Publications by authors named "Pierre De Clercq"

Bisphosphonates like risedronate inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and are therefore used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Also vitamin D and calcium supplementation is commonly used in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis. Combined therapy of risedronate with 1,25(OH)D, the active metabolite of vitamin D, may be advantageous over the use of either monotherapy, but bears a risk of causing hypercalcemia thereby decreasing the therapeutic window for osteoporosis treatment.

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The thermal equilibration of the methyl esters of endiandric acids D and E was subject to a computational study. An electrocyclic pathway via an electrocyclic ring opening followed by a ring flip and a subsequent electrocyclization proposed by Nicolaou [ Nicolaou , K. C.

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The emergence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) as central mediators of peripheral tolerance in the immune system has led to an important area of clinical investigation to target these cells for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes. We have demonstrated earlier that in vitro treatment of T cells from healthy individuals with TX527, a low-calcemic analog of bioactive vitamin D, can promote a CD4+ CD25high CD127low regulatory profile and imprint a migratory signature specific for homing to sites of inflammation. Towards clinical application of vitamin D-induced Tregs in autologous adoptive immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes, we show here that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and TX527 similarly imprint T cells from type 1 diabetes patients with a CD4+ CD25high CD127low regulatory profile, modulate surface expression of skin- and inflammation-homing receptors, and increase expression of CTLA-4 and OX-40.

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We have previously shown that 1α,25(OH)2-Vitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3] and its less calcemic analog TX 527 inhibit the proliferation of endothelial cells transformed by the viral G protein-coupled receptor associated to Kaposi sarcoma (vGPCR) and this could be partially explained by the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. In this work, we further explored the mechanism of action of both vitamin D compounds in Kaposi sarcoma. We investigated whether the cell cycle arrest and subsequent apoptosis of endothelial cells (SVEC) and SVEC transformed by vGPCR (SVEC-vGPCR) elicited by 1α,25(OH)2D3 and TX 527 were mediated by the vitamin D receptor (VDR).

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The vitamin D system plays a critical role in inflammatory bowel disease as evidenced by the finding that both vitamin D deficient mice and vitamin D receptor knockout mice are extremely sensitive to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Moreover, the active form of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] is an important immunomodulator that ameliorates the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. However, therapeutic application of 1,25(OH)2D3 is hampered by its calcemic activity.

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Non-steroidal analogs of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] represent a most particular class of analogs because they are either not directly derived from the core 1,25(OH)2D3-structure or they have modifications in the core structure that are so drastic that the steroidal structure is lost. Non-steroidal CD-ring analogs of 1,25(OH)2D3 have been developed to study the role of the central rigid CD-ring system in the biological activity of 1,25(OH)2D3. Here we review the different classes of CD-ring analogs and highlight some representative analogs such as the fluorinated D-ring analogs CD578, WU515 and WY1113 which show markedly increased differentiating activity on human SW480-ADH colon cancer cells, characterized by a stronger induction of the invasion suppressor E-cadherin and a stronger repression of the beta-catenin/TCF target oncogene c-Myc.

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Background: 1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] is the biological active form of vitamin D. Its antiproliferative capacities make it a potential drug to treat diseases such as cancer. The clinical use of 1,25-(OH)2D3 as an antiproliferative agent is hampered by its calcemic effects.

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Background: 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] has potent antiproliferative actions but calcemic effects obstruct its application in the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders. Therefore, analogs of 1,25-(OH)2D3 are designed with a clear dissociation between both effects. Here the biological activity of the trans-decalin CD-ring analog CY10012 is discussed.

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Three analogues of 1a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol), featuring a trans-fused decalin C,D-core with local S(2)-symmetry, and possessing identical side-chain and seco-B,A-ring structures, have been synthesized starting from readily available (4aR,8aS)-octahydronaphthalene-1,5-dione (7). The very short sequences involve the simultaneous introduction of the side-chain and seco-B,A-ring fragments via Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions. The analogues are devoid of relevant biological activity.

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Side chain fluorination is often used to make analogs of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] resistant to degradation by 24-hydroxylase. The fluorinated nonsteroidal analogs CD578, WU515, and WY1113 have an increased prodifferentiating action on SW480-ADH colon cancer cells, which correlated with stronger induction of vitamin D receptor (VDR)-coactivator interactions and stronger repression of beta-catenin/TCF activity. Cocrystallization of analog CD578 with the zebrafish (z)VDR and an SRC-1 coactivator peptide showed that the fluorine atoms of CD578 make additional contacts with Val444 and Phe448 of activation helix 12 (H12) of the zVDR and with Leu440 of the H11-H12 loop.

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Some nonenzymic epoxide-initiated polyolefin cyclization are reported. The presented molecules are partially constrained analogues of (3S)-oxidosqualene, the natural substrate to many important cyclase enzymes. These model compounds feature a preformed C-ring with built-in stereochemical information.

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The enantioselective synthesis of the title compound, using Meyers' bicyclic lactam methodology, is described. This compound and a few of its derivatives are useful intermediates in natural product synthesis.

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An example of the Julia-Lythgoe attachment of the vitamin D side chain to a solid-phase linked Inhoffen-Lythgoe diol derived CD-ring fragment is reported.

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The asymmetric rhodium-catalysed 1,4-addition of alkenylzirconium reagents to 2-cyclohexenone can be useful in the synthesis of 3-alkenyl-2-methylcyclohexanones, provided that formaldehyde is used in trapping the intermediate zirconium enolates. In this manner a four-step sequence leading to the two epimeric 3-hexenyl-2-methylcyclohexanones in enantiomeric form was developed.

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A short and high yielding route for the preparation of the title compound, starting from commercially available 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, is described. The key step in the sequence is the air oxidation of a bis(trimethylsilyloxy)diene precursor.

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During a 20-year collaboration the laboratories of UGent and KU Leuven have developed different series of Vitamin D analogs characterized by structural modifications in the central CD-ring system. Modifications have first involved the introduction of substituents at C11 and the epimerization at C14, and subsequently more drastic changes consisting in both ring deletion and enlargement relative to the natural CD-ring system. Lately, the focus has shifted towards the synthesis of analogs featuring a symmetrical CD-ring core.

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It is now well established that 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 is metabolized in its target tissues through the modifications of both side chain and A-ring. The C-24 oxidation pathway is the side chain modification pathway through which 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 is metabolized into calcitroic acid. The C-3 epimerization pathway is the A-ring modification pathway through which 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 is metabolized into 1alpha,25(OH)2-3-epi-D3.

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[reaction: see text] A general method is described for the direct and stereoselective synthesis of epoxypolyenes via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of 1-iodoalkenes with B-alkylboron compounds. It allows for the straightforward and convergent assembly of compounds that are structurally similar to (3S)-oxidosqualene, an important intermediate in steroid biosynthesis.

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A novel series of analogues of calcitriol (1) is developed featuring a spirocyclic central core resulting from C18/C21-connection and C15/C16-deletion (2a, 2b). The synthesis of the key intermediate involves an Eschenmoser rearrangement of an enantiomerically pure bromo-substituted cyclohexenol.

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The secosteroid hormone 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] has potent antiproliferative and prodifferentiating actions on a wide variety of normal as well as malignant cell types. Strong calcemic effects obstruct the actual application of 1,25-(OH)2D3 for the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders such as cancer. To overcome this problem, structural analogs of 1,25-(OH)2D3 have been designed with a clear dissociation between antiproliferative and calcemic effects.

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The non-classical effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) create possible therapeutic applications for immune modulation (e.g. auto-immune diseases and graft rejection), inhibition of cell proliferation (e.

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The active form of Vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)], has potent antiproliferative actions on various normal and malignant cells. Calcemic effects, however, hamper therapeutic application of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) in hyperproliferative diseases. Two 14-epi-analogs of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) namely 19-nor-14-epi-23-yne-1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) (TX522) and 19-nor-14,20-bisepi-23-yne-1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) (TX527), display reduced calcemic effects coupled to an (at least 10-fold) increased antiproliferative potency when compared with 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3).

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Two 14-epi-analogs of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)], 19-nor-14-epi-23-yne-1,25-(OH)2D3 (TX522) and 19-nor-14,20-bisepi-23-yne-1,25-(OH)2D3 (TX527), show enhanced antiproliferative (at least 10-fold) and markedly lower calcemic effects both in vitro and in vivo, compared with 1,25-(OH)2D3. This study aimed to evaluate their superagonistic effect at the level of interaction between the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and coactivators. Mammalian two-hybrid assays with VP16-fused VDR and GAL4-DNA-binding-domain-fused steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1), transcriptional intermediary factor 2 (Tif2), or DRIP205 showed the 14-epi-analogs to be more potent inducers of VDR-coactivator interactions than 1,25-(OH)2D3 (up to 16- and 20-fold stronger induction of VDR-SRC-1 interaction for TX522 and TX527 at 10(-10) M).

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Oligonucleotides containing a furan modified internal nucleoside have been synthesized; selective in situ oxidation of the furan moiety to a reactive enal species in the presence of a complementary DNA strand gives rise to fast and efficient formation of an interstrand cross-link.

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Exposure to UVB irradiation is a major risk factor for the development of skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to identify agents that can offer protection against UVB-caused damage. Photocarcinogenesis is caused largely by mutations at sites of incorrectly repaired DNA photoproducts, of which the most common are the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs).

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