Genomic-based high throughput screening identifies small molecules that differentially inhibit the antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of IFN-alpha.

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that inhibition of Type I Interferons, including IFN-alpha, may provide a therapeutic benefit for autoimmune diseases. Using a chemical genomics approach integrated with cellular and in vivo assays, we screened a small compound library to identify modulators of IFN-alpha biological effects. A genomic fingerprint was developed from both ex vivo patient genomic information and in vitro gene modulation from IFN-alpha cell-based stimulation. A high throughput genomic-based screen then was applied to prioritize 268 small molecule inhibitors targeting 41 different intracellular signaling pathways. Active compounds were profiled further for their ability to inhibit the activation and differentiation of human monocytes using disease-related stimuli. Inhibitors targeting NF-kappaB or Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling emerged as "dissociated inhibitors" because they did not modulate IFN-alpha anti-viral effects against HSV-1 but potently inhibited other immune-related functions. This work describes a novel strategy to identify small molecule inhibitors for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

A reliable tool to determine cell viability in complex 3-d culture: the acid phosphatase assay.

Cell-based assays are more complex than cell-free test systems but still reflect a highly artificial cellular environment. Incorporation of organotypic 3-dimensional (3-D) culture systems into mainstream drug development processes is increasingly discussed but severely limited by complex methodological requirements. The objective of this study was to explore a panel of standard assays to provide an easy-handling, standardized protocol for rapid routine analysis of cell survival in multicellular tumor spheroid-based antitumor drug testing. Spheroids of 2 colon carcinoma cell lines were characterized for evaluation. One of the assay systems tested could reliably be used to determine cell viability in spheroids. The authors verified that the acid phosphatase assay (APH) is applicable for single spheroids in 96-well plates, does not require spheroid dissociation, and is linear and highly sensitive for HT29 and HCT-116 spheroids up to diameters of 650 microm and 900 microm, consisting of 40,000 and 80,000 cells, respectively. Treatment of HT29 and HCT-116 cells with 5-fluorouracil, Irinotecan, and C-1311 revealed critically reduced drug efficacies in 3-D versus monolayer culture, which is discussed in light of literature data. The experimental protocol presented herein is a small but substantial contribution to the establishment of sophisticated 3-D in vitro systems in the antitumor drug screening scenario.

The highly selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor DFU is neuroprotective when given several hours after transient cerebral ischemia in gerbils.

Several studies suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 contributes to the delayed progression of ischemic brain damage. In this study we examined whether the highly selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor DFU reduces neuronal damage when administered several hours after 5 min of transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. The extent of ischemic injury was assessed behaviorally by measuring the increases in locomotor activity and by histopathological evaluation of the extent of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cell injury 7 days after ischemia. DFU treatment (10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced hippocampal neuronal damage even if the treatment is delayed until 12 h after ischemia. These results suggest that selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors may be a valuable therapeutic strategy for ischemic brain injury.