Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 (mPGES-1): A Novel Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutic Target

Adverse effects of PM2.5 on cardiovascular diseases

As an air pollutant, fine particulate matter with a diameter  ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) can enter the body through the respiratory tract and cause adverse cardiovascular effects. Here, the effects of PM_2.5 on atherosclerosis, hypertension, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction are summarized from the perspective researches of human epidemiology, animal, cell and molecule. The results of this review should be proved useful as a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease caused by PM_2.5.

Computer-Aided Drug Design of Anti-inflammatory Agents Targeting Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 (mPGES-1)

Inflammation is a natural process in response to external stimuli associated with organism protection. However, this reaction could be exaggerated, leading to severe damages related to physiopathological processes, such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, allergies, infections, among others. Inflammation is mainly characterized by pain, increased temperature, flushing, and edema, which can be controlled using anti-inflammatory drugs. In this context, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibition has been targeted for designing new compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. It is a bioactive lipid overproduced during an inflammatory process, in which its increased production is carried out mainly by COX-1, COX-2, and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1). Recently, studies have demonstrated that mPGES-1 inhibition is a safe strategy to develop anti-inflammatory agents, which could protect against pain, acute inflammation, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and different types of cancers. To decrease production costs and increase the probability of discovering active substances, computer-aided drug design (CADD) approaches have been increasingly used for designing new inhibitors. Thus, this review will cover all aspects involving high-throughput virtual screening, molecular docking, dynamics, fragment-based drug design, quantitative structure-activity relationship in seeking new promising mPGES-1 inhibitors.

Chemoproteomics-based target profiling of sinomenine reveals multiple protein regulators of inflammation

Although sinomenine (SIN) has been used to treat several inflammation-related diseases in the clinic for decades, the detailed anti-inflammatory mechanism remains elusive. Here, we present a chemoproteomic study that supports a polypharmacological mode of action for SIN to inhibit inflammation. Notably, functional validation revealed multiple new protein regulators whose knockdown could significantly affect inflammation.

Mechanism of action and potential applications of selective inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1-mediated PGE2 biosynthesis by sonlicromanol's metabolite KH176m

Increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) levels were detected in mitochondrial disease patient cells harboring nuclear gene mutations in structural subunits of complex I, using a metabolomics screening approach. The increased levels of this principal inflammation mediator normalized following exposure of KH176m, an active redox-modulator metabolite of sonlicromanol (KH176). We next demonstrated that KH176m selectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced PGE₂ production in control skin fibroblasts. Comparable results were obtained in the mouse macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7. KH176m selectively inhibited mPGES-1 activity, as well as the inflammation-induced expression of mPGES-1. Finally, we showed that the effect of KH176m on mPGES-1 expression is due to the inhibition of a PGE₂-driven positive feedback control-loop of mPGES-1 transcriptional regulation. Based on the results obtained we discuss potential new therapeutic applications of KH176m and its clinical stage parent drug candidate sonlicromanol in mitochondrial disease and beyond.

Mechanistic definition of the cardiovascular mPGES-1/COX-2/ADMA axis

AIMS

Cardiovascular side effects caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which all inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, have prevented development of new drugs that target prostaglandins to treat inflammation and cancer. Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) inhibitors have efficacy in the NSAID arena but their cardiovascular safety is not known. Our previous work identified asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, as a potential biomarker of cardiovascular toxicity associated with blockade of COX-2. Here, we have used pharmacological tools and genetically modified mice to delineate mPGES-1 and COX-2 in the regulation of ADMA.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Inhibition of COX-2 but not mPGES-1 deletion resulted in increased plasma ADMA levels. mPGES-1 deletion but not COX-2 inhibition resulted in increased plasma prostacyclin levels. These differences were explained by distinct compartmentalization of COX-2 and mPGES-1 in the kidney. Data from prostanoid synthase/receptor knockout mice showed that the COX-2/ADMA axis is controlled by prostacyclin receptors (IP and PPARβ/δ) and the inhibitory PGE2 receptor EP4, but not other PGE2 receptors.

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrate that inhibition of mPGES-1 spares the renal COX-2/ADMA pathway and define mechanistically how COX-2 regulates ADMA.

Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 as a New Macromolecular Drug Target in the Prevention of Inflammation and Cancer

BACKGROUND

Cancer is one of the most life-threatening diseases worldwide. Since inflammation is considered to be one of the known characteristics of cancer, the activity of PGE2 has been paired with different tumorigenic steps such as increased tumor cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, increased invasiveness, angiogenesis and immunosuppression.

OBJECTIVE

It has been successfully demonstrated that inhibition of mPGES-1 prevented inflammation in preclinical studies. However, despite the crucial roles of mPGEs-1 and PGE2 in tumorigenesis, there is not much in vivo study on mPGES-1 inhibition in cancer therapy. The specificity of mPGEs-1 enzyme and its low expression level under normal conditions makes it a promising drug target with a low risk of side effects.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed for writing this review. An updated view on PGE2 biosynthesis, PGES isoenzyme family and its pharmacology and the latest information about inhibitors of mPGES-1 have been discussed.

RESULTS

In this study, it was aimed to highlight the importance of mPGES-1 and its inhibition in inflammationrelated cancer and other inflammatory conditions. Information about PGE2 biosynthesis, its role in inflammationrelated pathologies were also provided. We kept the noncancer-related inflammatory part short and tried to bring together promising molecules or scaffolds.

CONCLUSION

The information provided in this review might be useful to researchers in designing novel and potent mPGES-1 inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and inflammation.

Myeloid Cell mPges-1 Deletion Attenuates Mortality Without Affecting Remodeling After Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice

Selective deletion of microsomal prostaglandin E₂ synthase-1 (mPges-1) in myeloid cells retards atherogenesis and suppresses the vascular proliferative response to injury, while it does not predispose to thrombogenesis or hypertension. However, studies using bone marrow transplants from irradiated mice suggest that myeloid cell mPGES-1 facilitates cardiac remodeling and prolongs survival after experimental myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we addressed this question using mice lacking mPges-1 in myeloid cells, particularly macrophages [Mac-mPges-1-knockout (KO)], generated by crossing mPges-1 floxed mice with LysMCre mice and subjecting them to coronary artery ligation. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by morphometric analysis, echocardiography, and invasive hemodynamics 3, 7, and 28 days after MI. Despite a similar infarct size, in contrast to the prior report, the post-MI survival rate was markedly improved in the Mac-mPges-1-KO mice compared with wild-type controls. Left ventricular systolic (reflected by ejection fraction, fractional shortness end systolic volume, and +dP/dt) and diastolic function (reflected by end diastolic volume, -dP/dt, and Tau), cardiac hypertrophy (reflected by left ventricular dimensions), and staining for fibrosis did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, we found that Cre-loxP-mediated deletion of mPges-1 in myeloid cells has favorable effects on post-MI survival, with no detectable adverse influence on post-MI remodeling. These results add to evidence that targeting macrophage mPGES-1 may represent a safe and efficacious approach to the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular inflammatory disease.

Alleviating CYP and hERG liabilities by structure optimization of dihydrofuran-fused tricyclic benzo[d]imidazole series - Potent, selective and orally efficacious microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) inhibitors: Part-2

In an effort to identify CYP and hERG clean mPGES-1 inhibitors from the dihydrofuran-fused tricyclic benzo[d]imidazole series lead 7, an extensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies were performed. Optimization of A, D and E-rings in 7 afforded many potent compounds with human whole blood potency in the range of 160-950 nM. Selected inhibitors 21d, 21j, 21m, 21n, 21p and 22b provided selectivity against COX-enzymes and mPGES-1 isoforms (mPGES-2 and cPGES) along with sufficient selectivity against prostanoid synthases. Most of the tested analogs demonstrated required metabolic stability in liver microsomes, low hERG and CYP liability. Oral pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of lead compounds 21j, 21m and 21p are discussed in multiple species like rat, guinea pig, dog, and cynomolgus monkey. Besides, these compounds revealed low to moderate activity against human pregnane X receptor (hPXR). The selected lead 21j further demonstrated in vivo efficacy in acute hyperalgesia (ED₅₀: 39.6 mg/kg) and MIA-induced osteoarthritic pain models (ED₅₀: 106 mg/kg).

Structure-based discovery of mPGES-1 inhibitors suitable for preclinical testing in wild-type mice as a new generation of anti-inflammatory drugs

Human mPGES-1 is recognized as a promising target for next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs without the side effects of currently available anti-inflammatory drugs, and various inhibitors have been reported in the literature. However, none of the reported potent inhibitors of human mPGES-1 has shown to be also a potent inhibitor of mouse or rat mPGES-1, which prevents using the well-established mouse/rat models of inflammation-related diseases for preclinical studies. Hence, despite of extensive efforts to design and discover various human mPGES-1 inhibitors, the promise of mPGES-1 as a target for the next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs has never been demonstrated in any wild-type mouse/rat model using an mPGES-1 inhibitor. Here we report discovery of a novel type of selective mPGES-1 inhibitors potent for both human and mouse mPGES-1 enzymes through structure-based rational design. Based on in vivo studies using wild-type mice, the lead compound is indeed non-toxic, orally bioavailable, and more potent in decreasing the PGE₂ (an inflammatory marker) levels compared to the currently available drug celecoxib. This is the first demonstration in wild-type mice that mPGES-1 is truly a promising target for the next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Structure-based discovery of mPGES-1 inhibitors suitable for preclinical testing in wild-type mice as a new generation of anti-inflammatory drugs

Human mPGES-1 is recognized as a promising target for next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs without the side effects of currently available anti-inflammatory drugs, and various inhibitors have been reported in the literature. However, none of the reported potent inhibitors of human mPGES-1 has shown to be also a potent inhibitor of mouse or rat mPGES-1, which prevents using the well-established mouse/rat models of inflammation-related diseases for preclinical studies. Hence, despite of extensive efforts to design and discover various human mPGES-1 inhibitors, the promise of mPGES-1 as a target for the next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs has never been demonstrated in any wild-type mouse/rat model using an mPGES-1 inhibitor. Here we report discovery of a novel type of selective mPGES-1 inhibitors potent for both human and mouse mPGES-1 enzymes through structure-based rational design. Based on in vivo studies using wild-type mice, the lead compound is indeed non-toxic, orally bioavailable, and more potent in decreasing the PGE₂ (an inflammatory marker) levels compared to the currently available drug celecoxib. This is the first demonstration in wild-type mice that mPGES-1 is truly a promising target for the next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Common structural and pharmacophoric features of mPGES-1 and LTC4S

Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are produced in the COX and 5-LOX pathways of the inflammatory process. The current drugs target the upstream enzymes of either of the two pathways, leading to side effects. We have attempted to target the downstream enzymes simultaneously. Two compounds 2 and 3 (10 μM), identified by virtual screening, inhibited mPGES-1 activity by 53.4 ± 4.0 and 53.9 ± 8.1%, respectively. Structural and pharmacophore studies revealed a set of common residues between LTC4S and mPGES-1 as well as four-point pharmacophore mapping onto the inhibitors of both these enzymes as well as 2 and 3. These structural and pharmacophoric features may be exploited for ligand- and structure-based screening of inhibitors and designing of dual inhibitors.

Discovery of furan and dihydrofuran-fused tricyclic benzo[d]imidazole derivatives as potent and orally efficacious microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) inhibitors: Part-1

This letter describes the synthesis and biological evaluation of furan and dihydrofuran-fused tricyclic benzo[d]imidazole derivatives as novel mPGES-1 inhibitors, capable of inhibiting an increased PGE₂ production in the disease state. Structure-activity optimization afforded many potent mPGES-1 inhibitors having <50 nM potencies in the A549 cellular assay and adequate metabolic stability in liver microsomes. Lead compounds 8l and 8m demonstrated reasonable in vitro pharmacology and pharmacokinetic properties over other compounds. In particular, 8m revealed satisfactory oral pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in multiple species like rat, guinea pig, dog and cynomolgus monkey. In addition, the representative compound 8m showed in vivo efficacy by inhibiting LPS-induced thermal hyperalgesia with an ED₅₀ of 14.3 mg/kg in guinea pig.

Selective inhibitors of human mPGES-1 from structure-based computational screening

Human mPGES-1 is recognized as a promising target for next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs. Although various mPGES-1 inhibitors have been reported in literature, few have entered clinical trials and none has been proven clinically useful so far. It is highly desired for developing the next generation of therapeutics for inflammation-related diseases to design and discover novel inhibitors of mPGES-1 with new scaffolds. Here, we report the identification of a series of new, potent and selective inhibitors of human mPGES-1 with diverse scaffolds through combined computational and experimental studies. The computationally modeled binding structures of these new inhibitors of mPGES-1 provide some interesting clues for rational design of modified structures of the inhibitors to more favorably bind with mPGES-1.

Further insight into the photochemical behavior of 3-aryl-N-(arylsulfonyl)propiolamides: tunable synthetic route to phenanthrenes

Reported herein is further insight into the photochemical behaviour of 3-aryl-N-(arylsulfonyl)-propiolamides, which provides a straightforward way to access meaningful phenanthrenes.

Chemistry and biology of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) inhibitors as novel anti-inflammatory agents: recent developments and current status

Prostaglandin (PG) E₂, a key mediator of inflammatory pain and fever, is biosynthesized from PGH₂ by mPGES-1.

The Augmenting Effects of Desolvation and Conformational Energy Terms on the Predictions of Docking Programs against mPGES-1

In this study we introduce a rescoring method to improve the accuracy of docking programs against mPGES-1. The rescoring method developed is a result of extensive computational study in which different scoring functions and molecular descriptors were combined to develop consensus and rescoring methods. 127 mPGES-1 inhibitors were collected from literature and were segregated into training and external test sets. Docking of the 27 training set compounds was carried out using default settings in AutoDock Vina, AutoDock, DOCK6 and GOLD programs. The programs showed low to moderate correlation with the experimental activities. In order to introduce the contributions of desolvation penalty and conformation energy of the inhibitors various molecular descriptors were calculated. Later, rescoring method was developed as empirical sum of normalised values of docking scores, LogP and Nrotb. The results clearly indicated that LogP and Nrotb recuperate the predictions of these docking programs. Further the efficiency of the rescoring method was validated using 100 test set compounds. The accurate prediction of binding affinities for analogues of the same compounds is a major challenge for many of the existing docking programs; in the present study the high correlation obtained for experimental and predicted pIC₅₀ values for the test set compounds validates the efficiency of the scoring method.

Discovery of novel, non-acidic mPGES-1 inhibitors by virtual screening with a multistep protocol

Microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) inhibitors are considered as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammatory pain and certain types of cancer. So far, several series of acidic as well as non-acidic inhibitors of mPGES-1 have been discovered. Acidic inhibitors, however, may have issues, such as loss of potency in human whole blood and in vivo, stressing the importance of the design and identification of novel, non-acidic chemical scaffolds of mPGES-1 inhibitors. Using a multistep virtual screening protocol, the Vitas-M compound library (∼1.3 million entries) was filtered and 16 predicted compounds were experimentally evaluated in a biological assay in vitro. This approach yielded two molecules active in the low micromolar range (IC50 values: 4.5 and 3.8 μM, respectively).

Benzo[d]isothiazole 1,1-dioxide derivatives as dual functional inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and microsomal prostaglandin E(2) synthase-1

A series of 6-nitro-3-(m-tolylamino) benzo[d]isothiazole 1,1-dioxide analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibition activity against 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase (mPGES-1). These compounds can inhibit both enzymes with IC50 values ranging from 0.15 to 23.6μM. One of the most potential compounds, 3g, inhibits 5-LOX and mPGES-1 with IC50 values of 0.6μM, 2.1μM, respectively.

Inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of periodontitis

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the periodontium involving interactions between bacterial products, numerous cell populations and inflammatory mediators. It is generally accepted that periodontitis is initiated by complex and diverse microbial biofilms which form on the teeth, i.e. dental plaque. Substances released from this biofilm such as lipopolysaccharides, antigens and other virulence factors, gain access to the gingival tissue and initiate an inflammatory and immune response, leading to the activation of host defence cells. As a result of cellular activation, inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, arachidonic acid metabolites and proteolytic enzymes collectively contribute to tissue destruction and bone resorption. This review summarises recent studies on the pathogenesis of periodontitis, with the main focus on inflammatory mediators and their role in periodontal disease.

Inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 by aminothiazoles decreases prostaglandin E2 synthesis in vitro and ameliorates experimental periodontitis in vivo

The potent inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory conditions, including periodontitis. The inducible enzyme microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), catalyzing the terminal step of PGE2 biosynthesis, is an attractive target for selective PGE2 inhibition. To identify mPGES-1 inhibitors, we investigated the effect of aminothiazoles on inflammation-induced PGE2 synthesis in vitro, using human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with the cytokine IL-1β and a cell-free mPGES-1 activity assay, as well as on inflammation-induced bone resorption in vivo, using ligature-induced experimental periodontitis in Sprague-Dawley rats. Aminothiazoles 4-([4-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]amino)phenol (TH-848) and 4-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-N-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-2-amine (TH-644) reduced IL-1β-induced PGE2 production in fibroblasts (IC50 1.1 and 1.5 μM, respectively) as well as recombinant mPGES-1 activity, without affecting activity or expression of the upstream enzyme cyclooxygenase-2. In ligature-induced experimental periodontitis, alveolar bone loss, assessed by X-ray imaging, was reduced by 46% by local treatment with TH-848, compared to vehicle, without any systemic effects on PGE2, 6-keto PGF1α, LTB4 or cytokine levels. In summary, these results demonstrate that the aminothiazoles represent novel mPGES-1 inhibitors for inhibition of PGE2 production and reduction of bone resorption in experimental periodontitis, and may be used as potential anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, including periodontitis.

Human microdose evaluation of the novel EP1 receptor antagonist GSK269984A

AIM

The primary objective was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the novel EP(1) antagonist GSK269984A in human volunteers after a single oral and intravenous (i.v.) microdose (100 µg).

METHOD

GSK269984A was administered to two groups of healthy human volunteers as a single oral (n= 5) or i.v. (n= 5) microdose (100 µg). Blood samples were collected for up to 24 h and the parent drug concentrations were measured in separated plasma using a validated high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method following solid phase extraction.

RESULTS

Following the i.v. microdose, the geometric mean values for clearance (CL), steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss) ) and terminal elimination half-life (t(1/2) ) of GSK269984A were 9.8 l h(-1) , 62.8 l and 8.2 h. C(max) and AUC(0,∞) were 3.2 ng ml(-1) and 10.2 ng ml(-1)  h, respectively; the corresponding oral parameters were 1.8 ng ml(-1) and 9.8 ng ml(-1)  h, respectively. Absolute oral bioavailability was estimated to be 95%. These data were inconsistent with predictions of human PK based on allometric scaling of in vivo PK data from three pre-clinical species (rat, dog and monkey).

CONCLUSION

For drug development programmes characterized by inconsistencies between pre-clinical in vitro metabolic and in vivo PK data, and where uncertainty exists with respect to allometric predictions of the human PK profile, these data support the early application of a human microdose study to facilitate the selection of compounds for further clinical development.

Synthesis and biological activity of aminophthalazines and aminopyridazines as novel inhibitors of PGE2 production in cells

This Letter reports the synthesis and biological evaluation of a collection of aminophthalazines as a novel class of compounds capable of reducing production of PGE(2) in HCA-7 human adenocarcinoma cells. A total of 28 analogs were synthesized, assayed for PGE(2) reduction, and selected active compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against COX-2 in a cell free assay. Compound 2xxiv (R(1)=H, R(2)=p-CH(3)O) exhibited the most potent activity in cells (EC(50)=0.02 μM) and minimal inhibition of COX-2 activity (3% at 5 μM). Furthermore, the anti-tumor activity of analog 2vii was analyzed in xenograft mouse models exhibiting good anti-cancer activity.

Synthesis and biological activity of 2-aminothiazoles as novel inhibitors of PGE2 production in cells

This Letter presents the synthesis and biological evaluation of a collection of 2-aminothiazoles as a novel class of compounds with the capability to reduce the production of PGE(2) in HCA-7 human adenocarcinoma cells. A total of 36 analogs were synthesized and assayed for PGE(2) reduction, and those with potent cellular activity were counter screened for inhibitory activity against COX-2 in a cell free assay. In general, analogs bearing a 4-phenoxyphenyl substituent in the R(2) position were highly active in cells while maintaining negligible COX-2 inhibition. Specifically, compound 5l (R(1)=Me, R(2)=4-OPh-Ph, R(3)=CH(OH)Me) exhibited the most potent cellular PGE(2) reducing activity of the entire series (EC(50)=90 nM) with an IC(50) value for COX-2 inhibition of >5 μM in vitro. Furthermore, the anti-tumor activity of analog 1a was analyzed in xenograft mouse models exhibiting promising anti-cancer activity.

Lead Discovery for Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase Using a Combination of High-Throughput Fluorescent-Based Assays and RapidFire Mass Spectrometry

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) represents an attractive target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and pain, being upregulated in response to inflammatory stimuli. Biochemical assays for prostaglandin E synthase activity are complicated by the instability of the substrate (PGH2) and the challenge of detection of the product (PGE2). A coupled fluorescent assay is described for mPGES-1where PGH2 is generated in situ using the action of cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) on arachidonic acid. PGE2 is detected by coupling through 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) and diaphorase. The overall coupled reaction was miniaturized to 1536-well plates and validated for high-throughput screening. For compound progression, a novel high-throughput mass spectrometry assay was developed using the RapidFire platform. The assay employs the same in situ substrate generation step as the fluorescent assay, after which both PGE2 and a reduced form of the unreacted substrate were detected by mass spectrometry. Pharmacology and assay quality were comparable between both assays, but the mass spectrometry assay was shown to be less susceptible to interference and false positives. Exploiting the throughput of the fluorescent assay and the label-free, direct detection of the RapidFire has proved to be a powerful lead discovery strategy for this challenging target.

Molecular docking and competitive binding study discovered different binding modes of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 inhibitors

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is a newly recognized therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammation, pain, cancer, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Many mPGES-1 inhibitors have been discovered. However, as the structure of the binding site is not well-characterized, none of these inhibitors was designed based on the mPGES-1 structure, and their inhibition mechanism remains to be fully disclosed. Recently, we built a new structural model of mPGES-1 which was well supported by experimental data. Based on this model, molecular docking and competition experiments were used to investigate the binding modes of four representive mPGES-1 inhibitors. As the inhibitor binding sites predicted by docking overlapped with both the substrate and the cofactor binding sites, mPGES-1 inhibitors might act as dual-site inhibitors. This inhibitory mechanism was further verified by inhibitor-cofactor and inhibitor-substrate competition experiments. To investigate the potency-binding site relationships of mPGES-1 inhibitors, we also carried out molecular docking studies for another series of compounds. The docking results correlated well with the different inhibitory effects observed experimentally. Our data revealed that mPGES-1 inhibitors could bind to the substrate and the cofactor binding sites simultaneously, and this dual-site binding mode improved their potency. Future rational design and optimization of mPGES-1 inhibitors can be carried out based on this binding mechanism.

Novel human mPGES-1 inhibitors identified through structure-based virtual screening

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is an inducible prostaglandin E synthase after exposure to pro-inflammatory stimuli and, therefore, represents a novel target for therapeutic treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. It is essential to identify mPGES-1 inhibitors with novel scaffolds as new leads or hits for the purpose of drug design and discovery that aim to develop the next-generation anti-inflammatory drugs. Herein we report novel mPGES-1 inhibitors identified through a combination of large-scale structure-based virtual screening, flexible docking, molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculations, and in vitro assays on the actual inhibitory activity of the computationally selected compounds. The computational studies are based on our recently developed three-dimensional (3D) structural model of mPGES-1 in its open state. The combined computational and experimental studies have led to identification of new mPGES-1 inhibitors with new scaffolds. In particular, (Z)-5-benzylidene-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one is a promising novel scaffold for the further rational design and discovery of new mPGES-1 inhibitors. To our best knowledge, this is the first time a 3D structural model of the open state mPGES-1 is used in structure-based virtual screening of a large library of available compounds for the mPGES-1 inhibitor identification. The positive experimental results suggest that our recently modeled trimeric structure of mPGES-1 in its open state is ready for the structure-based drug design and discovery.

Identification of a novel class of anti-inflammatory compounds with anti-tumor activity in colorectal and lung cancers

Chronic inflammation is associated with 25% of all cancers. In the inflammation-cancer axis, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is one of the major players. PGE(2) synthases (PGES) are the enzymes downstream of the cyclooxygenases (COXs) in the PGE(2) biosynthesis pathway. Microsomal prostaglandin E(2) synthase 1 (mPGES-1) is inducible by pro-inflammatory stimuli and constitutively expressed in a variety of cancers. The potential role for this enzyme in tumorigenesis has been reported and mPGES-1 represents a novel therapeutic target for cancers. In order to identify novel small molecule inhibitors of mPGES-1, we screened the ChemBridge library and identified 13 compounds as potential hits. These compounds were tested for their ability to bind directly to the enzyme using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and to decrease cytokine-stimulated PGE(2) production in various cancer cell lines. We demonstrate that the compound PGE0001 (ChemBridge ID number 5654455) binds to human mPGES-1 recombinant protein with good affinity (K(D) = 21.3 ± 7.8 μM). PGE0001 reduces IL-1β-induced PGE(2) release in human HCA-7 colon and A549 lung cancer cell lines with EC(50) in the sub-micromolar range. Although PGE0001 may have alternative targets based on the results from in vitro assays, it shows promising effects in vivo. PGE0001 exhibits significant anti-tumor activity in SW837 rectum and A549 lung cancer xenografts in SCID mice. Single injection i.p. of PGE0001 at 100 mg/kg decreases serum PGE(2) levels in mice within 5 h. In summary, our data suggest that the identified compound PGE0001 exerts anti-tumor activity via the inhibition of the PGE(2) synthesis pathway.

Pharmacophore modeling and virtual screening for novel acidic inhibitors of microsomal prostaglandin E₂ synthase-1 (mPGES-1)

Microsomal prostaglandin E₂ synthase-1 (mPGES-1) catalyzes prostaglandin E₂ formation and is considered as a potential anti-inflammatory pharmacological target. To identify novel chemical scaffolds active on this enzyme, two pharmacophore models for acidic mPGES-1 inhibitors were developed and theoretically validated using information on mPGES-1 inhibitors from literature. The models were used to screen chemical databases supplied from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Specs. Out of 29 compounds selected for biological evaluation, nine chemically diverse compounds caused concentration-dependent inhibition of mPGES-1 activity in a cell-free assay with IC₅₀ values between 0.4 and 7.9 μM, respectively. Further pharmacological characterization revealed that also 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) was inhibited by most of these active compounds in cell-free and cell-based assays with IC₅₀ values in the low micromolar range. Together, nine novel chemical scaffolds inhibiting mPGES-1 are presented that may possess anti-inflammatory properties based on the interference with eicosanoid biosynthesis.

Hyperforin, an Anti-Inflammatory Constituent from St. John's Wort, Inhibits Microsomal Prostaglandin E(2) Synthase-1 and Suppresses Prostaglandin E(2) Formation in vivo

The acylphloroglucinol hyperforin (Hyp) from St. John's wort possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties which were ascribed among others to the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase. Here, we investigated whether Hyp also interferes with prostanoid generation in biological systems, particularly with key enzymes participating in prostaglandin (PG)E₂ biosynthesis, i.e., cyclooxygenases (COX)-1/2 and microsomal PGE₂ synthase (mPGES)-1 which play key roles in inflammation and tumorigenesis. Similar to the mPGES-1 inhibitors MK-886 and MD-52, Hyp significantly suppressed PGE₂ formation in whole blood assays starting at 0.03–1 μM, whereas the concomitant generation of COX-derived 12(S)-hydroxy-5-cis-8,10-trans-heptadecatrienoic acid, thromboxane B₂, and 6-keto PGF_1α was not significantly suppressed up to 30 μM. In cell-free assays, Hyp efficiently blocked the conversion of PGH₂ to PGE₂ mediated by mPGES-1 (IC₅₀ = 1 μM), and isolated COX enzymes were not (COX-2) or hardly (COX-1) suppressed. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of Hyp (4 mg kg⁻¹) to rats impaired exudate volume and leukocyte numbers in carrageenan-induced pleurisy associated with reduced PGE₂ levels, and Hyp (given i.p.) inhibited carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema formation (ED₅₀ = 1 mg kg⁻¹) being superior over indomethacin (ED₅₀ = 5 mg kg⁻¹). We conclude that the suppression of PGE₂ biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo by acting on mPGES-1 critically contributes to the anti-inflammatory efficiency of Hyp.

Enhanced pressor response to acute Ang II infusion in mice lacking membrane-associated prostaglandin E2 synthase-1

AIM

To examine the contribution of vascular membrane-associated prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) to acute blood pressure homeostasis.

METHODS

Angiotensin II (AngII, 75 pmol·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) was continuously infused via the jugular vein into wild-type and mPGES-1(-/-) mice for 30 min, and blood pressure was measured by carotid arterial catheterization. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the expression and localization of mPGES-1 in the mouse arterial vessels. Mesenteric arteries were dissected from mice of both genotypes to study vessel tension and measure vascular PGE2 levels.

RESULTS

Wild-type and mPGES-1(-/-) mice showed similar blood pressure levels at baseline, and the acute intravenous infusion of AngII caused a greater increase in mean arterial pressure in the mPGES-1(-/-) group, with a similar diuretic and natriuretic response in both groups. mPGES-1 was constitutively expressed in the aortic and mesenteric arteries and vascular smooth muscle cells of wild-type mice. Strong staining was detected in the smooth muscle layer of arterial vessels. Ex vivo treatment of mesenteric arteries with AngII produced more vasodilatory PGE2 in wild-type than in mPGES-1(-/-) mice. In vitro tension assays further revealed that the mesenteric arteries of mPGES-1(-/-) mice exhibited a greater vasopressor response to AngII than those arteries of wild-type mice.

CONCLUSION

Vascular mPGES-1 acts as an important tonic vasodilator, contributing to acute blood pressure regulation.

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and 5-lipoxygenase: potential drug targets in cancer

There is strong evidence for a role of prostaglandin (PG)E(2) in cancer cell proliferation and tumour development. In PGE(2) biosynthesis, cyclooxygenases (COX-1/2) convert arachidonic acid to PGH(2), which can be isomerized to PGE(2) by PGE synthases, including microsomal PGE synthase-1 (MPGES-1). Data describing genetic deletions of MPGES-1 are reviewed. The results suggest that MPGES-1 is an alternative therapeutic target for cancer cells and tumours that express this enzyme. Several compounds that target COX-2 or MPGES-1 also inhibit 5-lipoxygenase. This may be advantageous for treatment of some forms of cancer.