Development of novel 1,2,4-triazole containing compounds with anticancer and potent anti-CB1 activity

There is still an unmet need for novel and improved anti-cancer compounds. Nitrogen atoms have heterocyclic ring moieties, which have been shown to have powerful anticancer properties in both natural and synthetic derivatives. Due to their dipole character, hydrogen bonding capacity, rigidity and solubility, 1,2,4-triazoles are particularly effective pharmacophores, interacting with biological receptors with high affinity. Thus, novel 1,2,4-triazole-containing molecular derivatives were synthesized using green chemistry methods, microwave irradiation and ultrasonication, and these methods' operational simplicity and maximum greener synthetic efficiency with green chemistry metrics calculations will be attractive for academic and industrial research and tested against three distinct human cancer cell lines including PANC1 (pancreatic cancer), DU145 (prostate cancer), MCF7 (breast cancer) and one fibroblast cell line (HDF). Here, we showed that compounds 5e and 5f were similar to CB1 antagonists in structure, binding affinity and poses. In addition, compounds 5e-g decreased the viability of pancreatic and prostate cancer cells, albeit with cytotoxicity to HDF cells. The IC50 values for PANC1 cells were between 5.9 and 7.3 µM for compounds 5e-g. Cell cycle analysis showed that the effect of compounds 5e-g in cancer cell growth was largely due to cell cycle arrest at S-phase. In sum, novel 1,2,4-triazole-containing compounds with anticancer and potent anti-CB1 activity have been developed.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Development, synthesis and validation of improved c-Myc/Max inhibitors

The pathophysiological foundations of various diseases are often subject to alteration through the utilization of small compounds, rendering them invaluable tools for the exploration and advancement of novel therapeutic strategies. Within the scope of this study, we meticulously curated a diverse library of novel small compounds meticulously designed to specifically target the c-Myc/Max complex. We conducted in vitro examinations of novel c-Myc inhibitors across a spectrum of cancer cell lines, including PANC1 (pancreatic adenocarcinoma), MCF7 (breast carcinoma), DU-145 (prostate carcinoma), and A549 (lung cancer). The initial analysis involved a 25 μM dose, which enabled the identification of potent anticancer compounds effective against a variety of tumour types. We identified c-Myc inhibitors with remarkable potency, featuring IC50 values as low as 1.6 μM and up to 40 times more effective than the reference molecule in diminishing cancer cell viability. Notably, c-Myc-i7 exhibited exceptional selectivity, displaying 37-fold and 59-fold preference for targeting prostate and breast cancers, respectively, over healthy cells. Additionally, we constructed drug-likeness models. This study underscores the potential for in vitro investigations of various tumour types using novel c-Myc inhibitors to yield ground-breaking and efficacious anticancer compounds.

MEIS inhibitors reduce the viability of primary leukemia cells and Stem cells by inducing apoptosis

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) exhibit self-renewal, resistance to standard treatments, and involvement in leukemia relapse. Higher Myeloid Ecotropic Integration Site-1 (MEIS1) expression in leukemic blast samples has been linked to resistance to conventional treatment. We studied the MEIS1 and associated factors in relapsed LSCs and assessed the effect of recently developed MEIS inhibitors (MEISi). Meis1 gene expression was found to be higher in patients with leukemia and relapsed samples. The majority of CD123+ and CD34+ LSCs demonstrated higher MEIS1/2/3 content. Depending on the patient chemotherapy regimen, Meis1 expression increased in relapsed samples. Although there are increased Meis2, Meis3, Hoxa9, Pbx1, or CD34 expressions in the relapsed patients, they are not correlated with Meis1 content in every patient or regimen. MEISi has reduced MEIS1 transcriptional activity and LSC cell survival by apoptosis. Pharmacological targeting with MEISi in LSCs could have a potential effect in limiting leukemia relapse and chemotherapeutic resistance.

Primary Human Leukemia Stem Cell (LSC) Isolation and Characterization

Leukemia stem cells (LSC) are thought to be the basis of leukemia progression since they are highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy. LSC isolation is critical in experimental studies, drug development, and application. Due to their likely hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) origin, LSCs have surface antigens that are similar to HSC. Surface markers such as CD34, CD123, CD133, and CD33 have been used extensively to assess LSCs. LSCs could be separated from other cells using magnetic selection (MS) or flow cytometry selection (FCS) methods using these markers. Understanding the role of LSCs in cancer progression and how to therapeutically target them in vitro and in vivo is critical for the development of LSC-targeting drug candidates. In this chapter, we set out to describe the primary human LSC purification and characterization processes used on patient samples with leukemia and lymphoma.

Newly developed MEIS inhibitor selectively blocks MEIS High prostate cancer growth and induces apoptosis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most diagnosed cancer in males. Understanding the molecular mechanism and investigation of novel ways to block PCa growth or metastasis are vital and a medical necessity. In this study, we examined differential expression of MEIS1/2/3 and its associated factors in PCa cell lines. MEIS1/2/3 content, reactive oxygen species, and cell cycle status were analyzed in PCa cells post MEIS inhibitor (MEISi) treatments, which is developed in our laboratory as a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor. A correlation was detected between MEIS content and MEISi IC50 values of PCa cells. MEISi decreased the viability of PC-3, DU145, 22Rv-1 and LNCaP cells, and significantly increased apoptosis in parallel with the increased cellular ROS content. The efficacy of MEISi was shown to positively correlate with the levels of MEIS1/2/3 proteins and the long term exposure to MEISi elevated MEIS1/2/3 protein content in PCa cells. Our findings suggest that MEISi could be used to target PCa with high MEIS expression in order to reduce PCa viability and growth; however, more research is needed before this can be translated into clinical settings.

Therapeutic targeting and HSC proliferation by small molecules and biologicals

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have considerably therapeutic value on autologous and allogeneic transplantation for many malignant/non-malignant hematological diseases, especially with improvement of gene therapy. However, acquirement of limited cell dose from HSC sources is the main handicap for successful transplantation. Therefore, many strategies based on the utilization of various cytokines, interaction of stromal cells, modulation of several extrinsic and intrinsic factors have been developed to promote ex vivo functional HSC expansion with high reconstitution ability until today. Besides all these strategies, small molecules become prominent with their ease of use and various advantages when they are translated to the clinic. In the last two decades, several small molecule compounds have been investigated in pre-clinical studies and, some of them were evaluated in different stages of clinical trials for their safety and efficiencies. In this chapter, we will present an overview of HSC biology, function, regulation and also, pharmacological HSC modulation with small molecules from pre-clinical and clinical perspectives.

Competitive inhibition of IL-2/IL-2R has a dual effect on HSC ex vivo expansion and IL-2R (CD25) content

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor play a pivotal role in the regulation of immune response and possess both immune-regulatory and immune-stimulatory functions. As a cytokine of lymphoid cells, the role of IL-2 has been revealed in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance and proper hematopoiesis. Here, we investigated that small molecule Ro 26-4550 trifluoroacetate (Ro) mediated competitive inhibition of IL-2 and its receptor alpha subunit (IL-2Rα) throughout ex vivo culture. Ro treatment induced murine and human ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Ro treated HSPCs sustained self-renewal ability and low apoptotic activity. As a competitive inhibitor of IL-2/IL-2Rα interaction, Ro small molecule induced human HSPCs to entry into cell cycle. The proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and fibroblasts were also highly increased post treatment. Besides, Ro treatment enhanced IL-2Rα (CD25) expression independent of IL-2 administration in human mPB-derived HSPCs and BM-derived HSPCs. Increased IL-2Rα (CD25) expression in BM-HSPCs was associated with the increase in the CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cell population. Xenotransplantation of immunodeficient mice with ex vivo expanded human CD34⁺ cells after Ro treatment revealed an efficient multi-lineage reconstitution in the recipient. These findings shed light on the role of IL-2/IL-2Rα interaction in HSC expansion, in vivo and in vitro HSC self-renewal ability and repopulation capacity as well as a possible mean for the induction of CD25 expressing cells in hematopoietic compartments.

Screening of the small molecule library of Meinox enables the identification of anticancer compounds in pathologically distinct cancers

Small molecules are widely used for the modulation of the molecular basis of diseases. This makes them the perfect tool for discovering and developing new therapeutics. In this work, we have established a library of small molecules in house and characterized its molecular and druglike properties. We have shown that most small molecules have molecular weights less than 450. They have pharmaceutically relevant cLogP, cLogS, and druglikeness value distributions. In addition, Meinox’s small molecule library contained small molecules with polar surface areas that are less than 60 square angstroms, suggesting their potent ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Meinox’s small molecule library was also tested in vitro for pathologically distinct forms of cancer, including pancreatic adenocarcinoma PANC1, breast carcinoma MCF7, and lymphoblastic carcinoma RS4-11 cell lines. Analysis of this library at a dose of 1 μM allowed the discovery of potent, specific or broadly active anticancer compounds against pathologically distinct cancers. This study shows that in vitro analysis of different cancers or other phenotypic assays with Meinox small molecule library may generate novel and potent bioassay-specific compounds.

Modulating Cas9 activity for precision gene editing

The CRISPR/Cas9 is a RNA-guided nuclease complex that can be specifically programmed to target a user-specified DNA sequence. It has been a powerful and effective tool of genome editing. However, off-target activity of the Cas9 nuclease limits its potential use in the correction of inherited diseases and bona fide gene editing. Various protein engineering and guide RNA selection strategies have been utilized to improve Cas9-based genome-editing specificity and efficiency. We, however, have not yet achieved a degree of safety such that Cas9 gene editing approaches could be applicable in clinical settings. Here, we discuss the recently developed and precise gene editing technologies based on spCas9. Furthermore, we describe Cas9 modulating tools to increase the fidelity of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. These studies suggest that there is still a need for pharmaceutical modulation of Cas9 activity during gene editing procedures. Pharmaceutical modulation of Cas9 nuclease activity at on-target or off-target genomic loci could 1 day allow researchers to develop robust and precise therapeutical strategies in gene editing.

Temporal modulation of calcium sensing in hematopoietic stem cells is crucial for proper stem cell expansion and engraftment

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are known to reside in a bone marrow (BM) niche, which is associated with relatively higher calcium content. HSCs sense and respond to calcium changes. However, how calcium-sensing components modulate HSC function and expansion is largely unknown. We investigated temporal modulation of calcium sensing and Ca²⁺ homeostasis during ex vivo HSC culture and in vivo. Murine BM-HSCs, human BM, and umbilical cord blood (UCB) mononuclear cells (MNCs) were treated with store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) inhibitors SKF 96365 hydrochloride (abbreviated as SKF) and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB). Besides, K⁺ channel inhibitor TEA chloride (abbreviated as TEA) was used to compare the relationship between calcium-activated potassium channel activities. Seven days of SKF treatment induced mouse and human ex vivo BM-HSC expansion as well as UCB-derived primitive HSC expansion. SKF treatment induced the surface expression of CaSR, CXCR4, and adhesion molecules on human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. HSCs expanded with SKF successfully differentiated into blood lineages in recipient animals and demonstrated a higher repopulation capability. Furthermore, modulation of SOCE in the BM-induced HSC content and differentially altered niche-related gene expression profile in vivo. Intriguingly, treatments with SOCE inhibitors SKF and 2-APB boosted the mouse BM mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and human adipose-derived MSCs proliferation, whereas they did not affect the endothelial cell proliferation. These findings suggest that temporal modulation of calcium sensing is crucial in expansion and maintenance of murine HSCs, human HSCs, and mouse BM-MSCs function.

Stem Cells in Regenerative Cardiology

The common prevalence of heart failure and limitations in its treatment are leading cause of attention and interest towards the induction of cardiac regeneration with novel approaches. Recent studies provide growing evidence regarding bona fide cardiac regeneration post genetic manipulations, administration of stimulatory factors and myocardial injuries in animal models and human studies. To this end, stem cells of different sources have been tested to treat heart failure for the development of cellular therapies. Endogenous and exogenous stem cells sources used in regenerative cardiology have provided a proof of concept and applicability of cellular therapies in myocardial improvement. Recent clinical studies, especially, based on the endogenous cardiac progenitor and stem cells highlighted the possibility to regenerate lost cardiomyocytes in the myocardium. This review discusses emerging concepts in cardiac stem cell therapy, their sources and route of administration, and plausibility of de novo cardiomyocyte formation.

Metadata management and semantics in microarray repositories

The number of microarray and other high-throughput experiments on primary repositories keeps increasing as do the size and complexity of the results in response to biomedical investigations. Initiatives have been started on standardization of content, object model, exchange format and ontology. However, there are backlogs and inability to exchange data between microarray repositories, which indicate that there is a great need for a standard format and data management. We have introduced a metadata framework that includes a metadata card and semantic nets that make experimental results visible, understandable and usable. These are encoded in syntax encoding schemes and represented in RDF (Resource Description Frame-word), can be integrated with other metadata cards and semantic nets, and can be exchanged, shared and queried. We demonstrated the performance and potential benefits through a case study on a selected microarray repository. We concluded that the backlogs can be reduced and that exchange of information and asking of knowledge discovery questions can become possible with the use of this metadata framework.