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T cell redirection mediated by bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) is a promising cancer therapy. Dual antigen binding is necessary for potent T cell redirection and is influenced by the structural characteristics of a BsAb, which are dependent on its IgG subclass. In this study, model BsAbs targeting CD19xCD3 were generated in variants of IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 carrying Fc mutations that reduce FcγR interaction, and two chimeric IgG subclasses termed IgG1:2 and IgG4:2, in which the IgG1- or IgG4-F(ab) 2 are grafted on an IgG2 Fc. Molecules containing an IgG2 or IgG4-F(ab) 2 domain were confirmed to be the most structurally compact molecules. All BsAbs were shown to bind both of their target proteins (and corresponding cells) equally well. However, CD19xCD3 IgG2 did not bind both antigens simultaneously as measured by the absence of cellular clustering of T cells with target cells. This translated to a reduced potency of IgG2 BsAbs in T-cell redirection assays. The activity of IgG2 BsAbs was fully restored in the chimeric subclasses IgG4:2 and IgG1:2. This confirmed the major contribution of the F(ab) 2 region to the BsAb's functional activity and demonstrated that function of BsAbs can be modulated by engineering molecules combining different Fc and F(ab) 2 domains. Abbreviations: ADCC: Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity; AlphaScreen TM : Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay Screening; ANOVA: Analysis of variance; BiTE: bispecific T-cell engager; BSA: bovine serum albumin; BsAb: bispecific antibody; cFAE: controlled Fab-arm exchange; CDC: complement-dependent cellular cytotoxicity; CIEX: cation-exchange; CIR: chimeric immune receptor; DPBS: Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline; EC 50 value: effective concentration to reach half-maximum effect; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; EI: expansion index (RA t=x /RA t=0 ); FACS: fluorescence-activated cell sorting; FVD: fixable viability dye; HI-HPLC: hydrophobic interaction HPLC; HI-FBS: heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum; HPLC: high-pressure liquid chromatography; IC 50 value: effective concentration to reach half-maximum inhibition; IQ: Inhibition Quotient; IS: immunological synapse; MES: 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid; R-PE: recombinant phycoerythrin; RA: red area in μm 2 /well; RD: receptor density; RFP: red fluorescent protein; R g : radius of gyration; RSV: respiratory syncytial virus; SAXS: small-angle x-ray scattering; scFv: single-chain variable fragment; SD: standard deviation; SPR: surface plasmon resonance; WT: wild-type.

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) in a gliding arc plasmatron is studied for different CH 4 fractions in the mixture. The CO 2 and CH 4 conversions reach their highest values of approximately 18 and 10 %, respectively, at 25 % CH 4 in the gas mixture, corresponding to an overall energy cost of 10 kJ L -1 (or 2.5 eV per molecule) and an energy efficiency of 66 %. CO and H 2 are the major products, with the formation of smaller fractions of C 2 H x (x=2, 4, or 6) compounds and H 2 O. A chemical kinetics model is used to investigate the underlying chemical processes. The calculated CO 2 and CH 4 conversion and the energy efficiency are in good agreement with the experimental data. The model calculations reveal that the reaction of CO 2 (mainly at vibrationally excited levels) with H radicals is mainly responsible for the CO 2 conversion, especially at higher CH 4 fractions in the mixture, which explains why the CO 2 conversion increases with increasing CH 4 fraction. The main process responsible for CH 4 conversion is the reaction with OH radicals. The excellent energy efficiency can be explained by the non-equilibrium character of the plasma, in which the electrons mainly activate the gas molecules, and by the important role of the vibrational kinetics of CO 2 . The results demonstrate that a gliding arc plasmatron is very promising for DRM., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

An approach to identify β-secretase 1 (BACE1) fragment binders that do not interact with the catalytic aspartate dyad is presented. A ThermoFluor (thermal shift) and a fluorescence resonance energy transfer enzymatic screen on the soluble domain of BACE1, together with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) screen on the soluble domain of BACE1 and a mutant of one catalytic Asp (D32N), were run in parallel. Fragments that were active in at least two of these assays were further confirmed using one-dimensional NMR (WaterLOGSY) and SPR binding competition studies with peptidic inhibitor OM99-2. Protein-observed NMR (two-dimensional 15 N heteronuclear single-quantum coherence spectroscopy) and crystallographic studies with the soluble domain of BACE1 identified a unique and novel binding mode for compound 12 , a fragment that still occupies the active site while not making any interactions with catalytic Asps. This novel approach of combining orthogonal fragment screening techniques, for both wild-type and mutant enzymes, as well as binding competition studies could be generalized to other targets to overcome undesired interaction motifs and as a hit-generation approach in highly constrained intellectual property space.

A mini-HTS on 4000 compounds selected using 2D fragment-based similarity and 3D pharmacophoric and shape similarity to known selective tau aggregate binders identified N-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)quinolin-2-amine 10 as a novel potent binder to human AD aggregated tau with modest selectivity versus aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ). Initial medicinal chemistry efforts identified key elements for potency and selectivity, as well as suitable positions for radiofluorination, leading to a first generation of fluoroalkyl-substituted quinoline tau binding ligands with suboptimal physicochemical properties. Further optimization toward a more optimal pharmacokinetic profile led to the discovery of 1,5-naphthyridine 75, a potent and selective tau aggregate binder with potential as a tau PET tracer.

Structure-based macrocyclization of a 6-carboxylic acid indole chemotype has yielded potent and selective finger-loop inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase. Lead optimization in conjunction with in vivo evaluation in rats identified several compounds showing (i) nanomolar potency in HCV replicon cells, (ii) limited toxicity and off-target activities, and (iii) encouraging preclinical pharmacokinetic profiles characterized by high liver distribution. This effort culminated in the identification of TMC647055 (10a), a nonzwitterionic 17-membered-ring macrocycle characterized by high affinity, long polymerase residence time, and broad genotypic coverage. In vitro results of the combination of 10a with the HCV protease inhibitor TMC435 (simeprevir) supported an evaluation of this combination in patients with regard to virus suppression and resistance emergence. In a phase 1b trial with HCV genotype 1-infected patients, 10a was considered to be safe and well-tolerated and demonstrated potent antiviral activity, which was further enhanced in a combination study with TMC435.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based optical biosensors have been widely used to study biomolecular interactions, and applied to many areas of drug discovery including target identification, fragment screening, lead compound selection, early ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion), and quality control. These biosensors allow the following of a biomolecular interaction in real time to monitor kinetics and determine affinity. In this chapter, we describe an SPR-based assay to measure the interaction between hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase (wild type and/or mutants) and a small-molecule inhibitor. Viral polymerase proteins are captured on a Ni(2+)-nitrilotriacetic acid sensor surface while the small--molecule inhibitors are passed over the surface. In this way kinetics and affinity of the enzyme-inhibitor interactions can be measured, making it possible to select potent and promising lead candidates.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health burden and is associated with an increased risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There remains an unmet medical need for efficacious and safe direct antivirals with complementary modes of action for combination in treatment regimens to deliver a high cure rate with a short duration of treatment for HCV patients. Here we report the in vitro inhibitory activity, mode of action, binding kinetics, and resistance profile of TMC647055, a novel and potent nonnucleoside inhibitor of the HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. In vitro combination studies with an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor demonstrated potent suppression of HCV RNA replication, confirming the potential for combination of these two classes in the treatment of chronic HCV infection. TMC647055 is a potent nonnucleoside NS5B polymerase inhibitor of HCV replication with a promising in vitro biochemical, kinetic, and virological profile that is currently undergoing clinical evaluation.

Novel conformationaly constrained 1,6- and 2,6-macrocyclic HCV NS5b polymerase inhibitors, in which either the nitrogen or the phenyl ring in the C2 position of the central indole core is tethered to an acylsulfamide acid bioisostere, have been designed and tested for their anti-HCV potency. This transformational route toward non-zwitterionic finger loop-directed inhibitors led to the discovery of derivatives with improved cell potency and pharmacokinetic profile., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Optimization of a novel series of macrocyclic indole-based inhibitors of the HCV NS5b polymerase targeting the finger loop domain led to the discovery of lead compounds exhibiting improved potency in cellular assays and superior pharmacokinetic profile. Further lead optimization performed on the most promising unsaturated-bridged subseries provided the clinical candidate 27-cyclohexyl-12,13,16,17-tetrahydro-22-methoxy-11,17-dimethyl-10,10-dioxide-2,19-methano-3,7:4,1-dimetheno-1H,11H-14,10,2,9,11,17-benzoxathiatetraazacyclo docosine-8,18(9H,15H)-dione, TMC647055 (compound 18a). This non-zwitterionic 17-membered ring macrocycle combines nanomolar cellular potency (EC(50) of 82 nM) with minimal associated cell toxicity (CC(50)>20 μM) and promising pharmacokinetic profiles in rats and dogs. TMC647055 is currently being evaluated in the clinic., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an unusually attractive target for drug discovery since it contains five distinct drugable sites. The success of novel antiviral therapies will require nonnucleoside inhibitors to be active in at least patients infected with HCV of subtypes 1a and 1b. Therefore, the genotypic assessment of these agents against clinical isolates derived from genotype 1-infected patients is an important prerequisite for the selection of suitable candidates for clinical development. Here we report the 1a/1b subtype profiling of polymerase inhibitors that bind at each of the four known nonnucleoside binding sites. We show that inhibition of all of the clinical isolates tested is maintained, except for inhibitors that bind at the palm-1 binding site. Subtype coverage varies across chemotypes within this class of inhibitors, and inhibition of genotype 1a improves when hydrophobic contact with the polymerase is increased. We investigated if the polymorphism of the palm-1 binding site is the sole cause of the reduced susceptibility of subtype 1a to inhibition by 1,5-benzodiazepines by using reverse genetics, X-ray crystallography, and surface plasmon resonance studies. We showed Y415F to be a key determinant in conferring resistance on subtype 1a, with this effect being mediated through an inhibitor- and enzyme-bound water molecule. Binding studies revealed that the mechanism of subtype 1a resistance is faster dissociation of the inhibitor from the enzyme.

Optimization through parallel synthesis of a novel series of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase inhibitors led to the identification of (R)-11-(4-benzyloxy-2-fluorophenyl)-6-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-10-(6-methylpyridine-2-carbonyl)-2,3,4,5,10,11-hexahydro-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-1-one 11zc and (R)-11-(4-benzyloxy-2-fluorophenyl)-6-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-10-(2,5-dimethyloxazol-4-carbonyl)-2,3,4,5,10,11-hexahydro-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-1-one 11zk as potent (replicon EC(50)=400nM and 270nM, respectively) and selective (CC(50)>20muM) inhibitors of HCV replication. These data warrant further lead-optimization efforts.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), a Wnt coreceptor, plays an important role in bone metabolism as loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations in LRP5 result in the autosomal recessive osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome and autosomal dominant high-bone mass (HBM) phenotypes, respectively. Prior studies suggested that the presence of HBM-associated LRP5 mutations results in decreased antagonism of LRP5-mediated Wnt signaling. In the present study, we investigated six different HBM-LRP5 mutations and confirm that neither Dickkopf1 (DKK1) nor sclerostin efficiently inhibits HBM-LRP5 signaling. In addition, when coexpressed, DKK1 and sclerostin do not inhibit HBM-LRP5 mutants better than either inhibitor by itself. Also, DKK1 and sclerostin do not simultaneously bind to wild-type LRP5, and DKK1 is able to displace sclerostin from previously formed sclerostin-LRP5 complexes. In conclusion, our results indicate that DKK1 and sclerostin are independent, and not synergistic, regulators of LRP5 signaling and that the function of each is impaired by HBM-LRP5 mutations.

The search for hepatitis C virus polymerase inhibitors has resulted in the identification of several nonnucleoside binding pockets. The shape and nature of these binding sites differ across and even within diverse hepatitis C virus genotypes. These differences confront antiviral drug discovery with the challenge of finding compounds that are capable of inhibition in variable binding pockets. To address this, we have established a hepatitis C virus mutant and genotypic recombinant polymerase panel as a means of guiding medicinal chemistry through the elucidation of the site of action of novel inhibitors and profiling against genotypes. Using a genotype 1b backbone, we demonstrate that the recombinant P495L, M423T, M414T, and S282T mutant enzymes can be used to identify the binding site of an acyl pyrrolidine analog. We assess the inhibitory activity of this analog and other nonnucleoside inhibitors with our panel of enzyme isolates generated from clinical sera representing genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a.

Unlabelled: We found a novel heterozygous missense mutation (M282V) in the LRP5 gene in a patient with a high bone mass phenotype. In vitro studies suggest that a reduced antagonistic effect of DKK1 on canonical Wnt signaling contributes to the molecular effect of this mutation and its pathogenic consequence., Introduction: Gain-of-function mutations in the gene encoding LDL receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) cause high bone mass. Recent studies revealed that a reduced inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling by Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) contributes to the pathophysiology of this disease phenotype., Materials and Methods: We report on a 55-yr-old female patient with a high bone mass phenotype. Sequencing of exons 2-4 of the LRP5 gene was carried out to screen for disease-associated mutations in genomic DNA of the patient. The effect of the identified mutation on LRP5 membrane trafficking was studied by immunoblotting of a truncated form of LRP5. Additionally, Wnt signal activation in the absence and presence of DKK1 was assessed using a TCF4-based reporter gene assay in Saos-2 cells., Results: Our patient presents with dense bones (Z-scores > +6), and radiographic examination showed a generalized thickening of the skeleton. BMD at the hip and lumbar spine significantly decreased through the passage to menopause, indicating no protection to bone loss. Further clinical evaluation revealed torus palatinus. Mutation analysis showed the presence of a novel heterozygous missense variant (844A-->G; M282V) in LRP5, located in the first beta-propeller domain of the extracellular portion. Although protein secretion seemed to be impaired, this mutant was able to transduce Wnt signals at levels comparable with wildtype LRP5. We additionally observed a less efficient inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling by DKK1., Conclusions: Like all high BMD-associated gain-of-function LRP5 mutations described thus far, the M282V variant affects an amino acid located in the first beta-propeller domain, underlining the functional importance of this region in the pathophysiology of these conditions. This mutation most likely alters a region important for LRP5 modulation by DKK.

Unlabelled: We studied whether the LRP5 gene contributes to the clinical phenotype of IO in men. Mutation analysis in 66 IO men revealed a range of sequence variants, of which two missense variants were shown to be of functional relevance., Introduction: Mutations in the LDL receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) gene have been associated with extreme bone phenotypes, which makes LRP5 a plausible candidate gene for idiopathic osteoporosis (IO)., Materials and Methods: In 66 men with IO, all 23 exons and exon-intron boundaries of the LRP5 gene were screened for mutations, and functional analyses were performed for those that were putatively involved in the phenotype., Results: Mutation analysis in the IO probands revealed five missense mutations, of which 1067C>T (S356L), 1364C>T (S455L), and 4609G>A (A1537T) were of potential functional significance because they were located in highly conserved regions of LRP5 and not found in a control panel. Segregation analysis in the respective families could not exclude their possible causality for IO. Furthermore, functional analyses clearly showed an inhibitory effect of mutations 1067C>T and 1364C>T on Wnt signal transduction. These effects are most likely caused by impaired LRP5 synthesis in the case of 1067C>T and failure of protein trafficking to the cell surface for 1364C>T., Conclusions: For 2 of 66 IO probands, a mutation in the LRP5 gene with proven functionality was found. The findings indicate that carrying an LRP5 mutation is a risk factor for IO, but that overall, IO in men is infrequently underlied by such a mutation.

Gain-of-function mutations in LRP5 have been shown to cause high BMD disorders showing variable expression of some clinical symptoms, including torus palatinus and neurological complications. In an extended family, we were able to add craniosynostosis and developmental delay to the clinical spectrum associated with LRP5 mutations. We report on an extended four-generation family with 13 affected individuals (7 men and 6 women) in which an autosomal dominant type of osteosclerosis segregates. Osteosclerosis was most pronounced in the cranial base and calvarium, starting in early childhood with variable expression and a progressive character. Craniosynostosis at an early age was reported in four affected family members (two males and two females). The patients also presented with dysmorphic features (macrocephaly, brachycephaly, wide and high forehead, hypertelorism, prominent cheekbones, prominent jaw). They have normal height and proportions. Neurological complications like entrapment of cranial nerves resulting in optical nerve atrophy, hearing loss, and facial palsy were reported in two individuals. A mild developmental delay was reported in three affected individuals. None of the patients have torus palatinus, increased rate of fractures, osteomyelitis, hepatosplenomegaly, or pancytopenia. A missense mutation 640G-->A (A214T) in the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) gene was found in all affected individuals analyzed, including cases in whom craniosynostosis, a mild developmental delay, and/or macrocephaly is observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of patients presenting with autosomal dominant osteosclerosis in whom a variable expression of craniosynostosis, macrocephaly, and mild developmental delay is observed, which is most likely associated with a mutation in the LRP5 gene. These phenotypes can therefore be added to the clinical spectrum of LRP5-associated bone disorders.

In this study, a brother and sister of German origin are described with a possible diagnosis of van Buchem disease, a rare autosomal recessive sclerosing bone dysplasia characterized by a generalized hyperostosis of the skeleton mainly affecting the cranial bones. Clinically, patients suffer from cranial nerve entrapment potentially resulting in facial paresis, hearing disturbances, and visual loss. The radiological picture of van Buchem disease closely resembles sclerosteosis, although in the latter patients, syndactyly, tall stature, and raised intracranial pressure are frequently observed, allowing a differential diagnosis with van Buchem disease. Previous molecular studies demonstrated homozygous loss-of-function mutations in the SOST gene in sclerosteosis patients while a chromosomal rearrangement creating a 52-kb deletion downstream of this gene was found in Dutch patients with van Buchem disease. This deletion most likely suppresses SOST expression. Sclerostin, the SOST gene product, has been shown to play a role in bone metabolism. The two siblings reported here were evaluated at the molecular level by carrying out a mutation analysis of the SOST gene. This resulted in the identification of a novel putative disease-causing splice site mutation (IVS1 + 1 G-->C) homozygously present in both siblings.

Bone is a dynamic tissue that is subject to the balanced processes of bone formation and bone resorption. Imbalance can give rise to skeletal pathologies with increased bone density. In recent years, several genes underlying such sclerosing bone disorders have been identified. The LDL receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) gene has been shown to be involved in both osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome and the high-bone-mass phenotype and turned out to be an important regulator of peak bone mass in vertebrates. We performed mutation analysis of the LRP5 gene in 10 families or isolated patients with different conditions with an increased bone density, including endosteal hyperostosis, Van Buchem disease, autosomal dominant osteosclerosis, and osteopetrosis type I. Direct sequencing of the LRP5 gene revealed 19 sequence variants. Thirteen of these were confirmed as polymorphisms, but six novel missense mutations (D111Y, G171R, A214T, A214V, A242T, and T253I) are most likely disease causing. Like the previously reported mutation (G171V) that causes the high-bone-mass phenotype, all mutations are located in the aminoterminal part of the gene, before the first epidermal growth factor-like domain. These results indicate that, despite the different diagnoses that can be made, conditions with an increased bone density affecting mainly the cortices of the long bones and the skull are often caused by mutations in the LRP5 gene. Functional analysis of the effects of the various mutations will be of interest, to evaluate whether all the mutations give rise to the same pathogenic mechanism.

The osteopetroses are a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by a bone-density increase due to impaired bone resorption. As well as the two or more autosomal recessive types, two autosomal dominant forms of osteopetrosis, differentiated by clinical and radiological signs, are described. Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis (ADO) type II, also known as "Albers-Schönberg disease," is characterized by sclerosis, predominantly involving the spine (vertebral end-plate thickening, or Rugger-Jersey spine), the pelvis ("bone-within-bone" structures), and the skull base. An increased fracture rate can be observed in these patients. By linkage analysis, the presence, on chromosome 1p21, of a gene causing ADO type II was previously suggested. However, analysis of further families with ADO type II indicated genetic heterogeneity within ADO type II, with the chromosome 1p21 locus being only a minor locus. We now perform a genomewide linkage scan of a French extended family with ADO type II, which allows us to localize an ADO type II gene on chromosome 16p13.3. Analysis of microsatellite markers in five further families with ADO type II could not exclude this chromosomal region. A summed maximum LOD score of 12.70 was generated with marker D16S3027, at a recombination fraction (straight theta) of 0. On the basis of the key recombinants in the families, a candidate region of 8.4 cM could be delineated, flanked by marker D16S521, on distal side, and marker D16S423, on the proximal side. Surprisingly, one of the families analyzed is the Danish family previously suggested to have linkage to chromosome 1p21. Linkage to chromosome 16p13.3 clearly cannot be excluded in this family, since a maximum LOD score of 4.21 at theta=0 is generated with marker D16S3027. Because at present no other family with ADO type II has proved to have linkage to chromosome 1p21, we consider the most likely localization of the disease-causing gene in this family to be to chromosome 16p13.3. This thus reopens the possibility that ADO type II is genetically homogeneous because of a single gene on chromosome 16p13.3.