Preclinical to clinical translation of tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, in rheumatoid arthritis.

A critical piece in the translation of preclinical studies to clinical trials is the determination of dosing regimens that allow maximum therapeutic benefit with minimum toxicity. The preclinical pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) profile of tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, in a mouse collagen-induced arthritis (mCIA) model was compared with clinical PK/PD data from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Preclinical evaluations included target modulation and PK/PD modeling based on continuous subcutaneous infusion or oral once- or twice-daily (BID) dosing paradigms in mice.

JAK inhibition with tofacitinib suppresses arthritic joint structural damage through decreased RANKL production.

Objective: The mechanistic link between Janus kinase (JAK) signaling and structural damage to arthritic joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is poorly understood. This study was undertaken to investigate how selective inhibition of JAK with tofacitinib (CP-690,550) affects osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model, as well as human T lymphocyte RANKL production and human osteoclast differentiation and function.

Methods: Hind paw edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in rat AIA were assessed using plethysmography, histopathologic analysis, and immunohistochemistry; plasma and hind paw tissue levels of cytokines and chemokines (including RANKL) were also assessed.

Modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses by tofacitinib (CP-690,550).

Inhibitors of the JAK family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases have demonstrated clinical efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders; however, the precise mechanisms by which JAK inhibition improves inflammatory immune responses remain unclear. In this study, we examined the mode of action of tofacitinib (CP-690,550) on JAK/STAT signaling pathways involved in adaptive and innate immune responses. To determine the extent of inhibition of specific JAK/STAT-dependent pathways, we analyzed cytokine stimulation of mouse and human T cells in vitro.

Aminopyridinecarboxamide-based inhaled IKK-2 inhibitors for asthma and COPD: Structure-activity relationship.

Installation of sites for metabolism in the lead compound PHA-767408 was the key focus of the IKK-2 inhaled program. This paper reports our efforts to identify a novel series of aminopyridinecarboxamide-based IKK-2 inhibitors, which display low nanomolar potency against IKK-2 with long duration of action (DOA), and metabolically labile to phase I and/or phase II metabolizing enzymes with potential capability for multiple routes of clearance. Several compounds have demonstrated their potential usefulness in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Anti-inflammatory activity and neutrophil reductions mediated by the JAK1/JAK3 inhibitor, CP-690,550, in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Background: The Janus kinase (JAK) family of tyrosine kinases includes JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2, and is required for signaling through Type I and Type II cytokine receptors. CP-690,550 is a potent and selective JAK inhibitor currently in clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune disease indications. In RA trials, dose-dependent decreases in neutrophil counts (PBNC) were observed with CP-690,550 treatment.

Expression, purification and functional characterization of IkappaB kinase-2 (IKK-2) mutants.

NF-kappaB signaling plays a pivotal role in a variety of pathological conditions. Because of its central role in the overall NF-kappaB regulation, IKK-2 is a viable target for drug discovery. In order to enable structure-based design of IKK-2 inhibitors, we carried out a rational generation of IKK-2 mutants based on induced-fit docking of a selective IKK-2 inhibitor, PHA-408, into the homology model of IKK-2.

Novel insights into the cellular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of NF-kappaB essential modulator binding domain peptides.

The classical nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway is under the control of the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex, which consists of IKK-1, IKK-2, and NF-kappaB essential modulator (NEMO). This complex is responsible for the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Dysregulation of this pathway is associated with several human diseases, and as such, its inhibition offers an exciting opportunity for therapeutic intervention.

Anti-inflammatory effect of a selective IkappaB kinase-beta inhibitor in rat lung in response to LPS and cigarette smoke.

Rationale: IkappaB kinase (IKK) activates NF-kappaB which plays a pivotal role in pro-inflammatory response in the lung. NF-kappaB has been shown to be activated in alveolar macrophages and peripheral lungs of smokers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of a highly selective and novel IKKbeta/IKK2 inhibitor, PHA-408 [8-(5-chloro-2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)isonicotinamido)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-benzo[gamma]indazole-3-carboxamide], in lungs of rat in vivo.

Protein kinase C zeta mediates cigarette smoke/aldehyde- and lipopolysaccharide-induced lung inflammation and histone modifications.

Atypical protein kinase C (PKC) zeta is an important regulator of inflammation through activation of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway. Chromatin remodeling on pro-inflammatory genes plays a pivotal role in cigarette smoke (CS)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced abnormal lung inflammation. However, the signaling mechanism whereby chromatin remodeling occurs in CS- and LPS-induced lung inflammation is not known.

Combined use of pharmacokinetic modeling and a steady-state delivery approach allows early assessment of IkappaB kinase-2 (IKK-2) target safety and efficacy.

NF-kappaB activation is clearly linked to the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory diseases including arthritis. The prominent role of IkappaB kinase-2 (IKK-2) in regulating NF-kappaB signaling in response to proinflammatory stimuli has made IKK-2 a primary anti-inflammation therapeutic target. PHA-408, a potent and selective IKK-2 inhibitor, was identified internally and used for our studies to assess this target.

Novel tight-binding inhibitory factor-kappaB kinase (IKK-2) inhibitors demonstrate target-specific anti-inflammatory activities in cellular assays and following oral and local delivery in an in vivo model of airway inflammation.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is one of the major families of transcription factors activated during the inflammatory response in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inhibitory factor-kappaB kinase 2 (IKK-2) has been shown to play a pivotal role in cytokine-induced NF-kappaB activation in airway epithelium and in disease-relevant cells. Nevertheless, the potential toxicity of specific IKK-2 inhibitors may be unacceptable for oral delivery in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A novel, highly selective, tight binding IkappaB kinase-2 (IKK-2) inhibitor: a tool to correlate IKK-2 activity to the fate and functions of the components of the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway in arthritis-relevant cells and animal models.

Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation has been clearly linked to the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory diseases including arthritis. The central role that IkappaB kinase-2 (IKK-2) plays in regulating NF-kappaB signaling in response to inflammatory stimuli has made this enzyme an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Although diverse chemical classes of IKK-2 inhibitors have been identified, the binding kinetics of these inhibitors has limited the scope of their applications.

Therapeutic targeting of Janus kinases.

Cytokines play pivotal roles in immunity and inflammation, and targeting cytokines and their receptors is an effective means of treating such disorders. Type I and II cytokine receptors associate with Janus family kinases (JAKs) to effect intracellular signaling. These structurally unique protein kinases play essential and specific roles in immune cell development and function.

Inhibition of IKK-2 by 2-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]-5-acetylenyl-3-thiophenecarboxamides.

A series of 21 novel 2-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]-5-acetylenyl-3-thiophenecarboxamides were synthesized and evaluated for the inhibition of IKK-2. In spite of their often modest activity on the enzyme, six selected analogs showed significant inhibition of the production of inflammatory cytokine IL-8 in IL-1beta stimulated rheumatoid arthritis-derived synovial fibroblasts, demonstrating their potential usefulness as NF-kappaB regulators.

Discovery of novel benzothiazolesulfonamides as potent inhibitors of HIV-1 protease.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been shown to be the causative agent for AIDS. The HIV virus encodes for a unique aspartyl protease that is essential for the production of enzymes and proteins in the final stages of maturation. Protease inhibitors have been useful in combating the disease.

A selective IKK-2 inhibitor blocks NF-kappa B-dependent gene expression in interleukin-1 beta-stimulated synovial fibroblasts.

NF-kappa B-induced gene expression contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. I kappa B kinase (IKK) is the converging point for the activation of NF-kappa B by a broad spectrum of inflammatory agonists and is thus a novel target for therapeutic intervention. We describe a small molecule, selective inhibitor of IKK-2, SC-514, which does not inhibit other IKK isoforms or other serine-threonine and tyrosine kinases.

IKK-i and TBK-1 are enzymatically distinct from the homologous enzyme IKK-2: comparative analysis of recombinant human IKK-i, TBK-1, and IKK-2.

NF-kappaB is sequestered in the cytoplasm by the inhibitory IkappaB proteins. Stimulation of cells by agonists leads to the rapid phosphorylation of IkappaBs leading to their degradation that results in NF-kappaB activation. IKK-1 and IKK-2 are two direct IkappaB kinases.

Kinetic mechanisms of IkappaB-related kinases (IKK) inducible IKK and TBK-1 differ from IKK-1/IKK-2 heterodimer.

Nuclear factor-kappaB activation depends on phosphorylation and degradation of its inhibitor protein, IkappaB. The phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha on Ser(32) and Ser(36) is initiated by an IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex that includes a catalytic heterodimer composed of IkappaB kinase 1 (IKK-1) and IkappaB kinase 2 (IKK-2) as well as a regulatory adaptor subunit, NF-kappaB essential modulator. Recently, two related IkappaB kinases, TBK-1 and IKK-i, have been described.

N-myristoylation of Arf proteins in Candida albicans: an in vivo assay for evaluating antifungal inhibitors of myristoyl-CoA: protein N-myristoyltransferase.

Myristoyl-CoA: protein N-myristoyltransferase (Nmt) catalyses the covalent attachment of myristate to the N-terminal glycine of a small subset of cellular proteins produced during vegetative growth of Candida albicans. nmt447D is a mutant NMT allele encoding an enzyme with a Gly447-->ASP substitution and reduced affinity for myristoyl-CoA. Among isogenic NMT/NMT, NMT/ delta nmt and nmt delta/nmt447D strains, only nmt delta/nmt447D cells require myristate for growth on yeast/peptone/dextrose media (YPD) at 24 or 37 degrees C.

[3H]Methotrexate as a ligand for the folate receptor of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Studies of the folate chemotactic receptor of vegetative Dictyostelium discoideum cells have been hampered by the presence of the degradative enzyme folate deaminase. The diaminopterin compounds aminopterin and methotrexate (MTX) are chemoattractants but are not attacked by the deaminase. [3',5',7,9-3H]methotrexate ([3H]MTX) is a nondegraded radioligand for the folate receptor.

Evidence for a pronounced secretion of cyclic AMP by Tetrahymena.

The unicellular eukaryote Tetrahymena pyriformis secretes significant amounts of cyclic AMP into its external medium. Cells transferred from growth medium into any of the following three different non-nutrient media: (a) 5 mM phosphate buffer containing 47 mM NaCl and 1 mM MgSO4, (b) 10 mM Tris, or (c) 1.3 mM Tris containing 1 mM citrate and 1 mM Ca(OH)2, released to the outside almost 60--80% of the total cyclic AMP produced during 2--5 h of incubation.

Increased levels of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in Tetrahymena stimulated by glucose and mediated by Ca2+ and epinephrine.

Stationary phase Tetrahymena cells exposed to 0.5-1% glucose experience an 8-fold increase in intracellular cyclic AMP within 1 hr. The increase follows an enhanced uptake of Ca2+ triggered by the glucose addition.

Membrane changes during growth of Tetrahymena in the presence of ethanol.

After a brief lag period for acclimation, Tetrahymena pyriformis, strain NT-1, is capable of growing in culture medium containing high levels of ethanol. When grown in a medium having 1.6% ethanol, the membrane phospholipid composition was significantly different from that of control cells.