A cell-based drug delivery platform for treating central nervous system inflammation.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for the development of cell-based drug delivery systems for autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we investigated the effect of Ro-31-8425, an ATP-competitive kinase inhibitor, on the therapeutic properties of MSCs. Upon a simple pretreatment procedure, MSCs spontaneously took up and then gradually released significant amounts of Ro-31-8425. Ro-31-8425 (free or released by MSCs) suppressed the proliferation of CD4+ T cells in vitro following polyclonal and antigen-specific stimulation. Systemic administration of Ro-31-8425-loaded MSCs ameliorated the clinical course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of MS, displaying a stronger suppressive effect on EAE than control MSCs or free Ro-31-8425. Ro-31-8425-MSC administration resulted in sustained levels of Ro-31-8425 in the serum of EAE mice, modulating immune cell trafficking and the autoimmune response during EAE. Collectively, these results identify MSC-based drug delivery as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. KEY MESSAGES: MSCs can spontaneously take up the ATP-competitive kinase inhibitor Ro-31-8425. Ro-31-8425-loaded MSCs gradually release Ro-31-8425 and exhibit sustained suppression of T cells. Ro-31-8425-loaded MSCs have more sustained serum levels of Ro-31-8425 than free Ro-31-8425. Ro-31-8425-loaded MSCs are more effective than MSCs and free Ro-31-8425 for EAE therapy.

Discovery of N-substituted 7-azaindoles as Pan-PIM kinase inhibitors - Lead series identification - Part II.

N-Substituted azaindoles have been discovered as pan-PIM kinase inhibitors. Initial SAR, early ADME and PK/PD data of a series of compounds is described and led to the identification of promising pan-PIM inhibitors which validated our interest in the 7-azaindole scaffold and led us to pursue the identification of a clinical candidate.

Discovery of N-substituted 7-azaindoles as PIM1 kinase inhibitors - Part I.

Novel N-substituted azaindoles have been discovered as PIM1 inhibitors. X-ray structures have played a significant role in orienting the chemistry effort in the initial phase of hit confirmation. Disclosure of an unconventional binding mode for 1 and 2, as demonstrated by X-ray crystallography, is presented and was an important factor in selecting and advancing a lead series.

Evaluation of cancer dependence and druggability of PRP4 kinase using cellular, biochemical, and structural approaches.

PRP4 kinase is known for its roles in regulating pre-mRNA splicing and beyond. Therefore, a wider spectrum of PRP4 kinase substrates could be expected. The role of PRP4 kinase in cancer is also yet to be fully elucidated. Attaining specific and potent PRP4 inhibitors would greatly facilitate the study of PRP4 biological function and its validation as a credible cancer target. In this report, we verified the requirement of enzymatic activity of PRP4 in regulating cancer cell growth and identified an array of potential novel substrates through orthogonal proteomics approaches. The ensuing effort in structural biology unveiled for the first time unique features of PRP4 kinase domain and its potential mode of interaction with a low molecular weight inhibitor. These results provide new and important information for further exploration of PRP4 kinase function in cancer.

A stereodivergent, two-directional synthesis of stereoisomeric C-linked disaccharide mimetics.

Dipyranones, such as 1,2-bis[(2R,3S,6S)-3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-oxo-6H-pyran-2-yl]ethane, were exploited as templates for the synthesis of some novel C-linked disaccharide analogues. Efficient methods, such as stereoselective reduction and dihydroxylation, were developed for two-directional functionalisation of these templates. Peracetylated derivatives of ten stereoisomeric disaccharide analogues [acetic acid 4,5-diacetoxy-6-methoxy-[(3',4',5'-triacetoxy-6'-methoxytetrahydropyran- 2'-yl)ethyl]tetrahydropyran-3-yl esters] were synthesised from a virtual library of 136 compounds; furthermore, an additional eight stereoisomers could have been synthesised simply by using the enantiomeric ligand in the enantioselective step. The ability of (2S,3S,4R,5R,6R)-6-methoxy-2-[2'-((2'R,3'R,4'S, 5'R,6'S)-3',4',5'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxytetrahydropyran-2'-yl) ethyl]tetrahydropyran-3,4,5-triol to bind to the repressor protein, LacI, was estimated to be similar to that of isopropyl-beta-thiogalactoside. The disaccharide mimetics were concluded to be a new and interesting class of C-linked disaccharide mimetics with promising, though largely unstudied, biological activity.