Discovery of a Novel Small-Molecule Modulator of C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Type 7 as a Treatment for Cardiac Fibrosis

J Med Chem. 2018 Apr 26;61(8):3685-3696. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00190. Epub 2018 Apr 17.

Abstract

C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7) is involved in cardiac and immune pathophysiology. We report the discovery of a novel 1,4-diazepine CXCR7 modulator, demonstrating for the first time the role of pharmacological CXCR7 intervention in cardiac repair. Structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies demonstrated that a net reduction in lipophilicity (log D) and an incorporation of saturated ring systems yielded compounds with good CXCR7 potencies and improvements in oxidative metabolic stability in human-liver microsomes (HLM). Tethering an ethylene amide further improved the selectivity profile (e.g., for compound 18, CXCR7 Ki = 13 nM, adrenergic α 1a Kb > 10 000 nM, and adrenergic β 2 Kb > 10 000 nM). The subcutaneous administration of 18 in mice led to a statistically significant increase in circulating concentrations of plasma stromal-cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) of approximately 2-fold. Chronic dosing of compound 18 in a mouse model of isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury further resulted in a statistically significant reduction of cardiac fibrosis.

MeSH terms

  • Acetamides / chemical synthesis
  • Acetamides / chemistry
  • Acetamides / pharmacology
  • Acetamides / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Azepines / chemical synthesis
  • Azepines / chemistry
  • Azepines / pharmacology
  • Azepines / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiotonic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Cardiotonic Agents / chemistry
  • Cardiotonic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cardiotonic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Dogs
  • Fibrosis / chemically induced
  • Fibrosis / drug therapy*
  • Heart Diseases / chemically induced
  • Heart Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Isoproterenol
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, CXCR / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • ACKR3 protein, human
  • Acetamides
  • Azepines
  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Cmkor1 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, CXCR
  • Isoproterenol