Potent DP Research Articles

In vitro biotransformations of the prostaglandin D 2 (DP) antagonist MK-0524 and synthesis of metabolites

Metabolites of the potent DP antagonist, MK-0524, were generated using in vitro systems including hepatic microsomes and hepatocytes. Four metabolites (two hydroxylated diastereomers, a ketone and an acyl glucuronide) were characterized by LC–MS/MS and 1H NMR. Larger quantities of these metabolites were prepared by either organic synthesis or biosynthetically to be used as standards in other studies. The propensity for covalent binding was assessed and was found to be acceptable (<50 pmol-equiv/mg protein).

Targeting the Prostaglandin D2 Receptors DP and CRTH2 for Treatment of Inflammation

The involvement of prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) in inflammatory diseases like allergy and asthma is well established, thus blocking the effect of this mediator represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of such diseases. PGD(2) is now known to act through two seven-transmembrane (7TM) receptors, DP (DP(1)) and CRTH2 (DP(2)), which are also activated by several endogenous metabolites from the arachidonic acid cascade, making the regulatory system highly complex. There has recently been a considerable effort aimed at developing antagonists of the PGD(2) receptors for treatment of inflammatory conditions like asthma and rhinitis. Several potent DP antagonists are now known, and one of these is currently in clinical trials for treatment of asthma. CRTH2 has received much attention since its identification as the second high affinity PGD(2) receptor in 2001, and a number of potent and selective antagonists have recently become available. This review will briefly discuss the biological background and validation of DP and CRTH2 as targets for antiinflammatory drugs, and then highlight developments in medicinal chemistry which have appeared in journals and patent applications in the last few years, and which have brought us closer to therapeutic applications of PGD(2) receptor antagonists in various indications.

Synthesis and characterization of tritium labeled 2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazoles as potent DP receptor antagonists

AbstractTritium labeled 2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazole 1a and 2a were prepared in good yields with a specific activity of 7.0 Ci/mmol (214 GBq/mmol) and 4.2 Ci/mmol (155 GBq/mmol), respectively. Both compounds have been synthesized in high radiochemical purity by catalytic tritium–bromine exchange of the corresponding aryl bromide precursors. The 6‐bromocarbazole precursors 7 and 8 were prepared as a mixture by a three step process, involving regioselective bromination of 3c with pyridinium tribromide, oxidation of thioether 4c using m‐CPBA and hydrolysis of acylsultamcarbazole 5c. Finally, HPLC separation of the enantiomers afforded the 6‐bromo precursors 7 and 8 in high diastereomeric ratio (dr 99% and dr 93% respectively). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

A novel PGD 2 receptor expressed in eosinophils

PGD 2 is a major product of arachidonic acid metabolism by mast cells and is released in the lungs following allergen challenge. Activation of the classic PGD 2 receptor (DP receptor) results in stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, resulting in inhibition of platelet aggregation and smooth muscle relaxation. A second PGD 2 receptor has recently been identified and designated as the DP 2 receptor, or chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells. PGD 2 acts through the DP 2 receptor to induce eosinophil chemotaxis, actin polymerization, calcium mobilization, and adhesion molecule expression. The most potent DP 2 receptor agonist yet identified is 15 R-methyl-PGD 2, which has the unnatural R configuration at C 15. 15-Deoxy- Δ 12,14-PGJ 2 is also a potent DP 2 receptor agonist that activates eosinophils at concentrations much lower than those required for its anti-inflammatory effects. Because of its critical location in the lung and its potent effects on eosinophils, PGD 2 may be an important proinflammatory mediator in asthma.

Different modes of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26) inhibition by oligopeptides derived from the N-terminus of HIV-1 Tat indicate at least two inhibitor binding sites.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV, CD26) plays an essential role in the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, which is shown by the immunosuppressive effects of synthetic DP IV inhibitors. Similarly, both human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) Tat protein and the N-terminal peptide Tat(1-9) inhibit DP IV activity and T cell proliferation. Therefore, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of HIV-1 Tat is important for the inhibition of DP IV. Recently, we characterized the thromboxane A2 receptor peptide TXA2-R(1-9), bearing the N-terminal MWP sequence motif, as a potent DP IV inhibitor possibly playing a functional role during antigen presentation by inhibiting T cell-expressed DP IV [Wrenger, S., Faust, J., Mrestani-Klaus, C., Fengler, A., Stöckel-Maschek, A., Lorey, S., Kähne, T., Brandt, W., Neubert, K., Ansorge, S. & Reinhold, D. (2000) J. Biol. Chem.275, 22180-22186]. Here, we demonstrate that amino acid substitutions at different positions of Tat(1-9) can result in a change of the inhibition type. Certain Tat(1-9)-related peptides are found to be competitive, and others linear mixed-type or parabolic mixed-type inhibitors indicating different inhibitor binding sites on DP IV, at the active site and out of the active site. The parabolic mixed-type mechanism, attributed to both non-mutually exclusive inhibitor binding sites of the enzyme, is described in detail. From the kinetic investigations and molecular modeling experiments, possible interactions of the oligopeptides with specified amino acids of DP IV are suggested. These findings give new insights for the development of more potent and specific peptide-based DP IV inhibitors. Such inhibitors could be useful for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Prostaglandin D(2), its metabolite 15-d-PGJ(2), and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma agonists induce apoptosis in transformed, but not normal, human T lineage cells.

Prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) is abundantly produced by mast cells, platelets, and alveolar macrophages and has been proposed as a key immunoregulatory lipid mediator. 15-Deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2) (15-d-PGJ(2)), a key PGD(2) metabolite, is under intense study as a potential anti-inflammatory mediator. Little is known about PGD(2) or the role of 15-d-PGJ(2), if any, in regulating the activities of human T lineage cells. In this report we demonstrate that both PGD(2) and 15-d-PGJ(2) have potent antiproliferative effects, and in fact kill human T lymphocyte lines derived from malignant cells by an apoptotic mechanism. Interestingly, normal human T cells were not similarly affected. Although the T lymphocyte lines express mRNA for the PGD(2) receptor (DP-R), a potent DP receptor agonist, BW245C, did not inhibit the proliferation or viability of the cells, suggesting an alternative mechanism of action. PGD(2) and 15-d-PGJ(2) can bind to the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) which is implicated in lipid metabolism and apoptosis. Exposure to synthetic PPAR-gamma ligands (e.g. ciglitazone, troglitazone) mimicked the inhibitory responses of PGD(2) and 15-d-PGJ(2), and induced apoptosis in the transformed T cells consistent with a PPAR-gamma-dependent mechanism. These observations suggest that PPAR-gamma ligands (which may include PGD2) provide strong apoptotic signals to transformed, but not normal T lymphocytes. Thus, the efficacy of utilizing PPAR-gamma and its ligands as therapeutics for human T cell cancers needs to be further evaluated.

Role of the parasite-derived prostaglandin D2 in the inhibition of epidermal Langerhans cell migration during schistosomiasis infection.

Epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) play a key role in immune defense mechanisms and in numerous immunological disorders. In this report, we show that percutaneous infection of C57BL/6 mice with the helminth parasite Schistosoma mansoni leads to the activation of LCs but, surprisingly, to their retention in the epidermis. Moreover, using an experimental model of LC migration induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, we show that parasites transiently impair the departure of LCs from the epidermis and their subsequent accumulation as dendritic cells in the draining lymph nodes. The inhibitory effect is mediated by soluble lipophilic factors released by the parasites and not by host-derived antiinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-10. We find that prostaglandin (PG)D2, but not the other major eicosanoids produced by the parasites, specifically impedes the TNF-alpha-triggered migration of LCs through the adenylate cyclase-coupled PGD2 receptor (DP receptor). Moreover, the potent DP receptor antagonist BW A868C restores LC migration in infected mice. Finally, in a model of contact allergen-induced LC migration, we show that activation of the DP receptor not only inhibits LC emigration but also dramatically reduces the contact hypersensitivity responses after challenge. Taken together, we propose that the inhibition of LC migration could represent an additional stratagem for the schistosomes to escape the host immune system and that PGD2 may play a key role in the control of cutaneous immune responses.

Solution structures of the DP IV (CD26) inhibitor Val-boroPro determined by NMR spectroscopy

L-Val-L-boroPro, a potent DP IV (CD26) inhibitor, and its non-inhibitory diastereomer L-Val-D-boroPro, were studied by 1D 1H and 11H NMR and by 2D 1H NMR methods in aqueous solution. Complete 1D 1H NMR fine structures were computer analyzed to obtain the 1H chemical shifts and spin-coupling constants. Dihedral angles were derived from coupling constants on the basis of the Altona equation (i.e. an improved Karplus equation). The structures and populations of proline ring conformations were determined with the aid of pseudo-rotation analysis. Good agreement between the distances derived from NOESY data and dihedral angle-constrained force-field calculations was obtained. Structural analysis allowed the identification of the absolute stereochemistry of the α-carbon of the proline residue, and showed that the active inhibitor is the diastereomer which is homochiral with L-proline. L-Val-L-boroPro exists largely in a single conformer, in contrast to L-Val-D-boroPro, which adopts two proline conformations in a 2:1 ratio. Analysis of 1H and 11H NMR spectra proves that inactivation of the inhibitor at physiological pH results from a cyclization reaction in which the free N-terminal nitrogen atom forms a covalent bond with the B atom.