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Morrison A, Elgendy B. Tailoring FXR Modulators for Intestinal Specificity: Recent Progress and Insights. Molecules 2024; 29:2022. [PMID: 38731514 PMCID: PMC11085346 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
While FXR has shown promise in regulating bile acid synthesis and maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis, undesired side effects have been observed in clinical trials. To address this issue, the development of intestinally restricted FXR modulators has gained attention as a new avenue for drug design with the potential for safer systematic effects. Our review examines all currently known intestinally restricted FXR ligands and provides insights into the steps taken to enhance intestinal selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Morrison
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Bahaa Elgendy
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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2
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Chen C, Zhang B, Tu J, Peng Y, Zhou Y, Yang X, Yu Q, Tan X. Discovery of 4-aminophenylacetamide derivatives as intestine-specific farnesoid X receptor antagonists for the potential treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:115992. [PMID: 38043493 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays a key role in bile acid homeostasis, inflammation, fibrosis, lipid and glucose metabolism and is emerging as a promising therapeutic target for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Emerging evidence suggested that intestine-specific FXR antagonists exhibited remarkable metabolic improvements and slowed NASH progression. In this study, we discovered several potent FXR antagonists using a multistage ligand- and structure-based virtual screening approach. Notably, compound V023-9340, which possesses a 4-aminophenylacetamide scaffold, emerged as the most potent FXR antagonist with an IC50 value of 4.27 μM. In vivo, V023-9340 demonstrated selective accumulation in the intestine, substantially ameliorating high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NASH in mice by mitigating hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Mechanistic studies revealed that V023-9340 strongly inhibited intestinal FXR while concurrently feedback-activated hepatic FXR. Further structure-activity relationship optimization employing V023-9340 has resulted in the synthesis of a more efficacious compound V02-8 with an IC50 value of 0.89 μM, which exhibited a 4.8-fold increase in FXR antagonistic activity compared to V023-9340. In summary, 4-aminophenylacetamide derivative V023-9340 represented a novel intestine-specific FXR antagonist and showed improved effects against HFD-induced NASH in mice, which may serve as a promising lead in discovering potential therapeutic drugs for NASH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery and Optimization, College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery and Optimization, College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Jiaojiao Tu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery and Optimization, College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Yanfen Peng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery and Optimization, College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Yihuan Zhou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery and Optimization, College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Xinping Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery and Optimization, College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Qiming Yu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure Omics and Life Cycle Health, College of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China.
| | - Xiangduan Tan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery and Optimization, College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China.
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3
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Hong P, Zhu X, Lai X, Gong Z, Huang M, Wan Y. Room-Temperature CuI-Catalyzed N-Arylation of Cyclopropylamine. J Org Chem 2024; 89:57-67. [PMID: 38109271 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c01357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
A general and efficient CuI/N-carbazolyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbohydrazide catalyst system was developed for the N-arylation of cyclopropylamine using aryl bromides at room temperature. Herein, 5 mol % CuI and 5 mol % of the ligand were used to synthesize N-aryl cyclopropylamines in moderate to excellent yields. This protocol was scaled up to produce the desired product at gram levels and has been generalized for C-N coupling between aryl bromides and amines at room temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Hong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Platform Chemicals from Marine Biomass and Their Functionalization, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
| | - Xinhai Zhu
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Platform Chemicals from Marine Biomass and Their Functionalization, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
- Instrument Analysis & Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
| | - Xin Lai
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Platform Chemicals from Marine Biomass and Their Functionalization, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
| | - Zinan Gong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
| | - Manna Huang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Platform Chemicals from Marine Biomass and Their Functionalization, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
| | - Yiqian Wan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Platform Chemicals from Marine Biomass and Their Functionalization, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
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4
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Ding C, Wang Z, Dou X, Yang Q, Ning Y, Kao S, Sang X, Hao M, Wang K, Peng M, Zhang S, Han X, Cao G. Farnesoid X receptor: From Structure to Function and Its Pharmacology in Liver Fibrosis. Aging Dis 2023:AD.2023.0830. [PMID: 37815898 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, plays a crucial role in regulating bile acid metabolism within the enterohepatic circulation. Beyond its involvement in metabolic disorders and immune imbalances affecting various tissues, FXR is implicated in microbiota modulation, gut- to-brain communication, and liver disease. The liver, as a pivotal metabolic and detoxification organ, is susceptible to damage from factors such as alcohol, viruses, drugs, and high-fat diets. Chronic or recurrent liver injury can culminate in liver fibrosis, which, if left untreated, may progress to cirrhosis and even liver cancer, posing significant health risks. However, therapeutic options for liver fibrosis remain limited in terms of FDA- approved drugs. Recent insights into the structure of FXR, coupled with animal and clinical investigations, have shed light on its potential pharmacological role in hepatic fibrosis. Progress has been achieved in both fundamental research and clinical applications. This review critically examines recent advancements in FXR research, highlighting challenges and potential mechanisms underlying its role in liver fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Jinhua Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Jinhua, China
| | - Zeping Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyue Dou
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Ning
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shi Kao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xianan Sang
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Hao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kuilong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengyun Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuosheng Zhang
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Xin Han
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Jinhua Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Jinhua, China
| | - Gang Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Jinhua Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Jinhua, China
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Yamashita Y, Gohda K, Iguchi Y, Fujimori K, Oda K, Masuda A, Une M, Teno N. Discovery of FXR/PPARγ dual partial agonist. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 85:117238. [PMID: 37028120 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ are nuclear receptor 1 superfamily of transcription factors. FXR and PPARγ agonists have been individually investigated in clinical trial of anti-diabetic agents in the patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Regarding recent agonist development, the partial agonists for FXR and PPARγ are drawing attention from the standpoint of avoiding overactive responses caused by full agonists. In this article, we report that 18 with a benzimidazole scaffold possesses FXR/PPARγ dual partial agonistic activity. In addition, 18 shares the ability to reduce cyclin-dependent kinase 5-mediated phosphorylation of PPARγ-Ser273 and the metabolic stability in mouse liver microsome assay. To date, there are no published reports on FXR/PPARγ dual partial agonists with biological profiles similar to 18. Thus, the analog would be a feasible candidate as an unprecedented approach to NAFLD associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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Zhang C, Liu Y, Wang Y, Ge X, Jiao T, Yin J, Wang K, Li C, Guo S, Xie X, Xie C, Nan F. Discovery of Betulinic Acid Derivatives as Potent Intestinal Farnesoid X Receptor Antagonists to Ameliorate Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13452-13472. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chenlu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yameng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Drug Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264117, China
| | - Xiu Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Tingying Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianpeng Yin
- Drug Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264117, China
| | - Kanglong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Cuina Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shimeng Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, the National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Xin Xie
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, the National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Cen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Fajun Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
- Drug Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264117, China
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7
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Zhou JX, Li CN, Liu YM, Lin SQ, Wang Y, Xie C, Nan FJ. Discovery of 9,11-Seco-Cholesterol Derivatives as Novel FXR Antagonists. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:17401-17405. [PMID: 35647433 PMCID: PMC9134407 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays an important role in the regulation of bile acid, lipid, and glucose homeostasis. Recent findings have shown that the inhibition of FXR is beneficial to improvement of related metabolic diseases and cholestasis. In the present work, 9,11-seco-cholesterol derivatives were designed and synthesized by cleaving the C ring of cholesterol and were identified as novel structures of FXR antagonists. Compound 9a displayed the best FXR antagonistic activity at the cellular level (IC50 = 4.6 μM) and decreased the expression of the target genes of FXR in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Xu Zhou
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, People’s Republic of China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cui-Na Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ya-Meng Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Su-Qin Lin
- School
of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University
of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, People’s Republic
of China
| | - Ying Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cen Xie
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fa-Jun Nan
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, People’s Republic of China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
- Drug
Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim
Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264117, People’s Republic of China
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8
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Fang Y, Hegazy L, Finck BN, Elgendy B. Recent Advances in the Medicinal Chemistry of Farnesoid X Receptor. J Med Chem 2021; 64:17545-17571. [PMID: 34889100 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is an important regulator of bile acid, lipid, amino acid, and glucose homeostasis, hepatic inflammation, regeneration, and fibrosis. FXR has been recognized as a promising drug target for various metabolic diseases such as lipid disorders, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and chronic kidney disease. A large number of FXR ligands have been developed by pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions, and several candidates have progressed into clinical trials in the past decade. However, it is continually a challenge to discover drugs targeting FXR due to side effects associated with long-term administration. In this perspective, we summarize the research progress on medicinal chemistry of FXR modulators from 2018 to the present by discussing the diverse structures of synthetic FXR modulators including steroidal and non-steroidal ligands, their structure-activity relationships (SARs), and their therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanying Fang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Lamees Hegazy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Brian N Finck
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Bahaa Elgendy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States.,Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha 13518, Egypt
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9
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Farnesoid X receptor (FXR): Structures and ligands. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:2148-2159. [PMID: 33995909 PMCID: PMC8091178 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid activated nuclear receptor (BAR) and is mainly expressed in the liver and intestine. Upon ligand binding, FXR regulates key genes involved in the metabolic process of bile acid synthesis, transport and reabsorption and is also involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. Because of its important functions, FXR is considered as a promising drug target for the therapy of bile acid-related liver diseases. With the approval of obeticholic acid (OCA) as the first small molecule to target FXR, many other small molecules are being evaluated in clinical trials. This review summarizes the structures of FXR, especially its ligand binding domain, and the development of small molecules (including agonists and antagonists) targeting FXR.
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