Development of Stem-Cell-Mobilizing Agents Targeting CXCR4 Receptor for Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation and Beyond

J Med Chem. 2018 Feb 8;61(3):818-833. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01322. Epub 2018 Jan 27.

Abstract

The function of the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis accounts for many disease indications, including tissue/nerve regeneration, cancer metastasis, and inflammation. Blocking CXCR4 signaling with its antagonists may lead to moving out CXCR4+ cell types from bone marrow to peripheral circulation. We have discovered a novel series of pyrimidine-based CXCR4 antagonists, a representative (i.e., 16) of which was tolerated at a higher dose and showed better HSC-mobilizing ability at the maximal response dose relative to the approved drug 1 (AMD3100), and thus considered a potential drug candidate for PBSCT indication. Docking compound 16 into the X-ray crystal structure of CXCR4 receptor revealed that it adopted a spider-like conformation striding over both major and minor subpockets. This putative binding mode provides a new insight into CXCR4 receptor-ligand interactions for further structural modifications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzylamines
  • Cyclams
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / metabolism
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / chemistry
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Benzylamines
  • Cyclams
  • Heterocyclic Compounds
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • plerixafor