Thiagarajan Balasubramanian

Rational Synthesis of Meso-Substituted Chlorin Building Blocks

Chlorins provide the basis for plant photosynthesis, but synthetic model systems have generally employed porphyrins as surrogates due to the unavailability of suitable chlorin building blocks. We have adapted a route pioneered by Battersby to gain access to chlorins that bear two meso substituents, a geminal dimethyl group to lock in the chlorin hydrogenation level, and no flanking meso and beta substituents. The synthesis involves convergent joining of an Eastern half and a Western half. A 3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrodipyrrin (Western half) was synthesized in four steps from pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde. A bromodipyrromethane carbinol (Eastern half) was prepared by sequential acylation and bromination of a 5-substituted dipyrromethane followed by reduction. Chlorin formation is achieved by a two-flask process of acid-catalyzed condensation followed by metal-mediated oxidative cyclization. The latter reaction has heretofore been performed with copper templates. Investigation of conditions for this multistep process led to copper-free conditions (zinc acetate, AgIO(3), and piperidine in toluene at 80 degrees C for 2 h). The zinc chlorin was obtained in yields of approximately 10% and could be easily demetalated to give the corresponding free base chlorin. The synthetic process is compatible with a range of meso substituents (p-tolyl, mesityl, pentafluorophenyl, 4-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]phenyl, 4-iodophenyl). Altogether four free base and four zinc chlorins have been prepared. The chlorins exhibit typical absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence quantum yields. The ease of synthetic access, presence of appropriate substituents, and characteristic spectral features make these types of chlorins well suited for incorporation in synthetic model systems.

Stable Synthetic Cationic Bacteriochlorins as Selective Antimicrobial Photosensitizers

ABSTRACT Photodynamic inactivation is a rapidly developing antimicrobial treatment that employs a nontoxic photoactivatable dye or photosensitizer in combination with harmless visible light to generate reactive oxygen species that are toxic to cells. Tetrapyrroles (e.g., porphyrins, chlorins, bacteriochlorins) are a class of photosensitizers that exhibit promising characteristics to serve as broad-spectrum antimicrobials. In order to bind to and efficiently penetrate into all classes of microbial cells, tetrapyrroles should have structures that contain (i) one or more cationic charge(s) or (ii) a basic group. In this report, we investigate the use of new stable synthetic bacteriochlorins that have a strong absorption band in the range 720 to 740 nm, which is in the near-infrared spectral region. Four bacteriochlorins with 2, 4, or 6 quaternized ammonium groups or 2 basic amine groups were compared for light-mediated killing against a Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), a Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli), and a dimorphic fungal yeast (Candida albicans). Selectivity was assessed by determining phototoxicity against human HeLa cancer cells under the same conditions. All four compounds were highly active (6 logs of killing at 1 μM or less) against S. aureus and showed selectivity for bacteria over human cells. Increasing the cationic charge increased activity against E. coli. Only the compound with basic groups was highly active against C. albicans. Supporting photochemical and theoretical characterization studies indicate that (i) the four bacteriochlorins have comparable photophysical features in homogeneous solution and (ii) the anticipated redox characteristics do not correlate with cell-killing ability. These results support the interpretation that the disparate biological activities observed stem from cellular binding and localization effects rather than intrinsic electronic properties. These findings further establish cationic bacteriochlorins as extremely active and selective near-infrared activated antimicrobial photosensitizers, and the results provide fundamental information on structure-activity relationships for antimicrobial photosensitizers.

Stable synthetic bacteriochlorins overcome the resistance of melanoma to photodynamic therapy

Cutaneous malignant melanoma remains a therapeutic challenge, and patients with advanced disease have limited survival. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been successfully used to treat many malignancies, and it may show promise as an antimelanoma modality. However, high melanin levels in melanomas can adversely affect PDT effectiveness. Herein the extent of melanin contribution to melanoma resistance to PDT was investigated in a set of melanoma cell lines that markedly differ in the levels of pigmentation;3 new bacteriochlorins successfully overcame the resistance. Cell killing studies determined that bacteriochlorins are superior at (LD50≈0.1 µM) when compared with controls such as the FDA‐approved Photofrin (LD50≈10 µM) and clinically tested LuTex (LD50≈=1 µM). The melanin content affects PDT effectiveness, but the degree of reduction is significantly lower for bacteriochlorins than for Photofrin. Microscopy reveals that the least effective bacteriochlorin localizes predominantly in lysosomes, while the most effective one preferentially accumulates in mitochondria. Interestingly all bacteriochlorins accumulate in melanosomes, and subsequent illumination leads to melanosomal damage shown by electron microscopy. Fluorescent probes show that the most effective bacteriochlorin produces significantly higher levels of hydroxyl radicals, and this is consistent with the redox properties suggested by molecular‐orbital calculations. The best in vitro performing bacteriochlorin was tested in vivo in a mouse melanoma model using spectrally resolved fluorescence imaging and provided significant survival advantage with 20% of cures (P<0.01).—Mroz, P., Huang, Y.‐Y., Szokalska, A., Zhiyentayev, T., Janjua, S., Nifli, A.‐P., Sherwood, M. E., Ruzié, C., Borbas, K. E., Fan, D., Krayer, M., Balasubramanian, T., Yang, E., Kee, H. L., Kirmaier, C., Diers, J. R., Bocian, D. F., Holten, D., Lindsey, J. S., Hamblin, M. R. Stable synthetic bacteriochlorins overcome the resistance of melanoma to photodynamic therapy. FASEB J. 24, 3160–3170 (2010). www.fasebj.org

In Vitro Photodynamic Therapy and Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship Studies with Stable Synthetic Near-Infrared-Absorbing Bacteriochlorin Photosensitizers

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a rapidly developing approach to treating cancer that combines harmless visible and near-infrared light with a nontoxic photoactivatable dye, which upon encounter with molecular oxygen generates the reactive oxygen species that are toxic to cancer cells. Bacteriochlorins are tetrapyrrole compounds with two reduced pyrrole rings in the macrocycle. These molecules are characterized by strong absorption features from 700 to >800 nm, which enable deep penetration into tissue. This report describes testing of 12 new stable synthetic bacteriochlorins for PDT activity. The 12 compounds possess a variety of peripheral substituents and are very potent in killing cancer cells in vitro after illumination. Quantitative structure-activity relationships were derived, and subcellular localization was determined. The most active compounds have both low dark toxicity and high phototoxicity. This combination together with near-infrared absorption gives these bacteriochlorins great potential as photosensitizers for treatment of cancer.

Tailoring a Bacteriochlorin Building Block with Cationic, Amphipathic, or Lipophilic Substituents

Bacteriochlorins are attractive candidates for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of diverse medical indications owing to their strong absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region, but their use has been stymied by lack of access to stable, synthetically malleable molecules. To overcome these limitations, a synthetic free base 3,13-dibromobacteriochlorin (BC-Br(3)Br(13)) has been exploited as a building block in the synthesis of diverse bacteriochlorins via Pd-mediated coupling reactions (Sonogashira, Suzuki, and reductive carbonylation). Each bacteriochlorin is stable to adventitious dehydrogenation by virtue of the presence of a geminal dimethyl group in each pyrroline ring. The target bacteriochlorins bear cationic, lipophilic, or amphipathic substituents at the 3- and 13- (beta-pyrrolic) positions. A dicarboxybacteriochlorin was converted to amide derivatives via the intermediate diacid chloride. A diformylbacteriochlorin was subjected to reductive amination to give aminomethyl derivatives. A set of 3,5-disubstituted aryl groups bearing lipophilic or amphipathic groups was introduced via Suzuki coupling. Altogether 22 free base bacteriochlorins have been prepared. Eight aminoalkylbacteriochlorins were quaternized with methyl iodide at two or four amine sites per molecule, which resulted in water solubility. Each bacteriochlorin exhibits a Q(y) absorption band in the range of 720-772 nm. The ability to introduce a wide variety of peripheral functional groups makes these bacteriochlorins attractive candidates for diverse applications in photomedicine including PDT in the NIR region.

Stable Synthetic Bacteriochlorins for Photodynamic Therapy: Role of Dicyano Peripheral Groups, Central Metal Substitution (2H, Zn, Pd), and Cremophor EL Delivery

A series of four stable synthetic bacteriochlorins was tested in vitro in HeLa cells for their potential in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The parent bacteriochlorin (BC), dicyano derivative (NC)2BC and corresponding zinc chelate (NC)2BC–Zn and palladium chelate (NC)2BC–Pd were studied. Direct dilution of a solution of bacteriochlorin in an organic solvent (N,N‐dimethylacetamide) into serum‐containing medium was compared with the dilution of bacteriochlorin in Cremophor EL (CrEL; polyoxyethylene glycerol triricinoleate) micelles into the same medium. CrEL generally reduced aggregation (as indicated by absorption and fluorescence) and increased activity up to tenfold (depending on bacteriochlorin), although it decreased cellular uptake. The order of PDT activity against HeLa human cancer cells after 24 h incubation and illumination with 10 J cm−2 of near‐infrared (NIR) light is (NC)2BC–Pd (LD50=25 nM) > (NC)2BC > (NC)2BC–Zn ≈ BC. Subcellular localization was determined to be in the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and lysosomes, depending on the bacteriochlorin. (NC)2BC–Pd showed PDT‐mediated damage to mitochondria and lysosomes, and the greatest production of hydroxyl radicals as determined using a hydroxyphenylfluorescein probe. The incorporation of cyano substituents provides an excellent motif for the enhancement of the photoactivity and photostability of bacteriochlorins as PDT photosensitizers.

Refined syntheses of hydrodipyrrin precursors to chlorin and bacteriochlorin building blocks

Bromo-substituted hydrodipyrrins are valuable precursors to synthetic bromo-chlorins and bromo-bacteriochlorins, which in turn are versatile substrates for derivatization in pursuit of diverse molecular designs. 8-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1-(1,1-dimethoxymethyl)-3,3-dimethyldipyrrin (1) is a crucial precursor in the rational synthesis of the bacteriochlorin building block 3,13-dibromo-8,8,18,18-tetramethylbacteriochlorin (H2BC-Br3Br13). 8-bromo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,3,3-trimethyldipyrrin (2) is a crucial precursor in the rational synthesis of the analogous 3,13-disubstituted chlorin building block (e.g.H2C-Br3M10Br13). The routes to 1 and 2 share a common precursor, namely 4-bromo-2-(2-nitroethyl)-1-N-tosylpyrrole (6-Ts), which is derived from pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde. The prior seven-step synthesis of 1 from pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde has limited access to H2BC-Br3Br13 given the large excesses of materials, extensive reliance on column chromatography, and low overall yield (1.4%). Refined procedures for synthesis of the common precursor 6-Ts as well as 1 and 2 afford the advantages of (1) diminished consumption of solvents and reagents, (2) limited or no use of chlorinated solvents, (3) limited or no chromatography, and (4) improved yields of most steps. Streamlined procedures enable the final two or three transformations to be performed without purification of intermediates. The new procedures facilitate the expedient preparation of 1 and 2 at the multigram scale.

Synthesis of β-substituted porphyrin building blocks and conversion to diphenylethyne-linked porphyrin dimers

Abstract A recent hypothesis concerning effects of orbital ordering on electronic communication (excited-state energy transfer, ground-state hole-hopping) in covalently linked porphyrin arrays prompted the development and application of methodology for the synthesis of β-linked porphyrin dimers. Reaction of a β-substituted pyrrole with 2-hydroxymethylpyrrole led to the dipyrromethane bearing a single β-substituent and no meso- nor α-substituents. Condensation of the β-substituted dipyrromethane with an aldehyde and a meso-substituted dipyrromethane gave the desired β-substituted porphyrin building block, albeit in low yield. Four building blocks were prepared with a p-iodophenyl or p-ethynylphenyl group at one β-position, no substituent at the flanking meso-position, and mesityl or pentafluorophenyl groups at the three non-flanking meso-positions. The porphyrin building blocks were coupled via Pd-mediated reactions, affording diphenylethyne-linked dimers with the linker attached at β-positions. This approach provided access to zinc-free base porphyrin dimers and bis-zinc dimers bearing mesityl or pentafluorophenyl groups at the three non-linking meso-positions. The availability of these dimers and monomeric benchmarks enabled a critical test of the orbital ordering hypothesis. This methodology for preparing porphyrin building blocks bearing a lone, non-hindered β-substituent complements existing methods for preparing meso-substituted porphyrin building blocks. The ability to position the linker at the meso- or β-positions provides a desirable level of versatility for incorporating porphyrinic molecules with an a2u or a1u HOMO in various molecular devices.

New stable synthetic bacteriochlorins for photodynamic therapy of melanoma

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been successfully used to treat many malignancies, and has afforded highly encouraging results in skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma. However, pigmented melanoma remains a notable exception from the range of tumors treated by PDT largely due to the fact that melanin has high absorption of light in wavelength regions where most clinically approved photosensitizers (PS) absorb light (600-690 nm). Moreover, melanoma cells sequester exogenous molecules including photosensitizers inside melanosomes. The aforementioned drawbacks of the clinically used PS have motivated us to search for new classes of PS with improved spectral properties, such as bacteriochlorins (BC) to be used in PDT of melanoma. To overcome the PDT-resistance mechanisms of melanoma, particularly the high optical absorption of melanin, three near-infrared (NIR) absorbing synthetic stable BC were used in PDT treatment of melanoma. Dose and fluence dependent cell killing, intracellular localization (particularly in melanosomes), and correlation between the melanin level and cell death were examined. Intracellular melanosomes are ruptured after illumination as shown by electron microscopy. The best in vitro performing BC were tested upon delivery in micellar nanoparticles against a mouse pigmented melanoma. Two of the BC were effective at significantly lower concentrations (<0.5 μM) than common photosensitizers in present use.