JNJ-26070109 [(R)4-bromo-N-[1-(2,4-difluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-2-(quinoxaline-5-sulfonylamino)-benzamide]: a novel, potent, and selective cholecystokinin 2 receptor antagonist with good oral bioavailability.

JNJ-26070109 [(R)4-bromo-N-[1-(2,4-difluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-2-(quinoxaline-5-sulfonylamino)-benzamide] is a representative of a new chemical class of competitive antagonists of cholecystokinin 2 (CCK2) receptors. In this study, the primary in vitro pharmacology of JNJ-26070109 was evaluated along with the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of this compound in rat and canine models of gastric acid secretion. JNJ-26070109 expressed high affinity for human (pK(I) = 8.49 ± 0.13), rat (pK(I) = 7.99 ± 0.08), and dog (pK(I) = 7.70 ± 0.14) CCK2 receptors. The selectivity of JNJ-26070109 at the CCK2 receptor versus the CCK1 receptor was species-dependent, with the greatest degree of selectivity (>1200-fold) measured at the human isoforms of the CCK1 receptor (selectivity at CCK2 versus CCK1 receptors: human, ∼1222-fold; rat, ∼324-fold; dog ∼336-fold). JNJ-26070109 behaved as a surmountable, competitive, antagonist of human CCK2 receptors in a calcium mobilization assay (pK(B) = 8.53 ± 0.05) and in pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the isolated, lumen-perfused, mouse stomach assay (pK(B) = 8.19 ± 0.13). The pharmacokinetic profile of this compound was determined in vivo in rats and dogs. JNJ-26070109 was shown to have high oral bioavailability (%F rat = 73 ± 16; %F dog = 92 ± 12) with half lives of 1.8 ± 0.3 and 1.2 ± 0.1 h in rat and dog, respectively. The pharmacodynamic properties of this compound were investigated using two in vivo models. In conscious rat and dog chronic gastric fistula models of pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion, JNJ-26070109 had oral EC(50) values of 1.5 and 0.26 µM, respectively. Overall, we have demonstrated that JNJ-26070109 is a high-affinity, selective CCK2 receptor antagonist with good pharmacokinetic properties.

Discovery of potent cholecystokinin-2 receptor antagonists: elucidation of key pharmacophore elements by X-ray crystallographic and NMR conformational analysis.

A novel series of cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK-2R) antagonists has been identified, as exemplified by anthranilic sulfonamide 1 (pK(i)=7.6). Pharmacokinetic and stability studies indicated that this series of compounds suffered from metabolic degradation, and that both the benzothiadiazole and piperidine rings were rapidly oxidized by liver enzymes. A combination of synthesis, computational methods, (1)H NMR conformational studies, and X-ray crystallographic analyses were applied to elucidate key pharmacophore elements, and to discover analogs with improved pharmacokinetic profiles, and high receptor binding affinity and selectivity.

Synthesis and solid-phase purification of anthranilic sulfonamides as CCK-2 ligands.

A novel strategy for the synthesis of cholecystokinin-2 receptor ligands was developed. The route employs a solution-phase synthesis of a series of anthranilic sulfonamides followed by a resin capture purification strategy to produce multi-milligram quantities of compounds for bioassay. The synthesis was used to produce >100 compounds containing various functional groups, highlighting the general applicability of this strategy and to address specific metabolism issues in our CCK-2 program.

Species-dependent smooth muscle contraction to Neuromedin U and determination of the receptor subtypes mediating contraction using NMU1 receptor knockout mice.

The peptide ligand neuromedin U (NMU) has been implicated in an array of biological activities, including contraction of uterine, intestinal and urinary bladder smooth muscle. However, many of these responses appear to be species-specific. This study was undertaken to fully elucidate the range of smooth muscle-stimulating effects of NMU in rats, mice and guinea-pigs, and to examine the extent of the species differences. In addition, the NMU1 receptor knockout mouse was used to determine which receptor subtype mediates the contractile responses generated by NMU in the mouse. A range of isolated organ in vitro bioassays were carried out, which were chosen to re-confirm previous literature reports (uterine and stomach fundus contraction) and also to explore potentially novel smooth muscle responses to NMU. This investigation uncovered a number of previously unidentified NMU-mediated responses: contraction of rat lower esophageal sphinster (LES), rat ileum, mouse gallbladder, enhancement of electrically evoked contractions in rat and mouse vas deferens, and a considerable degree of cross-species differences. Studies using the NMU1 receptor knockout mice revealed that in the mouse fundus and gallbladder assays the NMU contractile response was mediated entirely through the NMU1 receptor subtype, whereas, in assays of mouse uterus and vas deferens, the response to NMU was unchanged in the NMU1 receptor knockout mouse, suggesting that the NMU response may be mediated through the NMU2 receptor subtype. NMU receptor subtype-selective antagonists are required to further elucidate the role of the individual receptor subtypes.

Neuromedin U stimulates contraction of human long saphenous vein and gastrointestinal smooth muscle in vitro.

The neuropeptide Neuromedin U (NMU) stimulates smooth muscle contraction, and modulates local blood flow and adrenocortical function via two endogenous receptors, NMU1 and NMU2. Although its amino-acid sequence is highly conserved across species, the physiological effects of NMU are variable between species and little is known of its effects on human tissues. We have examined the contractile effects of NMU-25 on human smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (ascending colon, gallbladder) and long saphenous vein (LSV) using in vitro organ bath bioassays. From LSV, ileum, gallbladder, caecum and colon, NMU receptor transcripts were amplified by RT-PCR and expression levels were determined by semi-quantitative scanning densitometry. NMU-25 produced a concentration-dependent, sustained contraction of isolated smooth muscle (p[A](50)+/-s.e.m., ascending colon, 8.93+/-0.18; gallbladder, 7.01+/-0.15; LSV, 8.67+/-0.09). NMU1 and NMU2 receptor transcription was detected in all tissues; transcription of both receptors was similar in gallbladder, but NMU1 receptor transcription was predominant in the sigmoid colon and LSV. In summary, these studies indicate that NMU may control tone in the human GI tract and LSV through an action on smooth muscle. Development of NMU receptor subtype-selective ligands will aid the further elucidation of the physiological roles of NMU and its two receptors.

TNF alpha reduces tachykinin, PGE2-dependent, relaxation of the cultured mouse trachea by increasing the activity of COX-2.

1. Chronic inflammation is a central feature of asthma. The inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) has been implicated in this disease, and is known to alter airway smooth muscle functionally. 2. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of TNFalpha on tachykinin-induced airway relaxation. Mouse tracheae were cultured in the absence and presence of TNFalpha for 1 or 4 days. 3. In the absence of TNFalpha, substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) induced comparable levels of relaxation in fresh and cultured segments. Functional studies with selective antagonists/inhibitors indicated that the relaxation was mediated by the NK(1) receptor coupled to cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activation and subsequent release of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). TNFalpha attenuated SP- and NKA-induced relaxation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, decreasing the ability of PGE(2) to relax tissues. 4. Further studies indicated that TNFalpha elevated COX-2 activity and that concomitant inhibition of COX-2 reversed TNFalpha-attenuated PGE(2) relaxation. Culture with PGE(2) decreased SP- and PGE(2)-mediated relaxation, further implicating the activity of COX-2 in the attenuation of tachykinin signalling. 5. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that TNFalpha increased the expression of smooth muscle COX-2, PGE(2) synthase and EP(2) receptor mRNA, and decreased the expression of the EP(4) receptor. 6. Overall, these results show that NK(1) receptor-mediated relaxation induced by PGE(2) is attenuated by prolonged TNFalpha stimulation. Increased COX-2 activity induced by TNFalpha appears to be central to this process.

3-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]-2-m-tolyl-propionate (JNJ-17156516), a novel, potent, and selective cholecystokinin 1 receptor antagonist: in vitro and in vivo pharmacological comparison with dexloxiglumide.

3-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]-2-m-tolyl-propionate (JNJ-17156516) is a novel, potent, and selective cholecystokinin (CCK)1-receptor antagonist. In this study, the pharmacology of JNJ-17156516 was investigated both in vitro and in vivo, and the pharmacokinetic profile was evaluated in rats. JNJ-17156516 expressed high-affinity at the cloned human (pK(I) = 7.96 +/- 0.11), rat (pK(I) = 8.02 +/- 0.11), and canine (pK(I) = 7.98 +/- 0.04) CCK1 receptors, and it was also highly selective for the CCK1 receptor compared with the CCK2 receptor across the same species ( approximately 160-, approximately 230-, and approximately 75-fold, respectively). The high affinity of JNJ-17156516 at CCK1 receptors in vitro was confirmed in radioligand binding studies on fresh human gallbladder tissue (pK(I) = 8.22 +/- 0.05). In a functional in vitro assay of guinea pig gallbladder contraction, JNJ-17156516 behaved as a competitive antagonist, with a pK(B) value of 8.00 +/- 0.07. In vivo, JNJ-17156516 produced a parallel, rightward shift in the CCK-8S-evoked contraction of the guinea pig gallbladder. The dose required to shift the CCK-8S dose-response curve was 240 nmol kg(-1) i.v. In the anesthetized rat, JNJ-17156516 produced a dose-related decrease in the number of duodenal contractions evoked by infusion of CCK-8S, with an ED(50) = 484 nmol kg(-1). Pharmacokinetic analysis of JNJ-17156516 in rats, revealed that JNJ-17156516 had a half-life of 3.0 +/- 0.5 h and a very high bioavailability (108 +/- 10%) in this species. Overall, we have demonstrated that JNJ-17156516 is a high-affinity selective human CCK1 receptor antagonist with good pharmacokinetic properties in rats.