Development of High Brain-Penetrant and Reversible Monoacylglycerol Lipase PET Tracers for Neuroimaging

Watermelon: setup and validation of an in silico fragment-based approach

We present a new computational approach, named Watermelon, designed for the development of pharmacophore models based on receptor structures. The methodology involves the sampling of potential hotspots for ligand interactions within a protein target's binding site, utilising molecular fragments as probes. By employing docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the most significant interactions formed by these probes within distinct regions of the binding site are identified. These interactions are subsequently transformed into pharmacophore features that delineates key anchoring sites for potential ligands. The reliability of the approach was experimentally validated using the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzyme. The generated pharmacophore model captured features representing ligand-MAGL interactions observed in various X-ray co-crystal structures and was employed to screen a database of commercially available compounds, in combination with consensus docking and MD simulations. The screening successfully identified two new MAGL inhibitors with micromolar potency, thus confirming the reliability of the Watermelon approach.

A highly potent, orally bioavailable pyrazole-derived cannabinoid CB2 receptor-selective full agonist for in vivo studies

The cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2R) is a potential therapeutic target for distinct forms of tissue injury and inflammatory diseases. To thoroughly investigate the role of CB2R in pathophysiological conditions and for target validation in vivo, optimal pharmacological tool compounds are essential. Despite the sizable progress in the generation of potent and selective CB2R ligands, pharmacokinetic parameters are often neglected for in vivo studies. Here, we report the generation and characterization of a tetra-substituted pyrazole CB2R full agonist named RNB-61 with high potency (K i 0.13-1.81 nM, depending on species) and a peripherally restricted action due to P-glycoprotein mediated efflux from the brain. 3H and 14C labelled RNB-61 showed apparent K d values < 4 nM towards human CB2R in both cell and tissue experiments. The >6000-fold selectivity over CB1 receptors and negligible off-targets in vitro, combined with high oral bioavailability and suitable systemic pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, prompted the assessment of RNB-61 in a mouse ischemia-reperfusion model of acute kidney injury (AKI) and in a rat model of chronic kidney injury/inflammation and fibrosis (CKI) induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction. RNB-61 exerted dose-dependent nephroprotective and/or antifibrotic effects in the AKI/CKI models. Thus, RNB-61 is an optimal CB2R tool compound for preclinical in vivo studies with superior biophysical and PK properties over generally used CB2R ligands.

Developing Low Molecular Weight PET and SPECT Imaging Agents

Imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) have shown their utility in many situations, answering clinical questions related to drug development and medical considerations. The discovery and development of imaging agents follow a well-understood process, with variations related to available starting points and to the envisaged imaging application. This article describes the general development path leading from the expression of an imaging need and project initiation to a clinically usable imaging agent. The definition of the project rationale, the design and optimization of early leads, and the assessment of the imaging potential of an imaging agent candidate are followed by preclinical and clinical development activities that differ from those required for therapeutic agents. These include radiolabeling with a positron emitter and first-in-human clinical studies, to rapidly evaluate the ability of a new imaging agent to address the questions it was designed to answer.

Preclinical Evaluation of the Reversible Monoacylglycerol Lipase PET Tracer (R)-[11C]YH132: Application in Drug Development and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) plays a crucial role in the degradation of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), one of the major endocannabinoids in the brain. Inhibiting MAGL could lead to increased levels of 2-AG, which showed beneficial effects on pain management, anxiety, inflammation, and neuroprotection. In the current study, we report the characterization of an enantiomerically pure (R)-[11C]YH132 as a novel MAGL PET tracer. It demonstrates an improved pharmacokinetic profile compared to its racemate. High in vitro MAGL specificity of (R)-[11C]YH132 was confirmed by autoradiography studies using mouse and rat brain sections. In vivo, (R)-[11C]YH132 displayed a high brain penetration, and high specificity and selectivity toward MAGL by dynamic PET imaging using MAGL knockout and wild-type mice. Pretreatment with a MAGL drug candidate revealed a dose-dependent reduction of (R)-[11C]YH132 accumulation in WT mouse brains. This result validates its utility as a PET probe to assist drug development. Moreover, its potential application in neurodegenerative diseases was explored by in vitro autoradiography using brain sections from animal models of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Development of Potent and Selective Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitors. SARs, Structural Analysis, and Biological Characterization

New potent, selective monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors based on the azetidin-2-one scaffold ((±)-5a-v, (±)-6a-j, and (±)-7a-d) were developed as irreversible ligands, as demonstrated by enzymatic and crystallographic studies for (±)-5d, (±)-5l, and (±)-5r. X-ray analyses combined with extensive computational studies allowed us to clarify the binding mode of the compounds. 5v was identified as selective for MAGL when compared with other serine hydrolases. Solubility, in vitro metabolic stability, cytotoxicity, and absence of mutagenicity were determined for selected analogues. The most promising compounds ((±)-5c, (±)-5d, and (±)-5v) were used for in vivo studies in mice, showing a decrease in MAGL activity and increased 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol levels in forebrain tissue. In particular, 5v is characterized by a high eudysmic ratio and (3R,4S)-5v is one of the most potent irreversible inhibitors of h/mMAGL identified thus far. These results suggest that the new MAGL inhibitors have therapeutic potential for different central and peripheral pathologies.

Identification of (R)-[18F]YH134 for Monoacylglycerol Lipase Neuroimaging and Exploration of Its Use for Central Nervous System and Peripheral Drug Development

This study aimed to evaluate (R)-[18F]YH134 as a novel PET tracer for imaging monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). Considering the ubiquitous expression of MAGL throughout the whole body, the impact of various MAGL inhibitors on (R)-[18F]YH134 brain uptake and its application in brain-periphery crosstalk were explored. Methods: MAGL knockout and wild-type mice were used to evaluate (R)-[18F]YH134 in in vitro autoradiography and PET experiments. To explore the impact of peripheral MAGL occupancy on (R)-[18F]YH134 brain uptake, PET kinetics with an arterial input function were studied in male Wistar rats under baseline and blocking conditions. Results: In in vitro autoradiography, (R)-[18F]YH134 revealed a heterogeneous distribution pattern with high binding to MAGL-rich brain regions in wild-type mouse brain slices, whereas the radioactive signal was negligible in MAGL knockout mouse brain slices. The in vivo brain PET images of (R)-[18F]YH134 in wild-type and MAGL knockout mice demonstrated its high specificity and selectivity in mouse brain. A Logan plot with plasma input function was applied to estimate the distribution volume (V T) of (R)-[18F]YH134. V T was significantly reduced by a brain-penetrant MAGL inhibitor but was unchanged by a peripherally restricted MAGL inhibitor. The MAGL target occupancy in the periphery was estimated using (R)-[18F]YH134 PET imaging data from the brain. Conclusion: (R)-[18F]YH134 is a highly specific and selective PET tracer with favorable kinetic properties for imaging MAGL in rodent brain. Our results showed that blocking of the peripheral target influences brain uptake but not the V T of (R)-[18F]YH134. (R)-[18F]YH134 can be used for estimating the dose of MAGL inhibitor at half-maximal peripheral target occupancy.

Proof-of-concept optimization of a copper-mediated 18F-radiosynthesis of a novel MAGL PET tracer on a high-throughput microdroplet platform and its macroscale translation

Copper-mediated radiofluorination has demonstrated remarkable potential in forming aromatic C-18F bonds of radioligands for positron emission tomography (PET). Achieving optimal results often requires optimization efforts, requiring a substantial amount of radiolabeling precursor and time, severely limiting the experimental throughput. Recently, we successfully showcased the feasibility of performing and optimizing Cu-mediated radiosynthesis on a high-throughput microdroplet platform using the well-known and clinically used radioligand [18F]FDOPA as an illustrative example. In our current work, we optimized the Cu-mediated synthesis of a novel monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) PET tracer ([18F]YH149), showing the versatility of droplet-based techniques for early stage tracer development. Across 5 days, we conducted a total of 117 experiments, studying 36 distinct conditions, while utilizing <15 mg of total organoboron precursor. Compared to the original report in which the radiochemical yield (RCY) was 4.4 ± 0.5% (n = 5), the optimized droplet condition provided a substantial improvement in RCY (52 ± 8%, n = 4) and showed excellent radiochemical purity (100%) and molar activity (77-854 GBq μmol-1), using a starting activity of 0.2-1.45 GBq. Furthermore, we showed for the first time a translation of the optimized microscale conditions to a vial-based method. With similar starting activity (0.2-1.44 GBq), the translated synthesis exhibited a comparable RCY of 50 ± 10% (n = 4) while maintaining excellent radiochemical purity (100%) and acceptable molar activity (20-46 GBq μmol-1). The successful translation to vial-based reactions ensures wider applicability of the optimized synthesis by leveraging widely available commercial vial-based synthesis modules.

Multi-parameter optimization: Development of a morpholin-3-one derivative with an improved kinetic profile for imaging monoacylglycerol lipase in the brain

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a gatekeeper in regulating endocannabinoid signaling and has gained substantial attention as a therapeutic target for neurological disorders. We recently discovered a morpholin-3-one derivative as a novel scaffold for imaging MAGL via positron emission tomography (PET). However, its slow kinetics in vivo hampered the application. In this study, structural optimization was conducted and eleven novel MAGL inhibitors were designed and synthesized. Based on the results from MAGL inhibitory potency, in vitro metabolic stability and surface plasmon resonance assays, we identified compound 7 as a potential MAGL PET tracer candidate. [¹¹C]7 was synthesized via direct ¹¹CO₂ fixation method and successfully mapped MAGL distribution patterns on rodent brains in in vitro autoradiography. PET studies in mice using [¹¹C]7 demonstrated its improved kinetic profile compared to the lead structure. Its high specificity in vivo was proved by using MAGL KO mice. Although further studies confirmed that [¹¹C]7 is a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate in mice, its low P-gp efflux ratio on cells transfected with human protein suggests that it should not be an issue for the clinical translation of [¹¹C]7 as a novel reversible MAGL PET tracer in human subjects. Overall, [¹¹C]7 ([¹¹C]RO7284390) showed promising results warranting further clinical evaluation.