Discovery of D25, a Potent and Selective MNK Inhibitor for Sepsis-Associated Acute Spleen Injury

J Med Chem. 2024 Feb 22;67(4):3167-3189. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02441. Epub 2024 Feb 5.

Abstract

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-interacting protein kinases (MNKs) and phosphorylate eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (p-eIF4E) play a critical role in regulating mRNA translation and protein synthesis associated with the development of cancer, metabolism, and inflammation. This study undertakes the modification of a 4-(3-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine structure, leading to the discovery of 4-(3-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine (D25) as a potent and selective MNK inhibitor. D25 demonstrated inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 120.6 nM for MNK1 and 134.7 nM for MNK2, showing exceptional selectivity. D25 inhibited the expression of pro-inflammation cytokines in RAW264.7 cells, such as inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In the lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis mouse model, D25 significantly reduced p-eIF4E in spleen tissue and decreased the expression of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β, and IL-6, and it also reduced the production of reactive oxygen species, resulting in improved organ injury caused by inflammation. This suggests that D25 may provide a potential treatment for sepsis and sepsis-associated acute spleen injury.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E / chemistry
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases*
  • Pyridines / metabolism
  • Sepsis* / drug therapy
  • Spleen

Substances

  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E
  • Interleukin-6
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Pyridines