Mladen Mercep

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)1-3 enhances bone repair

Members of the astacin family of metalloproteinases such as human bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP-1) regulate morphogenesis by processing precursors to mature functional extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and several growth factors including TGFβ, BMP2, BMP4 and GFD8. We have recently discovered that BMP1-3 isoform of the Bmp-1 gene circulates in the human plasma and is significantly increased in patients with acute bone fracture. We hypothesized that circulating BMP1-3 might have an important role in bone repair and serve as a novel bone biomarker. When administered systemically to rats with a long bone fracture and locally to rabbits with a critical size defect of the ulna, recombinant human BMP1-3 enhanced bone healing. In contrast, neutralization of the endogenous BMP1-3 by a specific polyclonal antibody delayed the bone union. Invitro BMP1-3 increased the expression of collagen type I and osteocalcin in MC3T3-E(1) osteoblast like cells, and enhanced the formation of mineralized bone nodules from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. We suggest that BMP1-3 is a novel systemic regulator of bone repair.

2,8-dithia-dibenzo〔e,h〕azulenes and their 8-oxa analogs: synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity

Synthesis of 2, 8-dithia-dibenzo[e, h]azulenes (III, X = S) and their 8-oxa analogs (III, X = O), 1 two novel classes of fused heterocyclic compounds, is described. Starting 11H-dibenzo[b, f]thiepin-10-one, 11H-dibenzo[b, f]oxepin- 10-one and its 2-chloro derivative (1a-c) were oxidized to 1, 2-diketones (2a-c) which subsequently reacted with 2, 2’ -dimethyl thiodiglycolate to form fused thiophene ring by Hinsberg cyclization reaction. Substituents at positions C(1) and C(3) were then further transformed in order to obtain aminoalkoxy derivatives 8-11. Structures of regioisomers 6c and 6d were elucidated using two-dimensional NMR techniques. All compounds with tetracyclic skeleton were tested in vitro for their anti-inflammatory activity.

Macrolactonolides: a novel class of anti- inflammatory compounds

A new concept in design of safe glucocorticoid therapy was introduced by conjugating potent glucocorticoid steroids with macrolides (macrolactonolides). These compounds were synthesized from various steroid 17β-carboxylic acids and 9a-N-(3-aminoalkyl) derivatives of 9-deokso-9a-aza-9a-homoeritromicin A and 3-descladinosyl-9-deokso-9a-aza-9a-homoeritromicin A using stable alkyl chain. Combining property of macrolides to preferentially accumulate in immune cells, especially in phagocyte cells, with anti-inflammatory activity of classic steroids, we designed molecules which showed good anti-inflammatory activity in ovalbumin (OVA) induced asthma in rats. The synthesis, in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of this novel class of compounds are described.

Synthesis of naphtho〔2,3-b〕- and naphtho〔1,2-b〕-fused thieno〔2,3-d〕〔1〕benzoxepins and thieno〔2,3-d〕〔1〕benzothiepins

Synthesis of four novel classes of structurally related fused hetero-pentacyclic compounds, naphtho[2,3-b]thieno[2,3-d][1]benzothiepins (Ia), naphtho[1,2-b]thieno[2,3-d][1]benzothiepins (IIa), naphtho[2,3-b]thieno[2,3-d][1]benzoxepins (Ib,c) and naphtho[1,2-b]thieno[2,3-d][1]benzoxepins (IIb,c), is described. The key intermediates were the tetracyclic ketones, benzo[b]-naphtho[f]-fused thiepinones 1a,b and oxepinones 1c-f, formed by intramolecular cyclization of the corresponding 2-naphthalenylthio- (2a,b) and 2-naphthalenyloxy-substituted (2c-f) phenylacetic acid derivatives. Reaction of ketones 1a-f with Vilsmeier reagent provided β-chlorovinyl aldehydes 10a-f that readily cyclized with ethyl 2-mercaptoacetate to form thieno[2,3-d]-fused derivatives of benzo-naphtho-thiepins 11a,b and benzo-naphtho-oxepins 11c-f. Reduction of ester group of 11a-f afforded final hydroxymethyl derivatives 12a-f.