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DeYoung EG, Howe JM, Fang S, Reddy MM, Handel JP, Gillen Miller JT, Wheeler DR, Tumey LN. Synthesis and Optimization of 1-Substituted Imidazo[4,5- c]quinoline TLR7 Agonists. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1358-1368. [PMID: 37849530 PMCID: PMC10577892 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
TLR7 agonists have significant therapeutic potential in a variety of oncology and autoimmune applications. We recently reported a potent TLR7 selective agonist 1 that could be delivered by antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology to elicit potent anticancer activity. Herein we report synthetic chemistry and structure-activity relationship studies to develop TLR7 agonists with improved potency for next-generation ADC efforts. We found that the addition of hydrophobic acyl tails to parent compound 1 generally resulted in retained or improved TLR7 agonist activity without sacrificing the permeability or the selectivity over TLR8. In contrast, the addition of a simple alkyl tail at the same position resulted in a dramatic loss in potency. Molecular modeling was performed to provide a rationale for this dramatic loss in potency. We ultimately identified compounds 17b, 16b, and 16d as highly potent TLR7 agonists that potently induced the activation of mouse macrophages and hPBMCs at low-nanomolar concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma G. DeYoung
- Binghamton University School of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson
City, New York 13790, United States
| | - Justin M. Howe
- Binghamton University School of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson
City, New York 13790, United States
| | - Siteng Fang
- Binghamton University School of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson
City, New York 13790, United States
| | - Mullapudi Mohan Reddy
- Binghamton University School of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson
City, New York 13790, United States
| | - Jillian P. Handel
- Binghamton University School of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson
City, New York 13790, United States
| | - Jared T. Gillen Miller
- Binghamton University School of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson
City, New York 13790, United States
| | - Daniel R. Wheeler
- Binghamton University School of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson
City, New York 13790, United States
| | - L. Nathan Tumey
- Binghamton University School of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson
City, New York 13790, United States
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Shan S, Liu R, Jiang L, Zhu Y, Li H, Xing W, Yang G. Carp Toll-like receptor 8 ( Tlr8): An intracellular Tlr that recruits TIRAP as adaptor and activates AP-1 pathway in immune response. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2018; 82:41-49. [PMID: 30077802 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 8 (Tlr8) is a member of intracellular TLRs family and play a critical role in the innate immunity. In the present study, we aimed to identify tlr8 from common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), and explored its expression profile, localization, adaptor, and signaling pathways. A novel tlr8 cDNA sequence (Cctlr8) was identified from the carp, containing a signal peptide, a LRR-N-terminal (LRR-NT), 14 leucine-rich repeats, a LRR-C-terminal (LRR-CT), a transmembrane region and a TIR domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CcTlr8 exhibited closest relationship to that of Ctenopharyngodon idella and Danio. rerio. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that CcTlr8 was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum in both HeLa cells and EPC cells. Quantitative Real-Time PCR analysis demonstrated that Cctlr8 was constitutively expressed in all the examined tissues, with the highest expression observed in the spleen. After poly (I:C) injection, the expression of Cctlr8 was significantly up-regulated in all the tested tissues. In addition, the expression of Cctlr8 was up-regulated in both PBLs and HKLs following poly (I:C) stimulation. The results of immuofluorescence and coimmunoprecipitation analysis indicated that CcTlr8 might recruit TIRAP as the adaptor. Furthermore, Luciferase reporter assays revealed that CcTlr8 could activate AP-1 in 293 T cells. Taken altogether, these findings lay the foundations for future research to investigate the mechanisms underlying fish tlr8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijuan Shan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Rongrong Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Yaoyao Zhu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Hua Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China
| | - Weixian Xing
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China.
| | - Guiwen Yang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, PR China.
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Stephenson RM, Lim CM, Matthews M, Dietsch G, Hershberg R, Ferris RL. TLR8 stimulation enhances cetuximab-mediated natural killer cell lysis of head and neck cancer cells and dendritic cell cross-priming of EGFR-specific CD8+ T cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2013; 62:1347-57. [PMID: 23685782 PMCID: PMC3720845 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-013-1437-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cetuximab is an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody that prolongs survival in the treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC), but only in 10-20 % of patients. An immunological mechanism of action such as natural killer (NK) cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) has been suggested. We investigated the effects of activating toll-like receptor (TLR)-8 to enhance activity of cetuximab-stimulated, FcγR-bearing cells. OBJECTIVE To determine the capability of TLR8-stimulation to enhance the activation and function of NK cells and dendritic cells (DC) in the presence of cetuximab-coated HNC cells. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), NK, DC, and CD8(+) T cells were isolated and analyzed using (51)Cr release ADCC, flow cytometry analysis, cytokine ELISA, and EGFR853-861 tetramer staining. RESULTS TLR8 stimulation of unfractionated PBMC led to enhanced cetuximab-mediated ADCC in healthy donors (p < 0.01) and HNC patients (p < 0.001), which was dependent on NK cells. Secretion of Th1 cytokines TNFα (p < 0.0001), IFNγ (p < 0.0001), and IL-12p40 (p < 0.005) was increased. TLR8 stimulation of PBMC augmented cetuximab-enhanced NK cell degranulation (p < 0.001). TLR8-stimulated NK cells enhanced DC maturation markers CD80, CD83, and CD86 in co-culture with cetuximab-treated HNC cells. TLR8 stimulation of NK-DC co-cultures significantly increased DC priming of EGFR-specific CD8(+) T cells in the presence of cetuximab. DISCUSSION VTX-2337 and cetuximab combination therapy can activate innate and adaptive anti-cancer immune responses. Further investigation in human trials will be important for determining the clinical benefit of this combination and for determining biomarkers of response.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology
- Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity/drug effects
- Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity/immunology
- Antigens, CD/immunology
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antineoplastic Agents/immunology
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- B7-1 Antigen/immunology
- B7-1 Antigen/metabolism
- B7-2 Antigen/immunology
- B7-2 Antigen/metabolism
- Benzazepines/immunology
- Benzazepines/pharmacology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cells, Cultured
- Cetuximab
- Coculture Techniques
- Cross-Priming/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/metabolism
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- ErbB Receptors/immunology
- ErbB Receptors/metabolism
- Flow Cytometry
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/immunology
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/metabolism
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology
- Humans
- Immunoglobulins/immunology
- Immunoglobulins/metabolism
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Interferon-gamma/metabolism
- Interleukin-12 Subunit p40/immunology
- Interleukin-12 Subunit p40/metabolism
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology
- Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism
- Toll-Like Receptor 8/agonists
- Toll-Like Receptor 8/immunology
- Toll-Like Receptor 8/metabolism
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
- CD83 Antigen
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Stephenson
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chwee Ming Lim
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Robert L. Ferris
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Smith AK, Conneely KN, Kilaru V, Mercer KB, Weiss TE, Bradley B, Tang Y, Gillespie CF, Cubells JF, Ressler KJ. Differential immune system DNA methylation and cytokine regulation in post-traumatic stress disorder. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2011; 156B:700-8. [PMID: 21714072 PMCID: PMC3292872 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.31212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2011] [Accepted: 05/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation may mediate persistent changes in gene function following chronic stress. To examine this hypothesis, we evaluated African American subjects matched by age and sex, and stratified into four groups by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and history of child abuse. Total Life Stress (TLS) was also assessed in all subjects. We evaluated DNA extracted from peripheral blood using the HumanMethylation27 BeadChip and analyzed both global and site-specific methylation. Methylation levels were examined for association with PTSD, child abuse history, and TLS using a linear mixed model adjusted for age, sex, and chip effects. Global methylation was increased in subjects with PTSD. CpG sites in five genes (TPR, CLEC9A, APC5, ANXA2, and TLR8) were differentially methylated in subjects with PTSD. Additionally, a CpG site in NPFFR2 was associated with TLS after adjustment for multiple testing. Notably, many of these genes have been previously associated with inflammation. Given these results and reports of immune dysregulation associated with trauma history, we compared plasma cytokine levels in these subjects and found IL4, IL2, and TNFα levels associated with PTSD, child abuse, and TLS. Together, these results suggest that psychosocial stress may alter global and gene-specific DNA methylation patterns potentially associated with peripheral immune dysregulation. Our results suggest the need for further research on the role of DNA methylation in stress-related illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karen N. Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Tamara E. Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Yilang Tang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Charles F. Gillespie
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Joseph F. Cubells
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Maryland,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia,Correspondence to: Kerry J. Ressler, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Yerkes Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Dr, Atlanta, GA 30329.
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Shukla NM, Malladi SS, Day V, David SA. Preliminary evaluation of a 3H imidazoquinoline library as dual TLR7/ TLR8 antagonists. Bioorg Med Chem 2011; 19:3801-11. [PMID: 21620714 PMCID: PMC3114175 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2011.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2011] [Revised: 04/22/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLR) -7 and -8 are thought to play an important role in immune activation processes underlying the pathophysiology of HIV and several clinically important autoimmune diseases. Based on our earlier findings of TLR7-antagonistic activity in a 3H imidazoquinoline, we sought to examine a pilot library of 3H imidazoquinolines for dual TLR7/8 antagonists, since they remain a poorly explored chemotype. 2D-NOE experiments were employed to unequivocally characterize the compounds. A quinolinium compound 12, bearing p-methoxybenzyl substituents on N3 and N5 positions was identified as a lead. Compound 12 was found to inhibit both TLR7 and TLR8 at low micromolar concentrations. Our preliminary results suggest that alkylation with electron-rich substituents on the quinoline N5, or conversely, elimination of the fixed charge of the resultant quaternary amine on the quinolinium may yield more active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor Day
- Small-Molecule X-Ray Crystallography Laboratory, University of Kansas
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Smits ELJM, Cools N, Lion E, Van Camp K, Ponsaerts P, Berneman ZN, Van Tendeloo VFI. The Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist resiquimod greatly increases the immunostimulatory capacity of human acute myeloid leukemia cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2010; 59:35-46. [PMID: 19449004 PMCID: PMC11029891 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-009-0721-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2008] [Accepted: 04/26/2009] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy for leukemia is a promising targeted strategy to eradicate residual leukemic cells after standard therapy, in order to prevent relapse and to prolong the survival of leukemia patients. However, effective anti-leukemia immune responses are hampered by the weak immunogenicity of leukemic cells. Therefore, much effort is made to identify agents that could increase the immunogenicity of leukemic cells and activate the immune system. Synthetic agonists of Toll-like receptor (TLR)7 and TLR8 are already in use as anticancer treatment, because of their ability to activate several immune pathways simultaneously, resulting in effective antitumor immunity. However, for leukemic cells little is known about the expression of TLR7/8 and the direct effects of their agonists. We hypothesized that TLR7/8 agonist treatment of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells would lead to an increased immunogenicity of AML cells. We observed expression of TLR7 and TLR8 in primary human AML cells and AML cell lines. Passive pulsing of primary AML cells with the TLR7/8 agonist R-848 resulted in increased expression of MHC molecules, production of proinflammatory cytokines, and enhanced allogeneic naïve T cell-stimulatory capacity. These effects were absent or suboptimal if R-848 was administered intracellularly by electroporation. Furthermore, when AML cells were cocultured with allogeneic PBMC in the presence of R-848, interferon (IFN)-gamma was produced by allogeneic NK and NKT cells and AML cells were killed. In conclusion, the immunostimulatory effect of the TLR7/8 agonist R-848 on human AML cells could prove useful for the design of TLR-based immunotherapy for leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien L J M Smits
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VIDI), Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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