N-3 PUFAs induce inflammatory tolerance by formation of KEAP1-containing SQSTM1/p62-bodies and activation of NFE2L2.

Inflammation is crucial in the defense against infections but must be tightly controlled to limit detrimental hyperactivation. Our diet influences inflammatory processes and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have known anti-inflammatory effects. The balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory processes is coordinated by macrophages and macroautophagy/autophagy has recently emerged as a cellular process that dampens inflammation. Here we report that the n-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) transiently induces cytosolic speckles of the autophagic receptor SQSTM1/p62 (sequestosome 1) (described as SQSTM1/p62-bodies) in macrophages. We suggest that the formation of SQSTM1/p62-bodies represents a fast mechanism of NFE2L2/Nrf2 (nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2) activation by recruitment of KEAP1 (kelch like ECH associated protein 1). Further, the autophagy receptor TAX1BP1 (Tax1 binding protein 1) and ubiquitin-editing enzyme TNFAIP3/A20 (TNF α induced protein 3) could be identified in DHA-induced SQSTM1/p62-bodies. Simultaneously, DHA strongly dampened the induction of pro-inflammatory genes including CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10) and we suggest that formation of SQSTM1/p62-bodies and activation of NFE2L2 leads to tolerance towards selective inflammatory stimuli. Finally, reduced CXCL10 levels were related to the improved clinical outcome in n-3 PUFA-supplemented heart-transplant patients and we propose CXCL10 as a robust marker for the clinical benefits mobilized by n-3 PUFA supplementation.

Identification of new 4-N-substituted 6-aryl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4-amines as highly potent EGFR-TK inhibitors with Src-family activity.

The epidermal growth factor receptor is an important target in molecular cancer therapy. Herein, the enzymatic inhibition potential of a series of chiral and non chiral pyrrolopyrimidine based derivatives have been investigated and optimised. Overall, seven new compounds were identified having enzymatic IC50 values comparable to or better than the commercial drug Erlotinib. High activity was also confirmed towards the epidermal growth factor receptor L858R and L861Q mutants. Based on calculated druglike properties, eight compounds were further evaluated towards a panel of 52 other kinases revealing interesting Src-family kinase and colony stimulating factor 1 receptor kinase inhibitory activity. Cell proliferation studies with the cell lines A431, C-33A, AU-565, K-562 and genetically engineered Ba/F3-EGFR(L858R) cells also showed several molecules to be more active than Erlotinib, and thus confirming these pyrrolopyrimidines as attractive drug candidates or lead structures.

Synthesis and in vitro EGFR (ErbB1) tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity of 4-N-substituted 6-aryl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4-amines.

A series of 4-N-substituted 6-aryl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4-amines have been synthesised, characterised and tested for their in vitro EGFR (ErbB1) tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity. The compounds were prepared from ethyl cyanoacetate and α-bromoacetophenones via the 2-amino-3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-aryl-pyrroles and 4-chloro-6-arylpyrrolopyrimidines. Aromatic substitution with benzylic amines was performed by conventional thermal substitution, and palladium catalysed coupling. The two methods resulted in similar yields, but the palladium coupling had the benefit of lower chemical consumption and reduced reaction times. Eight of the new compounds had IC(50) values in the range of 2.8-9.0 nM. Four of these have a fluorine atom positioned at sites otherwise potentially susceptible to oxidative metabolism. Structural variation of the 6-aryl group indicated that the inhibitory action was only moderately sensitive to modifications in this fragment. However, the potency depended strongly on the structure of the aromatic part of the 4-amino group, and any aromatic substitution except fluorine reduced the in vitro activity. The cellular EGFR internalization response of selected compounds was evaluated using HeLa cells. Three fluorinated derivatives had a pronounced effect in inhibiting EGFR internalization.

Expression and regulation of resistin in osteoblasts and osteoclasts indicate a role in bone metabolism.

The adipose tissue is the site of expression and secretion of a range of biologically active proteins, called adipokines, for example, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin. Leptin has previously been shown to be expressed in osteoblasts and to promote bone mineralization, whereas adiponectin expression is enhanced during osteoblast differentiation. In the present study we explored the possible role of resistin in bone metabolism. We found that resistin is expressed in murine preosteoclasts and preosteoblasts (RAW 264.7, MC3T3-E1), in primary human bone marrow stem cells and in mature human osteoblasts. The expression of resistin mRNA in RAW 264.7 was increased during differentiation and seemed to be regulated through PKC- and PKA-dependent mechanisms. Recombinant resistin increased the number of differentiated osteoclasts and stimulated NFkappaB promoter activity, indicating a role in osteoclastogenesis. Resistin also enhanced the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells in a PKA and PKC-dependent manner, but only weakly interfered with genes known to be upregulated during differentiation of MC3T3-E1 into osteoblasts. All together, our results indicate that resistin may play a role in bone remodeling.