Identification of N-Phenyl-7 H-pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidin-4-amine Derivatives as Novel, Potent, and Selective NF-κB Inducing Kinase (NIK) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Psoriasis

J Med Chem. 2020 Jul 9;63(13):6748-6773. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00055. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Abstract

A series of N-phenyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amine derivatives with NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK) inhibitory activity were obtained through structure-based drug design and synthetic chemistry. Among them, 4-(3-((7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)-4-morpholinophenyl)-2-(thiazol-2-yl)but-3-yn-2-ol (12f) was identified as a highly potent NIK inhibitor, along with satisfactory selectivity. The pharmacokinetics of 12f and its ability to inhibit interleukin 6 secretion in BEAS-2B cells were better than compound 1 developed by Amgen. Oral administration of different doses of 12f in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model showed effective alleviation of psoriasis, including invasive erythema, swelling, skin thickening, and scales. The underlying pathological mechanism involved attenuation of proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine gene expression, and the infiltration of macrophages after the treatment of 12f. This work provides a foundation for the development of NIK inhibitors, highlighting the potential of developing NIK inhibitors as a new strategy for the treatment of psoriasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • NF-kappaB-Inducing Kinase
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / chemistry
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry*
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Pyrroles / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases