Abstract: The present invention relates to a refined and detailed molecular model of the ?2?1 integrin I-domain, especially the MIDAS and to the use of such a model for designing novel integrin modulators, especially ?2?1 integrin modulators. The present invention further relates to novel ?2?1 I-domain modulators, which are of therapeutic potential. The present invention further relates to specific families of small molecule modulators interacting with collagen receptors, tetracyclic polyketides and sulfonamides.

Abstract: The invention relates to sulphonamide derivatives of formula (I), where RC is selected from a group consisting of dialkylamino, NO2, CN, aminocarbonyl, monoalkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkanoyl, oxazol-2-yl, oxazolylaminocarbonyl, aryl, aroyl, aryl-CH(OH)—, arylaminocarbonyl, furanyl, where the aryl, aroyl and furanyl moieties may be substituted, guanidinyl-(CH2)z—N(R?)—, Het-(CH2)z—N(R?)—, Het-CO—N(R?)—, Het-CH(OH)— and Het-CO—, where Het is an optionally substituted 4-6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one or more heteroatoms sleeted from N, S and O, R? is hydrogen or alkyl, and z is an integer 1 to 5; RA is a group of formula (A), (B), (C) or (D) as defined in the claims; and RB is hydrogen, alkyl, alkanoyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aminoalkyl, mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl or Het-alkyl, where Het is as defined above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refined and detailed molecular model of the ?2?1 integrin I-domain, especially the MIDAS and to the use of such a model for designing novel integrin modulators, especially ?2?1 integrin modulators. The present invention further relates to novel ?2?1 I-domain modulators, which are of therapeutic potential. The present invention further relates to specific families of small molecule modulators interacting with collagen receptors, tetracyclic polyketides and sulfonamides.

Abstract: The invention relates to sulphonamide derivatives of formula (I), where RC is optionally substituted 4-6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one or more N atoms, or RC forms together with the phenyl ring to which it is attached a benzodioxolyl group, or RC is —NR1R2, RA is a group having the formula RB is hydrogen or alkyl. The invention also relates to the use of derivatives of formula (I) as inhibitors for collagen receptor integrins and a process for preparing sulphonamides of formula (I).

Abstract: The invention concerns a catching device (1) between a first structure (2) and a second structure (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one bolt (5) linked to the first structure and mounted in opposition to at least one elastic return means (9) tending to bring it back to a retracted position, a stop means (10) corresponding to the second structure being adapted to maintain it in a taut state when the latter is proximate the first structure, such that when the first structure is rapidly spaced apart from the second structure, each bolt is engaged with at least one corresponding retaining means (4) so as to limit the relative spacing and, when the first structure is slowly spaced apart from the second structure, each bolt and corresponding retaining means remain separated, thereby allowing complete opening between the first structure and the second structure.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides comprising three colinear amino acids, arginine-lysine-lysine (RKK) are provided that bind to the integrin .alpha.2I domain and are potent inhibitors of its interaction with collagens I and IV and laminin-1. Methods of using such peptides to block integrin function and to inhibit cell migration are also provided.