| abstract |
The present invention is directed to compounds that bind to a novel regulatory site in the I domain of LFA-1, and thereby inhibit LFA-1 binding to ICAMs that bind LFA-1. The present invention therefore also provides methods to regulate leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Compounds of the ivnention are useful for the treatment of pathologies, such as those associated inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, tumor metastasis, allograft rejection and reperfusion injury. In particular, the present invention is directed to diaryl sulfides of general structural formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or prodrug thereof, and to the use of diaryl sulfides, and particularly compounds of formula (I), to inhibit LFA-1 binding to an ICAM that binds LFA-1 wherein A and B, independently, are aryl groups selected from the group consisting of 5- and 6-membered aromatic rings, including, but not limited to, phenyl, thienyl, furyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrrolyl, and pyridazinyl. |