Insertion of multiple alpha-amino gamma-lactam (Agl) residues into a peptide sequence by solid-phase synthesis on synphase lanterns

Antibiotic-chemoattractants enhance neutrophil clearance of Staphylococcus aureus

The pathogen Staphylococcus aureus can readily develop antibiotic resistance and evade the human immune system, which is associated with reduced levels of neutrophil recruitment. Here, we present a class of antibacterial peptides with potential to act both as antibiotics and as neutrophil chemoattractants. The compounds, which we term 'antibiotic-chemoattractants', consist of a formylated peptide (known to act as chemoattractant for neutrophil recruitment) that is covalently linked to the antibiotic vancomycin (known to bind to the bacterial cell wall). We use a combination of in vitro assays, cellular assays, infection-on-a-chip and in vivo mouse models to show that the compounds improve the recruitment, engulfment and killing of S. aureus by neutrophils. Furthermore, optimizing the formyl peptide sequence can enhance neutrophil activity through differential activation of formyl peptide receptors. Thus, we propose antibiotic-chemoattractants as an alternate approach for antibiotic development.

Interleukin-1 Receptor Modulation Using β-Substituted α-Amino-γ-Lactam Peptides From Solid-Phase Synthesis and Diversification

As a key cytokine mediator of inflammation, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) binds to the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) and activates various downstream signaling mediators, including NF-κB, which is required for immune vigilance and cellular protection. Toward the development of IL-1-targeting therapeutics which exhibit functional selectivity, the all-D-amino acid peptide 1 (101.10, H-D-Arg-D-Tyr-D-Thr-D-Val-D-Glu-D-Leu-D-Ala-NH₂) was conceived as an allosteric IL-1R modulator that conserves NF-κB signaling while inhibiting other IL-1-activated pathways. Employing β-hydroxy-α-amino-γ-lactam (Hgl) stereoisomers to study the conformation about the Thr³ residue in 1, [(3R,4S)-Hgl³]-1 (2b), among all possible diastereomers, was found to exhibit identical in vitro and in vivo activity as the parent peptide and superior activity to the α-amino-γ-lactam (Agl) counterpart. Noting the relevance of the β-hydroxyl substituent and configuration for the activity of (3R,4S)-2b, fifteen different β-substituted-Agl³ analogs of 1 (e.g., 2c-q) have now been synthesized by a combination of solution- and solid-phase methods employing N-Fmoc-β-substituted-Agl³-Val-OH dipeptide building blocks. Introduction of a β-azido-Agl³ residue into the resin bound peptide and subsequent reduction and CuAAC chemistry gave access to a series of amine and triazole derivatives (e.g., 2h-q). β-Substituted-[Agl³]-1 analogs 2c-q exhibited generally similar circular dichroism (CD) spectra as that of Hgl analog 2b in water, presenting curve shapes indicative of β-turn structures. The relevance of the β-substituent was indicated in rodent models of preterm labor and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), in which certain analogs inhibited preterm birth and vaso-obliteration, respectively, with activity similar to 1 and 2b. The β-substituted-[Agl³]-1 analogs exhibited functional selectivity on IL-1-induced signaling pathways. The described solid-phase method has provided discerning probes for exploring peptide structure-activity relationships and valuable leads for developing prototypes to treat inflammatory events leading to prematurity and retinopathy of prematurity, which are leading causes of infant morbidity and blindness respectively.

Probing Anti-inflammatory Properties Independent of NF-κB Through Conformational Constraint of Peptide-Based Interleukin-1 Receptor Biased Ligands

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) binds to the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) and is a key cytokine mediator of inflammasome activation. IL-1β signaling leads to parturition in preterm birth (PTB) and contributes to the retinal vaso-obliteration characteristic of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) of premature infants. Therapeutics targeting IL-1β and IL-1R are approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis; however, all are large proteins with clinical limitations including immunosuppression, due in part to inhibition of NF-κB signaling, which is required for immuno-vigilance and cytoprotection. The all-D-amino acid peptide 1 (101.10, H-d-Arg-d-Tyr-d-Thr-d-Val-d-Glu-d-Leu-d-Ala-NH₂) is an allosteric IL-1R modulator, which exhibits functional selectivity and conserves NF-κB signaling while inhibiting other IL-1-activated pathways. Peptide 1 has proven effective in experimental models of PTB and OIR. Seeking understanding of the structural requirements for the activity and biased signaling of 1, a panel of twelve derivatives was synthesized employing the various stereochemical isomers of α-amino-γ-lactam (Agl) and α-amino-β-hydroxy-γ-lactam (Hgl) residues to constrain the D-Thr-D-Val dipeptide residue. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, the peptide conformation in solution was observed to be contingent on Agl, Hgl, and Val stereochemistry. Moreover, the lactam mimic structure and configuration influenced biased IL-1 signaling in an in vitro panel of cellular assays as well as in vivo activity in murine models of PTB and OIR. Remarkably, all Agl and Hgl analogs of peptide 1 did not inhibit NF-κB signaling but blocked other pathways, such as JNK and ROCK2 phosphorylation contingent on structure and configuration. Efficacy in preventing preterm labor correlated with a capacity to block IL-1β-induced IL-1β synthesis. Furthermore, the importance of inhibition of JNK and ROCK2 phosphorylation for enhanced activity was highlighted for prevention of vaso-obliteration in the OIR model. Taken together, lactam mimic structure and stereochemistry strongly influenced conformation and biased signaling. Selective modulation of IL-1 signaling was proven to be particularly beneficial for curbing inflammation in models of preterm labor and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). A class of biased ligands has been created with potential to serve as selective probes for studying IL-1 signaling in disease. Moreover, the small peptide mimic prototypes are promising leads for developing immunomodulatory therapies with easier administration and maintenance of beneficial effects of NF-κB signaling.

Specific therapy to regulate inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: molecular aspects

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which persistent inflammation of synovial tissue results in a progressive functional decline of the joint and premature mortality. TNF inhibitors were the first biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used to treat RA. Since then, new biological drugs have emerged, such as inhibitors of IL-1, IL-6 and others, with different mechanisms of action that include the depletion of B cells and the inhibition of T-cell costimulation. Recently, RA treatments have incorporated the use of synthetic DMARDs. This review describes the molecular aspects of the mechanisms of action of biological and synthetic DMARDs, discusses the adverse effects and limitations of established therapies and analyses the alternative approaches to RA treatment.

Peptide scanning for studying structure-activity relationships in drug discovery

Peptide-based therapeutics have grown in importance over the last few decades. Furthermore, peptides have been extensively used as lead compounds in the drug discovery process to investigate the nature of chemical space required for molecular recognition and activity at a variety of targets. This critical commentary reviews scanning techniques, which employ natural and non-proteinogenic amino acids to facilitate understanding of structural requirements for peptide biological activity. The value of sequence analysis by such methods is highlighted by examples, in which the elements for peptide affinity and activity have been elucidated and employed to prepare peptidomimetic leads for drug development.