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Shawky AM, Almalki FA, Alzahrani HA, Abdalla AN, Youssif BGM, Ibrahim NA, Gamal M, El-Sherief HAM, Abdel-Fattah MM, Hefny AA, Abdelazeem AH, Gouda AM. Covalent small-molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro: Insights into their design, classification, biological activity, and binding interactions. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116704. [PMID: 39121741 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116704] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Since 2020, many compounds have been investigated for their potential use in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among these agents, a huge number of natural products and FDA-approved drugs have been evaluated as potential therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 using virtual screening and docking studies. However, the identification of the molecular targets involved in viral replication led to the development of rationally designed anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Among these targets, the main protease (Mpro) is one of the key enzymes needed in the replication of the virus. The data gleaned from the crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro complexes with small-molecule covalent inhibitors has been used in the design and discovery of many highly potent and broad-spectrum Mpro inhibitors. The current review focuses mainly on the covalent type of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. The design, chemistry, and classification of these inhibitors were also in focus. The biological activity of these inhibitors, including their inhibitory activities against Mpro, their antiviral activities, and the SAR studies, were discussed. The review also describes the potential mechanism of the interaction between these inhibitors and the catalytic Cys145 residue in Mpro. Moreover, the binding modes and key binding interactions of these covalent inhibitors were also illustrated. The covalent inhibitors discussed in this review were of diverse chemical nature and origin. Their antiviral activity was mediated mainly by the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, with IC50 values in the micromolar to the nanomolar range. Many of these inhibitors exhibited broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against the Mpro enzymes of other coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV). The dual inhibition of the Mpro and PLpro enzymes of SARS-CoV-2 could also provide higher therapeutic benefits than Mpro inhibition. Despite the approval of nirmatrelvir by the FDA, many mutations in the Mpro enzyme of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported. Although some of these mutations did not affect the potency of nirmatrelvir, there is an urgent need to develop a second generation of Mpro inhibitors. We hope that the data summarized in this review could help researchers in the design of a new potent generation of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Shawky
- Science and Technology Unit (STU), Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal A Almalki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hayat Ali Alzahrani
- Applied Medical Science College, Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashraf N Abdalla
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medicinal And Aromatic Plants Research Institute, National Center for Research, Khartoum, 2404, Sudan
| | - Bahaa G M Youssif
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt.
| | - Nashwa A Ibrahim
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Gamal
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Hany A M El-Sherief
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Maha M Abdel-Fattah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Hefny
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt; School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Ahmed H Abdelazeem
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt; Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Medical Sciences, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, 11681, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Gouda
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt.
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Wang HL, Peng Z, Li YQ, Wang YX, Li JC, Tan RZ, Su HW, Shen HP, Zhao CY, Liu J, Wang L. Calycosin inhibited MIF-mediated inflammatory chemotaxis of macrophages to ameliorate ischemia reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury. Inflamm Res 2024; 73:1267-1282. [PMID: 38844677 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-024-01899-0] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory macrophage infiltration plays a critical role in acute kidney disease induced by ischemia-reperfusion (IRI-AKI). Calycosin is a natural flavone with multiple bioactivities. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic role of calycosin in IRI-AKI and its underlying mechanism. METHODS The renoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of calycosin were analyzed in C57BL/6 mice with IRI-AKI and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. RNA-seq was used for mechanism investigation. The molecular target of calycosin was screened by in silico methods and validated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Macrophage chemotaxis was analyzed using Transwell and agarose gel spot assays. RESULTS Calycosin treatment significantly reduced serum creatinine and urea nitrogen and attenuated tubular destruction in IRI-AKI mice. Additionally, calycosin markedly suppressed NF-κB signaling activation and the expression of inflammatory mediators IL-1β and TNF-α in IRI-AKI kidneys and LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Interestingly, RNA-seq revealed calycosin remarkably downregulated chemotaxis-related pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. Among the differentially expressed genes, Ccl2/MCP-1, a critical chemokine mediating macrophage inflammatory chemotaxis, was downregulated in both LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and IRI-AKI kidneys. Consistently, calycosin treatment attenuated macrophage infiltration in the IRI-AKI kidneys. Importantly, in silico target prediction, molecular docking, and SPR assay demonstrated that calycosin directly binds to macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Functionally, calycosin abrogated MIF-stimulated NF-κB signaling activation and Ccl2 expression and MIF-mediated chemotaxis in RAW 264.7 cells. CONCLUSIONS In summary, calycosin attenuates IRI-AKI by inhibiting MIF-mediated macrophage inflammatory chemotaxis, suggesting it could be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of IRI-AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Lian Wang
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, District of Longmatan, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 611137, China
| | - Ze Peng
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Yu-Qing Li
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Yi-Xuan Wang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Jian-Chun Li
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, District of Longmatan, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Rui-Zhi Tan
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, District of Longmatan, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Hong-Wei Su
- The Department of Urology, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Hong-Ping Shen
- The Clinical Trial Research Center, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Chang-Ying Zhao
- The Department of Endocrinology, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China
| | - Jian Liu
- The Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, District of Longmatan, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China.
| | - Li Wang
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, No. 182, Chunhui Road, District of Longmatan, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China.
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Siddiqui AR, Mushtaq M, Sardar M, Atta L, Nur-e-Alam M, Ahmad A, Ul-Haq Z. Mechanistic insight into the mode of inhibition of dietary flavonoids; targeting macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1414572. [PMID: 38915940 PMCID: PMC11194440 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1414572] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF), a key pro-inflammatory mediator, is responsible for modulating immune responses. An array of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases has been linked to the dysregulated activity of MIF. The significance in physiological as well as pathophysiological phenomena underscores the potential of MIF as an attractive target with pharmacological relevance. Extensive research in past has uncovered a number of inhibitors, while the ISO-1, or (S, R)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazole acetic acid methyl ester being recognized as a benchmark standard so far. Recent work by Yang and coworkers identified five promising dietary flavonoids, with superior activity compared to the standard ISO-1. Nevertheless, the exact atomic-level inhibitory mechanism is still elusive. Methods: To improve the dynamic research, and rigorously characterize, and compare molecular signatures of MIF complexes with ISO-1 and flavonoids, principal component analysis (PCA) was linked with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculations. Results: The results suggest that by blocking the tautomerase site these small molecule inhibitors could modify the MIF activity by disrupting the intrinsic dynamics in particular functional areas. The stability matrices revealed the average deviation values ranging from 0.27-0.32 nm while the residue level fluctuations indicated that binding of the selected flavonoids confer enhanced stability relative to the ISO-1. Furthermore, the gyration values extracted from the simulated trajectories were found in the range of 1.80-1.83 nm. Discussion: Although all the tested flavonoids demonstrated remarkable results, the one obtained for the potent inhibitors, particularly Morin and Amentoflavone exhibited a good correlation with biological activity. The PCA results featured relatively less variance and constricted conformational landscape than others. The stable ensembles and reduced variation in turns might be the possible reasons for their outstanding performance documented previously. The results from the present exploration provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular complexes formed by flavonoids and MIF, shedding light on their potential roles and impacts. Future studies on MIF inhibitors may benefit from the knowledge gathered from this investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Raza Siddiqui
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mamona Mushtaq
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Madiha Sardar
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Lubna Atta
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Nur-e-Alam
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aftab Ahmad
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Zaheer Ul-Haq
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Yu W, Zhao Y, Ilyas I, Wang L, Little PJ, Xu S. The natural polyphenol fisetin in atherosclerosis prevention: a mechanistic review. J Pharm Pharmacol 2024:rgae053. [PMID: 38733634 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgae053] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The incidence and mortality rate of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is increasing yearly worldwide. Recently, a growing body of evidence has unveiled the anti-atherosclerotic properties of fisetin, a natural polyphenol compound. In this article, we reviewed the pharmacologic actions of fisetin on experimental atherosclerosis and its protective effects on disease-relevant cell types such as endothelial cells, macrophages, vascular smooth muscle cells, and platelets. Based on its profound cardiovascular actions, fisetin holds potential for clinical translation and could be developed as a potential therapeutic option for atherosclerosis and its related complications. Large-scale randomized clinical trials are warranted to ascertain the safety and efficacy of fisetin in patients with or high risk for ASCVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, 230009, China
- Anhui Renovo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Anhui Guozheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Hefei, Anhui, 230041, China
| | - Yaping Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Iqra Ilyas
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Peter J Little
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Xinhua University, No. 721, Guangshan Road 1, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Suowen Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
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Yang L, Guttman L, Dawson VL, Dawson TM. Parthanatos: Mechanisms, modulation, and therapeutic prospects in neurodegenerative disease and stroke. Biochem Pharmacol 2024:116174. [PMID: 38552851 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116174] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Parthanatos is a cell death signaling pathway that has emerged as a compelling target for pharmaceutical intervention. It plays a pivotal role in the neuron loss and neuroinflammation that occurs in Parkinson's Disease (PD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Huntington's Disease (HD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and stroke. There are currently no treatments available to humans to prevent cell death in any of these diseases. This review provides an in-depth examination of the current understanding of the Parthanatos mechanism, with a particular focus on its implications in neuroinflammation and various diseases discussed herein. Furthermore, we thoroughly review potential intervention targets within the Parthanatos pathway. We dissect recent progress in inhibitory strategies, complimented by a detailed structural analysis of key Parthanatos executioners, PARP-1, AIF, and MIF, along with an assessment of their established inhibitors. We hope to introduce a new perspective on the feasibility of targeting components within the Parthanatos pathway, emphasizing its potential to bring about transformative outcomes in therapeutic interventions. By delineating therapeutic opportunities and known targets, we seek to emphasize the imperative of blocking Parthanatos as a precursor to developing disease-modifying treatments. This comprehensive exploration aims to catalyze a paradigm shift in our understanding of potential neurodegenerative disease therapeutics, advocating for the pursuit of effective interventions centered around Parthanatos inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lauren Guttman
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Flavonoids regulate tumor-associated macrophages - From structure-activity relationship to clinical potential (Review). Pharmacol Res 2022; 184:106419. [PMID: 36041653 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the strategy for tumor therapy has changed from focusing on the direct killing effect of different types of therapeutic agents on cancer cells to the new mainstream of multi-mode and -pathway combined interventions in the microenvironment of the developing tumor. Flavonoids, with unique tricyclic structures, have diverse and extensive immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant immunosuppressive cells in the TME. The regulation of macrophages to fight cancer is a promising immunotherapeutic strategy. This study covers the most comprehensive cognition of flavonoids in regulating TAMs so far. Far more than a simple list of studies, we try to dig out evidence of crosstalk at the molecular level between flavonoids and TAMs from literature, in order to discuss the most relevant chemical structure and its possible relationship with the multimodal pharmacological activity, as well as systematically build a structure-activity relationship between flavonoids and TAMs. Additionally, we point out the advantages of the macro-control of flavonoids in the TME and discuss the potential clinical implications as well as areas for future research of flavonoids in regulating TAMs. These results will provide hopeful directions for the research of antitumor drugs, while providing new ideas for the pharmaceutical industry to develop more effective forms of flavonoids.
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Miao Y, Zhang C, Yang L, Zeng X, Hu Y, Xue X, Dai Y, Wei Z. The activation of PPARγ enhances Treg responses through up-regulating CD36/CPT1-mediated fatty acid oxidation and subsequent N-glycan branching of TβRII/IL-2Rα. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:48. [PMID: 35392915 PMCID: PMC8991706 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00849-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is an enhancer of Treg responses, but the mechanisms remain elusive. This study aimed to solve this problem in view of cellular metabolism. METHODS Three recognized PPARγ agonists (synthetic agonist: rosiglitazone; endogenous ligand: 15d-PGJ2; natural product: morin) were used as the tools to activate PPARγ. The fatty acid oxidation (FAO) was evaluated through the detection of fatty acid uptake, oxygen consumption rate, mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial membrane potential and acetyl-CoA level. The involvement of UDP-GlcNAc/N-linked glycosylation axis and the exact role of PPARγ in the action of PPARγ agonists were determined by flow cytometry, Q-PCR, western blotting, a commercial kit for enzyme activity and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout. RESULTS Rosiglitazone, 15d-PGJ2 and morin all increased the frequency of CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells generated from naïve CD4+ T cells, boosted the transcription of Foxp3, IL-10, CTLA4 and TIGIT, and facilitated the function of Treg cells. They significantly promoted FAO in differentiating Treg cells by up-regulating the levels of CD36 and CPT1 but not other enzymes involved in FAO such as ACADL, ACADM, HADHA or HADHB, and siCD36 or siCPT1 dampened PPARγ agonists-promoted Treg responses. Moreover, PPARγ agonists enhanced UDP-GlcNAc biosynthesis and subsequent N-linked glycosylation, but did not affect the expressions of N-glycan branching enzymes Mgat1, 2, 4 and 5. Notably, the enzyme activity of phosphofructokinase (PFK) was inhibited by PPARγ agonists and the effect was limited by siCD36 or siCPT1, implying PFK to be a link between PPARγ agonists-promoted FAO and UDP-GlcNAc biosynthesis aside from acetyl-CoA. Furthermore, PPARγ agonists facilitated the cell surface abundance of TβRII and IL-2Rα via N-linked glycosylation, thereby activating TGF-β/Smads and IL-2/STAT5 signaling, and the connection between N-linked glycosylation and Treg responses was revealed by tunicamycin. However, the increased surface abundance of CD36 was demonstrated to be mainly owing to PPARγ agonists-up-regulated overall expression. Finally, PPARγ antagonist GW9662 or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of PPARγ constrained the effects of rosiglitazone, 15d-PGJ2 and morin, confirming the exact role of PPARγ. CONCLUSIONS The activation of PPARγ enhances Treg responses through up-regulating CD36/CPT1-mediated fatty acid oxidation and subsequent N-glycan branching of TβRII/IL-2Rα, which is beneficial for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Miao
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Changliu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xi Zeng
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yuxiao Hu
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xinru Xue
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yue Dai
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Zhifeng Wei
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Repurposing Old Drugs as Novel Inhibitors of Human MIF from Structural and Functional Analysis. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 55:128445. [PMID: 34758374 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays multiple pleiotropic functions. It is considered as a promising therapeutic target for the infectious, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases and cancers. The development of MIF inhibitors has not been translated into clinical success despite decades of research. Given the time and cost of developing new drugs, existing drugs with clarified safety and pharmacokinetics are explored for their potential as novel MIF inhibitors. This study identified five known drugs that could inhibit MIF's tautomerase activity and MIF-mediated cell chemotaxis in RAW264.7 cells. It was found that compounds D2 (histamine), D5 (metaraminol), and D8 (nebivolol) exhibited micromolar-range inhibition potency close to the positive control ISO-1. Kinetics and the mechanism for inhibition were subsequently determined. Moreover, the detailed inhibitor-binding patterns were investigated by X-ray crystallography, computational molecular docking, and structure-based analysis. Therefore, this study elucidates the molecular mechanism of repurposed drugs acting on MIF and provides a structural foundation for lead optimization to promote the clinical development of MIF-targeted drugs.
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