Discovery of novel prostaglandin analogs of PGE2 as potent and selective EP2 and EP4 receptor agonists

Inhibition of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation after Stem Cell Transplant by Prostaglandin E2

RATIONALE

Autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients are susceptible to pulmonary infections, including bacterial pathogens, even after hematopoietic reconstitution. We previously reported that murine bone marrow transplant (BMT) neutrophils overexpress cyclooxygenase-2, overproduce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and exhibit defective intracellular bacterial killing. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are DNA structures that capture and kill extracellular bacteria and other pathogens.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether NETosis was defective after transplant and if so, whether this was regulated by PGE2 signaling.

METHODS

Neutrophils isolated from mice and humans (both control and HSCT subjects) were analyzed for NETosis in response to various stimuli in the presence or absence of PGE2 signaling modifiers.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

NETs were visualized by immunofluorescence or quantified by Sytox Green fluorescence. Treatment of BMT or HSCT neutrophils with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or rapamycin resulted in reduced NET formation relative to control cells. NET formation after BMT was rescued both in vitro and in vivo with cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Additionally, the EP2 receptor antagonist (PF-04418948) or the EP4 antagonist (AE3-208) restored NET formation in neutrophils isolated from BMT mice or HSCT patients. Exogenous PGE2 treatment limited NETosis of neutrophils collected from normal human volunteers and naive mice in an exchange protein activated by cAMP- and protein kinase A-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest blockade of the PGE2-EP2 or EP4 signaling pathway restores NETosis after transplantation. Furthermore, these data provide the first description of a physiologic inhibitor of NETosis.

Wound healing effects of new 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase inhibitors

Previously, we reported that the antidiabetic drug ciglitazone and its analogs were potent inhibitors of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). In continuing attempts to develop highly potent 15-PGDH inhibitors, a series of thiazolidinedione analogs were synthesized and tested. Compound 17 exhibited IC50 of 45 nM. This compound also significantly increased levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in A549 cells by approximately eight-fold that in the control. Much experimental data suggests that PGE2 plays a role in the prevention of excessive scarring. However, it has a very short half-life in blood, its oxidization to 15-ketoprostaglandins is catalyzed by 15-PGDH. Therefore, 15-PGDH inhibitors may have utility for the therapeutic management of diseases requiring elevated PGE2 levels. Scratch wounds were analyzed in confluent monolayers of HaCaT cells. Cells exposed to compound 17 showed significantly improved wound healing with respect to a control.

SmI2-mediated intermolecular coupling of γ-lactam N-α-radicals with activated alkenes: asymmetric synthesis of 11-hydroxylated analogues of the lead compounds CP-734432 and PF-04475270

We report, for the first time, the synthesis of 8-aza-analogues of PGE2. The SmI2-mediated cross coupling reactions of γ-lactam-hemiaminal 9, lactam 2-pyridyl sulfide 17, and lactam 2-pyridyl sulfone 18 with activated alkenes/alkyne were first developed, giving the corresponding γ-lactams in 49-78%, 45-75%, and 75-90%, respectively. The reactions of lactam 2-pyridyl sulfide and 2-pyridyl sulfone proceeded with ≥12:1 trans-diastereoselectivities. This represents the first intermolecular coupling reaction of the γ-lactam N-α-alkyl radicals of types B, B1, and B2 with activated alkenes. Two radical-based mechanisms were suggested. The asymmetric synthesis of the 11-hydroxylated analogue of the highly selective EP4 receptor agonist PF-04475270 (30), the 11-hydroxylated analogue of ocular hypotensive CP-734432 (31), compounds 35 and 36 have been achieved on the basis of this method.

Synthesis and evaluation of γ-lactam analogs of PGE₂ as EP4 and EP2/EP4 agonists

To identify topically effective EP4 agonists and EP2/EP4 dual agonists with excellent subtype selectivity, further optimization of the 16-phenyl ω-chain moiety of the γ-lactam 5-thia prostaglandin E analog and the 2-mercaptothiazole-4-carboxylic acid analog were undertaken. Rat in vivo evaluation of these newly identified compounds as their poly (lactide-co-glycolide) microsphere formulation, from which sustained release of the test compound is possible, led us to discover compounds that showed efficacy in a rat bone fracture healing model after its topical administration without serious influence on blood pressure and heart rate. A structure-activity relationship study is also presented.

Small molecules for bone diseases

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Bones play many roles in the body, providing structure, protecting organs, anchoring muscles and storing calcium. Over 100 million people worldwide suffer from bone diseases, mainly osteoporosis, cancer-related bone loss, osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. Osteoporosis itself has no specific symptoms, and the main consequence is the increased risk of bone fractures. Therefore, the prevention of bone diseases is important to maintain the quality of life in the human society. However, treatment options are still insufficient.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

This review article gives a summary of the low molecular mass modulators of bone diseases targets disclosed in patent applications and articles, mainly during the last 5 years.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

Readers will rapidly gain an overview of these modulators not only for historical targets, but also of emerging and re-visited targets. Readers will also be able to see the current research trend and the main players in this field.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Drug discovery for bone diseases has made progress in the last years. The research area has dynamically shifted from historical targets (bisphosphonate, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin) to newly confirmed targets or targets re-visited which were biologically validated in the past. Cathepsin K inhibitors should be very close to launching in the market.

Synthesis and evaluation of a gamma-lactam as a highly selective EP2 and EP4 receptor agonist

Gamma-lactam analogs (2) of EP(4) receptor agonists were identified by substitution of the pyrazolidinone ring (1) with a pyrrolidinone ring. Several compounds (such as 2a, 2h) with high potency, selectivity and acceptable PK profiles were discovered. These were assessed in animal models of ovulation induction and bronchoconstriction.