Euodenine A: a small-molecule agonist of human TLR4

J Med Chem. 2014 Feb 27;57(4):1252-75. doi: 10.1021/jm401321v. Epub 2014 Feb 7.

Abstract

A small-molecule natural product, euodenine A (1), was identified as an agonist of the human TLR4 receptor. Euodenine A was isolated from the leaves of Euodia asteridula (Rutaceae) found in Papua New Guinea and has an unusual U-shaped structure. It was synthesized along with a series of analogues that exhibit potent and selective agonism of the TLR4 receptor. SAR development around the cyclobutane ring resulted in a 10-fold increase in potency. The natural product demonstrated an extracellular site of action, which requires the extracellular domain of TLR4 to stimulate a NF-κB reporter response. 1 is a human-selective agonist that is CD14-independent, and it requires both TLR4 and MD-2 for full efficacy. Testing for immunomodulation in PBMC cells shows the induction of the cytokines IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-12p40 as well as suppression of IL-5 from activated PBMCs, indicating that compounds like 1 could modulate the Th2 immune response without causing lung damage.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Quinolones / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / agonists*

Substances

  • 1,10,10-trimethyl-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,2,2a,4,10,10a-hexahydro-3H-cyclobuta(4,5)pyrano(3,2-c)quinolin-3-one
  • Cytokines
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings
  • Quinolones
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4