Discovery of novel N-acylsulfonamide analogs as potent and selective EP3 receptor antagonists.

A series of novel N-acylsulfonamide analogs were synthesized and evaluated for their binding affinity and antagonist activity for the EP3 receptor subtype. Representative compounds were also evaluated for their inhibitory effect on PGE(2)-induced uterine contraction in pregnant rats. Among those tested, a series of N-acylbenzenesulfonamide analogs were found to be more potent than the corresponding carboxylic acid analogs in both the in vitro and in vivo evaluations. The structure activity relationships (SAR) are also discussed.

3-(2-Aminocarbonylphenyl)propanoic acid analogs as potent and selective EP3 receptor antagonists. part 2: optimization of the side chains to improve in vitro and in vivo potencies.

A series of 3-[2-{[(3-methyl-1-phenylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-4-(phenoxymethyl)phenyl]propanoic acid analogs were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro potency. In most cases, introduction of one or two substituents into the two phenyl moieties resulted in the tendency of an increase or retention of in vitro activities. Several compounds, which showed excellent subtype selectivity, were evaluated for their inhibitory effect against PGE(2)-induced uterine contraction in pregnant rats, which is thought to be mediated by the EP3 receptor subtype. The structure-activity relationships (SARs) are also discussed.

3-(2-Aminocarbonylphenyl)propanoic acid analogs as potent and selective EP3 receptor antagonists. Part 1: discovery and exploration of the carboxyamide side chain.

A series of 3-(2-aminocarbonyl-4-phenoxymethylphenyl)propanoic acid analogs were synthesized and evaluated for their EP3 antagonist activity in the presence of additive serum albumin. Several compounds were biologically evaluated for their in vivo efficacy with respect to the PGE(2)-induced uterine contraction in pregnant rats as well as their pharmacokinetics. The discovery process of these potent and selective EP3 antagonists and their structure activity relationship are also presented.

An improved synthesis of the selective EP4 receptor agonist ONO-4819.

An improved synthesis of the highly selective EP4-receptor agonist ONO-4819 has been developed. The previous synthesis suffered from several drawbacks, in which a critical one is the difficulty in the removal of byproducts leading to unsatisfactory quality of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Furthermore, on stereoselective reduction of an enone intermediate by binaphthol-modified lithium aluminum hydride, low concentration of the reaction conditions and tedious purification procedures to remove excess binaphthol were critical issues for the manufacturing process of the API. In the improved process, we have developed improved conditions using gamma-thiobutyrolactone as sulfur source instead of potassium thioacetate to introduce the sulfur-containing C4 side chain without formation of byproducts. For stereoselective synthesis of the chiral alcohol, (-)-DIP-chloride reduction is found to be the best method, which can improve not only the enantioselectivity but also the workload for removing the chiral modifier in a purification process. Furthermore, benzoyl and tert-butyldimethylsilyl groups as protecting groups for hydroxyl functions were used for precise process controls of all intermediates. By changing these protecting groups, the purity of ONO-4819 was strictly controlled through crystalline intermediates. Thus, an improved robust process for ONO-4819 with a high chemical purity was developed.

Discovery of a series of acrylic acids and their derivatives as chemical leads for selective EP3 receptor antagonists.

A series of acrylic acids and their structurally related compounds were evaluated for their binding affinity to four EP receptor subtypes (EP1-4). Starting from the initial hit 3, which was discovered in our in-house library, compounds 4 and 5 were identified as new chemical leads as candidates for further optimization towards a selective EP3 receptor antagonist. The identification process of these compounds and their pharmacokinetic profiles are presented.

Further optimization of sulfonamide analogs as EP1 receptor antagonists: synthesis and evaluation of bioisosteres for the carboxylic acid group.

4-{[2-[(2-Furylsulfonyl)(isobutyl)amino]-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]methyl}benzoic acid analogs 2a and b and a series of the acid analogs, in which the carboxylic acid residue of 2b was replaced with various kinds of carboxylic acid bioisosteres, were synthesized and evaluated as EP1 receptor antagonists. Compound 2b and its monocyclic acid analogs, in which the carboxylic acid residue of 2b was replaced with monocyclic acid bioisosteres, were found to show potent EP1 receptor antagonist activity. Optimization of the linker Y between the phenyl moiety and the carboxylic acid residue of 2b was also carried out (Table 5). Compounds 2b and 16 and 17 possessing conformationally restricted linker Y were found to show the most optimized potency among the tested compounds. Cytochrome P450 inhibition of optimized compounds was also investigated. Details of the structure-activity relationship study are presented.

Discovery of heteroaryl sulfonamides as new EP1 receptor selective antagonists.

4-({2-[Isobutyl(phenylsulfonyl)amino]-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy}methyl)benzoic acid (1) is a functional PGE2 antagonist selective for EP1 receptor subtype. Analogs of 1, in which the phenyl-sulfonyl moiety has been replaced with more hydrophilic heteroarylsulfonyl moieties, exhibited more optimized antagonist activity, while some of them showed in vivo antagonist activity. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies are also presented.

Discovery of new chemical leads for selective EP1 receptor antagonists.

A series of 4-([2-[alkyl(phenylsulfonyl)amino]phenoxy]methyl)benzoic acids were identified as functional PGE(2) antagonists with selectivity for the EP1 receptor subtype starting from a chemical lead 1, which was found while screening our in-house compound library. Discovery of the optimized analogs 21-23 is presented here and structure-activity relationships (SAR) are also discussed.

Suppression of azoxymethane-induced colon cancer development in rats by a prostaglandin E receptor EP1-selective antagonist.

Prostaglandin E(2) is involved in colon carcinogenesis through its binding to the PGE(2) receptor subtypes EP(1), EP(2), EP(3) and EP(4). We have demonstrated that administration of ONO-8711, an EP(1)-selective antagonist, suppresses development of AOM-induced ACF in C57BL/6 mice and F344 rats. ONO-8711 also reduced the numbers of intestinal polyps in Min mice. In the present study, we investigated the long-term effects of ONO-8711 on colon cancer development in rats treated with AOM. Male F344 rats were injected subcutaneously with AOM (15 mg/kg body weight) once a week for the first 2 weeks to develop colon cancer. Administration of 400 or 800 p.p.m. ONO-8711 in their diets for 32 weeks reduced the incidence, multiplicity and volume of colon carcinomas. The incidence of colon adenocarcinomas in AOM-treated rats was 97, 83 and 76% (P < 0.05) in the 0, 400 and 800 p.p.m. of ONO-8711 groups, respectively. The multiplicity of adenocarcinomas was also decreased significantly, being 3.31 +/- 0.33, 2.34 +/- 0.27 (P < 0.05) and 2.06 +/- 0.34 (P < 0.01) with 0, 400 and 800 p.p.m. of ONO-8711, respectively. Moreover, treatment with 800 p.p.m. ONO-8711 reduced the mean volume of adenocarcinomas to 49% (P < 0.05) of the value for the AOM treatment alone. Furthermore, the BrdU labeling index was decreased significantly in colon cancer cells by 800 p.p.m. ONO-8711. These results confirm that EP(1) is involved in colon carcinogenesis and that EP(1)-selective antagonists might be promising candidates for colon cancer chemopreventive agents.

Development of a prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonist: discovery of a new chemical lead.

A series of N-(p-alkoxy)benzoyl-5-methoxy-2-methylindole-3-acetic acids and N-(p-butoxy)benzoyl-2-methylindole-4-acetic acid were discovered as new chemical leads for a prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor antagonist. Most of them exhibited PGD2 receptor binding and blocked cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) formation in vitro. In particular, 2-methylindole-4-acetic acid analog 1 showed markedly increased receptor affinity and cAMP antagonist activity. Chemistry and structure activity relationship (SAR) data are also presented.

Discovery of new chemical leads for prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists.

A series of Indomethacin analogs were synthesized and biologically evaluated. Among the compounds tested, N-(p-butoxy)benzoyl-2-methylindole-4-acetic acid 2 was discovered as a new chemical lead for a prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor antagonist. Structure-activity relationship data are also presented.

Development of prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonist: discovery of highly potent antagonists.

The process of discovery for highly potent prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) receptor antagonists is reported. A series of N-(p-alkoxy)benzoyl-2-methylindole-4-acetic acids were synthesized and identified as a new class of selective PGD(2) receptor antagonists. Most of them exhibited strong PGD(2) receptor antagonism in binding studies and the cAMP formation assay. The structure-activity relationships (SAR), including subtype selectivity of the synthesized compounds, are also discussed.

Discovery of orally active prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists.

A series of N-(p-alkoxy)benzoyl-2-methylindole-4-acetic acids were synthesized and evaluated for prostaglandin D(2) (DP) receptor affinity and antagonist activity. Some of them exhibited strong receptor binding and were potent in the cAMP formation assays. These antagonists also suppressed allergic inflammatory responses such as the PGD(2)-induced increase of microvascular permeability. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) data are presented.

Discovery of a new class of potent, selective, and orally active prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists.

The process of discovering a series of N-(p-alkoxy)benzoyl-2-methylindole-4-acetic acid analogs is presented since these compounds represent a new class of potent, selective, and orally active prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor antagonists. Most of these compounds exhibit strong PGD2 receptor binding and PGD2 receptor antagonism in cAMP formation assays. When given orally, these new antagonists dramatically suppress allergic inflammatory responses, such as the PGD2-induced or OVA-induced increase of vascular permeability. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) data are also discussed.

Up-regulation of lymphocytic cholinergic activity by ONO-4819, a selective prostaglandin EP4 receptor agonist, in MOLT-3 human leukemic T cells.

We used a selective EP4 receptor agonist, ONO-4819, and a human leukemic T cell line MOLT-3 cells, which express all four prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptors (EP1-EP4), to investigate whether the EP4 PGE2 receptor subtype is involved in regulating lymphocytic cholinergic activity. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a T cell activator, significantly enhanced the expression of EP4 receptor mRNA during the first 3-6 h of exposure, after which, expression gradually declined. Furthermore, PHA stimulation slightly but significantly up-regulated the expression of EP2 mRNA after 12 h and of EP3 mRNA after 6 h. By contrast, expression level of EP1 receptor mRNA was not affected by PHA. ONO-4819 (1 microM), which was added to cultures after 3 h of PHA stimulation, significantly increased cellular ACh content and release, and up-regulated ChAT mRNA expression and activity but inhibited MOLT-3 cell proliferation. These findings suggest that the activation of T lymphocytes up-regulates EP4 receptor mRNA expression and, to a lesser extent, EP2 and EP3 receptors and that PGE2 enhances nonneuronal lymphocytic cholinergic transmission in activated T cells, at least in part, via EP4 receptor-mediated pathways.

Role of prostaglandin E receptor EP1 subtype in the development of renal injury in genetically hypertensive rats.

One of the major causes of end-stage renal diseases is hypertensive renal disease, in which enhanced renal prostaglandin (PG) E2 production has been shown. PGE2, a major arachidonic acid metabolite produced in the kidney, acts on 4 receptor subtypes, EP1 through EP4, but the pathophysiological importance of the PGE2/EP subtypes in the development of hypertensive renal injury remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether an orally active EP1-selective antagonist (EP1A) prevents the progression of renal damage in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), a model of human malignant hypertension. Ten-week-old SHRSP, with established hypertension but with minimal renal damage, were given EP1A or vehicle for 5 weeks. After the treatment period, vehicle-treated SHRSP showed prominent proliferative lesions in arterioles, characterized by decreased alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in multilayered vascular smooth muscle cells. Upregulation of transforming growth factor-beta expression and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were also observed in vehicle-treated SHRSP. All these changes were dramatically attenuated in EP1A-treated SHRSP. Moreover, EP1A treatment significantly inhibited both increase in urinary protein excretion and decrease in creatinine clearance but had little effect on systemic blood pressure. These findings indicate that the PGE2/EP1 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of renal injury in SHRSP. This study opens a novel therapeutic potential of selective blockade of EP1 for the treatment of hypertensive renal disease.

Combined effects of prostaglandin E receptor subtype EP1 and subtype EP4 antagonists on intestinal tumorigenesis in adenomatous polyposis coli gene knockout mice.

Previous studies have shown that prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is involved in intestinal carcinogenesis through its binding to the PGE(2) receptor subtypes EP(1) and EP(4) and activation of downstream pathways. ONO-8711 and ONO-AE2-227, prostaglandin E receptor subtype EP(1)- and EP(4)-selective antagonists, respectively, are known to suppress formation of intestinal polyps in adenomatous polyposis coli gene-deficient mice. The present study was designed to investigate the combined effects of EP(1) and EP(4) antagonists on spontaneous polyp formation in APC1309 mice in order to determine the contribution of each receptor to intestinal tumorigenesis. APC1309 mice were treated with 400 ppm of ONO-8711 alone, 400 ppm of ONO-AE2-227 alone or both in combination in the diet for 6 weeks. The mean area of polyps found in the intestine, calculated as the longer diameter x the shorter diameter x pi, was reduced by 12%, 43% (P < 0.01) and 56% (P < 0.01) of the mean control value (8.8 mm(2)) in the ONO-8711 alone, ONO-AE2-227 alone and combination treatment groups, respectively, suggesting clear additive effects of the combination. The same additive tendency for suppression was also observed with respect to the numbers of polyps in the intestine. Polyp size reduction was more remarkable with the EP(4) antagonist, while the number reduction was more pronounced with the EP(1) antagonist. Our results indicate that EP(1) and EP(4) may have separate intrinsic roles and, to some extent, contribute to polyp formation independently. Thus, combination treatment has potential for the chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis.

Prevention of diabetic nephropathy in rats by prostaglandin E receptor EP1-selective antagonist.

Local production of prostaglandins (PGs) in the kidney is increased in clinical and experimental diabetic nephropathy, but the role of PGs in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic nephropathy has remained unclear. It is here shown that an orally active antagonist selective for the PGE receptor EP1 subtype potently prevents the progression of nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The effects are shown by ameliorated renal and glomerular hypertrophy, decreased mesangial expansion, inhibited transcriptional activation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and fibronectin, and complete suppression of proteinuria. In vitro, this agent completely inhibits TGF-beta and fibronectin upregulation in mesangial cells cultured under high-glucose conditions. These data indicate that the PGE2-EP1 system plays a crucial role in the development of diabetic renal injury in rats. It is further shown that both the EP1 antagonist and aspirin, a nonselective PG synthase inhibitor, markedly attenuate mesangial expansion, whereas only the EP1 antagonist inhibits glomerular hypertrophy and proteinuria, which suggests that these changes are caused by different mechanisms. This study reveals a potential usefulness of selective EP1 blockade as a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetic nephropathy and also brings a new insight into our understanding of this disease.

Design and synthesis of a selective EP4-receptor agonist. Part 4: practical synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel highly selective EP4-receptor agonist.

A practical method of synthesizing a highly selective EP4-receptor agonist 1 using Corey lactone 2 as a key intermediate was developed. Selective methanesulfonylation of the primary alcohol of the diol 8 under the newly devised conditions followed by the protection of the remaining secondary alcohol are key reactions in this new method. Further biological evaluation of 1a-b is also reported.

Design and synthesis of a selective EP4-receptor agonist. Part 3: 16-phenyl-5-thiaPGE(1) and 9-beta-halo derivatives with improved stability.

To identify a new selective EP4-agonist with improved chemical stability, further chemical modification of those reported previously was continued. We focused our attention on chemical modification of the alpha chain of 3,7-dithiaPGE(1) and selected 5-thiaPGE(1) as a new chemical lead. Introduction of an optimized omega chain to the 5-thiaPG skeleton afforded m-methoxymethyl derivative 33a, which showed the most potent EP4-receptor agonist activity and good subtype-selectivity both in vitro and in vivo. 9beta-HaloPGF derivatives were also synthesized and biologically evaluated in an attempt to block self-degradation of the beta-hydroxyketone moiety. Among these series, and 39b showed potent agonist activity and good subtype-selectivity. Structure-activity relationships (SARs) are also discussed.