Chemoresistance to Valproate Treatment of Bovine Leukemia Virus-Infected Sheep; Identification of Improved HDAC Inhibitors

in Pathogens (2012), (2012-1), 65-82

We previously proved that a histone deacetylase inhibitor (valproate, VPA) decreases the number of leukemic cells in bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected sheep. Here, we characterize the mechanisms ... [more ▼]

We previously proved that a histone deacetylase inhibitor (valproate, VPA) decreases the number of leukemic cells in bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected sheep. Here, we characterize the mechanisms initiated upon interruption of treatment. We observed that VPA treatment is followed by a decrease of the B cell counts and proviral loads (copies per blood volume). However, all sheep eventually relapsed after different periods of time and became refractory to further VPA treatment. Sheep remained persistently infected with BLV. B lymphocytes isolated throughout treatment and relapse were responsive to VPA-induced apoptosis in cell culture. B cell proliferation is only marginally affected by VPA ex vivo. Interestingly, in four out of five sheep, ex vivo viral expression was nearly undetectable at the time of relapse. In two sheep, a new tumoral clone arose, most likely revealing a selection process exerted by VPA in vivo. We conclude that the interruption of VPA treatment leads to the resurgence of the leukemia in BLV-infected sheep and hypothesize that resistance to further treatment might be due to the failure of viral expression induction. The development of more potent HDAC inhibitors and/or the combination with other compounds can overcome chemoresistance. These observations in the BLV model may be important for therapies against the related Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1. [less ▲]

Understanding angiogenesis through novel epigenetic modulators

Scientific conference (2012, June 22)

DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are two key epigenetic modifications that play central role in regulation of gene expression. Several studies have shown that histone deacetylases (HDAC) and DNA ... [more ▼]

DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are two key epigenetic modifications that play central role in regulation of gene expression. Several studies have shown that histone deacetylases (HDAC) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) inhibitors are potent anti-angiogenic compounds. Though combination of HDAC and DNMT inhibitors are now being examined in clinical trials of hematological malignancies, little work has been done to understand the effect of this combination on physiological and tumoral angiogenesis. We have designed and tested a family of twin drugs with intrinsic HDAC and DNMT inhibitory activities in relevant models of angiogenesis in vitro (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells – HUVEC and aortic ring) and in vivo (chick chorioallantoic membrane and Zebrafish). We have identified a lead compound having quantifiable anti-angiogenic effect without cytotoxicity affecting global histone acetylation and DNA methylation levels. In order to elucidate its anti-angiogenic mechanism, we characterized gene expression pattern simultaneously with the methylation profile of HUVEC cells treated with the lead compound and reference epigenetic modulators. This approach based on parallel microarray analyses permitted us to underscore a list of genes exclusively affected by the lead compound but not by other HDAC or DNMT inhibitors. These genes were then analyzed using the Ingenuity Pathway software revealing potential involvement of a subset of genes in angiogenesis. Our present work is focused on exploring the exact role of these genes on angiogenesis using RNA silencing and vectors cloned with genes of interest. We are using these novel epigenetic modulators as a tool to understand the regulatory mechanism of angiogenesis and to develop effective approaches to treat cancer. [less ▲]

A structural study of the lithiophilite-sicklerite series.

in Canadian Mineralogist (2012), 50

Novel HDAC/DNMT Twin Inhibitors Interfere with Angiogenesis

in ICC on Metastasis and Angiogenesis proceedings, 2011 (2011)

DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are two key epigenetic modifications that play central role in regulation of gene expression. Several studies have shown that histone deacetylases (HDAC) and DNA ... [more ▼]

DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are two key epigenetic modifications that play central role in regulation of gene expression. Several studies have shown that histone deacetylases (HDAC) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) inhibitors are potent anti-angiogenic compounds. Though combination of HDAC and DNMT inhibitors are now being examined in clinical trials of hematological malignancies, little work has been done to understand the effect of this combination on physiological and tumoral angiogenesis. We have designed and tested a family of twin drugs with intrinsic HDAC and DNMT inhibitory activities in relevant models of angiogenesis in vitro (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells – HUVEC and aortic ring) and in vivo (chick chorioallantoic membrane and Zebrafish). We have identified a lead compound having quantifiable anti-angiogenic effect without cytotoxicity affecting global histone acetylation and DNA methylation levels. In order to elucidate its anti-angiogenic mechanism, we characterized gene expression pattern simultaneously with the methylation profile of HUVEC cells treated with the lead compound and reference epigenetic modulators. This approach based on parallel microarray analyses permitted us to underscore a list of genes exclusively affected by the lead compound but not by other HDAC or DNMT inhibitors. These genes were then analyzed using the Ingenuity Pathway software revealing potential involvement of a subset of genes in angiogenesis. Our present aim is to validate the expression levels of a series of genes with respect to epigenetic mechanisms (histone modifications and DNA methylation). Finally, the biological relevance of the target genes will be explored by RNA silencing. Hence, we are using these novel epigenetic modulators as a tool to understand the regulatory mechanism of angiogenesis and to develop effective approaches to treat cancer. [less ▲]

The 5-HT1A agonism potential of substituted-piperazine-ethyl-amide derivatives is conserved in the hexyl homologues: molecular modeling and pharmacological evaluation

in Journal of Chemical Information & Modeling (2011), 51(11), 2961-2966

In a series of carboxamide and sulphonamide alkyl (ethyl to hexyl) piperazine analogues, although the size of the linker is very different, ethyl and hexyl derivatives possess a high affinity for 5-HT1A ... [more ▼]

In a series of carboxamide and sulphonamide alkyl (ethyl to hexyl) piperazine analogues, although the size of the linker is very different, ethyl and hexyl derivatives possess a high affinity for 5-HT1A receptors. Docking studies clearly show that hexyl and ethyl compounds favourably interact with the binding site of the active conformation of 5-HT1A receptors, thus confirming a possible agonist profile. This activity is effectively detected in electrophysiological experiments in which all four compounds inhibit the activity of rat dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons. [less ▲]

Indol-2-yl ethanones as novel indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitors.

in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry (2011), 19(4), 1550-61

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a heme dioxygenase which has been shown to be involved in the pathological immune escape of diseases such as cancer. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships ... [more ▼]

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a heme dioxygenase which has been shown to be involved in the pathological immune escape of diseases such as cancer. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of a novel series of IDO inhibitors based on the indol-2-yl ethanone scaffold is described. In vitro and in vivo biological activities have been evaluated, leading to compounds with IC(50) values in the micromolar range in both tests. Introduction of small substituents in the 5- and 6-positions of the indole ring, indole N-methylation and variations of the aromatic side chain are all well tolerated. An iron coordinating group on the linker is a prerequisite for biological activity, thus corroborating the virtual screening results. [less ▲]

Novel DNA methyltransferases/histone deacetylases twin inhibitors interfere with angiogenesis

in Novel HDAC/DNMT twin inhibitors interfere with angiogenesis (2010)

DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are two key epigenetic modifications that play central role in regulation of gene expression. Several studies have shown that histone deacetylases (HDAC) and DNA ... [more ▼]

DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are two key epigenetic modifications that play central role in regulation of gene expression. Several studies have shown that histone deacetylases (HDAC) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) inhibitors are potent antiangiogenic compounds. Though combination of HDAC and DNMT inhibitors are now being examined in clinical trials of hematological malignancies, very little work has been done to understand the effect of this combination on normal and tumoral angiogenesis. We have designed and tested a family of twin drugs with intrinsic HDAC and DNMT inhibitory activities in relevant models of angiogenesis in vitro (endothelial cells, pericytes and the 3D aortic ring assay) and in vivo (the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay). We have identified a lead compound having quantifiable antiangiogenic effect without cytotoxicity associated with increased global acetylation and decreased DNA methylation levels. This compound is presently used to develop effective approaches to treat cancer by modulating the process of angiogenesis. [less ▲]

Bis-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives: Structure analysis of the three stereoisomers of 1,1'-(propane-1,3-diyl)-bis-(6,7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline)

in European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (2010), 45

Percutaneous penetration studies of ibuprofenencapsulated into nanoparticles using different skin membrane models

Poster (2009)

Synthesis and Catalytic Evaluation of Ruthenium-Arene Complexes Generated Using Imidazol(in)ium-2-carboxylates and Dithiocarboxylates

in Organometallics (2009), 28

The ability of five imidazol(in)ium-2-carboxylates and dithiocarboxylates bearing cyclohexyl, mesityl, or 2,6-diisopropylphenyl substituents on their nitrogen atoms to act as NHC precursors for in situ ... [more ▼]

The ability of five imidazol(in)ium-2-carboxylates and dithiocarboxylates bearing cyclohexyl, mesityl, or 2,6-diisopropylphenyl substituents on their nitrogen atoms to act as NHC precursors for in situ catalytic applications was probed in ruthenium-promoted ring-opening metathesis and atom transfer radical polymerizations. Results obtained with 1:2 mixtures of [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and NHC•CO2 adducts were in line with those reported previously starting from preformed [RuCl2(p-cymene)(NHC)] complexes, whereas the NHC•CS2 zwitterions were almost completely inactive. To account for this dichotomy, the preparation of preformed ruthenium‚àíarene complexes from [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and NHC•CX2 inner salts was thoroughly investigated. As expected, imidazolium-2-carboxylates lost their CO2 moiety and afforded [RuCl2(p-cymene)(NHC)] complexes in high yields, whereas the NHC•CS2 betaines retained their zwitterionic nature and led to cationic complexes of the [RuCl(p-cymene)(NHC•CS2)]PF6 type. These stable, 18-electron species are the first examples of well-defined transition-metal complexes bearing chelating NHC•CS2 ligands. They were characterized by various analytical techniques, and the molecular structure of [RuCl(p-cymene)(IMes•CS2)]PF6 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. [less ▲]