Characterization of potential antagonists of human interleukin 5 demonstrates their cross-reactivity with receptors for interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Effect of a novel interleukin-5 receptor antagonist, YM-90709, on antigen-induced eosinophil infiltration into the airway of BDF1 mice

A newly synthesized compound, YM-90709, 2,3-dimethoxy-6,6-dimethyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[7,8]indolizino[2,3-b]quinoxaline, was previously reported to specifically inhibit the binding of interleukin-5 (IL-5) to its receptor (R) on human eosinophils. In this study, the intravenous injection of YM-90709 inhibited antigen-induced infiltration of eosinophils into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of BDF1 mice, with an ED(50) value of 0.050mg/kg. Anti-murine IL-5 monoclonal antibody (mAb) also inhibited the infiltration of eosinophils with an ED(50) value of 0.035mg/kg. These results indicate that YM-90709, which is a novel IL-5R antagonist, inhibits antigen-induced eosinophil recruitment into the airway, the same as anti-IL-5 mAb does.

Effect of a novel interleukin-5 receptor antagonist, YM-90709 (2,3-dimethoxy-6,6-dimethyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[7,8]indolizino[2,3-b]quinoxaline), on antigen-induced airway inflammation in BN rats

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) plays an important role in the activation of eosinophils in the allergic inflammation in conditions such as asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. A newly synthesized compound, YM-90709 (2,3-dimethoxy-6,6-dimethyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[7,8]indolizino[2,3-b]quinoxaline), was previously reported to inhibit the binding of IL-5 to its receptor (R) on human eosinophils and eosinophilic HL-60 clone 15 cells. However, it did not inhibit the binding of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to its receptor on the same cells. In this study, the intravenous injection of YM-90709 resulted in the inhibition of antigen-induced infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes, but not neutrophils or monocytes, into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of Brown-Norway (BN) rats, with ED50 values of 0.32 mg/kg and 0.12 mg/kg, respectively. Two glucocorticoids, dexamethasone and prednisolone, inhibited neutrophil, eosinophil, and lymphocyte infiltration into the BALF. However, both significantly reduced the number of peripheral blood leukocytes and bone marrow leukocytes. In contrast, YM-90709 did not affect the peripheral blood leukocytes or the bone marrow leukocytes. These results indicate that, in this model, YM-90709, which is a novel IL-5 R antagonist, inhibits antigen-induced eosinophil and lymphocyte recruitment into the airway, without any suppressive effects on peripheral blood leukocytes or bone marrow leukocytes, in contrast to the glucocorticoids.

Characterization of YM-90709 as a novel antagonist which inhibits the binding of interleukin-5 to interleukin-5 receptor

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) plays an important role in the activation of eosinophils in allergic inflammation including asthma and atopic dermatitis. A newly synthesized compound, YM-90709, 2,3-dimethoxy-6,6-dimethyl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[7,8]indolizino [2,3-b]quinoxaline, is reported here to inhibit the binding of IL-5 to its receptor on peripheral human eosinophils and butyric acid-treated eosinophilic HL-60 clone 15 cells, with IC50 values of 1.0 and 0.57 microM, respectively. In contrast, YM-90709 did not affect the binding of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to its receptor on eosinophils and eosinophilic HL-60 clone 15 cells. In functional assays, YM-90709 inhibited IL-5-prolonged eosinophil survival with an IC50 value of 0.45 microM and did not affect the GM-CSF-prolonged eosinophil survival. Furthermore, YM-90709 inhibited the IL-5-induced but not GM-CSF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) in eosinophilic HL-60 clone 15 cells. These results indicate that YM-90709 is a novel IL-5 inhibitor which selectively blocks the binding of IL-5 to the IL-5 receptor (IL-5R).

New anti-asthma therapies: suppression of the effect of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5

Asthma is currently defined as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. The central role of allergen-specific Th2 cells in the regulation of this mucosal airway inflammation has been highlighted. Hence, there is large interest in the therapeutic potential of an anti-Th2 cell approach. One of the strategies which has been developed, is to inhibit the effect of interleukin (IL)-4 or IL-5, two main Th2 cell derived cytokines. Interleukin-4 is pivotal in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders through its wide range of effects. An important observation, especially during secondary antigen exposure, is the possible redundancy with IL-13. Both cytokines share common elements in their receptor and intracellular signalling pathway. As a result, compounds can be developed that selectively inhibit the effect of either IL-4 or IL-13, or alternatively, by interfering with the common pathway, inhibit the effect of both cytokines. Eosinophils are generally seen as a particularly harmful element in the allergic inflammation. The importance of IL-5 on eosinophil biology has clearly been established. Conversely, in man, the biological effects of IL-5 are largely limited to eosinophil function. Therefore, IL-5 antagonists offer the unique opportunity of selectively neutralizing the effect of eosinophils. Several strategies have now been developed that successfully inhibit the biological effect of interleukin-4 or interleukin-5. Some of these compounds have proven to be biologically active in man. The challenge now is to establish their therapeutic role in asthma.

Methods of screening combinatorial libraries using immobilized or restrained receptors

The screening of combinatorial libraries for compounds with high affinity toward drug receptors is currently a major center of attention. We describe methods recently developed for library screening that involve "constrained" receptors (either immobilized onto a surface or restrained to a compartment by some physical means). These include affinity selection chromatography, ultrafiltration assays, the scintillation proximity assay, a variety of interfacial optical techniques (surface plasmon resonance and its relatives, among others), the quartz crystal microbalance, the jet ring cell, and new interferometric assays using porous silicon to immobilize the receptor. We note some trends in assay development involving assays of membrane-bound complexes, and the coupling of two analytical methods to expand the assay resolution.