A robust in vivo positive-readout system for monitoring siRNA delivery to xenograft tumors.

Delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA) to tumors is the major technical hurdle that prevents the advancement of siRNA-based cancer therapy. One of the difficulties associated with the development of clinically relevant delivery systems is the lack of reliable tools for monitoring siRNA delivery to tumors in vivo. We describe here a novel, positive-readout system where siRNA-mediated target knockdown elicits a rapid and robust increase of reporter activity. Using the positive-readout system, we created (1) ß-galactosidase-based tumor models that allow the detection of target knockdown in 1%-2% of tumor cells and can distinguish between tumor areas where effective target knockdown occurs versus tumor areas that are not accessible to delivery, and (2) luciferase-based tumor models that allow the quantitative assessment of a large number of delivery systems. Using these positive-readout models, we screened a number of literature-described siRNA delivery systems and identified lipid nanoparticles as a promising delivery platform for siRNA-based cancer therapy.

Non-peptide entry inhibitors of HIV-1 that target the gp41 coiled coil pocket.

The ectodomain of HIV-1 gp41 mediates the fusion of viral and host cellular membranes. The peptide-based drug Enfuvirtide(1) is precedent that antagonists of this fusion activity may act as anti HIV-agents. Here, NMR screening was used to discover non-peptide leads against this target and resulted in the discovery of a new benzamide 1 series. This series is non-peptide, low molecular weight, and analogs have activity in a cell fusion assay with EC50 values ranging 3-41microM. Structural work on the gp41/benzamide 1 complex was determined by NMR spectroscopy using a designed model peptide system that mimics an open pocket of the fusogenic form of the protein.

Synthesis of potent pyrrolidine influenza neuraminidase inhibitors.

The synthesis of several pyrrolidine inhibitor analogs is described that possess nanomolar in vitro potencies against the neuraminidase enzymes expressed by the B/Memphis/3/89 and A/N1/PR/8/34 influenza strains.

Hepatitis C NS5B polymerase inhibitors: 4,4-Dialkyl-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-3-yl benzothiadiazine derivatives.

4,4-Dialkyl-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-3.4-dihydronaphthalene-3-yl benzothiadiazine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of genotypes 1a and 1b HCV NS5B polymerase. A number of these compounds exhibited potent activity against genotypes 1a and 1b HCV polymerase in both enzymatic and cell culture activities. A representative compound also showed favorable pharmacokinetics in the rat.

Structure-based characterization and optimization of novel hydrophobic binding interactions in a series of pyrrolidine influenza neuraminidase inhibitors.

The structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a novel hydrophobic binding interaction within a subsite of the influenza neuraminidase (NA) active site was characterized and optimized for a series of trisubstituted pyrrolidine inhibitors modified at the 4-position. Previously, potent inhibitors have targeted this subsite with hydrophilic substituents such as amines and guanidines. Inhibitor-bound crystal structures revealed that hydrophobic substituents with sp(2) hybridization could achieve optimal interactions by virtue of a low-energy binding conformation and favorable pi-stacking interactions with the residue Glu119. From a lead methyl ester, investigation of five-membered heteroaromatic substituents at C-4 produced a 3-pyrazolyl analogue that improved activity by making a targeted hydrogen bond with Trp178. The SAR of substituted vinyl substituents at C-4 produced a Z-propenyl analogue with improved activity over the lead methyl ester. The C-1 ethyl ester prodrugs of the substituted C-4 vinyl analogues gave compounds with excellent oral bioavailability (F > 60%) when dosed in rat.

Evolving therapeutic paradigms for HIV and HCV.

The continued development of enabling molecular technologies that can be employed to better understand viral replication and the action of currently available therapeutic agents promises to lead to the development of the next generation of drugs with improved therapeutic utility against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). New therapeutic approaches have been developed for treating HIV and HCV infections, but key technical and therapeutic challenges must be addressed to further advance treatment options in each of these areas.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type I integrase by naphthamidines and 2-aminobenzimidazoles.

Retroviral integrases catalyze two of the steps of insertion of proviral DNA into the host genomic DNA. Inhibitors that target the second step, strand transfer into the host DNA, have been demonstrated to have antiviral activity in cell culture. We describe two classes of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors that block strand transfer, one based on a naphthamidine core and one on a benzimidazole core. While the naphthamidine compounds showed some propensity to interact with the DNA substrate, both classes were shown to bind directly to integrase. The naphthamidine compounds showed activity in cell culture, and a direct effect on integrase was indicated by an increase in 2-LTR products in the presence of a naphthamidine compound. These two classes of compounds represent potential starting points for the development of new classes of integrase inhibitors.

Developing lipid nanoparticle-based siRNA therapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma using an integrated approach.

Successful siRNA therapeutics requires the optimal integration of multiple components, including an efficient delivery system, a disease indication that is appropriate for siRNA-based therapy, and a potent and nontoxic siRNA against a robust therapeutic target. Although all currently available delivery systems have limitations, it is important to recognize that a careful selection of the disease indication, therapeutic target, and siRNA molecule could partially compensate for deficiencies associated with the delivery system and makes it possible to advance a therapeutic siRNA regimen. In this study, we present the development of siRNA therapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma using an integrated approach, including the development of an efficient lipid nanoparticle delivery system, the identification of a robust therapeutic target that does not trigger liver toxicity upon target knockdown, and the selection of potent and nonimmunogenic siRNA molecules against the target. The resulting siRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles produced significant antitumor efficacy in orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma models, and, thus, represent a promising starting point for the development of siRNA therapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cationic lipids percentage and processing temperature are critical in designing siRNA lipid nanoparticles.

To design a clinically viable small interfering RNA (siRNA) formulation, it is essential to understand the in vivo siRNA delivery mechanism during the product development. However, majority of reported siRNA delivery studies are based on testing only isolated factors, with ambiguous interpretation of often in vitro transfection results. Correlating physicochemical properties with in vivo transfection efficiency thus represents an important step towards rational design of siRNA delivery systems. In this study, design of experiments studies were applied to probe formulation attributes and process parameters, with in vivo activities evaluated as a primary response along with physicochemical properties. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the significance of each input factor towards the in vivo transfection efficiency using a Positive Readout System. The interactions between these factors were also analyzed. Our results indicated that among the formulation factors evaluated, the percentage of cationic lipid is of most significant effect. During the process, temperature stands out as the most significant factor impacting the in vivo activities. These results shed light on our design of siRNA lipid nanoparticle formulations in the early development stage.

Small-sized human immunodeficiency virus type-1 protease inhibitors containing allophenylnorstatine to explore the S2' pocket.

A series of HIV protease inhibitor based on the allophenylnorstatine structure with various P(2)' moieties were synthesized. Among these analogues, we discovered that a small allyl group would maintain potent enzyme inhibitory activity compared to the o-methylbenzyl moiety in clinical candidate 1 (KNI-764, also known as JE-2147, AG-1776, or SM-319777). Introduction of an anilinic amino group to 2 (KNI-727) improved water-solubility and anti-HIV-1 activity. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 13k (KNI-1689) with a beta-methallyl group at P(2)' position revealed hydrophobic interactions with Ala28, Ile84, and Ile50' similar to that of 1. The presence of an additional methyl group on the allyl group in compound 13k significantly increased anti-HIV activity over 1 while providing a rational drug design for structural minimization and improving membrane permeability.

Inhibitors of hepatitis C virus polymerase: synthesis and biological characterization of unsymmetrical dialkyl-hydroxynaphthalenoyl-benzothiadiazines.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase is essential for viral replication and has been a prime target for drug discovery research. Our efforts directed toward the discovery of HCV polymerase inhibitors resulted in the identification of unsymmetrical dialkyl-hydroxynaphthalenoyl-benzothiadiazines 2 and 3. The most active compound displayed activity in genotypes 1a and 1b polymerase and replicon cell culture inhibition assays at subnanomolar and low nanomolar concentrations, respectively. It also displayed an excellent pharmacokinetic profile in rats, with a plasma elimination half-life after intravenous dosing of 4.5 h, oral bioavailability of 77%, and a peak liver concentration of 21.8 microg/mL.

Activity of a potent hepatitis C virus polymerase inhibitor in the chimpanzee model.

A-837093 is a potent and specific nonnucleoside inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. It possesses nanomolar potencies in both enzymatic and replicon-based cell culture assays. In rats and dogs this compound demonstrated an oral plasma half-life of greater than 7 h, and its bioavailability was >60%. In monkeys it had a half-life of 1.9 h and 15% bioavailability. Its antiviral efficacy was evaluated in two chimpanzees infected with HCV in a proof-of-concept study. The design included oral dosing of 30 mg per kg of body weight twice a day for 14 days, followed by a 14-day posttreatment observation. Maximum viral load reductions of 1.4 and 2.5 log(10) copies RNA/ml for genotype 1a- and 1b-infected chimpanzees, respectively, were observed within 2 days after the initiation of treatment. After this initial drop in the viral load, a rebound of plasma HCV RNA was observed in the genotype 1b-infected chimpanzee, while the genotype 1a-infected chimpanzee experienced a partial rebound that lasted throughout the treatment period. Clonal analysis of NS5B gene sequences derived from the plasma of A-837093-treated chimpanzees revealed the presence of several mutations associated with resistance to A-837093, including Y448H, G554D, and D559G in the genotype 1a-infected chimpanzee and C316Y and G554D in the genotype 1b-infected chimpanzee. The identification of resistance-associated mutations in both chimpanzees is consistent with the findings of in vitro selection studies, in which many of the same mutations were selected. These findings validate the antiviral efficacy and resistance development of benzothiadiazine HCV polymerase inhibitors in vivo.

Inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase: synthesis and structure-activity relationships of N-1-heteroalkyl-4-hydroxyquinolon-3-yl-benzothiadiazines.

N-1-Alkylamino and N-1-alkyloxy-4-hydroxyquinolon-3-yl benzothiadiazines were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of genotype 1 HCV polymerase. The N-1-alkyloxy derivatives were not potent inhibitors, however N-1-alkylamino derivatives displayed comparable potency to carbon analogs. Analogs with aliphatic substituents were significantly more potent than those with benzylic substituents against genotype 1a polymerase. The most potent inhibitors contained small alkyl or carbocyclic substituents and exhibited IC50's of 50-100 and 200-400 nM against genotype 1b and 1a HCV polymerase, respectively.

Conserved residues in the coiled-coil pocket of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41 are essential for viral replication and interhelical interaction.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp41 plays an important role in mediating the fusion of HIV with host cells. During the fusion process, three N-terminal helices and three C-terminal helices pack in an anti-parallel direction to form a six-helix bundle. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the gp41 core demonstrated that within each coiled-coil interface, there is a deep and large pocket, formed by a cluster of residues in the N-helix coiled-coil. In this report, we systematically analyzed the role of seven conserved residues that are either lining or packing this pocket on the infectivity and interhelical interaction using novel approaches. Our results show that residues L568, V570, W571, and K574 of the N-helix that are lining the side chain and right wall of the pocket are important for establishing a productive infection. Mutations V570A and W571A completely abolished replication, while replication of the L568A and K574A mutants was significantly attenuated relative to wild type. Similarly, residues W628, W631, and I635 of the C-helix that insert into the pocket are essential for infectivity. The impaired infectivity of these seven mutants is in part attributed to the loss in binding affinity of the interhelical interaction. Molecular modeling of the crystal structure of the coiled-coil further shows that alanine substitution of those residues disrupts the hydrophobic interaction between the N- and C-helix. These results suggest that the conserved residues in the coiled-coil domain play a key role in HIV infection and this coiled-coil pocket is a good target for development of inhibitors against HIV. In addition, our data indicate that the novel fluorescence polarization assay described in this study could be valuable in screening for inhibitors that block the interhelical interaction and HIV entry.

Investigating the origin of the slow-binding inhibition of HCV NS3 serine protease by a novel substrate based inhibitor.

Indandiones were identified as a novel class of small molecule inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS3 serine protease from high throughput screening. We further studied the structure activity relationships and the mechanisms of inhibition for this class of compounds. Our studies revealed two similar, yet different, mechanisms accounting for the apparent indandione inhibition of HCV NS3 protease. In one case, the apparent inhibition results from the chemical breakdown of the parent compound and the subsequent redox chemistry of the compound. Oxidation of the cysteine containing substrate A to a disulfide-linked dimer converts this substrate to a potent, slow-binding inhibitor with a K(i) value of 170 nM. The second class of indandiones appears to react directly with the substrate to form an S-phenyl disulfide adduct with the P1 cysteine. This modification converts the substrate to a slow-binding inhibitor with a K(i) value of 110 nM, a k(on) = 2370 M(-1) s(-1), and k(off) = 2.5 x 10(-4) s(-1). A stable analogue of this latter compound was synthesized that contained a CH(2)-S linkage instead of the S-S linkage. The CH(2)-S compound showed no inhibition at concentrations as high as 40 microM, which suggests an important role for the S-S linkage in the inhibitory mechanism. Cysteine 159, which lies near the active site of the HCV protease, was mutated to serine. The C159S mutant displayed wild-type catalytic activity and susceptibility to inhibition by the S-S linked inhibitor. This result argues against a mechanism involving disulfide exchange between the inhibitor and the sulfhydryl group of C159. The mechanism of inhibition for this S-S linked substrate based inhibitor is likely due to oxidation of cysteines involved in chelation of the structural zinc atom.

Hepatitis C NS3 protease inhibition by peptidyl-alpha-ketoamide inhibitors: kinetic mechanism and structure.

A series of novel peptidyl-alpha-ketoamide compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of the deltaNS3-NS4A serine protease from the hepatitis C virus. These peptidyl-alpha-ketoamide inhibitors with Ki values ranging from 0.17 nM to 5.6 microM exhibited slow-binding inhibition. Kinetic studies established one-step kinetic mechanisms and dissociation rate constants in the 3-7 x 10(-5) s(-1) range for these compounds. The association rate constants, which ranged from 10 to 263,000 M(-1) s(-1), were responsible for the greater than four order of magnitude overall binding affinity range exhibited by this series. An X-ray crystal structure of a protease-inhibitor complex revealed an unusual interaction between the oxyanion of the adduct and the protein as well as a significant movement in the S1' region of the protein loop comprising residues 35-42. These results are quite different from peptidyl-alpha-ketoacid inhibition of HCV protease, which reportedly undergoes no notable conformational changes and proceeds with a two-step slow-binding kinetic mechanism.

In vitro characterization of A-315675, a highly potent inhibitor of A and B strain influenza virus neuraminidases and influenza virus replication.

A-315675 is a novel, pyrrolidine-based compound that was evaluated in this study for its ability to inhibit A and B strain influenza virus neuraminidases in enzyme assays and influenza virus replication in cell culture. A-315675 effectively inhibited influenza A N1, N2, and N9 and B strain neuraminidases with inhibitor constant (K(i)) values between 0.024 and 0.31 nM. These values were comparable to or lower than the K(i) values measured for oseltamivir carboxylate (GS4071), zanamivir, and BCX-1812, except for the N1 enzymes that were found to be the most sensitive to BCX-1812. The time-dependent inhibition of neuraminidase catalytic activity observed with A-315675 is likely due to its very low rate of dissociation from the active site of neuraminidase. The half times for dissociation of A-315675 from B/Memphis/3/89 and A/Tokyo/3/67 (H3N2) influenza virus neuraminidases of 10 to 12 h are significantly slower than the half times measured for oseltamivir carboxylate (33 to 60 min). A-315675 inhibited the replication of several laboratory strains of influenza virus in cell culture with potencies that were comparable or superior to those for oseltamivir carboxylate and BCX-1812, except for the A/H1N1 viruses that were found to be two- to fourfold more susceptible to BCX-1812. A-315675 and oseltamivir carboxylate exhibited comparable potencies against a panel of A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 influenza virus clinical isolates, but A-315675 was found to be significantly more potent than oseltamivir carboxylate against the B strain isolates. The favorable in vitro results relative to other clinically effective agents provide strong support for the further investigation of A-315675 as a potential therapy for influenza virus infections.

In vitro selection and characterization of influenza A (A/N9) virus variants resistant to a novel neuraminidase inhibitor, A-315675.

With the recent introduction of neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors into clinical practice for the treatment of influenza virus infections, considerable attention has been focused on the potential for resistance development and cross-resistance between different agents from this class. A-315675 is a novel influenza virus NA inhibitor that has potent enzyme activity and is highly active in cell culture against a variety of strains of influenza A and B viruses. To further assess the therapeutic potential of this compound, in vitro resistance studies have been conducted and a comparative assessment has been made relative to oseltamivir carboxylate. The development of viral resistance to A-315675 was studied by in vitro serial passage of influenza A/N9 virus strains grown in MDCK cells in the presence of increasing concentrations of A-315675. Parallel passaging experiments were conducted with oseltamivir carboxylate, the active form of a currently marketed oral agent for the treatment of influenza virus infections. Passage experiments with A-315675 identified a variant at passage 8 that was 60-fold less susceptible to the compound. Sequencing of the viral population identified an E119D mutation in the NA gene, but no mutations were observed in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene. However, by passage 10 (2.56 microM A-315675), two mutations (R233K, S339P) in the HA gene appeared in addition to the E119D mutation in the NA gene, resulting in a 310-fold-lower susceptibility to A-315675. Further passaging at higher drug concentrations had no effect on the generation of further NA or HA mutations (20.5 microM A-315675). This P15 virus displayed 355-fold-lower susceptibility to A-315675 and >175-fold-lower susceptibility to zanamivir than did wild-type virus, but it retained a high degree of susceptibility to oseltamivir carboxylate. By comparison, virus variants recovered from passaging against oseltamivir carboxylate (passage 14) harbored an E119V mutation and displayed a 6,000-fold-lower susceptibility to oseltamivir carboxylate and a 175-fold-lower susceptibility to zanamivir than did wild-type virus. Interestingly, this mutant still retained susceptibility to A-315675 (42-fold loss). This suggests that cross-resistance between A-315675- and oseltamivir carboxylate-selected variants in vitro is minimal.