Association between toll-like receptor 6 expression and auxiliary T cells in the peripheral blood of pediatric patients with allergic purpura.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlations between toll-like receptor 6 (TLR6) expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and auxiliary T cells of children with purpura. A total of 42 children with acute Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) were selected for the study, and a further 30 healthy children were selected as a control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to detect the levels of plasma interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17, and flow cytometry was performed to detect the TLR6 protein expression levels in PBMCs. The plasma levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17 in the HSP group were significantly higher compared with those in the normal control group. TLR6 protein expression was significantly increased in the PBMCs of the HSP patients. The TLR6 protein expression levels in the monocytes of the HSP group significantly positively correlated with the serum IL-4 and IL-17 levels, but not with the serum levels of IFN-γ. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that the activation of TLR6 may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of HSP, and that the activated TLR6 may mediate this process by upregulating the immune responses of type 2 T helper (Th2) and Th17 cells.

The microRNA expression associated with morphogenesis of breast cancer cells in three-dimensional organotypic culture.

Three-dimensional organotypic culture using reconstituted basement membrane matrix Matrigel (rBM 3-D) is an indispensable tool to characterize morphogenesis of mammary epithelial cells and to elucidate the tumor-modulating actions of extracellular matrix (ECM). microRNAs (miRNAs) are a novel class of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. The majority of our current knowledge of miRNA expression and function in cancer cells is derived from monolayer 2-D culture on plastic substratum, which lacks consideration of the influence of ECM-mediated morphogenesis on miRNAs. In the present study, we compared the expression of miRNAs in rBM 3-D and 2-D cultures of the non-invasive MCF-7 and the invasive MDA-MB231 cells. Our findings revealed a profound difference in miRNA profiles between 2-D and rBM 3-D cultures within each cell type. Moreover, rBM 3-D culture exhibited greater discrimination in miRNA profiles between MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells than 2-D culture. The disparate miRNA profiles correlated with distinct mass morphogenesis of MCF-7 and invasive stellate morphogenesis of MDA-MB231 cells in rBM 3-D culture. Supplementation of the tumor promoting type I collagen in rBM 3-D culture substantially altered the miRNA signature of mass morphologenesis of MCF-7 cells in rBM 3-D culture. Overexpression of the differentially expressed miR-200 family member miR429 in MDA-MB231 cells attenuated their invasive stellate morphogenesis in rBM 3-D culture. In summary, we provide the first miRNA signatures of morphogenesis of human breast cancer cells in rBM 3-D culture and warrant further utilization of rBM 3-D culture in investigation of miRNAs in breast cancer.

Roles for negative cell regulator 14-3-3sigma in control of MDM2 activities.

The 14-3-3sigma, upregulated by p53 in response to DNA damage, can have a positive-feedback impact driving p53 activities and is a human cancer epithelial marker downregulated in various tumors. However, the precise roles of 14-3-3sigma during tumorigenesis are not well characterized. Here, we show that 14-3-3sigma is a critical regulator of murine double minute oncogene (MDM2). 14-3-3sigma interacts with MDM2 at the RING domain. The C-terminal region of 14-3-3sigma binds to MDM2 very efficiently. Importantly, 14-3-3sigma overexpression leads to destabilization of MDM2 through enhancing MDM2 self-ubiquitination and accelerating turnover rate. Conversely, loss of 14-3-3sigma results in a significant increase in MDM2 protein. Moreover, live-cell images indicated that 14-3-3sigma can affect the location of MDM2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and that MDM2-mediated cytoplasmic localization of p53 can be reversed by the presence of 14-3-3sigma. Significantly, we further showed that 14-3-3sigma causes MDM2 downregulation, thereby stabilizing p53 and inhibiting tumor growth in animal tumors. Also, 14-3-3sigma blocks MDM2-mediated retinoblastoma degradation and p53 NEDDylation. Our results provide evidence that 14-3-3sigma is a pivotal MDM2 regulator involved in blocking a variety of activities of MDM2.

Mechanism of inhibition of the class A beta -lactamases PC1 and TEM-1 by tazobactam. Observation of reaction products by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

The reactions of class A beta-lactamases PC1 and TEM-1 with tazobactam (TZB), a potent penicillanic sulfone inhibitor for class A beta-lactamases, were studied using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). Following inactivation of the beta-lactamases by TZB, new abundant high mass components were observed including three with molecular masses of 52, 70, and 88 Da greater than PC1 and TEM-1, respectively, and a component with a molecular mass of 300 Da greater than PC1. In addition, three TZB reaction products with molecular masses of 248, 264, and 280 Da were observed. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/ESI/MS analysis of the TZB-PC1 adduct digested with Glu-C revealed three new components with masses 52, 70, and 88 Da greater than that of the peptide composed of amino acid residues 58-82 and one new component with a mass 70 Da greater than that of the peptide composed of amino acid residues 125-141. HPLC/ESI/MS/MS analysis of the two digested peptides whose masses increased by 70 Da indicated that Ser-70 and Ser-130 were the most likely TZB-modified amino acid residues. Based on these data, a mechanism for the inactivation of the class A beta-lactamases by TZB is proposed. In this scheme, initial acylation of Ser-70 by TZB and opening of the lactam ring are followed by one of several different events: (1) the rapid decomposition of TZB with loss of the enamine moiety to form the propiolylated enzyme, (2) an intramolecular nucleophilic displacement of the imine or enamine moiety by Ser-130 to form a cross-linked vinyl ether, and (3) hydrolysis of the imine or enamines to form a Ser-70-linked aldehyde.

Convergent syntheses of oral THF 1beta-methylcarbapenems.

Convergent syntheses of oral THF 1beta-methylcarbapenems 4 (OCA-983) and 5 starting from M2-phosphate 1 were developed. Reaction of the M2-phosphate 1 with THF thiols containing a requisite prodrug side chain, 9 and 10, gave the desired oral THF 1beta-methylcarbapenems 4 and 5, respectively, in 46% and 42% overall yields.

6-(1-Hydroxyalkyl)penam sulfone derivatives as inhibitors of class A and class C beta-lactamases I.

Five 6-(1-hydroxyalkyl)penam sulfone derivatives and two 6-(hydroxymethyl)penams were synthesized for beta-lactamase inhibitor screens. The substituent effects and stereochemical requirements of 6alpha- and 6beta-(1-hydroxyalkyl) groups for the biological activity of penam sulfone derivatives were investigated. Of these substituents, only the 6beta-hydroxymethyl group of 15 improved the activity of sulbactam against both TEM-1 and AmpC beta-lactamases. The sulfone moiety is required for the enhancement of the beta-lactamase inhibitory activity. 6Beta-hydroxymethylsulbactam (15) was able to restore the activity of piperacillin in vitro and in vivo against various beta-lactamase producing microorganisms.

6-(1-Hydroxyalkyl))penam sulfone derivatives as inhibitors of class A and class C beta-lactamases II.

Two stereoselective processes for the synthesis of novel 3,6-disubstituted penam sulfone derivatives were developed. One 6beta-(1-hydroxyethyl) and four 6beta-hydroxymethyl penam sulfone derivatives were synthesized. All four 6beta-(hydroxymethyl)penam sulfone derivatives demonstrated good IC50 against both TEM-1 and AmpC beta-lactamases. Of these, 6beta-hydroxymethyl penam sulfone derivative 25 was the most active inhibitor which was able to restore the activity of piperacillin in vitro and in vivo against both TEM-1 and AmpC beta-lactamases producing organisms.

In vitro activities of aminomethyl-substituted analogs of novel tetrahydrofuranyl carbapenems.

CL 188,624, CL 190,294, and CL 191,121 are novel aminomethyl tetrahydrofuranyl (THF)-1 beta-methylcarbapenems. The in vitro antibacterial activities of these THF carbapenems were evaluated and compared with those of biapenem, imipenem, and meropenem against 554 recent clinical isolates obtained from geographically distinct medical centers across North America. The antibacterial activities of the THF carbapenems were equivalent to that of biapenem, and the THF carbapenems were slightly more active than imipenem and less active than meropenem against most of the members of the family Enterobacteriaceae but lacked significant activity against Pseudomonas isolates. In general, CL 191,121 was two- to fourfold more active than CL 188,624 and CL 190,294 against the staphylococcal and enterococcal isolates tested. CL 191,121 was twofold less active than imipenem against methicillin-susceptible staphylococci and was as activity as imipenem against Enterococcus faecalis isolates. Biapenem and meropenem were two- and fourfold less active than CL 191,121, respectively, against the methicillin-susceptible staphylococci and E. faecalis. All the carbapenems displayed equivalent good activities against the streptococci. Biapenem was slightly more active than the other carbapenems against Bacteroides fragilis isolates. Time-kill curve studies demonstrated that the THF carbapenems were bactericidal in 6 h against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The postantibiotic effect exerted by CL 191,121 was comparable to or slightly longer than that of imipenem against isolates of S. aureus, E. coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In vivo activities of peptidic prodrugs of novel aminomethyl tetrahydrofuranyl-1 beta-methylcarbapenems.

A series of novel aminomethyl tetrahydrofuranyl (THF)-1 beta-methylcarbapenems which have excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial activities exhibit modest efficacies against acute lethal infections (3.8 mg/kg of body weight against Escherichia coli and 0.9 mg/kg against Staphylococcus aureus) in mice when they are administered orally. In an effort to improve the efficacies of orally administered drugs through enhanced absorption by making use of a peptide-mediated transport system, several different amino acids were added at the aminomethyl THF side chains of the carbapenem molecules. The resulting peptidic prodrugs with L-amino acids demonstrated improved efficacy after oral administration, while the D forms were less active than the parent molecules. After oral administration increased (3 to 10 times) efficacy was exhibited with the alanine-, valine-, isoleucine-, and phenylalanine-substituted prodrugs against acute lethal infections in mice. Median effective doses (ED50s) of < 1 mg/kg against infections caused by S. aureus, E. coli, Enterobacter cloacae, or penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae were obtained after the administration of single oral doses. Several of the peptidic prodrugs were efficacious against Morganella morganii, Serratia marcescens, penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, and E. coli infections, with ED50s of 1 to 14 mg/kg by oral administration compared with ED50s of 14 to > 32 mg/kg for the parent molecules. In general, the parent molecules demonstrated greater efficacy than the prodrugs against these same infections when the drugs were administered by the subcutaneous route. The parent molecule was detectable in the sera of mice after oral administration of the peptidic prodrugs.

Generation of tumoricidal effector cells with a novel potentiator: N-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]phenyl] acetamide (CL 259,763).

An effort was made to investigate the effects of a novel immunopotentiator, N-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]phenyl]acetamide (CL 259,763), on the generation of tumoricidal effector cells. It was demonstrated that a single oral dose of the compound (100-600 mg/kg) induced in mice a population of peritoneal macrophages capable of inhibiting the growth of tumor cells. These activated macrophages released proteases which seemed responsible for the tumor cell inhibition because the cytostatic activity was abrogated in the presence of protease inhibitors TLCK and aprotinin. On the other hand, addition of catalase and exogenous arginine to the culture failed to alter the effect, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide and arginase did not participate in this system. Although induction of cytolytic T-lymphocytes (CTL) reactive with syngeneic tumor cells was achievable in mice previously sensitized to the tumor, treatment with CL 259,763 rendered these animals even more responsive to tumor antigens resulting in a significant enhancement of tumor cell destruction. The compound was effective in augmenting the CTL response over a rather broad dose range of 25-200 mg/kg. In contrast to these stimulatory effects, the cytolytic activity of natural killer cells seemed not to be affected by the compound. Taken together, CL 259,763 is an orally active immunomodulator capable of inducing tumor inhibitory macrophages and potentiating CTL responses to syngeneic tumor cells and, therefore, may prove clinically useful in the treatment of neoplastic diseases.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of new 7-[3-(fluoromethyl)piperazinyl]- and -(fluorohomopiperazinyl)quinolone antibacterials.

Some novel 6-fluoro-7-substituted-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids have been prepared. At the N-1 position "standard" substitution was employed with the ethyl, cyclopropyl, and p-fluorophenyl groups being used. At C-7 the introduction of some novel piperazines was made. Most notably, 2-(fluoromethyl)piperazine (10) and hexahydro-6-fluoro-1H-1,4-diazepine (16, fluorohomopiperazine) at the quinolone C-7 position produced products with similar in vitro antibacterial activity as the ciprofloxacin reference. The in vivo efficacy of 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-7-[3-(fluoromethyl)piperazinyl]-1,4-dihydro-4- oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (20) was excellent with better oral absorption than ciprofloxacin (2).

Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial activity of some 1-(difluoromethoxyphenyl)quinolone-3-carboxylic acids.

We report on the synthesis of N-1-phenylquinolones in which the difluoromethoxy moiety is utilized as a halogen replacement. The antibacterial activity is discussed with reference to N-1-halophenylquinolones.

Synthesis of novel 5-fluoro analogues of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin.

A series of polyfluoro-3-quinolonecarboxylic acids have been synthesized and their in vitro antibacterial activity evaluated. The desired 7-(substituted amino) derivatives were prepared from the 5,6,7,8-tetrafluoroquinolone acids. Conversely, amine displacement occurred primarily at the 5-position when the ester was used. Structure-activity studies indicated that the antibacterial activity was greatest when the N-1 substituent was cyclopropyl and the 7-substituent was 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl. All 5-(substituted amino) derivatives showed poor in vitro activity.

Reconstitution of cytolytic alloreactivity with N-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl) sulfonyl]phenyl]acetamide (CL 259,763) in animals immunocompromised by cyclophosphamide.

A novel synthetic immunopotentiator, i.e. N-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]phenyl]acetamide (CL 259,763), was investigated for its potential in reconstituting the cell-mediated immune response of animals whose immunologic system had been severely depressed by cytoreductive agents. It was demonstrated that lymphocytes from mice which had received 300 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide (CY) immediately following antigen sensitization had a reduced capability of responding to alloantigens in mixed lymphocyte culture and failed to generate effective cytolytic T-lymphocytes (CTL) capable of destroying appropriate tumor target cells in a cytotoxicity assay. However, treatment of these immunocompromised animals with CL 259,763 produced a significant restoration of alloreactivity, as evidenced by an enhancement of the CTL response. Although effective doses of CL 259,763 ranged from 20 to 300 mg/kg, the optimal effect was observed at 75 mg/kg. Findings from a time course study indicated that the maximum restoration occurred when CL 259,763 was given to mice 2-5 days after, but not before or simultaneously with, CY treatment. Both the immunoimpairment by CY and its reversal by CL 259,763 appeared not to be antigen specific. The lessened immunoreactivity of CY-treated mice was explicable by the presence of suppressor cells in their spleens. These suppressors were able to adhere to plastic and resisted treatment with anti-Thy 1.2 antibody, indicating a macrophage characteristic. Flow cytometric analysis indicated a quantitative depletion of all T-lymphocytes, including Thy-1.2(+), Lyt-1(+), Lyt-2(+) and L3T4(+) subsets in the spleens of CY-treated mice; however, a population of Mac-1(+) cells was markedly expanded.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Low molecular weight immunopotentiators.

It has long been recognized that modulation of the immune system by various agents may have potential for the management of certain infectious and neoplastic diseases. Both natural products as well as chemically synthesized compounds have been investigated for immunotherapeutic potential. Over the years, conflicting reports on the clinical efficacy of these agents have left the early promise of immunotherapy unfulfilled. However, the manipulation of the immune system to generate a desired effect is becoming feasible as the mechanisms which regulate the immune network are better understood. Much of the early work on immunotherapy concentrated on the development of immunopotentiators, agents which enhance the host's own immune system against cancer cells or infectious pathogens. Furthermore, with the development of subunit and/or synthetic vaccines, which are often weakly immunogenic, the importance of developing agents capable of acting as adjuvants became apparent. As a result, the utility of immunopotentiators has now extended to the area of vaccines. There are a number of reviews available on immunomodulators [see Fenichel, R. L. and Chirigos, M. A. (eds) (1984), Immune Modulation Agents and Their Mechanisms, Marcel Dekker, New York]. The purpose of this article is to provide an update on low molecular weight agents capable of potentiating the immunological network. Attention will be given to those agents which have undergone significant clinical development in the areas of cancer, infectious diseases and vaccination over the past several years. These agents will be categorized as to whether they are naturally occurring or chemically synthesized.

Modulation of the immune response to tumors by a novel synthetic compound, N-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]phenyl] acetamide (CL 259,763).

CL 259,763, N-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]phenyl] acetamide, is an orally active compound capable of modifying the reactivity of certain lymphoid cell populations affected by the growth of a tumor. The compound augmented the response of lymphocytes from tumor-primed animals to syngeneic tumor cells, resulting in a marked increase in tumor cell destruction. Likewise, it enhanced macrophage inhibitory effects on the growth of tumor cells in vitro. These "activated" macrophages were detectable in peritoneal exudates of treated mice 4 to 12 days after receiving a single oral dose of CL 259,763, with peak activity being demonstrable by day 7. The compound also restored the alloreactivity of lymphocytes from immunodepressed mice bearing the Lieberman plasma cell tumor, possibly by interfering with suppressor cells. Macrophages and lymphocytes from treated mice released significantly more IL-1 and IL-2-like factors in culture than did the control counterparts. Sera from treated mice also possessed more colony stimulating factor than those from normal mice. Immunoadjuvant effects were evident when the compound was administered with an inactivated L1210 leukemia vaccine and it enhanced the effectiveness of cytotoxic chemotherapy when given to mice challenged with P388 murine leukemia. These immunomodulating effects of CL 259,763 may hopefully be exploited in efforts to augment the immune response of the host to a progressively growing tumor.

Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of cisplatin analogs.

Cisplatin analogs of the type PtLACl2 and PtLALB are thermally unstable, non-volatile and highly insoluble. For these platinum coordination complexes, LA is a bidentate amine ligand and LB is a bidentate carboxylate ligand. Mass spectral data for structural elucidation of these compounds are absent in the literature because they are difficult to ionize. Nevertheless, a routine fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopic method has been developed utilizing the mixed solvent system of dimethyl sulfoxide:thioglycerol in a ratio of about 1:3 v/v. Using both positive and negative ionization modes, structurally significant ions were observed from representative molecules of the two named classes of compounds. [M-H]- ions were observed in both structural classes while [M + H]+ ions were observed only in the PtLALB class of compounds. Additional ions observed are rationalized in terms of the condensed-phase solution chemistry of the cisplatin analogs and the mixed solvent system when exposed to the fast atom beam. The two mechanisms causing ionization of the cisplatin analogs in the condensed phase appear to be: displacement of the ligands with dimethyl-sulfoxide and addition of chloride and the ionized solvents [dimentyl sulfoxide + H]+ and [thioglycerol - H]- to the cisplatin analogs. It is hypothesized that the addition reactions of the ionized solvents occur because of the differences in the basicity of the solvents and their reactivity in forming platinum(II)-sulfur bonds.

Antiamebic amidines and sulfonamides of 5- and 6-amino-2,3-bis(4-alkyl-1-piperazinyl)quinoxalines.

A series of amidines and sulfonamides of 5- and 6-amino-2,3-bis(4-alkyl-1-piperazinyl)quinoxalines was synthesized and tested against cecal and hepatic forms of Entamoeba histolytica infections in rats and hamsters, respectively. Four compounds (5, 6, 8, and 9) were found to have acceptable activity against infections in both species but were too toxic to be considered for use in man.

The effect of bisamidines of 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone on Entamoeba histolytica infections in rats and hamsters.

Bisamidines of 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone have demonstrated potent activity against cecal and hepatic Entamoeba histolytica infections in rats and hamsters, respectively. A number of these compounds compared favorably, in overall drug efficacy, with metronidazole and other standard agents.