Targeting Rab-RILPL interactions as a strategy to downregulate pathogenic LRRK2 in Parkinson's disease

Familial Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently linked to multiple disease-causing mutations within Leucine-Rich Repeat Protein Kinase 2 (LRRK2), leading to aberrant kinase activity. Multiple pathogenic effects of enhanced LRRK2 activity have been identified, including loss of cilia and centrosomal cohesion defects. When phosphorylated by LRRK2, Rab8a and Rab10 bind to phospho-specific RILPL effector proteins. RILPL-mediated accumulation of pRabs proximal to the mother centriole is critical for initiating deficits in ciliogenesis and centrosome cohesion mediated by LRRK2. We hypothesized that Rab-derived phospho-mimics may serve to block phosphorylated Rab proteins from docking with RILPL in the context of hyperactive LRRK2 mutants. This would serve as an alternative strategy to downregulate pathogenic signaling mediated by LRRK2, rather than targeting LRRK2 kinase activity itself. To test this theory, we designed a series of constrained peptides mimicking phosphorylated Switch II derived from Rab8. These RILPL interacting peptides, termed RIP, were further shown to permeate cells. Further, several peptides were found to bind RILPL2 and restore ciliogenesis and centrosomal cohesion defects in cells expressing PD-associated mutant LRRK2. This research demonstrates the utility of constrained peptides as downstream inhibitors to target pathogenic LRRK2 activity and may provide an alternative approach to target specific pathways activated by LRRK2.

Catalyzing a Cure: Discovery and development of LRRK2 inhibitors for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite decades of research, no effective disease modifying therapeutics have reached clinics for treatment/management of PD. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) which controls membrane trafficking and lysosomal function and its variant LRRK2-G2019S are involved in the development of both familial and sporadic PD. LRRK2, is therefore considered as a legitimate target for the development of therapeutics against PD. During the last decade, efforts have been made to develop effective, safe and selective LRRK2 inhibitors and also our understanding about LRRK2 has progressed. However, there is an urge to learn from the previously designed and reported LRRK2 inhibitors in order to effectively approach designing of new LRRK2 inhibitors. In this review, we have aimed to cover the pre-clinical studies undertaken to develop small molecule LRRK2 inhibitors by screening the patents and other available literature in the last decade. We have highlighted LRRK2 as targets in the progress of PD and subsequently covered detailed design, synthesis and development of diverse scaffolds as LRRK2 inhibitors. Moreover, LRRK2 inhibitors under clinical development has also been discussed. LRRK2 inhibitors seem to be potential targets for future therapeutic interventions in the treatment and management of PD and this review can act as a cynosure for guiding discovery, design, and development of selective and non-toxic LRRK2 inhibitors. Although, there might be challenges in developing effective LRRK2 inhibitors, the opportunity to successfully develop novel therapeutics targeting LRRK2 against PD has never been greater.

Efficacy of a benzothiazole-based LRRK2 inhibitor in oligodendrocyte precursor cells and in a murine model of multiple sclerosis

AIMS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that currently lacks effective curative treatments. There is a need to find effective therapies, especially to reverse the progressive demyelination and neuronal damage. Oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath around axons in the central nervous system (CNS) and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) undergo mechanisms that enable spontaneously the partial repair of damaged lesions. The aim of this study was to discover small molecules with potential effects in demyelinating diseases, including (re)myelinating properties.

METHODS

Recently, it has been shown how LRRK2 inhibition promotes oligodendrogliogenesis and therefore an efficient repair or myelin damaged lesions. Here we explored small molecules inhibiting LRRK2 as potential enhancers of primary OPCs proliferation and differentiation, and their potential impact on the clinical score of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitys (EAE) mice, a validated model of the most frequent clinical form of MS, relapsing-remitting MS.

RESULTS

One of the LRRK2 inhibitors presented in this study promoted the proliferation and differentiation of OPC primary cultures. When tested in the EAE murine model of MS, it exerted a statistically significant reduction of the clinical burden of the animals, and histological evidence revealed how the treated animals presented a reduced lesion area in the spinal cord.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, a small molecule with LRRK2 inhibition properties presented (re)myelinating properties in primary OPCs cultures and potentially in the in vivo murine model. This study provides an in vivo proof of concept for a LRRK2 inhibitor, confirming its potential for the treatment of MS.

DNL151, DNL201, and BIIB094: experimental agents for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

INTRODUCTION

Pathogenic mutations of the abundant leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene support the onset of familial and sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease. These genetic variants catalyze kinase activity by substrate phosphorylation. They promote the nigrostriatal neurodegenerative process, i.e. characterized by Lewy body formation.

AREAS COVERED

This narrative review discusses leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 inhibitors as therapeutic concept for beneficial disease modification following a literature search.

EXPERT OPINION

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene function contributes to the onset of microglia inflammation, cellular, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 inhibition with oral application of DNL151, respectively DNL201, and intrathecal administration of the antisense oligonucleotide BIIB094 in a single and multiple ascending dose study was safe and well tolerated. Approval of Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 inhibitors in case of positive clinical study outcomes will introduce personalized medicine for beneficial modification of progression as the most unmet need for treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease. In addition to the currently, preponderantly performed clinical rating with established scales, further clinical trial endpoints, such as dosing of dopamine substitution, may be considered in study designs to demonstrate therapeutic effects on the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Effects of LRRK2 Inhibitors in Nonhuman Primates

Toxicology studies in nonhuman primates were conducted to evaluate selective, brain penetrant inhibitors of LRRK2. GNE 7915 was limited to 7-day administration in cynomolgus monkeys at 65 mg/kg/day or limited to 14 days in rhesus at 22.5 mg/kg b.i.d. due to physical signs. Compound 25 demonstrated acceptable tolerability at 50 and 225 mg/kg b.i.d. for 7 days in rhesus monkeys. MK-1468 was tolerated during 7-day administration at 100, 200 or 800 mg/kg/day or for 30-day administration at 30, 100, or 500 mg/kg b.i.d. in rhesus monkeys. The lungs revealed hypertrophy of type 2 pneumocytes, with accumulation of intra-alveolar macrophages. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed increased lamellar structures within hypertrophic type 2 pneumocytes. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of type 2 pneumocytes with accumulation of intra-alveolar macrophages admixed with neutrophils were prominent at peripheral lungs of animals receiving compound 25 or MK-1468. Affected type 2 pneumocytes were immuno-positive for pro-surfactant C, but negative for CD11c, a marker for intra-alveolar macrophages. Accumulation of collagen within alveolar walls, confirmed by histochemical trichrome stain, accompanied changes described for compound 25 and MK-1468. Following a 12-week treatment-free interval, animals previously receiving MK-1468 for 30 days exhibited remodeling of alveolar structure and interstitial components that did not demonstrate reversibility.

Exploring the focal role of LRRK2 kinase in Parkinson's disease

The major breakthroughs in our knowledge of how biology plays a role in Parkinson's disease (PD) have opened up fresh avenues designed to know the pathogenesis of disease and identify possible therapeutic targets. Mitochondrial abnormal functioning is a key cellular feature in the pathogenesis of PD. An enzyme, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), involved in both the idiopathic and familial PD risk, is a therapeutic target. LRRK2 has a link to the endolysosomal activity. Enhanced activity of the LRRK2 kinase, endolysosomal abnormalities and aggregation of autophagic vesicles with imperfectly depleted substrates, such as α-synuclein, are all seen in the substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in PD. Despite the fact that LRRK2 is involved in endolysosomal and autophagic activity, it is undefined if inhibiting LRRK2 kinase activity will prevent endolysosomal dysfunction or minimise the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. The inhibitor's capability of LRRK2 kinase to inhibit endolysosomal and neuropathological alterations in human PD indicates that LRRK2 inhibitors could have significant therapeutic usefulness in PD. G2019S is perhaps the maximum common mutation in PD subjects. Even though LRRK2's well-defined structure has still not been established, numerous LRRK2 inhibitors have been discovered. This review summarises the role of LRRK2 kinase in Parkinson's disease.

Leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) inhibitors based on indolinone scaffold: Potential pro-neurogenic agents

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is one of the most pursued targets for Parkinson's disease (PD) therapy. Moreover, it has recently described its role in regulating Wnt signaling and thus, it may be involved in adult neurogenesis. This new hypothesis could give rise to double disease-modifying agents firstly by the benefits of inhibiting LRRK2 and secondly by promoting adult neurogenesis. Herein we report, the design, synthesis, biological evaluation, SAR and potential binding mode of indoline-like LRRK2 inhibitors and their preliminary neurogenic effect in neural precursor cells isolated from adult mice ventricular-subventricular zone. These results open new therapeutic horizons for the use of LRRK2 inhibitors as neuroregenerative agents. Moreover, the indolinone derivatives here prepared, inhibitors of the kinase activity of LRRK2, may be considered as pharmacological probes to study the potential neuroregeneration of the damaged brain.

Small-Molecule Inhibitors of LRRK2

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) protein have been genetically and functionally linked to Parkinson's disease (PD). The kinase activity of LRRK2 is increased by pathogenic mutations; therefore, modulation of LRRK2 kinase activity by a selective small-molecule inhibitor has been proposed as a potentially viable treatment for Parkinson's disease. This chapter presents a historical overview of the development and bioactivity of several small-molecule LRRK2 inhibitors that have been used to inhibit LRRK2 kinase activity in vitro or in vivo. These compounds are important tools for understanding the cellular biology of LRRK2 and for evaluating the potential of LRRK2 inhibitors as disease-modifying PD therapies.

Small molecule kinase inhibitors for LRRK2 and their application to Parkinson's disease models

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Several single gene mutations have been linked to this disease. Mutations in the gene encoding leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) indicate LRRK2 as promising therapeutic target for the treatment of PD. LRRK2 mutations were observed in sporadic as well as familial PD patients and have been investigated intensively. LRRK2 is a large and complex protein, with multiple enzymatic and protein-interaction domains, each of which is effected by mutations. The most common mutation in PD patients is G2019S. Several LRRK2 inhibitors have been reported already, although the crystal structure of LRRK2 has not yet been determined. This review provides a summary of known LRRK2 inhibitors and will discuss recent in vitro and in vivo results of these inhibitors.