Halogen bonding is the noncovalent interaction of halogen atoms in which they act as electron acceptors. Whereas three-center hydrogen bond complexes, [D···H···D]+ where D is an electron donor, exist in solution as rapidly equilibrating asymmetric species, the analogous halogen bonds, [D···X···D]+, have been observed so far only to adopt static and symmetric geometries. Herein, we investigate whether halogen bond asymmetry, i.e., a [D–X···D]+ bond geometry, in which one of the D–X bonds is shorter and stronger, could be induced by modulation of electronic or steric factors. We have also attempted to convert a static three-center halogen bond complex into a mixture of rapidly exchanging asymmetric isomers, [D···X–D]+ ⇄ [D–X···D]+, corresponding to the preferred form of the analogous hydrogen bonded complexes. Using 15N NMR, IPE NMR, and DFT, we prove that a static, asymmetric geometry, [D–X···D]+, is obtained upon desymmetrization of the electron density of a complex. We demonstrate computationally that conversion into a dynamic mixture of asymmetric geometries, [D···X–D]+ ⇄ [D–X···D]+, is achievable upon increasing the donor–donor distance. However, due to the high energetic gain upon formation of the three-center-four-electron halogen bond, the assessed complex strongly prefers to form a dimer with two static and symmetric three-center halogen bonds over a dynamic and asymmetric halogen bonded form. Our observations indicate a vastly different preference in the secondary bonding of H+ and X+. Understanding the consequences of electronic and steric influences on the strength and geometry of the three-center halogen bond provides useful knowledge on chemical bonding and for the development of improved halonium transfer agents.

The first halonium‐ion‐based helices were designed and synthesized using oligo‐aryl/pyridylene‐ethynylene backbones that fold around reactive iodonium ions. Halogen bonding interactions stabilize the iodonium ions within the helices. Remarkably, the distance between two iodonium ions within a helix is shorter than the sum of their van der Waals radii. The helical conformations were characterized by X‐ray crystallography in the solid state, by NMR spectroscopy in solution and corroborated by DFT calculations. The helical complexes possess potential synthetic utility, as demonstrated by their ability to induce iodocyclization of 4‐penten‐1‐ol.

Environmental factors are thought to play a major role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Because the use of ethanol is widespread, we assessed the role of ethanol intake on the propensity to develop chronic arthritis. Collagen type II-immunized mice were given water or water containing 10% (vol/vol) ethanol or its metabolite acetaldehyde. Their development of arthritis was assessed, as well as the impact of ethanol on leukocyte migration and activation of intracellular transcription factors. Mice exposed daily to this dose of ethanol did not display any liver toxicity, and the development of erosive arthritis was almost totally abrogated. In contrast, the antibody-mediated effector phase of collageninduced arthritis was not influenced by ethanol exposure. Also, the major ethanol metabolite, acetaldehyde, prevented the development of arthritis. This antiinflammatory and antidestructive property of ethanol was mediated by (i) down-regulation of leukocyte migration and (ii) up-regulation of testosterone secretion, with the latter leading to decreased NF-B activation. We conclude that low but persistent ethanol consumption delays the onset and halts the progression of collagen-induced arthritis by interaction with innate immune responsiveness.inflammation ͉ cytokines ͉ sex hormones ͉ antibodies ͉ immunity E xcessive alcohol consumption depresses the immune system and increases the propensity to severe bacterial infections, including pneumonia (1), tuberculosis (2), and bacterial peritonitis (3), and to viral infections (4-6). However, some epidemiological studies have suggested that light to moderate ethanol consumption has protective effects against several diseases including chronic heart diseases (7, 8) and ischemic stroke (9).Ethanol consumption has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a complex autoimmune disease in the development of which environmental and genetic factors interact. Indeed, some investigators have found that exposure to ethanol is associated with a lower risk for developing SLE (10, 11), whereas others did not observe any effect of alcohol consumption on the incidence of SLE (12, 13). The association between ethanol and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been discussed in some studies, but definite conclusions could not be drawn (14-16). Studies so far have been of an epidemiological nature and therefore have not provided any hints about the biological mechanisms of environmental stimuli in the development of autoimmune disease. Our aim here was to assess whether low but persistent consumption of ethanol in quantities nontoxic to liver might affect the incidence and disease manifestation of collagen type II (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA), an established model of human RA. Our results suggest that ethanol intake delays the onset and halts the progression of destructive arthritis. Results Effect of Ethanol Consumption on Development of CIA.To assess whether ethanol drinking has any impact on the development of CIA, CII-immunized mice were provided w...

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly heterogeneous disease with respect to its joint destructivity. The reasons underlying this heterogeneity are unknown. Deficient apoptosis in rheumatoid synovial tissue has been recently demonstrated. We have therefore decided to study the synovial expression of survivin, a key member of the apoptosis inhibitor family. The levels of survivin and antibodies against survivin were assessed by an ELISA in matched blood and synovial fluid samples collected from 131 RA patients. Results were related to joint erosivity at the time of sampling. Monocytes were transfected with survivin anti-sense oligonucleotides and were assessed for their ability to produce inflammatory cytokines. Survivin levels were significantly higher in patients with destructive disease as compared with in RA patients displaying a non-erosive disease. High survivin levels were an independent prognostic parameter for erosive RA. In contrast, high levels of antibodies against survivin were found in patients with non-erosive RA, and were negatively related to erosivity. Survivin levels in RA patients were influenced by treatment, being significantly lower among patients treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Specific suppression of survivin mRNA resulted in downregulation of IL-6 production. We conclude that survivin determines the erosive course of RA, whereas survivin antibodies lead to a less aggressive course of the disease. These findings together with decreased survivin levels upon disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug treatment, and the downregulation of inflammatory response using survivin antisense oligonucleotides, suggest that extracellular survivin expression mediates the erosive course of joint disease whereas autoimmune responses to the same molecule, manifested as survivin targeting antibodies, mediate protection.