VCAM-1 and VAP-1 recruit myeloid cells that promote pulmonary metastasis in mice.

Pulmonary metastasis is a frequent cause of poor outcome in cancer patients. The formation of pulmonary metastasis is greatly facilitated by recruitment of myeloid cells, which are crucial for tumor cell survival and extravasation. During inflammation, homing of myeloid cells is mediated by endothelial activation, raising the question of a potential role for endothelial activation in myeloid cell recruitment during pulmonary metastasis. Here, we show that metastatic tumor cell attachment causes the induction of the endothelial activation markers vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1). Induction of VCAM-1 is dependent on tumor cell-clot formation, decreasing upon induction of tissue factor pathway inhibitor or treatment with hirudin. Furthermore, inhibition of endothelial activation with a VCAM-1 blocking antibody or a VAP-1 small molecule inhibitor leads to reduced myeloid cell recruitment and diminished tumor cell survival and metastasis without affecting tumor cell adhesion. Simultaneous inhibition of VCAM-1 and VAP-1 does not result in further reduction in myeloid cell recruitment and tumor cell survival, suggesting that both act through closely related mechanisms. These results establish VCAM-1 and VAP-1 as mediators of myeloid cell recruitment in metastasis and identify VAP-1 as a potential target for therapeutic intervention to combat early metastasis.

Impact of Mitochondrial Targeting Antibiotics on Mitochondrial Function and Proliferation of Cancer Cells.

Some marketed antibiotics can cause mitochondria dysfunction via inhibition of the mitochondrial translation process. There is great interest in exploiting such effects within a cancer setting. To enhance accumulation of antibiotics within the mitochondria of cancer cells, and therefore delivery of a greater potency payload, a mitochondrial targeting group in the form of a triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation was appended via an alkyl chain length consisting of 7 to 11 carbons to the ribosomal antibiotics azithromycin and doxycycline. Using MDA-MB-231 cells, the effects of each subseries on mitochondrial translation, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and cell viability are described.

Roles of cell fusion, hybridization and polyploid cell formation in cancer metastasis.

Cell-cell fusion is a normal biological process playing essential roles in organ formation and tissue differentiation, repair and regeneration. Through cell fusion somatic cells undergo rapid nuclear reprogramming and epigenetic modifications to form hybrid cells with new genetic and phenotypic properties at a rate exceeding that achievable by random mutations. Factors that stimulate cell fusion are inflammation and hypoxia. Fusion of cancer cells with non-neoplastic cells facilitates several malignancy-related cell phenotypes, e.g., reprogramming of somatic cell into induced pluripotent stem cells and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. There is now considerable in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence that fusion of cancer cells with motile leucocytes such as macrophages plays a major role in cancer metastasis. Of the many changes in cancer cells after hybridizing with leucocytes, it is notable that hybrids acquire resistance to chemo- and radiation therapy. One phenomenon that has been largely overlooked yet plays a role in these processes is polyploidization. Regardless of the mechanism of polyploid cell formation, it happens in response to genotoxic stresses and enhances a cancer cell's ability to survive. Here we summarize the recent progress in research of cell fusion and with a focus on an important role for polyploid cells in cancer metastasis. In addition, we discuss the clinical evidence and the importance of cell fusion and polyploidization in solid tumors.

The behavioral and neurochemical effects of a novel D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor compound 8 [4H-thieno [3,2-b]pyrrole-5-carboxylic acid] and D-serine.

Multiple studies indicate that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypofunction underlies some of the deficits associated with schizophrenia. One approach for improving NMDA receptor function is to enhance occupancy of the glycine modulatory site on the NMDA receptor by increasing the availability of the endogenous coagonists D-serine. Here, we characterized a novel D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) inhibitor, compound 8 [4H-thieno [3,2-b]pyrrole-5-carboxylic acid] and compared it with D-serine. Compound 8 is a moderately potent inhibitor of human (IC(50), 145 nM) and rat (IC(50), 114 nM) DAAO in vitro. In rats, compound 8 (200 mg/kg) decreased kidney DAAO activity by approximately 96% and brain DAAO activity by approximately 80%. This marked decrease in DAAO activity resulted in a significant (p < 0.001) elevation in both plasma (220% of control) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; 175% of control) D-serine concentration. However, compound 8 failed to significantly influence amphetamine-induced psychomotor activity, nucleus accumbens dopamine release, or an MK-801 (dizocilpine maleate)-induced deficit in novel object recognition in rats. In contrast, high doses of D-serine attenuated both amphetamine-induced psychomotor activity and dopamine release and also improved performance in novel object recognition. Behaviorally efficacious doses of D-serine (1280 mg/kg) increased CSF levels of D-serine 40-fold above that achieved by the maximal dose of compound 8. These findings demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of DAAO significantly increases D-serine concentration in the periphery and central nervous system. However, acute inhibition of DAAO appears not to be sufficient to increase D-serine to concentrations required to produce antipsychotic and cognitive enhancing effects similar to those observed after administration of high doses of exogenous D-serine.

Sulfonamide derivatives of bridgehead substituted bicyclo[4.2.1]nonanes as gamma-secretase inhibitors.

Bridgehead substituted derivatives of bicyclo[4.2.1]nonanes were synthesized and shown to be potent inhibitors of gamma-secretase. Two related series were synthesized to explore the SARs. More potent compounds were found in the non-benzofused series compared with the benzofused series. One compound from each series showed good exposure in the hepatic portal vein (HPV) following oral dosing to rats.

The discovery of fused pyrrole carboxylic acids as novel, potent D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) inhibitors.

The 'NMDA hypofunction hypothesis of schizophrenia' can be tested in a number of ways. DAO is the enzyme primarily responsible for the metabolism of d-serine, a co-agonist for the NMDA receptor. We identified novel DAO inhibitors, in particular, acid 1, which demonstrated moderate potency for DAO in vitro and ex vivo, and raised plasma d-serine levels after dosing ip to rats. In parallel, analogues were prepared to survey the SARs of 1.

Cyclic sulfamide gamma-secretase inhibitors.

A novel series of N-alkyl-substituted cyclic sulfamides were developed from a screening hit. Chemistries were developed which allowed surveys of N-alkyl groups and amines resulting in the identification of N-trifluoroethyl-substituted cyclic sulfamides with good in vitro and in vivo gamma-secretase activity. One compound with subnanomolar activity elicited a reduction in brain Abeta40 after oral dosing in APP-YAC mice.