Nuclear Factor-κB Mediated Inhibition of Cytokine Production by Imidazoline Scaffolds

The mammalian nuclear transcription factor NF-κB is responsible for the transcription of multiple cytokines, including the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Inhibition of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB has therefore been identified as a possible therapeutic treatment for RA. We describe herein the synthesis and biological activity of a series of imidazoline-based scaffolds as potent inhibitors of NF-κB mediated gene transcription in cell culture as well as inhibitors of TNF-α and IL-6 production in interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) stimulated human blood.