Design and synthesis of tetrahydropyridopyrimidine based Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 7/8 dual agonists.

In a continuing effort to discover novel TLR agonists, herein we report on the discovery and structure-activity relationship of novel tetrahydropyridopyrimidine TLR 7/8 agonists. Optimization of this series towards dual agonist activity and a high clearance profile resulted in the identification of compound 52a1. Evaluation in vivo revealed an interferon stimulated response (ISG) in mice with limited systemic exposure and demonstrated the potential in antiviral treatment or as a vaccine adjuvant.

Discovery of selective 2,4-diaminoquinazoline toll-like receptor 7 (TLR 7) agonists.

The discovery of a novel series of highly potent quinazoline TLR 7/8 agonists is described. The synthesis and structure-activity relationship is presented. Structural requirements and optimization of this series toward TLR 7 selectivity afforded the potent agonist 48. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies highlighted 48 as an orally available endogenous interferon (IFN-α) inducer in mice.

2,4-Diaminoquinazolines as Dual Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 7/8 Modulators for the Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus.

A novel series of 2,4-diaminoquinazolines was identified as potent dual Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and 8 agonists with reduced off-target activity. The stereochemistry of the amino alcohol was found to influence the TLR7/8 selectivity with the ( R) isomer resulting in selective TLR8 agonism. Lead optimization toward a dual agonist afforded ( S)-3-((2-amino-8-fluoroquinazolin-4-yl)amino)hexanol 31 as a potent analog, being structurally different from previously described dual agonists ( McGowan J. Med. Chem. 2016 , 59 , 7936 ). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies revealed the desired high first pass profile aimed at limiting systemic cytokine activation. In vivo pharmacodynamic studies with lead compound 31 demonstrated production of cytokines consistent with TLR7/8 activation in mice and cynomolgus monkeys and ex vivo inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Flow cytometric 96-well microplate-based in vitro micronucleus assay with human TK6 cells: protocol optimization and transferability assessment.

An automated approach for scoring in vitro micronuclei (MN) has been described in which flow cytometric analysis is combined with compound exposure, processing, and sampling in a single 96-well plate (Bryce SM et al. [2010]: Mutat Res 703:191-199). The current report describes protocol optimization and an interlaboratory assessment of the assay's transferability and reproducibility. In a training phase, the methodology was refined and collaborating laboratories were qualified by repeatedly testing three compounds. Second, a set of 32 chemicals comprised of reference genotoxicants and presumed non-genotoxicants was tested at each of four sites. TK6 cells were exposed to 10 closely spaced compound concentrations for 1.5- to 2-cell population doublings, and were then stained and lysed for flow cytometric analysis. MN frequencies were determined by evaluating ≥ 5,000 cells per replicate well, and several indices of cytotoxicity were acquired. The prevalence of positive results varied according to the MN-fold increase used to signify a genotoxic result, as well as the endpoint used to define a cytotoxicity limit. By varying these parameters, assay sensitivity and specificity values ranged from 82 to 98%, and 86 to 97%, respectively. In a third phase, one laboratory tested a further six genotoxicants and five non-genotoxic apoptosis inducers. In these experiments assay specificity was markedly improved when top concentration selection was based on two cytotoxicity endpoints-relative survival and quantification of ethidium monoazide-positive events. Collectively, the results indicate that the miniaturized assay is transferable across laboratories. The 96-well format consumes considerably less compound than conventional in vitro MN test methods, and the high information content provided by flow cytometry helps guard against irrelevant positive results arising from overt toxicity.