Abstract: Imidazole derivatives of the formula (1) or salts thereof, pharmaceuticals containing the derivatives or the salts, and intermediates for the synthesis of the derivatives or the salts (wherein R1 is lower alkyl; R2 is alkyl or aralkyl; and X1 is halogeno). These compounds exhibit G-CSF-like activities and can be substituted for G-CSF preparations.

Abstract: Imidazole derivatives of the formula (1) or salts thereof, pharmaceuticals containing the derivatives or the salts, and intermediates for the synthesis of the derivatives or the salts (wherein R1 is lower alkyl; R2 is alkyl or aralkyl; and X1 is halogeno). These compounds exhibit G-CSF-like activities and can be substituted for G-CSF preparations.

Abstract: A method of detecting a ligand or a ligand-like low-molecular weight compound from among test compounds characterized by separating a ligand-dependent cell line having a ligand receptor gene and an antibiotic resistance gene transferred thereinto from other cell lines, culturing the cell line in the presence of the test compounds and then examining the proliferation ability of the cells. Use of this method makes it possible to exactly screen a ligand (a physiologically active substance) or a low-molecular weight compound having the same action by a simple procedure.

Abstract: Described is a pyridine derivative represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 individually represent H, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group, an alkoxyalkyl group which may have a substituent, a carboxyalkyl group, an alkoxycarbonylalkyl group, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, a phenacyl group or an acyl group, R.sup.3 represents an alkyl group, a phenyl group which may have a substituent, a heteroaryl group or a cyclic amino group, X represents O or combination of OH and H, or a salt thereof; and a medicament, such as cytokine production suppressant, comprising the derivative or salt thereof as an effective ingredient. The invention compound has potential, highly specific and highly safe immunoregulating capacity so that it can suppress the excessive production of a specific cytokine in various diseases related to the immune system.