Jean-Pierre Falgueyret

Biochemical and pharmacological profile of a tetrasubstituted furanone as a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor

DFU (5,5‐dimethyl‐3‐(3‐fluorophenyl)‐4‐(4‐methylsulphonyl)phenyl‐2(5H)‐furanone) was identified as a novel orally active and highly selective cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitor. In CHO cells stably transfected with human COX isozymes, DFU inhibited the arachidonic acid‐dependent production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with at least a 1,000 fold selectivity for COX‐2 (IC50=41±14 nM) over COX‐1 (IC50>50 μM). Indomethacin was a potent inhibitor of both COX‐1 (IC50=18±3 nM) and COX‐2 (IC50=26±6 nM) under the same assay conditions. The large increase in selectivity of DFU over indomethacin was also observed in COX‐1 mediated production of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) by Ca2+ ionophore‐challenged human platelets (IC50>50 μM and 4.1±1.7 nM, respectively). DFU caused a time‐dependent inhibition of purified recombinant human COX‐2 with a Ki value of 140±68 μM for the initial reversible binding to enzyme and a k2 value of 0.11±0.06 s−1 for the first order rate constant for formation of a tightly bound enzyme‐inhibitor complex. Comparable values of 62±26 μM and 0.06±0.01 s−1, respectively, were obtained for indomethacin. The enzyme‐inhibitor complex was found to have a 1 : 1 stoichiometry and to dissociate only very slowly (t1/2=1–3 h) with recovery of intact inhibitor and active enzyme. The time‐dependent inhibition by DFU was decreased by co‐incubation with arachidonic acid under non‐turnover conditions, consistent with reversible competitive inhibition at the COX active site. Inhibition of purified recombinant human COX‐1 by DFU was very weak and observed only at low concentrations of substrate (IC50=63±5 μM at 0.1 μM arachidonic acid). In contrast to COX‐2, inhibition was time‐independent and rapidly reversible. These data are consistent with a reversible competitive inhibition of COX‐1. DFU inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced PGE2 production (COX‐2) in a human whole blood assay with a potency (IC50=0.28±0.04 μM) similar to indomethacin (IC50=0.68±0.17 μM). In contrast, DFU was at least 500 times less potent (IC50>97 μM) than indomethacin at inhibiting coagulation‐induced TXB2 production (COX‐1) (IC50=0.19±0.02 μM). In a sensitive assay with U937 cell microsomes at a low arachidonic acid concentration (0.1 μM), DFU inhibited COX‐1 with an IC50 value of 13±2 μM as compared to 20±1 nM for indomethacin. CGP 28238, etodolac and SC‐58125 were about 10 times more potent inhibitors of COX‐1 than DFU. The order of potency of various inhibitors was diclofenac>indomethacin∼naproxen>nimesulide∼ meloxicam∼piroxicam>NS‐398∼SC‐57666>SC‐58125>CGP 28238∼etodolac>L‐745,337>DFU. DFU inhibited dose‐dependently both the carrageenan‐induced rat paw oedema (ED50 of 1.1 mg kg−1 vs 2.0 mg kg−1 for indomethacin) and hyperalgesia (ED50 of 0.95 mg kg−1 vs 1.5 mg kg−1 for indomethacin). The compound was also effective at reversing LPS‐induced pyrexia in rats (ED50=0.76 mg kg−1 vs 1.1 mg kg−1 for indomethacin). In a sensitive model in which 51Cr faecal excretion was used to assess the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract in rats, no significant effect was detected after oral administration of DFU (100 mg kg−1, b.i.d.) for 5 days, whereas chromium leakage was observed with lower doses of diclofenac (3 mg kg−1), meloxicam (3 mg kg−1) or etodolac (10–30 mg kg−1). A 5 day administration of DFU in squirrel monkeys (100 mg kg−1) did not affect chromium leakage in contrast to diclofenac (1 mg kg−1) or naproxen (5 mg kg−1). The results indicate that COX‐1 inhibitory effects can be detected for all selective COX‐2 inhibitors tested by use of a sensitive assay at low substrate concentration. The novel inhibitor DFU shows the lowest inhibitory potency against COX‐1, a consistent high selectivity of inhibition of COX‐2 over COX‐1 (>300 fold) with enzyme, whole cell and whole blood assays, with no detectable loss of integrity of the gastrointestinal tract at doses >200 fold higher than efficacious doses in models of inflammation, pyresis and hyperalgesia. These results provide further evidence that prostanoids derived from COX‐1 activity are not important in acute inflammatory responses and that a high therapeutic index of anti‐inflammatory effect to gastropathy can be achieved with a selective COX‐2 inhibitor.

The discovery of odanacatib (MK-0822), a selective inhibitor of cathepsin K.

Odanacatib is a potent, selective, and neutral cathepsin K inhibitor which was developed to address the metabolic liabilities of the Cat K inhibitor L-873724. Substituting P1 and modifying the P2 side chain led to a metabolically robust inhibitor with a long half-life in preclinical species. Odanacatib was more selective in whole cell assays than the published Cat K inhibitors balicatib and relacatib. Evaluation in dermal fibroblast culture showed minimal intracellular collagen accumulation relative to less selective Cat K inhibitors.

Quinolines as potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors: Synthesis and biological profile of L-746,530

Leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors have potential as new therapeutic agents for asthma and inflammatory diseases. A series of novel substituted 2-cyanoquinolines have been synthesized and the structure activity relationships were evaluated with respect to their ability to inhibit the formation of leukotrienes via the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme. [1S,5R]-2-Cyano-4-(3-furyl)-7-¿3-fluoro-5-[3-(3 alpha-hydroxy-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]-octanyl)]phenoxymethyl ¿quinoline (L-746,530) 3 represents a distinct class of inhibitors and possesses in vitro and in vivo potency comparable or superior to naphthalenic analog (L-739,010) 2.

Mechanism of selective inhibition of human prostaglandin G/H synthase-1 and -2 in intact cells.

Selective inhibitors of prostaglandin synthase-2 (PGHS-2) possess potent anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties but demonstrate reduced side-effects (e.g. gastrotoxicity) when compared with nonselective inhibitors of PGHS-1 and -2. We investigated the mechanism of the differential inhibition of human PGHS-1 (hPGHS-1) and -2 (hPGHS-2) in intact cells by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and examined factors that contribute to the increased potency of PGHS inhibitors observed in intact cells versus cell-free systems. In intact Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines stably expressing the hPGHS isozymes, both PGHS isoforms exhibited the same affinity for arachidonic acid. Exogenous and endogenous arachidonic acid were used as substrates by both CHO [hPGHS-1] and CHO [hPGHS-2] cell lines. However, differences were observed in the ability of the hPGHS isoforms to utilize endogenous arachidonic acid released intracellularly following calcium ionophore stimulation or released by human cytosolic phospholipase A2 transiently expressed in the cells. Cell-based screening of PGHS inhibitors demonstrated that the selectivities and potencies of PGHS inhibitors determined using intact cells are affected by substrate concentration and differ from that determined in cell-free microsomal or purified enzyme preparations of PGHS isozymes. The mechanism of inhibition of PGHS isozymes by NSAIDs in intact cells involved difference in their time-dependent inhibition. Indomethacin displayed time-dependent inhibition of cellular hPGHS-1 and -2. In contrast, the selective PGHS-2 inhibitor NS-398 exhibited time-independent inhibition of hPGHS-1 but time-dependent inhibition of hPGHS-2 in intact cells. Reversible inhibition of cellular CHO [hPGHS-1] and CHO [hPGHS-2] was observed with the nonselective NSAIDs ibuprofen and indomethacin, whereas inhibition by the selective PGHS-2 inhibitor DuP-697 was reversible against hPGHS-1 but irreversible against hPGHS-2.

Trifluoroethylamines as amide isosteres in inhibitors of cathepsin K

The P2-P3 amide of dipeptide cathepsin K inhibitors can be replaced by the metabolically stable trifluoroethylamine group. The non-basic nature of the nitrogen allows the important hydrogen bond to Gly66 to be made. The resulting compounds are 10- to 20-fold more potent than the corresponding amide derivatives. Compound 8 is a 5 pM inhibitor of human cathepsin K with >10,000-fold selectivity over other cathepsins.

Purification and characterization of recombinant microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1

Recombinant human microsomal prostaglandin E(2) synthase-1 (mPGES-1) was expressed in a baculovirus-Sf9 cell system. The mPGES-1 was solubilized from Sf9 cell membranes with diheptanoylphosphatidylcholine and purified in the presence of octylglucoside using hydroxyapatite column chromatography. The K(m) values of the substrates PGH(2) and GSH were 14 microM and 0.75 mM, respectively, with the purified enzyme. The specific activity (4 micromol/min/mg) was increased 3-5-fold by non-ionic and zwitterionic detergents. Kinetic analysis showed that dodecylmaltoside increases V(max) but does not affect the K(m) values of either substrate. Several other thiol-containing compounds were tested as glutathione replacements, none of which yielded detectable enzyme activity. During enzyme catalysis, glutathione was not oxidized and therefore can be considered an enzyme cofactor. No glutathione transferase or peroxidase activity could be determined with a range of potential substrates. The results show that purified mPGES-1 has a specific activity similar to Cox-2, consistent with its postulated role in Cox-2 mediated PGE(2) formation.

Synthesis and biological activity of a potent and orally bioavailable SCD inhibitor (MF-438)

A series of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) inhibitors were developed. Investigations of enzyme potency and metabolism led to the identification of the thiadiazole-pyridazine derivative MF-438 as a potent SCD1 inhibitor. MF-438 exhibits good pharmacokinetics and metabolic stability, thereby serving as a valuable tool for further understanding the role of SCD inhibition in biological and pharmacological models of diseases related to metabolic disorders.

Development of a homogeneous immunoassay for the detection of angiotensin I in plasma using AlphaLISA acceptor beads technology

Plasma renin activity (PRA) is a well-established biomarker for assessing the efficacy of various antihypertensive agents such as direct renin inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). PRA measurements are obtained through the detection and quantification of angiotensin I (Ang I) produced by the action of renin on its natural substrate angiotensinogen. The most accepted and reproducible method for PRA measurement uses an antibody capture Ang I methodology that employs specific antibodies that recognize and protect Ang I against angiotensinase activities contained in plasma. The amount of Ang I is then quantified by either radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme immunoassay (EIA). In the current report, we describe the optimization of a novel homogeneous immunoassay based on the AlphaScreen technology for the detection and quantification of antibody-captured Ang I using AlphaLISA acceptor beads in buffer and in the plasma of various species (human, rat, and mouse). Ex vivo measurements of renin activity were performed using 10 microl or less of a reaction mixture, and concentrations as low as 1 nM Ang I were quantified. Titration curves obtained for the quantification of Ang I in buffer and plasma gave similar EC(50) values of 5.6 and 14.4 nM, respectively. Both matrices generated an equivalent dynamic range that varies from approximately 1 to 50 nM. Renin inhibitors have been successfully titrated and IC(50) values obtained correlated well with those obtained using EIA methodology (r(2)=0.80). This assay is sensitive, robust, fast, and less tedious than measurements performed using nonhomogeneous EIA. The AlphaLISA methodology is homogeneous, does not require wash steps prior to the addition of reagents, and does not generate radioactive waste.

Criteria for the identification of non-redox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase

Methoxyalkyl thiazoles have been identified as a novel series of selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors with anti-inflammatory properties (Bird et al., J Med Chem 34: 2176-2186, 1991). Based on their structure, it was proposed that the potency of these compounds is not due to redox or iron-chelating properties. In the studies reported here, it was found that the model compounds 1-[3-(naphth-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propy l methyl ether (ICI 211965) and 3-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-(5- phenylpyridin-2-ylmethoxy)-4,5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2 ,3,4-c,d]indol-2- yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid (L-689,065) (1) are inactive as reducing substrates in the 5-lipoxygenase-catalyzed decomposition of lipid hydroperoxides, (2) inhibit the 5-lipoxygenase-catalyzed reaction of reducing agents with lipid hydroperoxides, and (3) strongly inhibit the turnover-dependent inactivation of 5-lipoxygenase. These three observations with ICI 211965 and L-689,065 are in contrast to the behavior of other potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors from other structural classes, such as L-670,630, BW A4C, and zileuton, which all function as reducing substrates for 5-lipoxygenase. The data indicate that methoxyalkyl thiazoles and thiopyranoindoles are reversible dead-end inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and that the effects of inhibitors on the pseudoperoxidase activity and rate of enzyme inactivation provide simple tests to distinguish between redox and non-redox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase.

In Vitro Characterization of MK-1439, a Novel HIV-1 Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor

ABSTRACT Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are a mainstay of therapy for treating human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1)-infected patients. MK-1439 is a novel NNRTI with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 12, 9.7, and 9.7 nM against the wild type (WT) and K103N and Y181C reverse transcriptase (RT) mutants, respectively, in a biochemical assay. Selectivity and cytotoxicity studies confirmed that MK-1439 is a highly specific NNRTI with minimum off-target activities. In the presence of 50% normal human serum (NHS), MK-1439 showed excellent potency in suppressing the replication of WT virus, with a 95% effective concentration (EC95) of 20 nM, as well as K103N, Y181C, and K103N/Y181C mutant viruses with EC95 of 43, 27, and 55 nM, respectively. MK-1439 exhibited similar antiviral activities against 10 different HIV-1 subtype viruses (a total of 93 viruses). In addition, the susceptibility of a broader array of clinical NNRTI-associated mutant viruses (a total of 96 viruses) to MK-1439 and other benchmark NNRTIs was investigated. The results showed that the mutant profile of MK-1439 was superior overall to that of efavirenz (EFV) and comparable to that of etravirine (ETR) and rilpivirine (RPV). Furthermore, E138K, Y181C, and K101E mutant viruses that are associated with ETR and RPV were susceptible to MK-1439 with a fold change (FC) of <3. A two-drug in vitro combination study indicated that MK-1439 acts nonantagonistically in the antiviral activity with each of 18 FDA-licensed drugs for HIV infection. Taken together, these in vitro data suggest that MK-1439 possesses the desired properties for further development as a new antiviral agent.