Pharmacological profile of JNJ-27141491 [(S)-3-[3,4-difluorophenyl)-propyl]-5-isoxazol-5-yl-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazole-4-carboxyl acid methyl ester], as a noncompetitive and orally active antagonist of the human chemokine receptor CCR2.

The interaction between CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) with monocyte chemoattractant proteins, such as MCP-1, regulates the activation and recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes. In this study, we characterized (S)-3-[3,4-difluoro-phenyl)-propyl]-5-isoxazol-5-yl-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazole-4-carboxyl acid methyl ester (JNJ-27141491) as a noncompetitive and orally active functional antagonist of human (h)CCR2. JNJ-27141491 strongly suppressed hCCR2-mediated in vitro functions, such as MCP-1-induced guanosine 5'-O-(3-[(35)S]thio)triphosphate binding; MCP-1, -3, and -4-induced Ca(2+) mobilization; and leukocyte chemotaxis toward MCP-1 (IC(50) = 7-97 nM), whereas it had little or no effect on the function of other chemokine receptors tested. The inhibition of CCR2 function was both insurmountable and reversible, consistent with a noncompetitive mode of action. JNJ-27141491 blocked the binding of (125)I-MCP-1 to human monocytes (IC(50) = 0.4 microM), but it failed to affect MCP-1 binding to mouse, rat, and dog cells (IC(50) > 10 microM). Therefore, transgenic mice, in which the mouse (m)CCR2 gene was replaced by the human counterpart, were generated for in vivo testing. In these mice, oral administration of JNJ-27141491 dose-dependently [5-40 mg/kg q.d. (once daily) or b.i.d.] inhibited monocyte and neutrophil recruitment to the alveolar space 48 h after intratracheal mMCP-1/lipopolysaccharide instillation. Furthermore, treatment with JNJ-27141491 (20 mg/kg q.d.) significantly delayed the onset and temporarily reduced neurological signs in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis. Taken together, these results identify JNJ-27141491 as a noncompetitive, functional antagonist of hCCR2, capable of exerting oral anti-inflammatory activity in transgenic hCCR2-expressing mice.

Synthesis and characterization of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline C5a receptor antagonists.

A novel series of substituted 2-aryl-5-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline C5a receptor antagonists is reported. Synthetic routes were developed that allow the substituents on the tetrahydroquinoline core to be efficiently varied, facilitating determination of structure-activity relationships. Members of the series display high binding affinity for the C5a receptor and are potent functional antagonists.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,2,4-triazinylphenylalkylthiazolecarboxylic acid esters as cytokine-inhibiting antedrugs with strong bronchodilating effects in an animal model of asthma.

The influx of leukocytes (eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes) into the airways and their production of proinflammatory cytokines contribute to the severity of allergic asthma. We describe here the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a series of triazinylphenylalkylthiazolecarboxylic acid esters that were designed to act as lung-specific antedrugs and inhibitors of the production of interleukin (IL)-5, a primary eosinophil-activating and proinflammatory cytokine. Closer examination of the hydroxypropyl ester, 15, indicated its high metabolic stability (t(1/2) > 240 min) in human lung S9 fraction but rapid conversion (t(1/2) = 15 min) into the pharmacologically inactive carboxylic acid by human liver preparations. In stimulated human whole blood cultures, 15 reduced not only the production of IL-5 (IC(50) = 78 nM) but also the biosynthesis of the monocyte chemotactic proteins MCP-1 (IC(50) = 220 nM), MCP-2 (IC(50) = 580 nM), and MCP-3 (IC(50) = 80 nM). In vivo, intratracheal administration of 15 (6 mg/animal) to allergic sheep, either before (-4 h) or after (+1.5 h) the pulmonary allergen challenge, completely abrogated the late-phase airway response and reduced the bronchial hyperreactivity to inhaled carbachol.

Involvement of GSK-3beta in TWEAK-mediated NF-kappaB activation.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) is a key component of several signaling pathways. We found that a short variant of 'TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis' (shortTWEAK) formed a complex with GSK-3beta in a yeast two-hybrid system. We demonstrate that shortTWEAK and GSK-3beta colocalize in the nucleus of human neuroblastoma cells. We also show that TWEAK is internalized in different cell lines and that it translocates to the nucleus. This event causes the degradation of IkappaBalpha, the nuclear translocation of both GSK-3beta and p65, and the induction of NF-kappaB-driven gene expression. We demonstrate that the induction of IL-8 expression by TWEAK can be counteracted by LiCl. Taken together, these data suggest that GSK-3beta plays an important role in the signal transduction pathway between TWEAK and NF-kappaB.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 as drug target: from wallflower to center of attention.

Some 20 years ago, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) was categorized as one of several protein kinases that could phosphorylate glycogen synthase and regulate the glucose metabolism pathway. Today, GSK-3 is being identified as a ubiquitous serine/threonine protein kinase that participates in a multitude of cellular processes, ranging from cell membrane-to-nucleus signaling, gene transcription, translation, cytoskeletal organization to cell cycle progression and survival. Two functional aspects make GSK-3 a peculiar kinase: its activity is constitutive and downregulated after cell activation by phosphorylation or interaction with inhibitory proteins, and the enzyme prefers substrates that are specifically prepared, that is prephosphorylated, by other kinases. Its pleiotropic but unique activities have made GSK-3 a much sought-after target for the treatment of prevalent human diseases such as type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Recent drug discovery efforts have identified small-molecule, orally active inhibitors of GSK-3. This accomplishment may represent the first step toward the development of novel therapeutic agents.

Discovery of potent, orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitors of the human CCR2 receptor.

We recently reported the discovery of a series of 2-thioimidazoles as CCR2 antagonists. The most potent molecules of this series, the 4,5-diesters, were rapidly hydrolyzed to the inactive acids and were found to be metabolically unstable. Herein we describe the synthesis of a number of analogues with heterocyclic bioisosteric replacements of the ester group(s). Small 5-membered heterocyclic substituents at the 4-position gave highly potent CCR2 antagonists. Hydrolysis of the 5-ester is diminished, thus imparting these compounds with sufficient stability and systemic exposure after oral administration to warrant further study of the in vivo pharmacology of these functional CCR2 inhibitors.

2-Mercaptoimidazoles, a new class of potent CCR2 antagonists.

We describe the synthesis and SAR of a new class of CCR2 antagonists based on 2-mercaptoimidazole scaffold. The initial lead 1a was optimized to the 3,4-disubstituted analogues 1p-(S) and 1q-(S), which have IC(50) values in the MCP-1 induced Ca-flux below 0.01 microM.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of imidazol-2-one and 2-cyanoiminoimidazole derivatives: novel series of PDE4 inhibitors.

This communication describes the synthesis and in vitro PDE4 inhibitory activity of a novel series of imidazol-2-one and 2-cyanoiminoimidazole derivatives. The compounds described were also tested in in vivo models to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity after topical administration as well as their gastro-intestinal side effects. Several compounds proved to be potent PDE4 inhibitors and some 2-cyanoiminoimidazoles showed less pronounced gastro-intestinal side effects than reference compounds but maintained anti-inflammatory activity after topical administration.