Cell adhesion antagonists: synthesis and evaluation of a novel series of phenylalanine based inhibitors

Several phenylalanine based inhibitors were synthesized as antagonists of the leukocyte cell adhesion process that is mediated through the interactions of the mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM) and the integrin α4β7. Analogues 20, 21, 22 and 24 displayed inhibition of adhesion in a cell based assay in the low micromolar range.