Structure-Based Discovery of High-Affinity Small Molecule Ligands and Development of Tool Probes to Study the Role of Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1.

Chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1), also known as YKL-40, is a glycoprotein linked to inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer. This study explored CHI3L1's interactions with various oligosaccharides using microscale thermophoresis (MST) and AlphaScreen (AS). These investigations guided the development of high-throughput screening assays to assess interference of small molecules in binding between CHI3L1 and biotinylated small molecules or heparan sulfate-based probes. Small molecule binders of YKL-40 were identified in our chitotriosidase inhibitors library with MST and confirmed through X-ray crystallography. Based on cocrystal structures of potent hit compounds with CHI3L1, small molecule probes 19 and 20 were designed for an AS assay. Structure-based optimization led to compounds 30 and 31 with nanomolar activities and drug-like properties. Additionally, an orthogonal AS assay using biotinylated heparan sulfate as a probe was developed. The compounds' affinity showed a significant correlation in both assays. These screening tools and compounds offer novel avenues for investigating the role of CHI3L1.

The Interplay between Gut Microbiota and Cognitive Functioning in the Healthy Aging Population: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota in healthy older individuals typically show a decrease in beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, alongside an increase in pro-inflammatory microbes such as Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridia. These changes contrast with younger and middle-aged individuals and appear to correlate with cognitive status. Although there is extensive research on gut microbiota and cognitive functions in cognitively impaired elderly individuals, its impact on cognitively healthy elderly populations has not been extensively studied. METHOD: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify studies exploring the relationship between gut microbiota composition and cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. During the literature screening process, each record was initially assessed by its title, abstract, and keywords to exclude articles that did not align with the scope of this review. Three authors independently screened and retrieved the records. The inclusion criteria included: (1) publication in peer-reviewed journals; (2) studies involving neurologically, cognitively, and medically healthy populations; (3) participants identified as older adults, defined for this review as individuals aged 45 years and older due to the limited number of records; (4) analysis of gut microbiota; and (5) assessment of cognitive function. Subsequently, full texts were analyzed to determine eligibility. The exclusion criteria encompassed: (1) incorrect publication type; (2) inappropriate sample population; (3) unsuitable study design; (4) absence of one or more inclusion criteria; and (5) studies based on animal research. A risk of bias assessment was performed for each included study using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist, ensuring all selected studies met established quality standards. RESULTS: A total of 6 eligible research articles from a possible 1752 published until March 2024 were identified and included. We categorized the included studies into two groups based on their focus: the taxonomic composition of gut microbiota and the alpha diversity, which is the variety of organisms within a sample. Additionally, two methods were identified for assessing cognition: neuropsychological tests and physiological measurements, notably electroencephalography (EEG). The studies show varying results regarding the abundance of specific bacterial taxa and their cognitive associations. Notably, the relationship between certain bacteria and cognition may vary when analyzed at different taxonomic levels, such as phylum versus family. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in gut microbiota composition in the elderly, even without a cognitive impairment diagnosis, could potentially serve as early biological markers for Alzheimer's disease or other dementias before mild cognitive impairment appears.

Discovery of OATD-01, a First-in-Class Chitinase Inhibitor as Potential New Therapeutics for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Chitotriosidase (CHIT1) and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) are the enzymatically active chitinases that have been implicated in the pathology of chronic lung diseases such as asthma and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and sarcoidosis. The clinical and preclinical data suggest that pharmacological inhibition of CHIT1 might represent a novel therapeutic approach in IPF. Structural modification of an advanced lead molecule 3 led to the identification of compound 9 (OATD-01), a highly active CHIT1 inhibitor with both an excellent PK profile in multiple species and selectivity against a panel of other off-targets. OATD-01 given orally once daily in a range of doses between 30 and 100 mg/kg showed significant antifibrotic efficacy in an animal model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. OATD-01 is the first-in-class CHIT1 inhibitor, currently completed phase 1b of clinical trials, to be a potential treatment for IPF.

A New Inhibitor of Tubulin Polymerization Kills Multiple Cancer Cell Types and Reveals p21-Mediated Mechanism Determining Cell Death after Mitotic Catastrophe.

Induction of mitotic catastrophe through the disruption of microtubules is an established target in cancer therapy. However, the molecular mechanisms determining the mitotic catastrophe and the following apoptotic or non-apoptotic cell death remain poorly understood. Moreover, many existing drugs targeting tubulin, such as vincristine, have reduced efficacy, resulting from poor solubility in physiological conditions. Here, we introduce a novel small molecule 2-aminoimidazoline derivative-OAT-449, a synthetic water-soluble tubulin inhibitor. OAT-449 in a concentration range from 6 to 30 nM causes cell death of eight different cancer cell lines in vitro, and significantly inhibits tumor development in such xenograft models as HT-29 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) and SK-N-MC (neuroepithelioma) in vivo. Mechanistic studies showed that OAT-449, like vincristine, inhibited tubulin polymerization and induced profound multi-nucleation and mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells. HeLa and HT-29 cells within 24 h of treatment arrested in G2/M cell cycle phase, presenting mitotic catastrophe features, and 24 h later died by non-apoptotic cell death. In HT-29 cells, both agents altered phosphorylation status of Cdk1 and of spindle assembly checkpoint proteins NuMa and Aurora B, while G2/M arrest and apoptosis blocking was consistent with p53-independent accumulation in the nucleus and largely in the cytoplasm of p21/waf1/cip1, a key determinant of cell fate programs. This is the first common mechanism for the two microtubule-dissociating agents, vincristine and OAT-449, determining the cell death pathway following mitotic catastrophe demonstrated in HT-29 cells.

Benzoxazepine-Derived Selective, Orally Bioavailable Inhibitor of Human Acidic Mammalian Chitinase.

Human acidic mammalian chitinase (hAMCase) is one of two true chitinases in humans, the function of which remains elusive. In addition to the defense against highly antigenic chitin and chitin-containing pathogens in the gastric and intestinal contents, AMCase has been implicated in asthma, allergic inflammation, and ocular pathologies. Potent and selective small-molecule inhibitors of this enzyme have not been identified to date. Here we describe structural modifications of compound OAT-177, a previously developed inhibitor of mouse AMCase, leading to OAT-1441, which displays high activity and selectivity toward hAMCase. Significantly reduced off-target activity toward the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) and a good pharmacokinetic profile make OAT-1441 a potential candidate for further preclinical development as well as a useful tool compound to study the physiological role of hAMCase.

Development of Dual Chitinase Inhibitors as Potential New Treatment for Respiratory System Diseases.

Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) and chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1) are two enzymatically active proteins produced by mammals capable of cleaving the glycosidic bond in chitin. Based on the clinical findings and animal model studies, involvement of chitinases has been suggested in several respiratory system diseases including asthma, COPD, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Exploration of structure-activity relationships within the series of 1-(3-amino-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-amines, which was earlier identified as a scaffold of potent AMCase inhibitors, led us to discover highly active dual (i.e., AMCase and CHIT1) inhibitors with very good pharmacokinetic properties. Among them, compound 30 was shown to reduce the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice challenged with house dust mite extract after oral administration (50 mg/kg, qd). In addition, affinity toward the hERG potassium channel of compound 30 was significantly reduced when compared to the earlier reported chitinase inhibitors.

Discovery of selective, orally bioavailable inhibitor of mouse chitotriosidase.

This article describes our work towards the identification of a potent and selective inhibitor of mouse chitotriosidase (mCHIT1). A series of small molecule inhibitors of mCHIT1 and mAMCase have been developed from early lead compound 1. Examination of synthetized analogues led to discovery of several novel highly potent compounds. Among them compound 9 (OAT-2068) displays a remarkable 143-fold mCHIT1 vs. mAMCase selectivity. To explain the observed SAR molecular docking experiments were performed, which were in line with the experimental data from the enzymatic assays. Inhibitor 9 (OAT-2068) was found to have an excellent pharmacokinetic profile. This, together with high activity and selectivity, makes the compound an ideal and unique tool for studying the role of CHIT1 in biological models.

Targeting Acidic Mammalian chitinase Is Effective in Animal Model of Asthma.

This article highlights our work toward the identification of a potent, selective, and efficacious acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) inhibitor. Rational design, guided by X-ray analysis of several inhibitors bound to human chitotriosidase (hCHIT1), led to the identification of compound 7f as a highly potent AMCase inhibitor (IC50 values of 14 and 19 nM against human and mouse enzyme, respectively) and selective (>150× against mCHIT1) with very good PK properties. This compound dosed once daily at 30 mg/kg po showed significant anti-inflammatory efficacy in HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation in mice, reducing inflammatory cell influx in the BALF and total IgE concentration in plasma, which correlated with decrease of chitinolytic activity. Therapeutic efficacy of compound 7f in the clinically relevant aeroallergen-induced acute asthma model in mice provides a rationale for developing AMCase inhibitor for the treatment of asthma.