Inhibitors Of Human Leukocyte Elastase Research Articles

ChemInform Abstract: Design, Synthesis and Stability of N‐Acyloxymethyl‐ and N‐Aminocarbonyloxymethyl‐2‐azetidinones as Human Leukocyte Elastase Inhibitors.

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

Synthesis and human leukocyte elastase inhibitory evaluation of phosphate triesters and acyl phosphates of penam sulfides and sulfones

The synthesis of 6,6-dibromo-3α-(diphenylphosphate)oxymethyl-2,2-dimethyl penam sulfone ( 3a), 6α-chloro-3α-(diphenylphosphate)oxymethyl-2,2-dimethyl penam sulfone ( 3b), benzyl 6α-(diphenyl-phosphate)oxypenicillanate sulfone ( 4) and 6,6-dibromo-3α-(methylphosphate)carbonyl-2,2-dimethylpenam sulfone ( 12) are reported. When tested as inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase, the compound 4 proved to be the most active.

Production of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor by human amniotic membranes and regulation of its concentration in amniotic fluid.

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a potent inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase. SLPI is a protein found in various human fluids, including parotid secretions, cervical mucus, seminal plasma and ascites. Western blot analysis revealed that SLPI protein is detected as a 12 kDa band in both the amniotic fluid and the amniotic membrane. The amniotic fluid concentrations of SLPI were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SLPI concentrations in the amniotic fluid of women in the third trimester were higher than those in the second trimester. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-SLPI polyclonal antibody revealed positive staining in epithelial cells in amniotic membranes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that SLPI transcripts could be detected in the amniotic membranes. To determine the mechanism of SLPI production by amniotic cells, purified amniotic cells were stimulated with various cytokines. Amniotic cells produced SLPI in a dose-dependent manner when stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. The present findings show that SLPI is produced by the amniotic membranes in response to cytokine concentrations. The SLPI in the amniotic fluid may contribute to immunodefence mechanisms during pregnancy.

Salivary non-immunoglobulin agglutinin inhibits human leukocyte elastase digestion of acidic proline-rich salivary proteins.

Saliva contains acidic proline-rich salivary proteins that are involved in the formation of the salivary pellicle coating supragingival tooth surfaces. However, human leukocyte elastase, arriving in gingival exudates from inflamed periodontal tissues, degrades the acidic proline-rich salivary proteins, preventing binding to hydroxylapatite surfaces. Here it is reported that high-molecular-weight non-immunoglobulin salivary agglutinin inhibited the proteolytic action of human leukocyte elastase on purified acidic proline-rich salivary proteins. Inhibition was eliminated with monoclonal antibody to a protein determinant on the salivary agglutinin. The addition of antibody against salivary agglutinin blocked the inhibitory effect of parotid saliva on exogenously applied human leukocyte elastase, allowing for the elastase-mediated digestion of the salivary acidic proline-rich salivary proteins. Salivary agglutinin, therefore, is a physiologically important inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase and is able to inhibit elastase-mediated digestion of salivary acidic proline-rich proteins.

Inhibition of serine proteases by functionalized sulfonamides coupled to the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold

A challenge associated with drug design is the development of selective inhibitors of proteases (serine or cysteine) that exhibit the same primary substrate specificity, that is, show a preference for the same P 1 residue. While these proteases have similar active sites, nevertheless there are subtle differences in their S and S′ subsites which can be exploited. We describe herein for the first time the use of functionalized sulfonamides as a design and diversity element which, when coupled to the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold yields potent, time-dependent inhibitors of the serine proteases human leukocyte elastase (HLE), proteinase 3 (PR 3) and cathepsin G(Cat G). Our preliminary findings suggest that (a) appending to the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold recognition and diversity elements that interact with both the S and S′ subsites of a target protease may result in optimal enzyme selectivity and potency and, (b) functionalized sulfonamides constitute a powerful design and diversity element with low intrinsic chemical reactivity and potentially wide applicability.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel β-lactam inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase

A series of β-lactam derivatives were synthesized and tested to determine the structure-activity relationship for inhibition of human leukocyte elastase (HLE), a serine protease involved in several degenerative lung and tissue diseases. The most potent IC50values were obtained with neutral hydrophobic 7α-methoxy cephalosporanic acid derivatives. Tryptophanyl-9-fluorenylmethyl ester and N-benzhydryl piperazine derivatives of 7α-methoxy cephalosporanic acid represent two novel HLE inhibitors, with length of action persisting beyond 24 h.Key words: β-lactams, neutrophil elastase, protease inhibitors, peptides.

Design, Synthesis and Stability of N-Acyloxymethyl- and N-Aminocarbonyloxymethyl-2-azetidinones as Human Leukocyte Elastase Inhibitors

A series of N-acyloxymethyl- and N-aminocarbonyloxymethyl derivatives of 2-azetidinones, 3, with different substituent patterns at the β-lactam C-3 and C-4 positions, were designed as potential mechanism-based inhibitors for human leukocyte elastase and found to exhibit inhibitory potency and selectivity for the enzyme.

International Isotope Society. Abstracts of the Xth I.I.S. (UK Group) Symposium. Current themes in Isotopic chemistry.

AbstractThe tenth annual symposium of the International Isotope Society's United Kingdom Group took place at the Alderley Park site of AstraZeneca plc. The symposium was attended by over 80 delegates from academia, the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, life science and fine chemical companies. Delegates were welcomed to the site by Dr Peter Warner of the Medicinal Chemistry Department.The scientific programme consisted of presentations on isotopic chemistry and applications of labelled compounds, or of chemistry with significant implications for isotopic synthesis. Both short‐lived and long‐lived isotopes were represented, as were stable isotopes. The programme was split into a morning and afternoon session chaired by Dr John Harding (AstraZeneca, who also organised the excellent domestic programme) and Dr Karl Cable (Glaxo Wellcome). The meeting ended with concluding remarks from Dr Ken Lawrie (SmithKline Beecham), chairman of the UK Group. This years symposium had a larger attendance from other European countries, an excellent level of sponsorship was achieved, and the symposium proved self‐financing.The next UK group symposium is planned for early October 2001.Meeting Programme Paul Pringle [University of Bristol, UK] To what extent can Homogeneous Catalysts be Designed? Henrick Olsen [Novo Nordisk, Denmark] Mapping of Pharmaceutical Degradation Products in the Solid Dosage Form using Radiotracers. Marie‐Claire Lasne [University of Caen, France] Synthesis of New Ligands of Cholinergic Receptors. Strategies for their Radiolabelling with Positron Emitters, Carbon‐11 or Fluorine‐18. Christopher Rayner [University of Leeds, UK] Catalysis in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide ‐ What advantages does it have to Offer? Gunnar Antoni, [University of Uppsala, Sweden] Position Specific Labelling of Biomedically Interesting Compounds using Short‐Lived Radionuclides. Hugh Wiltshire [Hoffmann‐La Roche, UK] The Use of Stable‐Labelled Isotopes in Bioequivalence Studies with the HIV‐Protease inhibitor Saquinavir. Alison Hill [Kings College, UK] Elucidation of Soraphen A Biosynthesis using 2H, 13C and 18O‐Labelled Precursors. Nick Shipley [Glaxo Wellcome, UK] Preparation of P450 Substrates for use in Drug‐drug Interactions Andrew Mather [AstraZeneca, UK] Aspects of Isotopic Labelling by Parallel Chemistry. Helen Booth [Astra Zeneca, UK] Synthesis of 14C‐labelled forms of a series of Human Leukocyte Elastase Inhibitors.

The Bowman-Birk inhibitor reactive site loop sequence represents an independent structural β-hairpin motif

We have determined the NMR structure in aqueous solution of a disulphide-cyclised 11-residue peptide that forms a stable β-hairpin, incorporating a type VIb β-turn. The structure is found to be extremely well ordered for a short peptide, with the 30 lowest energy simulated annealing structures having an average pairwise r.m.s. deviation of only 0.36 Å over the backbone. All but three side-chains adopt distinct conformations, allowing a detailed analysis of their involvement in cross-strand interactions. The peptide sequence analysed originates from a previously reported study, which identified potent inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase from screening a combinatorial peptide library based on the short protein β-sheet segment that forms the reactive site loop of Bowman-Birk inhibitors. A detailed comparison of the peptide’s solution structure with the corresponding region in the whole protein structure reveals a very good correspondence not only for the backbone (r.m.s. deviation ≈0.7 Å) but also for the side-chains. This isolated β-hairpin retains the biologically active “canonical conformation” typical of small serine proteinase inhibitor proteins, which explains why it retains inhibitory activity. Since the structural integrity is sequence-inherent and does not depend upon the presence of the remaining protein, this β-hairpin represents an independent structural motif and so provides a useful model of this type of protein architecture and its relation to biological function. The relationship between the conformation of this β-hairpin and its biological activity is discussed.

6-acylamino-2-[(ethylsulfonyl)oxy]-1 H-isoindole-1,3-diones mechanism-based inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G: effect of chirality in the 6-acylamino substituent on inhibitory potency and selectivity

Inhibition of human leukocyte elastase(HLE) by a series of 6-acylamino-2-[(ethylsulfonyl)oxy)]-1 H-isoindole-1,3-diones was determined and compared to their inhibition of ChT, PPE, and Cat G. The best inhibitor of the series was 6-((1′ S)-camphanyl)amino-2-[(ethylsulfonyl)oxy]-1 H-isoindole-1,3-dione 5b, with a k obs/[I]=11,000 M −1 s −1. This study revealed that HLE shows a preference for the S stereochemistry and tolerates hydrophobic substituents in the S n′ binding sites. Molecular modeling of noncovalent HLE–inhibitor complexes was used as a tool to investigate our binding model. Buffer stability assays reveal that these compounds are susceptible to hydrolysis at physiological pH.

Synthesis and inhibitory activity towards human leukocyte elastase of new 7α-methoxy and 7α-chloro (2-acyloxymethyl) cephem derivatives

Some new cephem derivatives of types 4 and 5, viewed as analogues of type I esters in which the atomic sequence of the C-2 ester group is formally inverted, were synthesised and tested in vitro for their inhibitory activity towards human leukocyte elastase and porcine pancreatic elastase. An examination of the inhibition data obtained for the new type 4 and 5 derivatives, while exhibiting a considerable reduction in their activity against porcine pancreatic elastase, indicated that these compounds still maintain an appreciable inhibitory activity against human leukocyte elastase. On this basis the new type of C-2 substitution appears to contribute to the research of new, potentially interesting, cephalosporinic human leukocyte elastase inhibitors.

Synthesis and in-vitro evaluation of novel low molecular weight thiocarbamates as inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase.

A series of novel low molecular weight thiocarbamate esters (1e-6e) were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE). The thiocarbamate esters studied consist of a substituted primary or secondary aliphatic or aromatic amine and a 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol (Table I). The HLE catalyzed hydrolysis of N-methoxysuccinyl- L-Ala-L-Ala-L-Pro-L-Val-p-nitroanilide substrate was utilized as the measure of inhibition. N-n-butyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (1e) exhibited the highest inhibitory activity (k(obs) /[I] = 2.1 x 10(5) M(-1). min(-1) ) and N-allyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (2e) (K(obs) /[I] = 6.1 x 10(4) M(-1). min(-1) ) exhibited the second highest inhibitory activity of all the thiocarbamates. The aromatic N-phenyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (4e) showed the lowest inhibitory activity (K(obs) /[I] = 1.9 x 10(2) M(-1). min(-1) ) among the N-monosubstituted derivatives, similar to that of N-ethyl-N-n-butyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (5e) (K(obs) /[I] = 1.8 x 10(2) M(-1).min(-1) ). The N-isopropyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (3e) (K(obs) /[I] = 3.3 x 10(3) M(-1).min(-1) ) was about 10 fold more active than (4e) and N, N-diisopropyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole- 5-thiocarbamate (6e) showed no inhibitory activity against HLE. In the present work less than 3% of HLE specific activity was regained after 24 hours incubation with each of the tested N-monosubstituted thiocarbamates (1e-4e). The time-dependent inhibition of HLE by the thiocarbamate compounds (1e-5e) seems to involve the interaction and possible chemical modification of one enzyme residue. Straight chain nonpolar aliphatic substituents on the nitrogen of the thiocarbamate functionality may be essential for high inhibitory activity. As the degree of substitution (branching) on the nitrogen of the thiocarbamate functionality increases the inhibitory activity of the compounds decreases. The time-dependent inhibition of HLE and the slow deacylation rates by the N-monosubstituted thiocarbamates are consistent with irreversible inhibition.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel β-lactam inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase

A series of β -lactam derivatives were synthesized and tested to determine the structure–activity relationship for inhibition of human leukocyte elastase (HLE), a serine protease involved in several degenerative lung and tissue diseases. The most potent IC50 values were obtained with neutral hydrophobic 7α-methoxy cephalosporanic acid derivatives. Tryptophanyl-9-fluorenylmethyl ester and N-benzhydryl piperazine derivatives of 7α-methoxy cephalosporanic acid represent two novel HLE inhibitors, with length of action persisting beyond 24 h.

1,2,5-Thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 Dioxide: A Powerful Scaffold for Probing the S′ Subsites of (Chymo)trypsin-Like Serine Proteases

The 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold (I) embodies a motif that allows it to dock to the active site of (chymo)trypsin-like proteases in a predictable and substrate-like fashion. Consequently, inhibitors derived from this heterocyclic scaffold interact with both the S and S′ subsites of an enzyme. Exploitation of binding interactions with both the S and S′ subsites of a target enzyme may lead to compounds with greatly enhanced enzyme selectivity and inhibitory potency. This preliminary report describes the use of a series of compounds having the heterocyclic scaffold linked to various amino acids to probe the S′ subsites of human leukocyte elastase (HLE), proteinase 3 (PR 3), and cathepsin G (Cat G). For comparative purposes, a series of compounds derived from a related scaffold, isothiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide (II), was also generated. Several of the compounds were found to be highly potent and selective time-dependent inhibitors of HLE, PR 3, and Cat G.

Potential of pyrazolooxadiazinone derivatives as serine protease inhibitors.

As a part of an investigation on molecular hybrids as new serine protease inhibitors, the pyrazolo [4,3-c][1,2,5]oxadiazin-3(5H)-one ring system was selected as a model of potential mechanism-based inhibitors. Due to the inherent reactivity of this system an optimal balance between susceptibility to nucleophilic attack and stability in solvents was sought prior to development as therapeutic agents. Substitutions on N5 and C7 of the supporting pyrazole ring with either aliphatic or aromatic groups (compounds 2 a-m) and the replacement of the carbonyl oxygen on the reactive oxadiazinone ring with sulfur (compounds 3a,i) were explored. Two members (2i and 2k) of this class of inhibitors displayed time-dependent inhibition of HLE suggesting mechanism-based inhibition. The observation that HLE generated a product(s) from compound 2i which displayed an identical UV-Visible spectrum to that observed during non-enzymatic hydrolysis further supports this proposal. FlexX-based docking of these compounds into a model of the human leukocyte elastase (HLE) active site produced a molecular model of the inhibitor-enzyme interaction.

DNA from bronchial secretions modulates elastase inhibition by alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor and oxidized secretory leukoprotease inhibitor.

Previously we reported that DNA from sputum promotes the inhibition of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) by native secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI). This study shows that sputum DNA also promotes the inhibition by oxidized SLPI, a form of SLPI that may occupy a large fraction of the inhibitor in the lungs under conditions of high oxidative stress. With sputum DNA at 5 microg/ml, a concentration much lower than those in vivo, the inhibition constant (K(i) ) of oxidized SLPI against HLE is reduced from 31 nM to 23 to 920 pM, as compared with the K(i) of native SLPI, 58 pM, under the same conditions. On the other hand, sputum DNA retards inhibition of HLE by alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor (alpha(1)-PI). The association rate of alpha(1)-PI and HLE is decreased from 1 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) in the absence of DNA to 2 to 6 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) in the presence of sputum DNA at 100 microg/ml. On the basis of results with an elastase-specific oligonucleotide aptamer, it was found that the downregulation of alpha(1)-PI activity can be attributed to an interaction between sputum DNA and multiple DNA-binding sites on HLE. DNA-binding sites on HLE also participate in the upregulation of oxidized SLPI activity. Data from this and our previous studies demonstrate that sputum DNA facilitates the association of HLE with native and oxidized SLPI, whereas it delays the association of HLE with alpha(1)-PI. We conclude that by modulating the inhibition of HLE, sputum DNA directly affects the balance between proteases and antiproteases in the lungs.

Increased concentrations of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a potent inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase. We investigated whether SLPI was present in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis and to clarify the role of SLPI in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Western blot analyses revealed that SLPI protein was detected as a 12 kDa band in peritoneal fluid. The peritoneal fluid concentrations of SLPI, elastase and interleukin-6 were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). SLPI concentrations and the SLPI/elastase ratio in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis were higher than in samples from women without endometriosis. There was no significant correlation between concentrations of SLPI and interleukin-6 in the peritoneal fluid. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-SLPI polyclonal antibody revealed positive staining in peritoneal macrophages, but not lymphocytes. The present findings suggest that SLPI found in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Potent inhibition of serine proteases by heterocyclic sulfide derivatives of 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide

The existence of subtle differences in the Sn′ subsites of closely-related (chymo)trypsin-like serine proteases, and the fact that the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold docks to the active site of (chymo)trypsin-like enzymes in a substrate-like fashion, suggested that the introduction of recognition elements that can potentially interact with the Sn′ subsites of these proteases might provide an effective means for optimizing enzyme potency and selectivity. Accordingly, a series of heterocyclic sulfide derivatives based on the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold (I) was synthesized and the inhibitory activity and selectivity of these compounds toward human leukocyte elastase (HLE), proteinase 3 (PR 3) and cathepsin G (Cat G) were then determined. Compounds with P1=isobutyl were found to be potent, time-dependent inhibitors of HLE and, to a lesser extent PR 3, while those with P1=benzyl inactivated Cat G rapidly and irreversibly. This study has demonstrated that 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide-based heterocyclic sulfides are effective inhibitors of (chymo)trypsin-like serine proteases.

Coumarinic derivatives as mechanism-based inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin and human leukocyte elastase

Novel coumarinic derivatives were synthesized and tested for their inhibitory potency toward α-CT and HLE. Cycloalkyl esters and amides were found to be essentially inactive on both enzymes. On the opposite, aromatic esters strongly inactivated α-CT whereas HLE was less efficiently inhibited with dichlorophenyl ester derivatives (kinact/KI=4000M−1 s−1 for 36). Representative examples of amide, ester, thioester and ketone derivatives were prepared in order to evaluate the influence of the link between the coumarinic ring and the phenyl side chain. The irreversible inactivation of α-CT by 6-chloromethyl derivatives should be due to alkylation of a histidine residue as suggested by the amino acid analysis of the modified chymotrypsin. Conversely the inhibition of HLE was transient. Intrinsic reactivity of coumarins has been calculated using a model of a nucleophilic reaction between the ligand and the couple methanol–water. From this calculation, it appears that differences in the inhibitory potency expressed by these molecules cannot only be explained by differences in the reactivity of the lactonic carbonyl group toward the nucleophilic attack.

Utilization of the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold in the design of potent inhibitors of serine proteases: SAR studies using carboxylates

A series of carboxylate derivatives based on the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide and isothiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffolds has been synthesized and the inhibitory profile of these compounds toward human leukocyte elastase (HLE), cathepsin G (Cat G) and proteinase 3 (PR 3) was then determined. Most of the compounds were found to be potent, time-dependent inhibitors of elastase, with some of the compounds exhibiting kinact/KI values as high as 4,928,300 M−1 s−1. The inhibitory potency of carboxylate derivatives based on the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide platform was found to be influenced by both the pKa and the inherent structure of the leaving group. Proper selection of the primary specificity group (R1) was found to lead to selective inhibition of HLE over Cat G, however, those compounds that inhibited HLE also inhibited PR 3, albeit less efficiently. The predictable mode of binding of these compounds suggests that, among closely-related serine proteases, highly selective inhibitors of a particular serine protease can be fashioned by exploiting subtle differences in their S′ subsites. This study has also demonstrated that the degradative action of elastase on elastin can be abrogated in the presence of inhibitor 17.