Chemokine receptor antagonists and methods of use therefor

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of treating a subject with a disease associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation. The method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by the following structural formula: 1

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/010,321, filed Jan. 21, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/891,518, filed Jul. 11, 1997, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/021,716, filed Jul. 12, 1996, the entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Chemoattractant cytokines or chemokines are a family of proinflammatory mediators that promote recruitment and activation of multiple lineages of leukocytes and lymphocytes. They can be released by many kinds of tissue cells after activation. Continuous release of chemokines at sites of inflammation mediates the ongoing migration of effector cells in chronic inflammation. The chemokines characterized to date are related in primary structure. They share four conserved cysteines, which form disulfide bonds. Based upon this conserved cysteine motif, the family is divided into two main branches, designated as the C—X—C chemokines (&agr;-chemokines), and the C—C chemokines (&bgr;-chemokines), in which the first two conserved cysteines are separated by an intervening residue, or adjacent respectively (Baggiolini, M. and Dahinden, C. A., Immunology Today, 15:127-133 (1994)).

[0003] The C—X—C chemokines include a number of potent chemoattractants and activators of neutrophils, such as interleukin 8 (IL-8), PF4 and neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2). The C—C chemokines include RANTES (Regulated on Activation, Normal T Expressed and Secreted), the macrophage inflammatory proteins 1&agr; and 1&bgr; (MIP-1&agr; and MIP-1&bgr;), and human monocyte chemotatic proteins 1-3 (MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3), which have been characterized as chemoattractants and activators of monocytes or lymphocytes but do not appear to be chemoattractants for neutrophils. Chemokines, such as RANTES and MIP-1&agr;, have been implicated in a wide range of human acute and chronic inflammatory diseases including respiratory diseases, such as asthma and allergic disorders.

[0004] The chemokine receptors are members of a superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) which share structural features that reflect a common mechanism of action of signal transduction (Gerard, C. and Gerard, N. P., Annu Rev. Immunol., 12:775-808 (1994); Gerard, C. and Gerard, N. P., Curr. Opin. Immunol., 6:140-145 (1994)). Conserved features include seven hydrophobic domains spanning the plasma membrane, which are connected by hydrophilic extracellular and intracellular loops. The majority of the primary sequence homology occurs in the hydrophobic transmembrane regions with the hydrophilic regions being more diverse. The first receptor for the C—C chemokines that was cloned and expressed binds the chemokines MIP-1&agr; and RANTES. Accordingly, this MIP-1&agr;/RANTES receptor was designated C—C chemokine receptor 1 (also referred to as CCR-1; Neote, K., et al., Cell, 72:415-425 (1993); Horuk, R. et al., WO 94/11504, May 26, 1994; Gao, J. -I. et al., J. Exp. Med., 177:1421-1427 (1993)). Three new receptors have been characterized which bind and/or signal in response to RANTES: CCR3 mediates binding and signaling of chemokines including eotaxin, RANTES, and MCP-3 (Ponath et al., J. Exp. Med., 183:2437 (1996)), CCR4 binds chemokines including RANTES, MIP-1&agr;, and MCP-1 (Power, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270:19495 (1995)), and CCR5 binds chemokines including MIP-1&agr;, RANTES, and MIP-1&bgr; (Samson, et al., Biochem. 35: 3362-3367 (1996)). RANTES is a chemotactic chemokine for a variety of cell types, including monocytes, eosinophils, and a subset of T-cells. The responses of these different cells may not all be mediated by the same receptor, and it is possible that the receptors CCR1, CCR4 and CCR5 will show some selectivity in receptor distribution and function between leukocyte types, as has already been shown for CCR3 (Ponath et al.). In particular, the ability of RANTES to induce the directed migration of monocytes and a memory population of circulating T-cells (Schall, T. et al., Nature, 347:669-71 (1990)) suggests this chemokine and its receptors) may play a critical role in chronic inflammatory diseases, since these diseases are characterized by destructive infiltrates of T cells and monocytes.

[0005] Many existing drugs have been developed as antagonists of the receptors for biogenic amines, for example, as antagonists of the dopamine and histamine receptors. No successful antagonists have yet been developed to the receptors for the larger proteins such as chemokines and C5a. Small molecule antagonists of the interaction between C—C chemokine receptors and their ligands, including RANTES and MIP-1&agr;, would provide compounds useful for inhibiting S harmful inflammatory processes “triggered” by receptor ligand interaction, as well as valuable tools for the investigation of receptor-ligand interactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It has now been found that a number of small organic molecules are antagonists of chemokine receptor function and can inhibit leukocyte activation and/or recruitment. An antagonist of chemokine receptor function is a molecule which can inhibit the binding of one or more chemokines, including C—C chemokines such as RANTES and/or MIP-1&agr;, to one or more chemokine receptors on leukocytes and/or other cell types. As a consequence, processes and cellular responses mediated by chemokine receptors can be inhibited with these small organic molecules. Based on this discovery, a method of treating a subject with a disease associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or small organic molecule which is an antagonist of chemokine receptor function. Compounds or small organic molecules which have been identified as antagonists of chemokine receptor function are discussed in detail hereinbelow, and can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or for preventing a disease associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation. The invention also relates to the disclosed compounds and small organic molecules for use in treating or preventing a disease associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of the compounds or small organic molecules which have been identified herein as antagonists of chemokine function and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. The invention further relates to novel compounds which can be used to treat an individual with a disease associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic showing the preparation of the compounds represented by Structural Formulas (I) and (II).

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the preparation of the compounds represented by Structural Formula ((I) and II), wherein Z is represented by Structural Formulas (IV) and wherein Ring A in Z is substituted with (CH2)t—COOH, —(CH2)t—COOR20 or —(CH2)t—C(O)—NR21R22.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic showing the preparation of the compounds represented by Structural Formula (I) and (II), wherein Z is represented by Structural Formulas (VIII) and (XIII)-(XVI) and wherein V is Wa.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows the structures of a number of exemplary compounds of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention relates to small molecule compounds which are antagonists of chemokine receptor function. Accordingly, processes or cellular responses mediated by the binding of a chemokine to a receptor can be inhibited (reduced or prevented, in whole or in part), including leukocyte migration, integrin activation, transient increases in the concentration of intracellular free calcium [Ca++]i, and/or granule release of proinflammatory mediators.

[0012] The invention further relates to a method of treatment, including prophylactic and therapeutic treatments, of a disease associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation, including chronic inflammatory disorders characterized by the presence of RANTES and/or MIP-1&agr; responsive T cells, monocytes and/or eosinophils, including but not limited to diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as well as allergies and asthma. Other diseases associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation which can be treated (including prophylactic treatments) with the methods disclosed herein are inflammatory diseases associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, e.g., AIDS associated encephalitis, AIDS related maculopapular skin eruption, AIDS related interstitial pneumonia, AIDS related enteropathy, AIDS related periportal hepatic inflammation and AIDS related glomerulo nephritis. The method comprises administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound (i.e., one or more compounds) which inhibits chemokine receptor function, inhibits the binding of a chemokine to leukocytes and/or other cell types, and/or which inhibits leukocyte migration to, and/or activation at, sites of inflammation. According to the method, chemokine-mediated chemotaxis and/or activation of pro-inflammatory cells bearing receptors for chemokines can be inhibited. As used herein, “pro-inflammatory cells” includes but is not limited to leukocytes, since chemokine receptors may be expressed on other cell types, such as neurons and epithelial cells.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the antagonist of chemokine receptor function is represented by Structural Formula (I): 2

[0014] Z is a cycloalkyl or non-aromatic heterocyclic ring fused to one or more carbocyclic aromatic rings and/or heteroaromatic rings.

[0015] Y is a covalent bond, —O— or —CO—.

[0016] n is an integer from one to about five. n is preferably one, two, or three.

[0017] X is a covalent bond or —CO—.

[0018] M is >NR2 or >CR1R2. Preferably, M is >C(OH)R2.

[0019] R1 is —H, —OH, an aliphatic group, —O—(aliphatic group), —SH or —S—(aliphatic group). Preferably, R1 is —H or —OH.

[0020] R2 is an aliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a benzylic group, a substituted benzylic group, a non-aromatic heterocyclic group or a substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group. Preferably, R2 is an aromatic or a substituted aromatic group.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, —X— and —Y— in Structural Formula (I) are each a covalent bond and the antagonist of chemokine receptor function is a compound represented by Structural Formula (II): 3

[0022] Z, n and M are as described above for Structural Formula (I).

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, —X— is a covalent bond, —Y— is —CO— and the antagonist of chemokine receptor function is a compound represented by Structural Formula (III): 4

[0024] Preferably, Z is a tricyclic ring system comprising two carbocyclic aromatic groups fused to a seven or eight membered cycloalkyl group or to a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring. In one example, Z is represented by Structural Formula (IV): 5

[0025] The phenyl rings in Structural Formula (IV), labeled with an “A” and “B”, are referred to herein as “Ring A” and “Ring B”, respectively. The central ring, labeled with a “C”, is referred to as “Ring C” and can be, for example a seven or eight membered non-aromatic carbocyclic ring (e.g., a cycloheptane or cyclooctane ring) or a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring. When Ring C is a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring, it can contain one or two heteroatoms such as nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen. When Z is represented by Structural Formula (IV), the tricyclic ring system is connected to Y in Structural Formula (I) by a single covalent bond between Y and a ring atom in Ring C.

[0026] Ring A and/or Ring B can be unsubstituted. Alternatively, Ring A and/or Ring B can have one or more substituents. Suitable substituents are as described hereinbelow for substituted aromatic groups. In one example, Ring A or Ring B is substituted with —(CH2)t—COOH, —(CH2)t—COOR20 or —(CH2)t—C(O)—NR21R22.

[0027] t is an integer from zero to about 3.

[0028] R20, R21 or R22 are independently —H, an aliphatic group a substituted aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, —NHC(O)—O—(aliphatic group), —NHC(O)—O—(aromatic group) or —NHC(O)—O—(non-aromatic heterocyclic group). In addition, R21 and R22, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, can form a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring.

[0029] Ring C optionally contains one or more additional substituents. When Ring C is a non-aromatic carbocyclic ring, suitable substituents are as described hereinbelow for substituted aliphatic groups. When Ring C contains one or more heteroatoms, suitable substituents are as described below for non-aromatic heterocyclic rings. Preferably, Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with an electron withdrawing group. Suitable electron withdrawing groups include —CN, alkylsulfonyl, carboxamido, carboxylic alkyl esters, —NO2 and halogens (e.g., —Br and —Cl). Alternatively, Ring C is substituted with a group selected from —CH2—NR11R12, —CH2—OR11, —CH2—NH—CO—NR11R12, —CH2—O—CO—NR11R12.

[0030] R11 and R12 are independently -H, an aliphatic group a substituted aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, —NHC(O)—O—(aliphatic group), or NHC(O)—O—(aromatic group). In addition, R11 and R12, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, can form a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring.

[0031] Examples of suitable tricyclic rings systems represented by Structural Formula (IV) are provided by Structural Formula (V)-(VIII), shown below: 6

[0032] X1 is a chemical bond, —S—, —CH2— or —CH2S—. Preferably, X1 is —S— in Structural Formulas (V) and (VII). Preferably, X1 is —CH2S— in Structural Formulas (VI) and (VIII).

[0033] W is —H or an electron withdrawing group, as described above for Structural Formula (IV). A preferred electron withdrawing group is —CN.

[0034] Wa is a group selected from —CH2—NR11R12, —CH2—OR11, —CH2—NH—CO—NR11R12 or —CH2—O—CO—NR11R12. R11 and R12 are as defined in Structural Formula (IV).

[0035] Ring A and Ring B in Structural Formulas (V)-(VIII) are as described above in Structural Formula (IV).

[0036] Other examples of suitable tricyclic ring systems represented by Structural Formula (IV) are shown below in Structural Formulas (IX)-(XII), (XIIa), (XIIb) an (XIIc): 7 8

[0037] Rings A-C in Structural Formulas (IX)-(XII), (XIIa), (XIIb) and (XIIc) are as described for Structural Formula (IV)

[0038] Rc is an aliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a benzylic group or a substituted benzylic group. Preferably, Rc is a substituted C1-C20 aliphatic group, a C10-C20 aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a benzylic group or a substituted benzylic group. In one example, Rc is —(CH2)s—COOH, —(CH2)s—COOR30 or —(CH2)s—C (O)—NR31R32.

[0039] s is an integer from zero to about 3.

[0040] R30, R31 and R32 are independently —H, an aliphatic group a substituted aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, —NHC(O)—O—(aliphatic group), —NHC(O)—O—(aromatic group) or —NHC(O)—O—(non-aromatic heterocyclic group). In addition, R31 and R32, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, can form a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring.

[0041] Preferred examples of tricyclic ring systems represented by Structural Formulas (IX)-(XII),(XIIa), (XIIb) and (XIIc) are shown below in Structural Formulas (XIII)-(XVI), (XVIa), (XVIb) and (XVIc): 9

[0042] V is W or Wa, which are as described above for Structural Formula (V)-(VIII).

[0043] In another preferred embodiment, Z is a tricyclic ring system comprising one or more heteroaromatic groups fused to a seven or eight membered cycloalkyl group or to a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring. Examples are represented by Structural Formulas (XVII)-(XXI), (XXIa), (XXIb) and (XXIc): 10

[0044] Ring A in Structural Formulas (XVII)-(XXI), (XXIa), (XXIb) and (XXIc) is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group.

[0045] Ring B in Structural Formulas (XVII)-(XXI), (XXIa), (XXIb) and (XXIc) is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group.

[0046] Wb is —H, —CN, —CH2—NR11R12, —CH2—OR11, —CH2—NH—CO—NR11R12, —CH2—O—CO—NR11R12. R11 and R12 are as defined above for Structural Formula (IV).

[0047] In yet another preferred embodiment, the antagonist of chemokine function is a compound represented by Structural Formula (XXII and (XXIII): 11

[0048] In Structural Formulas (XXII) and (XXIII), X1 is as defined above for Structural Formulas (V) and (VI); n is an integer from two to five; W is —H, —CN, alkylsulfonyl, carboxamido or carboxyalkyl.

[0049] In Structural Formulas (XXII) and (XXIII), Ring A is substituted with R8 and R9, wherein R8 and R9 are independently —H, a halogen, alkoxy or alkyl, or, taken together with ring A, form a naphthyl group. M is >N(alkanoyl), >N(aroyl), >N(aralkoyl), >N(alkyl), >N(aralkyl), >N(cycloalkyl), >C(H) (aryl) or >CH(heteroaryl).

[0050] The present invention also includes novel compounds represented by Structural Formulas (II) and (III).

[0051] In one embodiment, the novel compounds are represented by Structural Formulas (II) and (III) wherein Z is a group in which one or more heteroaromatic rings are fused to a cycloalkyl ring or a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring. Each ring in Z is independently substituted or unsubstituted. Examples of suitable Z groups are represented by Structural Formulas (XVII)-(XXI), (XXIa), (XXIb) and (XXIc). Ring A, Ring B, M, Wb, R1, R2, Rc and n are as described in Structural Formulas (XVII) through (XXIc).

[0052] In another embodiment, the novel compounds are represented by Structural Formulas (II) and (III) have a Z group represented by Structural Formulas (V) and (VI). At least one of Ring A or Ring B is substituted. M, W, R1, R2 and n are as described in Structural Formulas (V) and (VI).

[0053] In another embodiment, the novel compounds represented by Structural Formulas (II) and (III) have a Z group represented by Structural Formulas (VII) and (VIII). Ring A, Ring B, M, Wa, R1, R2 and n are as described in Structural Formulas (VII) and (VIII).

[0054] In another embodiment, the novel compounds represented by Structural Formulas (II) and (III) have a Z group represented by Structural Formulas (XIII)-(XVI), (XVIa), (XVIb) and (XVIc). Ring A, Ring B, M, R1, R2, Rc and n are as described in Structural Formulas (XIII) through (XVIc). V is —CN, —CH2—NR11R12, —CH2—OR11, —CH2—NH—CO—NR11R12, —CH2—O—CO—NR11R12. R11 and R12 are as defined above for Structural Formula (IV).

[0055] In another embodiment, the novel compounds represented by Structural Formulas (II) and (III) have a Z group represented by Structural Formula (XVI). Ring A, Ring B, M, R1, R2, and n are as described in Structural Formula (XVI). V is —H and Rc is a C10-C20 aliphatic group, a substituted C10-C20 aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a benzylic group or a substituted benzylic group. In one example, Rc is —(CH2)s—COOH, —(CH2)s—COOR30 or —(CH2)s—C(O)—NR31R32, wherein s, R30, R31 and R32 are as desribed above. Preferably, Rc is an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a benzylic group or a substituted benzylic group.

[0056] In yet another embodiment, the novel compounds represented by Structural Formula (II) and (III) have a Z group represented by Structural Formulas (XXII) and (XXIII). Ring A, Ring B, M, W, and n are as described in Structural Formulas (XXII) through (XXIII). R8 and R9 are independently a halogen, alkoxy or alkyl, or, taken together with ring A, form a naphthyl group.

[0057] Also included in the present invention are physiologically acceptable salts of the compounds represented by Structural Formulas (I) through (XXIII). Salts of compounds containing an amine or other basic group can be obtained, for example, by reacting with a suitable organic or inorganic acid, such as hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, acetic acid, perchloric acid and the like. Compounds with a quaternary ammonium group also contain a counteranion such as chloride, bromide, iodide, acetate, perchlorate and the like. Salts of compounds containing a carboxylic acid or other acidic functional group can be prepared by reacting with a suitable base, for example, a hydroxide base. Salts of acidic functional groups contain a countercation such as sodium, potassium and the like.

[0058] As used herein, aliphatic groups include straight chained, branched or cyclic C1-C8 hydrocarbons which are completely saturated or which contain one or more units of unsaturation.

[0059] An “alkyl group” is a saturated aliphatic group, as defined above. The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl ether chain with an alkyl group. “Alkanoyl” refers to alkyl substituted carbonyl; “aralkanoyl” refers to phenyl-alkyl-CO— and “aroyl” refers to arylcarbonyl including benzoyl, naphthoyl and the like. The term “halogen” means fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. The term “aryl”, as opposed to the term “aromatic group”, means phenyl. The term “substituted phenyl” means aryl substituted by alkyl, halogen, alkoxy, nitro, amino, acetamido, cyano and trifluoromethyl and naphthyl. “Aralkyl” means —(CH2)x-phenyl, wherein x is an integer from one to four including benzyl. It is noted that the terms “aromatic group”, “carbocylic aromatic group” and “heterocyclic aromatic group” are defined below and have different meanings from the term “aryl”.

[0060] Aromatic groups include carbocyclic aromatic groups such as phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-anthracyl and 2-anthacyl, and heterocyclic aromatic groups such as N-imidazolyl, 2-imidazole, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-furanyl, 3-furanyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyrimidy, 4-pyrimidyl, 2-pyranyl, 3-pyranyl, 3-pyrazolyl, 4-pyrazolyl, 5-pyrazolyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 2-thiazole, 4-thiazole, 5-thiazole, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl and 5-oxazolyl.

[0061] Aromatic groups also include fused polycyclic aromatic ring systems in which a carbocyclic aromatic ring or heteroaryl ring is fused to one or more other heteroaryl rings. Examples include 2-benzothienyl, 3-benzothienyl, 2-benzofuranyl, 3-benzofuranyl, 2-indolyl, 3-indolyl, 2-quinolinyl, 3-quinolinyl, 2-benzothiazole, 2-benzooxazole, 2-benzimidazole, 2-quinolinyl, 3-quinolinyl, 1-isoquinolinyl, 3-quinolinyl, 1-isoindolyl, 3-isoindolyl, and acridintyl. Also included within the scope of the term “aromatic group”, as it is used herein, is a group in which one or more carbocyclic aromatic rings and/or heteroaromatic rings are fused to a cycloalkyl or non-aromatic heterocyclic ring. Examples include decalin, phthalimido, benzodiazepines, benzooxazepines, benzooxazines, phenothiazines, and groups represented by the following structural formulas: 12

[0062] Non-aromatic heterocyclic rings are non-aromatic carbocyclic rings which include one or more heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur in the ring. The ring can be five, six, seven or eight-membered. Examples include 2-tetrahydrofuranyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahyrothiophenyl, 3-tetrahyrothiophenyl, 2-morpholino, 3-morpholino, 4-morpholino, 2-thiomorpholino, 3-thiomorpholino, 4-thiomorpholino, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperazinyl, 2-piperazinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl, 3-piperidinyl, 4-piperidinyl and 4-thiazolidinyl.

[0063] “Heterocyclic ring”, as opposed to “heteroaryl group” and “non-aromatic heterocylic ring”, is defined as imidazole, benzimidazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, thiazole, benzothiazole, thienyl, benzothienyl. It is noted further the terms “heterocyclic aromatic group” and “non-aromatic heterocyclic ring” are defined above and have different meanings from the term “heterocyclic ring”.

[0064] Suitable substituents on an alkyl, aliphatic, aromatic, non-aromatic heterocyclic ring or benzyl group include, for example, —OH, halogen (—Br, —Cl, —I and —F) —O(aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, benzyl, substituted benzyl, aromatic or substituted aromatic group), —CN, —NO2, —COOH, —NH2,—NH(aliphatic group, substituted aliphatic, benzyl, substituted benzyl, aromatic or substituted aromatic group), —N(aliphatic group, substituted aliphatic, benzyl, substituted benzyl, aromatic or substituted aromatic group)2, —COO(aliphatic group, substituted aliphatic, benzyl, substituted benzyl, aromatic or substituted aromatic group), —CONH2, —CONH(aliphatic, substituted aliphatic group, benzyl, substituted benzyl, aromatic or substituted aromatic group)), —SH, —S(aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, benzyl, substituted benzyl, aromatic or substituted aromatic group) and —NH—C(═NH)—NH2. A substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic ring, benzylic group or aromatic group can also have an aliphatic or substituted aliphatic group as a substituent. A substituted alkyl or aliphatic group can also have a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring, benzyl, substituted benzyl, aromatic or substituted aromatic group as a substituent. A substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic ring can also have ═O, ═S, ═NH or ═N(aliphatic, aromatic or substituted aromatic group) as a substituent. A substituted aliphatic, substituted aromatic, substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic ring or substituted benzyl group can have more than one substituent.

[0065] In the structural formulas depicted herein, the single or double bond by which a chemical group or moiety is connected to the remainder of the molecule or compound is indicated by the following symbol:

[0066] For example, the corresponding symbol in Structural Formula (V) or (VIII) indicates that the tricyclic ring system, which respresents Z in Structural Formula (I), is connected to the alkylene group in Structural Formula (I) by a single covalent bond between the alkylene group and the ring carbon in Ring C which is bonded to W.

[0067] A “subject” is preferably a mammal, such as a human, but can also be an animal in need of veterinary treatment, e.g., domestic animals (e.g., dogs, cats, and the like), farm animals (e.g., cows, sheep, pigs, horses, and the like) and laboratory animals (e.g., rats, mice, guinea pigs, and the like).

[0068] A “therapeutically effective amount” of a compound is an amount which results in the inhibition of one or more processes mediated by the binding of a chemokine to a receptor in a subject with a disease associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation. Examples of such processes include leukocyte migration, integrin activation, transient increases in the concentration of intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i and granule release of proinflammatory mediators. Alternatively, a “therapeutically effective amount” of a compound is a quantity sufficient to achieve a desired therapeutic and/or prophylactic effect, such as an amount which results in the prevention of or a decrease in the symptoms associated with a disease associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation.

[0069] The amount of compound administered to the individual will depend on the type and severity of the disease and on the characteristics of the individual, such as general health, age, sex, body weight and tolerance to drugs. It will also depend on the degree, severity and type of disease. The skilled artisan will be able to determine appropriate dosages depending on these and other factors. Typically, a therapeutically effective amount of the compound can range from about 0.1 mg per day to about 100 mg per day for an adult. Preferably, the dosage ranges from about 1 mg per day to about 100 mg per day. An antagonist of chemokine receptor function can also be administered in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents, e.g. theophylline, &bgr;-adrenergic bronchdilators, corticosteroids, antihistamines, antiallergic agents and the like.

[0070] The compound can be administered by any suitable route, including, for example, orally in capsules, suspensions or tablets or by parenteral administration. Parenteral administration can include, for example, systemic administration, such as by intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous, or intraperitoneal injection. The compound can also be administered orally (e.g., dietary), topically, by inhalation (e.g., intrabronchial, intranasal, oral inhalation or intranasal drops), or rectally, depending on the disease or condition to be treated. Oral or parenteral administration are preferred modes of administration.

[0071] The compound can be administered to the individual in conjunction with an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier as part of a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of HIV infection, inflammatory disease, or the other diseases discussed above. Formulation of a compound to be administered will vary according to the route of administration selected (e.g., solution, emulsion, capsule). Suitable pharmaceutical carriers may contain inert ingredients which do not interact with the compound. Standard pharmaceutical formulation techniques can be employed, such as those described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers for parenteral administration include, for example, sterile water, physiological saline, bacteriostatic saline (saline containing about 0.9% mg/ml benzyl alcohol), phosphate-buffered saline, Hank's solution, Ringer's-lactate and the like. Methods for encapsulating compositions (such as in a coating of hard gelatin or cyclodextran) are known in the art (Baker, et al., “Controlled Release of Biological Active Agents”, John Wiley and Sons, 1986).

[0072] The activity of compounds of the present invention can be assessed using suitable assays, such as receptor binding assays and chemotaxis assays. For example, as described in the Exemplification Section, small molecule antagonists of ANTES and MIP-la binding have been identified utilizing THP-1 cells which bind RANTES and chemotax in response to RANTES and MIP-1&agr; as a model for leukocyte chemotaxis. Specifically, a high through-put receptor binding assay, which monitors 125I-RANTES and 125I-MIP-1&agr; binding to THP-1 cell membranes, was used to identify small molecule antagonists which block binding of RANTES and MIP-1&agr;. Compounds of the present invention can also be identified by virtue of their ability to inhibit the activation steps triggered by binding of a chemokine to its receptor, such as chemotaxis, integrin activation and granule mediator release. They can also be-identified by virtue of their ability to block RANTES and MIP-1&agr; mediated HL-60, T-cell, peripheral blood mononuclear cell, and eosinophil chemotactic response.

[0073] The compounds disclosed herein can be prepared accordingly to the schemes shown in FIGS. 1-3. The schemes are described in greater detail below.

[0074] FIG. 1 is a schematic showing the preparation of the compounds represented by Structural Formula (I).

[0075] L1, L2 and L3 in FIG. 1 are suitable leaving groups such as halogen; p-toluene sulfonate, mesylate, aikoxy and phenoxy. The other symbols are as defined above.

[0076] The reduction reaction in Step 1 of FIG. 1 is performed with a reducing agent such as or sodium borohydride or lithium aluminum hydride (LAH) in an inert solvent such as methanol or tetrahydrofuran (THF. The reaction is carried out at temperatures ranging from 0° C. up to the reflux temperature and for 5 minutes to 72 h. Compounds represented by formula II in FIG. 1 can be prepared by procedures disclosed in JP 61/152673, U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,496, Wo 89/10369, WO 92/20681 and WO 93/02081, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0077] A chlorination reaction in step 2 of FIG. 1 can be performed with reagents such as thionyl chloride. The reaction can be carried out in an inert solvent such as methylene chloride at 0° C. up to the reflux temperature for 5 minutes to 72 h. The hydroxy group can be also converted to other leaving groups by methods familiar to those skilled in the art.

[0078] The cyanation reaction in step 3 of FIG. 1 can be carried out using reagents such as copper cyanide, silver cyanide or sodium cyanide in an inert solvent such as benzene or toluene. Reacton temperatures range from 0° C. up to the reflux temperature for 5 minutes to 72 h. Compounds represented by Formula V in FIG. 1 can also be prepared by the procedures described in J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 804-810 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,611, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0079] The alkylation reactions in steps 4 and 5 of FIG. 1 can be carried out in a solvent such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, toluene, tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of a base such as potassium carbonate or sodium hydride and a catalyst such as an alkali metal iodide (when necessary). The reaction temperature can range from room temperature up to the reflux temperature and for 5 minutes to 72 h.

[0080] The product of the synthetic scheme shown in FIG. 1 can be decyanated using a reducing agent such as lithium aluminum hydride (LAH) in an inert solvent such as ether or tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 0° C. up to the reflux temperature for the solvent used for 5 minutes to 72 h.

[0081] FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the preparation of the compounds represented by Stuctural Formula (I) and II), wherein Z is represented by Structural Formulas (IV) and wherein Ring A in Z is substituted with —(CH2)t—COOH, —(CH2)t—COOR20 or —(CH2)t—C(O)—NR21R22.

[0082] In FIG. 2, the hydrolysis reaction may be carried out in a mixture of aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution and a solvent such as methanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dioxane at room temperature up to the reflux temperature for the solvent used for 5 minutes to 72 h. The acylation reaction can be carried out using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) or (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (DEC) in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide-(DMF) or methylene chloride in the presence of a base such as pyridine or triethylamine (when necessary) at temperatures of 0 to 100° C. for 5 minutes to 72 h.

[0083] Compounds represented by Structural Formulas (I) and (II), wherein Z is represented by Structural Formulas (XVI), X is —CO—N(Rc)— and Rc is —(CH2)—COOH, —(CH2)—COOR30 or —(CH2)s—C(O)—NR31R32 can be prepared by suitable modification of the scheme shown in FIG. 1. One modification utilizes the starting material shown in FIG. 1, wherein X is —CO—NH—. The amide is then alkylated with L3—(CH2)s—COOR30 using the alkylation procedures described above. L3 is a suitable leaving group. The remainder of the synthesis is as described in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0084] FIG. 3 is a schematic showing the preparation of the compounds represented by Structural Formula (I) and (II), wherein Z is represented by Structural Formulas (VIII) and (XIII-(XVI) and wherein V is Wa.

[0085] The reduction of the cyano group to an amine in FIG. 3 can be carried out using metal hydrides or by catalytic reduction processes. Suitable reducing agents include lithium aluminum hydride (LAH), diisobutyl aluminum hydride (DIBAL-H), borane-methyl sulfide complex or sodium borohydride. The reduction can be carried out in an inert solvent such as ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), methylene chloride or methanol at −78° C. up to the reflux temperature for 5 minutes to 72 h. It is also possible to isolate the corresponding imine intermediate, which can be converted to the amine using similar reduction processes.

[0086] Although FIGS. 1-3 show the preparation of compounds in which Rings A and B are phenyl rings, analogous compounds with heteroaryl groups for Rings A and B can be prepared by using the starting materials with heteroaryl groups in the corresponding positions, which can be prepared according to methods disclosed in JP 61/152673, U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,496, WO 89/10369, WO 92/20681 and WO 93/02081.

[0087] The invention is illustrated by the following examples which are not intended to be limiting in any way.

EXEMPLIFICATION

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)1-[3-(5-cyano-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0088] To a solution of 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile (described in J. Med Chem. 1994, 37, 804-810)(500 mg) in DMF (10 ml) were added 60% sodium hydride (110 mg) and 1-bromo-3-chloropropane (0.30 ml) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hours. Water and ethyl acetate were added to the reaction mixture, the organic layer was separated and washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure to give 5-(3-chloropropyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile. Without purification, to a solution obtained chloride in DMF (10 ml) were added 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine (650 mg), potassium carbonate (950 mg), and potassium iodide (50 mg) and the mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 24 hours. Water and ethyl acetate were added to the reaction mixture, the organic layer was separated and washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:1) to give the titled compound (700 mg). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.22-1.34(2H,m) 1.60-1.80(3H,m), 1.93-1.99(2H,m), 2.16-2.28(6H,m), 2.5-2.60(2H,m), 6.98(2H,s), 7.25-7.47(10H,m), 8.00-8.03(2H,m). MS m/z: 469(M+1)

EXAMPLE 2

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(5-cyano-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0089] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.43-1.49(2H,m), 1.61-1.66(2H,m), 1.93-2.02(3H,m), 2.24-2.32(4H,m), 2.48-2.62(4H,m), 2.96-3.06(2H,m), 3.35-3.45(2H,m), 7.11-7.41(10H,m), 7.93-7.97(2H,m). MS m/z: 471(M+1)

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0090] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.37-1.68(5H,m), 1.99-2.09(2H,m), 2.24-2.50(5H,m), 2.65-2.69(2H,m), 2.78-2.85(1H,m), 5.03(1H,d), 5.45(1H,d), 7.02-7.43(10H,m), 7.82-7.86(1H,m), 7.95-8.00(1H,m). MS m/z: 473(M+1)

EXAMPLE 4

Preparation of 1-[3-(11-Cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)propyl]-4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperidin-4-ol

[0091] Following the procedure of example 3, but replacing 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine with 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.40-1.68(4H,m), 1.88-2.08(3H,m), 2.29-2.50(5H,m), 2.63-2.67(2H,m), 2.77-2.84(1H,m), 5.03(1H,d), 5.44(1H,d), 6.95-7.46(10H,m), 7.81-7.85(1H,m), 7.94-7.99(1H,m). MS m/z: 457(M+1)

EXAMPLE 5

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydro-2-fluorodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)prop yl]piperidin-4-ol

[0092] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 6,11-dihydro-2-fluorodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.37-1.69(5H,m), 1.98-2.09(2H,m), 2.25-2.48(5H,m), 2.65-2.70(2H,m), 2.78-2.87(1H,m), 5.01(1H,d), 5.42(1H,d), 6.99-7.11(3H,m), 7.25-7.43(6H,m), 7.54-7.59(1H,m), 7.92-7.95(1H,m). MS m/z: 491(M+1)

EXAMPLE 6

Preparation of 1-[3-(2-Bromo-11-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)propyl]-4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperidin-4-ol

[0093] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 2-bromo-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.37-1.69(5H,m), 1.97-2.09(2H,m), 2.24-2.48(5H,m), 2.66-2.85(3H,m), 5.00(1H,d), 5.43(1H,d), 6.97-7.02(2H,m), 7.24-7.46(7H,m), 7.91-7.95(2H,m). MS m/z: 551, 553(M+1)

EXAMPLE 7

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydro-2-methyldibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0094] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 6,11-dihydro-2-methyldibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.40-1.70(5H,m), 1.98-2.09(2H,m), 2.25-2.52(8H,m), 2.68-2.73(2H,m), 2.81-2.90(1H,m), 5.00(1H,d), 5.44(1H,d), 6.98-7.43(9H,m), 7.63(1H,d), 7.94-7.98(1H,m). MS m/z: 487(M+1)

EXAMPLE 8

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-3,4-dichloro-6,11-dihydro-dibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0095] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 3,4-dichloro-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.40-1.71(5H,m), 2.00-2.10(2H,m), 2.28-2.50(5H,m), 2.65-2.85(3H,m), 5.04(1H,d), 5.46(1H,d), 6.99-7.03(1H,m), 7.26-7.44(7H,m), 7.91-7.95(2H,m). MS m/z: 541(M+1)

EXAMPLE 9

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydro-2,3-methylenedioxydibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0096] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 6,11-dihydro-2,3-methylenedioxydibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.60-1.90(5H,m), 2.30-2.50(2H,m), 2.80-3.30(8H,m), 5.05(1H,d), 5.45(1H,d), 6.02(2H,brd) 6.68(1H,s), 6.97-7.01(1H,m), 7.26-7.43(7H,m), 7.83-7.87(2H,m). MS m/z: 517(M+1)

EXAMPLE 10

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl] piperidin-4-ol

[0097] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.63-1.76(5H,m), 2.03-2.16(2H,m), 2.37-2.52(4H,m), 2.72-2.85(3H,m), 3.03-3.10(1H,m), 4.10(1H,d), 4.54(1H,d), 7.13-7.44(10H,m), 7.81-7.87(2H,m). MS m/z: 489(M+1)

EXAMPLE 11

Preparation of 1-[3-(1l-Cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]-4-phenylpiperidin-4-ol

[0098] Following the procedure of example 10, but replacing 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine with 4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidine, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.63-1.77(5H,m), 2.02-2.15(2H,m), 2.37-2.52(4H,m), 2.72-2.85(3H,m), 3.03-3.10(1H,m), 4.10(1H,d), 4.55(1H,d), 7.13-7.52(10H,m), 7.81-7.88(2H,m). MS m/z: 455(M+1)

EXAMPLE 12

Preparation of 4-(4-Bromophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidi n-4-ol

[0099] Following the procedure of example 10, but replacing 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine with 4-(4-bromophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.64-1.82(5H,m), 2.02-2.12(2H,m), 2.32-2.48(4H,m), 2.69-2.85(3H,m), 2.99-3.09(1H,m), 4.07(1H,d), 4.50(1H,d), 7.11-7.46(10H,m), 7.79-7.86(2H,m). MS m/z: 533, 535(M+1)

EXAMPLE 13

Preparation of 1-[3-(2-Bromo-11-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]-4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperidin-4-ol

[0100] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 2-bromo-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.63-1.78(5H,m), 2.03-2.14(2H,m), 2.35-2.52(4H,m), 2.72-2.80(3H,m), 3.00-3.10(1H,m), 4.15(1H,brd), 4.50(1H,d), 7.07-7.45(10H,m), 7.73-7.81(1H,m), 7.95(1H,d). MS m/z: 567, 569(M+1)

EXAMPLE 14, 15

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydro-5-oxodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0101] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 6,11-dihydro-5-oxodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-carbonitrile, the titled compound was prepared. The diastereomers were separated by silica gel chromatography. isomer 1 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.20-1.35(1H,m), 1.63-1.69(4H,m), 2.04-2.84(10H,m), 4.21(1H,d), 4.31(1H,d), 7.18-7.65(9H,m), 8.03-8.13(3H,m). MS m/z: 505(M+1) isomer 2 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.25-1.38(1H,m), 1.65-2.15(6H,m), 2.28-2.82(8H,m), 4.65(1H,d), 4.82(1H,d), 7.27-7.56(9H,m), 7.92-8.00(3H,m). MS m/z: 505(M+1)

EXAMPLE 16

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydro-5,5-dioxodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0102] Following the procedure of example 1, but replacing 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile with 6,11-dihydro-5,5-dioxodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-carbonitrile, -the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.40-2.72(14H,m), 3.08-3.22(1H,m), 4.58(1H,d), 5.58(1H,d), 7.29-7.58(9H,m), 7.99-8.13(3H,m). MS m/z: 521(M+1)

EXAMPLE 17

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0103] To a solution of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol (430 mg) in THF 10 ml) was added 1M lithium aluminum hydride THF solution (1.5 ml) and the mixture was heated to reflux for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled with ice, water (0.06 ml), then 15% aqueous sodium hydroxide (0.06 ml), then water (0.18 ml) were added carefully. The granular salt was filtered off and the filtrate was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:1) to give the titled compound (280 mg). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.55-1.80(4H, m), 2.03-2.16(2H,m), 2.25-2.52(6H,m), 2.72-2.80(2H,m), 3.90(1H,brs), 4.48(1H,brt), 4.68(1H,brs), 6.96-7.45(12H,m). MS m/z: 464(M+1)

EXAMPLE 18

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0104] Following the procedure of example 17, but replacing 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(1l-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol with 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(5-cyano-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.40-1.58(2H,m), 1.62-1.71(2H,m), 1.98-2.20(4H,m), 2.30-2.42(4H,m), 2.67-2.78(2H,m), 2.95-3.08(2H,m), 3.30-3.44(2H,m), 4.01(1H,t),-7.10-7.46(12H,m). MS m/z: 446(M+1)

EXAMPLE 19

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0105] Following the procedure of example 17, but replacing 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol with 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]ox epin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol, the titled compound was prepared. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.36-1.49(2H,m), 1.58-1.67(2H,m), 1.95-2.33(8H,m), 2.63-2.68(2H,m), 3.74(1H,t), 4.951H,d), 5.48(1H,d), 6.95-7.39(12H,m). MS m/z: 448(M+1)

EXAMPLE 20

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(6,11-dihydro-11-iminodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0106] To a solution of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-cyano-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol (1.92 g) in dichloromethane (30 ml) at −78° C. was added 1M diisobutyl aluminum hydride dichloromethane solution (10 ml). The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature, and stirred for 30 minutes. Water and dichloromethane were added to the reaction mixture, the organic layer was separated and washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate to give the titled compound (1.16 g). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.65-1.80(5H,m), 2.02-2.18(2H,m), 2.45-2.60(6H,m), 2.78-2.86(2H,m), 3.82(1H,d), 4.25(1H,d), 7.05-7.45(12H,m), 8.28(1H,brs). MS m/z: 491(M+1)

EXAMPLE 21

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-aminomethyl-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol

[0107] To a solution of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(6,11-dihydro-11-iminodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl]piperidin-4-ol (600 mg) in methanol (15 ml) was sodium borohydride (220 mg), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 hours. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. Water and ethyl acetate were added to the reaction mixture, the organic layer was separated and washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced to give the titled compound (600 mg). MS m/z:493(M+1)

EXAMPLE 22

Preparation of Phenyl N-[2-[3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidino]propyl]-2-(6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)ethyl] carbamate

[0108] To a solution of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(11-aminomethyl-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)propyl] piperidin-4-ol (610 mg) in THF (20 ml) was triethylamine (0.2 ml) and phenyl chlorocarbonate (0.16 ml) at 0° C., and the mixture was stirred for 1 hours. Water and ethyl acetate were added to the reaction mixture, the organic layer was separated and washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate to give the titled compound (400 mg). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.40-2.90(15H,m), 4.05-4.12(2H,m), 4.38(1H,d), 4.50-4.60(1H,m), 5.98(1H,brs), 6.96-7.54(17H,m). MS m/z: 613(M+1)

EXAMPLE 23

Preparation of 1-[2-[3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidino]propyl]-2-(6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepi n-11-yl)ethyl]-3-(hydroxypropyl)urea

[0109] To a solution phenyl N-[2-[3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidino]propyl]-2-(6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepi n-11-yl)ethyl] carbamate (300 mg) in DMF (10 ml) were added 3-amino-1-propanol (70 mg), potassium carbonate (130 mg) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Water and ethyl acetate were added to the reaction mixture, the organic layer was separated and washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate-methanol (9:1) to give the titled compound (200 mg). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.40-1.70(6H,m), 2.01-2.08(2H,m), 2.30-2.63(8H,m), 3.12 (2H,q), 3.42(2H,t), 4.00-4.12(2H,m), 4.22-4.28(2H,m), 4.82(1H,brt), 4.99(1H,brs), 6.98-7.45(12H,m).MS m/z: 594(M+1)

EXAMPLE 24

Preparation of 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-yl)-3-propioyl]piperi din-4-ol

[0110] To a solution 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile (500 mg) in THF (5 ml) was added 1.6M n-butyl lithium hexane solution (1.8 ml) at 0° C. The mixture was warmed to room temperature, and stirred for 20 minutes. To the reaction mixture cooled to 0° C. was added ethyl 3-(4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine-1-yl)propionate (310 mg) dropwise as THF solution (2 ml), and the mixture was warmed to room temperature, and stirred for 30 minutes. Water and ethyl acetate were added to the reaction mixture, the organic layer was separated and washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:1) to give the titled compound (380 mg). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) d: 1.57-1.62(2H,m), 1.91-2.01(3H,m), 2.27-2.84(lOH,m), 3.30-3.44(2H,m), 4.65(1H,s), 7.10-7.38(12H,m). MS m/z: 460(M+1)

[0111] Examples 28-59 can be prepared by methods set forth in the schemes in FIG. 1-3 and the procedures described above.

EXAMPLE 60

[0112] Membrane Preparations for Chemokine Binding and Binding Assays

[0113] Membranes were prepared from THP-1 cells (ATCC #TIB202). Cells were harvested by centrifugation, washed twice with PBS (phosphate-buffered saline), and the cell pellets were frozen at −70 to −85° C. The frozen pellet was thawed in ice-cold lysis buffer consisting of 5 mM HEPES (N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N′-2-ethane-sulfonic acid) pH 7.5, 2 mM EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), 5 &mgr;g/ml each aprotinin, leupeptin, andchymostatin (protease inhibitors), and 100 &mgr;g/ml PMSF (phenyl methane sulfonyl fluoride—also a protease inhibitor), at a concentration of 1 to 5×107 cells/ml. This procedure results in cell lysis. The suspension was mixed well to resuspend all of the frozen cell pellet. Nuclei and cell debris were removed by centrifugation of 400× g for 10 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant was transferred to a fresh tube and the membrane fragments were collected by centrifugation at 25,000× g for 30 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant was aspirated and the pellet was resuspended in freezing buffer consisting of 10 mM HEPES pH 7.5, 300 mM sucrose, 1 &mgr;g/ml each aprotinin, leupeptin, and chymostatin, and 10 &mgr;g/ml PMSF approximately 0.1 ml per each 108 cells). All clumps were resolved using a minihomogenizer, and the total protein concentration was determined using a protein assay kit (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif., cat #500-0002). The membrane solution was then aliquoted and frozen at −70 to −85° C. until needed.

[0114] Binding Assays utilized the membranes described above. Membrane protein (2 to 20 &mgr;g total membrane protein) was incubated with 0.1 to 0.2 nM 125I-labeled RANTES or MIP-1&agr; with or without unlabeled competitor (RANTES or MIP-1&agr;) or various concentrations of compounds. The binding reactions were performed in 60 to 100 &mgr;l of a binding buffer consisting of 10 mM HEPES pH 7.2, 1 mM CaCl2, 5 mM MgCl2, and 0.5% BSA (bovine serum albumin), for 60 min at room temperature. The binding reactions were terminated by harvesting the membranes by rapid filtration through glass fiber filters (GF/B or GF/C, Packard) which were presoaked in 0.3% polyethyleneimine. The filters were rinsed with approximately 600 &mgr;l of binding buffer containing 0.5 M NaCl, dried, and the amount of bound radioactivity was determined by scintillation counting in a Topcount beta-plate counter.

[0115] The activities of test compounds are reported in the Table below as IC50 values or the inhibitor concentration required for 50% inhibition of specific binding in receptor binding assays using 125I-RANTES or 125MIP-1&agr; as ligand and THP-1 cell membranes. Specific binding is defined as the total binding minus the non-specific binding; non-specific binding is the amount of cpm still detected in the presence of excess unlabeled Rantes or 125MIP-1&agr;. 1 TABLE BIOLOGICAL DATA Example IC50 (&mgr;M) 1 0.088 2 0.052 3 0.11 4 0.39 5 0.19 6 0.30 7 0.38 10 0.097 11 11 12 0.099 13 0.38 14 0.28 15 0.61 16 0.079 17 0.070 18 0.055 19 0.059 22 0.69 23 2.2 24 0.16 25 0.13 26 0.61 27 0.48

[0116] Equivalents

[0117] Those skilled in the art will be able to recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of treating a disease associated with aberrant leukocyte recruitment and/or activation comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by the following structural formula:

13

and physiologically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:

Z is a cycloalkyl or non-aromatic heterocyclic ring group fused to one or more carbo cyclic aromatic rings and/or heteroaromatic rings, wherein each ring in Z is independently substituted or unsubstituted;

Y is a covalent bond, —O— or —CO—;

n is-an integer from one to about five;

X is a covalent bond or —CO—; and

M is >NR2 or >CR1R2;

R1 is —H, —OH, an aliphatic group, —O—(aliphatic group), —SH or —S—(aliphatic group);

R2 is an aliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a benzylic group, a substituted benzylic group, a non-aromatic heterocyclic group or a substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein X and Y are each a covalent bond.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein Z is represented by the following structural formula:

14

wherein:

Ring A and Ring B are independently substituted or unsubstituted; and

Ring C is a substituted or unsubstituted C7 Or C8 nonarmatic carbocyclic ring or a substituted or unsubstituted non-aromatic heterocyclic ring connected by a single covalent bond to the group represented by the following structural formula:

15

4. The method of claim 3 wherein Z is represented by a structural formula selected from:

16

wherein:

X1 is a chemical bond, —S—, —CH2— or —CH2S—; and

W is —H or an electron withdrawing group.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein Z is represented by the following structural formula:

17

6. The method of claim 5 wherein W is —H or —CN.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein R1 is —OH.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein M is >C(OH)R2 and n is three.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein X is a covalent bond and Y is —CO—.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein:

Z is represented by a structural formula selected from:

18

wherein:

X1 is a chemical bond, —S—, —CH2— or —CH2S—;

W is —H, —CN, alkylsulfonyl, carboxamido or carboxyalkyl;

n is an integer from 2-5;

Ring A is substituted with R8 and R9, wherein R8 and R9 are independently —H, a halogen, alkoxy or alkyl, or, taken together with ring A, form a naphthyl group;

M is >N(alkanoyl), >N(aroyl), >N(aralkoyl), >N(alkyl), >N(aralkyl), >N(cycloalkyl), >C(OH) (aryl) or >CH(heteroaryl).

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound is represented by a structural formula selected from:

19

13. The method of claim 2 wherein Z is represented by a structural formula selected from:

20

wherein Rings A, B and C are independently substituted or unsubstituted.

14. A compound represented by the following structural formula:

21

and physiologically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:

Z is one or more heteroaromatic rings are fused to a cycloalkyl or non-aromatic heterocyclic ring, wherein each ring in Z is independently substituted or unsubstituted;

n is an integer from one to about five;

M is >NR2 or >CR1R2;

R1 is —H, —OH, an aliphatic group, —O—(aliphatic group), —SH or —S—(aliphatic group);

R2 is an aliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a benzylic group, a substituted benzylic group, a non-aromatic heterocyclic group or a substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group.

15. A compound represented by the following structural formula:

22

and physiologically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:

M is >NR2 or >CR1R2;

R1 is —H, —OH, an aliphatic group, —O—(aliphatic group), —SH or —S—(aliphatic group);

R2 is an aliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a substituted aromatic group, a benzylic group, a substituted benzylic group, a non-aromatic heterocyclic group or a substituted non-aromatic heterocyclic group;

n is an integer from one to about five;

Z is represented by the following structural formula:

23

W is an electron withdrawing group; and

at least one of Ring A or Ring B is substituted.

16. The compound of claim 15 wherein W is —CN.

17. The compound of claim 16 wherein R1 is —OH.

18. The compound of claim 17 wherein M is >C(OH)R2 and n is three.

19. The compound of claim 18 wherein R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group.

20. The compound of claim 15 wherein:

W is —H, —CN, alkylsulfonyl, carboxamido or carboxyalkyl;

n is an integer from 2-5;

Ring A is substituted with R8 and R9, wherein R8 and R9 are independently a halogen, alkoxy or alkyl, or, taken together with ring A, form a naphthyl group; and

M is >N(alkanoyl), >N(aroyl), >N(aralkoyl), >N(alkyl), >N(aralkyl), >N(cycloalkyl), >C(OH)(aryl) or >CH(heteroaryl).