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Yi X, Tran E, Odiba JO, Qin CX, Ritchie RH, Baell JB. The formyl peptide receptors FPR1 and FPR2 as targets for inflammatory disorders: recent advances in the development of small-molecule agonists. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:115989. [PMID: 38199163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115989] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) comprise a class of chemoattractant pattern recognition receptors, for which several physiological functions like host-defences, as well as the regulation of inflammatory responses, have been ascribed. With accumulating evidence that agonism of FPR1/FPR2 can confer pro-resolution of inflammation, increased attention from academia and industry has led to the discovery of new and interesting small-molecule FPR1/FPR2 agonists. Focused attention on the development of appropriate physicochemical and pharmacokinetic profiles is yielding synthesis of new compounds with promising in vivo readouts. This review presents an overview of small-molecule FPR1/FPR2 agonist medicinal chemistry developed over the past 20 years, with a particular emphasis on interrogation in the increasingly sophisticated bioassays which have been developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyan Yi
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Eric Tran
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Jephthah O Odiba
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Cheng Xue Qin
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
| | - Rebecca H Ritchie
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
| | - Jonathan B Baell
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
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2
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Francavilla F, Sarcina F, Schepetkin IA, Kirpotina LN, Contino M, Schirizzi A, De Leonardis G, Khlebnikov AI, D'Alessandro R, Quinn MT, Lacivita E, Leopoldo M. Development of potent isoflavone-based formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) antagonists and their effects in gastric cancer cell models. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115854. [PMID: 37839346 PMCID: PMC10822168 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115854] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Formyl peptide receptor-1 (FPR1) is a G protein-coupled chemoattractant receptor that plays a crucial role in the trafficking of leukocytes into the sites of bacterial infection and inflammation. Recently, FPR1 was shown to be expressed in different types of tumor cells and could play a significant role in tumor growth and invasiveness. Starting from the previously reported FPR1 antagonist 4, we have designed a new series of 4H-chromen-2-one derivatives that exhibited a substantial increase in FPR1 antagonist potency. Docking studies identified the key interactions for antagonist activity. The most potent compounds in this series (24a and 25b) were selected to study the effects of the pharmacological blockade of FPR1 in NCl-N87 and AGS gastric cancer cells. Both compounds potently inhibited cell growth through a combined effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis and reduced cell migration, while inducing an increase in angiogenesis, thus suggesting that FPR1 could play a dual role as oncogene and onco-suppressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Francavilla
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Sarcina
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Igor A Schepetkin
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Lilya N Kirpotina
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Marialessandra Contino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Schirizzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology - IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (BA), Italy
| | - Giampiero De Leonardis
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology - IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (BA), Italy
| | - Andrei I Khlebnikov
- Kizhner Research Center, Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050, Russia
| | - Rosalba D'Alessandro
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, National Institute of Gastroenterology - IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (BA), Italy
| | - Mark T Quinn
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Enza Lacivita
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Marcello Leopoldo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
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Tylek K, Trojan E, Leśkiewicz M, Ghafir El Idrissi I, Lacivita E, Leopoldo M, Basta-Kaim A. Microglia Depletion Attenuates the Pro-Resolving Activity of the Formyl Peptide Receptor 2 Agonist AMS21 Related to Inhibition of Inflammasome NLRP3 Signalling Pathway: A Study of Organotypic Hippocampal Cultures. Cells 2023; 12:2570. [PMID: 37947648 PMCID: PMC10648897 DOI: 10.3390/cells12212570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglial cells have been demonstrated to be significant resident immune cells that maintain homeostasis under physiological conditions. However, prolonged or excessive microglial activation leads to disturbances in the resolution of inflammation (RoI). Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) is a crucial player in the RoI, interacting with various ligands to induce distinct conformational changes and, consequently, diverse biological effects. Due to the poor pharmacokinetic properties of endogenous FPR2 ligands, the aim of our study was to evaluate the pro-resolving effects of a new ureidopropanamide agonist, compound AMS21, in hippocampal organotypic cultures (OHCs) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Moreover, to assess whether AMS21 exerts its action via FPR2 specifically located on microglial cells, we conducted a set of experiments in OHCs depleted of microglial cells using clodronate. We demonstrated that the protective and anti-inflammatory activity of AMS21 manifested as decreased levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitric oxide (NO), and proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 release evoked by LPS in OHCs. Moreover, in LPS-stimulated OHCs, AMS21 treatment downregulated NLRP3 inflammasome-related factors (CASP1, NLRP3, PYCARD) and this effect was mediated through FPR2 because it was blocked by the FPR2 antagonist WRW4 pre-treatment. Importantly this beneficial effect of AMS21 was only observed in the presence of microglial FPR2, and absent in OHCs depleted with microglial cells using clodronate. Our results strongly suggest that the compound AMS21 exerts, at nanomolar doses, protective and anti-inflammatory properties and an FPR2 receptor located specifically on microglial cells mediates the anti-inflammatory response of AMS21. Therefore, microglial FPR2 represents a promising target for the enhancement of RoI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Tylek
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St., 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (K.T.); (E.T.); (M.L.)
| | - Ewa Trojan
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St., 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (K.T.); (E.T.); (M.L.)
| | - Monika Leśkiewicz
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St., 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (K.T.); (E.T.); (M.L.)
| | - Imane Ghafir El Idrissi
- Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (I.G.E.I.); (E.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Enza Lacivita
- Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (I.G.E.I.); (E.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Marcello Leopoldo
- Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (I.G.E.I.); (E.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Agnieszka Basta-Kaim
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St., 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (K.T.); (E.T.); (M.L.)
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Tylek K, Trojan E, Leśkiewicz M, Francavilla F, Lacivita E, Leopoldo M, Basta-Kaim A. Stimulation of Formyl Peptide Receptor-2 by the New Agonist CMC23 Protects against Endotoxin-Induced Neuroinflammatory Response: A Study in Organotypic Hippocampal Cultures. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3869-3882. [PMID: 37775304 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00525] [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] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A substantial body of evidence demonstrates an association between a malfunction in the resolution of acute inflammation and the development of chronic inflammation. Recently, in this context, the importance of formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) has been underlined. FPR2 activity is modulated by a wide range of endogenous ligands, including specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) (e.g., LXA4 and AT-LXA4) and synthetic ligands. Since SPMs have unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, we aimed to evaluate the protective and pro-resolving effects of a new potent FPR2 agonist, compound CMC23, in organotypic hippocampal cultures (OHCs) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The protective activity of CMC23 limited the lactate dehydrogenase release in LPS-stimulated cultures. This activity was mediated by the interaction with FPR2 as pretreatment with the FPR2 selective antagonist WRW4 abolished CMC23-induced protection. Furthermore, decreased levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β and IL-6 were observed after CMC23 administration in LPS-treated OHCs. CMC23 also diminished the LPS-induced increase in IL-17A and both IL-23 subunits p19 and p40 in OHCs. Finally, we demonstrated that CMC23 exerts its beneficial impact via the STAT3/SOCS3 signaling pathway since it attenuated the level of phospho-STAT3 and maintained the LPS-induced SOCS3 levels in OHCs. Collectively, our research implies that the new FPR2 agonist CMC23 has beneficial protective and anti-inflammatory properties in nanomolar doses and FPR2 represents a promising target for the enhancement of inflammation resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Tylek
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St, Kraków 31-343, Poland
| | - Ewa Trojan
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St, Kraków 31-343, Poland
| | - Monika Leśkiewicz
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St, Kraków 31-343, Poland
| | - Fabio Francavilla
- Department of Pharmacy─Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
| | - Enza Lacivita
- Department of Pharmacy─Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
| | - Marcello Leopoldo
- Department of Pharmacy─Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
| | - Agnieszka Basta-Kaim
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St, Kraków 31-343, Poland
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Ferrara V, Toti A, Lucarini E, Parisio C, Micheli L, Ciampi C, Margiotta F, Crocetti L, Vergelli C, Giovannoni MP, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Ghelardini C. Protective and Pain-Killer Effects of AMC3, a Novel N-Formyl Peptide Receptors (FPRs) Modulator, in Experimental Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1207. [PMID: 37371936 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061207] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic joint pain, swelling, and movement impairment, resulting from prolonged inflammation-induced cartilage and bone degradation. The pathogenesis of RA, which is still unclear, makes diagnosis and treatment difficult and calls for new therapeutic strategies to cure the disease. Recent research has identified FPRs as a promising druggable target, with AMC3, a novel agonist, showing preclinical efficacy in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, AMC3 (1-30 µM) exhibited significant antioxidant effects in IL-1β (10 ng/mL)-treated chondrocytes for 24 h. AMC3 displayed a protective effect by downregulating the mRNA expression of several pro-inflammatory and pro-algic genes (iNOS, COX-2, and VEGF-A), while upregulating genes essential for structural integrity (MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and COLIAI). In vivo, AMC3 (10 mg kg-1) prevented hypersensitivity and restored postural balance in CFA-injected rats after 14 days. AMC3 attenuated joint alterations, reduced joint inflammatory infiltrate, pannus formation, and cartilage erosion. Chronic AMC3 administration reduced transcriptional changes of genes causing excitotoxicity and pain (EAATs and CCL2) and prevented morphological changes in astrocytes, including cell body hypertrophy, processes length, and thickness, caused by CFA in the spinal cord. This study demonstrates the usefulness of AMC3 and establishes the groundwork for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ferrara
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Toti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Lucarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Carmen Parisio
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Micheli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Clara Ciampi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Margiotta
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Letizia Crocetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Vergelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Giovannoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
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Trojan E, Leśkiewicz M, Lacivita E, Leopoldo M, Basta-Kaim A. The Formyl Peptide Receptor 2 as a Target for Promotion of Resolution of Inflammation. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1482-1487. [PMID: 36100993 PMCID: PMC10472803 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220913155248] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Trojan
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Monika Leśkiewicz
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Enza Lacivita
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marcello Leopoldo
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Agnieszka Basta-Kaim
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
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Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Immunomodulatory Properties. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020279. [PMID: 36829556 PMCID: PMC9953405 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Oils are an essential part of the human diet and are primarily derived from plant (or sometimes fish) sources. Several of them exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Specific diets, such as Mediterranean diet, that are high in ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and ω-9 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) have even been shown to exert an overall positive impact on human health. One of the most widely used supplements in the developed world is fish oil, which contains high amounts of PUFAs docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid. This review is focused on the natural sources of various polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the human diet, and their role as precursor molecules in immune signaling pathways. Consideration is also given to their role in CNS immunity. Recent findings from clinical trials utilizing various fatty acids or diets high in specific fatty acids are reviewed, along with the mechanisms through which fatty acids exert their anti-inflammatory properties. An overall understanding of diversity of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their role in several molecular signaling pathways is useful in formulating diets that reduce inflammation and increase longevity.
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