Structure-Activity and Structure-Property Relationship and Exploratory in Vivo Evaluation of the Nanomolar Keap1-Nrf2 Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitor

J Med Chem. 2015 Aug 27;58(16):6410-21. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00185. Epub 2015 Aug 14.

Abstract

Directly disrupting the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) is an effective way to activate Nrf2. Using the potent Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor that was reported by our group, we conducted a preliminary investigation of the structure-activity and structure-property relationships of the ring systems to improve the drug-like properties. Compound 18e, which bore p-acetamido substituents on the side chain phenyl rings, was the best choice for balancing PPI inhibition activity, physicochemical properties, and cellular Nrf2 activity. Cell-based experiments with 18e showed that the Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor can activate Nrf2 and induce the expression of Nrf2 downstream proteins in an Nrf2-dependent manner. An exploratory in vivo experiment was carried out to further evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of 18e in a LPS-challenged mouse model. The primary results indicated that 18e could reduce the level of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS and relieve the inflammatory response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activation, Metabolic / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • Lipopolysaccharides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Molecular
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / genetics
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cytokines
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • KEAP1 protein, human
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NFE2L2 protein, human
  • RNA, Small Interfering