Molecular determinants of antagonist interactions with chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5

By driving monocyte chemotaxis, the chemokine receptor CCR2 shapes inflammatory responses and the formation of tumor microenvironments. This makes it a promising target in inflammation and immuno-oncology; however, despite extensive efforts, there are no FDA-approved CCR2-targeting therapeutics. Cited challenges include the redundancy of the chemokine system, suboptimal properties of compound candidates, and species differences that confound the translation of results from animals to humans. Structure-based drug design can rationalize and accelerate the discovery and optimization of CCR2 antagonists to address these challenges. The prerequisites for such efforts include an atomic-level understanding of the molecular determinants of action of existing antagonists. In this study, using molecular docking and artificial-intelligence-powered compound library screening, we uncover the structural principles of small molecule antagonism and selectivity towards CCR2 and its sister receptor CCR5. CCR2 orthosteric inhibitors are shown to universally occupy an inactive-state-specific tunnel between receptor helices 1 and 7; we also discover an unexpected role for an extra-helical groove accessible through this tunnel, suggesting its potential as a new targetable interface for CCR2 and CCR5 modulation. By contrast, only shape complementarity and limited helix 8 hydrogen bonding govern the binding of various chemotypes of allosteric antagonists. CCR2 residues S1012.63 and V2446.36 are implicated as determinants of CCR2/CCR5 and human/mouse orthosteric and allosteric antagonist selectivity, respectively, and the role of S1012.63 is corroborated through experimental gain-of-function mutagenesis. We establish a critical role of induced fit in antagonist recognition, reveal strong chemotype selectivity of existing structures, and demonstrate the high predictive potential of a new deep-learning-based compound scoring function. Finally, this study expands the available CCR2 structural landscape with computationally generated chemotype-specific models well-suited for structure-based antagonist design.

Synthesis of Deuterium-Labeled CCR2 Antagonist JNJ-26131300, [4-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid

Synthesis of multiple deuterium-labeled CCR2 antagonist JNJ-26131300, i.e. [4-(1H-indol-3-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid is described. First, condensation of indole-D₇ with 4-piperidone produced 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole-D₅ , which subsequently underwent catalytic hydrogenation to give 3-piperidin-4-yl-1H-indole-D₅ . Next, bromo-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid was prepared through multiple steps from 3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acrylic acid and bromo-piperidin-4-yl-acetic acid ethyl ester. Nucleophilic coupling of 3-piperidin-4-yl-1H-indole-D₅ with bromo-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid afforded the desired compound [4-(1H-indol-3-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid-D₅ .

BMS-813160: A Potent CCR2 and CCR5 Dual Antagonist Selected as a Clinical Candidate

BMS-813160 (compound 3) was identified as a potent and selective CCR2/5 dual antagonist. Compound 3 displayed good permeability at pH = 7.4 in PAMPA experiments and demonstrated excellent human liver microsome stability. Pharmacokinetic studies established that 3 had excellent oral bioavailability and exhibited low clearance in dog and cyno. Compound 3 was also studied in the mouse thioglycollate-induced peritonitis model, which confirmed its ability to inhibit the migration of inflammatory monocytes and macrophages. As a result of this profile, compound 3 was selected as a clinical candidate.

The discovery and SAR of cyclopenta[b]furans as inhibitors of CCR2

The discovery of a novel series of cyclopenta[b]furans as CCR2 inhibitors is discussed. This series has excellent CCR2 potency and PK characteristics, and good cardiovascular safety.

Discovery of a 4-Azetidinyl-1-thiazoyl-cyclohexane CCR2 Antagonist as a Development Candidate

We have discovered a novel series of 4-azetidinyl-1-aryl-cyclohexanes as CCR2 antagonists. Divergent SAR studies on hCCR2 and hERG activities led to the discovery of compound 8d, which displayed good hCCR2 binding affinity (IC50, 37 nM) and potent functional antagonism (chemotaxis IC50, 30 nM). It presented an IC50 of >50 μM in inhibition of the hERG channel and had no effect on the QTc interval up to 10 mg/kg (i.v.) in anesthetized guinea pig and dog CV studies. It also displayed high selectivity over other chemokine receptors and GPCRs, and amendable oral bioavailability in dogs and primates. In a thioglycollate-induced inflammation model in hCCR2KI mice, it had ED50 of 3 mg/kg on inhibition of the influx of leukocytes, monocytes/macrophages, and T-lymphocytes.