Synthesis and Preliminary Evaluation of an ASGPr-Targeted Polycationic ß-Cyclodextrin Carrier for Nucleosides and Nucleotides.

Most antiviral and anticancer nucleosides are prodrugs that require stepwise phosphorylation to their triphosphate nucleotide form for biological activity. Monophosphorylation may be rate-limiting, and the nucleotides may be unstable and poorly internalized by target cells. Effective targeting and delivery systems for nucleoside drugs, including oligonucleotides used in molecular therapeutics, could augment their efficacy. The development of a carrier designed to effect selective transmembrane internalization of nucleotides via the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPr) is now reported. In this work, the polycationic, polygalactosyl drug delivery carrier heptakis[6-amino-6-deoxy-2-O-(3-(1-thio-ß-D-galactopyranosyl)-propyl)]-ß-cyclodextrin hepta-acetate salt (GCyDAc), potentially a bifunctional carrier of (poly)nucleotides, was modeled by molecular docking in silico as an ASGPr-ligand, then synthesized for testing. The antivirals arabinosyl adenine (araA, vidarabine, an early generation antiviral nucleoside), arabinosyl adenine 5'-monophosphate (araAMP), and 12-mer-araAMP (p-araAMP) were selected for individual formulation with GCyDAc to develop this concept. Experimentally, beta cyclodextrin was decorated with seven protonated amino substituents on the primary face, and seven thiogalactose residues on its secondary face. AraA, araAMP, and p-araAMP were individually complexed with GCyDAc and complex formation for each drug was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Finally, the free drugs and their GCyDAc complexes were evaluated for antiviral activity using ASGPr-expressing HepAD38 cells in cell culture. In this model, araA, araAMP, and p-araAMP showed relative antiviral potencies of 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2, respectively. In comparison, GCyDAc-complexes of araA, araAMP, and p-araAMP were 2.5, 1.3, and 1.2 times more effective than non-complexed araA in suppressing viral DNA production. The antiviral potencies of these complexes were minimally supportive of the hypothesis that ASGPr-targeted, CyD-based charge-association complexation of nucleosides and nucleotides could effectively enhance antiviral efficacy. GCyDAc was non-toxic to mammalian cells in cell culture, as determined using the MTS proliferation assay.

Synthesis of [18F]F-γ-T-3, a Redox-Silent γ-Tocotrienol (γ-T-3) Vitamin E Analogue for Image-Based In Vivo Studies of Vitamin E Biodistribution and Dynamics.

Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, is of interest to scientists, health care pundits and faddists; its nutritional and biomedical attributes may be validated, anecdotal or fantasy. Vitamin E is a mixture of tocopherols (TPs) and tocotrienols (T-3s), each class having four substitutional isomers (α-, ß-, γ-, δ-). Vitamin E analogues attain only low concentrations in most tissues, necessitating exacting invasive techniques for analytical research. Quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) with an F-18-labeled molecular probe would expedite access to Vitamin E's biodistributions and pharmacokinetics via non-invasive temporal imaging. (R)-6-(3-[18F]Fluoropropoxy)-2,7,8-trimethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-3,7,11-trien-1-yl)-chromane ([18F]F-γ-T-3) was prepared for this purpose. [18F]F-γ-T-3 was synthesized from γ-T-3 in two steps: (i) 1,3-di-O-tosylpropane was introduced at C6-O to form TsO-γ-T-3, and (ii) reaction of this tosylate with [18F]fluoride in DMF/K222. Non-radioactive F-γ-T-3 was synthesized by reaction of γ-T-3 with 3-fluoropropyl methanesulfonate. [18F]F-γ-T-3 biodistribution in a murine tumor model was imaged using a small-animal PET scanner. F-γ-T-3 was prepared in 61% chemical yield. [18F]F-γ-T-3 was synthesized in acceptable radiochemical yield (RCY 12%) with high radiochemical purity (>99% RCP) in 45 min. Preliminary F-18 PET images in mice showed upper abdominal accumulation with evidence of renal clearance, only low concentrations in the thorax (lung/heart) and head, and rapid clearance from blood. [18F]F-γ-T-3 shows promise as an F-18 PET tracer for detailed in vivo studies of Vitamin E. The labeling procedure provides acceptable RCY, high RCP and pertinence to all eight Vitamin E analogues.

A Simple Computational Tool for Accurate, Quantitative Prediction of One-Electron Reduction Potentials of Hypoxia-Activated Tirapazamine Analogues.

The reduction potentials of bioreductively-activated drugs represent an important design parameter to be accommodated in the course of creating lead compounds and improving the efficacy of older generation drugs.  Reduction potentials are traditionally reported as single-electron reduction potentials, E(1), measured against reference electrodes under strictly defined experimental conditions.  More recently, computational chemists have described redox properties in terms of a molecule's highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), in electron volts (eV).  The relative accessibility of HOMO/LUMO data through calculation using today's computer infrastructure and simplified algorithms make the calculated value (LUMO) attractive in comparison to the accepted but rigorous experimental determination of E(1).  This paper describes the correlations of eV (LUMO) to E(1) for three series of bioreductively-activated benzotriazine di-N-oxides (BTDOs), ring-substituted BTDOs, ring-added BTDOs and a selection of aromatic nitro compounds. The current computational approach is a closed-shell calculation with a single optimization.  Gas phase geometry optimization was followed by a single-point DFT (Density Functional Theory) energy calculation in the gas phase or in the presence of polar solvent.  The resulting DFT-derived LUMO energies (eV) calculated for BTDO analogues in gas phase and in presence of polar solvent (water) exhibited very strong linear correlations with high computational efficiency (r2 = 0.9925) and a very high predictive ability (MAD = 7 mV and RMSD = 9 mV) when compared to reported experimentally determined single-electron reduction potentials.

Putative electron-affinic radiosensitizers and markers of hypoxic tissue: Synthesis and preliminary in vitro biological characterization of C3-amino-substituted benzotriazine dioxides (BTDOs).

INTRODUCTION: The redox characteristics of 1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxides (BTDOs) make them potential radiosensitizing agents for hypoxic cells in solid human cancers. Tirapazamine (TPZ) is the most clinically tested BTDO radiosensitizer, despite its toxicity at effective doses. To date, no BTDOs have been developed as diagnostic markers of tissue hypoxia. HYPOTHESIS: TPZ analogues with appropriate reporting groups can act as potential radiosensitizers and hypoxia selective diagnostics. EXPERIMENTAL AND RESULTS: 3-Chloro-1,2,4-benzotriazine 1-oxide was substituted at the C3 position to afford 3-(2-hydroxyethoxyethyl)-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1-oxide, which was oxidized to 3-(2-hydroxyethoxyethyl)-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxide (HO-EOE-TPZ) or converted to 3-(2-tosyloxyethoxyethyl)-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxide (Tos-EOE-TPZ). Tos-EOE-TPZ was intended for use as a synthon for preparing 3-(2-azidoethoxyethyl)-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxide (N3-EOE-TPZ) and 3-(2-iodoethoxyethyl)-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxide (I-EOE-TPZ). The logP values (-0.69 to 0.61) for these molecules bracketed that of TPZ (-0.34). Cell line dependent cytotoxicities (IC50) in air were in the 10-100 µM range, with Hypoxia Cytotoxicity Ratios (HCR; IC50-air/IC50-hypoxia) of 5-10. LUMO calculations indicated that these molecules are in the optimal redox range for radiosensitization, offering cell-line-specific Relative Radiosensitization Ratios (RRSR; SER/OER) of 0.58-0.88, compared to TPZ (0.67-0.76). CONCLUSION: The LUMO, IC50, HCR and RRSR values of 3-(2-substituted ethoxyethyl)-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxides are similar to the corresponding values for TPZ, supporting the conclusion that these TPZ analogues are potentially useful as hypoxia-activated radiosensitizers. Further studies into their biodistributions in animal models are being pursued to determine the in vivo potential in hypoxia management.

Development of [131I]I-EOE-TPZ and [131I]I-EOE-TPZMO: Novel Tirapazamine (TPZ)-Based Radioiodinated Pharmaceuticals for Application in Theranostic Management of Hypoxia.

Introduction: Benzotriazine-1,4-dioxides (BTDOs) such as tirapazamine (TPZ) and its derivatives act as radiosensitizers of hypoxic tissues. The benzotriazine-1-monoxide (BTMO) metabolite (SR 4317, TPZMO) of TPZ also has radiosensitizing properties, and via unknown mechanisms, is a potent enhancer of the radiosensitizing effects of TPZ. Unlike their 2-nitroimidazole radiosensitizer counterparts, radiolabeled benzotriazine oxides have not been used as radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging or molecular radiotherapy (MRT) of hypoxia. The radioiodination chemistry for preparing model radioiodinated BTDOs and BTMOs is now reported. Hypothesis: Radioiodinated 3-(2-iodoethoxyethyl)-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxide (I-EOE-TPZ), a novel bioisosteric analogue of TPZ, and 3-(2-iodoethoxyethyl)-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1-oxide (I-EOE-TPZMO), its monoxide analogue, are candidates for in vivo and in vitro investigations of biochemical mechanisms in pathologies that develop hypoxic microenvironments. In theory, both radiotracers can be prepared from the same precursors. Methods: Radioiodination procedures were based on classical nucleophilic [131I]iodide substitution on Tos-EOE-TPZ (P1) and by [131I]iodide exchange on I-EOE-TPZ (P2). Reaction parameters, including temperature, reaction time, solvent and the influence of pivalic acid on products' formation and the corresponding radiochemical yields (RCY) were investigated. Results: The [131I]iodide labeling reactions invariably led to the synthesis of both products, but with careful manipulation of conditions the preferred product could be recovered as the major product. Radioiodide exchange on P2 in ACN at 80 ± 5 °C for 30 min afforded the highest RCY, 89%, of [131I]I-EOE-TPZ, which upon solid phase purification on an alumina cartridge gave 60% yield of the product with over 97% of radiochemical purity. Similarly, radioiodide exchange on P2 in ACN at 50 ± 5 °C for 30 min with pivalic acid afforded the highest yield, 92%, of [131I]I-EOE-TPZMO exclusively with no trace of [131I]I-EOE-TPZ. In both cases, extended reaction times and/or elevated temperatures resulted in the formation of at least two additional radioactive reaction products. Conclusions: Radioiodination of P1 and P2 with [131I]iodide leads to the facile formation of [131I]I-EOE-TPZMO. At 80 °C and short reaction times, the facile reduction of the N-4-oxide moiety was minimized to afford acceptable radiochemical yields of [131I]I-EOE-TPZ from either precursor. Regeneration of [131I]I-EOE-TPZ from [131I]I-EOE-TPZMO is impractical after reaction work-up.

A Three Component Synthetic Vaccine Containing a ß-Mannan T-Cell Peptide Epitope and a ß-Glucan Dendritic Cell Ligand.

Glycoconjugates prepared from the capsular polysaccharide of several pathogenic bacteria and carrier proteins, such as CRM 197 or tetanus toxoid, have been one of the most successful public health measures to be implemented in the last quarter century. A crucial element in the success of conjugate vaccines has been the recruitment of T-cell help and systematic induction of a secondary immune response. The seminal discovery, that degraded polysaccharide fragments with attached peptide are presented to the T-cell receptor of carbohydrate specific T-cells by MHC-II molecules that bind to the peptide component of degraded vaccine, suggests potentially novel designs for conjugate vaccines. A fully synthetic conjugate vaccine was constructed from a 1,2-linked ß-mannose trisaccharide conjugated to a T-cell peptide, previously shown to afford protection against Candida albicans. This combined B- and T-cell epitope was synthesized with a C-terminal azidolysine residue for subsequent conjugation by click chemistry. Four copies of a ß-1,3 linked hexaglucan dendritic cell epitope were conjugated to an asymmetric dendrimer bearing an alkyne terminated tether. Click chemistry of these two components created a conjugate vaccine that induced antibodies to all three epitopes of the fully synthetic construct.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Iodoglucoazomycin (I-GAZ), an Azomycin-Glucose Adduct with Putative Applications in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy of Hypoxic Tumors.

Iodoglucoazomycin (I-GAZ; N-(2-iodo-3-(6-O-glucosyl)propyl)-2-nitroimidazole), a non-glycosidic nitroimidazole-6-O-glucose adduct, was synthesized, radioiodinated, and evaluated as a substrate of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) for radiotheranostic (therapy+diagnostic) management of hypoxic tumors. Nucleophilic iodination of the nosylate synthon of I-GAZ followed by deprotection afforded I-GAZ in 74 % overall yield. I-GAZ was radioiodinated via 'exchange' labeling using [(123/131) I]iodide (50-70 % RCY) and then purified by Sep-Pak™ (>96 % RCP). [(131) I]I-GAZ was stable in 2 % ethanolic solution in sterile water for 14 days when stored at 5 °C. In cell culture, I-GAZ was found to be nontoxic to EMT-6 cells at concentrations <0.5 mm, and weakly radiosensitizing (SER 1.1 at 10 % survival of EMT-6 cells; 1.2 at 0.1 % survival in MCF-7 cells). The hypoxic/normoxic uptake ratio of [(123) I]I-GAZ in EMT-6 cells was 1.46 at 2 h, and under normoxic conditions the uptake of [(123) I]I-GAZ by EMT-6 cells was unaltered in the presence of 5 mm glucose. The biodistribution of [(131) I]I-GAZ in EMT-6 tumor-bearing Balb/c mice demonstrated rapid clearance from blood and extensive renal and hepatic excretion. Tumor/blood and tumor/muscle ratios reached ∼3 and 8, respectively, at 4 h post-injection. Regression analysis of the first order polynomial plots of the blood and tumor radioactivity concentrations supported a perfusion-excretion model with low hypoxia-dependent binding. [(131) I]I-GAZ was found to be stable in vivo, and did not deiodinate.

Synthesis of a 1,3 ß-glucan hexasaccharide designed to target vaccines to the dendritic cell receptor, Dectin-1.

Transformation of 3-O-benzyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose into 2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl glucopyranosyl imidate proceeded efficiently via crystalline benzyl and per-benzoylated derivatives. This imidate glycosylated di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose in high yield and glycosylation of the disaccharide after removal of the 3'-O-benzyl ether afforded the ß1,3 linked trisaccharide in excellent yield. Di- and trisaccharides imidates were readily prepared from the furanose terminated glycosylation products but both were unreactive in glycosylation reaction with the debenzylated di- and trisaccharide alcohols. The 3'-O-benzyl perbenzoylated disaccharide pyranose derivative could be selectively debenzoylated and converted to the corresponding perbenzoylated 4,6:4',6'-di-O-benzylidene derivative. Lewis acid catalyzed glycosidation gave the selectively protected disaccharide ethylthioglycoside in good overall yield. Glycosidation of this thioglycoside donor with 5-methoxycarbonylpentanol gave the disaccharide tether glycoside and after catalytic removal of benzyl ether the resulting disaccharide alcohol was glycosylated by the thioglycoside in a 2+2 reaction to yield a tetrasaccharide. Repetition of selective deprotection of the terminal 3-O-benzyl ether followed by glycosylation by the disaccharide thioglycoside gave a protected hexasaccharide. Hydrogenolysis of this hexasaccharide followed by transesterification and second hydrogenolysis to remove a residual benzyl group gave the target hexasaccharide glycoside 1 as a Dectin-1 ligand functionalized to permit covalent attachment to glycoconjugate vaccines and thereby facilitate improved antigen processing by dendritic cells.

Effect of phenolic glycolipids from Mycobacterium kansasii on proinflammatory cytokine release. A structure-activity relationship study.

The cell wall of pathogenic mycobacteria is abundant with virulence factors, among which phenolic glycolipids (PGLs) are prominent examples. Mycobacterium kansasii, an important opportunistic pathogen, produces seven PGLs and their effect on the release of important proinflammatory cytokines that mediate disease progression has not been investigated. We previously showed that proinflammatory cytokines are modulated by PGLs from M. tuberculosis, M. leprae and M. bovis. In this paper we describe the synthesis of a series of 17 analogs of M. kansasii PGLs containing a truncated aglycone. Subsequently, the effect of these compounds on the release of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, MCP-1) and nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated. These compounds exerted an immunoinhibitory effect on the release of the tested cytokines. The concentration-dependent inhibitory profile of the tested molecules was also found to be dependent on the methylation pattern of the molecule and was mediated via toll-like receptor (TLR)-2. This study led to the discovery of a glycolipid (18) that shows promising potent anti-inflammatory properties making it a potential candidate for further optimization of its anti-inflammatory profile.

Inhibition of cytokine release by mycobacterium tuberculosis phenolic glycolipid analogues.

Infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis, a disease characterized by alteration of host innate and adaptive immunity. These processes are mediated by a series of bacterial biomolecules, among which phenolic glycolipids (PGLs) and the related p-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives have been suggested to play important roles. To probe the importance of structural features of these glycans on cytokine modulation, we synthesized three M. tuberculosis PGL analogues (1-3), which differ from the native glycoconjugates by possessing a simplified lipid algycone. The ability of 1-3 to modulate the release of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, MCP-1) and nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated. None of the compounds stimulated the secretion of these signalling molecules. However, all showed a Toll-like Receptor 2-mediated, concentration-dependent inhibition profile that was related to the methylation pattern on the glycan.

Mycobacterial phenolic glycolipids with a simplified lipid aglycone modulate cytokine levels through Toll-like receptor 2.

Phenolic glycolipids (PGLs) are virulence factors present in the cell walls of many pathogenic mycobacteria. PGLs have been implicated in various aspects of mycobacterial disease, but there are limited structure-activity data available for these molecules. We report here the preparation of seven synthetic PGL analogues, differing from the native compounds in the replacement of the complex phenolic lipid moiety with a p-methoxyphenyl group. The ability of these compounds to stimulate or inhibit the production of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, MCP-1) and nitric oxide (NO) was then evaluated by ELISA-based assays. None of the compounds stimulated the production of these biological signalling molecules. In contrast, they each displayed concentration-dependent inhibitory activity, related to the methylation pattern of the molecule and mediated by Toll-like receptor 2. Additional studies revealed that native PGL-I from Mycobacterium leprae and a synthetic PGL-I analogue containing a simplified lipid domain had enhanced inhibitory activities relative to the corresponding analogues containing the p-methoxyphenyl aglycone; however, the natural lipid phenolthiocerol was only weakly active. These studies reveal that synthetic molecules of this type can be used as probes for PGL function. Moreover, their ease of synthesis relative to the natural glycolipids, as well as their more favourable aqueous solubility, should allow for more thorough structure-activity relationship studies.