A2A adenosine receptor induction inhibits IFN-gamma production in murine CD4+ T cells

Incubation of purified C57BL/6 murine CD4(+) T lymphocytes with anti-CD3 mAb serves as a model of TCR-mediated activation and results in increased IFN-gamma production and cell surface expression of CD25 and CD69. We demonstrate here that signaling through the TCR causes a rapid (4-h) 5-fold increase in A(2A) adenosine receptor (AR) mRNA, which is correlated with a significant increase in the efficacy of A(2A)AR-mediated cAMP accumulation in these cells. A(2A)AR activation reduces TCR-mediated production of IFN-gamma by 98% with a potency order of 4-{3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]prop-2-ynyl}cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester (ATL146e; EC(50) = 0.19 +/- 0.03 nM) > 4-{3-[6-amino-9-(5-cyclopropyl-carbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]prop-2-ynyl}piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ATL313; 0.43 +/- 0.06 nM) > 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (3.5 +/- 0.77 nM) > 2-[4-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS21680; 7.2 +/- 1.4 nM) > N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine (110 +/- 33 nM) > 2-chloro-N(6)-(3-iodobenzyl)-5'-N-methylcarboxamide (390 +/- 160 nM), similar to the potency order to compete for radioligand binding to the recombinant murine A(2A)AR but not the A(3)AR. The selective A(2A)AR antagonist, 4-(2-[7-amino-2-[2-furyl][1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-yl-amino]ethyl)phenol (ZM241385), inhibits the effect of ATL146e with a pA(2) of 0.34 nM and also inhibits the effects of N(6)-cyclohexyl-adenosine and 2-chloro-N(6)-(3-iodobenzyl)-5'-N-methylcarboxamide. In CD4(+) T cells derived from A(2A)AR(-/-) and A(2A)AR(+/-) mice, the IFN-gamma release response to ATL146e is reduced by 100 and 50%, respectively, indicative of a gene dose effect. The response of T cells to the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 4-(3'-cyclopentyloxy-4'-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidone (rolipram), is not affected by A(2A)AR deletion. We conclude that the rapid induction of the A(2A)AR mRNA in T cells provides a mechanism for limiting T cell activation and secondary macrophage activation in inflamed tissues.     

Subtype selective NMDA receptor antagonists: evaluation of some novel alkynyl analogues

A benzylpiperidine analogue with an acetylenic linker, 5-(3-[4-(4-fluorobenzyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-prop-1-ynyl)-1,3-dihydrobenzimidazol-2-one (3), was identified as a chemical lead with excellent activity at the NR1A/2B receptor (IC50=3 nM). Efforts to optimize this activity led to focused modifications around the structural motif of 3. The synthesis and SAR studies are discussed.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-[3-biphenyl-2-yl-1-hydroxy-1-(3-methyl-3H-imidazol-4-yl)-prop-2-ynyl]-1-yl-benzonitrile as novel farnesyltransferase inhibitor

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) have emerged as a novel class of anti-cancer agents. Analogues of the potent FTI, 4-[3-biphenyl-1-hydroxy-1-(3-methyl-3H-imidazol-4-yl)-prop-2-ynyl]-1-yl-benzonitrile, were synthesized and tested in vitro for their inhibitory activities. The synthesis and detailed biological data of this series of analogues are presented.     

Activation of adenosine 2A receptors attenuates allograft rejection and alloantigen recognition

The current studies investigated the in vitro and in vivo effect of adenosine 2A receptor (A(2A)R) agonists to attenuate allogenic immune activation. We performed MLRs with spleen T lymphocytes and APCs isolated from wild-type and A(2A)R knockout mice of both C57BL/6 and BALB/c background strains. Two-way MLR-stimulated T cell proliferation was reduced by ATL313, a selective A(2A)R agonist in a dose-responsive manner (approximately 70%; 10 nM), an effect reversed by the A(2A)R antagonist ZM241385 (100 nM). By one-way MLRs, we observed that ATL313's inhibitory effect was due to effects on both T cells and APCs. ATL313 suppressed the activation markers CD25 and CD40L and the release of inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma, RANTES, IL-12P(70), and IL-2. ATL313 also increased negative costimulatory molecules programmed death-1 and CTLA-4 expressed on T cells. In lymphocytes activated with anti-CD3e mAb, ATL313 inhibited the phosphorylation of Zap70, an effect that was reversed by the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89. In skin transplants, allograft survival was enhanced with ATL313, an effect blocked by ZM241385. These results indicate that A(2A)R agonists attenuate allogenic recognition by action on both T lymphocytes and APCs in vitro and delayed acute rejection in vivo. We conclude that A(2A)R agonists may represent a new class of compounds for induction therapy in organ transplantation.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-[(3-methyl-3H-imidazol-4-yl)-(2-phenylethynyl-benzyloxy)-methyl]-benzonitrile as novel farnesyltransferase inhibitor

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) have emerged as a novel class of anticancer agents. Analogues of the potent FTI, 4-[3-biphenyl-1-hydroxy-1-(3-methyl-3H-imidazol-4-yl)-prop-2-ynyl]-1-yl-benzonitrile, were synthesized and tested in vitro for their inhibitory activities. The most promising compound identified from this series is analogue 11 that possesses potent enzymatic and cellular activities.     

An efficient, scalable synthesis of the HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor Ziagen (1592U89)

Ziagen, (1S,cis)-4-[2-amino-6-(cyclopropylamino)-9H-purin-9-yl]- 2-cyclopentene-1-methanol, was synthesized from (1S,4R)-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one by efficient processes which bypass problematic steps in earlier routes. 2-Amino-4,6-dichloro-5-formamidopyrimidine is a key intermediate which makes possible an efficient construction of the purine from a chiral cyclopentenyl precursor.     

The role of adenosine A2A and A3 receptors on the differential modulation of norepinephrine and neuropeptide Y release from peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals

The pre-synaptic sympathetic modulator role of adenosine was assessed by studying transmitter release following electrical depolarization of nerve endings from the rat mesenteric artery. Mesentery perfusion with exogenous adenosine exclusively inhibited the release of norepinephrine (NA) but did not affect the overflow of neuropeptide Y (NPY), establishing the basis for a differential pre-synaptic modulator mechanism. Several adenosine structural analogs mimicked adenosine's effect on NA release and their relative order of potency was: 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine hydrochloride = 1-[2-chloro-6-[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1-deoxy-N-methyl-beta-d-ribofuranuronamide = 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine > adenosine > N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine. The use of selective receptor subtype antagonists confirmed the involvement of A(2A) and A(3) adenosine receptors. The modulator role of adenosine is probably due to the activation of both receptors; co-application of 1 nM 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine hydrochloride plus 1 nM 1-[2-chloro-6-[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1-deoxy-N-methyl-beta-D-ribofuranuronamide caused additive reductions in NA released. Furthermore, while 1 nM of an A(2A) or A(3) receptor antagonist only partially reduced the inhibitory action of adenosine, the combined co-application of the two antagonists fully blocked the adenosine-induced inhibition. Only the simultaneous blockade of the adenosine A(2A) plus A(3) receptors with selective antagonists elicited a significant increase in NA overflow. H 89 reduced the release of both NA and NPY. We conclude that pre-synaptic A(2A) and A(3) adenosine receptor activation modulates sympathetic co-transmission by exclusively inhibiting the release of NA without affecting immunoreactive (ir)-NPY and we suggest separate mechanisms for vesicular release modulation.     

Identification of unprecedented purine-containing compounds, the zingerines, from ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) using a phase-trafficking approach

Three unprecedented purine-containing compounds, named [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-zingerines as they are 5-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl) analogs of [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-gingerols, respectively, were isolated from a methanolic extract of ginger rhizomes using a phase trafficking-based method that utilizes solid phase reagents allowing for fast and selective simultaneous separation of basic, acidic, and neutral components of natural products extracts.     

Adenosine A(3) receptor activation protects the myocardium from reperfusion/reoxygenation injury

Ischemia-reperfusion induces both necrotic and apoptotic cell death. The ability of adenosine to attenuate reperfusion-induced injury (RI) and the role played by adenosine receptors are unclear. We therefore studied the role of the A(3) receptor (A(3)R) in ameliorating RI using the specific A(3)R agonist 1-[2-chloro-6-[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1-deoxi-N-methyl-b-D-ribofuranuronamide (2-Cl-IB-MECA). Isolated rat hearts and cardiomyocytes were subjected to ischemia or simulated ischemia, followed by reperfusion/reoxygenation. The end points were percent infarction/risk zone and annexin-V (apoptosis) and/or propidium iodide positivity (necrosis), respectively. In isolated hearts, 2-Cl-IB-MECA significantly limited infarct size (44.2 +/- 2.7% in control vs. 21.9 +/- 2.4% at 1 nM and 35.8 +/- 3.3% at 0.1 nM, P < 0.05). In isolated myocytes, apoptosis and necrosis were significantly reduced compared with controls (5.7 +/- 2.6% vs. 17.1 +/- 1.3% and 13.7 +/- 2.0% vs. 23.1 +/- 1.5%, respectively, P < 0.0001). In both models, the beneficial effects were abrogated using the A(3)R antagonist MRS-1191. The involvement of A(2a) receptor activation was also examined. This is the first study to demonstrate that A(3)R activation at reperfusion limits myocardial injury in the isolated rat heart and improves survival in isolated myocytes, possibly by antiapoptotic and antinecrotic mechanisms.     

Synthesis properties of the naturally occurring N-[(9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurin-6-yl)-N-methylcarbamoyl]-L-threonine (mt-6A) and other related synthetic analogs.

The naturally occurring modified nucleoside, N-[(9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurin-6-yl)-N-methylcarbamoyl]-L-threonine (mt6A), and the corresponding glycine analog mg6A were synthesized from N6-methyl-2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyladenosine and the appropriately blocked isocyanates derived from threonine and glycine. The natural mt6A isolated from Escherichia coli tRNA (F. Kimura-Harada et al. (1972), Biochemistry 11, 3910), from wheat embryo tRNA (R. Cunningham and M. W. Gray (1974), Biochemistry 13, 543), and from rat liver tRNA (Rogg et al. (1975), Eur. J. Biochem. 53, 115) was found to be identical with the synthetic mt6A in paper and thin-layer chromatography and electrophoresis. Several analogs of the parent 6-ureidopurine ribonucleoside, N-[(9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurin-6-yl)carbamoyl]-L-thronine (t6A), were also prepared. Starting from 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetylguanosine and 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetylcytidine and the above isocyanates, the t6A analogs, N-[(9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-6-oxo-1H-purin-2-yl)carbamoyl]-L-threonine (t2G) and N-[(1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2-oxypyrimidin-4-yl)carbamoyl]-L-threonine (t4C), were prepared. Also synthesized were the corresponding glycine analogs, g2G and g4C, from guanosine and cytidine, respectively. The 2'-deoxyribosyl analog, N-[(9-beta-D-2'-deoxyribofuranosylpurin-6-yl)carbamoyl]-L-threonine (2'-deoxy-t6A), and the arabinosyl derivative, N-[(9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylpurin-6-yl)carbamoyl]-L-threonine (t6AraA), were synthesized from the appropriate urethane and the requisite amino acid. The ureido group in mt6A could not be hydrolyzed by the enzymes urease, peptidase, and protease. Various chemical and biological properties of the naturally occurring mt6A and the related analogs are discussed.     

Ligand-activation of the adenosine A2a receptors inhibits IL-12 production by human monocytes

Adenosine (ADO) exerts potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. In this paper we address the possibility that these effects are partly mediated by inhibition of the secretion of IL-12, a proinflammatory cytokine and a major inducer of Th1 responses. We demonstrate that 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), a nonspecific ADO analogue, and 2-p-(2-carbonyl-ethyl)phenylethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenos ine (CGS-21680), a specific A2a receptor agonist, dose-dependently inhibited, in whole blood ex vivo and monocyte cultures, the production of human IL-12 induced by LPS and Stapholococcus aureus Cowan strain 1. However, the A1 receptor agonist 2-Chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine and the A3 receptor agonists N6-Benzyl-NECA and 1-deoxy-1-[6-[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-N-methyl-be ta-d -ribofuranuronamide expressed only weak inhibitory effects. On the other hand, NECA and CGS-21680 dose-dependently potentiated the production of IL-10. The differential effect of these drugs on monocyte IL-12 and IL-10 production implies that these effects are mediated by A2a receptor signaling rather than by intracellular toxicity of ADO analogue's metabolites. Moreover, CGS-21680 inhibited IL-12 production independently of endogenous IL-10 induction, because anti-IL-10 Abs failed to prevent its effect. The selective A2a antagonist 8-(3-Chlorostyryl) caffeine prevented the inhibitory effect of CGS-21680 on IL-12 production. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor Ro 20-1724 dose-dependently potentiated the inhibitory effect of CGS-21680 and, furthermore, Rp-cAMPS, a protein kinase A inhibitor, reversed the inhibitory effect of CGS-21680, implicating a cAMP/protein kinase A pathway in its action. Thus, ligand activation of A2a receptors simultaneously inhibits IL-12 and stimulates IL-10 production by human monocytes. Through this mechanism, ADO released in excess during inflammatory and ischemic conditions, or tissue injury, may contribute to selective suppression of Th1 responses and cellular immunity.     

Targeting the inflammasome and adenosine type-3 receptors improves outcome of antibiotic therapy in murine anthrax

AIM: To establish whether activation of adenosine type-3 receptors (A3Rs) and inhibition of interleukin-1β-induced inflammation is beneficial in combination with antibiotic therapy to increase survival of mice challenged with anthrax spores.METHODS: DBA/2 mice were challenged with Bacillus anthracis spores of the toxigenic Sterne strain 43F2. Survival of animals was monitored for 15 d. Ciprofloxacin treatment (50 mg/kg, once daily, intraperitoneally) was initiated at day +1 simultaneously with the administration of inhibitors, and continued for 10 d. Two doses (2.5 mg/kg and 12.5 mg/kg) of acetyl-tyrosyl-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-chloromethylketone (YVAD) and three doses (0.05, 0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg) of 1-[2-Chloro-6-[[(3-iodophenyl) methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1-deoxy-N-methyl-β-D- ribofuranuronamide (Cl-IB-MECA) were tested. Animals received YVAD on days 1-4, and Cl-IB-MECA on days 1-10 once daily, subcutaneously. Human lung epithelial cells in culture were challenged with spores or edema toxin and the effects of IB-MECA on phosphorylation of AKT and generation of cAMP were tested.RESULTS: We showed that the outcome of antibiotic treatment in a murine anthrax model could be substantially improved by co-administration of the caspase-1/4 inhibitor YVAD and the A3R agonist Cl-IB-MECA. Combination treatment with these substances and ciprofloxacin resulted in up to 90% synergistic protection. All untreated mice died, and antibiotic alone protected only 30% of animals. We conclude that both substances target the aberrant host signaling that underpins anthrax mortality.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest new possibilities for combination therapy of anthrax with antibiotics, A3R agonists and caspase-1 inhibitors.     

3H]-MRE 2029-F20, a selective antagonist radioligand for the human A2B adenosine receptors

MRE 2029-F20 [N-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-2-[5-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxy]-acetamide] is a selective antagonist ligand of A2B adenosine receptors. For use as a radioligand, 1,3-diallyl-xanthine, the precursor of [3H]-MRE 2029-F20, was synthesized, and tritiated on the allyl groups. [3H]-MRE 2029-F20 bound to human A2B receptors expressed in CHO cells showed a KD value of 1.65+/-0.10 nM and Bmax value of 36+/-4 fmol/mg protein. [3H]-MRE2029-F20 represents a useful tool for the pharmacological characterization of human A2B adenosine receptor subtype.     

Discovery of subtype-selective NMDA receptor ligands: 4-benzyl-1-piperidinylalkynylpyrroles, pyrazoles and imidazoles as NR1A/2B antagonists.

4-Benzyl-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)but-3-ynyl]piperidine (8) has been identified as a potent antagonist of the NR1A/2B subtype of the NMDA receptor. When dosed orally, this compound potentiates the effects of L-DOPA in the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat, a model of Parkinson's disease.     

1,3-Dipropyl-8-(1-phenylacetamide-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-xanthine derivatives as highly potent and selective human A(2B) adenosine receptor antagonists

A new series of 1,3-dipropyl-8-(1-phenylacetamide-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-xanthine derivatives has been identified as potent A(2B) adenosine receptor antagonists. The products have been evaluated for their binding affinities for the human A(2B), A(1), A(2A), and A(3) adenosine receptors. N-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-[3-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-5-methyl-pyrazol-1-yl] (11c) showed a high affinity for the human A(2B) adenosine receptor K(i)=7nM and good selectivity (A(1), A(2A), A(3)/A(2B)>140). Synthesis and SAR of this novel class of compounds is presented herein.     

Novel role for surfactant protein A in gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a severe and frequent complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) that involves the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and lungs. The pathobiology of GVHD is complex and involves immune cell recognition of host Ags as foreign. We hypothesize a central role for the collectin surfactant protein A (SP-A) in regulating the development of GVHD after allogeneic BMT. C57BL/6 (H2b; WT) and SP-A-deficient mice on a C57BL/6 background (H2b; SP-A(-/-)) mice underwent allogeneic or syngeneic BMT with cells from either C3HeB/FeJ (H2k; SP-A-deficient recipient mice that have undergone an allogeneic BMT [SP-A(-/-)alloBMT] or SP-A-sufficient recipient mice that have undergone an allogeneic BMT) or C57BL/6 (H2b; SP-A-deficient recipient mice that have undergone a syngeneic BMT or SP-A-sufficient recipient mice that have undergone a syngeneic BMT) mice. Five weeks post-BMT, mice were necropsied, and lung and GI tissue were analyzed. SP-A(-/-) alloBMT or SP-A-sufficient recipient mice that have undergone an allogeneic BMT had no significant differences in lung pathology; however, SP-A(-/-)alloBMT mice developed marked features of GI GVHD, including decreased body weight, increased tissue inflammation, and lymphocytic infiltration. SP-A(-/-)alloBMT mice also had increased colon expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ and as well as increased Th17 cells and diminished regulatory T cells. Our results demonstrate the first evidence, to our knowledge, of a critical role for SP-A in modulating GI GVHD. In these studies, we demonstrate that mice deficient in SP-A that have undergone an allogeneic BMT have a greater incidence of GI GVHD that is associated with increased Th17 cells and decreased regulatory T cells. The results of these studies demonstrate that SP-A protects against the development of GI GVHD and establishes a role for SP-A in regulating the immune response in the GI tract.     

Novel selective antagonist radioligands for the pharmacological study of A2B adenosine receptors

The adenosine A_2B receptor is the least well characterized of the four adenosine subtypes due to the lack of potent and selective agonists and antagonists. Despite the widespread distribution of A_2B receptor mRNA, little information is available with regard to their function. The characterization of A_2B receptors, through radioligand binding studies, has been performed, until now, by using low-affinity and non-selective antagonists like 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine ([³H]DPCPX),(4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo-[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)-phenol ([³H]ZM 241385) and 3-(3,4-aminobenzyl)-8-(4-oxyacetate)phenyl-1-propyl-xanthine ([¹²⁵I]ABOPX). Recently, high-affinity radioligands for A_2B receptors, [N-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-[4-(2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-1H-purin-8-yl)-phenoxy]acetamide ([³H]MRS 1754), N-(2-(2-Phenyl-6-[4-(2,2,3,3-tetratritrio-3-phenylpropyl)-piperazine-1-carbonyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ylamino)-ethyl)-acetamide ([³H]OSIP339391) and N-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-2-[5-(1,3-dipropyl-2,6-dioxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxy]-acetamide] ([³H]MRE 2029F20), have been introduced. This minireview offers an overview of these recently developed radioligands and the most important applications of drugs towards A_2B receptors.     

Acetylene-based analogues of thiolactomycin, active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis mtFabH fatty acid condensing enzyme

Analogues of the natural antibiotic thiolactomycin, with acetylene-based side chains, have the highest recorded in vitro inhibitory activity against the recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase mtFabH condensing enzyme. In particular, 5-[3-(4-acetyl-phenyl)-prop-2-ynyl]-4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl-5H-thiophen-2-one exhibited more than an 18-fold increased potency, compared to thiolactomycin, against this key condensing enzyme, involved in M. tuberculosis mycolic acid biosynthesis. Analogues of the antibiotic thiolactomycin, with acetylene-based side chains, have the highest recorded activity against cloned mtFabH condensing enzyme.     

Synthesis of 2-fluoronoraristeromycin and its inhibitory activity against Plasmodium falciparum S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase

Palladium-coupling reaction of (1S, 4R)-cis-4-acetoxy-2-cyclopenten-1-ol with sodium salt of 2-fluoroadenine resulted in the formation of (1S,4R)-4-(6-amino-2-fluoro-9H-purin-9-yl)cyclopent-2-en-1-ol. Subsequent oxidation was carried out with osmium tetraoxide (OsO(4)) in the presence of 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO) to give 2-fluoronoraristeromycin, possessing significant inhibitory activity against recombinant Plasmodium falciparum SAH hydrolase.