N-(pyrimidin-4-yl) and N-(pyridin-2-yl) phenylalanine derivatives as VLA-4 integrin antagonists

The SAR studies to optimise both potency and rate of clearance in the rat for a series of pyrimidine and pyridine based VLA-4 antagonists are described.     

Discovery and evaluation of N-(triazin-1,3,5-yl) phenylalanine derivatives as VLA-4 integrin antagonists

SAR studies aimed at improving the rate of clearance of a series of VLA-4 integrin antagonists by the introduction of a 1,3,5-triazine as an amide isostere are described.     

Squaric acid derivatives as VLA-4 integrin antagonists

SAR studies aimed at improving the rate of clearance by the incorporation of a 3,4-diamino-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione group as an amino acid isostere in a series of VLA-4 integrin antagonists are described.     

Effects of VLA-4 antagonists in rat whole embryo culture

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological antagonism of VLA-4 (Very Late Antigen 4, alpha(4)beta(1) integrin) has become an attractive target for the treatment of predominantly eosinophil mediated disease states such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. Gene knockouts of the alpha(4)-integrin subunit of VLA-4 or its cell surface ligand, VCAM-1, however, have been shown to result in embryo-lethality in homozygous null mice due to defects in chorio-allantoic or epi-myocardial fusion. Although gene knockout phenotypes are not always manifested by pharmacological antagonism, those studies suggested that VLA-4 antagonists might cause embryo-lethality or drug-induced malformations. METHODS: To test these concepts, early neurulating rat embryos were cultured by the methods of New ('78) after intra-coelomic microinjection of a VLA-4 blocking antibody or in the presence of small molecule VLA-4 antagonists. RESULTS: Defects in chorio-allantoic fusion were induced after microinjection of VLA4 blocking antibody and after continuous exposure to small molecule antagonists. In a minority of affected embryos chorio-allantoic fusion was completely blocked whereas the majority of affected embryos had only superficial chorio-allantoic fusion and the allantois was enlarged and edematous. Although the allantoic mesoderm covered the trophoblasts of the chorionic plate and contained blood vessels there was only minimal invasion of the trophoblasts by the allantoic mesoderm. The lowest observed effect level generally correlated with the IC(approximately 95), as determined in 90% plasma. DISCUSSION: Based on these data, VLA-4 antagonism might represent a significant risk to the developing embryo/fetus. In vitro exposure, however, is "constant" and does not take into account the elimination phase of these xenobiotics in vivo. Given the high concentrations required to elicit an effect, therapeutic blood levels in vivo may be several fold lower than those that affect the conceptus, depending on the tissue penetration of the compound and the route of administration. VLA-4 also exists in a range of conformations and activation states in vivo and the gene KOs and present studies do not define whether these developmental processes are dependent upon a particular activation state of VLA-4. Therefore, state-selective antagonists may have an improved embryonic safety profile. Additional studies will be required to determine potential effects of VLA-4 antagonists on embryo/fetal development in vivo.     

N-(arylacetyl)-biphenylalanines as potent VLA-4 antagonists

A series of potent N-(aralkyl-, arylcycloalkyl-, and heteroaryl-acyl)-4-biphenylalanine VLA-4 antagonists was prepared by rapid analogue methods using solid-phase chemistry. Further optimization led to several highly potent compounds (IC(50) <1 nM). Evaluation of rat pharmacokinetic revealed generally high clearance.     

N-Tetrahydrofuroyl-(L)-phenylalanine derivatives as potent VLA-4 antagonists

Given the proposed involvement of VLA-4 in inflammatory processes, a program to identify orally active VLA-4 antagonists was initiated. Herein, we report the discovery of a N-tetrahydrofuroyl-(L)-phenylalanine derivative (17) and related analogues as potent VLA-4 antagonists with good oral bioavailability.     

Constraining the amide bond in N-sulfonylated dipeptide VLA-4 antagonists

The integrin VLA-4 is implicated in several inflammatory disease states. In search of non-peptidic antagonists of VLA-4, rotational constraints were imposed on the amide bond of prototypical N-sulfonylated dipeptide VLA-4 antagonists. By judicious structural modification of the side chains, trisubstituted imidazoles with moderate binding potencies were obtained, for example, 19, VLA-4 IC(50)=237 nM.     

Substituted tetrahydrofuroyl-1-phenylalanine derivatives as potent and specific VLA-4 antagonists

A series of substituted tetrahydrofuroyl-1-phenylalanine derivatives was prepared and evaluated as VLA-4 antagonists. Substitution of the alpha carbon of the tetrahydrofuran with aryl groups increased the specificity for VLA-4 versus alpha(4)beta(7) while amide substitution increased the potency of the series without increasing the specificity. Substitution of the beta carbon of the tetrahydrofuran with keto or amino groups slightly improved the specificity for VLA-4 versus alpha(4)beta(7) but with a significant loss in binding affinity for VLA-4.     

Amidines as amide bond replacements in VLA-4 antagonists

VLA-4 (alpha(4)beta(1), very late activating antigen-4), a key cell surface integrin plays an important role in inflammation by promoting leukocyte attachment and extravasation from the vasculature into the peripheral tissues. As such, VLA-4 antagonists may be useful in the treatment, prevention, and suppression of diseases where cell adhesion and migration are important such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Herein, we report on the discovery, synthesis, and biological evaluation of amidines as small molecule antagonists of VLA-4.     

Discovery of very late antigen-4 (VLA-4, alpha4beta1 integrin) allosteric antagonists

Integrins are cell adhesion receptors that mediate cell-to-cell, or cell-to-extracellular matrix adhesion. They represent an attractive target for treatment of multiple diseases. Two classes of small molecule integrin inhibitors have been developed. Competitive antagonists bind directly to the integrin ligand binding pocket and thus disrupt the ligand-receptor interaction. Allosteric antagonists have been developed primarily for α(L)β(2)- integrin (LFA-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1). Here we present the results of screening the Prestwick Chemical Library using a recently developed assay for the detection of α(4)β(1)-integrin allosteric antagonists. Secondary assays confirmed that the compounds identified: 1) do not behave like competitive (direct) antagonists; 2) decrease ligand binding affinity for VLA-4 ～2 orders of magnitude; 3) exhibit antagonistic properties at low temperature. In a cell based adhesion assay in vitro, the compounds rapidly disrupted cellular aggregates. In accord with reports that VLA-4 antagonists in vivo induce mobilization of hematopoietic progenitors into the peripheral blood, we found that administration of one of the compounds significantly increased the number of colony-forming units in mice. This effect was comparable to AMD3100, a well known progenitor mobilizing agent. Because all the identified compounds are structurally related, previously used, or currently marketed drugs, this result opens a range of therapeutic possibilities for VLA-4-related pathologies.     

Pyridone derivatives as potent, orally bioavailable VLA-4 integrin antagonists

A series of pyridone-N-benzyl-propanoic acids have been optimised to afford potent orally bioavailable VLA-4 antagonists.     

Identification of unique VLA-4 antagonists from a combinatorial library

A combinatorial library of 28 pools of 180 compounds (345 diastereomers) was designed and prepared in support of the delineation of the SAR of two prototypical VLA-4 antagonists. Deconvolution of the active pools led to the identification of three novel series of VLA-4 antagonists with low nanomolar potencies.     

Sulphonamide-based small molecule VLA-4 antagonists

The discovery of a sulphonamide by-product with VLA-4 antagonistic activity led to a series of potent, small molecule VLA-4 antagonists. Synthesis, SAR and in vivo evaluation of the selected compound will be presented.     

2,3-Diphenylpropionic acids as potent VLA-4 antagonists

The discovery and SAR of 2,3-diphenylpropionic acid derivatives as highly potent VLA-4 antagonists are described. One representative compound, 9cc has inhibited intercellular adhesion by a VCAM-1/VLA-4 interaction with an IC(50) of 1.7 nM, and has good pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability.     

N-isonicotinoyl-(L)-4-aminophenylalanine derivatives as tight binding VLA-4 antagonists

A series of isonicotinoyl-(L)-aminophenylalanine derivatives was prepared and evaluated as VLA-4 antagonists. These compounds exhibit subnanomolar binding affinity to VLA-4 and significant off-rates. The interplay between off-rate, protein binding and pharmacokinetics is discussed.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and pharmacokinetic study of prolyl-1-piperazinylacetic acid and prolyl-4-piperidinylacetic acid derivatives as VLA-4 antagonists

A series of prolyl-1-piperazinylacetic acid and prolyl-4-piperidinylacetic acid derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their activity as VLA-4 antagonists. Of 22 compounds synthesized, 19 compounds showed potent activity with low nanomolar IC50 values. In addition, the representative compounds 11o and 11p with a hydroxy group in the pyrrolidine ring showed moderate plasma clearance in rats (11o, 30 ml/min/kg and 11p, 21 ml/min/kg) and in dogs (11o, 12 ml/min/kg and 11p, 9 ml/min/kg).     

N-aryl-prolyl-dipeptides as potent antagonists of VLA-4

The design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of N-arylprolyl-dipeptide derivatives as small molecule VLA-4 antagonists is described. Potency against VLA-4 and alpha(4)beta(7) and rat pharmacokinetic evaluation revealed some advantages over the related N-(arylsulfonyl)-prolyl-dipeptide analogues.     

Highly constrained bicyclic VLA-4 antagonists

VLA-4 is implicated in several inflammatory and autoimmune disease states. A series of cyclic beta-amino acids (beta-aa) was studied as VLA-4 antagonists. Binding affinity was highly dependent on the dihedral angle (phi) between the amino and the carboxyl termini of the beta-aa. Compound 5 m where the beta-aa is embedded in a bicycle possesses the most preferred phi (120 degrees). It is a potent and bioavailable VLA-4 antagonist (VCAM-Ig alpha4beta1 IC50 = 54 nM, rat po F = 49%).     

Imide and lactam derivatives of N-benzylpyroglutamyl-L-phenylalanine as VCAM/VLA-4 antagonists

A series of imides and lactams derived from 4-amino-N-benzylpyroglutamyl-L-phenylalanine was prepared and evaluated for activity as VCAM/VLA-4 antagonists. Imides were more potent than the corresponding lactams; several had subnanomolar IC50s in an ELISA based assay and were also highly effective at blocking VLA-4 expressing Ramos cell binding to VCAM coated plates.     

Discovery of a potent, orally bioavailable pyrimidine VLA-4 antagonist effective in a sheep asthma model

A series of N-(pyrimidin-4-yl)-phenylalanine VLA-4 antagonists is described. Optimization of substituents at the 2 and 5 positions of the pyrimidine ring gave 14, a very potent VLA-4 inhibitor which is orally active in a sheep asthma model.