Post-Synthetic Modification of Calix[4]arene Framework by Iridium-Mediated Alkyne Insertion into an Inert C-C Bond: A Novel Strategy for Unsymmetrical Macrocycles.

As a novel synthetic method for unsymmetrical macrocycles, we herein developed a post-synthetic modification of calix[4]arenes by insertion of a terminal alkyne into an inert C(methylene)-C(aryl) bond of the macrocyclic framework. In this transformation, C-iridated calix[4]arenes, readily synthesized through C-H bond activation of the parent calix[4]arene, undergoes C(methylene)-C(aryl) bond cleavage followed by insertion of an alkyne to provide a ring-expanded calix[4]arene complex. Removal of the iridium metal from the resulting complex was readily accomplished by a simple treatment with an acid. The developed sequential method affords novel unsymmetrical, monofunctionalized macrocyclic compounds via 3 steps from the parent calix[4]arene in good yield. The unique unsymmetrical structures of the alkyne-inserted macrocycles were evaluated by X-ray single crystal analyses. On the basis of theoretical calculations, we propose a reaction mechanism involving an uncommon C-C bond cleavage step through δ-carbon elimination for the ring enlargement process.

Defective LAT signalosome pathology in mice mimics human IgG4-related disease at single-cell level.

Mice with a loss-of-function mutation in the LAT adaptor (LatY136F) develop an autoimmune and type 2 inflammatory disorder called defective LAT signalosome pathology (DLSP). We analyzed via single-cell omics the trajectory leading to LatY136F DLSP and the underlying CD4+ T cell diversification. T follicular helper cells, CD4+ cytotoxic T cells, activated B cells, and plasma cells were found in LatY136F spleen and lung. Such cell constellation entailed all the cell types causative of human IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), an autoimmune and inflammatory condition with LatY136F DLSP-like histopathological manifestations. Most previously described T cell-mediated autoimmune manifestations require persistent TCR input. In contrast, following their first engagement by self-antigens, the autoreactive TCR expressed by LatY136F CD4+ T cells hand over their central role in T cell activation to CD28 costimulatory molecules. As a result, all subsequent LatY136F DLSP manifestations, including the production of autoantibodies, solely rely on CD28 engagement. Our findings elucidate the etiology of the LatY136F DLSP and qualify it as a model of IgG4-RD.

Chelating Picolinaldehyde Hydrazone Amides as Protecting Groups for Carboxylic Acids: Orthogonal Reactivities of Hydrazone Amides and Esters in Hydrolysis.

We report a chelating hydrazone amide as a protecting group for carboxylic acids. Unlike most esters, 2-picolinaldehyde hydrazone amides are stable under acidic or basic hydrolytic conditions. However, hydrazone amides can be easily converted to the corresponding carboxylic acids via Ni-mediated hydrolysis. Orthogonal reactivities of the hydrazone amides and representative protecting groups were verified by control experiments and peptide synthesis, demonstrating that chelating hydrazone amides are highly useful protecting groups.

Human Dectin-1 is O-glycosylated and serves as a ligand for C-type lectin receptor CLEC-2.

C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) elicit immune responses upon recognition of glycoconjugates present on pathogens and self-components. While Dectin-1 is the best-characterized CLR recognizing ß-glucan on pathogens, the endogenous targets of Dectin-1 are not fully understood. Herein, we report that human Dectin-1 is a ligand for CLEC-2, another CLR expressed on platelets. Biochemical analyses revealed that Dectin-1 is a mucin-like protein as its stalk region is highly O-glycosylated. A sialylated core 1 glycan attached to the EDxxT motif of human Dectin-1, which is absent in mouse Dectin-1, provides a ligand moiety for CLEC-2. Strikingly, the expression of human Dectin-1 in mice rescued the lethality and lymphatic defect resulting from a deficiency of Podoplanin, a known CLEC-2 ligand. This finding is the first example of an innate immune receptor also functioning as a physiological ligand to regulate ontogeny upon glycosylation.

Ultrafast energy transfer between self-assembled fluorophore and photosynthetic light-harvesting complex 2 (LH2) in lipid bilayer.

Photosynthetic light-harvesting (LH) systems consist of photosynthetic pigments, which are non-covalently self-assembled with protein scaffolds in many phototrophs and attain highly efficient excitation energy transfer via ultrafast dynamics. In this study, we constructed a biohybrid LH system composed of an LH complex (LH2) from Rhodoblastus acidophilus strain 10050 and a hydrophobic fluorophore ATTO647N (ATTO) as an extrinsic antenna in the lipid bilayer. Through the addition of ATTOs into a solution of LH2-reconstituted lipid vesicles, ATTOs were incorporated into the hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer to configure the non-covalently self-assembled biohybrid LH. Steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy clearly showed efficient energy transfer from ATTO to B850 bacteriochlorophylls in LH2. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that the energy transfer took place in the time range of 3-13 ps, comparable to that of the covalently linked LH2-ATTO that we previously reported. In addition, the biohybrid LH system exhibited a much higher antenna effect than the LH2-ATTO system because of the higher loading level of ATTO in the membrane. These findings suggest that the facile self-assembled biohybrid LH system is a promising system for constructing LH for solar-energy conversion.

Systems-level conservation of the proximal TCR signaling network of mice and humans.

We exploited traceable gene tagging in primary human T cells to establish the composition and dynamics of seven canonical TCR-induced protein signaling complexes (signalosomes) using affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry (AP-MS). It unveiled how the LAT adaptor assembles higher-order molecular condensates and revealed that the proximal TCR-signaling network has a high degree of qualitative and quantitative conservation between human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Such systems-level conservation also extended across human and mouse T cells and unexpectedly encompassed protein-protein interaction stoichiometry. Independently of evolutionary considerations, our study suggests that a drug targeting the proximal TCR signaling network should behave similarly when applied to human and mouse T cells. However, considering that signaling differences likely exist between the distal TCR-signaling pathway of human and mouse, our fast-track AP-MS approach should be favored to determine the mechanism of action of drugs targeting human T cell activation. An opportunity is illustrated here using an inhibitor of the LCK protein tyrosine kinase as a proof-of-concept.

Stabilization of an 211At-Labeled Antibody with Sodium Ascorbate.

211At, an α-particle emitter, has recently attracted attention for radioimmunotherapy of intractable cancers. However, our sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry analyses revealed that 211At-labeled immunoconjugates are easily disrupted. Luminol assay revealed that reactive oxygen species generated from radiolysis of water caused the disruption of 211At-labeled immunoconjugates. To retain their functions, we explored methods to protect 211At-immunoconjugates from oxidation and enhance their stability. Among several other reducing agents, sodium ascorbate most safely and successfully protected 211At-labeled trastuzumab from oxidative stress and retained the stability of the 211At-labeled antibody and its cytotoxicity against antigen-expressing cells for several days.

Selective expression of a C-type lectin receptor, Clec12b, on skin mast cells.

Mast cells (MCs) are present in various organs including the skin, peritoneal cavity, lung, and intestine and involved in the development of allergic diseases and host defense against infection. However, the regulatory mechanism of mast cell activation remains incompletely understood. We found in a database that Clec12b encoding a C-type lectin receptor Clec12b is preferentially expressed in skin MCs in mice. However, neither MCs in other tissues such as trachea, tongue, esophagus, or peritoneal cavity nor most lymphocytes and myeloid cells express Clec12b. To analyze the protein expression of Clec12b, we newly generated a monoclonal antibody (named TX109), which recognizes both mouse and human Clec12b. Consistent with the gene expression profile, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that Clec12b is expressed only on MCs in the skin, but not on any other immune cell types in various tissues, in mice. Similarly, Clec12b is also expressed on skin MCs, but not on circulating lymphocytes and myeloid cells, in humans. Our results suggest that Clec12b plays an important role in the regulation of MCs activation in the skin.

Radioimmunotherapy with an 211 At-labeled anti-tissue factor antibody protected by sodium ascorbate.

Tissue factor (TF), the trigger protein of the extrinsic blood coagulation cascade, is abundantly expressed in various cancers including gastric cancer. Anti-TF monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) capable of targeting cancers have been successfully applied to armed antibodies such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and molecular imaging probes. We prepared an anti-TF mAb, clone 1084, labeled with astatine-211 (211 At), as a promising alpha emitter for cancer treatment. Alpha particles are characterized by high linear energy transfer and a range of 50-100 µm in tissue. Therefore, selective and efficient tumor accumulation of alpha emitters results in potent antitumor activities against cancer cells with minor effects on normal cells adjacent to the tumor. Although the 211 At-conjugated clone 1084 (211 At-anti-TF mAb) was disrupted by an 211 At-induced radiochemical reaction, we demonstrated that astatinated anti-TF mAbs eluted in 0.6% or 1.2% sodium ascorbate (SA) solution were protected from antibody denaturation, which contributed to the maintenance of cellular binding activities and cytocidal effects of this immunoconjugate. Although body weight loss was observed in mice administered a 1.2% SA solution, the loss was transient and the radioprotectant seemed to be tolerable in vivo. In a high TF-expressing gastric cancer xenograft model, 211 At-anti-TF mAb in 1.2% SA exerted a significantly greater antitumor effect than nonprotected 211 At-anti-TF mAb. Moreover, the antitumor activities of the protected immunoconjugate in gastric cancer xenograft models were dependent on the level of TF in cancer cells. These findings suggest the clinical availability of the radioprotectant and applicability of clone 1084 to 211 At-radioimmunotherapy.

Multi-omics analysis of hiPSCs-derived HLCs matured on-chip revealed patterns typical of liver regeneration.

Maturation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived hepatocytes-like cells (HLCs) toward a complete hepatocyte phenotype remains a challenge as primitiveness patterns are still commonly observed. In this study, we propose a modified differentiation protocol for those cells which includes a prematuration in Petri dishes and a maturation in microfluidic biochip. For the first time, a large range of biomolecular families has been extracted from the same sample to combine transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analysis. After integration, these datasets revealed specific molecular patterns and highlighted the hepatic regeneration profile in biochips. Overall, biochips exhibited processes of cell proliferation and inflammation (via TGFB1) coupled with anti-fibrotic signaling (via angiotensin 1-7, ATR-2, and MASR). Moreover, cultures in this condition displayed physiological lipid-carbohydrate homeostasis (notably via PPAR, cholesterol metabolism, and bile synthesis) coupled with cell respiration through advanced oxidative phosphorylation (through the overexpression of proteins from the third and fourth complex). The results presented provide an original overview of the complex mechanisms involved in liver regeneration using an advanced in vitro organ-on-chip technology.

The T cell CD6 receptor operates a multitask signalosome with opposite functions in T cell activation.

To determine the respective contribution of the LAT transmembrane adaptor and CD5 and CD6 transmembrane receptors to early TCR signal propagation, diversification, and termination, we describe a CRISPR/Cas9-based platform that uses primary mouse T cells and permits establishment of the composition of their LAT, CD5, and CD6 signalosomes in only 4 mo using quantitative mass spectrometry. We confirmed that positive and negative functions can be solely assigned to the LAT and CD5 signalosomes, respectively. In contrast, the TCR-inducible CD6 signalosome comprised both positive (SLP-76, ZAP70, VAV1) and negative (UBASH3A/STS-2) regulators of T cell activation. Moreover, CD6 associated independently of TCR engagement to proteins that support its implication in inflammatory pathologies necessitating T cell transendothelial migration. The multifaceted role of CD6 unveiled here accounts for past difficulties in classifying it as a coinhibitor or costimulator. Congruent with our identification of UBASH3A within the CD6 signalosome and the view that CD6 constitutes a promising target for autoimmune disease treatment, single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with human autoimmune diseases have been found in the Cd6 and Ubash3a genes.

LymphoAtlas: a dynamic and integrated phosphoproteomic resource of TCR signaling in primary T cells reveals ITSN2 as a regulator of effector functions.

T-cell receptor (TCR) ligation-mediated protein phosphorylation regulates the activation, cellular responses, and fates of T cells. Here, we used time-resolved high-resolution phosphoproteomics to identify, quantify, and characterize the phosphorylation dynamics of thousands of phosphorylation sites in primary T cells during the first 10 min after TCR stimulation. Bioinformatic analysis of the data revealed a coherent orchestration of biological processes underlying T-cell activation. In particular, functional modules associated with cytoskeletal remodeling, transcription, translation, and metabolic processes were mobilized within seconds after TCR engagement. Among proteins whose phosphorylation was regulated by TCR stimulation, we demonstrated, using a fast-track gene inactivation approach in primary lymphocytes, that the ITSN2 adaptor protein regulated T-cell effector functions. This resource, called LymphoAtlas, represents an integrated pipeline to further decipher the organization of the signaling network encoding T-cell activation. LymphoAtlas is accessible to the community at: https://bmm-lab.github.io/LymphoAtlas.

Deprotection of a benzyl unit induces a 22π aromatic macrocycle of 3-oxypyripentaphyrin(0.1.1.1.0) with strong NIR absorption.

We report aromaticity switching from a 6π pyridine ring to a 22π macrocyclic ring of 3-oxypyripentaphyrin(0.1.1.1.0). This system has potential applications in photodynamic therapy owing to macrocyclic aromaticity being selectively induced by protecting group removal and strong absorption bands produced in the NIR region especially in methanol.

Analysis of hiPSCs differentiation toward hepatocyte-like cells upon extended exposition to oncostatin.

The capability to produce and maintain functional human adult hepatocytes remains one of the major challenges for the use of in-vitro models toward liver cell therapy and industrial drug-screening applications. Among the suggested strategies to solve this issue, the use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), differentiated toward hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) is promising. In this work, we propose a 31-day long protocol, that includes a final 14-day long phase of oncostatin treatment, as opposed to a 7-day treatment which led to the formation of a hepatic tissue functional for CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4. The production of albumin, as well as bile acid metabolism and transport, were also detected. Transcriptome profile comparisons and liver transcription factors (TFs) motif dynamics revealed increased expression of typical hepatic markers such as HNF1A and of important metabolic markers like PPARA. The performed analysis has allowed for the extraction of potential targets and pathways which would allow enhanced hepatic maturation in-vitro. From this investigation, NRF1 and SP3 appeared as transcription factors of importance. Complex epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) patterns were also observed during the differentiation process. Moreover, whole transcriptome analysis highlighted a response typical of the one observed in liver regeneration and hepatocyte proliferation. While a complete maturation of hepatocytes was yet to be obtained, the results presented in this work provide new insights into the process of liver development and highlight potential targets aimed to improve in-vitro liver regeneration.

Alteration in the Plasma Concentrations of Endogenous Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide 1B Biomarkers in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Paclitaxel.

Paclitaxel has been considered to cause OATP1B-mediated drug-drug interactions at therapeutic doses; however, its clinical relevance has not been demonstrated. This study aimed to elucidate in vivo inhibition potency of paclitaxel against OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 using endogenous OATP1B biomarkers. Paclitaxel is an inhibitor of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, with Ki of 0.579 ± 0.107 and 5.29 ± 3.87 µM, respectively. Preincubation potentiated its inhibitory effect on both OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, with Ki of 0.154 ± 0.031 and 0.624 ± 0.183 µM, respectively. Ten patients with non-small cell lung cancer who received 200 mg/m2 of paclitaxel by a 3-hour infusion were recruited. Plasma concentrations of 10 endogenous OATP1B biomarkers-namely, coproporphyrin I, coproporphyrin III, glycochenodeoxycholate-3-sulfate, glycochenodeoxycholate-3-glucuronide, glycodeoxycholate-3-sulfate, glycodeoxycholate-3-glucuronide, lithocholate-3-sulfate, glycolithocholate-3-sulfate, taurolithocholate-3-sulfate, and chenodeoxycholate-24-glucuronide-were determined in the patients with non-small cell lung cancer on the day before paclitaxel administration and after the end of paclitaxel infusion for 7 hours. Paclitaxel increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of the endogenous biomarkers 2- to 4-fold, although a few patients did not show any increment in the AUC ratios of lithocholate-3-sulfate, glycolithocholate-3-sulfate, and taurolithocholate-3-sulfate. Therapeutic doses of paclitaxel for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (200 mg/m2) will cause significant OATP1B1 inhibition during and at the end of the infusion. This is the first demonstration that endogenous OATP1B biomarkers could serve as surrogate biomarkers in patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Endogenous biomarkers can address practical and ethical issues in elucidating transporter-mediated drug-drug interaction (DDI) risks of anticancer drugs clinically. We could elucidate a significant increment of the plasma concentrations of endogenous OATP1B biomarkers after a 3-hour infusion (200 mg/m2) of paclitaxel, a time-dependent inhibitor of OATP1B, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The endogenous OATP1B biomarkers are useful to assess the possibility of OATP1B-mediated DDIs in patients and help in appropriately designing a dosing schedule to avoid the DDIs.

Dose-Dependent Inhibition of OATP1B by Rifampicin in Healthy Volunteers: Comprehensive Evaluation of Candidate Biomarkers and OATP1B Probe Drugs.

To address the most appropriate endogenous biomarker for drug-drug interaction risk assessment, eight healthy subjects received an organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B (OATP1B) inhibitor (rifampicin, 150, 300, and 600 mg), and a probe drug cocktail (atorvastatin, pitavastatin, rosuvastatin, and valsartan). In addition to coproporphyrin I, a widely studied OATP1B biomarker, we identified at least 4 out of 28 compounds (direct bilirubin, glycochenodeoxycholate-3-glucuronide, glycochenodeoxycholate-3-sulfate, and hexadecanedioate) that presented good sensitivity and dynamic range in terms of the rifampicin dose-dependent change in area under the plasma concentration-time curve ratio (AUCR). Their suitability as OATP1B biomarkers was also supported by the good correlation of AUC0-24h between the endogenous compounds and the probe drugs, and by nonlinear regression analysis (AUCR-1 vs. rifampicin plasma Cmax (maximum total concentration in plasma)) to yield an estimate of the inhibition constant of rifampicin. These endogenous substrates can complement existing OATP1B-mediated drug-drug interaction risk assessment approaches based on agency guidelines in early clinical trials.

meso-Diketopyripentaphyrin and Diketopyrihexaphyrin as Macrocyclic Tripyrrinone Ligands for NiII Ions.

We report expanded porphyrins with pyridine rings and two neighboring carbonyl groups, which allow NiII ions to coordinate to the tripyrrinone-type NNNO coordination structure with Ni-O bonds. The selectivity of tripyrrinone is superior to other pyrrolic or pyridinic cavities of expanded porphyrins. Introduction of α-carbonyl pyridine next to the tripyrrolic conjugated structure is a powerful strategy for regioselective metalation of flexible expanded porphyrinoids.

[Quantitative assessment of the risk of OATP1B1/1B3-mediated drug-drug interactions].

Drug transporters play important roles in determining drug pharmacokinetics. Organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B1/1B3 (OATP1B1/1B3) are transporters mediating hepatic uptake of various anionic drugs. OATP1B1/1B3 activities are changed by genetic mutation and drug-drug interaction (DDI) that could lead to severe adverse reactions. Methods to address the precise DDI risk assessment have been developed in addition to the translational assessment from the results of in vitro studies. Using endogenous substrates as probes is an emerging approach that allows clinical assessment of the DDI risk in the early phase of drug development. Then, the clinical data will be subjected to the pharmacokinetic analysis using physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models to perform the more realistic DDI risk assessment with OATP1B1/1B3 substrate drugs. When drug targets are located inside the hepatocytes, DDI impact on the intrahepatic concentration is critical for their pharmacological actions. Positron emission tomography (PET) allows researchers to determine tissue concentration time profiles of the PET probe upon the inhibition of OATP1B1/1B3, and to estimate the change in kinetic parameter for each intrinsic process of hepatic elimination of PET probe. Integration of the clinical data into the PBPK model realizes more precise prediction of DDI impact on the pharmacokinetics of drugs, and their therapeutic effects.