Asymmetric Synthesis and Biological Screening of Quinoxaline-Containing Synthetic Lipoxin A4 Mimetics (QNX-sLXms)

J Med Chem. 2021 Jul 8;64(13):9193-9216. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00403. Epub 2021 Jun 17.

Abstract

Failure to resolve inflammation underlies many prevalent pathologies. Recent insights have identified lipid mediators, typified by lipoxins (LXs), as drivers of inflammation resolution, suggesting potential therapeutic benefit. We report the asymmetric preparation of novel quinoxaline-containing synthetic-LXA4-mimetics (QNX-sLXms). Eight novel compounds were screened for their impact on inflammatory responses. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies showed that (R)-6 (also referred to as AT-02-CT) was the most efficacious and potent anti-inflammatory compound of those tested. (R)-6 significantly attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and tumor-necrosis-factor-α (TNF-α)-induced NF-κB activity in monocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells. The molecular target of (R)-6 was investigated. (R)-6 activated the endogenous LX receptor formyl peptide receptor 2 (ALX/FPR2). The anti-inflammatory properties of (R)-6 were further investigated in vivo in murine models of acute inflammation. Consistent with in vitro observations, (R)-6 attenuated inflammatory responses. These results support the therapeutic potential of the lead QNX-sLXm (R)-6 in the context of novel inflammatory regulators.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Quinoxalines / chemical synthesis
  • Quinoxalines / chemistry
  • Quinoxalines / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Lipoxin / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • FPR2 protein, human
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Quinoxalines
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide
  • Receptors, Lipoxin
  • TNF protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha