Structure–Activity and Structure–Property Relationship and Exploratory in Vivo Evaluation of the Nanomolar Keap1–Nrf2 Protein–Protein Interaction Inhibitor
作者:Zheng-Yu Jiang、Li−Li Xu、Meng-Chen Lu、Zhi-Yun Chen、Zhen-Wei Yuan、Xiao-Li Xu、Xiao-Ke Guo、Xiao-Jin Zhang、Hao-Peng Sun、Qi-Dong You
DOI:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00185
日期:2015.8.27
Directly disrupting the Keap1-Nrf2 protein protein interaction (PPI) is an effective way to activate Nrf2. Using the potent Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor that was reported by our group, we conducted a preliminary investigation of the structure activity and structure property relationships of the ring systems to improve the drug-like properties. Compound 18e, which bore p-acetamido substituents on the side chain phenyl rings, was the best choice for balancing PPI inhibition activity, physicochemical properties, and cellular Nrf2 activity. Cell-based experiments with 18e showed that the Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor can activate Nrf2 and induce the expression of Nrf2 downstream proteins in an Nrf2-dependent manner. An exploratory in vivo experiment was carried out to further evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of 18e in a LPS-challenged mouse model. The primary results indicated that 18e could reduce the level of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS and relieve the inflammatory response.