A Non-covalent Ligand Reveals Biased Agonism of the TRPA1 Ion Channel.

The TRPA1 ion channel is activated by electrophilic compounds through the covalent modification of intracellular cysteine residues. How non-covalent agonists activate the channel and whether covalent and non-covalent agonists elicit the same physiological responses are not understood. Here, we report the discovery of a non-covalent agonist, GNE551, and determine a cryo-EM structure of the TRPA1-GNE551 complex, revealing a distinct binding pocket and ligand-interaction mechanism. Unlike the covalent agonist allyl isothiocyanate, which elicits channel desensitization, tachyphylaxis, and transient pain, GNE551 activates TRPA1 into a distinct conducting state without desensitization and induces persistent pain. Furthermore, GNE551-evoked pain is relatively insensitive to antagonist treatment. Thus, we demonstrate the biased agonism of TRPA1, a finding that has important implications for the discovery of effective drugs tailored to different disease etiologies.

Potent and selective inhibitors of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 that lack an aromatic back pocket group.

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), a key component of the cellular necroptosis pathway, has gained recognition as an important therapeutic target. Pharmacologic inhibition or genetic inactivation of RIPK1 has shown promise in animal models of disease ranging from acute ischemic conditions, chronic inflammation, and neurodegeneration. We present here a class of RIPK1 inhibitors that is distinguished by a lack of a lipophilic aromatic group present in most literature inhibitors that typically occupies a hydrophobic back pocket of the protein active site. Despite not having this ubiquitous feature of many known RIPK1 inhibitors, we were able to obtain compounds with good potency, kinase selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties in rats. The use of the lipophilic yet metabolically stable pentafluoroethyl group was critical to balancing the potency and properties of optimized analogs.

Discovery of a class of highly potent Janus Kinase 1/2 (JAK1/2) inhibitors demonstrating effective cell-based blockade of IL-13 signaling.

Disruption of interleukin-13 (IL-13) signaling with large molecule antibody therapies has shown promise in diseases of allergic inflammation. Given that IL-13 recruits several members of the Janus Kinase family (JAK1, JAK2, and TYK2) to its receptor complex, JAK inhibition may offer an alternate small molecule approach to disrupting IL-13 signaling. Herein we demonstrate that JAK1 is likely the isoform most important to IL-13 signaling. Structure-based design was then used to improve the JAK1 potency of a series of previously reported JAK2 inhibitors. The ability to impede IL-13 signaling was thereby significantly improved, with the best compounds exhibiting single digit nM IC50's in cell-based assays dependent upon IL-13 signaling. Appropriate substitution was further found to influence inhibition of a key off-target, LRRK2. Finally, the most potent compounds were found to be metabolically labile, which makes them ideal scaffolds for further development as topical agents for IL-13 mediated diseases of the lungs and skin (for example asthma and atopic dermatitis, respectively).

Lung-restricted inhibition of Janus kinase 1 is effective in rodent models of asthma.

Preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that a subset of asthma is driven by type 2 cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13. Additional evidence predicts pathogenic roles for IL-6 and type I and type II interferons. Because each of these cytokines depends on Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) for signal transduction, and because many of the asthma-related effects of these cytokines manifest in the lung, we hypothesized that lung-restricted JAK1 inhibition may confer therapeutic benefit. To test this idea, we synthesized iJak-381, an inhalable small molecule specifically designed for local JAK1 inhibition in the lung. In pharmacodynamic models, iJak-381 suppressed signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 activation by IL-13. Furthermore, iJak-381 suppressed ovalbumin-induced lung inflammation in both murine and guinea pig asthma models and improved allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice. In a model driven by human allergens, iJak-381 had a more potent suppressive effect on neutrophil-driven inflammation compared to systemic corticosteroid administration. The inhibitor iJak-381 reduced lung pathology, without affecting systemic Jak1 activity in rodents. Our data show that local inhibition of Jak1 in the lung can suppress lung inflammation without systemic Jak inhibition in rodents, suggesting that this strategy might be effective for treating asthma.

Discovery of GDC-0853: A Potent, Selective, and Noncovalent Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in Early Clinical Development.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a nonreceptor cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase involved in B-cell and myeloid cell activation, downstream of B-cell and Fcγ receptors, respectively. Preclinical studies have indicated that inhibition of Btk activity might offer a potential therapy in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Here we disclose the discovery and preclinical characterization of a potent, selective, and noncovalent Btk inhibitor currently in clinical development. GDC-0853 (29) suppresses B cell- and myeloid cell-mediated components of disease and demonstrates dose-dependent activity in an in vivo rat model of inflammatory arthritis. It demonstrates highly favorable safety, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles in preclinical and Phase 2 studies ongoing in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and chronic spontaneous urticaria. On the basis of its potency, selectivity, long target residence time, and noncovalent mode of inhibition, 29 has the potential to be a best-in-class Btk inhibitor for a wide range of immunological indications.

NF-κB inducing kinase is a therapeutic target for systemic lupus erythematosus.

NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) mediates non-canonical NF-κB signaling downstream of multiple TNF family members, including BAFF, TWEAK, CD40, and OX40, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we show that experimental lupus in NZB/W F1 mice can be treated with a highly selective and potent NIK small molecule inhibitor. Both in vitro as well as in vivo, NIK inhibition recapitulates the pharmacological effects of BAFF blockade, which is clinically efficacious in SLE. Furthermore, NIK inhibition also affects T cell parameters in the spleen and proinflammatory gene expression in the kidney, which may be attributable to inhibition of OX40 and TWEAK signaling, respectively. As a consequence, NIK inhibition results in improved survival, reduced renal pathology, and lower proteinuria scores. Collectively, our data suggest that NIK inhibition is a potential therapeutic approach for SLE.

Structure-Based Design of Tricyclic NF-κB Inducing Kinase (NIK) Inhibitors That Have High Selectivity over Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K).

We report here structure-guided optimization of a novel series of NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK) inhibitors. Starting from a modestly potent, low molecular weight lead, activity was improved by designing a type 11/2 binding mode that accessed a back pocket past the methionine-471 gatekeeper. Divergent binding modes in NIK and PI3K were exploited to dampen PI3K inhibition while maintaining NIK inhibition within these series. Potent compounds were discovered that selectively inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB2 (p52/REL-B) but not canonical NF-κB1 (REL-A/p50).

Battling Btk Mutants With Noncovalent Inhibitors That Overcome Cys481 and Thr474 Mutations.

The Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitor ibrutinib has shown impressive clinical efficacy in a range of B-cell malignancies. However, acquired resistance has emerged, and second generation therapies are now being sought. Ibrutinib is a covalent, irreversible inhibitor that modifies Cys481 in the ATP binding site of Btk and renders the enzyme inactive, thereby blocking B-cell receptor signal transduction. Not surprisingly, Cys481 is the most commonly mutated Btk residue in cases of acquired resistance to ibrutinib. Mutations at other sites, including Thr474, a gatekeeper residue, have also been detected. Herein, we describe noncovalent Btk inhibitors that differ from covalent inhibitors like ibrutinib in that they do not interact with Cys481, they potently inhibit the ibrutinib-resistant Btk C481S mutant in vitro and in cells, and they are exquisitely selective for Btk. Noncovalent inhibitors such as GNE-431 also show excellent potency against the C481R, T474I, and T474M mutants. X-ray crystallographic analysis of Btk provides insight into the unique mode of binding of these inhibitors that explains their high selectivity for Btk and their retained activity against mutant forms of Btk. This class of noncovalent Btk inhibitors may provide a treatment option to patients, especially those who have acquired resistance to ibrutinib by mutation of Cys481 or Thr474.

Design and evaluation of novel 8-oxo-pyridopyrimidine Jak1/2 inhibitors.

A highly ligand efficient, novel 8-oxo-pyridopyrimidine containing inhibitor of Jak1 and Jak2 isoforms with a pyridone moiety as the hinge-binding motif was discovered. Structure-based design strategies were applied to significantly improve enzyme potency and the polarity of the molecule was adjusted to gain cellular activity. The crystal structures of two representative inhibitors bound to Jak1 were obtained to enable SAR exploration.

Lead identification of novel and selective TYK2 inhibitors.

A therapeutic rationale is proposed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), by selective targeting of TYK2. Hit triage, following a high-throughput screen for TYK2 inhibitors, revealed pyridine 1 as a promising starting point for lead identification. Initial expansion of 3 separate regions of the molecule led to eventual identification of cyclopropyl amide 46, a potent lead analog with good kinase selectivity, physicochemical properties, and pharmacokinetic profile. Analysis of the binding modes of the series in TYK2 and JAK2 crystal structures revealed key interactions leading to good TYK2 potency and design options for future optimization of selectivity.

A restricted role for TYK2 catalytic activity in human cytokine responses revealed by novel TYK2-selective inhibitors.

TYK2 is a JAK family protein tyrosine kinase activated in response to multiple cytokines, including type I IFNs, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-23. Extensive studies of mice that lack TYK2 expression indicate that the IFN-α, IL-12, and IL-23 pathways, but not the IL-6 or IL-10 pathways, are compromised. In contrast, there have been few studies of the role of TYK2 in primary human cells. A genetic mutation at the tyk2 locus that results in a lack of TYK2 protein in a single human patient has been linked to defects in the IFN-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-23 pathways, suggesting a broad role for TYK2 protein in human cytokine responses. In this article, we have used a panel of novel potent TYK2 small-molecule inhibitors with varying degrees of selectivity against other JAK kinases to address the requirement for TYK2 catalytic activity in cytokine pathways in primary human cells. Our results indicate that the biological processes that require TYK2 catalytic function in humans are restricted to the IL-12 and IL-23 pathways, and suggest that inhibition of TYK2 catalytic activity may be an efficacious approach for the treatment of select autoimmune diseases without broad immunosuppression.

Lead optimization of a 4-aminopyridine benzamide scaffold to identify potent, selective, and orally bioavailable TYK2 inhibitors.

Herein we report our lead optimization effort to identify potent, selective, and orally bioavailable TYK2 inhibitors, starting with lead molecule 3. We used structure-based design to discover 2,6-dichloro-4-cyanophenyl and (1R,2R)-2-fluorocyclopropylamide modifications, each of which exhibited improved TYK2 potency and JAK1 and JAK2 selectivity relative to 3. Further optimization eventually led to compound 37 that showed good TYK2 enzyme and interleukin-12 (IL-12) cell potency, as well as acceptable cellular JAK1 and JAK2 selectivity and excellent oral exposure in mice. When tested in a mouse IL-12 PK/PD model, compound 37 showed statistically significant knockdown of cytokine interferon-γ (IFNγ), suggesting that selective inhibition of TYK2 kinase activity might be sufficient to block the IL-12 pathway in vivo.

Novel triazolo-pyrrolopyridines as inhibitors of Janus kinase 1.

The identification of a novel fused triazolo-pyrrolopyridine scaffold, optimized derivatives of which display nanomolar inhibition of Janus kinase 1, is described. Prototypical example 3 demonstrated lower cell potency shift, better permeability in cells and higher oral exposure in rat than the corresponding, previously reported, imidazo-pyrrolopyridine analogue 2. Examples 6, 7 and 18 were subsequently identified from an optimization campaign and demonstrated modest selectivity over JAK2, moderate to good oral bioavailability in rat with overall pharmacokinetic profiles comparable to that reported for an approved pan-JAK inhibitor (tofacitinib).

Structure-based discovery of C-2 substituted imidazo-pyrrolopyridine JAK1 inhibitors with improved selectivity over JAK2.

Herein we describe our successful efforts in obtaining C-2 substituted imidazo-pyrrolopyridines with improved JAK1 selectivity relative to JAK2 by targeting an amino acid residue that differs between the two isoforms (JAK1: E966; JAK2: D939). Efforts to improve cellular potency by reducing the polarity of the inhibitors are also detailed. The X-ray crystal structure of a representative inhibitor in complex with the JAK1 enzyme is also disclosed.

Sensitivity to antitubulin chemotherapeutics is regulated by MCL1 and FBW7.

Microtubules have pivotal roles in fundamental cellular processes and are targets of antitubulin chemotherapeutics. Microtubule-targeted agents such as Taxol and vincristine are prescribed widely for various malignancies, including ovarian and breast adenocarcinomas, non-small-cell lung cancer, leukaemias and lymphomas. These agents arrest cells in mitosis and subsequently induce cell death through poorly defined mechanisms. The strategies that resistant tumour cells use to evade death induced by antitubulin agents are also unclear. Here we show that the pro-survival protein MCL1 (ref. 3) is a crucial regulator of apoptosis triggered by antitubulin chemotherapeutics. During mitotic arrest, MCL1 protein levels decline markedly, through a post-translational mechanism, potentiating cell death. Phosphorylation of MCL1 directs its interaction with the tumour-suppressor protein FBW7, which is the substrate-binding component of a ubiquitin ligase complex. The polyubiquitylation of MCL1 then targets it for proteasomal degradation. The degradation of MCL1 was blocked in patient-derived tumour cells that lacked FBW7 or had loss-of-function mutations in FBW7, conferring resistance to antitubulin agents and promoting chemotherapeutic-induced polyploidy. Additionally, primary tumour samples were enriched for FBW7 inactivation and elevated MCL1 levels, underscoring the prominent roles of these proteins in oncogenesis. Our findings suggest that profiling the FBW7 and MCL1 status of tumours, in terms of protein levels, messenger RNA levels and genetic status, could be useful to predict the response of patients to antitubulin chemotherapeutics.