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Josa-Culleré L, Galan SRG, Cogswell TJ, Jackson TR, Jay-Smith M, Mola L, Greaves CR, Carter TS, Madden KS, Trott S, Zhang D, Bataille CJR, Davies SG, Vyas P, Milne TA, Naylor A, Wynne GM, Russell AJ. Phenotypic screening identifies a trisubstituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine series that induces differentiation in multiple AML cell lines. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115509. [PMID: 37343464 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive type of leukaemia with low rates of long-term survival. While the current standard of care is based on cytotoxic chemotherapy, a promising emerging approach is differentiation therapy. However, most current differentiating agents target specific mutations and are effective only in certain patient subtypes. To identify agents which may be effective in wider population cohorts, we performed a phenotypic screen with the myeloid marker CD11b and identified a compound series that was able to differentiate AML cell lines in vitro regardless of their mutation status. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that replacing the formamide and catechol methyl ether groups with sulfonamide and indazole respectively improved the in vitro metabolic profile of the series while maintaining the differentiation profile in multiple cell lines. This optimisation exercise enabled progression of a lead compound to in vivo efficacy testing. Our work supports the promise of phenotypic screening to identify novel small molecules that induce differentiation in a wide range of AML subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Josa-Culleré
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Sébastien R G Galan
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Thomas J Cogswell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Thomas R Jackson
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Morgan Jay-Smith
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Laura Mola
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Christopher R Greaves
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Tom S Carter
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Katrina S Madden
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Sophie Trott
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Douzi Zhang
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Carole J R Bataille
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK; Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Stephen G Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Paresh Vyas
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Thomas A Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.
| | - Alan Naylor
- Alan Naylor Consultancy Ltd., Harston, Cambridge, CB22 7QJ, UK
| | - Graham M Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Angela J Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK; Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3QT, UK.
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Jackson TR, Vuorinen A, Josa-Culleré L, Madden KS, Conole D, Cogswell TJ, Wilkinson IV, Kettyle LM, Zhang D, O’Mahony A, Gracias D, McCall L, Westwood R, Terstappen GC, Davies SG, Tate EW, Wynne GM, Vyas P, Russell AJ, Milne TA. A tubulin binding molecule drives differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia cells. iScience 2022; 25:104787. [PMID: 35992086 PMCID: PMC9385704 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite much progress in developing better drugs, many patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) still die within a year of diagnosis. This is partly because it is difficult to identify therapeutic targets that are effective across multiple AML subtypes. One common factor across AML subtypes is the presence of a block in differentiation. Overcoming this block should allow for the identification of therapies that are not dependent on a specific mutation for their efficacy. Here, we used a phenotypic screen to identify compounds that stimulate differentiation in genetically diverse AML cell lines. Lead compounds were shown to decrease tumor burden and to increase survival in vivo. Using multiple complementary target deconvolution approaches, these compounds were revealed to be anti-mitotic tubulin disruptors that cause differentiation by inducing a G2-M mitotic arrest. Together, these results reveal a function for tubulin disruptors in causing differentiation of AML cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Jackson
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Aini Vuorinen
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laia Josa-Culleré
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Katrina S. Madden
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Daniel Conole
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Thomas J. Cogswell
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Isabel V.L. Wilkinson
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Laura M. Kettyle
- Axis Bioservices, 189 Castleroe Rd, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT51 3RP, Northern Ireland
| | - Douzi Zhang
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alison O’Mahony
- Eurofins Discovery Phenotypic Services, St. Charles, MO 63304 and Burlingame, CA 94010, USA
- Discovery Platform at Recursion, 41 S Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA
| | - Deanne Gracias
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lorna McCall
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert Westwood
- Oxstem Ltd, Midland House West Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 0PH, UK
| | | | - Stephen G. Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Edward W. Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Graham M. Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
- Oxstem Ltd, Midland House West Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 0PH, UK
| | - Paresh Vyas
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Thomas A. Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Qi F, Wang X, Zhao S, Wang C, Sun R, Wang H, Du P, Wang J, Wang X, Jiang G. miR‑let‑7c‑3p targeting on Egr‑1 contributes to the committed differentiation of leukemia cells into monocyte/macrophages. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:273. [PMID: 35782903 PMCID: PMC9247672 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In preliminary experiments, it was found that the expression of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) was upregulated during the committed differentiation of leukemia cells into monocytes/macrophages. The cross-analysis of gene chip detection and database prediction indicated that Egr-1 was associated with upstream microRNA (miR)-let-7c-3p, thus the present study focused on the role of the miR-let-7c-3p/Egr-1 signaling axis in the committed differentiation of leukemia cells into monocytes/macrophages. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to induce the directed differentiation of human K562 leukemia cells into monocytes/macrophages and the differentiation of K562 leukemia cells was determined by cell morphology observation and expression of differentiation antigens CD11b and CD14 by flow cytometry. The expression levels of Egr-1 and miR-let-7c-3p were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and the protein expression of Egr-1 was detected by western blotting. The effect of Egr-1 on the differentiation of K562 cells was detected by short interfering (si)RNA interference assay. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to detect target binding of miR-let-7c-3p on the 3′UTR of Egr-1. Cell transfection of miR-let-7c-3p mimics and inhibitors was used to modulate the expression of miR-let-7c-3p, as indicated by RT-qPCR assays. Western blotting was also used to examine the effect of miR-let-7c-3p on Egr-1 expression. The PMA-induced differentiation of K562 cells was transfected with miR-let-7c-3p and the expression of differentiation antigen was detected by flow cytometry. A differentiation model of K562 leukemia cells into monocytes/macrophages was induced by PMA, which was indicated by morphological observations and upregulation of CD11b and CD14 antigens. The gene or protein expression of Egr-1 was significantly higher compared with that of the control group, while the expression of miR-let-7c-3p was significantly lower compared with that of the control group. siRNA interference experiments showed that the expression of cell differentiation antigen CD14 in the 100 µg/ml PMA + si-Egr-1 group was significantly lower compared with that in the 100 µg/ml PMA + si-ctrl group. The dual luciferase reporter gene results showed that the luciferase activity of the co-transfected mimic and Egr-1 WT groups was significantly lower than that of the NC control group, while the luciferase activity of the co-transfected mimic and Egr-1 MUT groups was comparable to that of the NC control group. Therefore, the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-let-7c-3p can target Egr-1. Western blotting showed that the expression of Egr-1 following transfection with miR-let-7c-3p inhibitor was significantly higher compared with that of the negative control and the expression of Egr-1 after transfection with miR-let-7c-3p mimic was significantly lower than that of the negative control. Following exposure to PMA, the expressions of CD11b and CD14 in the miR-let-7c-3p inhibitor group were significantly higher than those in the miR-let-7c-3p NC group, as indicated by CD11b and CD14 respectively. In conclusion, miR-let-7c-3p could bind to the 3′UTR of Egr-1 and negatively regulated Egr-1 expression. The miR-let-7c-3p/Egr-1 signaling axis was closely associated with the committed differentiation of K562 cells from leukemia cells to monocytes/macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Qi
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Xinping Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yantai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Shouzhen Zhao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Chaozhe Wang
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Ruijing Sun
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Huan Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Pengchao Du
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong 250109, P.R. China
| | - Xidi Wang
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhangqiu District People's Hospital of Jinan Affiliated to Jining Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
| | - Guosheng Jiang
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
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Josa-Culleré L, Cogswell TJ, Georgiou I, Jay-Smith M, Jackson TR, Bataille CJR, Davies SG, Vyas P, Milne TA, Wynne GM, Russell AJ. Identification and Preliminary Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of 1,5-Dihydrobenzo[ e][1,4]oxazepin-2(3 H)-ones That Induce Differentiation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells In Vitro. Molecules 2021; 26:6648. [PMID: 34771052 PMCID: PMC8588310 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most aggressive type of blood cancer, and there is a continued need for new treatments that are well tolerated and improve long-term survival rates in patients. Induction of differentiation has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, but known agents lack efficacy in genetically distinct patient populations. Previously, we established a phenotypic screen to identify small molecules that could stimulate differentiation in a range of AML cell lines. Utilising this strategy, a 1,5-dihydrobenzo[e][1,4]oxazepin-2(3H)-one hit compound was identified. Herein, we report the hit validation in vitro, structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and the pharmacokinetic profiles for selected compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Josa-Culleré
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; (T.J.C.); (I.G.); (M.J.-S.); (C.J.R.B.); (S.G.D.); (G.M.W.)
| | - Thomas J. Cogswell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; (T.J.C.); (I.G.); (M.J.-S.); (C.J.R.B.); (S.G.D.); (G.M.W.)
| | - Irene Georgiou
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; (T.J.C.); (I.G.); (M.J.-S.); (C.J.R.B.); (S.G.D.); (G.M.W.)
| | - Morgan Jay-Smith
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; (T.J.C.); (I.G.); (M.J.-S.); (C.J.R.B.); (S.G.D.); (G.M.W.)
| | - Thomas R. Jackson
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; (T.R.J.); (P.V.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Carole J. R. Bataille
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; (T.J.C.); (I.G.); (M.J.-S.); (C.J.R.B.); (S.G.D.); (G.M.W.)
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Stephen G. Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; (T.J.C.); (I.G.); (M.J.-S.); (C.J.R.B.); (S.G.D.); (G.M.W.)
| | - Paresh Vyas
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; (T.R.J.); (P.V.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Thomas A. Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; (T.R.J.); (P.V.); (T.A.M.)
| | - Graham M. Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; (T.J.C.); (I.G.); (M.J.-S.); (C.J.R.B.); (S.G.D.); (G.M.W.)
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; (T.J.C.); (I.G.); (M.J.-S.); (C.J.R.B.); (S.G.D.); (G.M.W.)
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
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