Antivaccinia activities of acyclic nucleoside phosphonate derivatives in epithelial cells and organotypic cultures

Ru(II)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of α-Ketophosphonates: Straightforward Access to Valuable Chiral α-Hydroxy Phosphonates

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) is arguably one of the most powerful tools for the synthesis of chiral compounds. Despite tremendous advances in this field, the reduction of α-ketophosphonates remains largely unexplored. Herein, we report an efficient Ru-catalyzed ATH on a broad range of α-ketophosphonates. Compared with existing methods, our approach offers as advantages mild conditions, operational simplicity, limited waste generation, broad substrate scope (26 examples), good to excellent yields (75-93%), and excellent levels of stereoinduction (from 90% to >99% ee).

Poxviruses Bearing DNA Polymerase Mutations Show Complex Patterns of Cross-Resistance

Despite the eradication of smallpox four decades ago, poxviruses continue to be a threat to humans and animals. The arsenal of anti-poxvirus agents is very limited and understanding mechanisms of resistance to agents targeting viral DNA polymerases is fundamental for the development of antiviral therapies. We describe here the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of poxvirus DNA polymerase mutants isolated under selective pressure with different acyclic nucleoside phosphonates, including HPMPC (cidofovir), cHPMPC, HPMPA, cHPMPA, HPMPDAP, HPMPO-DAPy, and PMEO-DAPy, and the pyrophosphate analogue phosphonoacetic acid. Vaccinia virus (VACV) and cowpox virus drug-resistant viral clones emerging under drug pressure were characterized phenotypically (drug-susceptibility profile) and genotypically (DNA polymerase sequencing). Different amino acid changes in the polymerase domain and in the 3′-5′ exonuclease domain were linked to drug resistance. Changes in the 3′-5′ domain emerged earlier than in the polymerase domain when viruses acquired a combination of mutations. Our study highlights the importance of poxvirus DNA polymerase residues 314, 613, 684, 688, and 851, previously linked to drug resistance, and identified several novel mutations in the 3′-5′ exonuclease domain (M313I, F354L, D480Y) and in the DNA polymerase domain (A632T, T831I, E856K, L924F) associated with different drug-susceptibility profiles. Furthermore, a combination of mutations resulted in complex patterns of cross-resistance. Modeling of the VACV DNA polymerase bearing the newly described mutations was performed to understand the effects of these mutations on the structure of the viral enzyme. We demonstrated the emergence of drug-resistant DNA polymerase mutations in complex patterns to be considered in case such mutations should eventually arise in the clinic.

Enantioselective biocatalytic resolution for the synthesis of enantiopure α-hydroxyphosphonates using Candida antarctica lipase B

A versatile and efficient method to produce enantiopure α-hydroxyphosphonates and their acyl transfer products using CALB under mild conditions.

The Enhanced Tumor Specificity of TG6002, an Armed Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Deleted in Two Genes Involved in Nucleotide Metabolism

Oncolytic vaccinia viruses are currently in clinical development. However, the safety and the tumor selectivity of these oncolytic viruses must be improved. We previously constructed a first-generation oncolytic vaccinia virus by expressing the suicide gene FCU1 inserted in the J2R locus that encodes thymidine kinase. We demonstrated that the combination of this thymidine-kinase-deleted vaccinia virus and the FCU1/5-fluocytosine system is a potent vector for cancer therapy. Here, we developed a second generation of vaccinia virus, named TG6002, expressing FCU1 and with targeted deletions of the J2R gene and the I4L gene, which encodes the large subunit of the ribonucleotide reductase. Compared to the previously used single thymidine-kinase-deleted vaccinia virus, TG6002 is highly attenuated in normal cells, yet it displays tumor-selective replication and tumor cell killing. TG6002 replication is highly dependent on cellular ribonucleotide reductase levels and is less pathogenic than the single-deleted vaccinia virus. Tumor-selective viral replication, prolonged therapeutic levels of 5-fluorouracil in tumors, and significant antitumor effects were observed in multiple human xenograft tumor models after systemic injection of TG6002 and 5-fluorocytosine. TG6002 displays a convincing safety profile and is a promising candidate for treatment of cancer in humans.

Functionalization of α-hydroxyphosphonates as a convenient route to N-tosyl-α-aminophosphonates

Direct conversion of the α-hydroxyl group by para-toluenesulfonamide to yield α-(N-tosyl)aminophosphonates is reported. α-Aminophosphonates 23a,b-37a,b were obtained from the corresponding α-hydroxyphosphonates 6a,b-21a,b in the presence of K₂CO₃, via the retro-Abramov reaction of the appropriate aldehydes, 1-5. The subsequent formation of imines with simultaneous addition of diethyl phosphite provided access to the α-sulfonamide phosphonates 23a,b-37a,b with better diastereoselectivity than in the case of the Pudovik reaction. The mechanism for this transformation is proposed herein. When Cbz N-protected aziridine 9a,b and phenylalanine analogue 12a,b were exploited, intramolecular substitution was observed, leading to the corresponding epoxide 38 as the sole product, or oxazolidin-2-one 39 as a minor product. Analogous substitution was not observed in the case of proline 18a,b and serine 21a,b derivatives.

Human Organotypic Models for Anti-infective Research

The use of human organotypic models for biomedical research is experiencing a significant increase due to their biological relevance, the possibility to perform high-throughput analyses, and their cost efficiency. In the field of anti-infective research, comprising the search for novel antipathogenic treatments including vaccines, efforts have been made to reduce the use of animal models. That is due to two main reasons: unreliability of data obtained with animal models and the increasing willingness to reduce the use of animals in research for ethical reasons. Human three-dimensional (3-D) models may substitute and/or complement in vivo studies, to increase the translational value of preclinical data. Here, we provide an overview of recent studies utilizing human organotypic models, resembling features of the cervix, intestine, lungs, brain, and skin in the context of anti-infective research. Furthermore, we focus on the future applications of human skin models and present methodological protocols to culture human skin equivalents and human skin explants.

Highly efficient green synthesis of α-hydroxyphosphonates using a recyclable choline hydroxide catalyst

Aldehydic carbonyl groups are eco-friendly and efficiently hydrophosphonylated by diethylphosphite using the basic ionic liquid, choline hydroxide.

Organocatalytic decarboxylative aldol reaction of β-ketoacids with α-ketophosphonates en route to the enantioselective synthesis of tertiary α-hydroxyphosphonates

γ-Aroyl tertiary α-hydroxyphosphonates with a chiral quaternary centre were synthesized via a facile organocatalyzed decarboxylative aldol reaction between β-ketoacids and α-ketophosphonates.

Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Studies of Cowpox Virus Replication in a Three-Dimensional Skin Model

Human cowpox virus (CPXV) infections are rare, but can result in severe and sometimes fatal outcomes. The majority of recent cases were traced back to contacts with infected domestic cats or pet rats. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a three-dimensional (3D) skin model as a possible replacement for animal experiments. We monitored CPXV lesion formation, viral gene expression and cell cycle patterns after infection of 3D skin cultures with two CPXV strains of different pathogenic potential: a recent pet rat isolate (RatPox09) and the reference Brighton red strain. Infected 3D skin cultures exhibited histological alterations that were similar to those of mammal skin infections, but there were no differences in gene expression patterns and tissue damage between the two CPXV strains in the model system. In conclusion, 3D skin cultures reflect the development of pox lesions in the skin very well, but seem not to allow differentiation between more or less virulent virus strains, a distinction that is made possible by experimental infection in suitable animal models.

2,6-Dimethylphenol derived H-phosphonate and α-hydroxyphosphonate: facile synthesis, crystal chemistry, supramolecular association and metal complexation

A H-phosphonate and an α-hydroxyarylphosphonate with active P–H and P–OH groups have been synthesized from 2,6-dimethylphenol and their aggregation behavior has been investigated.

Organocatalytic enantioselective hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes

We report our results concerning the first squaramide-catalysed hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes. In all cases, the reactions proceeded smoothly and cleanly under mild reaction conditions rendering final α-hydroxy phosphonates in very good yields and high enantioselectivities. It is one of the few organocatalytic examples of this reaction using aldehydes. It is the first time that diphenylphosphite (1e) has been successfully employed in a chiral Pudovik reaction with aldehydes, in contrast to the dialkylphosphites used in previously published procedures, extending the generality of this asymmetric methodology.

Addition of optically pure H-phosphinate to ketones: selectivity, stereochemistry and mechanism

A stability-controlled diastereoselective addition of a chiral P–H species to ketones afforded P,C-stereogenic α-hydroxyphosphinates in excellent yields and dr.

Mutations conferring resistance to viral DNA polymerase inhibitors in camelpox virus give different drug-susceptibility profiles in vaccinia virus

Cidofovir or (S)-HPMPC is one of the three antiviral drugs that might be used for the treatment of orthopoxvirus infections. (S)-HPMPC and its 2,6-diaminopurine counterpart, (S)-HPMPDAP, have been described to select, in vitro, for drug resistance mutations in the viral DNA polymerase (E9L) gene of vaccinia virus (VACV). Here, to extend our knowledge of drug resistance development among orthopoxviruses, we selected, in vitro, camelpox viruses (CMLV) resistant to (S)-HPMPDAP and identified a single amino acid change, T831I, and a double mutation, A314V+A684V, within E9L. The production of recombinant CMLV and VACV carrying these amino acid substitutions (T831I, A314V, or A314V+A684V) demonstrated clearly their involvement in conferring reduced sensitivity to viral DNA polymerase inhibitors, including (S)-HPMPDAP. Both CMLV and VACV harboring the A314V change showed comparable drug-susceptibility profiles to various antivirals and similar impairments in viral growth. In contrast, the single change T831I and the double change A314V+A684V in VACV were responsible for increased levels of drug resistance and for cross-resistance to viral DNA polymerase antivirals that were not observed with their CMLV counterparts. Each amino acid change accounted for an attenuated phenotype of VACV in vivo. Modeling of E9L suggested that the T→I change at position 831 might abolish hydrogen bonds between E9L and the DNA backbone and have a direct impact on the incorporation of the acyclic nucleoside phosphonates. Our findings demonstrate that drug-resistance development in two related orthopoxvirus species may impact drug-susceptibility profiles and viral fitness differently.

Organocatalytic High Enantioselective Synthesis of β-Formyl-α-hydroxyphosphonates

The cross aldol reaction between enolizable aldehydes and α-ketophosphonates was achieved for the first time by using 9-amino-9-deoxy-epi-quinine as the catalyst. β-Formyl-α-hydroxyphosphonates were obtained in high to excellent enantioselectivities. The reaction works especially well with acetaldehyde, which is a tough substrate for organocatalyzed cross aldol reactions. The products were demonstrated to have anticancer activities.

Developing novel organocatalyzed aldol reactions for the enantioselective synthesis of biologically active molecules

Aldol reaction is one of the most important methods for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. Because of its significance and usefulness, asymmetric versions of this reaction have been realized with different approaches in the past. Over the last decade, the area of organocatalysis has made significant progresses. As one of most studied reactions in organocatalyses, organocatalyzed aldol reaction has emerged as a powerful tool for the synthesis of a large number of useful products in optically enriched forms. In this review, we summarize our efforts on the development of novel organocatalyzed aldol reactions for the enantioselective synthesis of biological active molecules. Literatures closely related to our studies are also covered.

Synthesis of ester prodrugs of 9-(S)-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-2,6-diaminopurine (HPMPDAP) as anti-poxvirus agents

9-(S)-[3-Hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-2,6-diaminopurine (HPMPDAP) and its cyclic form were selected for further evaluation as potential drug candidates against poxvirus infections. To increase bioavailability of these compounds, synthesis of their structurally diverse ester prodrugs was carried out: alkoxyalkyl (hexadecyloxypropyl, octadecyloxyethyl, hexadecyloxyethyl), pivaloyloxymethyl (POM), 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, butylsalicylyl, and prodrugs based on peptidomimetics. Most HPMPDAP prodrugs were synthesized in the form of monoesters as well as the corresponding cyclic phosphonate esters. The activity was evaluated not only against vaccinia virus but also against different herpes viruses. The most potent and active prodrugs against vaccinia virus were the alkoxyalkyl ester derivatives of HPMPDAP, with 50% effective concentrations 400-600-fold lower than those of the parent compound. Prodrugs based on peptidomimetics, the 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, the POM, and the butylsalicylyl derivatives, were able to inhibit vaccinia virus replication at 50% effective concentrations that were equivalent or ∼10-fold lower than those observed for the parent compounds.

Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of organophosphorus compounds

240 Years have passed since the discovery of elemental phosphorus. During that time organophosphorus chemistry has emerged as an interesting and exciting field of research. Recently organophosphorus chemistry has been raised to a new level. Organophosphorus compounds have found applications in asymmetric organocatalysis for the synthesis of optically active compounds of synthetic or biological importance. The aim of this review article is to present recent contributions to this developing field of chemistry and to point out synthetic advantages of methodologies developed so far.