Chlorella sorokiniana-Induced Activation and Maturation of Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells through NF-κB and PI3K/MAPK Pathways.

Chlorella sorokiniana (CS) is a unicellular green alga. The extracts of Chlorella have been used as treatments for relieving hypertension and modulating immune response. The detailed mechanisms are not clear yet. In this study, we sought to study the molecular mechanisms for the polysaccharide fraction of CS-induced immune response. We pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) with CS and found that CS could maturate DCs. CS-maturated DC could activate naïve T cells and stimulate T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion. Furthermore, CS activated PI3K and MAPKs signaling pathways in DCs by interacting with TLR4 receptor. These CS-activated signaling pathways could further activate NF-κB and induce IL-12 production in DCs. This study provides molecular mechanisms for CS-induced DCs activation and immune response.

Novel azulene-based derivatives as potent multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

A series of azulene-based derivatives were synthesized as potent inhibitors for receptor tyrosine kinases such as FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT-3). Systematic side chain modification of prototype 1a was carried out through SAR studies. Analogue 22 was identified from this series and found to be one of the most potent FLT-3 inhibitors, with good pharmaceutical properties, superior efficacy, and tolerability in a tumor xenograft model.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 6-arylureido-3-pyrrol-2-ylmethylideneindolin-2-one derivatives as potent receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

A series of new ureidoindolin-2-one derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases. Investigation of structure-activity relationships at positions 5, 6, and 7 of the oxindole skeleton led to the identification of 6-ureido-substituted 3-pyrrolemethylidene-2-oxindole derivatives that potently inhibited both the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) families of receptor tyrosine kinases. Several derivatives showed potency against the PDGFR inhibiting both its enzymatic and cellular functions in the single-digit nanomolar range. Among them, compound 35 was a potent inhibitor against tyrosine kinases, including VEGFR and PDGFR families, as well as Aurora kinases. Inhibitor 36 (non-substituted on the pyrrole or phenyl ring) had a moderate pharmacokinetic profile and completely inhibited tumor growth initiated with the myeloid leukemia cell line, MV4-11, in a subcutaneous xenograft model in BALB/c nude mice.