Design, synthesis, and optimization of a series of 2-azaspiro[3.3]heptane derivatives as orally bioavailable fetal hemoglobin inducers.

Pharmacological reactivation of the γ-globin gene for the production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is a promising approach for the management of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). We conducted a phenotypic screen in human erythroid progenitor cells to identify molecules that could induce HbF, which resulted in identification of the hit compound 1. Exploration of structure-activity relationships and optimization of ADME properties led to 2-azaspiro[3.

Phenotypic-screening generates active novel fetal globin-inducers that downregulate Bcl11a in a monkey model.

Heritable disorders associated with hemoglobin production are the most common monogenic disorders. These are mainly represented by disorders such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has been known to ameliorate the clinical severity of these β hemoglobinopathies.

Guanylate-binding protein 5 is a marker of interferon-γ-induced classically activated macrophages.

Macrophage activation is the main immunological process occurring during the development of several diseases, and the heterogeneity of macrophage activation or differentiation has been suggested to be involved in disease progression. In the present study, we attempted to identify molecules specifically expressed on human classically activated macrophages (M1) to investigate the significance of the M1-like phenotype in human diseases. Human monocyte-derived macrophages were differentiated into M1, M2a, M2b and M2c phenotypes, and also M1(-) (the M1 phenotype differentiated with interferon-γ) to eliminate the strong effects of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the gene expression profile.

IL-10 enhances the phenotype of M2 macrophages induced by IL-4 and confers the ability to increase eosinophil migration.

M2 macrophages have been subdivided into subtypes such as IL-4-induced M2a and IL-10-induced M2c in vitro. Although it was reported that IL-10 stimulation leads to an increase in IL-4Rα, the effect of IL-4 and IL-10 in combination with macrophage subtype differentiation remains unclear. Thus, we sought to clarify whether IL-10 enhanced the M2 phenotype induced by IL-4.

Mouse mast cell protease-1 cleaves angiotensin I to form angiotensin II.

The ability to convert angiotensin (Ang) I to Ang II was compared between human alpha-chymase and two mouse beta-chymases, mouse mast cell protease (mMCP)-1 and mMCP-4. Human chymase hydrolyzed Ang I to produce Ang II without further degradation. mMCP-1 similarly generated Ang II from Ang I in a time-dependent manner and the formation of the fragment other than Ang II was marginal.

Role of mast cell chymase in allergen-induced biphasic skin reaction.

Intradermal injection of human chymase (EC 3.4.21.

Chymase participates in chronic dermatitis by inducing eosinophil infiltration.

An epicutaneous application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) to a mouse ear caused a transient skin swelling, and the repetition of the challenge enlarged the contact dermatitis. The repeated challenge with DNFB also induced eosinophil infiltration on the application site. Administration of a chymase inhibitor significantly inhibited the ear swelling as well as eosinophil accumulation.

Mast cell chymase regulates dermal mast cell number in mice.

Chymase inhibitor reduced the increase in the number of dermal mast cells in 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced dermatitis in a dose-dependent manner. Intradermal injection of human chymase to mouse ear significantly increased histamine content, the marker for mast cell number in the skin. These results suggest that chymase released by mast cells may participate in local mast cell accumulation in a positive feedback fashion.