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den Hollander LS, IJzerman AP, Heitman LH. Pharmacological characterization of allosteric modulators: A case for chemokine receptors. Med Res Rev 2024. [PMID: 38634664 DOI: 10.1002/med.22043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Chemokine receptors are relevant targets for a multitude of immunological diseases, but drug attrition for these receptors is remarkably high. While many drug discovery programs have been pursued, most prospective drugs failed in the follow-up studies due to clinical inefficacy, and hence there is a clear need for alternative approaches. Allosteric modulators of receptor function represent an excellent opportunity for novel drugs, as they modulate receptor activation in a controlled manner and display increased selectivity, and their pharmacological profile can be insurmountable. Here, we discuss allosteric ligands and their pharmacological characterization for modulation of chemokine receptors. Ligands are included if (1) they show clear signs of allosteric modulation in vitro and (2) display evidence of binding in a topologically distinct manner compared to endogenous chemokines. We discuss how allosteric ligands affect binding of orthosteric (endogenous) ligands in terms of affinity as well as binding kinetics in radioligand binding assays. Moreover, their effects on signaling events in functional assays and how their binding site can be elucidated are specified. We substantiate this with examples of published allosteric ligands targeting chemokine receptors and hypothetical graphs of pharmacological behavior. This review should serve as an effective starting point for setting up assays for characterizing allosteric ligands to develop safer and more efficacious drugs for chemokine receptors and, ultimately, other G protein-coupled receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S den Hollander
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan P IJzerman
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Laura H Heitman
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Boon K, Vanalken N, Szpakowska M, Chevigné A, Schols D, Van Loy T. Systematic assessment of chemokine ligand bias at the human chemokine receptor CXCR2 indicates G protein bias over β-arrestin recruitment and receptor internalization. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:43. [PMID: 38233929 PMCID: PMC10795402 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01460-2] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) interacting with multiple chemokines (i.e., CXC chemokine ligands CXCL1-3 and CXCL5-8). It is involved in inflammatory diseases as well as cancer. Consequently, much effort is put into the identification of CXCR2 targeting drugs. Fundamental research regarding CXCR2 signaling is mainly focused on CXCL8 (IL-8), which is the first and best described high-affinity ligand for CXCR2. Much less is known about CXCR2 activation induced by other chemokines and it remains to be determined to what extent potential ligand bias exists within this signaling system. This insight might be important to unlock new opportunities in therapeutic targeting of CXCR2. METHODS Ligand binding was determined in a competition binding assay using labeled CXCL8. Activation of the ELR + chemokine-induced CXCR2 signaling pathways, including G protein activation, β-arrestin1/2 recruitment, and receptor internalization, were quantified using NanoBRET-based techniques. Ligand bias within and between these pathways was subsequently investigated by ligand bias calculations, with CXCL8 as the reference CXCR2 ligand. Statistical significance was tested through a one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's multiple comparisons test. RESULTS All chemokines (CXCL1-3 and CXCL5-8) were able to displace CXCL8 from CXCR2 with high affinity and activated the same panel of G protein subtypes (Gαi1, Gαi2, Gαi3, GαoA, GαoB, and Gα15) without any statistically significant ligand bias towards any one type of G protein. Compared to CXCL8, all other chemokines were less potent in β-arrestin1 and -2 recruitment and receptor internalization while equivalently activating G proteins, indicating a G protein activation bias for CXCL1,-2,-3,-5,-6 and CXCL7. Lastly, with CXCL8 used as reference ligand, CXCL2 and CXCL6 showed ligand bias towards β-arrestin1/2 recruitment compared to receptor internalization. CONCLUSION This study presents an in-depth analysis of signaling bias upon CXCR2 stimulation by its chemokine ligands. Using CXCL8 as a reference ligand for bias index calculations, no ligand bias was observed between chemokines with respect to activation of separate G proteins subtypes or recruitment of β-arrestin1/2 subtypes, respectively. However, compared to β-arrestin recruitment and receptor internalization, CXCL1-3 and CXCL5-7 were biased towards G protein activation when CXCL8 was used as reference ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrijn Boon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathan Vanalken
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Martyna Szpakowska
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Immuno-Pharmacology and Interactomics, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Andy Chevigné
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Immuno-Pharmacology and Interactomics, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Dominique Schols
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Van Loy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Lee J, Jo SE, Han SI, Kim JH. Ethanol-Extracted Acorn Induces Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Human Keratinocyte and Production of Hyaluronic Acid in Human Fibroblasts. J Med Food 2023; 26:595-604. [PMID: 37594560 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2022.k.0128] [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] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Acorn (Quercus acutissima CARR.) has been used in traditional food and medicinal ethnopharmacology in Asia, and it has shown multifarious functions such as antidementia, antiobesity, and antiasthma functions. However, there is limited scientific evidence about the efficacy of acorn for ameliorating skin problems. Treatment with ethanol-extracted acorns (EeA's) ablated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin (IL)-8 stimulated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in human adult low calcium high temperature (HaCaT) cells under sublethal dosages. In addition, treatment with EeA dose dependently inhibited the ex vivo hyper keratin formation induced by TNF-α in HaCaT cells in conjunction with the blockade of cytokeratin-1 (CK-1) and cytokeratin-5 (CK-5) expression. Moreover, EeA treatment stimulated the expression of hyaluronic acid (HA) expression in human fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Linoleamide was identified as the functional component of EeA using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry analysis, and the anti-inflammatory features and enhanced HA expression were verified. Collectively, these results suggest the efficacy of EeA supplementation in improving skin problems via anti-inflammation and upregulating HA production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungwhoi Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Science, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | | | - Song-I Han
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Science, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | - Jae-Hoon Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Science, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
- Subtropical/Tropical Organism Gene Bank, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
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Huber ME, Wurnig S, Toy L, Weiler C, Merten N, Kostenis E, Hansen FK, Schiedel M. Fluorescent Ligands Enable Target Engagement Studies for the Intracellular Allosteric Binding Site of the Chemokine Receptor CXCR2. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37463496 PMCID: PMC10388362 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report the structure-based development of fluorescent ligands targeting the intracellular allosteric binding site (IABS) of CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that has been pursued as a drug target in oncology and inflammation. Starting from the cocrystallized intracellular CXCR2 antagonist 00767013 (1), tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)-labeled CXCR2 ligands were designed, synthesized, and tested for their suitability as fluorescent reporters to probe binding to the IABS of CXCR2. By means of these studies, we developed Mz438 (9a) as a high-affinity and selective fluorescent CXCR2 ligand, enabling cell-free as well as cellular NanoBRET-based binding studies in a nonisotopic and high-throughput manner. Further, we show that 9a can be used as a tool to visualize intracellular target engagement for CXCR2 via fluorescence microscopy. Thus, our small-molecule-based fluorescent CXCR2 ligand 9a represents a promising tool for future studies of CXCR2 pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max E Huber
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Silas Wurnig
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Lara Toy
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Corinna Weiler
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicole Merten
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Evi Kostenis
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Finn K Hansen
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthias Schiedel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Beethovenstraße 55, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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Tran TTN, Tran QH, Duong CQ, Nguyen QT, Tran VT, Le MT, Tran VH, Thai KM. In silico approach to identify novel allosteric intracellular antagonist for blocking the interleukin-8/CXCR2 receptor signaling pathway. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:13154-13167. [PMID: 36709441 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2171136] [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: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The role of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and its receptor CXCR2 in inflammatory responses and tumor development and progression has been well documented. Our study aims to discover novel compounds as CXCR2 antagonists to block the IL-8 signaling pathway using an in silico drug design. Herein, a structure-based pharmacophore model was developed based on the crystal structure of inactive CXCR2 in a complex with an allosteric inhibitor. This model was validated and refined, followed by virtual screening with the ZINC15 database. Subsequent molecular docking allows for predicting the best pose of a ligand inside a receptor binding site. We found that the 35 top-ranked hits exhibited docking scores from -30.81 to -25.28 kJ/mol and better interaction potential comparing the reference inhibitor. Analysis of ADME and toxicity properties revealed the efficacy and safety of the selected seven compounds. To validate the stability of the protein-ligand complex structure MD simulations approach has also been performed and confirmed via the critical parameters. The MD results explained that the CXCR2 receptor bound with two best-proposed molecules, including ZINC77105530 and ZINC93176465, was quite stable states as observed from low RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA values, and high occupancy of the interaction types. Finally, our data identified that these compounds play as potential inhibitors of IL-8 signaling pathways with the MM/GBSA binding free energies of -41.77 ± 6.45 kcal/mol and -38.84 ± 6.16 kcal/mol, respectively.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi-Thuy-Nga Tran
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Que-Huong Tran
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Cuong Quoc Duong
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Quoc-Thai Nguyen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Van-Thanh Tran
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Minh-Tri Le
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- School of Medicine, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward., Thu Duc Dist, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Viet-Hung Tran
- Institute of Drug Quality Control Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Khac-Minh Thai
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Huber ME, Toy L, Schmidt MF, Weikert D, Schiedel M. Small Molecule Tools to Study Cellular Target Engagement for the Intracellular Allosteric Binding Site of GPCRs. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202202565. [PMID: 36193681 PMCID: PMC10100284 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A conserved intracellular allosteric binding site (IABS) has recently been identified at several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Ligands targeting the IABS, so-called intracellular allosteric antagonists, are highly promising compounds for pharmaceutical intervention and currently evaluated in several clinical trials. Beside co-crystal structures that laid the foundation for the structure-based development of intracellular allosteric GPCR antagonists, small molecule tools that enable an unambiguous identification and characterization of intracellular allosteric GPCR ligands are of utmost importance for drug discovery campaigns in this field. Herein, we discuss recent approaches that leverage cellular target engagement studies for the IABS and thus play a critical role in the evaluation of IABS-targeted ligands as potential therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max E Huber
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lara Toy
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian F Schmidt
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dorothee Weikert
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schiedel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
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7
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Lei S, Chen X, Wu J, Duan X, Men K. Small molecules in the treatment of COVID-19. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:387. [PMID: 36464706 PMCID: PMC9719906 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01249-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 has become a global crisis, and brought severe disruptions to societies and economies. Until now, effective therapeutics against COVID-19 are in high demand. Along with our improved understanding of the structure, function, and pathogenic process of SARS-CoV-2, many small molecules with potential anti-COVID-19 effects have been developed. So far, several antiviral strategies were explored. Besides directly inhibition of viral proteins such as RdRp and Mpro, interference of host enzymes including ACE2 and proteases, and blocking relevant immunoregulatory pathways represented by JAK/STAT, BTK, NF-κB, and NLRP3 pathways, are regarded feasible in drug development. The development of small molecules to treat COVID-19 has been achieved by several strategies, including computer-aided lead compound design and screening, natural product discovery, drug repurposing, and combination therapy. Several small molecules representative by remdesivir and paxlovid have been proved or authorized emergency use in many countries. And many candidates have entered clinical-trial stage. Nevertheless, due to the epidemiological features and variability issues of SARS-CoV-2, it is necessary to continue exploring novel strategies against COVID-19. This review discusses the current findings in the development of small molecules for COVID-19 treatment. Moreover, their detailed mechanism of action, chemical structures, and preclinical and clinical efficacies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibei Lei
- grid.412901.f0000 0004 1770 1022State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohua Chen
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072 China
| | - Jieping Wu
- grid.412901.f0000 0004 1770 1022State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingmei Duan
- grid.54549.390000 0004 0369 4060Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072 China
| | - Ke Men
- grid.412901.f0000 0004 1770 1022State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 People’s Republic of China
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