A New Class of Nonpeptide Bradykinin B2 Receptor Ligand, Incorporating a 4-Aminoquinoline Framework. Identification of a Key Pharmacophore To Determine Species Difference and Agonist/Antagonist Profile

Development of a multigram synthesis of the bradykinin receptor 2 agonist FR-190997 and analogs thereof

Using Fujisawa's B2R agonist FR-190997, we recently demonstrated for the first time that agonism at the bradykinin receptor type 2 (B2R) produces substantial antiproliferative effects. FR-190997 elicited an EC₅₀ of 80 nM in the triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, a much superior performance to that exhibited by most approved breast cancer drugs. Consequently, we initiated a program aiming primarily at synthesizing adequate quantities of FR-190997 to support further in vitro and in vivo studies toward its repurposing for various cancers and, in parallel, enable the generation of novel FR-190997 analogs for an SAR study. Prerequisite for this endeavor was to address the synthetic challenges associated with the FR-190997 scaffold, which the Fujisawa chemists had constructed in 20 steps, 13 of which required chromatographic purification. We succeeded in developing a 17-step synthesis amenable to late-stage diversification that eliminated all chromatography and enabled access to multigram quantities of FR-190997 and novel derivatives thereof, supporting further anticancer research based on B2R agonists.

Potent antiproliferative activity of bradykinin B2 receptor selective agonist FR-190997 and analogue structures thereof: A paradox resolved?

Βradykinin stimulation of B2 receptor is known to activate the oncogenic ERK pathway and overexpression of bradykinin receptors B1 and B2 has been reported to occur in glioma, colorectal and cervical cancers. B1R and B2R antagonists have been shown to reverse tumor proliferation and invasion. Paradoxically, B1R and B2R agonism has also been reported to elicit antiproliferative benefits. In order to complement the data accumulated to date with the natural substrate bradykinin and peptidic B2R antagonists, we decided to examine for the first time the response elicited by B2R stimulation in breast cancer lines with a non-peptidic small molecule B2R agonist. We synthesized and assessed the highly selective and potent B2R partial agonist FR-190997 in MCF-7 and MDA-MBA-231 breast cancer lines and found it possessed significant antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ 2.14 and 0.08 μΜ, respectively). The modular nature of FR-190997 allowed us to conduct a focused SAR study and discover compound 10 which exhibits subnanomolar antiproliferative activity (IC ₅₀ 0.06 nΜ) in the TNBC MDA-MBA-231 cell line. This performance surpasses, in most cases by several orders of magnitude, those of established anticancer agents and FDA-approved breast cancer drugs. In line with the established literature we suggest that this remarkable activity precipitates from a dual mode of action involving agonist-induced receptor internalization/degradation combined with sequestration of functional intracellular B2 receptors and inhibition of the associated endosomal signaling. The latter mode may be realized by appropriate ligands regardless of B2R agonist/antagonist designation which only relates to membrane residing GCPRs. Under this prism the controversy over the antiproliferative effects of B2 agonists and antagonists is potentially neutralized.

Human salivary gland cells express bradykinin receptors that modulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines

Bradykinin is an important peptide modulator that affects the function of neurons and immune cells. However, there is no evidence of the bradykinin receptors and their functions in human salivary glands. Here we have identified and characterized bradykinin receptors on human submandibular gland cells. Both bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors are expressed on human submandibular gland cells, A253 cells, and HSG cells. Bradykinin increased the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺ ]_i ) in a concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly, a specific agonist of the B1 receptor did not have any effect on [Ca²⁺ ]_i in HSG cells, whereas specific agonists of the B2 receptor had a Ca²⁺ mobilizing effect. Furthermore, application of the B1 receptor antagonist, R715, did not alter the bradykinin-mediated increase in cytosolic Ca²⁺ , whereas the B2 receptor antagonist, HOE140, showed a strong inhibitory effect, which implies that bradykinin B2 receptors are functional in modulating the concentration of cytosolic Ca²⁺ . Bradykinin did not affect a carbachol-induced rise of [Ca²⁺ ]_i and did not modulate translocation of aquaporin-5. However, bradykinin did promote the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), implying the role of bradykinin in salivary gland inflammation. These data suggest that bradykinin receptors are involved in Ca²⁺ signaling in human submandibular gland cells and serve a unique role, which is separate from that of other salivary gland G protein-coupled receptors.

Tactical Approaches to Interconverting GPCR Agonists and Antagonists

There are many reported examples of small structural modifications to GPCR-targeted ligands leading to major changes in their functional activity, converting agonists into antagonists or vice versa. These shifts in functional activity are often accompanied by negligible changes in binding affinity. The current perspective focuses on outlining and analyzing various approaches that have been used to interconvert GPCR agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists in order to achieve the intended functional activity at a GPCR of therapeutic interest. An improved understanding of specific structural modifications that are likely to alter the functional activity of a GPCR ligand may be of use to researchers designing GPCR-targeted drugs and/or probe compounds, specifically in cases where a particular ligand exhibits good potency but not the preferred functional activity at the GPCR of choice.

Human astrocytic bradykinin B(2) receptor modulates zymosan-induced cytokine expression in 1321N1 cells

Bradykinin is an important modulator of the neurons and glial cells of the nervous system. Bradykinin secreted from neurons affects astrocytic functions such as neurovascular coupling and astrocytic cytokine production. In human astrocytes, however, the detailed mechanism of bradykinin-mediated modulation of astrocytic functions has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we report the functional expression of the bradykinin B(2) receptor and its modulation of zymosan-induced cytokine expression in human astrocytoma 1321N1 cells. Bradykinin increased cytosolic [Ca(2+)] in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas [des-Arg(10)] kallidin (an agonist of the B(1) receptor) did not have this effect. Bradykinin also triggered intracellular InsP(3) production. Pretreating the cells with HOE140 (icatibant acetate, a B(2) receptor antagonist) inhibited the bradykinin-induced increase in cytosolic [Ca(2+)] and InsP(3) production. In contrast, [des-Arg(10)]HOE140 (a B(1) receptor antagonist) did not show any inhibitory effect. Bradykinin increased the zymosan-induced expression of TNF-alpha, and interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) but did not affect the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) or interleukin 10 (IL-10). Interestingly, a cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitor blocked the bradykinin-induced effect. In contrast to the result in human glioma cells, bradykinin inhibits the zymosan-induced expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in rat astrocytes, which shows a species-dependent manner. These data suggest that bradykinin B(2) receptors are expressed in human astrocytoma cells and that they modulate the expression pattern of inflammatory cytokines.

Effects of inactivation-resistant agonists on the signalling, desensitization and down-regulation of bradykinin B(2) receptors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A peptide bradykinin (BK) B(2) receptor agonist partially resistant to degradation, B-9972, down-regulates this receptor subtype. We have used another recently described non-peptide agonist, compound 47a, as a tool to study further the effects of metabolically more stable and thus persistent, agonists of the BK B(2) receptor on signalling, desensitization and down-regulation of this receptor.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH AND KEY RESULTS

Compound 47a was a partial agonist at the B(2) receptor in the human umbilical vein, where it shared with B-9972 a very slow relaxation on washout, and in HEK 293 cell lines expressing tagged forms [myc, green fluorescent protein (GFP)] of the rabbit B(2) receptor. Compound 47a desensitized the umbilical vein to BK. In the cellular systems, the inactivation-resistant agonists induced [Ca(2+)](i) transients as brief as those of BK but affected other functions with a longer duration than BK [12 h; receptor endocytosis, endosomal beta-arrestin(1/2) translocation, protein kinase C-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation and c-Fos expression]. The B(2) receptor-GFP was degraded in cells exposed to B-9972 or compound 47a for 12 h. The non-peptide B(2) receptor antagonist LF 16-0687 prevented all effects of compound 47a, which were also absent in cells lacking recombinant B(2) receptors.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Inactivation-resistant agonists revealed a long-lasting assembly of the agonist-B(2) receptor-beta-arrestin complexes in endosomal structures and induce 'biased signalling' (in terms of activation of ERK and c-Fos) as a function of time. Further, B-9972 and compound 47a, unlike BK, efficiently down-regulated BK B(2) receptors.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of imidazole and imidazoline analogs for melanoma

We have previously reported substituted 2-aryl-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid amides as potent and selective antiproliferative agents for melanoma. To understand the importance of the thiazolidine ring and to reduce potential complications associated with the two chiral centers, we designed and synthesized sets of new analogs by modifying this ring. These new analogs were tested in two melanoma cell lines and fibroblast cells (negative controls). Compared with the older analogs containing the thiazolidine ring, these new analogs have lower potency in general, but some of these analogs still have very good selectivity. These structure-activity studies indicated that the thiazolidine ring is very critical for the activity for these series of compounds.

Putative roles of kinin receptors in the therapeutic effects of angiotensin 1-converting enzyme inhibitors in diabetes mellitus

The role of endogenous kinins and their receptors in diabetes mellitus is being confirmed with the recent developments of molecular and genetic animal models. Compelling evidence suggests that the kinin B(2) receptor is organ-protective and partakes to the therapeutic effects of angiotensin 1-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonists. Benefits derive primarily from vasodilatory, antihypertensive, antiproliferative, antihypertrophic, antifibrotic, antithrombotic and antioxidant properties of kinin B(2) receptor activation. Mechanisms include the formation of nitric oxide and prostacyclin and the inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase activity involving classical and novel signalling pathways. Kinin B(2) receptor also ameliorates insulin resistance by increasing glucose uptake and supply, and by inducing glucose transporter-4 translocation either directly or through phosphorylation of insulin receptor. The kinin B(1) receptor, which is induced by the cytokine network, growth factors and hyperglycaemia, mediates hyperalgesia, vascular hyperpermeability and leukocytes infiltration in diabetic animals. However, emerging data highlight reno- and cardio-protective effects mediated by kinin B(1) receptor under chronic ACEI therapy in diabetes mellitus. Thus, the Janus-faced of kinin receptors needs to be taken into account in future drug development. For instance, locally acting kinin B(1)/B(2) receptor agonists if used in a safe therapeutic window may represent a more rationale strategy in the prevention and management of diabetic complications. Because kinin B(2) receptor antagonists may further increase insulin resistance, the persisting dogma that restricts the development of kinin receptor analogues to antagonists (that is still relevant to abrogate pain and inflammation) needs to be revisited.

Interaction and structural study of kinin peptide bradykinin and ganglioside monosialylated 1 micelle

Partitioning of small proteins and peptides from the aqueous to membrane phase is often coupled with folding. In this work we examine the binding and folding of the kinin peptide, bradykinin (BK), in the presence of the ganglioside monosialylated 1 (GM1) micelle. Using two-dimensional NMR techniques, we have shown that at low concentration, GM1 micelle is able to induce a turn conformation to BK. A pulsed-field gradient diffusion NMR study indicated that the peptide partitions into the GM1 micelle with a DeltaG(part) of -3.14 +/- 0.03 kcal/mol. A saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR study indicated that the binding is mostly through hydrophobic residues.