Intracellular and in vivo evaluation of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-5-carboxamide anti-tuberculosis compounds

PLoS One. 2020 Jan 6;15(1):e0227224. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227224. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-5-carboxamides (ITAs) are a promising class of anti-tuberculosis agents shown to have potent activity in vitro and to target QcrB, a key component of the mycobacterial cytochrome bcc-aa3 super complex critical for the electron transport chain. Herein we report the intracellular macrophage potency of nine diverse ITA analogs with MIC values ranging from 0.0625-2.5 μM and mono-drug resistant potency ranging from 0.0017 to 7 μM. The in vitro ADME properties (protein binding, CaCo-2, human microsomal stability and CYP450 inhibition) were determined for an outstanding compound of the series, ND-11543. ND-11543 was tolerable at >500 mg/kg in mice and at a dose of 200 mg/kg displayed good drug exposure in mice with an AUC(0-24h) >11,700 ng·hr/mL and a >24 hr half-life. Consistent with the phenotype observed with other QcrB inhibitors, compound ND-11543 showed efficacy in a chronic murine TB infection model when dosed at 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks. The efficacy was not dependent upon exposure, as pre-treatment with a known CYP450-inhibitor did not substantially improve efficacy. The ITAs are an interesting scaffold for the development of new anti-TB drugs especially in combination therapy based on their favorable properties and novel mechanism of action.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antitubercular Agents / chemistry
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Imidazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / growth & development
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Thiazoles / chemistry
  • Thiazoles / pharmacology
  • Thiazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy*
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Imidazoles
  • Thiazoles