Discovery and Optimization of a Series of Sulfonamide Inverse Agonists for the Retinoic Acid Receptor-Related Orphan Receptor-α

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 676-684
Author(s):  
Christelle Doebelin ◽  
Yuanjun He ◽  
Sean Campbell ◽  
Philippe Nuhant ◽  
Naresh Kumar ◽  
...  

Background: Despite a massive industry endeavor to develop RORγ-modulators for autoimmune disorders, there has been no indication of efforts to target the close family member RORα for similar indications. This may be due to the misconception that RORα is redundant to RORγ, or the inherent difficulty in cultivating tractable starting points for RORα. RORα-selective modulators would be useful tools to interrogate the biology of this understudied orphan nuclear receptor. Objectives: he goal of this research effort was to identify and optimize synthetic ligands for RORα starting from the known LXR agonist T0901317. Methods: Fourty-five analogs of the sulfonamide lead (1) were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to suppress the transcriptional activity of RORα, RORγ, and LXRα in cell-based assays. Analogs were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and LC-MS analysis. The pharmacokinetic profile of the most selective RORα inverse agonist was evaluated in rats with intraperitoneal (i.p.) and per oral (p.o.)dosing. Results: Structure-activity relationship studies led to potent dual RORα/RORγ inverse agonists as well as RORα-selective inverse agonists (20, 28). LXR activity could be reduced by removing the sulfonamide nitrogen substituent. Attempts to improve the potency of these selective leads by varying substitution patterns throughout the molecule proved challenging. Conclusion: The synthetic RORα-selective inverse agonists identified (20, 28) can be utilized as chemical tools to probe the function of RORα in vitro and in vivo.

2002 ◽  
Vol 277 (51) ◽  
pp. 49275-49281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Raspè ◽  
Gisèle Mautino ◽  
Caroline Duval ◽  
Coralie Fontaine ◽  
Hélène Duez ◽  
...  

The Rev-erb and retinoic acid-related orphan receptors (ROR) are two related families of orphan nuclear receptors that recognize similar response elements but have opposite effects on transcription. Recently, theRev-erbαgene promoter has been characterized and shown to harbor a functional Rev-erbα-binding site known as Rev-DR2, responsible for negative feedback down-regulation of promoter activity by Rev-erbα itself. The present study aimed to investigate whetherRev-erbαgene expression is regulated by RORα. Gel shift analysis demonstrated thatin vitrotranslated hRORα1 protein binds to the Rev-DR2 site, both as monomer and dimer. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that binding of RORα to this site also occurredin vivoin human hepatoma HepG2 cells. The Rev-DR2 site was further shown to be functional as it conferred hRORα1 responsiveness to a heterologous promoter and to the natural humanRev-erbαgene promoter in these cells. Mutation of this site in the context of the naturalRev-erbαgene promoter abolished its activation by RORα, indicating that this site plays a key role in hRORα1 action. Finally, adenoviral overexpression of hRORα1 in HepG2 cells led to enhanced hRev-erbα mRNA accumulation, further confirming the physiological importance of RORα1 in the regulation of Rev-erbα expression.


2019 ◽  
Vol 217 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Ghaedi ◽  
Zi Yi Shen ◽  
Mona Orangi ◽  
Itziar Martinez-Gonzalez ◽  
Lisa Wei ◽  
...  

Lung group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) drive allergic inflammation and promote tissue repair. ILC2 development is dependent on the transcription factor retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor (RORα), which is also expressed in common ILC progenitors. To elucidate the developmental pathways of lung ILC2s, we generated RORα lineage tracer mice and performed single-cell RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and functional analyses. In adult mouse lungs, we found an IL-18Rα+ST2− population different from conventional IL-18Rα−ST2+ ILC2s. The former was GATA-3intTcf7EGFP+Kit+, produced few cytokines, and differentiated into multiple ILC lineages in vivo and in vitro. In neonatal mouse lungs, three ILC populations were identified, namely an ILC progenitor population similar to that in adult lungs and two distinct effector ILC2 subsets that differentially produced type 2 cytokines and amphiregulin. Lung ILC progenitors might actively contribute to ILC-poiesis in neonatal and inflamed adult lungs. In addition, neonatal lung ILC2s include distinct proinflammatory and tissue-repairing subsets.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si-wei Wang ◽  
Tian Lan ◽  
Hao Sheng ◽  
Fang Zheng ◽  
Mei-kang Lei ◽  
...  

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an inflammatory disorder that is characterized by chronic activation of the hepatic inflammatory response and subsequent liver damage. The regulation of macrophage polarization in liver is closely related to the progression of NASH. The orphan nuclear receptor retinoic-acid-related orphan receptor α (RORα) and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) are key regulators which promote hepatic macrophages toward M2 phenotype and protect against NASH in mice. Nobiletin (NOB), a natural polymethoxylated flavone, is previously reported as a RORα regulator in diet-induced obese mice. However, it is still unclear whether NOB has the protective effect on NASH. In this study, we investigated the role of NOB in NASH using a methionine and choline deficient (MCD)-induced NASH mouse model. Our results showed that NOB ameliorated hepatic damage and fibrosis in MCD fed mice. NOB treatment reduced the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils in the liver in MCD-fed mice. Of importance, NOB significantly increased the proportion of M2 macrophages and the expression of anti-inflammatory factors in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, NOB also decreased the population of M1 macrophages and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, NOB elevated KLF4 expression in macrophages. Inhibition of KLF4 abolished NOB regulated macrophage polarization. Furthermore, the regulation of NOB in KLF4 expression was dependent on RORα.


Author(s):  
Maryam Ghaedi ◽  
Mona Orangi ◽  
Itziar Martinez-Gonzalez ◽  
Lisa Wei ◽  
Xiaoxiao Lu ◽  
...  

Lung group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) drive allergic inflammation and promote tissue repair. ILC2 development is dependent on the transcription factor retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor (RORα), which is also expressed in common ILC progenitors. To elucidate the developmental pathways of lung ILC2s, we generated RORα lineage tracer mice and performed single-cell RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and functional analyses. In adult mouse lungs, we found an IL-18Rα+ST2− population different from conventional IL-18Rα−ST2+ ILC2s. The former was GATA-3intTcf7EGFP+Kit+, produced few cytokines, and differentiated into multiple ILC lineages in vivo and in vitro. In neonatal mouse lungs, three ILC populations were identified, namely an ILC progenitor population similar to that in adult lungs and two distinct effector ILC2 subsets that differentially produced type 2 cytokines and amphiregulin. Lung ILC progenitors might actively contribute to ILC-poiesis in neonatal and inflamed adult lungs. In addition, neonatal lung ILC2s include distinct proinflammatory and tissue-repairing subsets.


1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 7549-7557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Maira ◽  
Christine Martens ◽  
Alexandre Philips ◽  
Jacques Drouin

ABSTRACT We have recently shown that the orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 (NGFI-B) is most active in transcription when it is interacting with a cognate DNA sequence as a homodimer. Further, we have shown that the target for Nur77 dimers, the Nur response element (NurRE), is responsive to physiological stimuli in both endocrine and lymphoid cells, whereas other DNA targets of Nur77 action are not. The Nur77 subfamily also includes two related receptors, Nur-related factor 1 (Nurr1) and neuron-derived orphan receptor 1 (NOR-1). Often, more than one member of this subfamily is induced in response to extracellular signals. We now show that Nur77 and Nurr1 form heterodimers in vitro in the presence or absence of NurRE, and we have documented interactions between these proteins in vivo by using a two-hybrid system in mammalian cells. These heterodimers synergistically enhance transcription from NurRE reporters in comparison to that seen with homodimers. The naturally occurring NurRE from the pro-opiomelanocortin gene preferentially binds and activates transcription in the presence of Nur77 homo- or heterodimers, while a consensus NurRE sequence does not show this preference. Taken together, the data indicate that members of the Nur77 subfamily are most potent as heterodimers and that different dimers exhibit target sequence preference. Thus, we propose that a combinatorial code relying on specific NurRE sequences might be responsible for the activation of subsets of target genes by one of the members of the Nur77 subfamily of transcription factors.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bassem D. Khalil ◽  
Roberto Sanchez ◽  
Tasrina Rahman ◽  
Carolina Rodriguez-Tirado ◽  
Stefan Moritsch ◽  
...  

AbstractDisseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in secondary organs often remain dormant for a long period of time before re-awakening and growing into overt metastases. We have previously identified NR2F1/COUP-TF1, an orphan nuclear receptor, as a master regulator of tumor cell dormancy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and other cancer types. Here we describe the identification and function of a novel NR2F1 agonist herein referred to as compound 26 (C26). C26 was found to specifically activate NR2F1 in HNSCC cells, leading to increased NR2F1 transcription and nuclear protein accumulation. C26-mediated activation of NR2F1 induced growth arrest of HNSCC PDX line and cell lines in 3D cultures in vitro and on chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in vivo. The effect of C26 on growth arrest was lost when NR2F1 was knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9. C26-induced growth arrest was mediated by activation of an NR2F1-regulated dormancy program, including upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27 and the transcription factors retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) and Sox9. In mice bearing HNSCC PDX tumors, combined adjuvant and neo-adjuvant treatment with C26 resulted in complete inhibition of lethal lung metastasis. Mechanistic analysis showed that lung DTCs in C26-treated mice displayed an NR2F1hi/p27hi/Ki-67lo phenotype, which kept them dormant in a single-cell state preventing their outgrowth into overt metastases. Our work reveals a novel NR2F1 agonist and provides a proof of principle strategy supporting that inducing DTC dormancy using NR2F1 agonists could be used as a therapeutic strategy to prevent metastasis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-531
Author(s):  
Hina Mumtaz ◽  
Muhammad Asim Farooq ◽  
Zainab Batool ◽  
Anam Ahsan ◽  
Ashikujaman Syed

The main purpose of development pharmaceutical dosage form is to find out the in vivo and in vitro behavior of dosage form. This challenge is overcome by implementation of in-vivo and in-vitro correlation. Application of this technique is economical and time saving in dosage form development. It shortens the period of development dosage form as well as improves product quality. IVIVC reduce the experimental study on human because IVIVC involves the in vivo relevant media utilization in vitro specifications. The key goal of IVIVC is to serve as alternate for in vivo bioavailability studies and serve as justification for bio waivers. IVIVC follows the specifications and relevant quality control parameters that lead to improvement in pharmaceutical dosage form development in short period of time. Recently in-vivo in-vitro correlation (IVIVC) has found application to predict the pharmacokinetic behaviour of pharmaceutical preparations. It has emerged as a reliable tool to find the mode of absorption of several dosage forms. It is used to correlate the in-vitro dissolution with in vivo pharmacokinetic profile. IVIVC made use to predict the bioavailability of the drug of particular dosage form. IVIVC is satisfactory for the therapeutic release profile specifications of the formulation. IVIVC model has capability to predict plasma drug concentration from in vitro dissolution media.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi He ◽  
Wenjun Hu ◽  
Fanhua Meng ◽  
Xingzhou Li

Background: The broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug nitazoxanide (N) has been repositioned as a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. Nitazoxanide’s in vivo antiviral activities are mainly attributed to its metabolitetizoxanide, the deacetylation product of nitazoxanide. In reference to the pharmacokinetic profile of nitazoxanide, we proposed the hypotheses that the low plasma concentrations and the low system exposure of tizoxanide after dosing with nitazoxanide result from significant first pass effects in the liver. It was thought that this may be due to the unstable acyloxy bond of nitazoxanide. Objective: Tizoxanide prodrugs, with the more stable formamyl substituent attached to the hydroxyl group rather than the acetyl group of nitazoxanide, were designed with the thought that they might be more stable in plasma. It was anticipated that these prodrugs might be less affected by the first pass effect, which would improve plasma concentrations and system exposure of tizoxanide. Method: These O-carbamoyl tizoxanide prodrugs were synthesized and evaluated in a mouse model for pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and in an in vitro model for plasma stabilities. Results: The results indicated that the plasma concentration and the systemic exposure of tizoxanide (T) after oral administration of O-carbamoyl tizoxanide prodrugs were much greater than that produced by equimolar dosage of nitazoxanide. It was also found that the plasma concentration and the systemic exposure of tizoxanide glucuronide (TG) were much lower than that produced by nitazoxanide. Conclusion: Further analysis showed that the suitable plasma stability of O-carbamoyl tizoxanide prodrugs is the key factor in maximizing the plasma concentration and the systemic exposure of the active ingredient tizoxanide.


2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (09) ◽  
pp. 454-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Koehler ◽  
Goetz Nowak ◽  
Mercedes López

SummaryDipetarudin was coupled to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-5000 residues in order to improve its pharmacokinetic profile and to enhance its anticoagulant efficacy. The resulting compounds, mono-and di-PEGylated dipetarudin were purified by gel filtration. Mono-PEGylated dipetarudin exhibited similar activity like its non-conjugated equivalent both in vitro and in vivo. However, di-PEGylated dipetarudin showed longer distribution and elimination half-lives and higher area under the time-concentration curve in comparison with the unmodified inhibitor which may be attributed to decreased renal clearance. Futhermore, ratio k 12/k 21 decreased when the number of PEG chains coupled to dipetarudin increased. It means that the intercompartment transfer of dipetarudin, characterised by a fast distribution and a high retention in the peripheral compartment, is reverted by coupling to PEG. Thus, the transfer of mono-PEGylated dipetarudin between these compartments is similar in both senses and the transfer of di-PEGylated dipetarudin is slower from vascular to extravascular compartment than vice versa. Our results show that di-PEGylated dipetarudin produces a better and longer anticoagulant effect than unmodified dipetarudin which is a desirable attribute for future therapeutic application.


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