Discovery of Potent, Orally Bioavailable, Tricyclic NLRP3 Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2024 Jan 25;67(2):1544-1562. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02098. Epub 2024 Jan 4.

Abstract

NLRP3 is a molecular sensor recognizing a wide range of danger signals. Its activation leads to the assembly of an inflammasome that allows for activation of caspase-1 and subsequent maturation of IL-1β and IL-18, as well as cleavage of Gasdermin-d and pyroptotic cell death. The NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in a plethora of diseases including gout, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. In this publication, we describe the discovery of a novel, tricyclic, NLRP3-binding scaffold by high-throughput screening. The hit (1) could be optimized into an advanced compound NP3-562 demonstrating excellent potency in human whole blood and full inhibition of IL-1β release in a mouse acute peritonitis model at 30 mg/kg po dose. An X-ray structure of NP3-562 bound to the NLRP3 NACHT domain revealed a unique binding mode as compared to the known sulfonylurea-based inhibitors. In addition, NP3-562 shows also a good overall development profile.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caspase 1 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / metabolism
  • Gout*
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Inflammasomes
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Caspase 1