Structural Modifications of Nimodipine Lead to Novel PDE1 Inhibitors with Anti-pulmonary Fibrosis Effects

J Med Chem. 2022 Jun 23;65(12):8444-8455. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00458. Epub 2022 Jun 6.

Abstract

Our previous research demonstrated that phosphodiesterase-1 (PDE1) could work as a potential target against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Nimodipine, a calcium antagonist commonly used to improve hypertension, was reported to have inhibition against PDE1. Herein, a series of nimodipine analogues were discovered as novel selective and potent PDE1 inhibitors after structural modifications. Compound 2g exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against PDE1C (IC50 = 10 nM), high selectivity over other PDEs except for PDE4, and weak calcium channel antagonistic activity. Administration of compound 2g exhibited remarkable therapeutic effects in a rat model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin and prevented myofibroblast differentiation induced by TGF-β1. The expressions of PDE1B and PDE1C were found to be increased and concentrated in the focus of fibrosis. Compound 2g increased the levels of 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the lungs of rats with pulmonary fibrosis, supporting the fact that the anti-fibrosis effects of 2g were through the regulation of cAMP and cGMP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 1
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis* / drug therapy
  • Nimodipine / pharmacology
  • Nimodipine / therapeutic use
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Nimodipine
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 1
  • Cyclic GMP