Anti-CTLA-4 treatment suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma growth through Th1-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Inhibiting the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4)-mediated immune checkpoint system using an anti-CTLA-4 antibody (Ab) can suppress the growth of various cancers, but the detailed mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we established a monoclonal hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Hepa1-6 #12) and analyzed the mechanisms associated with anti-CTLA-4 Ab treatment. Depletion of CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ T cells, prevented anti-CTLA-4 Ab-mediated anti-tumor effects, suggesting dependence on CD4+ T cells. Anti-CTLA-4 Ab treatment resulted in recruitment of interferon-gamma (IFN-g)-producing CD4+ T cells, called T-helper 1 (Th1), into tumors, and neutralization of IFN-g abrogated the anti-tumor effects. Moreover, tumor growth suppression did not require major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I or MHC-II expression on cancer cells. In vitro studies showed that IFN-g can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that anti-CTLA-4 Ab can exert its anti-tumor effects through Th1-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Galactose-modified cationic liposomes as a liver-targeting delivery system for small interfering RNA.

We have developed a galactose-modified cationic liposome for delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to the liver. The liposomes were designed to be transported into hepatocytes via the asialoglycoprotein receptor, which recognizes galactose residues. The liposomes contained a novel galactose-modified lipid, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphatidyl-N-(1-deoxylactito-1-yl)ethanolamine (GDOPE). Delivery of siRNA to hepatocytes by the liposomes was evaluated by measuring the gene-silencing activity of liposome : siRNA complexes in two human hepatoma cell lines. A formulation with a cationic lipid : GDOPE ratio of 3 : 5 by weight, LIC-G5, showed the strongest activity. In mice, intravenous injection of LIC-G5 complexed with (3)H-labeled siRNA led to accumulation of radioactivity in the liver. When the hepatic cellular uptake was determined after intravenous injection into mice followed by collagenase liver perfusion, the distribution of siRNA to parenchymal cells was 1.9 times higher when LIC-G5 rather than nongalactosylated LIC was used as the carrier. The concentration of siRNA accumulated was 45 µg/ml, 30 times the concentration that produced strong gene silencing in vitro and therefore presumably sufficient for a therapeutic effect. Because increasing the cationic-lipid content of a liposome carrier generally enhances the uptake of siRNA by the liver at the expense of increased cell toxicity, we used only a moderate amount of cationic lipid in our galactose-modified carrier. LIC-G5 enhanced the uptake of siRNA by the liver without cytotoxic effects and is a promising candidate delivery system for liver-targeted siRNA therapy.

A long-acting and highly selective prostacyclin receptor agonist prodrug, 2-{4-[(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)(isopropyl)amino]butoxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide (NS-304), ameliorates rat pulmonary hypertension with unique relaxant responses of its active form, {4-[(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)(isopropyl)amino]butoxy}acetic acid (MRE-269), on rat pulmonary artery.

2-{4-[(5,6-Diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)(isopropyl)amino]butoxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide (NS-304) is an orally available, long-acting nonprostanoid prostacyclin receptor (IP receptor) agonist prodrug. In a rat model of pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline (MCT), NS-304 ameliorated vascular endothelial dysfunction, pulmonary arterial wall hypertrophy, and right ventricular hypertrophy, and it elevated right ventricular systolic pressure and improved survival. {4-[(5,6-Diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)(isopropyl)amino]butoxy}acetic acid (MRE-269), the active form of NS-304, is much more selective for the IP receptor than are the prostacyclin analogs beraprost and iloprost, which also have high affinity for the EP(3) receptor. To investigate the effect of receptor selectivity on vasodilation of the pulmonary artery, we assessed the relaxant response to these IP agonists in rats. MRE-269 induced vasodilation equally in large pulmonary arteries (LPA) and small pulmonary arteries (SPA), whereas beraprost and iloprost induced less vasodilation in SPA than in LPA. An EP(3) agonist, sulprostone, induced SPA and LPA vasoconstriction, and an EP(3) antagonist attenuated the vasoconstriction. Beraprost showed EP(3) agonism and induced LPA and SPA vasoconstriction, whereas the EP(3) antagonist inhibited this vasoconstriction and enhanced beraprost- and iloprost-induced SPA vasodilation. These findings suggest that the EP(3) agonism of beraprost and iloprost interfered with the SPA vasodilation resulting from their IP receptor agonism. Endothelium removal markedly attenuated the vasodilation induced by beraprost, but not that induced by MRE-269 or iloprost. Moreover, the vasodilation induced by beraprost and iloprost, but not that induced by MRE-269, was more strongly attenuated in LPA from MCT-treated rats than from normal rats. NS-304 is a promising alternative medication for pulmonary arterial hypertension with prospects for good patient compliance.

Discovery of a novel class of 1,3-dioxane-2-carboxylic acid derivatives as subtype-selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) agonists.

A new series of 1,3-dioxane-2-carboxylic acid derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for agonist activity at human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes. Structure-activity relationship studies led to the identification of 2-methyl-c-5-[4-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)butyl]-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid 4b as a potent PPARalpha agonist with high subtype selectivity at human receptor subtypes. This compound exhibited a substantial hypolipidemic effect in type 2 diabetic KK-A(y) mice.

Structure-activity studies on 1,3-dioxane-2-carboxylic acid derivatives, a novel class of subtype-selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) agonists.

A series of 1,3-dioxane carboxylic acid derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for human PPAR transactivation activity. Structure-activity relationships on the phenyloxazole moiety of the lead compound 3 revealed that the introduction of small hydrophobic substituents at the 4-position of the terminal phenyl ring increased the PPARalpha agonist activity, and that the oxazole heterocycle was essential to the maintenance of both potency and PPARalpha subtype-selectivity. This investigation led to the identification of 14d (NS-220) and 14i as highly potent and selective human PPARalpha agonists. In KK-A(y) type 2 diabetic mice, these compounds significantly lowered plasma triglyceride and very-low-density plus low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels while simultaneously raising HDL cholesterol levels. Our results suggest that highly potent and subtype-selective PPARalpha agonists will be promising drugs for the treatment of metabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes.

Development of a new knock-in mouse model and evaluation of pharmacological activities of lusutrombopag, a novel, nonpeptidyl small-molecule agonist of the human thrombopoietin receptor c-Mpl.

Lusutrombopag (S-888711), an oral small-molecule thrombopoietin receptor (TPOR) agonist, has gained first approval as a drug to treat thrombocytopenia of chronic liver disease in patients undergoing elective invasive procedures in Japan. Preclinical studies were performed to evaluate its efficacy against megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. To investigate the proliferative activity and efficacy of megakaryocytic colony formation via human TPOR, lusutrombopag was applied to cultured human c-Mpl-expressing Ba/F3 (Ba/F3-hMpl) cells and human bone marrow-derived CD34-positive cells, respectively. Lusutrombopag caused a robust increase in Ba/F3-hMpl cells by activating pathways in a manner similar to that of thrombopoietin and induced colony-forming units-megakaryocyte and polyploid megakaryocytes in human CD34-positive cells. Because lusutrombopag has high species specificity for human TPOR, there was no suitable experimental animal model for drug evaluation, except for immunodeficient mouse-based xenograft models. Therefore, a novel genetically modified knock-in mouse, TPOR-Ki/Shi, was developed by replacing mouse Mpl with human-mouse chimera Mpl. In TPOR-Ki/Shi mice, lusutrombopag significantly increased circulating platelets in a dose-dependent manner during 21-day repeated oral administration. Histopathological study of the TPOR-Ki/Shi mice on day 22 also revealed a significant increase in megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. These results indicate that lusutrombopag acts on human TPOR to upregulate differentiation and proliferation of megakaryocytic cells, leading to platelet production.

Structure-activity relationship study on the 6-membered heteroaromatic ring system of diphenylpyrazine-type prostacyclin receptor agonists.

A series of prostacyclin receptor agonists was prepared by modifying the central heteroaromatic ring of lead compound 2, and a docking study was performed to investigate their structure-activity relationships by using a homology-modeled structure of the prostacyclin receptor. Compound 2 and its derivatives could be docked to the prostacyclin receptor in two ways depending on the position of the nitrogen atom within the heteroaromatic ring. Furthermore, hydrogen bonding between the nitrogen atom in the heteroaromatic ring and the hydroxyl group of Ser20 or Tyr75 of the receptor appears to be important for the potent expression of biological activity.

Role of group IIA phospholipase A2 in rat colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium.

Although group IIA phospholipase A(2) has been suggested to be implicated in inflammatory bowel disease, its pathophysiological role in colitis remains unclear. We investigated whether group IIA phospholipase A(2) had pro-inflammatory roles in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in the rat. Secretory phospholipase A(2) activity was markedly increased in the distal colon with two peaks. Strong immunostaining for group IIA phospholipase A(2) was found in subepithelial tissue and lamina propria at early stage and in deeper tissues of the erosion area at later stage. Treatment with a specific group IIA phospholipase A(2) inhibitor, S-3013/LY333013 (methyl[[3-(aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)]-1H-indol-4yl]oxy) acetate), reduced erosion area, shortening of colon and colonic inflammation, and strongly inhibited the increase in secretory phospholipase A(2) activity and moderately reduced myeloperoxidase activity in the colon in vivo, while eicosanoid levels were not affected. Marked group IIA phospholipase A(2) expression in the erosion area and the improvement of colitis by the group IIA phospholipase A(2) inhibitor strongly suggest that this enzyme plays pro-inflammatory roles in this colitis model.

Numerical experiments of the planar equal-mass three-body problem: the effects of rotation.

The planar three-body problem with angular momentum is numerically and systematically studied as a generalization of the free-fall problem (i.e., the three-body problem with zero initial velocities). The initial conditions in the configuration space exhaust all possible forms of a triangle, whereas the initial conditions in the momentum space are chosen so that position vectors and momentum vectors are orthogonal. Numerical results are organized according to the value of virial ratio k defined as the ratio of the total kinetic energy to the total potential energy. Final motions are mapped in the initial value space. Several interesting features are found. Among others, binary collision curves seem to spiral into the Lagrange point, and for large k, binary collision curves connect the Lagrange point and the Euler point. The existence of a lunar periodic orbit and a periodic orbit of petal-type is suggested. The number of escape orbits as a function of the escape time is analyzed for different k. The behavior of this number for different time and k shows most remarkably the effects of rotation of triple systems. The number of escape orbits increases exponentially for k

Structure-activity studies on diphenylpyrazine derivatives: a novel class of prostacyclin receptor agonists.

To develop nonprostanoid prostacyclin receptor agonists with a high degree of metabolic resistance and an extended duration of action, a novel series of diphenylpyrazine derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their inhibition of ADP-induced human platelet aggregation. Structure-activity relationship studies on the side chain containing the carboxylic acid moiety of the lead compound 5c showed that the length of the linker and the presence of the concatenating nitrogen atom adjacent to the pyrazine ring are critical for the antiaggregatory activity. This study led to the discovery of 2-amino-5,6-diphenylpyrazine derivatives 8c, 15a, and 15b, which showed potent inhibition of platelet aggregation with IC(50) values of 0.2 microM. Among these compounds, 15b is an orally available and long-lasting prostacyclin receptor agonist which is promising for the treatment of various vascular diseases.

2-[4-[(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)(isopropyl)amino]butoxy]-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide (NS-304), an orally available and long-acting prostacyclin receptor agonist prodrug.

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) and its analogs are useful for the treatment of various vascular disorders, but their half-lives are too short for widespread clinical application. To overcome this drawback, we have synthesized a novel diphenylpyrazine derivative, 2-[4-[(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)(isopropyl)amino]butoxy]-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide (NS-304), a prodrug of the active form [4-[(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)(isopropyl)amino]butoxy]acetic acid (MRE-269). NS-304 is an orally available and potent agonist for the PGI(2) receptor (IP receptor). The inhibition constant (K(i)) of MRE-269 for the human IP receptor was 20 nM; in contrast, the K(i) values for other prostanoid receptors were >2.6 microM. MRE-269 was therefore a highly selective agonist for the IP receptor. The plasma concentrations of MRE-269 remained near peak levels for more than 8 h after oral administration of NS-304 to rats and dogs, and NS-304 increased femoral skin blood flow in rats in a long-lasting manner without affecting the hemodynamics. These findings indicate that NS-304 acts as a long-acting IP receptor agonist in vivo. The continuous vasodilation evoked by NS-304 was not attenuated by repeated treatment, indicating that NS-304 is unlikely to cause severe desensitization of the IP receptor in rats. Moreover, a microdose pharmacokinetic study in which NS-304 was orally administered to healthy male volunteers showed conversion of NS-304 to MRE-269 and a long plasma elimination half-life for MRE-269 (7.9 h). In conclusion, NS-304 is an orally available and long-acting IP receptor agonist prodrug, and its active form, MRE-269, is highly selective for the IP receptor. Therefore, NS-304 is a promising drug candidate for various vascular diseases, especially pulmonary arterial hypertension and arteriosclerosis obliterans.

Relevance of anti-reactive oxygen species activity to anti-inflammatory activity of components of eviprostat, a phytotherapeutic agent for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Inflammation is a common finding in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The phytotherapeutic agent eviprostat is a popular treatment for BPH in Japan and Germany. This agent consists of five components; four are extracted from Chimaphila umbellata, Populus tremula, Pulsatilla pratensis and Equisetum arvense (coded as EVI-1, EVI-2, EVI-3 and EVI-4, respectively) and the fifth is germ oil from Triticum aestivum (coded as EVI-5). In this study, the effects of each component on the reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion (O2-) and hydroxyl radical (OH*) generated in cell-free systems and human neutrophils, and on carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats were investigated. EVI-1, EVI-2 and EVI-4 suppressed the O2- levels in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, and EVI-1, EVI-2, EVI-3 and EVI-4 abolished the OH* produced in a Fenton-type reaction system, so that EVI-1, EVI-2 and EVI-4 possessed inhibitory action with respect to both O2- and OH*. EVI-1, EVI-2 and EVI-4 also reduced ROS levels in phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated neutrophils. The paw swelling was inhibited by a mixture of EVI-1, EVI-2, EVI-3, EVI-4 and EVI-5 (a mixture which is equivalent to eviprostat) or by a mixture of EVI-1, EVI-2 and EVI-4, even though each component alone did not significantly inhibit the swelling. These findings suggest that the suppression of ROS by EVI-1, EVI-2 and EVI-4 may partly contribute to the anti-inflammatory action of eviprostat, and this action may be implicated in its therapeutic effect on BPH.

A novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonist, 2-methyl-c-5-[4-[5-methyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxazolyl]butyl]-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid (NS-220), potently decreases plasma triglyceride and glucose levels and modifies lipoprotein profiles in KK-Ay mice.

2-Methyl-c-5-[4-[5-methyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxazolyl]butyl]-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid (NS-220) was newly synthesized and demonstrated to be a novel potent peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) agonist with high subtype selectivity. In cell-based reporter gene assays, the EC(50) values of NS-220 for human PPARalpha, PPARgamma, and PPARdelta were 1.9 x 10(-8), 9.6 x 10(-6), and >10(-4) M, respectively, and for mouse PPARalpha, PPARgamma, and PPARdelta were 5.5 x 10(-8), 3.3 x 10(-5), and >10(-4) M, respectively. In addition, [(3)H]NS-220 bound to the ligand-binding domain of human PPARalpha with a K(D) value of 1.85 x 10(-7) M. Fenofibric acid and bezafibrate showed weak agonist activity for PPARalpha (EC(50), 2-8 x 10(-5) M), with poor subtype selectivity. NS-220 (0.1-3 mg/kg p.o.) decreased plasma triglyceride levels in ddY mice in a dose-dependent manner, but its hypolipidemic activity was abolished in PPARalpha-deficient mice. In KK-A(y) mice, an animal model of type-2 diabetes, NS-220 (0.3-1 mg/kg p.o.; 4 days) and fenofibrate (100-300 mg/kg p.o.; 4 days) decreased plasma triglyceride and glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner. In a 2-week repeated administration test, NS-220 (0.3-1 mg/kg p.o.) decreased plasma glucose levels markedly without increasing in plasma insulin levels. Furthermore, NS-220 increased high-density lipoprotein levels and decreased triglyceride-rich lipoprotein levels. In conclusion, a newly synthesized dioxanecarboxylic acid derivative, NS-220, is a potent and highly selective PPARalpha agonist that ameliorates metabolic disorders in diabetic mice. These results strongly suggest that it will be a promising drug for the treatment of hyperlipidemia or metabolic disorders in type-2 diabetes.

The role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in antibody-induced arthritis.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large group of enzymes responsible for matrix degradation. Among them, the family of gelatinases (MMP-2/gelatinase A and MMP-9/gelatinase B) is overproduced in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Because of their degradative effects on the extracellular matrix, gelatinases have been believed to play an important role in progression and cartilage degradation in this disease, although their precise roles are yet to be defined. To clarify these roles, we investigated the development of Ab-induced arthritis, one of the murine models of rheumatoid arthritis, in MMP-2 or MMP-9 knockout (KO) mice. Surprisingly, the MMP-2 KO mice exhibited severe clinical and histologic arthritis than wild-type mice. The MMP-9 KO mice displayed milder arthritis. Recovery from exacerbated arthritis in the MMP-2 KO mice was possible by injection of wild-type fibroblasts. These results indicated a suppressive role of MMP-2 and a pivotal role of MMP-9 in the development of inflammatory joint disease.

Effect of a selective inhibitor of secretory phospholipase A2, S-5920/LY315920Na, on experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.

We investigated the efficacy of a potent inhibitor of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), S-5920/LY315920Na, in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis in rats. Combined intraductal injection of sodium taurocholate (5 mg/rat) and porcine pancreatic sPLA2-IB (300 microg/rat) caused severe hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis resulting in high mortality, along with rapid increases of catalytic PLA2 and lipase activities in plasma and ascites and with gradual increases of plasma amylase and aspartate aminotransferase levels over 9 h after the pancreatitis. Prophylactic intravenous treatment with S-5920/LY315920Na significantly reduced mortality at 7 days, and strongly abrogated PLA2 activities in both plasma and ascites along with significant reduction of lipase activity, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase, and hemorrhage at 6 h. It also significantly reduced histological damage such as edema and parenchymal and fat necroses of the pancreatic tissue. This sPLA2 inhibitor could become an effective agent for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis.