Transport of cationic liposomes in a human blood brain barrier model: Role of the stereochemistry of the gemini amphiphile on liposome biological features

HYPOTHESIS

The positive charge on liposome surface is known to promote the crossing of the Blood brain barrier (BBB). However, when diastereomeric cationic gemini amphiphiles are among lipid membrane components, also the stereochemistry may affect the permeability of the vesicle across the BBB.

EXPERIMENTS

Liposomes featuring cationic diasteromeric gemini amphiphiles were formulated, characterized, and their interaction with cell culture models of BBB investigated.

FINDINGS

Liposomes featuring the gemini amphiphiles were internalized in a monolayer of brain microvascular endothelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) through an energy dependent transport, internalization involving both clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis. On the same formulations, the permeability was also evaluated across a human derived in vitro BBB transport model. The permeability of liposomes featuring the gemini amphiphiles was significantly higher compared to that of neutral liposomes (DPPC/Cholesterol), that were not able to cross BBB. Most importantly, the permeability was influenced by the stereochemistry of the gemini and pegylation of these formulations did not result in a drastic reduction of the crossing ability. The in vitro iPSC-derived BBB models used in this work represent an important advancement in the drug discovery research of novel brain delivery strategies and therapeutics for central nervous system diseases.

Efficacy of PEGylated ciliary neurotrophic factor superagonist variant in diet-induced obesity mice

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neurotrophic cytokine able to induce appetite reduction, weight loss and antidiabetic effects. However, its susceptibility to neutralizing anti-CNTF antibodies in patients hampered its use for treatment of human obesity and diabetes. In addition, CNTF has a very short plasma half-life, which limits its use as a therapeutic agent. Solutions, directed to prolong its in vivo effects, vary from the implantation of encapsulated secreting cells to identification of more active variants or chemical modification of the protein itself. PEGylation is a widely used modification for shielding proteins from circulating antibodies and for increasing their plasma half-life. Here, we have selected DH-CNTF, a CNTF variant which has a 40-fold higher affinity for the CNTF receptor α accompanied by an increased activity in cellular assays. The PEGylated DH-CNTF retained the biological activity of native protein in vitro and showed a significant improvement of pharmacokinetic parameters. In an acute model of glucose tolerance, the PEG-DH-CNTF was able to reduce the glycemia in diet-induced obese animals, with a performance equaled by a 10-fold higher dose of DH-CNTF. In addition, the PEGylated DH-CNTF analog demonstrated a more potent weight loss effect than the unmodified protein, opening to the use of CNTF as weight reducing agent with treatment regimens that can better meet patient compliance thanks to reduced dosing schedules.

Cyclic Phosphopantothenic Acid Prodrugs for Treatment of Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration

Mutations in the human PANK2 gene are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) and result in low levels of coenzyme-A (CoA) in the CNS due to impaired production of phosphopantothenic acid (PPA) from vitamin B5. Restoration of central PPA levels by delivery of exogenous PPA is a recent strategy to reactivate CoA biosynthesis in PKAN patients. Fosmetpantotenate is an oral PPA prodrug. We report here the development of a new PANk2^-/- knockout model that allows CoA regeneration in brain cells to be evaluated and describe two new series of cyclic phosphate prodrugs of PPA capable of regenerating excellent levels of CoA in this system. A proof-of-concept study in mouse demonstrates the potential of this new class of prodrugs to deliver PPA to the brain following oral administration and confirms incorporation of the prodrug-derived PPA into CoA.

5,6-Dihydroxypyrimidine Scaffold to Target HIV-1 Nucleocapsid Protein

The HIV-1 nucleocapsid (NC) protein is a small basic DNA and RNA binding protein that is absolutely necessary for viral replication and thus represents a target of great interest to develop new anti-HIV agents. Moreover, the highly conserved sequence offers the opportunity to escape the drug resistance (DR) that emerged following the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treatment. On the basis of our previous research, nordihydroguaiaretic acid 1 acts as a NC inhibitor showing moderate antiviral activity and suboptimal drug-like properties due to the presence of the catechol moieties. A bioisosteric catechol replacement approach led us to identify the 5-dihydroxypyrimidine-6-carboxamide substructure as a privileged scaffold of a new class of HIV-1 NC inhibitors. Hit validation efforts led to the identification of optimized analogs, as represented by compound 28, showing improved NC inhibition and antiviral activity as well as good ADME and PK properties.

Improved Selective Class I HDAC and Novel Selective HDAC3 Inhibitors: Beyond Hydroxamic Acids and Benzamides

The application of class I HDAC inhibitors as cancer therapies is well established, but more recently their development for nononcological indications has increased. We report here on the generation of improved class I selective human HDAC inhibitors based on an ethylketone zinc binding group (ZBG) in place of the hydroxamic acid that features the majority of HDAC inhibitors. We also describe a novel set of HDAC3 isoform selective inhibitors that show stronger potency and selectivity than the most commonly used HDAC3 selective tool compound RGFP966. These compounds are again based on an alternative ZBG with respect to the ortho-anilide that is featured in HDAC3 selective compounds reported to date.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of RGD⁻Cryptophycin Conjugates for Targeted Drug Delivery

Cryptophycins are potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors with picomolar antiproliferative potency in vitro and activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cells. Because of neurotoxic side effects and limited efficacy in vivo, cryptophycin-52 failed as a clinical candidate in cancer treatment. However, this class of compounds has emerged as attractive payloads for tumor-targeting applications. In this study, cryptophycin was conjugated to the cyclopeptide c(RGDfK), targeting integrin αvβ₃, across the protease-cleavable Val-Cit linker and two different self-immolative spacers. Plasma metabolic stability studies in vitro showed that our selected payload displays an improved stability compared to the parent compound, while the stability of the conjugates is strongly influenced by the self-immolative moiety. Cathepsin B cleavage assays revealed that modifications in the linker lead to different drug release profiles. Antiproliferative effects of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)⁻cryptophycin conjugates were evaluated on M21 and M21-L human melanoma cell lines. The low nanomolar in vitro activity of the novel conjugates was associated with inferior selectivity for cell lines with different integrin αvβ₃ expression levels. To elucidate the drug delivery process, cryptophycin was replaced by an infrared dye and the obtained conjugates were studied by confocal microscopy.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New 1-(Aryl-1 H-pyrrolyl)(phenyl)methyl-1 H-imidazole Derivatives as Antiprotozoal Agents

We have designed and synthesized a series of new imidazole-based compounds structurally related to an antiprotozoal agent with nanomolar activity which we identified recently. The new analogues possess micromolar activities against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Leishmania donovani and nanomolar potency against Plasmodium falciparum. Most of the analogues displayed IC₅₀ within the low nanomolar range against Trypanosoma cruzi, with very high selectivity toward the parasite. Discussion of structure-activity relationships and in vitro biological data for the new compounds are provided against a number of different protozoa. The mechanism of action for the most potent derivatives (5i, 6a-c, and 8b) was assessed by a target-based assay using recombinant T. cruzi CYP51. Bioavailability and efficacy of selected hits were assessed in a T. cruzi mouse model, where 6a and 6b reduced parasitemia in animals >99% following intraperitoneal administration of 25 mg/kg/day dose for 4 consecutive days.

Fosmetpantotenate (RE-024), a phosphopantothenate replacement therapy for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration: Mechanism of action and efficacy in nonclinical models

In cells, phosphorylation of pantothenic acid to generate phosphopantothenic acid by the pantothenate kinase enzymes is the first step in coenzyme A synthesis. Pantothenate kinase 2, the isoform localized in neuronal cell mitochondria, is dysfunctional in patients with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. Fosmetpantotenate is a phosphopantothenic acid prodrug in clinical development for treatment of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration, which aims to replenish phosphopantothenic acid in patients. Fosmetpantotenate restored coenzyme A in short-hairpin RNA pantothenate kinase 2 gene-silenced neuroblastoma cells and was permeable in a blood-brain barrier model. The rate of fosmetpantotenate metabolism in blood is species-dependent. Following up to 700 mg/kg orally, blood exposure to fosmetpantotenate was negligible in rat and mouse, but measurable in monkey. Consistent with the difference in whole blood half-life, fosmetpantotenate dosed orally was found in the brains of the monkey (striatal dialysate) but was absent in mice. Following administration of isotopically labeled-fosmetpantotenate to mice, ~40% of liver coenzyme A (after 500 mg/kg orally) and ~50% of brain coenzyme A (after 125 μg intrastriatally) originated from isotopically labeled-fosmetpantotenate. Additionally, 10-day dosing of isotopically labeled-fosmetpantotenate, 12.5 μg, intracerebroventricularly in mice led to ~30% of brain coenzyme A containing the stable isotopic labels. This work supports the hypothesis that fosmetpantotenate acts to replace reduced phosphopantothenic acid in pantothenate kinase 2-deficient tissues.

Discovery of a Selective Series of Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum HDACs

The identification of a new series of P. falciparum growth inhibitors is described. Starting from a series of known human class I HDAC inhibitors a SAR exploration based on growth inhibitory activity in parasite and human cells-based assays led to the identification of compounds with submicromolar inhibition of P. falciparum growth (EC50 < 500 nM) and good selectivity over the activity of human HDAC in cells (up to >50-fold). Inhibition of parasital HDACs as the mechanism of action of this new class of selective growth inhibitors is supported by hyperacetylation studies.

Design and synthesis of bicyclic pyrimidinones as potent and orally bioavailable HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

HIV integrase is one of the three enzymes encoded by HIV genome and is essential for viral replication, but integrase inhibitors as marketed drugs have just very recently started to emerge. In this study, we show the evolution from the N-methylpyrimidinone structure to bicyclic pyrimidinones. Introduction of a suitably substituted amino moiety modulated the physical-chemical properties of the molecules and conferred nanomolar activity in the inhibition of spread of HIV-1 infection in cell culture. An extensive SAR study led to sulfamide (R)- 22b, which inhibited the strand transfer with an IC50 of 7 nM and HIV infection in MT4 cells with a CIC95 of 44 nM, and ketoamide (S)- 28c that inhibited strand transfer with an IC50 of 12 nM and the HIV infection in MT4 cells with a CIC95 of 13 nM and exhibited a good pharmacokinetic profile when dosed orally to preclinical species.

High-Throughput Radiometric CYP2C19 Inhibition Assay Using Tritiated (S)-Mephenytoin

A rapid and sensitive radiometric assay for assessing the potential of drugs to inhibit cytochrome P450 (P450) 2C19 in human liver microsomes is described. The new assay, which does not require high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation or mass spectrometric detection, is based on the release of tritium as tritiated water that occurs upon CYP2C19-mediated 4'-hydroxylation of (S)-mephenytoin labeled with tritium in the 4' position. Because this reaction is subject to an NIH shift, tritium was also introduced into the 3'- and 5'-positions of the tracer to enhance formation of a tritiated water product. Tritiated water was separated from the substrate using 96-well solid-phase extraction plates. The reaction is NADPH-dependent and sensitive to CYP2C19 inhibitors. IC(50) values for 15 diverse drugs differed less than 2.5-fold from those determined by quantification of the unlabeled 4'-hydroxy-(S)-mephenytoin product, using HPLC coupled to mass spectrometric detection. All of the steps of the new assay, namely incubation, product separation, and radioactivity counting, are performed in a 96-well format and can be automated. This assay represents a non-HPLC, high-throughput version of the classic (S)-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation assay, which is the most widely used method to assess the potential for CYP2C19 inhibition of new chemical entities.

DETERMINATION OF DRUG GLUCURONIDATION AND UDP-GLUCURONOSYLTRANSFERASE SELECTIVITY USING A 96-WELL RADIOMETRIC ASSAY

A rapid and sensitive radiometric assay for UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) is described. UGT substrates are incubated in 96-well plates with microsomes in the presence of [14C]UDP-glucuronic acid, and 14C-labeled glucuronidation products are separated from the unreacted nucleotide sugar by solid-phase extraction using 96-well extraction plates. The assay was validated with 15 structurally diverse UGT substrates containing acidic, phenolic, and hydroxyl reacting groups. Glucuronidation velocities for these compounds were determined using human, rat, and dog liver microsomes, and reaction kinetics were studied with 1-naphthol and 4-methylumbelliferone. Results obtained with the new assay confirmed the previously reported rank order of glucuronidation velocity of several typical UGT substrates and the finding that the glucuronidation of most of these compounds is significantly faster in dog than in human liver microsomes. UGT specificity of five compounds was determined using recombinant human UGTs. The major UGT isoforms identified were UGT1A6, UGT1A7, and UGT1A9 for 4-methylumbelliferone; UGT1A6 and UGT1A8 for 1-naphthol; UGT2B7 for naloxone; UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 for ketoprofen; and UGT1A4 for trifluoperazine. Identical results were obtained with a conventional high-performance liquid chromatography method coupled to mass spectrometric detection. The new assay should prove valuable for rapidly benchmarking recombinant UGTs and microsomal preparations from different species and tissues, identifying high-turnover compounds during drug discovery, and reaction phenotyping studies.

SAR and pharmacokinetic studies on phenethylamide inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus NS3/NS4A serine protease

SAR on the phenethylamide 1 (Ki 1.2 microM) in the P2- and the P'-position led to potent inhibitors, one of which showed good exposure and low clearance when administered intramuscularly to rat.

Penetrating brain injury leads to activation of ciliary neurotrophic factor receptors

Endogenous injury response mechanisms likely reduce secondary neuronal loss following CNS trauma by activating growth factor receptors. Therefore, it is important to determine which growth factor receptors are activated in vivo by CNS trauma and which signal transduction pathways are affected in which cell types. We present a model of penetrating brain injury utilizing stereotaxic insertion of a fine needle. This procedure can be used to anatomically characterize injury response mechanisms through immediate, local application of pharmacological agents. We find, through immunohistochemistry, that injury of the rat facial motor nucleus leads to activation of STAT3, a neuronal survival factor, in the dendrites, nuclei and cytoplasm of the motor neurons. A similar response was observed with the trigeminal motor nucleus. Use of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptor antagonist, AADH-CNTF, indicated that the STAT3 activation resulted largely, and perhaps entirely, from injury-induced activation of CNTF receptors.

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A HIGH-THROUGHPUT RADIOMETRIC CYP2C9 INHIBITION ASSAY USING TRITIATED DICLOFENAC

A rapid and sensitive radiometric assay for assessing the potential of drugs to inhibit cytochrome P450 (P450) 2C9 in human liver microsomes is described. In contrast to the conventional diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation assay, the new method does not require high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and mass spectrometry. The assay is based on the release of tritium as tritiated water that occurs upon CYP2C9-mediated 4'-hydroxylation of diclofenac labeled with tritium in the 4' position. The radiolabeled product is separated from the substrate using 96-well solid-phase extraction plates. The reaction is NADPH-dependent, and sensitive to CYP2C9 inhibitors and inhibitory monoclonal antibodies, but not to inhibitors of or antibodies against other P450 enzymes. Competition experiments using tritiated and unlabeled diclofenac indicated that CYP2C9-mediated diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation exhibits positive cooperativity and no significant kinetic isotope effect or NIH shift. IC(50) values for 18 structurally diverse chemical inhibitors were not significantly different from those determined in the diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation assay, using HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. All the steps of the new assay, namely, incubation, product separation, and radioactivity counting, are performed in 96-well format and can be automated. This assay thus represents a high-throughput version of the classic diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation assay, which is one of the most widely used methods to assess the potential for CYP2C9 inhibition of new chemical entities.

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A HIGH-THROUGHPUT RADIOMETRIC CYP3A4/5 INHIBITION ASSAY USING TRITIATED TESTOSTERONE

A rapid and sensitive radiometric assay for assessing the potential of drugs to inhibit cytochrome P450 (P450) 3A4/5 in human liver microsomes is described. In contrast to the conventional testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation assay, the new method does not require high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and mass spectrometry. The assay is based on the release of tritium as tritiated water that occurs upon CYP3A4/5-mediated 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone labeled with tritium in the 6beta position. The radiolabeled product is separated from the substrate using 96-well solid-phase extraction plates. Using commercially available [1,2,6,7-(3)H]testosterone as substrate, we demonstrated that the reaction is NADPH-dependent, and sensitive to CYP3A4/5/5 inhibitors and a CYP3A4/5/5-specific inhibitory monoclonal antibody, but not to inhibitors of or antibodies against other P450 enzymes. The method was further improved by synthesis of testosterone specifically tritiated in the 6beta position, which displayed greatly improved conversion rate with an ensuing increase in assay sensitivity. Competition experiments using tritiated and unlabeled testosterone indicated that CYP3A4/5-mediated 6beta-hydroxylation exhibits positive cooperativity and a modest kinetic isotope effect. IC(50) values for more than 40 structurally diverse chemical inhibitors were not significantly different from those determined in the testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation assay, using HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. All the steps of the new assay, namely, incubation, product separation, and radioactivity counting, are performed in 96-well format and can be automated. This assay thus represents a high-throughput version of the classical testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation assay, which is the most widely used method to assess the potential for CYP3A4/5 inhibition of new chemical entities.

Demethylation of radiolabelled dextromethorphan in rat microsomes and intact hepatocytes

Liver microsomal preparations are routinely used to predict drug interactions that can occur in vivo as a result of inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated metabolism. However, the concentration of free drug (substrate and inhibitor) at its intrahepatic site of action, a variable that cannot be directly measured, may be significantly different from that in microsomal incubation systems. Intact cells more closely reflect the environment to which CYP substrates and inhibitors are exposed in the liver, and it may therefore be desirable to assess the potential of a drug to cause CYP inhibition in isolated hepatocytes. The objective of this study was to compare the inhibitory potencies of a series of CYP2D inhibitors in rat liver microsomes and hepatocytes. For this, we developed an assay suitable for rapid analysis of CYP-mediated drug interactions in both systems, using radiolabelled dextromethorphan, a well-characterized probe substrate for enzymes of the CYP2D family. Dextromethorphan demethylation exhibited saturable kinetics in rat microsomes and hepatocytes, with apparent Km and Vmax values of 2.1 vs. 2.8 microM and 0.74 nM x min(-1) per mg microsomal protein vs. 0.11 nM x min(-1) per mg cellular protein, respectively. Quinine, quinidine, pyrilamine, propafenone, verapamil, ketoconazole and terfenadine inhibited dextromethorphan O-demethylation in rat liver microsomes and hepatocytes with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Some of these compounds exhibited biphasic inhibition kinetics, indicative of interaction with more than one CYP2D isoform. Even though no important differences in inhibitory potencies were observed between the two systems, most inhibitors, including quinine and quinidine, displayed 2-3-fold lower IC50 in hepatocytes than in microsomes. The cell-associated concentrations of quinine and quinidine were found to be significantly higher than those in the extracellular medium, suggesting that intracellular accumulation may potentiate the effect of these compounds. Studies of CYP inhibition in intact hepatocytes may be warranted for compounds that concentrate in the liver as the result of cellular transport.

A new method for chemoselective conjugation of unprotected peptides to dauno- and doxorubicin

A new approach for chemoselective ligation of peptides to dauno- and doxorubicin through an oxime bond is presented. The method does not require protecting groups on the peptide moiety.

Histological and histochemical investigations of achondroplastic mice: a possible model of human achondroplasia

Histological and histochemical investigations of tibial epiphyses, costo-chondral junctions and caudal vertebrae of achondroplastic (cn) mice have shown that, in spite of conspicuous reduction of bone length, endochondrial ossification occurs in much the same way as in controls. Moreover, the histological structure of seriated cartilage, and the distribution of proteoglycans in resting cartilage are the same in cn/cn mice and in controls. The only difference betweeen the two types of animals is represented by the occurence of early aging-like changes of chondrocytes and cartilage matrix in achondroplastic mice, leading to premature shortening of the cell columns and to early reduction of the proteoglycan concentration. The premature "aging" of the cartilage, the consequent inhibition of the calcification process and bone growth, and the normal rate of perichondral ossification give to long bones, vertebrae and ribs a typical achondroplastic appearance. The cn/cn mice seem to represent a useful model for studying the pathogenesis and therapy of human achondroplasia.