The protein-protein interaction between leukocyte functional antigen-1 (LFA-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is critical to lymphocyte and immune system function. Here, we report on the transfer of the contiguous, nonlinear epitope of ICAM-1, responsible for its association with LFA-1, to a small-molecule framework. These LFA-1 antagonists bound LFA-1, blocked binding of ICAM-1, and inhibited a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) with potency significantly greater than that of cyclosporine A. Furthermore, in comparison to an antibody to LFA-1, they exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. These results demonstrate the utility of small-molecule mimics of nonlinear protein epitopes and the protein epitopes themselves as leads in the identification of novel pharmaceutical agents.

The beneficial effects of thyroid hormone (TH) on lipid levels are primarily due to its action at the thyroid hormone receptor β (THR-β) in the liver, while adverse effects, including cardiac effects, are mediated by thyroid hormone receptor α (THR-α). A pyridazinone series has been identified that is significantly more THR-β selective than earlier analogues. Optimization of this series by the addition of a cyanoazauracil substituent improved both the potency and selectivity and led to MGL-3196 (53), which is 28-fold selective for THR-β over THR-α in a functional assay. Compound 53 showed outstanding safety in a rat heart model and was efficacious in a preclinical model at doses that showed no impact on the central thyroid axis. In reported studies in healthy volunteers, 53 exhibited an excellent safety profile and decreased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) at once daily oral doses of 50 mg or higher given for 2 weeks.

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2,5-Dibromopyridine has been found to undergo a regioselective palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction with terminal acetylenes and arylzinc halides to give the corresponding 2-alkynyl-5-bromo-and 2-aryl-5-bromopyridines, respectively, in 70%-90% isolated yields. To complement this chemistry, the triflate derived from 2-methyl-5-pyridinol was found to participate in a palladium-catalyzed reaction with terminal acetylenes leading to the corresponding 5-alkynyl-2-methylpyridines. These intermediates can be further manipulated to afford a broad range of 2,5-disubstituted pyridines.

Cholecystokinin-JMV-180 (JMV-180) is an analogue of cholecystokinin C-terminal octapeptide (CCK-8), which has been shown to be an agonist at the proposed CCK pancreatic high-affinity site and a functional antagonist at the pancreatic low-affinity site in rats and to have agonist activity at both high- and low-affinity sites in the mouse. In this study we used JMV-180 to evaluate the potential participation of these two CCK-A sites in the satiety effect of CCK-8 in rats and mice. When tested at doses that ranged from 0.01 to 9.2 mumol/kg, JMV-180 did not reliably affect food intake of solid or liquid test diets in rats. When combined with CCK-8 (3.2 or 8.5 nmol/kg) JMV-180 dose dependently reversed the satiety effect of CCK-8. In contrast to these results in the rat, both JMV-180 (3.7-14.8 mumol/kg) and CCK-8 (1.7-6.8 nmol/kg) dose dependently reduced the intake of 20% sucrose in mice. Both CCK-8- and JMV-180-induced suppression of food intake were attenuated by the CCK-A antagonist MK-329 (24.8 nmol/kg). The results of these studies suggest that agonist activity at sites pharmacologically similar to the CCK pancreatic high-affinity site is not sufficient for expression of CCK satiety, whereas agonist activity at low-affinity-like sites is necessary to reduce food intake. Thus the anorexic activity of CCK appears to be mediated through an interaction with a receptor site pharmacologically similar to the pancreatic low-affinity CCK receptor site.