Macrolide Inspired Macrocycles as Modulators of the IL-17A/IL-17RA Interaction

J Med Chem. 2021 Jun 24;64(12):8354-8383. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00327. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Abstract

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) cytokines promote inflammatory pathophysiology in many autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Such broad involvement of IL-17 in various autoimmune diseases makes it an ideal target for drug discovery. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by numerous defective components of the immune system. Significantly higher levels of IL-17A have been noticed in lesions of psoriatic patients, if compared to non-lesion parts. Therefore, this paper is focused on the macrolide inspired macrocycles as potential IL-17A/IL-17RA modulators and covers the molecular design, synthesis, and in vitro profiling. Macrocycles are designed to diversify and enrich chemical space through different ring sizes and a variety of three-dimensional shapes. Inhibitors in the nM range were identified in both target-based and phenotypic assays. In vitro ADME as well as in vivo PK properties are reported.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / metabolism
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / metabolism
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Binding / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • THP-1 Cells

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Interleukin-17
  • Macrocyclic Compounds
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17