6-Phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-4-carbonitrile as cathepsin S inhibitors

6-Phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-4-carbonitrile analogues were identified as potent and selective cathepsin S inhibitor against both purified enzyme and in human JY cell based cellular assays. This core has a very stable thio-trapping nitrile war-head in comparison with the well reported pyrimidine-2-carbonitrile cysteine cathepsin inhibitors. Compound 47 is also very potent in in vivo mouse spleenic Lip10 accumulation assays.     

New antitubulin derivatives in the combretastatin A4 series: synthesis and biological evaluation

Two series of combretastatin A4 derivatives (acrylamide=carboxamide and carbamate) were synthesized in order to improve the water solubility and stabilize the cis-configuration of the double bond. Their cytotoxic effects were evaluated against MCF-7, KB-3-1 and IGROV human cancer cell lines, as well as their inhibitory activity on tubulin polymerization. Results were compared to those of carboxamide 1, chosen as reference. Potent inhibitions were observed on both tests in the carboxamide series, particularly for compound 4d bearing a fluorine group in replacement of the 3-hydroxyl of CA4. In contrast, most of the carbamates were either inactive or displayed only moderate cytotoxicities. Interestingly, a submicromolar IC(50) was measured on MCF-7 cells for 6g, although this compound was totally devoid of antitubulin activity.     

Two novel series of allocolchicinoids with modified seven membered B-rings: design, synthesis, inhibition of tubulin assembly and cytotoxicity

Two new attractive series of allocolchicinoids were designed as inhibitors of tubulin assembly using the potent ketone 4 and the tetracyclic, pyrazole annulated NCME variant 7 (NCME = N-acetyl colchinol-O-methylether (2)) as lead structures. The first group of inhibitors of type 6 with novel oxepine and azepine B-ring structures belongs to the NCME-series and was synthesized via a multistep total synthesis starting from simple and cheap 3-methoxybenzaldehyde (12) and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde (13). Biaryl-coupling of the starting materials 12 and 13 was accomplished via Ziegler-Ullmann-reaction to furnish the biphenyl 11 equipped with two carbaldehyde functions. The subsequent Cannizzaro reaction of this dicarbaldehyde 11 proceeded with high regioselectivity to yield almost exclusively the key compound, the hydroxymethyl carboxylic acid 9. Ring closure to the o,o'-bridged biphenyls was accomplished by two routes: on the one hand, treatment of 9 with aqueous hydrochloric acid yielded the lactone 15. On the other hand, a four step sequence starting from the isomeric mixture 9/10 furnished the constitutionally isomeric lactams 23 and 24; these could be converted to the corresponding thiolactams 25 and 26 and to the tetrazole annulated NCME-type derivatives 27 and 28. The second series of bioactive compounds are congeners of allocolchicine (3). The well known desacetyl allocolchicine (29) was easily oxidized to the oxime 30, which was further transformed to the corresponding ketone 31. This served as key precursor for the syntheses of various tetracyclic allocolchicine modifications 33-36 annulated with a pyrazole, isoxazole, pyrimidine or 2-aminopyrimidine heterocycle, respectively. Unexpectedly, all the NCME-variants with a substituent in position 7 like in NCME (2) inhibited the tubulin assembly only moderately. In contrast, the new series of allocolchicine modifications proved to be highly potent antimicrotubule agents. Inhibition of tubulin assembly occurred at lower concentrations compared to those measured for the reference colchicine (1). Surprisingly, these promising results could not be confirmed in the cytotoxicity tests against the human MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, where an unexpected loss of effectiveness compared to the corresponding NCME-derivatives was observed.     

Liposome retention in size exclusion chromatography

Background  

Size exclusion chromatography is the method of choice for separating free from liposome-encapsulated molecules. However, if the column is not presaturated with lipids this type of chromatography causes a significant loss of lipid material. To date, the mechanism of lipid retention is poorly understood. It has been speculated that lipid binds to the column material or the entire liposome is entrapped inside the void.     

Arginine and glutamine availability and macrophage functions in the obese insulin-resistant Zucker rat

Increased susceptibility to infections in obese patients may be related to decreased availability of arginine and glutamine, which may affect immune cell functions. Our aim was to evaluate the in vitro effects of these amino acids on the function of macrophages from obese insulin-resistant Zucker rats. Macrophages, isolated from male Zucker obese or lean rats by peritoneal lavage, were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) without arginine or glutamine. Arginine or glutamine was added to the medium at increasing final concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mM). After stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli (40 microg/ml), productions of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and of nitric oxide (NO) were measured after 3 or 48 h incubation, respectively. NO production, lower in macrophages from obese rats, decreased in macrophages from lean rats (0 mM: 2,423 +/- 1,174 vs. 2 mM: 198 +/- 31 microM/mg protein/24 h; P < 0.05), but not in those from obese rats, when glutamine was added. TNFalpha production, lower in macrophages from obese rats, was inversely correlated with glutamine concentration. In the presence of arginine, NO production was constantly higher in macrophages from obese rats. It peaked at 0.5 mM arginine and decreased thereafter in both groups. TNFalpha production in macrophages from lean rats was unaffected by arginine, but decreased in macrophages from obese rats (0 mM: 1920 +/- 450 vs. 2 mM: 810 +/- 90 microM/mg protein/3 h; P < 0.05). These results suggest that abnormalities in cell signalling or in arginine and glutamine metabolism in macrophages of obese rats, resulting in decreased TNFalpha production and increased NO release, may contribute to increased susceptibility to infection in insulin-resistant states.     

Aberrant expression of the autoantigen heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-A2 (RA33) and spontaneous formation of rheumatoid arthritis-associated anti-RA33 autoantibodies in TNF-alpha transgenic mice

Human TNF-alpha transgenic (hTNFtg) mice develop erosive arthritis closely resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To investigate mechanisms leading to pathological autoimmune reactions in RA, we examined hTNFtg animals for the presence of RA-associated autoantibodies including Abs to citrullinated epitopes (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)-A2 (anti-RA33), and heat shock proteins (hsp) (anti-hsp). Although IgM anti-hsp Abs were detected in 40% of hTNFtg and control mice, IgG anti-hsp Abs were rarely seen, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide Abs were not seen at all. In contrast, >50% of hTNFtg mice showed IgG anti-RA33 autoantibodies, which became detectable shortly after the onset of arthritis. These Abs were predominantly directed to a short epitope, which was identical with an epitope previously described in MRL/lpr mice. Incidence of anti-RA33 was significantly decreased in mice treated with the osteoclast inhibitor osteoprotegerin and also in c-fos-deficient mice lacking osteoclasts. Pronounced expression of hnRNP-A2 and a smaller splice variant was seen in joints of hTNFtg mice, whereas expression was low in control animals. Although the closely related hnRNP-A1 was also overexpressed, autoantibodies to this protein were infrequently detected. Because expression of hnRNP-A2 in thymus, spleen, brain, and lung was similar in hTNFtg and control mice, aberrant expression appeared to be restricted to the inflamed joint. Finally, immunization of hTNFtg mice with recombinant hnRNP-A2 or a peptide harboring the major B cell epitope aggravated arthritis. These findings suggest that overproduction of TNF-alpha leads to aberrant expression of hnRNP-A2 in the rheumatoid joint and subsequently to autoimmune reactions, which may enhance the inflammatory and destructive process.     

Expression of preproinsulin-2 gene shapes the immune response to preproinsulin in normal mice

Deciphering mechanisms involved in failure of self tolerance to preproinsulin-2 is a key issue in type 1 diabetes. We used nonautoimmune 129SV/Pas mice lacking preproinsulin-2 to study the immune response to preproinsulin-2. In these mice, a T cell response was detected after immunization with several preproinsulin-2 peptides and confirmed by generating hybridomas. Activation of some of these hybridomas by wild-type (wt) islet cells or recombinant murine proinsulin-2 demonstrated that two epitopes can be generated from the naturally expressed protein. Although T cells from wt mice responded to preproinsulin-2 peptides, we could not detect a response to the naturally processed epitopes in these mice. Moreover, after immunization with recombinant whole proinsulin-2, a T cell response was detected in preproinsulin-2-deficient but not in wt mice. This suggests that islet preproinsulin-2-autoreactive T cells are functionally eliminated in wt mice. We used a transplantation model to evaluate the relevance of reactivity to preproinsulin-2 in vivo. Wild-type preproinsulin-2-expressing islets transplanted in preproinsulin-2-deficient mice elicited a mononuclear cell infiltration and insulin Abs. Graft infiltration was further increased by immunization with preproinsulin-2 peptides. Preproinsulin-2 expression thus shapes the immune response and prevents self reactivity to the islet. Moreover, islet preproinsulin-2 primes an immune response to preproinsulin-2 in deficient mice.     

Staphylococcus aureus and its food poisoning toxins: characterization and outbreak investigation

Staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) is one of the most common food-borne diseases and results from the ingestion of staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) preformed in food by enterotoxigenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus. To date, more than 20 SEs have been described: SEA to SElV. All of them have superantigenic activity whereas half of them have been proved to be emetic, representing a potential hazard for consumers. This review, divided into four parts, will focus on the following: (1) the worldwide story of SFP outbreaks, (2) the characteristics and behaviour of S. aureus in food environment, (3) the toxinogenic conditions and characteristics of SEs, and (4) SFP outbreaks including symptomatology, occurrence in the European Union and currently available methods used to characterize staphylococcal outbreaks.     

Coenzyme based synthesis of silver nanocrystals

In this work we have carried out systematic studies to identify the critical role of a coenzyme (β-NADPH) to synthesize silver nanoparticle. Interestingly, both roles of reducing and stabilizing agents are played by β-NADPH. Nanoparticles obtained by this route exhibit a good crystallinity, a narrow size distribution and excellent stability in aqueous solution. The most advantageous points of this single-step environmentally friendly approach are that it takes place at nearly room temperature (20°C), overcomes many limitations encountered in other biological methods (such as the restricted concentration of AgNO(3), maintenance and manipulation of microorganisms, preparing extracts and contamination from residual reactants), bypasses the use of surfactants or capping agents and does not necessitate pH adjustment. The nano-Ag were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, UV-vis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). DLS, TEM and XRD measurements showed the formation of nano-Ag with an average diameter of 20.77±0.67nm. XRD studies confirmed the nanocrystalline nature of the silver particles. Zeta potential measurements revealed that the particles are surrounded with negatively charged groups (-41±5mV) making them stable in an aqueous medium. The EDX spectrum of the silver nanoparticles confirmed the presence of elemental silver signal in high percentage. In addition to the easy and ecofriendly method of synthesis, β-NADPH can be regenerated by enzymatic means through glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, potentially making the synthesis more cost effective.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel heterocyclic derivatives of combretastatin A-4

A novel series of combretastatin A-4 heterocyclic analogues was prepared by replacement of the B ring with indole, benzofurane or benzothiophene, attached at the C2 position. These compounds were evaluated for their abilities to inhibit tubulin assembly: derivative cis 3b, having a benzothiophene, showed an activity similar to those of colchicine or deoxypodophyllotoxine. The antiproliferative and antimitotic properties of cis 3b against keratinocyte cancer cell lines were also evaluated and the intracellular organization of microtubules in the cells after treatment with both stereoisomers of 3b was also determined, using confocal microscopy.