Jan Wiegand

A Comparative Evaluation of Iron Clearance Models

A comparative study of the non-iron-overloaded, bile duct-cannulated rat and of the Cebus monkey as iron-clearance models is presented. The ability of desferrioxamine, desferrithiocin, and a pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH) analogue to clear the metal from these two animals is evaluated. Data suggest that although rodents represent a viable first-line animal screen, there is no strict correspondence between the effectiveness of a chelator in rodents and that in primates. Rodent data should be interpreted carefully as it relates to potential human trials. Iron-loading response, the similarity between multiple human and Cebus serum and hematological values, and the ability to easily observe changes in behavioral patterns clearly render the Cebus monkey the best preclinical screen.

Design, Synthesis, and Testing of Non-Nephrotoxic Desazadesferrithiocin Polyether Analogues

A series of iron-clearing efficiencies (ICEs), ferrokinetics, and toxicity studies for ( S)-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid (deferitrin, 1), ( S)-4,5-dihydro-2-[2-hydroxy-4-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxy)phenyl]-4-methyl-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid ( 2), and (S)-4,5-dihydro-2-[2-hydroxy-3-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxy)phenyl]-4-methyl-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid ( 3) are reported. The ICEs in rodents are shown to be dose-dependent and saturable for ligands 2 and 3 and superior to 1. Both polyether analogues in subcutaneous (sc) versus oral (po) administration in rodents and primates demonstrated excellent bioavailability. Finally, in a series of toxicity studies of ligands 1- 3, the dosing regimen was shown to have a profound effect in animals treated with ligand 1. When ligand 1 was given at doses of 237 micromol/kg/day twice a day (b.i.d.), there was serious proximal tubule damage versus 474 micromol/kg/day once daily (s.i.d.). With 2 and 3, in iron-overloaded and/or non-iron-loaded rodents, kidney histopathologies remained normal.

Vibriobactin Antibodies: A Vaccine Strategy

A new target strategy in the development of bacterial vaccines, the induction of antibodies to microbial outer membrane ferrisiderophore complexes, is explored. A vibriobactin (VIB) analogue, with a thiol tether, 1-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)-5,9-bis[[(4S,5R)-2-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-5-methyl-4-oxazolyl]carbonyl]-14-(3-mercaptopropanoyl)-1,5,9,14-tetraazatetradecane, was synthesized and linked to ovalbumin (OVA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The antigenicity of the VIB microbial iron chelator conjugates and their iron complexes was evaluated. When mice were immunized with the resulting OVA-VIB conjugate, a selective and unequivocal antigenic response to the VIB hapten was observed; IgG monoclonal antibodies specific to the vibriobactin fragment of the BSA and OVA conjugates were isolated. The results are consistent with the idea that the isolated adducts of siderophores covalently linked to their bacterial outer membrane receptors represent a credible target for vaccine development.

Desferrithiocin analogue uranium decorporation agents

Purpose: Previous systematic structure-activity studies of the desferrithiocin (DFT) platform have allowed the design and synthesis of analogues and derivatives of DFT that retain the exceptional iron-clearing activity of the parent, while eliminating its adverse effects. We hypothesized that a similar approach could be adopted to identify DFT-related analogues that could effectively decorporate uranium. Materials and methods: The decorporation properties of nine DFT-related analogues were determined in a bile duct-cannulated rat model. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) served as a positive control. Selected ligands also underwent multiple and delayed dosing regimens. Uranium excretion in urine and bile or stool was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS); tissue levels of uranium were also assessed. Results: The two best clinical candidates are (S)-4,5-dihydro-2-[2-hydroxy-4-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxy)phenyl]-4-methyl-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid [(S)-4′-(HO)-DADFT-PE (9)], with a 57% reduction in kidney uranium levels on oral (p.o.) administration and (S)-4,5-dihydro-2-[2-hydroxy-3-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxy)phenyl]-4-methyl-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid [(S)-3′-(HO)-DADFT-PE (10)], with a 62% renal reduction on p.o. administration. The majority of the metal excretion promoted by these analogues is in the bile, thus further reducing kidney actinide exposure. Conclusions: While 9 administered p.o. or subcutaneously (s.c.) immediately post-metal is an effective decorporation agent, withholding the dose (s.c.) until 4 h reduced the activity of the compound. Conversion of 9 to its isopropyl ester may circumvent this issue.

The Origin of the Differences in (R)‐ and (S)‐Desmethyldesferrithiocin: Iron‐Clearing Propertiesa

Abstract: The iron clearance properties, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of (R)‐ and (S)‐desmethyldesferrithiocin (DMDFT) are described. The studies were performed in rodent and primate models. While both enantiomers were found to be effective iron chelators with minimal toxicity in the rodents, only (S)‐DMDFT was able to induce the clearance of any iron in the primates. In addition, two out of nine of the monkeys given (R)‐DMDFT died within 24 h of drug administration. The reason for the differences in iron clearance properties and the apparent toxicity of the (R)‐enantiomer in the primates is likely related to the disparities in the pharmacokinetics of the two analogues. The pharmacokinetic data suggest enantioselectivity in renal clearance of the desferrithiocins and their iron complexes with (S)‐DMDFT clearance 3.5 times greater than that of (R)‐DMDFT, and FeIII [(S)‐DMDFT]2 clearance 6.8 times greater than that of FeIII [R‐DMDFT]2. In all primates studied FeIII [(R)‐DMDFT]2 in the plasma exceeded 25 mg/L (50 μM) for several hours and remained above 10 mg/L (20 μM) at 8 h while levels of FeIII [(S)‐DMDFT]2 never exceeded 50 μM and were at or below the limits of detection 8 h post‐injection.

Substituent effects on desferrithiocin and desferrithiocin analogue iron-clearing and toxicity profiles.

Desferrithiocin (DFT, 1) is a very efficient iron chelator when given orally. However, it is severely nephrotoxic. Structure-activity studies with 1 demonstrated that removal of the aromatic nitrogen to provide desazadesferrithiocin (DADFT, 2) and introduction of either a hydroxyl group or a polyether fragment onto the aromatic ring resulted in orally active iron chelators that were much less toxic than 1. The purpose of the current study was to determine if a comparable reduction in renal toxicity could be achieved by performing the same structural manipulations on 1 itself. Accordingly, three DFT analogues were synthesized. The iron-clearing efficiency and ferrokinetics were evaluated in rats and primates; toxicity assessments were carried out in rodents. The resulting DFT ligands demonstrated a reduction in toxicity that was equivalent to that of the DADFT analogues and presented with excellent iron-clearing properties.

Desferrithiocin: A Search for Clinically Effective Iron Chelators

The successful search for orally active iron chelators to treat transfusional iron-overload diseases, e.g., thalassemia, is overviewed. The critical role of iron in nature as a redox engine is first described, as well as how primitive life forms and humans manage the metal. The problems that derive when iron homeostasis in humans is disrupted and the mechanism of the ensuing damage, uncontrolled Fenton chemistry, are discussed. The solution to the problem, chelator-mediated iron removal, is clear. Design options for the assembly of ligands that sequester and decorporate iron are reviewed, along with the shortcomings of the currently available therapeutics. The rationale for choosing desferrithiocin, a natural product iron chelator (a siderophore), as a platform for structure–activity relationship studies in the search for an orally active iron chelator is thoroughly developed. The study provides an excellent example of how to systematically reengineer a pharmacophore in order to overcome toxicological problems while maintaining iron clearing efficacy and has led to three ligands being evaluated in human clinical trials.

Control of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Polyamine Analogs: A Structure–Activity Study

The evaluation of a group of polyamine analogs as agents to ameliorate diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome is described. Each compound was assessed when administered subcutaneously in a psychological stress-induced model of irritable bowel syndrome in rodents for its ability to reduce stool output in a dose-dependent manner. The spermine pharmacophore is shown to be an excellent platform from which to construct compounds to treat irritable bowel syndrome. The activity of the compounds is very dependent on both the nature of the terminal alkyl groups and the geometry of the methylene spacers separating the nitrogens. In addition to the subcutaneous studies, several compounds, N1,N11-diethylnorspermine, N1,N12-diethylspermine, N1,N12-diisopropylspermine, N1,N14-diethylhomospermine, N,N`-bis[5-(ethylamino)pentyl]-1,4-butanediamine, N,N`-bis[2-(4-piperidinyl)ethyl]-1,4-diaminobutane, and N,N`-bis[3-(ethylamino)propyl]-trans-1,4-cyclohexanediamine, were subsequently evaluated for oral efficacy. The remarkable activity of N,N`-bis[3-(ethylamino)propyl]-trans-1,4-cyclohexanediamine underscores the need to explore this framework further as a pharmacophore for the construction of other analogues to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea-predominant IBS.

Prevention of acetic acid-induced colitis by desferrithiocin analogs in a rat model

Iron contributes significantly to the formation of reactive oxygen species via the Fenton reaction. Therefore, we assessed whether a series of desferrithiocin analogs, both carboxylic acids and hydroxamates, could (1) either promote or diminish the iron-mediated oxidation of ascorbate, (2) quench a model radical species, 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS·+), and (3) when applied topically, prevent acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Surprisingly, most of the desferrithiocin analogs inhibited the Fenton reaction to an approximately equivalent degree; however, substantial differences were observed in the capacity of the analogs to scavenge the model radical cation. Four carboxylic acid desferrithiocin analogs and their respective N-methylhydroxamates were tested along with desferrioxamine and Rowasa, a currently accepted topical therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in a rodent model of acetic acid-induced colitis. The colonic damage was quantitated by two independent measurements. Although neither radical scavenging nor prevention of Fenton chemistry was a definitive predictor of in vivo efficacy, the overall trend is that desferrithiocin analogs substituted with an N-methylhydroxamate in the place of the carboxylic acid are both better free radical scavengers and more active against acetic acid-induced colitis. These results represent an intriguing alternative avenue to the development of improved IBD therapeutic agents.