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Shivshankar S, Nimely J, Puhl H, Iyer MR. Pharmacological Evaluation of Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators Using GRAB eCB2.0 Sensor. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5012. [PMID: 38732230 PMCID: PMC11084632 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25095012] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R are G-protein coupled receptors acted upon by endocannabinoids (eCBs), namely 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA), with unique pharmacology and modulate disparate physiological processes. A genetically encoded GPCR activation-based sensor that was developed recently-GRABeCB2.0-has been shown to be capable of monitoring real-time changes in eCB levels in cultured cells and preclinical models. However, its responsiveness to exogenous synthetic cannabinoid agents, particularly antagonists and allosteric modulators, has not been extensively characterized. This current study expands upon the pharmacological characteristics of GRABeCB2.0 to enhance the understanding of fluorescent signal alterations in response to various functionally indiscriminate cannabinoid ligands. The results from this study could enhance the utility of the GRABeCB2.0 sensor for in vitro as well as in vivo studies of cannabinoid action and may aid in the development of novel ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samay Shivshankar
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Josephine Nimely
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Henry Puhl
- Laboratory of Biophotonics and Quantum Biology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, USA;
| | - Malliga R. Iyer
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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2
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Dvorácskó S, Herrerias A, Oliverio A, Bhattacharjee P, Pommerolle L, Liu Z, Feng D, Lee YS, Hassan SA, Godlewski G, Cinar R, Iyer MR. Cannabinoformins: Designing Biguanide-Embedded, Orally Available, Peripherally Selective Cannabinoid-1 Receptor Antagonists for Metabolic Syndrome Disorders. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11985-12004. [PMID: 37611316 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
We have designed orally bioavailable, non-brain-penetrant antagonists of the cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) with a built-in biguanide sensor to mimic 5'-adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK) activation for treating obesity-associated co-morbidities. A series of 3,4-diarylpyrazolines bearing rational pharmacophoric pendants designed to limit brain penetration were synthesized and evaluated in CB1R ligand binding assays and recombinant AMPK assays. The compounds displayed high CB1R binding affinity and potent CB1R antagonist activities and acted as AMPK activators. Select compounds showed good oral exposure, with compounds 36, 38-S, and 39-S showing <5% brain penetrance, attesting to peripheral restriction. In vivo studies of 38-S revealed decreased food intake and body weight reduction in diet-induced obese mice as well as oral in vivo efficacy of 38-S in ameliorating glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. The designed "cannabinoformin" four-arm CB1R antagonists could serve as potential leads for treatment of metabolic syndrome disorders with negligible neuropsychiatric side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabolcs Dvorácskó
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Alexa Herrerias
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Anna Oliverio
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Pinaki Bhattacharjee
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Lenny Pommerolle
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Ziyi Liu
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Dechun Feng
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, NIAAA, NIH, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Yong-Sok Lee
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Sergio A Hassan
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Grzegorz Godlewski
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Resat Cinar
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Malliga R Iyer
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
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3
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Iyer MR, Cinar R, Wood CM, Zawatsky CN, Coffey NJ, Kim KA, Liu Z, Katz A, Abdalla J, Hassan SA, Lee YS. Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Modeling Studies of 3,4-Diarylpyrazoline Series of Compounds as Potent, Nonbrain Penetrant Antagonists of Cannabinoid-1 (CB 1R) Receptor with Reduced Lipophilicity. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2374-2387. [PMID: 35084860 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the present report, we describe the synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel "four-arm" dihydropyrazoline compounds designed as peripherally restricted antagonists of cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R). A series of racemic 3,4-diarylpyrazolines were synthesized and evaluated initially in CB1 receptor binding assays. The novel compounds, designed to limit brain penetrance and decreased lipophilicity, showed high affinity for CB1R and potent in vitro CB1R antagonist activities. Promising compounds with potent CB1R activity were evaluated in tissue distribution studies. Compounds 6a, 6f, and 7c showed limited brain penetrance attesting to its peripheral restriction. The 4S-enantiomer of these compounds further showed a stereoselective affinity for the CB1 receptor and behaved as inverse agonists. In vivo studies on food intake and body weight reduction in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice showed that these compounds could serve as potential leads for the development of selective CB1R antagonists with improved potency and peripheral restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malliga R Iyer
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Resat Cinar
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Casey M Wood
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Charles N Zawatsky
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Nathan J Coffey
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Kyu Ah Kim
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Ziyi Liu
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Alexis Katz
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Jasmina Abdalla
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Sergio A Hassan
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Yong-Sok Lee
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
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Zawatsky CN, Park JK, Abdalla J, Kunos G, Iyer MR, Cinar R. Peripheral Hybrid CB 1R and iNOS Antagonist MRI-1867 Displays Anti-Fibrotic Efficacy in Bleomycin-Induced Skin Fibrosis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:744857. [PMID: 34650521 PMCID: PMC8505776 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.744857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a multi-organ connective tissue disease resulting in fibrosis of the skin, heart, and lungs with no effective treatment. Endocannabinoids acting via cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1R) and increased activity of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) promote tissue fibrosis including skin fibrosis, and joint targeting of these pathways may improve therapeutic efficacy. Recently, we showed that in mouse models of liver, lung and kidney fibrosis, treatment with a peripherally restricted hybrid CB1R/iNOS inhibitor (MRI-1867) yields greater anti-fibrotic efficacy than inhibiting either target alone. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of MRI-1867 in bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis. Skin fibrosis was induced in C57BL/6J (B6) and Mdr1a/b-Bcrp triple knock-out (KO) mice by daily subcutaneous injections of bleomycin (2 IU/100 µL) for 28 days. Starting on day 15, mice were treated for 2 weeks with daily oral gavage of vehicle or MRI-1867. Skin levels of MRI-1867 and endocannabinoids were measured by mass spectrometry to assess target exposure and engagement by MRI-1867. Fibrosis was characterized histologically by dermal thickening and biochemically by hydroxyproline content. We also evaluated the potential increase of drug-efflux associated ABC transporters by bleomycin in skin fibrosis, which could affect target exposure to test compounds, as reported in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis was comparable in B6 and Mdr1a/b-Bcrp KO mice. However, the skin level of MRI-1867, an MDR1 substrate, was dramatically lower in B6 mice (0.023 µM) than in Mdr1a/b-Bcrp KO mice (8.8 µM) due to a bleomycin-induced increase in efflux activity of MDR1 in fibrotic skin. Furthermore, the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol were elevated 2-4-fold in the fibrotic vs. control skin in both mouse strains. MRI-1867 treatment attenuated bleomycin-induced established skin fibrosis and the associated increase in endocannabinoids in Mdr1a/b-Bcrp KO mice but not in B6 mice. We conclude that combined inhibition of CB1R and iNOS is an effective anti-fibrotic strategy for scleroderma. As bleomycin induces an artifact in testing antifibrotic drug candidates that are substrates of drug-efflux transporters, using Mdr1a/b-Bcrp KO mice for preclinical testing of such compounds avoids this pitfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles N. Zawatsky
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Joshua K. Park
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Jasmina Abdalla
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Malliga R. Iyer
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Resat Cinar
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
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5
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Cholesterol as a modulator of cannabinoid receptor CB 2 signaling. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3706. [PMID: 33580091 PMCID: PMC7881127 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83245-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling through integral membrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is influenced by lipid composition of cell membranes. By using novel high affinity ligands of human cannabinoid receptor CB2, we demonstrate that cholesterol increases basal activation levels of the receptor and alters the pharmacological categorization of these ligands. Our results revealed that (2-(6-chloro-2-((2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropane-1-carbonyl)imino)benzo[d]thiazol-3(2H)-yl)ethyl acetate ligand (MRI-2646) acts as a partial agonist of CB2 in membranes devoid of cholesterol and as a neutral antagonist or a partial inverse agonist in cholesterol-containing membranes. The differential effects of a specific ligand on activation of CB2 in different types of membranes may have implications for screening of drug candidates in a search of modulators of GPCR activity. MD simulation suggests that cholesterol exerts an allosteric effect on the intracellular regions of the receptor that interact with the G-protein complex thereby altering the recruitment of G protein.
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Horváth VB, Soltész-Katona E, Wisniewski É, Rajki A, Halász E, Enyedi B, Hunyady L, Tóth AD, Szanda G. Optimization of the Heterologous Expression of the Cannabinoid Type-1 (CB 1) Receptor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:740913. [PMID: 34745007 PMCID: PMC8564136 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.740913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The G protein-coupled type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) mediates virtually all classic cannabinoid effects, and both its agonists and antagonists hold major therapeutic potential. Heterologous expression of receptors is vital for pharmacological research, however, overexpression of these proteins may fundamentally alter their localization pattern, change the signalling partner preference and may also spark artificial clustering. Additionally, recombinant CB1Rs are prone to intense proteasomal degradation, which may necessitate substantial modifications, such as N-terminal truncation or signal sequence insertion, for acceptable cell surface expression. We report here that tuning down the expression intensity of the full-length CB1R reduces proteasomal degradation and offers receptor levels that are comparable to those of endogenous CB1 receptors. As opposed to high-efficiency expression with conventional promoters, weak promoter-driven CB1R expression provides ERK 1/2 and p38 MAPK signalling that closely resemble the activity of endogenous CB1Rs. Moreover, weakly expressed CB1R variants exhibit plasma membrane localization, preserve canonical Gi-signalling but prevent CB1R-Gs coupling observed with high-expression variants. Based on these findings, we propose that lowering the expression level of G protein-coupled receptors should always be considered in heterologous expression systems in order to reduce the pressure on the proteasomal machinery and to avoid potential signalling artefacts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eszter Soltész-Katona
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Wisniewski
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anikó Rajki
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Halász
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Enyedi
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE Lendület Tissue Damage Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- HCEMM-SE Inflammatory Signaling Research Group, Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Hunyady
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Dávid Tóth
- MTA-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergő Szanda
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Gergő Szanda,
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7
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The therapeutic potential of second and third generation CB1R antagonists. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 208:107477. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Iyer MR, Cinar R, Coffey NJ, Kunos G. Synthesis of 13 C 6 -labeled, dual-target inhibitor of cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB 1 R) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2018; 61:773-779. [PMID: 29790591 DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.3639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1 R) antagonists/inverse agonists have great potential in the treatment of metabolic disorders like dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonists have also been reported to be effective in mitigating fibrotic disorders in murine models. Inducible nitric oxide synthase is another promising target implicated in fibrotic and inflammatory disorders. We have disclosed MRI-1867 as a potent and selective, peripherally acting dual-target inhibitor of the CB1 R and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Herein, we report the synthesis of [13 C6 ]-MRI-1867 as a racemate from commercially available chlorobenzene-13 C6 as the starting, stable-isotope label reagent. The racemic [13 C6 ]-MRI-1867 was further processed to the stable-isotope-labeled enantiopure compounds using chiral chromatography. Both racemic [13 C6 ]-MRI-1867 and S-13 C6 -MRI-1867 will be used to quantitate unlabeled S-MRI-1867 during clinical drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics studies and will be used as a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry bioanalytical standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malliga R Iyer
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Resat Cinar
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Nathan J Coffey
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
The Reggio group has constructed computer models of the inactive and G-protein-activated states of the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, as well as, several orphan receptors that recognize a subset of cannabinoid compounds, including GPR55 and GPR18. These models have been used to design ligands, mutations, and covalent labeling studies. The resultant second-generation models have been used to design ligands with improved affinity, efficacy, and subtype selectivity. Herein, we provide a guide for the development of GPCR models using the most recent orphan receptor studied in our lab, GPR3. GPR3 is an orphan receptor that belongs to the Class A family of G-protein-coupled receptors. It shares high sequence similarity with GPR6, GPR12, the lysophospholipid receptors, and the cannabinoid receptors. GPR3 is predominantly expressed in mammalian brain and oocytes and it is known as a Gαs-coupled receptor activated constitutively in cells. GPR3 represents a possible target for the treatment of different pathological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, oocyte maturation, or neuropathic pain. However, the lack of potent and selective GPR3 ligands is delaying the exploitation of this promising therapeutic target. In this context, we aim to develop a homology model that helps us to elucidate the structural determinants governing ligand-receptor interactions at GPR3. In this chapter, we detail the methods and rationale behind the construction of the GPR3 active-and inactive-state models. These homology models will enable the rational design of novel ligands, which may serve as research tools for further understanding of the biological role of GPR3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Morales
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States.
| | - Dow P Hurst
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | - Patricia H Reggio
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
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10
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Iyer MR, Cinar R, Coffey NJ, Chorvat RJ, Kunos G. Synthesis of S-2-((S)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N'-((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carboximidamido)-3-(methyl-d 3 )butanamide-d 5 , octadeuterated JD5037. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2017; 60:460-465. [PMID: 28545167 DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.3521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
JD5037 (1) is a potent and selective, peripherally acting inverse agonist of the cannabinoid (CB1 R) receptor. Peripheral CB1 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists have great potential in the treatment of metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. We report the synthesis of octadeuterated [2 H8 ]-JD5037 (S, S) (8) along with its (S, R) diastereomer (13) from commercially available L-valine-d8 starting material. The [2 H8 ]-JD5037 compound will be used to quantitate unlabeled JD5037 during clinical ADME studies and will be used as an LC-MS/MS bioanalytical standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malliga R Iyer
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Resat Cinar
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Nathan J Coffey
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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11
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Jourdan T, Szanda G, Cinar R, Godlewski G, Holovac DJ, Park JK, Nicoloro S, Shen Y, Liu J, Rosenberg AZ, Liu Z, Czech MP, Kunos G. Developmental Role of Macrophage Cannabinoid-1 Receptor Signaling in Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes 2017; 66:994-1007. [PMID: 28082458 PMCID: PMC5360301 DOI: 10.2337/db16-1199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Islet inflammation promotes β-cell loss and type 2 diabetes (T2D), a process replicated in Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats in which β-cell loss has been linked to cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R)-induced proinflammatory signaling in macrophages infiltrating pancreatic islets. Here, we analyzed CB1R signaling in macrophages and its developmental role in T2D. ZDF rats with global deletion of CB1R are protected from β-cell loss, hyperglycemia, and nephropathy that are present in ZDF littermates. Adoptive transfer of CB1R-/- bone marrow to ZDF rats also prevents β-cell loss and hyperglycemia but not nephropathy. ZDF islets contain elevated levels of CB1R, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, the chemokine CCL2, and interferon regulatory factor-5 (IRF5), a marker of inflammatory macrophage polarization. In primary cultured rodent and human macrophages, CB1R activation increased Irf5 expression, whereas knockdown of Irf5 blunted CB1R-induced secretion of inflammatory cytokines without affecting CCL2 expression, which was p38MAPKα dependent. Macrophage-specific in vivo knockdown of Irf5 protected ZDF rats from β-cell loss and hyperglycemia. Thus, IRF5 is a crucial downstream mediator of diabetogenic CB1R signaling in macrophages and a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Jourdan
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Gergő Szanda
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Resat Cinar
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Grzegorz Godlewski
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - David J Holovac
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Joshua K Park
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sarah Nicoloro
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Yuefei Shen
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Jie Liu
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Avi Z Rosenberg
- Division of Renal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- Kidney Diseases Section, National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ziyi Liu
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Michael P Czech
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Mallipeddi S, Janero DR, Zvonok N, Makriyannis A. Functional selectivity at G-protein coupled receptors: Advancing cannabinoid receptors as drug targets. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 128:1-11. [PMID: 27890725 PMCID: PMC5470118 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The phenomenon of functional selectivity, whereby a ligand preferentially directs the information output of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) along (a) particular effector pathway(s) and away from others, has redefined traditional GPCR signaling paradigms to provide a new approach to structure-based drug design. The two principal cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) 1 and 2 belong to the class-A GPCR subfamily and are considered tenable therapeutic targets for several indications. Yet conventional orthosteric ligands (agonists, antagonists/inverse agonists) for these receptors have had very limited clinical utility due to their propensity to incite on-target adverse events. Chemically distinct classes of cannabinergic ligands exhibit signaling bias at CBRs towards individual subsets of signal transduction pathways. In this review, we discuss the known signaling pathways regulated by CBRs and examine the current evidence for functional selectivity at CBRs in response to endogenous and exogenous cannabinergic ligands as biased agonists. We further discuss the receptor and ligand structural features allowing for selective activation of CBR-dependent functional responses. The design and development of biased ligands may offer a pathway to therapeutic success for novel CBR-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikrishnan Mallipeddi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - David R Janero
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Nikolai Zvonok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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Iyer MR, Cinar R, Katz A, Gao M, Erdelyi K, Jourdan T, Coffey NJ, Pacher P, Kunos G. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel, Non-Brain-Penetrant, Hybrid Cannabinoid CB 1R Inverse Agonist/Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis. J Med Chem 2017; 60:1126-1141. [PMID: 28085283 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We report the design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of novel dual-target compounds with antagonist/inverse agonist activity at cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) and inhibitory effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). A series of 3,4-diarylpyrazolinecarboximidamides were synthesized and evaluated in CB1 receptor (CB1R) binding assays and iNOS activity assays. The novel compounds, designed to have limited brain penetrance, elicited potent in vitro CB1R antagonist activities and iNOS inhibitory activities. Some key compounds displayed high CB1R binding affinities. Compound 7 demonstrated potent in vivo pharmacological activities such as reduction of food intake mediated by the antagonism of the CB1Rs and antifibrotic effect in the animal models of fibrosis mediated by iNOS inhibition and CB1R antagonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malliga R Iyer
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, and ‡Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health , 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Resat Cinar
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, and ‡Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health , 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Alexis Katz
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, and ‡Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health , 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Michael Gao
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, and ‡Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health , 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Katalin Erdelyi
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, and ‡Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health , 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Tony Jourdan
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, and ‡Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health , 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Nathan J Coffey
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, and ‡Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health , 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Pal Pacher
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, and ‡Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health , 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, and ‡Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health , 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
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14
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Cinar R, Iyer MR, Liu Z, Cao Z, Jourdan T, Erdelyi K, Godlewski G, Szanda G, Liu J, Park JK, Mukhopadhyay B, Rosenberg AZ, Liow JS, Lorenz RG, Pacher P, Innis RB, Kunos G. Hybrid inhibitor of peripheral cannabinoid-1 receptors and inducible nitric oxide synthase mitigates liver fibrosis. JCI Insight 2016; 1:87336. [PMID: 27525312 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.87336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, a consequence of chronic liver injury and a way station to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, lacks effective treatment. Endocannabinoids acting via cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1R) induce profibrotic gene expression and promote pathologies that predispose to liver fibrosis. CB1R antagonists produce opposite effects, but their therapeutic development was halted due to neuropsychiatric side effects. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) also promotes liver fibrosis and its underlying pathologies, but iNOS inhibitors tested to date showed limited therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory diseases. Here, we introduce a peripherally restricted, orally bioavailable CB1R antagonist, which accumulates in liver to release an iNOS inhibitory leaving group. In mouse models of fibrosis induced by CCl4 or bile duct ligation, the hybrid CB1R/iNOS antagonist surpassed the antifibrotic efficacy of the CB1R antagonist rimonabant or the iNOS inhibitor 1400W, without inducing anxiety-like behaviors or CB1R occupancy in the CNS. The hybrid inhibitor also targeted CB1R-independent, iNOS-mediated profibrotic pathways, including increased PDGF, Nlrp3/Asc3, and integrin αvβ6 signaling, as judged by its ability to inhibit these pathways in cnr1-/- but not in nos2-/- mice. Additionally, it was able to slow fibrosis progression and to attenuate established fibrosis. Thus, dual-target peripheral CB1R/iNOS antagonists have therapeutic potential in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ziyi Liu
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies and
| | - Zongxian Cao
- Laboratory of Oxidative Stress and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Katalin Erdelyi
- Laboratory of Oxidative Stress and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | - Jie Liu
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies and
| | | | | | - Avi Z Rosenberg
- Kidney Diseases Section, National Institute on Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, Washington, DC, USA.,Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jeih-San Liow
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute on Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robin G Lorenz
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Pal Pacher
- Laboratory of Oxidative Stress and Tissue Injury, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Robert B Innis
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute on Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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