AbstractImpaired wound healing and ulcer complications are a leading cause of death in diabetic patients. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of a cyclometalated iridium(III) metal complex 1a as a stabilizer of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). In vitro biophysical and cellular analyses demonstrate that this compound binds to Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and inhibits the VHL–HIF-1α interaction. Furthermore, the compound accumulates HIF-1α levels in cellulo and activates HIF-1α mediated gene expression, including VEGF, GLUT1, and EPO. In in vivo mouse models, the compound significantly accelerates wound closure in both normal and diabetic mice, with a greater effect being observed in the diabetic group. We also demonstrate that HIF-1α driven genes related to wound healing (i.e. HSP-90, VEGFR-1, SDF-1, SCF, and Tie-2) are increased in the wound tissue of 1a-treated diabetic mice (including, db/db, HFD/STZ and STZ models). Our study demonstrates a small molecule stabilizer of HIF-1α as a promising therapeutic agent for wound healing, and, more importantly, validates the feasibility of treating diabetic wounds by blocking the VHL and HIF-1α interaction.
摘要:受损伤口愈合和溃疡并发症是糖尿病患者死亡的主要原因。在这项研究中,我们报道了一种环金属化的铱(III)金属配合物1a的设计和合成,作为缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)的稳定剂。体外生物物理和细胞分析表明,该化合物结合Von Hippel-Lindau(VHL)并抑制VHL-HIF-1α相互作用。此外,该化合物在细胞内累积HIF-1α水平,并激活HIF-1α介导的基因表达,包括VEGF、GLUT1和EPO。在活体小鼠模型中,该化合物显著加快了正常和糖尿病小鼠的伤口闭合速度,糖尿病组效果更显著。我们还证明了与伤口愈合相关的HIF-1α驱动基因(如HSP-90、VEGFR-1、SDF-1、SCF和Tie-2)在1a处理的糖尿病小鼠(包括db/db、HFD/STZ和STZ模型)的伤口组织中增加。我们的研究证明了一种小分子稳定剂HIF-1α作为治疗伤口愈合的有前途的药物,并更重要的是,通过阻断VHL和HIF-1α相互作用验证了治疗糖尿病伤口的可行性。