Structure–activity relationships of triazolopyridine oxazole p38 inhibitors: Identification of candidates for clinical development

The synthesis, structure-activity relationship, in vivo activity, and metabolic profile for a series of triazolopyridine-oxazole based p38 inhibitors are described. The deficiencies of the lead structure in the series, CP-808844, were overcome by changes to the C4 aryl group and the triazole side-chain culminating in the identification of several potential clinical candidates.

Theoretical and Experimental Design of Atypical Kinase Inhibitors: Application to p38 MAP Kinase

Mimics of the benzimidazolone nucleus found in inhibitors of p38 kinase are proposed, and their theoretical potential as bioisosteres is described. A set of calculated descriptors relevant to the anticipated binding interaction for the fragments 1-methyl-1H-benzotriazole 5, 3-methyl-benzo[d]isoxazole 3, and 3-methyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine 4, pyridine 1, and 1,3-dimethyl-1,3-dihydro-benzoimidazol-2-one 2 are reported. The design considerations and synthesis of p38 inhibitors based on these H-bond acceptor fragments is detailed. Comparative evaluation of the pyridine-, benzimidazolone-, benzotriazole-, and triazolopyridine-based inhibitors shows the triazoles 20 and 25 to be significantly more potent experimentally than the benzimidazolone after which they were modeled. An X-ray crystal structure of 25 bound to the active site shows that the triazole group serves as the H-bond acceptor but unexpectedly as a dual acceptor, inducing movement of the crossover connection of p38alpha. The computed descriptors for the hydrophobic and pi-pi interaction capacities were the most useful in ranking potency.

A five-minute, but not a fifteen-minute, conditioning trial duration induces conditioned place preference for cocaine administration into the olfactory tubercle

The establishment of conditioned place preference (CPP) with intracranial injections requires specific injection sites, drug doses, and conditioning trial durations. We examined the role of conditioning trial duration in CPP with cocaine injections into the medial olfactory tubercle. Only those rats that had spent 5 min in the compartments showed CPP for cocaine, while rats that had been removed immediately or spent 15 min following cocaine injections did not show CPP. Effective conditioning trial durations for CPP induced by intracranial cocaine injections are apparently much shorter than those typically used for intracranial injections of other drugs of abuse.

Pyran-containing sulfonamide hydroxamic acids: potent MMP inhibitors that spare MMP-1

The SAR of a series of sterically hindered sulfonamide hydroxamic acids with relatively large P1' groups is described. The compounds typically spare MMP-1 while being potent inhibitors of MMP-13. The metabolically more stable compounds in the series contain either a monocyclic or bicyclic pyran ring adjacent to the hydroxamate group. Despite the sparing of MMP-1, pre-clinical and clinical studies revealed that fibrosis in rats and MSS in humans is still produced.

Qualitative perfusion imaging of the human optic nerve

PURPOSE

Standard methods for the evaluation of human optic nerve perfusion provide limited information. In this pilot study, the authors investigated the feasibility of qualitative perfusion imaging, a recently developed neuroradiologic technique, as a method of assessing human intraorbital optic nerve blood flow.

METHODS

Qualitative perfusion imaging (based on magnetic resonance fast spin-echo sequences) was used to study the optic nerves of 7 healthy volunteers and 5 patients with known optic nerve disease. Data regarding both study subject background and alteration in optic nerve signal intensity were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Control group subjects were significantly younger than study group subjects. No significant differences in optic nerve signal patterns were found within the control group. Comparison of patients with optic neuropathy against the normal composite revealed substantial differences in enhancement characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Qualitative perfusion imaging of the human optic nerve is feasible and may serve as the basis for more advanced neuroradiologic studies of optic nerve blood flow abnormalities.

Design and synthesis of 2-oxo-imidazolidine-4-carboxylic acid hydroxyamides as potent matrix metalloproteinase-13 inhibitors

A novel series of imidazolidinone-based matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors was discovered by structural modification of pyrrolidinone la. Potent inhibition of MMP-13 was exhibited by the analogues having 4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl (4a, IC50 = 3 nM) and 4-(naphth-2-yloxy)phenyl (4h, IC50 = 4 nM) as P1' groups.

Contrast agent-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of skeletal muscle damage in animal models of muscular dystrophy

Membrane lesions play an early role in the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy. Using a new albumin-targeted contrast agent (MS-325), sarcolemmal integrity of two animal models for muscular dystrophy was studied by MRI. Intravenously injected MS-325 does not enter skeletal muscle of normal mice. However, mdx and Sgca-null mutant mice, animal models for Duchenne and sarcoglycan-deficient limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, respectively, showed significant accumulation of MS-325 in skeletal muscle. The results suggest that contrast agent-enhanced MRI could serve as a common, noninvasive imaging procedure for evaluating the localization, extent, and mechanisms of skeletal muscle damage in muscular dystrophy. Furthermore, this method is expected to facilitate assessment of therapeutic approaches in these diseases.

Computed tomography vs. magnetic resonance imaging of acute bacterial sinusitis: a rabbit model

PURPOSE

Computed topography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are important, both clinically and in a research setting, in assessing bacterial sinusitis (BS). The use of CT scanning to evaluate sinus opacification in a reversible model of rabbit acute sinusitis has been reported. MRI offers the potential for better visualization of soft tissue and fluid changes within the paranasal sinuses. MRI has potential as a research tool in animal models of sinusitis. This article compares the use of CT and MRI in measuring maxillary sinus opacification in rabbits during experimental, reversible BS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 2 independent trials, New Zealand White rabbits were imaged for baseline anatomy, and BS was generated by sinus inoculation with Staphylococcus aureus. Serial imaging was performed as a measure of the progression and resolution of BS during the trials. Two experienced, independent reviewers then scored each CT and MRI for percent opacification of the maxillary sinus. These scores were analyzed to assess the degree of agreement between the reviewers.

RESULTS

The correlation coefficients for CT and MRI were 0.6816 and 0.3584, respectively. The Z-statistic comparing these correlation coefficients was significant (P < .0001), indicating that CT is a more precise measure of reversible BS in this rabbit model. Differences in mean scan time and cost per scan were also significantly different (P < .0001), with CT being both quicker and less expensive.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater interobserver consistency of scan interpretation, with less time and cost, make CT the preferred tool for measuring BS in this rabbit model. Attributes of MRI such as better resolution of fluid-tissue interfaces and custom surface coil design for visualization of specific anatomic structures are discussed as they may increase the effectiveness of MRI as an imaging modality in future sinusitis research.

Early adenovirus-mediated gene transfer effectively prevents muscular dystrophy in alpha-sarcoglycan-deficient mice

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D (LGMD 2D) is the most common cause of LGMD with a sarcoglycan defect. We recently engineered a murine model for this progressive disease and we investigated the possibility of preventing the development of muscular dystrophy in these animals by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of human alpha-sarcoglycan. Here we report that a single intramuscular injection of a first generation adenovirus into the skeletal muscle of neonate mice led to sustained expression of alpha-sarcoglycan at the sarcolemma of transduced myofibers for at least 7 months. The morphology of transduced muscles was consequently preserved. In addition, we have used contrast agent-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate sarcolemmal integrity in adenovirus-injected animals and have thereby demonstrated maintenance of sarcolemmal function. In conclusion, we provide evidence that early virus-mediated gene transfer of a sarcoglycan protein constitutes a promising therapeutic strategy for LGMDs and that the benefits of this approach can easily and effectively be monitored by noninvasive methodologies such as MRI.

Utility of simultaneously acquired gradient-echo and spin-echo cerebral blood volume and morphology maps in brain tumor patients

An interleaved gradient-echo (GE) / spin-echo (SE) EPI sequence was used to acquire images during the first pass of a susceptibility contrast agent, in patients with brain tumors. Maps of 1) GE (total) rCBV (relative cerebral blood volume), 2) SE (microvascular) rCBV, both corrected for T(1) leakage effects, and 3) (DeltaR(2)*/DeltaR(2)), a potential marker of averaged vessel diameter, were determined. Both GE rCBV and DeltaR(2)*/DeltaR(2) correlated strongly with tumor grade (P = 0.01, P = 0.01, n = 15), while SE rCBV did not (P = 0.24, n = 15). When the GE rCBV data were not corrected for leakage effects, the correlation with tumor grade was no longer significant (P = 0.09, n = 15). These findings suggest that MRI measurements of total blood volume fraction (corrected for agent extravasation) and DeltaR(2)*/DeltaR(2), as opposed to maps of microvascular volume, may prove to be the most appropriate markers for the evaluation of tumor angiogenesis (the induction of new blood vessels) and antiangiogenic therapies. Magn Reson Med 43:845-853, 2000.

Simultaneous gradient-echo/spin-echo EPI of graded ischemia in human skeletal muscle

The goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) methodologies to provide temporal and spatial information about skeletal muscle perfusion. A simultaneous gradient echo (GE) and spin-echo (SE) imaging sequence (GE/SE) with alternating TE was used to acquire images of leg skeletal muscle throughout a stepped reactive hyperemia paradigm. The change in both the GE and SE relaxation rates (deltaR2*, deltaR2) measured during ischemia and reactive hyperemia scaled with the duration of cuff inflation (the ischemic period) plateaued for cuff inflations lasting longer than 120 seconds and were greater in soleus muscle than in gastrocnemius. The ratio deltaR2*/deltaR2 was found to be less during the reactive hyperemia period relative to ischemia. Considering that a greater proportion of capillary vessels are perfused during reactive hyperemia than during ischemia, this finding suggests that magnetic susceptibility methodologies, with their dependence on compartment size, may provide a measure of the relative distribution of small and large vessels in skeletal muscle.

Water diffusion and exchange as they influence contrast enhancement

The contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal is rarely a direct measure of contrast concentration; rather it depends on the effect that the contrast agent has on the tissue water magnetization. To correctly interpret such studies, an understanding of the effects of water movement on the magnetic resonance (MR) signal is critical. In this review, we discuss how water diffusion within biological compartments and water exchange between these compartments affect MR signal enhancement and therefore our ability to extract physiologic information. The two primary ways by which contrast agents affect water magnetization are discussed: (1) direct relaxivity and (2) indirect susceptibility effects. For relaxivity agents, for which T1 effects usually dominate, the theory of relaxation enhancement is presented, along with a review of the relevant physiologic time constants for water movement affecting this relaxation enhancement. Experimental issues that impact accurate measurement of the relaxation enhancement are discussed. Finally, the impact of these effects on extracting physiologic information is presented. Susceptibility effects depend on the size and shape of the contrast agent, the size and shape of the compartment in which it resides, as well as the characteristics of the water movement through the resulting magnetic field inhomogeneity. Therefore, modeling of this effect is complex and is the subject of active study. However, since susceptibility effects can be much stronger than relaxivity effects in certain situations, they may be useful even without full quantitation.

Improving MR quantification of regional blood volume with intravascular T1 contrast agents: accuracy, precision, and water exchange

The goal of this work was to develop a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between vascular proton exchange rates and the accuracy and precision of tissue blood volume estimates using intravascular T1 contrast agents. Using computer simulations, the effects of vascular proton exchange and experimental pulse sequence parameters on measurement accuracy were quantified. T1 and signal measurements made in a rat model implanted with R3230 mammary adenocarcinoma tumors demonstrated that the theoretical findings are biologically relevant; data demonstrated that over-simplified exchange models may result in measures of tumor, muscle, and liver blood volume fractions that depend on experimental parameters such as the vascular contrast concentration. As a solution to the measurement of blood volume in tissues with exchange that is unknown, methods that minimize exchange rate dependence were examined. Simulations that estimated both the accuracy and precision of such methods indicated that both the inversion recovery and the transverse-spoiled gradient echo methods using a "no-exchange" model provide the best trade-off between accuracy and precision.

Discovery of the hemifumarate and (alpha-L-alanyloxy)methyl ether as prodrugs of an antirheumatic oxindole: prodrugs for the enolic OH group

Ether, ester, and carbonate derivatives of the antirheumatic oxindole 1 were prepared and screened as potential prodrugs of 1. This effort led to the discovery of the (alpha-L-alanyloxy)-methyl ether and hemifumarate derivatives of 1 which deliver the drug efficiently into the circulation of test animals, are stable in the solid state, and possess good stability in solution at low pH as required to ensure gastric stability. Success in achieving acceptable bioavailabilities of 1 across species (rats, dogs, and monkeys) followed the inclusion of ionizable functionality within the promoiety to compensate for masking the polar enolic OH group of the free drug. However, the introduction of ionizable functionality was often associated with decreased stability, as demonstrated by the hemisuccinate, hemiadipate, hemisuberate, and alpha-amino ester derivatives of 1 which could not be isolated. A clear exception was the hemifumarate derivative of 1 which was not only isolable but actually more stable at neutral pH than the nonionizable ester analogues. The solution and solid state stability of the hemifumarate, together with its activity as a prodrug of 1, suggests that hemifumarate be considered as an alternative to hemisuccinate as a prodrug derivative for alcohols, particularly in situations where solution state stability is an issue.

MR perfusion studies with T1-weighted echo planar imaging

The T1 perfusion model has worked well in brain functional studies where flow changes are measured. Using selective and nonselective inversion pulses, a new method has been developed to study steady-state brain blood flow. The authors obtained flow-sensitive images using selective inversion and flow-insensitive images using nonselective inversion. Subtraction of flow-insensitive images from flow-sensitive images gave us flow-weighted images with good gray-white flow contrast in cortical gray matter as well as in the thalamus and basal ganglia. Fitting T1s of flow-insensitive and flow-sensitive images allowed us to obtain preliminary results of brain blood flow maps. Two specific problems can seriously affect the accuracy of the brain blood flow values and the gray-white flow contrast of brain blood flow maps. These are the problems of the partial volume effect of CSF and gray matter, and the difference between blood T1 and white matter T1. The authors discuss in detail the character of these problems and present a number of approaches to manage such problems.

Dynamic Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI measurement of tissue cell volume fraction

A new technique for measuring tissue cellular volume fraction, based on an improved modeling of the dynamic distribution of Gd-DTPA and the effect of proton exchange, is described. This technique uses peak T1 enhancement and blood Gd-DTPA concentration to compute tissue cellular volume fraction. The feasibility of this technique is demonstrated with computer simulations that explore the limits of the simplifying assumptions (small vascular space, slow vascular-extravascular proton exchange), and by direct comparison of MR and radionuclide cell fraction measurements made in muscle, liver, and tumor tissue in a rat model. The computer simulations demonstrate that with slow to intermediate vascular proton exchange and vascular fractions less than 10% the error in our cell fraction measurements typically remains less than 10%. Consistent with this prediction, a direct comparison between MR and radionuclide measurements of cell fraction demonstrates mean percent differences of less than 10%:1.9% in muscle (n = 4); 9% in liver (n = 1) and 9.5% in tumor (n = 4). Similarly, for all rats studied, the MR-measured cell fractions (muscle (0.92 +/- 0.04, n = 20); liver (0.76 +/- 0.11, n = 9); whole tumor (0.69 +/- 0.15, n = 22)) agree with the cell fraction values reported in the literature. In general, the authors' results demonstrate the feasibility of a simple method for measuring tissue cell fraction that is robust across a broad range of vascular volume, flow, and exchange conditions. Consequently, this method may prove to be an important means for evaluating the response of tumors to therapy.

EPI imaging of global increase of brain MR signal with breath-hold preceded by breathing O2

Brain MR signal has been observed to decrease during cessation of breathing due to the increase of deoxyhemoglobin in the blood. However, for both animal and human studies, we have demonstrated that if the subjects breathed 100% oxygen in advance of apnea for a short time, T2*-weighted MR brain signal increased when breathing was stopped for a period of 30-60 s. This demonstrates the possibility of measuring responses to hemodynamic change throughout the entire brain with a single respiratory perturbation in a rapid, reliable, and robust manner.

Studies of Gd-DTPA relaxivity and proton exchange rates in tissue

The image intensity in many contrast agent perfusion studies is designed to be a function of bulk tissue T1, which is, in turn, a function of the compartmental (vascular, interstitial, and cellular) T1s, and the rate of proton exchange between the compartments. The goal of this study was to characterize the compartmental tissue Gd-DTPA relaxivities and to determine the proton exchange rate between the compartments. Expressing [Gd-DTPA] as mmol/liter tissue water, the relaxivities at 8.45 T and room temperature were: saline, 3.87 +/- 0.06 (mM.s)-1 (mean +/- SE; n = 29); plasma, 3.98 +/- 0.05 (mM.s)-1 (n = 6); and control cartilage (primarily an interstitium), 4.08 +/- 0.08 (mM.s)-1 (n = 17), none of which are significantly different. The relaxivity of cartilage did not change with compression, trypsinization, or equilibration in plasma, suggesting relaxivity is not influenced by interstitial solid matrix density, charge, or the presence of plasma proteins. T1 relaxation studies on isolated perfused hearts demonstrated that the cellular-interstitial water exchange rate is between 8 and 27 Hz, while the interstitial-vascular water exchange rate is less than 7 Hz. Thus, for Gd-DTPA concentrations, which would be used clinically, the T1 relaxation rate behavior of intact hearts can be modeled as being in the fast exchange regime for cellular-interstitial exchange but slow exchange for interstitial-vascular exchange. A measured relaxivity of 3.82 +/- 0.05 (mM.s)-1 (n = 8) for whole blood (red blood cells and plasma) and 4.16 +/- 0.02 (mM.s)-1 (n = 3) for frog heart tissue (cells and interstitium) (with T1 and Gd-DTPA concentration defined from the total tissue water volume) supports the conclusion of fast cellular-extracellular exchange. Knowledge of the Gd-DTPA relaxivity and maintaining Gd-DTPA concentration in the range so as to maintain fast cellular-interstitial exchange allows for calculation of bulk Gd-DTPA concentration from bulk tissue T1 within a calculable error due to slow vascular exchange.

Sequence of swallow, a gene required for the localization of bicoid message in Drosophila eggs

We report the sequence of the Drosophila maternal effect gene swallow, one of the genes whose product is required for the localization of bicoid message during Drosophila oogenesis. The inferred swallow protein contains a domain that is predicted to be an amphipathic alpha-helix similar to those implicated in protein:protein associations in other systems. Another part of the predicted protein appears to be a diverged RNA-binding motif. We discuss these structural features in light of the function of the swallow protein in the bicoid message localization process.

Cadaver middle ears as models for living ears: comparisons of middle ear input immittance

In vitro measurements of the middle ear input immittance in temporal bones extracted from human cadavers were directly compared with similar in vivo measurements from clinically normal subjects. The results of this comparison indicate that most otoscopically normal unfixed cadaver ears have middle ear input immittances that are indistinguishable from those of live subjects in the 0.1- to 2-kHz range--as long as they have been kept from drying and the static pressures on either side of the tympanic membrane are equal. The effects of the middle ear muscles on the measured input immittance are generally small and the cadaver ears can be maintained in the frozen state for several months with little change. Tympanometry appears to be a reliable indicator of normal middle ear immittance. Cadaver middle ears are useful models of human middle ear function.

Spatial and temporal patterns of human jejunal contractions

We recorded human jejunal motor activity by a 12-lumen manometric tube with recording sites 2 cm apart. The contractile activity in the fasted and the fed state was analyzed by computer to define the spatial and temporal patterns of contractions. Mean duration and area of single contractions during phase III activity were not different from those during phase II activity. By contrast, the frequency and amplitude of contractions, their propagation distance, and the percentage of contractions that propagated for greater than or equal to 2 cm were significantly greater during phase III than during phase II activity. The mean frequency and percentage of propagated contractions in the fed state were intermediate between those during phase II and phase III activity. Mean propagation distance of postprandial contractions was not different from that of phase II contractions. Most contractions in the fed state were uncoordinated at adjacent recording sites. Occasionally, large-amplitude and long-duration contractions, called individual migrating contractions, propagated over long distances and frequently over the entire 22-cm study segment. We conclude that there are some significant differences between the spatial and temporal patterns of contractions between the fed state and phase II and phase III activity. The largely disorganized phasic contractions in the fed state may cause mostly mixing of the ingested meal and its slow distal propagation, whereas the infrequent individual migrating contractions may rapidly propel intestinal contents over longer distances.

Neuroleptic activity of chiral trans-hexahydro-gamma-carbolines

A series of trans-8-fluoro-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2,3,4,4a,5, 9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indoles with various N-2 substituents has been prepared and tested for neuroleptic activity [( 3H]spiroperidol binding and amphetamine antagonism). Several members of this series showed exceptional in vivo potency, especially the hydantoin derivatives 27-30. Resolution into the enantiomers showed that neuroleptic activity is associated with the 4aS,9bS absolute configuration. These rigid neuroleptics have been correlated with other rigid neuroleptics [(+)-dexclamol, Ro 22-1319] and can serve to further define the topography of the dopamine receptor.