1
|
Dichiara M, Cosentino G, Giordano G, Pasquinucci L, Marrazzo A, Costanzo G, Amata E. Designing drugs optimized for both blood-brain barrier permeation and intra-cerebral partition. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:317-329. [PMID: 38145409 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2294118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With the increasing incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders globally, there is a paramount need for new pharmacotherapies. BBB effectively protects the brain but raises a profound challenge to drug permeation, with less than 2% of most drugs reaching the CNS. AREAS COVERED This article reviews aspects of the most recent design strategies, providing insights into ideas and concepts in CNS drug discovery. An overview of the products available on the market is given and why clinical trials are continuously failing is discussed. EXPERT OPINION Among the available CNS drugs, small molecules account for most successful CNS therapeutics due to their ability to penetrate the BBB through passive or carrier-mediated mechanisms. The development of new CNS drugs is very difficult. To date, there is a lack of effective drugs for alleviating or even reversing the progression of brain diseases. Particularly, the use of artificial intelligence strategies, together with more appropriate animal models, may enable the design of molecules with appropriate permeation, to elicit a biological response from the neurotherapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dichiara
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cosentino
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giordano
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gong Q, Li X, Li T, Wu X, Hu J, Yang F, Zhang X. A Carbon‐Carbon Bond Cleavage‐Based Prodrug Activation Strategy Applied to β‐Lapachone for Cancer‐Specific Targeting. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202210001. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202210001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qijie Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, and Department of Chemistry China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 211198 China
| | - Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, and Department of Chemistry China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 211198 China
| | - Tian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, and Department of Chemistry China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 211198 China
| | - Xingsen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, and Department of Chemistry China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 211198 China
| | - Jiabao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, and Department of Chemistry China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 211198 China
| | - Fulai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, and Department of Chemistry China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 211198 China
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, and Department of Chemistry China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 211198 China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gong Q, Li X, Li T, Wu X, Hu J, Yang F, Zhang X. A Carbon‐Carbon Bond Cleavage–Based Prodrug Activation Strategy Applied to β‐Lapachone for Cancer‐Specific Targeting. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202210001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qijie Gong
- China Pharmaceutical University Department of Chemistry CHINA
| | - Xiang Li
- China Pharmaceutical University Department of Chemistry CHINA
| | - Tian Li
- China Pharmaceutical University Department of Chemistry CHINA
| | - Xingsen Wu
- China Pharmaceutical University Department of Chemistry CHINA
| | - Jiabao Hu
- China Pharmaceutical University Department of Chemistry CHINA
| | - Fulai Yang
- China Pharmaceutical University Department of Chemistry CHINA
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- China Pharmaceutical University Department of Chemsitry No.639 Longmian Avenue 211198 Nanjing CHINA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ferrara SJ, Chaudhary P, DeBell MJ, Marracci G, Miller H, Calkins E, Pocius E, Napier BA, Emery B, Bourdette D, Scanlan TS. TREM2 is thyroid hormone regulated making the TREM2 pathway druggable with ligands for thyroid hormone receptor. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:239-248.e4. [PMID: 34375614 PMCID: PMC8818810 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) is a cell surface receptor on macrophages and microglia that senses and responds to disease-associated signals to regulate the phenotype of these innate immune cells. The TREM2 signaling pathway has been implicated in a variety of diseases ranging from neurodegeneration in the central nervous system to metabolic disease in the periphery. Here, we report that TREM2 is a thyroid hormone-regulated gene and its expression in macrophages and microglia is stimulated by thyroid hormone and synthetic thyroid hormone agonists (thyromimetics). Our findings report the endocrine regulation of TREM2 by thyroid hormone, and provide a unique opportunity to drug the TREM2 signaling pathway with orally active small-molecule therapeutic agents.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Acetates/chemical synthesis
- Acetates/pharmacology
- Animals
- Binding Sites
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/immunology
- Brain/pathology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/drug therapy
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/genetics
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate
- Macrophages/drug effects
- Macrophages/immunology
- Macrophages/pathology
- Membrane Glycoproteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics
- Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Microglia/drug effects
- Microglia/immunology
- Microglia/pathology
- Models, Molecular
- Phenols/chemical synthesis
- Phenols/pharmacology
- Phenoxyacetates/pharmacology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical
- Protein Conformation, beta-Strand
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- RNA, Messenger/antagonists & inhibitors
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/immunology
- Receptors, Immunologic/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Immunologic/genetics
- Receptors, Immunologic/immunology
- Response Elements
- Retinoid X Receptors/chemistry
- Retinoid X Receptors/genetics
- Retinoid X Receptors/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Thyroid Hormones/pharmacology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Skylar J Ferrara
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry and Program in Chemical Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, L334, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Priya Chaudhary
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Margaret J DeBell
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry and Program in Chemical Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, L334, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Gail Marracci
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Hannah Miller
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry and Program in Chemical Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, L334, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Evan Calkins
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Edvinas Pocius
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Brooke A Napier
- Department of Biology, Portland State University, OR 97201, USA
| | - Ben Emery
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Dennis Bourdette
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Thomas S Scanlan
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry and Program in Chemical Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, L334, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yingxian L, Wei C, Linchun Z, Ji-Quan Z, Yonglong Z, Chun L, Bing G, Lei T, Yuan-Yong Y. Catalytic N-methyl amidation of carboxylic acids under cooperative conditions. RSC Adv 2022; 12:20550-20554. [PMID: 35919177 PMCID: PMC9284536 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra03255d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation of N-methyl amides using simple acids with high atom economy is rare owning to the volatile nature of methyl amine. Herein, an atom economic protocol was disclosed to prepare this valuable motif under DABCO/Fe3O4 cooperative catalysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Yingxian
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, 550014 Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Chen Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, 550014 Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Zhao Linchun
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, 550014 Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Zhang Ji-Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, 550014 Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Zhao Yonglong
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, 550014 Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Li Chun
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, 550014 Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Guo Bing
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guizhou Medical University, 550004 Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Tang Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, 550014 Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Yang Yuan-Yong
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, 550014 Guiyang, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pallesen JS, Narayanan D, Tran KT, Solbak SMØ, Marseglia G, Sørensen LME, Høj LJ, Munafò F, Carmona RMC, Garcia AD, Desu HL, Brambilla R, Johansen TN, Popowicz GM, Sattler M, Gajhede M, Bach A. Deconstructing Noncovalent Kelch-like ECH-Associated Protein 1 (Keap1) Inhibitors into Fragments to Reconstruct New Potent Compounds. J Med Chem 2021; 64:4623-4661. [PMID: 33818106 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) is a potential therapeutic strategy to control diseases involving oxidative stress. Here, six classes of known small-molecule Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors were dissected into 77 fragments in a fragment-based deconstruction reconstruction (FBDR) study and tested in four orthogonal assays. This gave 17 fragment hits of which six were shown by X-ray crystallography to bind in the Keap1 Kelch binding pocket. Two hits were merged into compound 8 with a 220-380-fold stronger affinity (Ki = 16 μM) relative to the parent fragments. Systematic optimization resulted in several novel analogues with Ki values of 0.04-0.5 μM, binding modes determined by X-ray crystallography, and enhanced microsomal stability. This demonstrates how FBDR can be used to find new fragment hits, elucidate important ligand-protein interactions, and identify new potent inhibitors of the Keap1-Nrf2 PPI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakob S Pallesen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dilip Narayanan
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim T Tran
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sara M Ø Solbak
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Giuseppe Marseglia
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Louis M E Sørensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars J Høj
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Federico Munafò
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rosa M C Carmona
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anthony D Garcia
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, 11 Allée de Beaulieu, CS 50837, Rennes Cedex 7 35708, France
| | - Haritha L Desu
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Dept. Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Roberta Brambilla
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Dept. Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States.,Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, and BRIDGE-Brain Research Inter Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Tommy N Johansen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Grzegorz M Popowicz
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.,Biomolecular NMR and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.,Biomolecular NMR and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Michael Gajhede
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Bach
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chaudhary P, Marracci GH, Calkins E, Pocius E, Bensen AL, Scanlan TS, Emery B, Bourdette DN. Thyroid hormone and thyromimetics inhibit myelin and axonal degeneration and oligodendrocyte loss in EAE. J Neuroimmunol 2021; 352:577468. [PMID: 33422763 PMCID: PMC8748188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that thyromimetics stimulate oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation and promote remyelination in murine demyelination models. We investigated whether a thyroid receptor-beta selective thyromimetic, sobetirome (Sob), and its CNS-targeted prodrug, Sob-AM2, could prevent myelin and axonal degeneration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Compared to controls, EAE mice receiving triiodothyronine (T3, 0.4 mg/kg), Sob (5 mg/kg) or Sob-AM2 (5 mg/kg) had reduced clinical disease and, within the spinal cord, less tissue damage, more normally myelinated axons, fewer degenerating axons and more oligodendrocytes. T3 and Sob also protected cultured oligodendrocytes against cell death. Thyromimetics thus might protect against oligodendrocyte death, demyelination and axonal degeneration as well as stimulate remyelination in multiple sclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Chaudhary
- Department of Neurology, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America; VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America.
| | - G H Marracci
- Department of Neurology, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America; VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America
| | - E Calkins
- Department of Neurology, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America; VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America
| | - E Pocius
- Department of Neurology, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America; VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America
| | - A L Bensen
- Department of Neurology, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America; Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America
| | - T S Scanlan
- Department of Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry and Program in Chemical Biology, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America
| | - B Emery
- Department of Neurology, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America; Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America
| | - D N Bourdette
- Department of Neurology, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America; VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR 97239, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ferrara SJ, Chaudhary P, DeBell MJ, Marracci G, Miller H, Calkins E, Pocius E, Napier BA, Emery B, Bourdette D, Scanlan TS. TREM2 is thyroid hormone regulated making the TREM2 pathway druggable with ligands for thyroid hormone receptor. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021. [PMID: 33532772 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.25.428149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) is a cell surface receptor on macrophages and microglia that senses and responds to disease associated signals to regulate the phenotype of these innate immune cells. The TREM2 signaling pathway has been implicated in a variety of diseases ranging from neurodegeneration in the central nervous system to metabolic disease in the periphery. We report here that TREM2 is a thyroid hormone regulated gene and its expression in macrophages and microglia is stimulated by thyroid hormone. Both endogenous thyroid hormone and sobetirome, a synthetic thyroid hormone agonist drug, suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine production from myeloid cells including macrophages that have been treated with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein which produces a strong, pro-inflammatory phenotype. Thyroid hormone agonism was also found to induce phagocytic behavior in microglia, a phenotype consistent with activation of the TREM2 pathway. The thyroid hormone antagonist NH-3 blocks the anti-inflammatory effects of thyroid hormone agonists and suppresses microglia phagocytosis. Finally, in a murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) multiple sclerosis model, treatment with Sob-AM2, a CNS-penetrating sobetirome prodrug, results in increased Trem2 expression in disease lesion resident myeloid cells which correlates with therapeutic benefit in the EAE clinical score and reduced damage to myelin. Our findings represent the first report of endocrine regulation of TREM2 and provide a unique opportunity to drug the TREM2 signaling pathway with orally active small molecule therapeutic agents.
Collapse
|