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Thoma G, Duthaler RO, Waelchli R, Hauchard A, Bruno S, Strittmatter-Keller U, Orjuela Leon A, Viebrock S, Aichholz R, Beltz K, Grove K, Hoque S, Rudewicz PJ, Zerwes HG. Discovery and Characterization of the Topical Soft JAK Inhibitor CEE321 for Atopic Dermatitis. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2161-2168. [PMID: 36657024 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The JAK kinases JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2 play key roles in cytokine signaling. Activation of the JAK/STAT pathways is linked to many diseases involving the immune system, including atopic dermatitis. As systemic JAK inhibitor pharmacology is associated with side effects, topical administration to the skin has been considered to locally restrict the site of action. Several orally bioavailable JAK inhibitors repurposed for topical use have been recently approved or are in clinical development. Here, we disclose our clinical candidate CEE321, which is a potent pan JAK inhibitor in enzyme and cellular assays. In contrast to repurposed oral drugs, CEE321 does not display high potency in blood and has a high clearance in vivo. Therefore, we consider CEE321 to be a "soft drug". When applied topically to human skin that was stimulated with the cytokines IL4 and IL13 ex vivo, CEE321 potently inhibited biomarkers relevant to atopic dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gebhard Thoma
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rudolf O Duthaler
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rudolf Waelchli
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alice Hauchard
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sandro Bruno
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Strittmatter-Keller
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anette Orjuela Leon
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Viebrock
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Reiner Aichholz
- PK Sciences, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karen Beltz
- PK Sciences, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kerri Grove
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Shaila Hoque
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Patrick J Rudewicz
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Hans-Guenter Zerwes
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
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Deng LR, Han Q, Zou M, Chen FJ, Huang CY, Zhong YM, Wu QY, Tomlinson B, Li YH. Identification of potential immunomodulators from Pulsatilla decoction that act on therapeutic targets for ulcerative colitis based on pharmacological activity, absorbed ingredients, and in-silico molecular docking. Chin Med 2022; 17:132. [PMID: 36434688 PMCID: PMC9701001 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00684-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulsatilla decoction (Bai-Tou-Weng-Tang, BTWT) is a classic formula prescription of a traditional Chinese medicine that is used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its active components and underlying mechanism of action remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to identify potential immunomodulators from BTWT that act at therapeutic targets for UC. METHODS The protective effects of BTWT granules were examined in mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium. The absorbed components of BTWT were identified using LC-MS, and selected protein targets of these components in UC were investigated using molecular docking. RESULTS Oral administration of BTWT granules significantly alleviated disease severity and colon shortening, and inhibited the inflammatory response in mice with chronic colitis. In these mice, 11 compounds from the BTWT granules were detected in the serum and/or colon. The molecular docking study demonstrated that compounds from Radix pulsatillae, such as anemoside A3, interacted with STAT3 and S1PR1; compounds from Rhizoma coptidis and/or Cortex phellodendri, such as palmatine, interacted with JAK3, PD-1, and PD-L1; and components of Cortex fraxini such as aesculin interacted with S1PR1, JAK3, STAT3 and PD-L1. Further in-vitro experiments showing that the compounds inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 production and STAT3 activation in RAW 264.7 cells suggested that these compounds have immunomodulatory activities. CONCLUSION We revealed for the first time that 11 absorbed ingredients from BTWT were immunomodulators against therapeutic targets for UC. These findings suggest that the identified compounds are the active components of BTWT, and the identified protein targets underlie the mechanism of action of BTWT against UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-rong Deng
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Han
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Zou
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang-jun Chen
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang-yin Huang
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-ming Zhong
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian-yan Wu
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Brian Tomlinson
- grid.259384.10000 0000 8945 4455Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau China
| | - Yan-hong Li
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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Dai J, Yang L, Addison G. Current Status in the Discovery of Covalent Janus Kinase 3 (JAK3) Inhibitors. Mini Rev Med Chem 2019; 19:1531-1543. [PMID: 31288716 DOI: 10.2174/1389557519666190617152011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The search for inhibitors of the Janus kinase family (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2) has been ongoing for several decades and has resulted in a number of JAK inhibitors being approved for use in patients, such as tofacitinib for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Although initially thought to be a JAK3 selective inhibitor, tofacitinib was subsequently found to possess significant activity to inhibit JAK1 and JAK2 which has contributed to some adverse side effects. A selective JAK3 inhibitor should only have an effect within the immune system since JAK3 is solely expressed in lymphoid tissue; this makes JAK3 a target of interest in the search for treatments of autoimmune diseases. A method to obtain selectivity for JAK3 over the other JAK family members, which has attracted more scientific attention recently, is the targeting of the active site cysteine residue, unique in JAK3 within the JAK family, with compounds containing electrophilic warheads which can form a covalent bond with the nucleophilic thiol of the cysteine residue. This review encompasses the historical search for a covalent JAK3 inhibitor and the most recently published research which hasn't been reviewed to date. The most important compounds from the publications reviewed the activity and selectivity of these compounds together with some of the more important biological results are condensed in to an easily digested form that should prove useful for those interested in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Dai
- Changzhou Fangyuan Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Changzhou, Jiangsu, PC 213125, China
| | - LiXi Yang
- Changzhou Fangyuan Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Changzhou, Jiangsu, PC 213125, China
| | - Glynn Addison
- Changzhou Fangyuan Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Changzhou, Jiangsu, PC 213125, China
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4
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Are peptides a solution for the treatment of hyperactivated JAK3 pathways? Inflammopharmacology 2019; 27:433-452. [PMID: 30929155 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-019-00589-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
While the inactivation mutations that eliminate JAK3 function lead to the immunological disorders such as severe combined immunodeficiency, activation mutations, causing constitutive JAK3 signaling, are known to trigger various types of cancer or are responsible for autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel diseases. Treatment of hyperactivated JAK3 is still an obstacle, due to different sensibility of mutation types to conventional drugs and unwanted side effects, because these drugs are not absolutely specific for JAK3, thus inhibiting other members of the JAK family, too. Lack of information, in which way sole inhibition of JAK3 is necessary for elimination of the disease, calls for the development of isoform-specific JAK3 inhibitors. Beside this strategy, up to date peptides are a rising alternative as chemo- or immunotherapeutics, but still sparsely represented in drug development and clinical trials. Beyond a possible direct inhibition function, crossing the cancer cell membrane and interfering in disease-causing pathways or triggering apoptosis, peptides could be used in future as adjunct remedies to potentialize traditional therapy and preserve non-affected cells. To discuss such feasible topics, this review deals with the knowledge about the structure-function of JAK3 and the actual state-of-the-art of isoform-specific inhibitor development, as well as the function of currently approved drugs or those currently being tested in clinical trials. Furthermore, several strategies for the application of peptide-based drugs for cancer therapy and the physicochemical and structural relations to peptide efficacy are discussed, and an overview of peptide sequences, which were qualified for clinical trials, is given.
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Casimiro-Garcia A, Trujillo JI, Vajdos F, Juba B, Banker ME, Aulabaugh A, Balbo P, Bauman J, Chrencik J, Coe JW, Czerwinski R, Dowty M, Knafels JD, Kwon S, Leung L, Liang S, Robinson RP, Telliez JB, Unwalla R, Yang X, Thorarensen A. Identification of Cyanamide-Based Janus Kinase 3 (JAK3) Covalent Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2018; 61:10665-10699. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - John I. Trujillo
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Felix Vajdos
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | | | - Mary Ellen Banker
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Ann Aulabaugh
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | | | - Jonathan Bauman
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Jill Chrencik
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Jotham W. Coe
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | | | - Martin Dowty
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 1 Burtt Road, Andover, Massachusetts 01810, United States
| | - John D. Knafels
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Soojin Kwon
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Louis Leung
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Sidney Liang
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Ralph P. Robinson
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | | | | | - Xin Yang
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
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Forster M, Gehringer M, Laufer SA. Recent advances in JAK3 inhibition: Isoform selectivity by covalent cysteine targeting. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:4229-4237. [PMID: 28844493 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.07.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Janus kinases (JAKs) are a family of four cytosolic protein kinases with a high degree of structural similarity. Due to its very restricted role in immune regulation, JAK3 was promoted as an excellent target for immunosuppression for more than a decade, but clinical validation of this concept is still elusive. During the last years, speculation arose that kinase activity of JAK1, which cooperates with JAK3 in cytokine receptor signaling, may have a dominant role over the one of JAK3. Until recently, however, this issue could not be appropriately addressed due to a lack of highly isoform-selective tool compounds. With the recent resurgence of covalent drugs, targeting of a specific cysteine that distinguishes JAK3 from other JAK family members became an attractive design option. By applying this strategy, a set of JAK3 inhibitors with excellent selectivity against other JAK isoforms and the kinome was developed during the last three years and used to decipher JAK3-dependent signaling. The data obtained with these tool compounds demonstrates that selective JAK3 inhibition is sufficient to block downstream signaling. Since one of these inhibitors is currently under evaluation in phase II clinical studies against several inflammatory disorders, it will soon become apparent whether selective JAK3 inhibition translates into clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Forster
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gehringer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Stefan A Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
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