Discovery and Design of Novel Cyclic Peptides as Specific Inhibitors Targeting CCN2 and Disrupting CCN2/EGFR Interaction for Kidney Fibrosis Treatment

J Med Chem. 2023 Jun 22;66(12):8251-8266. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00594. Epub 2023 Jun 6.

Abstract

Kidney fibrosis is a serious consequence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and currently, there is no effective pharmacological treatment available. Cellular communication network-2 (CCN2/CTGF) is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that regulates the fibrotic process by activating the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. We herein present the discovery and structure-activity relationship study of novel peptides targeting CCN2 to develop potent and stable specific inhibitors of the CCN2/EGFR interaction. Remarkably, the 7-mer cyclic peptide OK2 exhibited potent activities to inhibit CCN2/EGFR-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and cellular ECM protein synthesis. Subsequent in vivo studies demonstrated that OK2 significantly alleviated renal fibrosis in a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model. Moreover, this study first revealed that the peptide candidate could efficiently block CCN2/EGFR interaction through binding to the CT domain of CCN2, providing a new alternative strategy for peptide-based targeting of CCN2 and modulating CCN2/EGFR-mediated biological functions in kidney fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor* / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Fibrosis
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Peptides, Cyclic* / pharmacology
  • Peptides, Cyclic* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors