Novel class of LIM-kinase 2 inhibitors for the treatment of ocular hypertension and associated glaucoma

J Med Chem. 2009 Nov 12;52(21):6515-8. doi: 10.1021/jm901226j.

Abstract

The discovery of a pyrrolopyrimidine class of LIM-kinase 2 (LIMK2) inhibitors is reported. These LIMK2 inhibitors show good potency in enzymatic and cellular assays and good selectivity against ROCK. After topical dosing to the eye in a steroid induced mouse model of ocular hypertension, the compounds reduce intraocular pressure to baseline levels. The compounds also increase outflow facility in a pig eye perfusion assay. These results suggest LIMK2 may be an effective target for treating ocular hypertension and associated glaucoma.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / chemistry
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology
  • Glaucoma / drug therapy
  • Glaucoma / physiopathology
  • Guanidines / chemical synthesis
  • Guanidines / chemistry
  • Guanidines / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects
  • Lim Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mice
  • Nitriles / chemical synthesis
  • Nitriles / chemistry
  • Nitriles / pharmacology
  • Ocular Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Ocular Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Ocular Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Piperazines / chemical synthesis
  • Piperazines / chemistry
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrroles / chemistry
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Swine
  • Urea / analogs & derivatives
  • Urea / chemical synthesis
  • Urea / chemistry
  • Urea / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Guanidines
  • Nitriles
  • Piperazines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • Urea
  • Lim Kinases
  • Limk2 protein, mouse