Evidence for cyclic diguanylate as a vaccine adjuvant with novel immunostimulatory activities.

Cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP), a bacterial signaling molecule, possesses protective immunostimulatory activity in bacterial challenge models. This study explored the potential of c-di-GMP as a vaccine adjuvant comparing it with LPS, CpG oligonucleotides, and a conventional aluminum salt based adjuvant. In this evaluation, c-di-GMP was a more potent activator of both humoral and Th1-like immune responses as evidenced by the robust IgG2a antibody response it induced in mice and the strong IFN-γ, TNF-α and IP-10 responses, it elicited in mice and in vitro in non-human primate peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Further, compared to LPS or CpG, c-di-GMP demonstrated a more pronounced ability to induce germinal center formation, a hallmark of long-term memory, in immunized mice. Together, these data add to the growing body of evidence supporting the utility of c-di-GMP as an adjuvant in vaccination for sustained and robust immune responses and provide a rationale for further evaluation in appropriate models of immunization.

Biochemical characterization of cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) has been identified as a novel target for increasing HDL cholesterol levels. In this report, we describe the biochemical characterization of anacetrapib, a potent inhibitor of CETP. To better understand the mechanism by which anacetrapib inhibits CETP activity, its biochemical properties were compared with CETP inhibitors from distinct structural classes, including torcetrapib and dalcetrapib. Anacetrapib and torcetrapib inhibited CETP-mediated cholesteryl ester and triglyceride transfer with similar potencies, whereas dalcetrapib was a significantly less potent inhibitor. Inhibition of CETP by both anacetrapib and torcetrapib was not time dependent, whereas the potency of dalcetrapib significantly increased with extended preincubation. Anacetrapib, torcetrapib, and dalcetrapib compete with one another for binding CETP; however anacetrapib binds reversibly and dalcetrapib covalently to CETP. In addition, dalcetrapib was found to covalently label both human and mouse plasma proteins. Each CETP inhibitor induced tight binding of CETP to HDL, indicating that these inhibitors promote the formation of a complex between CETP and HDL, resulting in inhibition of CETP activity.

Genetic ablation or pharmacological blockade of dipeptidyl peptidase IV does not impact T cell-dependent immune responses.

BACKGROUND: Current literature suggests that dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV; CD26) plays an essential role in T-dependent immune responses, a role that could have important clinical consequences. To rigorously define the role of DPP-IV in the immune system, we evaluated genetic and pharmacological inhibition of the enzyme on T-dependent immune responses in vivo. RESULTS: The DPP-IV null animals mounted robust primary and secondary antibody responses to the T dependent antigens, 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl-ovalbumin (NP-Ova) and 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl-chicken gamma globulin (NP-CGG), which were comparable to wild type mice. Serum levels of antigen specific IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 were similar between the two groups of animals. DPP-IV null animals mounted an efficient germinal center reaction by day 10 after antigen stimulation that was comparable to wild type mice. Moreover, the antibodies produced by DPP-IV null animals after repeated antigenic challenge were affinity matured. Similar observations were made using wild type animals treated with a highly selective DPP-IV inhibitor during the entire course of the experiments. T cell recall responses to ovalbumin and MOG peptide, evaluated by measuring proliferation and IL-2 release from cells isolated from draining lymph nodes, were equivalent in DPP-IV null and wild type animals. Furthermore, mice treated with DPP-IV inhibitor had intact T-cell recall responses to MOG peptide. In addition, female DPP-IV null and wild type mice treated with DPP-IV inhibitor exhibited normal and robust in vivo cytotoxic T cell responses after challenge with cells expressing the male H-Y minor histocompatibility antigen. CONCLUSION: These data indicate Selective inhibition of DPP-IV does not impair T dependent immune responses to antigenic challenge.

Synergistic Lethality of a Binary Inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis KasA.

We report GSK3011724A (DG167) as a binary inhibitor of ß-ketoacyl-ACP synthase (KasA) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Genetic and biochemical studies established KasA as the primary target. The X-ray crystal structure of the KasA-DG167 complex refined to 2.0-Å resolution revealed two interacting DG167 molecules occupying nonidentical sites in the substrate-binding channel of KasA. The binding affinities of KasA to DG167 and its analog, 5g, which binds only once in the substrate-binding channel, were determined, along with the KasA-5g X-ray crystal structure. DG167 strongly augmented the in vitro activity of isoniazid (INH), leading to synergistic lethality, and also synergized in an acute mouse model of M. tuberculosis infection. Synergistic lethality correlated with a unique transcriptional signature, including upregulation of oxidoreductases and downregulation of molecular chaperones. The lead structure-activity relationships (SAR), pharmacokinetic profile, and detailed interactions with the KasA protein that we describe may be applied to evolve a next-generation therapeutic strategy for tuberculosis (TB).IMPORTANCE Cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors have proven highly effective for treating tuberculosis (TB). We discovered and validated members of the indazole sulfonamide class of small molecules as inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis KasA-a key component for biosynthesis of the mycolic acid layer of the bacterium's cell wall and the same pathway as that inhibited by the first-line antitubercular drug isoniazid (INH). One lead compound, DG167, demonstrated synergistic lethality in combination with INH and a transcriptional pattern consistent with bactericidality and loss of persisters. Our results also detail a novel dual-binding mechanism for this compound as well as substantial structure-activity relationships (SAR) that may help in lead optimization activities. Together, these results suggest that KasA inhibition, specifically, that shown by the DG167 series, may be developed into a potent therapy that can synergize with existing antituberculars.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor agonist FTY720-phosphate causes marginal zone B cell displacement.

FTY720 is an immunosuppressive agent that modulates lymphocyte trafficking. It is phosphorylated in vivo to FTY720-phosphate (FTY-P) and binds to a family of G protein-coupled receptors recognizing sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) as the natural ligand. It has previously been reported that FTY-P blocks egress of lymphocytes from the thymus and lymph nodes, resulting in peripheral blood lymphopenia. We now report that FTY-P also causes displacement of marginal zone (MZ) B cells to the splenic follicles, an effect that is similar to that observed after in vivo administration of lipopolysaccharide. This effect is specific to B cells in the MZ, as treatment with FTY-P does not cause redistribution of the resident macrophage population. A small but statistically significant decrease in the expression of beta1 integrin on MZ B cells was observed with FTY-P treatment. The redistribution of MZ B cells from the MZ sinuses does not abolish the ability of these cells to respond to the T-independent antigen, trinitrophenol-Ficoll. It has been proposed that the displacement of MZ B cells to the follicles is an indication of cell activation. Consistent with this, FTY-P caused an increase in percentage of MZ B cells expressing activation markers CD9, CD1d, and CD24. These results suggest that S1P receptors on MZ B cells are responsible for their mobilization to follicles.

Discovery of Potent and Selective Leads against Toxoplasma gondii Dihydrofolate Reductase via Structure-Based Design.

Current treatment of toxoplasmosis targets the parasite's folate metabolism through inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). The most widely used DHFR antagonist, pyrimethamine, was introduced over 60 years ago and is associated with toxicity that can be largely attributed to a similar affinity for parasite and human DHFR. Computational analysis of biochemical differences between Toxoplasma gondii and human DHFR enabled the design of inhibitors with both improved potency and selectivity. The approach described herein yielded TRC-19, a promising lead with an IC50 of 9 nM and 89-fold selectivity in favor of Toxoplasma gondii DHFR, as well as crystallographic data to substantiate in silico methodology. Overall, 50% of synthesized in silico designs met hit threshold criteria of IC50 < 10 µM and >2-fold selectivity favoring Toxoplasma gondii, further demonstrating the efficiency of our structure-based drug design approach.

Hybrid-designed inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase utilizing N-arylpyridazinones.

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl N-arylpyridazinones were hybridized from the classic pyridinylimidazoles and the more recent dual hydrogen bond acceptors, resulting in a new structural class of selective p38 MAP kinase inhibitors.

p38 Inhibitors: piperidine- and 4-aminopiperidine-substituted naphthyridinones, quinolinones, and dihydroquinazolinones.

We have synthesized a series of C7-piperidine- and 4-aminopiperidine-substituted naphthyridinones, quinolinones, and dihydroquinazolinones that are highly potent inhibitors of both p38MAP kinase activity and TNF-alpha release. The 4-aminopentamethylpiperidine naphthyridinone 5, which was designed to block metabolism at major 'hot spots', combined excellent inhibitory potency with good oral bioavailability in the rat.