 10), WT-MI (n = 22), and TIMP1-KO-MI (n = 23). LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) and ejection fraction were determined 14 days after MI. Age-matched WT (n = 20) and TIMP1-KO (n = 28) mice served as reference controls. LVEDV was similar under control conditions in WT and TIMP1-KO mice (36 +/- 2 and 40 +/- 2 microl, respectively) but was greater in TIMP1-KO-MI than in WT-MI mice (48 +/- 2 vs. 61 +/- 5 microl, P < 0.05). LVEDV was reduced from MI-only values in WT-MI/MMPi and TIMP1-KO-MI/MMPi mice (42 +/- 2 and 36 +/- 2 microl, respectively, P < 0.05) but was reduced to the greatest degree in TIMP1-KO mice (P < 0.05). LV ejection fraction was reduced in both groups after MI and increased in TIMP1-KO-MI/MMPi, but not in WT-MI/MMPi, mice. These unique results demonstrated that myocardial TIMP-1 plays a regulatory role in post-MI remodeling and that the accelerated myocardial remodeling induced by TIMP-1 gene deletion can be pharmacologically "rescued" by MMP inhibition. These results define the importance of local endogenous control of MMP activity with respect to regulating LV structure and function after MI.     

Synthesis of hydroxypyrone- and hydroxythiopyrone-based matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors: Developing a structure–activity relationship

The zinc(II)-dependent matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are associated with a variety of diseases. Development of inhibitors to modulate MMP activity has been an active area of investigation for therapeutic development. Hydroxypyrones and hydroxythiopyrones are alternative zinc-binding groups (ZBGs) that, when combined with peptidomimetic backbones, comprise a novel class of MMP inhibitors (MMPi). In this report, a series of hydroxypyrone- and hydroxythiopyrone-based MMPi with aryl backbones at the 2-, 5-, and 6-positions of the hydroxypyrone ring have been synthesized. Synthetic routes for developing inhibitors with substituents at two of these positions (so-called double-handed inhibitors) are also explored. The MMP inhibition profiles and structure–activity relationship of synthesized hydroxypyrones and hydroxythiopyrones have been analyzed. The results here show that the ZBG, the position of the backbone on the ZBG, and the nature of the linker between the ZBG and backbone are critical for MMPi activities.     

Activation of sulfonate ester based matrix metalloproteinase proinhibitors by hydrogen peroxide

This study details the development of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor prodrugs (proMMPi) that are activated in the presence of reactive-oxygen species (ROS). Conventional matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPi) utilize a zinc-binding group (ZBG) that chelates to the catalytic zinc(II) ion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to inhibit their activity. To create ROS-sensitive prodrugs, sulfonate esters were used as a protecting group for the ZBG to block their metal binding ability. Surprisingly, these sulfonate esters were found to be cleaved by H₂O₂ only when the ZBG contained an N-oxide donor atom moiety. Sulfonate ester derivatives of full-length MMPi based on these ROS-triggerable systems were synthesized. It was found that proMMPi with sulfonate ester protecting groups showed relatively high rates of cleavage in the presence of H₂O₂ to release the active MMPi. In vitro MMP inhibition studies confirmed a significant increase in inhibitory activity of proMMPi upon addition of H₂O₂, demonstrating the use of sulfonate esters to act as cleavable triggers for ROS-activated prodrugs.     

A multiscale mathematical model of avascular tumor growth to investigate the therapeutic benefit of anti-invasive agents

With the aim of inhibiting cancer growth and reducing the risk of metastasis, pharmaceutical companies in the early 1990s developed anti-metastatic agents called inhibitors of metalloproteinases (MMPi). Despite the promising results obtained in pre-clinical studies, results of Phase III trials have been somewhat disappointing for late stage cancer patients. With the aim of mathematically investigating this therapeutic failure, we developed a mechanistically based model which integrates cell cycle regulation and macroscopic tumor dynamics. By simulating the model, we evaluated the efficacy of MMPi therapy. Simulation results predict the lack of efficacy of MMPi in advanced cancer patients. The theoretical model may aid in evaluating the efficacy of anti-metastatic therapies, thus benefiting the design of prospective clinical trials.     

MMP inhibitors augment fibroblast adhesion through stabilization of focal adhesion contacts and up-regulation of cadherin function

Increased pericellular proteolysis due to an imbalance between MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and TIMPs (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases) promotes early stages of tumorigenesis. We have reported that TIMP-1 down-regulation confers tumorigenicity on immortal Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. In pursuit of the mechanism involved in this transformation, we asked whether MMP inhibitors modulate contact inhibition and cell adhesion, because the dysregulation of these events is essential for cellular transformation. Using both genetic and biochemical means, we demonstrate that MMP inhibitors regulate fibroblast cell adhesion. TIMP-1 down-regulated cells formed dense, multilayered colonies, suggesting a loss of contact inhibition. Recombinant TIMP-1 and synthetic MMP inhibitors (MMPi) restored normal cell contact and density of these cells in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, the effect of MMPi on both cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell adhesion were investigated. Upon MMPi treatment, p125(FAK) was redistributed, together with vinculin, to points of cell-ECM contact. Furthermore, phosphorylation of p125(FAK) was restored to levels similar to that of wild type. In parallel, MMPi treatment increased cadherin levels and stabilized cadherin-mediated cell-cell contacts. Moreover, enhanced cadherin function was evident as increased calcium-dependent cell-cell aggregation and co-localization of cadherin and beta-catenin at the cell membrane. We also obtained independent evidence of altered cadherin function using timp-1(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Our data provide provocative evidence that increased pericellular proteolysis impacts cell adhesion systems to offset normal contact inhibition, with subsequent effects on cell transformation and tumorigenesis.     

Activity of matrix metalloproteinases in normal and transformed mouse fibroblasts exposed to antioxidants

The effects of two antioxidants on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) secreted by normal (3T3) and transformed (3T3-SV40) mouse fibroblasts were examined. We compared the action of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on two gelatinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Gel zymography demonstrated that activity of MMP-2 was higher in normal 3T3 cells, whereas, in transformed 3T3-SV40 cells, the MMP-9 activity was higher. NAC treatment for 2–6 h completely suppressed MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in both cell lines. The inhibitory effect did not depend on NAC concentration within the range of 1–10 mM. ALA (1.2 mM) did not affect the cells very dramatically; it decreased the MMP-2 activity in both types of cells. MMP-9 activity in the presence of ALA was decreased in 3T3 cells and slightly increased in 3T3-SV40 cells. The activity of the membrane bound and intracellular MMP was not changed under the same conditions. In conclusion, the altered activity of MMP in the presence of antioxidant may influence the intracellular signaling and cell functions.     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor increases MMP-2 activity in DU-145 prostate cells

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine expressed by a number of different cell types and has been detected in prostatic glandular epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry. The goal of this study was to determine if in vitro cultured prostate cells produce this protein and some of the effects of MIF on these cells. Proliferation of normal prostate cells, the BPH-1 and DU-145 established cell lines in the presence of MIF were assessed. ELISA was used to screen conditioned medium for the production of MIF, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Zymogram electrophoresis gels determined the activities of secreted MMP-2. The amount of MIF in the conditioned medium detected after 72 h of growth in normal, BPH-1 and DU-145 cells was 2.9, 5.2 and 10.2 ng/ml/10(6)cells respectively. Exogenous addition of MIF (25 ng/ml) to cells cultured in vitro stimulated proliferation of all the cell types tested. MIF addition to proliferating DU-145 cells resulted in a two-fold increase in the relative amount of active MMP-2 as determined by zymogram gel analysis of conditioned medium.     

Epinephrine-induced MMP expression is different between skeletal fibroblasts and myoblasts

Skeletal fibroblasts and myoblasts are among the cell types currently being considered in cell therapy for ischaemic heart disease. To investigate whether the expression of the tissue-remodelling proteolytic enzymes matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the cellular energy regulator AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is comparable between the two cell lines in response to epinephrine treatment, mouse skeletal fibroblasts (NOR-10) and myoblasts (C2C12) were treated with or without a low (11 nmol·l(-1) ) or high (55 nmol·l(-1) ) dose of epinephrine for 2 or 6 h. Cellular MMP-3 expression was increased by the high-dose epinephrine at both treatment periods in both cell lines. Cellular MMP-2 and MMP-13 expressions were amplified by the 2- or 6-h epinephrine incubation in fibroblasts. However, in myoblasts, such an increase was only seen at the longer treatment time. An elevated AMPKα expression was observed after a 2-h presence of epinephrine in both cell lines, which matches temporally with the early increased cellular MMP-2 and MMP-13 expression in fibroblasts. Activity of secreted MMP-2 increased only after 6-h epinephrine treatment in both cell types. Our data suggest that skeletal fibroblasts respond earlier to epinephrine application in terms of endogenous synthesis of the proteolytic and the energy homeostasis enzymes, whereas such response occurs later and to a milder dose of the beta adrenergic agonist in myoblasts.     

Induction of stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in FGF-2-/- microvascular endothelial cells requires prolonged activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1 and -2 (ERK-1/2)

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play key roles in vascular remodeling. Because FGF-2 controls a number of proteolytic activities in various cell types, we tested its effect on vascular endothelial cell expression of MMP-3 (stromelysin-1), a broad-spectrum proteinase implicated in coronary atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells (EC) from FGF-2-/- mice are highly responsive to exogenous FGF-2 and were therefore used for this study. The results showed that treatment of microvascular EC with human recombinant FGF-2 results in strong induction of MMP-3 mRNA and protein expression. Upregulation of MMP-3 mRNA by FGF-2 requires de novo protein synthesis and activation of the ERK-1/2 pathway. FGF-2 concentrations (5-10 ng/ml) that induce rapid and prolonged (24 h) activation of ERK-1/2 upregulate MMP-3 expression. In contrast, lower concentrations (1-2 ng/ml) that induce robust but transient (<8 h) ERK-1/2 activation are ineffective. Inhibition of ERK-1/2 activation at different times (-0.5 h to +8 h) of EC treatment with effective FGF-2 concentrations blocks MMP-3 upregulation. Thus, FGF-2 induces EC expression of MMP-3 with a threshold dose effect that requires sustained activation of the ERK-1/2 pathway. Because FGF-2 controls other EC functions with a linear dose effect, these features indicate a unique role of MMP-3 in vascular remodeling.     

Collagen type I, III and V differently modulate synthesis and activation of matrix metalloproteinases by cultured rabbit periosteal fibroblasts.

In the present study we investigated whether the collagen types I, III and V affect the activity of fibroblasts obtained from rabbit periosteum. The cells were cultured on plates either or not coated with different amounts of collagen type I, III or V and analyzed for their attachment, DNA synthesis and the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Our data show that the three collagen types promoted attachment and spreading of the cells and stimulated DNA synthesis when used in relatively low concentrations. High concentrations of type V-but not of type I or III-proved to inhibit thymidine incorporation. The expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1; interstitial collagenase) decreased under the influence of relatively low amounts of collagen (<40 microg/well), whereas higher levels increased its release. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2; gelatinase A) was up-regulated by the different types of collagen; the active fraction of stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) decreased. Accordingly, the mRNA expression of MMP-1 and -3 were reduced. The expression of MMP-2 mRNA, however, proved to be unaffected. Blocking antibodies to beta(1)-integrin or echistatin increased the level of MMP-1 but had no effect on MMP-2. All parameters tested were similarly affected by type I and III collagen, whereas the effect of type V was always less. We conclude that the collagen types I, III and V provide different sets of signals for fibroblasts that differently modulate their proliferation and MMP expression.     

Hydrolysis of triple-helical collagen peptide models by matrix metalloproteinases

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family has been implicated in the process of a variety of diseases such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, and tumor cell metastasis. To study the mechanisms of MMP action on collagenous substrates, we have constructed homotrimeric triple-helical peptide (THP) models of the collagenase cleavage sites in types I and II collagen. The THPs incorporate either the alpha1(I)772-786 or the alpha1(II)772-783 sequence. The alpha1(I)772-786 and alpha1(II)772-783 THPs were hydrolyzed by MMP-1 at the Gly-Ile and Gly-Leu bonds, respectively, analogous to the bonds cleaved in corresponding native collagens. Thus, the THPs contained all necessary information to direct MMP-1 binding and proteolysis. Subsequent investigations using the alpha1(I)772-786 THP showed hydrolysis by MMP-2, MMP-13, and a COOH-terminal domain-deleted MMP-1 (MMP-1(Delta(243-450))) but not by MMP-3 or a COOH-terminal domain-deleted MMP-3 (MMP-3(Delta(248-460))). Kinetic analyses showed a k(cat)/K(m) value of 1,808 s(-1) m(-1) for MMP-1 hydrolysis of alpha1(I)772-786 THP, approximately 10-fold lower than for type I collagen. The effect is caused primarily by relative K(m) values. MMP-2 and MMP-13 cleaved the THP more rapidly than MMP-1, but MMP-2 cleavage occurred at distinct multiple sites. Comparison of MMP-1 and MMP-1(Delta(243-450)) hydrolysis of alpha1(I)772-786 THP showed that both can cleave a triple-helical substrate with a slightly higher K(m) value for MMP-1(Delta(243-450)). We propose that the COOH-terminal domain of MMPs is necessary for orienting whole, native collagen molecules but may not be necessary for binding to and cleaving a THP. This proposal is consistent with the large distance between the MMP-1 catalytic and COOH-terminal domains observed by three-dimensional structural analysis and supports previous suggestions that the features of the catalytic domain contribute significantly toward enzyme specificity.     

Membrane-bound matrix metalloproteinase-8 on activated polymorphonuclear cells is a potent, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-resistant collagenase and serpinase

Little is known about the cell biology or the biologic roles of polymorphonuclear cell (PMN)-derived matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). When activated with proinflammatory mediators, human PMN release only approximately 15-20% of their content of MMP-8 ( approximately 60 ng/10(6) cells) exclusively as latent pro-MMP-8. However, activated PMN incubated on type I collagen are associated with pericellular collagenase activity even when bathed in serum. PMN pericellular collagenase activity is attributable to membrane-bound MMP-8 because: 1) MMP-8 is expressed in an inducible manner in both pro- and active forms on the surface of human PMN; 2) studies of activated PMN from mice genetically deficient in MMP-8 (MMP-8(-/-)) vs wild-type (WT) mice show that membrane-bound MMP-8 accounts for 92% of the MMP-mediated, PMN surface type I collagenase activity; and 3) human membrane-bound MMP-8 on PMN cleaves types I and II collagens, and alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor, but is substantially resistant to inhibition by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2. Binding of MMP-8 to the PMN surface promotes its stability because soluble MMP-8 has t(1/2) = 7.5 h at 37 degrees C, but membrane-bound MMP-8 retains >80% of its activity after incubation at 37 degrees C for 18 h. Studies of MMP-8(-/-) vs WT mice given intratracheal LPS demonstrate that 24 h after intratracheal LPS, MMP-8(-/-) mice have 2-fold greater accumulation of PMN in the alveolar space than WT mice. Thus, MMP-8 has an unexpected, anti-inflammatory role during acute lung injury in mice. TIMP-resistant, active MMP-8 expressed on the surface of activated PMN is likely to be an important form of MMP-8, regulating lung inflammation and collagen turnover in vivo.