Novel oxysterols activate the Hedgehog pathway and induce osteogenesis.

Localized induction of bone formation is essential during orthopedic procedures that involve skeletal repair, such as surgical treatment of non-union bone fractures and degenerative disk disease. Herein we disclose the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel oxysterol derivatives designed as anabolic bone growth agents. Structure-activity relationship studies of oxysterol 4 have identified analogues such as 18, 21 and 30.

Novel oxysterols have pro-osteogenic and anti-adipogenic effects in vitro and induce spinal fusion in vivo.

Stimulation of bone formation by osteoinductive materials is of great clinical importance in spinal fusion surgery, repair of bone fractures, and in the treatment of osteoporosis. We previously reported that specific naturally occurring oxysterols including 20(S)-hydroxycholesterol (20S) induce the osteogenic differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal cells, while inhibiting their adipogenic differentiation. Here we report the characterization of two structural analogues of 20S, Oxy34 and Oxy49, which induce the osteogenic and inhibit the adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) through activation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling.

Synthesis and evaluation of arylaminoethyl amides as noncovalent inhibitors of cathepsin S. Part 3: heterocyclic P3.

A series of N(alpha)-2-benzoxazolyl-alpha-amino acid-(arylaminoethyl)amides were identified as potent, selective, and noncovalent inhibitors of cathepsin S. Structure-activity relationships including strategies for modulating the selectivities among cathepsins S, K, and L, and in vivo pharmacokinetics are discussed. A X-ray structure of compound 3 bound to the active site of cathepsin S is also reported.

Arylaminoethyl amides as noncovalent inhibitors of cathepsin S. Part 2: Optimization of P1 and N-aryl.

A systematic study of anilines led to the discovery of a metabolically robust fluoroindoline replacement for the alkoxy aniline toxicophore in 1. Investigations of the P1 pocket resulted in the discovery of a wide tolerance of functionality leading to the discovery of 11 as a potent and selective inhibitor of cathepsin S.

Practical synthesis and elaboration of methyl 7-chloroindole-4-carboxylate.

A synthesis of a previously unknown indole derivative is presented. The route reported herein allows for the preparation of multihundred gram quantities of material without any chromatographic purification. Conditions are presented for the Pd-catalyzed elaboration of one of the "diversity generating elements" of this important pharmacophore.