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Gao L, Wang H, Fang F, Liu J, Zhao C, Niu J, Wang Z, Zhong Y, Wang X. The roles of orphan nuclear receptor 4 group A1 and A2 in fibrosis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 139:112705. [PMID: 39029235 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112705] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis is not a disease but rather an outcome of the pathological tissue repair response. Many myofibroblasts are activated which lead to the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components such as collagen and fibronectin with fibrosis. A variety of organs, including kidney, liver, lung, heart and skin, can undergo fibrosis under the stimulation of exogenous or endogenous pathogenic factors. The orphan nuclear receptor 4 group A1 (NR4A1) and nuclear receptor 4 group A2(NR4A2)are belong to the nuclear receptor subfamily and inhibit the occurrence and development of fibrosis. NR4A1 is an inhibitory factor of TGF-β signaling transduction. Overexpression of NR4A1 in fibroblasts can reduce TGF-β induced collagen deposition and fibrosis related gene expression. Here, we summarize the current research progress on the NR4A1/2 and fibrosis, providing reference for the treatment of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanjun Gao
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050091, China
| | - Hongshuang Wang
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050091, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050091, China
| | - Jiazhi Liu
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050091, China
| | - Chenchen Zhao
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050091, China
| | - Jieqi Niu
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050091, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns Research, Shijiazhuang 050091, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yan Zhong
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns Research, Shijiazhuang 050091, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China.
| | - Xiangting Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns Research, Shijiazhuang 050091, China.
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Vietor J, Gege C, Stiller T, Busch R, Schallmayer E, Kohlhof H, Höfner G, Pabel J, Marschner JA, Merk D. Development of a Potent Nurr1 Agonist Tool for In Vivo Applications. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6391-6402. [PMID: 37127285 PMCID: PMC10184128 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor related 1 (Nurr1) is a neuroprotective transcription factor and an emerging target in neurodegenerative diseases. Despite strong evidence for a role in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, pharmacological control and validation of Nurr1 are hindered by a lack of suitable ligands. We have discovered considerable Nurr1 activation by the clinically studied dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor vidofludimus calcium and systematically optimized this scaffold to a Nurr1 agonist with nanomolar potency, strong activation efficacy, and pronounced preference over the highly related receptors Nur77 and NOR1. The optimized compound induced Nurr1-regulated gene expression in astrocytes and exhibited favorable pharmacokinetics in rats, thus emerging as a superior chemical tool to study Nurr1 activation in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Vietor
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Tanja Stiller
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Romy Busch
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Espen Schallmayer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Georg Höfner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Pabel
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Julian A Marschner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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3
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Arifi S, Zaienne D, Heering J, Wein T, Zhubi R, Chaikuad A, Knapp S, Marschner JA, Merk D. Fragment-based discovery of orphan nuclear receptor Nur77/NGFI-B ligands. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106164. [PMID: 36162288 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106164] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor nerve growth factor-induced clone B (NGFI-B, Nur77, NR4A1) is an orphan nuclear receptor playing a role in cell survival and apoptosis regulation. Pharmacological Nur77 modulation holds promise for cancer and (neuro-)inflammatory disease treatment. The available Nur77 ligand scaffolds based on highly lipophilic natural products cytosporone B, celastrol and isoalantolactone are inadequate for the development of potent Nur77 modulators with favorable properties as chemical tools and future drugs. By fragment library screening and subsequent modeling for fragment extension, we have obtained a set of new Nur77 ligands offering alternative chemotypes for the development of Nur77 agonists and inverse agonists. Computer-aided fragment extension in a second stage screening yielded a Nur77 agonist with significant activation efficacy and preference over the related NR4A receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Arifi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Zaienne
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Wein
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Rezart Zhubi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julian A Marschner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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4
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Willems S, Merk D. Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology of Nurr1 Modulators: An Emerging Strategy in Neurodegeneration. J Med Chem 2022; 65:9548-9563. [PMID: 35797147 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor related 1 (Nurr1) is a transcription factor with neuroprotective and antineuroinflammatory properties. Observations from genetic studies and human patients support potential of Nurr1 as a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration, but due to a lack of high-quality chemical tools for pharmacological control of Nurr1, its target validation is pending. Nevertheless, considerable progress has recently been made in elucidating structural and functional characteristics of Nurr1, and several ligand scaffolds have been discovered. Here, we analyze Nurr1's structure and mechanisms compared to other nuclear receptors, summarize the known small molecule Nurr1 ligands, and discuss the available evidence for the therapeutic potential of Nurr1 in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
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5
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Zaienne D, Arifi S, Marschner JA, Heering J, Merk D. Druggability Evaluation of the Neuron Derived Orphan Receptor (NOR-1) Reveals Inverse NOR-1 Agonists. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200259. [PMID: 35704774 PMCID: PMC9542104 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The neuron derived orphan receptor (NOR‐1, NR4A3) is among the least studied nuclear receptors. Its physiological role and therapeutic potential remain widely elusive which is in part due to the lack of chemical tools that can directly modulate NOR‐1 activity. To probe the possibility of pharmacological NOR‐1 modulation, we have tested a drug fragment library for NOR‐1 activation and repression. Despite low hit‐rate (<1 %), we have obtained three NOR‐1 ligand chemotypes one of which could be rapidly expanded to an analogue comprising low micromolar inverse NOR‐1 agonist potency and altering NOR‐1 regulated gene expression in a cellular setting. It confirms druggability of the transcription factor and may serve as an early tool to assess the role and potential of NOR‐1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zaienne
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Silvia Arifi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julian A Marschner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
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6
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Willems S, Marschner JA, Kilu W, Faudone G, Busch R, Duensing‐Kropp S, Heering J, Merk D. Nurr1 Modulation Mediates Neuroprotective Effects of Statins. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104640. [PMID: 35488520 PMCID: PMC9218776 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The ligand-sensing transcription factor Nurr1 emerges as a promising therapeutic target for neurodegenerative pathologies but Nurr1 ligands for functional studies and therapeutic validation are lacking. Here pronounced Nurr1 modulation by statins for which clinically relevant neuroprotective effects are demonstrated, is reported. Several statins directly affect Nurr1 activity in cellular and cell-free settings with low micromolar to sub-micromolar potencies. Simvastatin as example exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in astrocytes, which are abrogated by Nurr1 knockdown. Differential gene expression analysis in native and Nurr1-silenced cells reveals strong proinflammatory effects of Nurr1 knockdown while simvastatin treatment induces several neuroprotective mechanisms via Nurr1 involving changes in inflammatory, metabolic and cell cycle gene expression. Further in vitro evaluation confirms reduced inflammatory response, improved glucose metabolism, and cell cycle inhibition of simvastatin-treated neuronal cells. These findings suggest Nurr1 involvement in the well-documented but mechanistically elusive neuroprotection by statins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryGoethe University FrankfurtMax‐von‐Laue‐Str. 9Frankfurt60438Germany
| | - Julian A. Marschner
- Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5‐13Munich81377Germany
| | - Whitney Kilu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryGoethe University FrankfurtMax‐von‐Laue‐Str. 9Frankfurt60438Germany
| | - Giuseppe Faudone
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryGoethe University FrankfurtMax‐von‐Laue‐Str. 9Frankfurt60438Germany
| | - Romy Busch
- Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5‐13Munich81377Germany
| | - Silke Duensing‐Kropp
- Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5‐13Munich81377Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMPTheodor‐Stern‐Kai 7Frankfurt60596Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryGoethe University FrankfurtMax‐von‐Laue‐Str. 9Frankfurt60438Germany
- Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5‐13Munich81377Germany
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Willems S, Müller M, Ohrndorf J, Heering J, Proschak E, Merk D. Scaffold hopping from amodiaquine to novel Nurr1 agonist chemotypes via microscale analogue libraries. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200026. [PMID: 35132775 PMCID: PMC9305750 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest the ligand‐sensing transcription factor Nurr1 as a promising target to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Nurr1 modulators to validate and exploit this therapeutic potential are rare, however. To identify novel Nurr1 agonist chemotypes, we have employed the Nurr1 activator amodiaquine as template for microscale analogue library synthesis. The first set of analogues was based on the 7‐chloroquiolin‐4‐amine core fragment of amodiaquine and revealed superior N‐substituents compared to diethylaminomethylphenol contained in the template. A second library of analogues was subsequently prepared to replace the chloroquinolineamine scaffold. The two sets of analogues enabled a full scaffold hop from amodiaquine to a novel Nurr1 agonist sharing no structural features with the lead but comprising superior potency on Nurr1. Additionally, pharmacophore modeling based on the entire set of active and inactive analogues suggested key features for Nurr1 agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Goethe University Frankfurt: Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, GERMANY
| | - Marcel Müller
- Goethe University Frankfurt: Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, GERMANY
| | - Julia Ohrndorf
- Goethe University Frankfurt: Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, GERMANY
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME Division Translational Medicine Branch Lab ScreeningPort: Fraunhofer-Institut fur Translationale Medizin und Pharmakologie ITMP Drug Discovery Research ScreeningPort, ITMP, GERMANY
| | - Ewgenij Proschak
- Goethe University Frankfurt: Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, GERMANY
| | - Daniel Merk
- Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt, GERMANY
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