Protein Engineering of the Colony-stimulating Factor-1 Receptor Kinase Domain for Structural Studies

CSF1R signaling is a regulator of pathogenesis in progressive MS

Microglia serve as the innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) by providing continuous surveillance of the CNS microenvironment and initiating defense mechanisms to protect CNS tissue. Upon injury, microglia transition into an activated state altering their transcriptional profile, transforming their morphology, and producing pro-inflammatory cytokines. These activated microglia initially serve a beneficial role, but their continued activation drives neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the CNS, and activated microglia and macrophages play a significant role in mediating disease pathophysiology and progression. Colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) and its ligand CSF1 are elevated in CNS tissue derived from MS patients. We performed a large-scale RNA-sequencing experiment and identified CSF1R as a key node of disease progression in a mouse model of progressive MS. We hypothesized that modulating microglia and infiltrating macrophages through the inhibition of CSF1R will attenuate deleterious CNS inflammation and reduce subsequent demyelination and neurodegeneration. To test this hypothesis, we generated a novel potent and selective small-molecule CSF1R inhibitor (sCSF1R_inh) for preclinical testing. sCSF1R_inh blocked receptor phosphorylation and downstream signaling in both microglia and macrophages and altered cellular functions including proliferation, survival, and cytokine production. In vivo, CSF1R inhibition with sCSF1R_inh attenuated neuroinflammation and reduced microglial proliferation in a murine acute LPS model. Furthermore, the sCSF1R_inh attenuated a disease-associated microglial phenotype and blocked both axonal damage and neurological impairments in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. While previous studies have focused on microglial depletion following CSF1R inhibition, our data clearly show that signaling downstream of this receptor can be beneficially modulated in the context of CNS injury. Together, these data suggest that CSF1R inhibition can reduce deleterious microglial proliferation and modulate microglial phenotypes during neuroinflammatory pathogenesis, particularly in progressive MS.

Particularity and universality of a putative Gram-negative bacteria-binding protein (GNBP) gene from amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri): insights into the function and evolution of GNBP

Gram-negative bacteria-binding proteins (GNBPs) are important pattern recognition proteins (PRPs), which can initiate host defense in response to pathogen surface molecules. The roles of GNBP in innate immunity of arthropods and molluscs have recently been reported. However, the GNBP gene has not been characterized in the species of higher evolutionary status yet. In this study, we identified and characterized an amphioxus GNBP gene (designated as AmphiGNBP). First, we identified and cloned the AmphiGNBP and found that the AmphiGNBP encodes a putative protein with 558 amino acids, which contains a conserved β-1, 3-glucan recognizing and binding domain. Second, we found that the AmphiGNBP encodes two extra WSC (cell Wall integrity and Stress response Component) domains, which are unique in AmphiGNBP protein. The two WSC domains of AmphiGNBP protein coupled with the expansion of amphioxus immunity repertoire might undergo intensive domain shuffling during the age of the Cambrian explosion. Finally, we found that the AmphiGNBP was mainly expressed in immune tissues, such as hepatic cecum and intestine, and the expression of AmphiGNBP was affected after LPS stimulation. In conclusion, our findings disclose the particularity and universality of AmphiGNBP and provide profound insights into the function and evolution of GNBP.

JNJ-28312141, a novel orally active colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor/FMS-related receptor tyrosine kinase-3 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with potential utility in solid tumors, bone metastases, and acute myeloid leukemia

There is increasing evidence that tumor-associated macrophages promote the malignancy of some cancers. Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is expressed by many tumors and is a growth factor for macrophages and mediates osteoclast differentiation. Herein, we report the efficacy of a novel orally active CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) kinase inhibitor, JNJ-28312141, in proof of concept studies of solid tumor growth and tumor-induced bone erosion. H460 lung adenocarcinoma cells did not express CSF-1R and were not growth inhibited by JNJ-28312141 in vitro. Nevertheless, daily p.o. administration of JNJ-28312141 caused dose-dependent suppression of H460 tumor growth in nude mice that correlated with marked reductions in F4/80(+) tumor-associated macrophages and with increased plasma CSF-1, a possible biomarker of CSF-1R inhibition. Furthermore, the tumor microvasculature was reduced in JNJ-28312141-treated mice, consistent with a role for macrophages in tumor angiogenesis. In separate studies, JNJ-28312141 was compared with zoledronate in a model in which MRMT-1 mammary carcinoma cells inoculated into the tibias of rats led to severe cortical and trabecular bone lesions. Both agents reduced tumor growth and preserved bone. However, JNJ-28312141 reduced the number of tumor-associated osteoclasts superior to zoledronate. JNJ-28312141 exhibited additional activity against FMS-related receptor tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3). To more fully define the therapeutic potential of this new agent, JNJ-28312141 was evaluated in a FLT3-dependent acute myeloid leukemia tumor xenograft model and caused tumor regression. In summary, this novel CSF-1R/FLT3 inhibitor represents a new agent with potential therapeutic activity in acute myeloid leukemia and in settings where CSF-1-dependent macrophages and osteoclasts contribute to tumor growth and skeletal events.

Parallel screening and optimization of protein constructs for structural studies

A major challenge in structural biology remains the identification of protein constructs amenable to structural characterization. Here, we present a simple method for parallel expression, labeling, and purification of protein constructs (up to 80 kDa) combined with rapid evaluation by NMR spectroscopy. Our approach, which is equally applicable for manual or automated implementation, offers an efficient way to identify and optimize protein constructs for NMR or X-ray crystallographic investigations.

Potent 2′-aminoanilide inhibitors of cFMS as potential anti-inflammatory agents

A series of 2'-aminoanilides have been identified which exhibit potent and selective inhibitory activity against the cFMS tyrosine kinase. Initial SAR studies within this series are described which examine aroyl and amino group substitutions, as well as the introduction of hydrophilic substituents on the benzene core. Compound 47 inhibits the isolated enzyme (IC(50)=0.027 microM) and blocks CSF-1-induced proliferation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (IC(50)=0.11 microM) and as such, serves as a lead candidate for further optimization studies.

Crystal Structure of the Tyrosine Kinase Domain of Colony-stimulating Factor-1 Receptor (cFMS) in Complex with Two Inhibitors

The cFMS proto-oncogene encodes for the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor, a receptor-tyrosine kinase responsible for the differentiation and maturation of certain macrophages. Upon binding its ligand colony-stimulating factor-1 cFMS autophosphorylates, dimerizes, and induces phosphorylation of downstream targets. We report the novel crystal structure of unphosphorylated cFMS in complex with two members of different classes of drug-like protein kinase inhibitors. cFMS exhibits a typical bi-lobal kinase fold, and its activation loop and DFG motif are found to be in the canonical inactive conformation. Both ATP competitive inhibitors are bound in the active site and demonstrate a binding mode similar to that of STI-571 bound to cABL. The DFG motif is prevented from switching into the catalytically competent conformation through interactions with the inhibitors. Activation of cFMS is also inhibited by the juxtamembrane domain, which interacts with residues of the active site and prevents formation of the activated kinase. Together the structures of cFMS provide further insight into the autoinhibition of receptor-tyrosine kinases via their respective juxtamembrane domains; additionally the binding mode of two novel classes of kinase inhibitors will guide the design of novel molecules targeting macrophage-related diseases.