Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Balzarini

Publications and source records attributed to J Balzarini.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Transplacental antiretroviral therapy with 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine is embryotoxic in transgenic mice.

Transgenic Mov-14 mice, which carry the provirus of Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MuLV) in the germ line and begin to produce infectious virus on embryonic day 14, were used to evaluate the ability of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) to cross the placenta and protect embryos from viremia. We have used the Mov-14 model previously to demonstrate the antiviral efficacy and lack of teratogenicity of transplacental therapy with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine, ZDV). PMEA was administered to pregnant females by daily intraperitoneal injection or by osmotic pump. In contrast to ZDV, PMEA was either noneffective in preventing viremia in the offspring or embryotoxic, depending on the dose. The specific toxic effects seen were resorption of pregnancy, low birth weight, and neonatal death. Histopathological analysis of neonatal mice exposed to PMEA showed severe lymphoid depletion of the thymus. We conclude that PMEA therapy is contraindicated for use during pregnancy.

Adenine↗

Mechanism of antiviral and cytotoxic action of (+/-)-6' beta-fluoroaristeromycin, a potent inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase.

(+/-)-6' beta-Fluoroaristeromycin (F-C-Ado) is a potent and competitive inhibitor of purified S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase isolated from murine L929 cells (Ki = 3.1 nM). It also inhibits vaccinia virus and vesicular stomatitis virus replication in L929 cells, at a 90% inhibitory dose (ID90) of 3.5 and 13 microM, respectively. Considering the close correlation that has been found between Ki and ID90 for other AdoHcy hydrolase inhibitors [Biochem. Pharmacol. 38:1061-1067 (1989)], F-C-Ado is a weaker antiviral agent than expected from its Ki value. Nevertheless, the antiviral action of F-C-Ado appears to be targeted at AdoHcy hydrolase. The fact that F-C-Ado is less antivirally active than expected may be due to its further metabolism to its ATP and GTP derivatives. The cytotoxicity of F-C-Ado may be attributed to both its inhibitory effect on AdoHcy hydrolase and the inhibitory effect of its phosphorylated products on host cell RNA synthesis.

Adenine↗

9-Beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine 5'-monophosphate (araAMP) is converted directly to its antivirally active 5'-triphosphate form by 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase.

The antiherpetic agent 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (araA) needs to be phosphorylated to its 5'-triphosphate to be effective as an inhibitor of herpes simplex virus replication. Adenosine kinase and deoxycytidine kinase are assumed to convert araA to its 5'-monophosphate. We now found that araAMP is converted to its 5'-triphosphate through a direct pyrophosphate transfer from 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) by PRPP synthetase. The efficiency of phosphorylation of araAMP to araATP is about 5% of that of AMP, as estimated from their Vmax/Km ratios for PRPP synthetase. AraATP is converted to araAMP by PRPP synthetase at a 4-fold higher Km but similar Vmax as ATP.

Kinetics↗

Anti-retrovirus activity of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) in vivo increases when it is less frequently administered.

Different treatment schedules have been investigated when evaluating the inhibitory effect of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) and 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) on the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) in MT-4 cells, transformation of C3H/3T3 cells by Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV), and MSV-induced tumor formation in newborn NMRI mice. Shortening the exposure time of HIV-I-infected MT-4 cells to PMEA or AZT led to an increase in the selectivity index of both compounds. PMEA proved markedly more efficient in suppressing MSV-induced tumor formation in mice when administered as a single dose on the day of infection than when these doses were spread over 2, 4 or 7 administrations within 1 week after the virus infection. This was not observed when the total dose of AZT was fractionated. While the infrequent dosage regimen increased the anti-retrovirus activity of PMEA, it did not increase its toxicity for the host. This unique property makes PMEA an attractive candidate for the treatment of retrovirus infections, including AIDS.

Adenine↗

Inhibitory effects of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine and 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine on tumor development in mice inoculated intracerebrally with Moloney murine sarcoma virus.

9-(2-Phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA), a potent inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), caused a dose-dependent suppression of tumor formation, and mortality associated therewith, in 6-day-old NMRI mice inoculated intracerebrally with Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV). Even at a dose as low as 1 mg/kg/day, PMEA effected a significant delay in tumor formation. When evaluated in parallel with PMEA, 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) conferred a comparable tumor-inhibitory effect at a 5- to 10-fold higher dose than PMEA. Prolonged treatment of MSV-infected mice with PMEA resulted in long-term survivors without apparent signs of tumor development. In view of the propensity of HIV to spread to the central nervous system (CNS), the marked activity shown by PMEA against experimental retrovirus infection of the brain in mice points to its potential in the treatment of AIDS and other retrovirus infections of the CNS.

Adenine↗

Inhibitory effects of potent inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus and cytomegalovirus on the growth of human granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells in vitro.

Phosphonoformate, ganciclovir, zidovudine and the novel acyclic nucleotide analogues (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine [(S)-HPMPA] and (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine [(S)-HPMPC] were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on colony forming unit formation by human granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (obtained from 11 healthy volunteers) in vitro. The 50% inhibitory dose of zidovudine, (S)-HPMPA, (S)-HPMPC, ganciclovir and phosphonoformate were 10.61, 16.55, 80.88, 41.02 and 668.64 microM, respectively, when the median-effect principle was applied. The bone marrow toxicity of zidovudine used at a low concentration (3.74 microM) was significantly decreased if the drug was combined with (S)-HPMPA, (S)-HPMPC or ganciclovir. If used at higher concentrations (74.90 microM), zidovudine showed increased myelotoxicity in the presence of (S)-HPMPA and ganciclovir, but not (S)-HPMPC.

Adenine↗

Selective inhibition of human cytomegalovirus DNA synthesis by (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine [(S)-HPMPC] and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine (DHPG).

The novel acyclic nucleoside phosphonate, (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine [(S)-HPMPC], is a potent and selective inhibitor of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication in cell culture. (S)-HPMPC inhibits CMV DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner within the concentration range of 0.04-4 micrograms/ml. At 4 micrograms/ml, viral DNA synthesis is completely suppressed. (S)-HPMPC proved more inhibitory to CMV replication and CMV DNA synthesis than 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine (DHPG, ganciclovir), the current drug of choice for the treatment of CMV infections. Both compounds affected cell proliferation and cellular DNA synthesis only at a concentration that was 100- to 500-fold higher than the antivirally effective concentrations. In accord with the postulated target (viral DNA synthesis) for its antiviral action, (S)-HPMPC did not prevent immediate early antigen expression in CMV-infected cells. A limited exposure time (as short as 6 hr postinfection) of the CMV-infected cells to (S)-HPMPC sufficed to afford a pronounced and prolonged inhibition of viral DNA synthesis and virus replication. This gives (S)-HPMPC a definite advantage over DHPG, which only afforded a weak and transient inhibition of CMV DNA synthesis and virus replication after it had been exposed to the cells for a short exposure time. The long-lasting antiviral action of (S)-HPMPC is a unique property that opens new therapeutic modalities for the treatment of virus infections.

Antiviral Agents↗

Anti-HIV-1 activity of antiviral compounds, as quantitated by a focal immunoassay in CD4+ HeLa cells and a plaque assay in MT-4 cells.

The inhibitory effects of a series of antiviral compounds on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were evaluated in a plaque assay (PA) in MT-4 cells and a focal immunoassay (FIA) in CD4+ HeLa cells. Similar 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were obtained for the sulfated polysaccharides when measured by PA or FIA: the IC50 values of dextran sulfate and pentosan polysulfate were 0.8 microgram/ml and 0.35 microgram/ml, respectively. Also, comparable IC50 values (ranging from 1.42 to 2.71 microM) were obtained for purine 2',3'-dideoxyribosides (i.e. DDA, DDI and DDG) when evaluated by PA or FIA. In contrast, the IC50 values of pyrimidine 2',3'-dideoxyribosides were invariably 4- to 10-fold lower when monitored by PA than FIA: the IC50s of AZT, D4T and DDC in the PA were 0.015, 0.094 and 0.038 microM, respectively, and in the FIA were 0.062 microM, 0.29 microM and 0.46 microM, respectively. The differential anti-HIV-1 activities found with AZT, D4T and DDC in the PA and FIA systems may at least be related in part to differences in the metabolism of the compounds (i.e. phosphorylation by thymidine kinase or 2'-deoxycytidine kinase) between MT-4 and CD4+ HeLa cells. The novel anti-HIV-1 compounds tetrahydro-imidazo[4,5,1-jk][1,4]-benzodiazepin-2(1H)-thione (TIBO) derivatives, R82150 and R82913, and the acyclouridine derivative 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-phenylthiothymine (HEPT) were also more inhibitory to HIV-1 in the PA than FIA system. The IC50 values of R82150, R82913 and HEPT, as based on PA, were 0.005, 0.003 and 0.79 microM, respectively. Their IC50 values, as based on FIA, were 0.020 microM, 0.015 microM and 3.77 microM, respectively. The TIBO derivatives emerged as the most effective HIV-1 inhibitors of the compounds tested whether assayed by PA or FIA.

Antiviral Agents↗

2'-Azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine: synthesis and crystal structure of a 2'-substituted dideoxynucleoside.

1-(2-Azido-2,3-dideoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)thymine (2'-N3ddThd) was synthesized from 1-(5-O-trityl-2,3-anhydro-beta-D-lyxofuranosyl)thymine by two different procedures. Method A prepared the title compound by opening of the oxirane ring with LiEt3BH followed by mesylation of the 2'-hydroxyl function, introduction of the 2'-azido substituent and deblocking of the 5'-function. In method B nucleophilic opening of 3'-deoxy-5'-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-5-methyl-2,2'-anhydrouridine+ ++ was carried out with sodium azide in hexamethylphosphoramide in the presence of benzoic acid. Single X-ray crystallographic studies indicated a solid state conformation (3T2), which was opposite to that of the A form of AZT (2T3) but closely resembled that of 1-(2-fluoro-2,3-dideoxy-beta-D-erythropentofuranosyl)thymine (2'-FddThd) (3T2) and of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-2,6-diaminopurine riboside (3'-N3ddDAP) (3T2). Whereas the latter displayed significant inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, 2'-FddThd and 2'-N3ddThd were essentially inactive.

Antiviral Agents↗

Synthesis and biological evaluation of dinucleoside methylphosphonates of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine and 2', 3'-dideoxycytidine.

The 5'----5' dinucleoside methylphosphonates of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) and 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (DDC) were prepared and evaluated for their inhibitory properties against different viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The synthesis of the compounds was achieved by reaction of AZT or N4-(4-monomethoxytrityl)-2',3'-dideoxycytidine with in situ prepared methylphosphonic bis (triazolide), followed in the latter case by an acidic treatment. The two title compounds showed in vitro anti-HIV activity, that was 200- to 450-fold less pronounced that that shown by the corresponding monomeric nucleosides AZT and DDC. The decreased antiviral activity may be ascribed to nuclease resistance of the methylphosphonate linkage.

Animals↗

Synthesis, antiretrovirus effects, and phosphorylation kinetics of 3'-isocyano-3'-deoxythymidine and 3'-isocyano-2',3'-dideoxyuridine.

The silylated AzddThd 5 and AzddUrd 6 prepared from 2,3'-anhydronucleoside derivatives 3 and 4 were transformed to formamides 7 and 8 by using the sequence RN3----RN = P(C6H5)----RNHCHO. Formamides 7 and 8 were dehydrated to the protected 3'-isocyano derivatives 9 and 10; deblocking gave 11 and 12. Neither 3'-isocyano-3'-deoxythymidine (11) nor 3'-isocyano-2',3'-dideoxyuridine (12) showed anti-HIV activity at noncytotoxic concentrations. ddThd derivative 11 was considerably more toxic to MT-4 cells than ddUrd derivative 12; it also had a much greater affinity (Ki) for MT-4 cell dThd kinase than ddUrd derivative 12. Both compounds appear to be linear mixed-type inhibitors of MT-4 cell dThd kinase.

Antimetabolites↗

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 3'-heterocyclic substituted 3'-deoxythymidines.

Various 3'-deoxythymidine analogues with an heterocyclic five-membered ring in the 3'-erythro position have been synthesized. The pyrrol-1-yl (3) and the 1,2,4-triazol-4-yl (5) compounds were synthesized from 1-(3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)thymine. The pyrazol-1-yl (16a), imidazol-1-yl (16b), and 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl (16c) derivatives were obtained by epoxide opening of the corresponding 1-(2,3-anhydro-beta-D-lyxofuranosyl)thymines followed by 2'-deoxygenation. Only the 3'-pyrrol-1-yl derivative showed marginal antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus.

Animals↗

Synthesis and biological properties of novel phosphotriesters: a new approach to the introduction of biologically active nucleotides into cells.

A series of aryl bis(3'-O-acetylthymidin-5'-yl) phosphate derivatives have been synthesized in order to find a suitable aryl derivative which would hydrolyze to the bis(nucleosid-5'-yl) phosphate under physiological conditions. The 4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl derivative was selected and 4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl bis[(E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridin-5'-yl] phosphate (6d) and bis[2-(guanin-9-ylmethoxy)ethoxy]-4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl phosphate (7b) were prepared. The former compound (6d) was stable in human serum and only following hydrolysis to the 5'-5'-linked diester (half-life of 17 h at pH 7.7) was it enzymatically degraded very rapidly by phosphodiesterases. Compounds 6d and 7b were evaluated for antiherpesvirus effects, both in vitro and in vivo. Their antiviral spectrum and potency was remarkably similar to that of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVDU) and 9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)-methyl]guanine (ACV), suggesting that they only act as prodrugs of BVDU and ACV, respectively. However, compound 6d did show unexpected toxicity, which could be explained by the liberation of BVDUMP following penetration of the triester into the cell.

Acyclovir↗

Synthesis and anti-HIV evaluation of 2',3'-dideoxyribo-5-chloropyrimidine analogues: reduced toxicity of 5-chlorinated 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides.

In view of the selective anti-HIV activity of 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-fluoro-5-chlorouridine (11), a series of eight 2',3'-dideoxy-5-chloropyrimidines were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in MT-4 cells. A marked improvement in selectivity was noted for the 5-chlorouracil derivatives of 2,3-dideoxyribofuranose, 3-azido-2,3-dideoxyribofuranose, and 3-fluoro-2,3-dideoxyribofuranose, mainly due to decreased toxicity of the compounds for the host cells. While chlorination of 2',3'-dideoxycytidine removed the anti-HIV activity, introduction of a chlorine at the C-5 position of 3'-fluoro-, 3'-azido- or 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxycytidine led to reduced cytotoxicity with only slightly reduced anti-HIV activity. X-ray analysis showed compound 11 to have two molecules in the asymmetric unit with chi = -168.8 (3) degrees and -131.3 (3) degrees and P = 179 (1) degree and 163 (1) degree, respectively; thus revealing no close resemblance to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT).

Antiviral Agents↗

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some cyclic phosphoramidate nucleoside derivatives.

(E)-5-(2-Bromovinyl)-2'-deoxy-5'-O-(3-methyl-2-oxo-5-formyl-1,3,2- oxazaphosphacyclopentan-2-yl)uridine has been synthesized and, under physiological conditions and without the necessity for enzyme activity, has been shown to yield the 5'-nucleotide in vitro. Unfortunately this compound is not sufficiently stable in solution for it to be tested in vivo. The biological properties of this and some related derivatives of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine and acyclovir have been evaluated in in vitro and in vivo systems designed to show the effects of any intracellular liberation of the nucleotide. Although some of the derivatives are probably acting as prodrugs of the active nucleosides, there is no evidence for the liberation of meaningful concentrations of the 5'-nucleotide by any of the compounds.

Animals↗