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Stott LA, la Rochelle AD, Brown S, Osborne G, Hutchings CJ, Poulter S, Bennett KA, Barnes M. The Neutrophil Dynamic Mass Redistribution Assay as a Medium throughput Primary Cell Screening Assay. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:19-31. [PMID: 37863490 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In a typical G protein coupled receptor drug discovery campaign, an in vitro primary functional screening assay is often established in a recombinant system overexpressing the target of interest, which offers advantages with respect to overall throughput and robustness of compound testing. Subsequently, compounds are then progressed into more physiologically relevant but lower throughput ex vivo primary cell assays and finally in vivo studies. Here we describe a dynamic mass redistribution (DMR) assay that has been developed in a format suitable to support medium throughput drug screening in primary human neutrophils. Neutrophils are known to express both CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR) 1 and CXCR2 that are thought to play significant roles in various inflammatory disorders and cancer. Using multiple relevant chemokine ligands and a range of selective and nonselective small and large molecule antagonists that block CXCR1 and CXCR2 responses, we demonstrate distinct pharmacological profiles in neutrophil DMR from those observed in recombinant assays but predictive of activity in neutrophil chemotaxis and CD11b upregulation, a validated target engagement marker previously used in clinical studies of CXCR2 antagonists. The primary human neutrophil DMR cell system is highly reproducible, robust, and less prone to donor variability observed in CD11b and chemotaxis assays and thus provides a unique, more physiologically relevant, and higher throughput assay to support drug discovery and translation to early clinical trials. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Neutrophil dynamic mass redistribution assays provide a higher throughput screening assay to profile compounds in primary cells earlier in the screening cascade enabling a higher level of confidence in progressing the development of compounds toward the clinic. This is particularly important for chemokine receptors where redundancy contributes to a lack of correlation between recombinant screening assays and primary cells, with the coexpression of related receptors confounding results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Stott
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, United Kingdom (L.A.S., A.D.R., S.B., G.O., S.P., K.A.B., M.B.); and Independent Consultant (C.J.H.)
| | - Armand Drieu la Rochelle
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, United Kingdom (L.A.S., A.D.R., S.B., G.O., S.P., K.A.B., M.B.); and Independent Consultant (C.J.H.)
| | - Susan Brown
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, United Kingdom (L.A.S., A.D.R., S.B., G.O., S.P., K.A.B., M.B.); and Independent Consultant (C.J.H.)
| | - Greg Osborne
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, United Kingdom (L.A.S., A.D.R., S.B., G.O., S.P., K.A.B., M.B.); and Independent Consultant (C.J.H.)
| | - Catherine J Hutchings
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, United Kingdom (L.A.S., A.D.R., S.B., G.O., S.P., K.A.B., M.B.); and Independent Consultant (C.J.H.)
| | - Simon Poulter
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, United Kingdom (L.A.S., A.D.R., S.B., G.O., S.P., K.A.B., M.B.); and Independent Consultant (C.J.H.)
| | - Kirstie A Bennett
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, United Kingdom (L.A.S., A.D.R., S.B., G.O., S.P., K.A.B., M.B.); and Independent Consultant (C.J.H.)
| | - Matt Barnes
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, United Kingdom (L.A.S., A.D.R., S.B., G.O., S.P., K.A.B., M.B.); and Independent Consultant (C.J.H.)
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Thomsen ARB. Label-Free Dynamic Mass Redistribution Assay To Characterize Holistic Chemokine Receptor Pharmacology in Neutrophils. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:15-18. [PMID: 38490722 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alex R B Thomsen
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology and NYU Pain Research Center, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York
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Prado C, Espinoza A, Martínez-Hernández JE, Petrosino J, Riquelme E, Martin AJM, Pacheco R. GPR43 stimulation on TCRαβ + intraepithelial colonic lymphocytes inhibits the recruitment of encephalitogenic T-cells into the central nervous system and attenuates the development of autoimmunity. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:135. [PMID: 37264394 PMCID: PMC10233874 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02815-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gut microbiota plays a critical role in the regulation of immune homeostasis. Accordingly, several autoimmune disorders have been associated with dysbiosis in the gut microbiota. Notably, the dysbiosis associated with central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity involves a substantial reduction of bacteria belonging to Clostridia clusters IV and XIVa, which constitute major producers of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Here we addressed the role of the surface receptor-mediated effects of SCFAs on mucosal T-cells in the development of CNS autoimmunity. METHODS To induce CNS autoimmunity, we used the mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by immunization with the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-derived peptide (MOG35-55 peptide). To address the effects of GPR43 stimulation on colonic TCRαβ+ T-cells upon CNS autoimmunity, mucosal lymphocytes were isolated and stimulated with a selective GPR43 agonist ex vivo and then transferred into congenic mice undergoing EAE. Several subsets of lymphocytes infiltrating the CNS or those present in the gut epithelium and gut lamina propria were analysed by flow cytometry. In vitro migration assays were conducted with mucosal T-cells using transwells. RESULTS Our results show a sharp and selective reduction of intestinal propionate at the peak of EAE development, accompanied by increased IFN-γ and decreased IL-22 in the colonic mucosa. Further analyses indicated that GPR43 was the primary SCFAs receptor expressed on T-cells, which was downregulated on colonic TCRαβ+ T-cells upon CNS autoimmunity. The pharmacologic stimulation of GPR43 increased the anti-inflammatory function and reduced the pro-inflammatory features in several TCRαβ+ T-cell subsets in the colonic mucosa upon EAE development. Furthermore, GPR43 stimulation induced the arrest of CNS-autoreactive T-cells in the colonic lamina propria, thus avoiding their infiltration into the CNS and dampening the disease development. Mechanistic analyses revealed that GPR43-stimulation on mucosal TCRαβ+ T-cells inhibits their CXCR3-mediated migration towards CXCL11, which is released from the CNS upon neuroinflammation. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide a novel mechanism involved in the gut-brain axis by which bacterial-derived products secreted in the gut mucosa might control the CNS tropism of autoreactive T-cells. Moreover, this study shows GPR43 expressed on T-cells as a promising therapeutic target for CNS autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Prado
- Laboratorio de Neuroinmunología, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte #725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile.
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, 7510156, Providencia, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Alexandra Espinoza
- Laboratorio de Neuroinmunología, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte #725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
| | - J Eduardo Martínez-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Redes Biológicas, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte #725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
- Agriaquaculture Nutritional Genomic Center, Temuco, Chile
| | - Joseph Petrosino
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erick Riquelme
- Respiratory Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alberto J M Martin
- Laboratorio de Redes Biológicas, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte #725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Ingeniería, Facultad de Ingeniería Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Providencia, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Pacheco
- Laboratorio de Neuroinmunología, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Avenida Del Valle Norte #725, 8580702, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile.
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, 7510156, Providencia, Santiago, Chile.
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Valentini A, Schultz-Knudsen K, Højgaard Hansen A, Tsakoumagkou A, Jenkins L, Christensen HB, Manandhar A, Milligan G, Ulven T, Rexen Ulven E. Discovery of Potent Tetrazole Free Fatty Acid Receptor 2 Antagonists. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6105-6121. [PMID: 37129317 PMCID: PMC10547238 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2), also known as GPR43, mediates effects of short-chain fatty acids and has attracted interest as a potential target for treatment of various metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Herein, we report the results from bioisosteric replacement of the carboxylic acid group of the established FFA2 antagonist CATPB and SAR investigations around these compounds, leading to the discovery of the first high-potency FFA2 antagonists, with the preferred compound TUG-2304 (16l) featuring IC50 values of 3-4 nM in both cAMP and GTPγS assays, favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, and the ability to completely inhibit propionate-induced neutrophil migration and respiratory burst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Valentini
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katrine Schultz-Knudsen
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Højgaard Hansen
- Department
of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University
of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Argyro Tsakoumagkou
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Laura Jenkins
- Centre
for Translational Pharmacology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College
of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Henriette B. Christensen
- Department
of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University
of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Asmita Manandhar
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Graeme Milligan
- Centre
for Translational Pharmacology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College
of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Trond Ulven
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department
of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University
of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Elisabeth Rexen Ulven
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lind S, Wu Y, Sundqvist M, Forsman H, Dahlgren C. An increase in the cytosolic concentration of free calcium ions activates the neutrophil NADPH-oxidase provided that the free fatty acid receptor 2 has been allosterically modulated. Cell Signal 2023; 107:110687. [PMID: 37105507 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Signals generated by free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2R) can activate the neutrophil NADPH-oxidase without involvement of any orthosteric FFA2R agonist. The initiating signals may be generated by P2Y2R, the receptor for ATP. An FFA2R specific allosteric modulator (PAM; Cmp58) was required for this response and used to investigate the mechanism by which signals generated by ATP/P2Y2R activate an FFA2R dependent process. The P2Y2R induced signal that together with the modulated FFA2R activates neutrophils, was generated downstream of the Gαq containing G protein coupled to P2Y2R. A rise in the cytosolic concentration of ionized calcium ([Ca2+]i) was hypothesized to be the important signal. The hypothesis gained support from the finding that the modulator transferred the neutrophils to a Ca2+sensitive state. The rise in [Ca2+]i induced by the Ca2+ specific ionophore ionomycin, activated the neutrophils provided that an allosteric modulator was bound to FFA2R. The activity of the superoxide generating NADPH-oxidase induced by ionomycin was rapidly terminated and the FFA2Rs could then no longer be activated by the FFA2R agonist propionate or by the signal generated by ATP/P2Y2R. The non-responding state of FFA2R was, however, revoked by a cross-activating allosteric FFA2R modulator. The [Ca2+]i mediated activation of neutrophils with their FFA2Rs allosterically modulated, represent a unique regulatory receptor crosstalk mechanism by which the activation potency of a G protein coupled receptor is controlled by a receptor-crosstalk signaling system operating from the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Lind
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yanling Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martina Sundqvist
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Huamei Forsman
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Claes Dahlgren
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Grundmann M, Bender E, Schamberger J, Eitner F. Pharmacology of Free Fatty Acid Receptors and Their Allosteric Modulators. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041763. [PMID: 33578942 PMCID: PMC7916689 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological function of free fatty acids (FFAs) has long been regarded as indirect in terms of their activities as educts and products in metabolic pathways. The observation that FFAs can also act as signaling molecules at FFA receptors (FFARs), a family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), has changed the understanding of the interplay of metabolites and host responses. Free fatty acids of different chain lengths and saturation statuses activate FFARs as endogenous agonists via binding at the orthosteric receptor site. After FFAR deorphanization, researchers from the pharmaceutical industry as well as academia have identified several ligands targeting allosteric sites of FFARs with the aim of developing drugs to treat various diseases such as metabolic, (auto)inflammatory, infectious, endocrinological, cardiovascular, and renal disorders. GPCRs are the largest group of transmembrane proteins and constitute the most successful drug targets in medical history. To leverage the rich biology of this target class, the drug industry seeks alternative approaches to address GPCR signaling. Allosteric GPCR ligands are recognized as attractive modalities because of their auspicious pharmacological profiles compared to orthosteric ligands. While the majority of marketed GPCR drugs interact exclusively with the orthosteric binding site, allosteric mechanisms in GPCR biology stay medically underexploited, with only several allosteric ligands currently approved. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the biology of FFAR1 (GPR40), FFAR2 (GPR43), FFAR3 (GPR41), FFAR4 (GPR120), and GPR84, including structural aspects of FFAR1, and discusses the molecular pharmacology of FFAR allosteric ligands as well as the opportunities and challenges in research from the perspective of drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Grundmann
- Research and Early Development, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany;
- Correspondence:
| | - Eckhard Bender
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany; (E.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Jens Schamberger
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany; (E.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Frank Eitner
- Research and Early Development, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany;
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Frei R, Nordlohne J, Hüser U, Hild S, Schmidt J, Eitner F, Grundmann M. Allosteric targeting of the FFA2 receptor (GPR43) restores responsiveness of desensitized human neutrophils. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 109:741-751. [PMID: 32803826 PMCID: PMC8048482 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.2a0720-432r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The G protein‐coupled free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2R) is highly expressed on neutrophils and was previously described to regulate neutrophil activation. Allosteric targeting of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) is increasingly explored to create distinct pharmacology compared to endogenous, orthosteric ligands. The consequence of allosteric versus orthosteric FFA2R activation for neutrophil response, however, is currently largely elusive. Here, different FFA2R desensitization profiles in human neutrophils following allosteric or orthosteric activation are reported. Using a set of neutrophil functional assays to measure calcium flux, pERK1/2, chemotaxis, cellular degranulation, and oxidative burst together with holistic and pathway‐unbiased whole cell sensing based on dynamic mass redistribution, it is found that the synthetic positive allosteric modulator agonist 4‐CMTB potently activates neutrophils and simultaneously alters FFA2R responsiveness toward the endogenous, orthosteric agonist propionic acid (C3) after homologous and heterologous receptor desensitization. Stimulation with C3 or the hierarchically superior chemokine receptor activator IL‐8 led to strong FFA2R desensitization and rendered neutrophils unresponsive toward repeated stimulation with C3. In contrast, stimulation with allosteric 4‐CMTB engaged a distinct composition of signaling pathways as compared to orthosteric receptor activation and was able to activate neutrophils that underwent homologous and heterologous desensitization with C3 and IL‐8, respectively. Moreover, allosteric FFA2R activation could re‐sensitize FFA2 toward the endogenous agonist C3 after homologous and heterologous desensitization. Given the fact that receptor desensitization is critical in neutrophils to sense and adapt to their current environment, these findings are expected to be useful for the discovery of novel pharmacological mechanisms to modulate neutrophil responsiveness therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Frei
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Nordlohne
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Preclinical Research, Pharma Research Center, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ulrike Hüser
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Preclinical Research, Pharma Research Center, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Seda Hild
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes Schmidt
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Frank Eitner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Preclinical Research, Pharma Research Center, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Manuel Grundmann
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Preclinical Research, Pharma Research Center, Wuppertal, Germany
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