Patent Application
20190328887
The invention relates to metabolically stable and non-immunogen analogs completely hydrosoluble, and their use for the prevention or treatment of diseases mediated by G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), in particular (Central Nervous System) CNS and cardiovascular diseases or disorders, or their use in diagnostic methods.
To date more than 7000 naturally occurring peptides have been identified, and these often have a crucial role in human physiology including actions as hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, ion channel ligands, or anti-infectives. In general, peptides are selective and efficacious signaling molecules that bind to specific cell surface receptors, such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) or ion channels, where they trigger intracellular effects. Thereby, during the last decade, peptides have gained a wide range of applications in medicine. Indeed, more than 60 US Food and drug Administration (FDA)-approved peptide medicines are on the market and this is expected to grow significantly, with approximately 140 peptide drugs currently in clinical trials and more than 500 therapeutic peptides in preclinical development (Fosgerau, K.; Hoffmann, T. Peptide therapeutics: current status and future directions. Drug Discovery Today 2015, 20, 122-128) [1].
However, naturally occurring peptides are often not directly suitable for use as convenient therapeutics because they have intrinsic weaknesses, including poor chemical and physical stability, and a short circulating plasma half-life. (Vlieghe, P.; Lisowski, V.; Martinez, J.; Khrestchatisky, M. Synthetic therapeutic peptides: science and market. Drug Discovery Today 2010, 15, 40-56) [2].
The techniques developed for half-life extension are generally based on the modification of the native peptide backbone (non-natural aminoacids, lactam bridges, stapling, cyclization). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) incorporation into peptides has also been used to limit glomerular filtration and thereby increasing plasma half-life by limiting the elimination of peptides. However, because of increased safety and tolerability concerns relating to the use of PEG as a component of an injectable therapeutic, PEGylation has become a less preferred choice. Another approach is based on the binding of the peptide to the circulating protein albumin used as a vehicle by peptide acylation with hydrocarbon tail as seen in the GLP-1 agonist. Nevertheless the presence of the hydrocarbon tail makes the peptide less selective for its target with potential enhanced toxicity (Fosgerau, K.; Hoffmann, T. Peptide therapeutics: current status and future directions. Drug Discovery Today 2015, 20, 122-128) [1].
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), also known as seven-transmembrane domain receptors, 7TM receptors, heptahelical receptors, serpentine receptors, and G protein-linked receptors (GPLR), constitute a large family of receptors, the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family (a superfamily/family within the transporter-opsin-G (TOG) protein-coupled receptors superfamily), that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal transduction pathways and ultimately, cellular responses. Coupling with G proteins, they are called seven-transmembrane receptors because they pass through the cell membrane seven times. G protein-coupled receptors are found only in eukaryotes, including yeast, choanoflagellates, and animals. The ligands that bind and activate these receptors include light-sensitive compounds, odors, pheromones, hormones, and neurotransmitters, and vary in size from small molecules to peptides to large proteins. G protein-coupled receptors are involved in many diseases, and are also the target of approximately 40% of all modern medicinal drugs (Congreve, M.; Langmead, C. J.; Mason, J. S.; Marshall, F. H. Progress in Structure Based Drug Design for G Protein-Coupled Receptors. J. Med. Chem. 2011, 54, 4283-4311) [3].
As an example of GPCRs peptide, apelin serves important function in food intake, vasopressin and histamine release, gastric acid, bicarbonate secretion and insulin secretion, diuresis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, glucose-fluid balance and regulation of gastrointestinal motility and cardiovascular system. (Narayanan S, Harris D L, Maitra R, Runyon S P. Regulation of the Apelinergic System and Its Potential in Cardiovascular Disease: Peptides and Small Molecules as Tools for Discovery. J Med Chem. 2015 Oct. 22; 58(20):7913-27) [4].
As another example of GPCRs peptide, angiotensin behaves as an antagonist of AT1R. It is well established that the clinical benefits of AT1R blockers extend far beyond their control of blood pressure, and include the reduction of mortality from myocardial infarction, heart failure, atherosclerosis, stroke, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and chronic renal disease (Marc Y, Llorens-Cortes C. The role of the brain renin-angiotensin system in hypertension: implications for new treatment. Prog Neurobiol. 2011 October; 95(2):89-103) [5].
As another example of GPCRs peptide, there is growing evidence that the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) modulates complex social behavior and social cognition. OT has been reported in human to improve prosocial behavior and trust, social memory, to decrease fear associated with social phobia (Modi, M. E.; Young, L. J. The oxytocin system in drug discovery for autism: Animal models and novel therapeutic strategies. Horm. Behav. 2012, 61, 340-350) [6].
However insofar as the half-life of apelin, angiotensin or oxytocin in the blood circulation is short, there is a need of designing, synthesizing and testing novel potent and more stable peptides derived therefrom that can activate the GPCR pathways.
The invention relates to new fluorocarbon conjugates to increase therapeutic peptides half-life, in particular GPCR peptides half-life, thus leading to fluoropeptides metabolically more stable, non-immunogen and completely hydrosoluble at physiological pH. Such compounds constitute potential new therapeutic agents to prevent or treat diseases mediated by the GPCRs without increasing humoral and/or cellular immunogenicity to them.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a metabolically stable and non-immunogenic peptide analog completely hydrosoluble at physiological pH having a peptide covalently linked to a fluorocarbon group, directly or through a linker selected from the group consisting of a PEG or a peptide having from 1 to 6 amino acids, either on the alpha-amino or the epsilon-amino group of at least one lysine of said peptide, when the linker is a lysine, the fluorocarbon group is directly linked to the epsilon-amino group of said linker;
but excluding an apelin analog having the following peptide of formula (I):
Lys-Phe-Xaa1-Arg-Xaa2-Arg-Pro-Arg-Xaa3-Ser-Xaa4-Lys-Xaa5-Pro-Xaa6-Pro-Xaa7 (I)
wherein said peptide of formula (I) (SEQ ID NO: 1) is linked to a fluorocarbon group, an acetyl group, or an acyl group —C(O)R where R is a C7-30 alkyl, directly or through a linker selected from the group consisting of PEG, lysine and arginine, either on the alpha-amino or the epsilon-amino group of at least one lysine of the peptide formula (I), and when the linker is a lysine, the fluorocarbon group, acetyl or acyl group is directly linked either on the epsilon-amino group of said linker and wherein:
Xaa1 is arginine (R) or D-isomer arginine (RD);
Xaa2 is glutamine (Q) or D-isomer glutamine (QD)
Xaa3 is leucine (L) or D-isomer leucine (LD);
Xaa4 is histidine (H) or α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib);
Xaa5 is alanine (A) or D-isomer alanine (AD) or glycine (G);
Xaa6 is methionine (M) or norleucine (Nle);
Xaa7 is phenylalanine (F) of 4-Br phenylalanine (4-BrF).
According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the peptide analog of the present invention has a peptide covalently linked to the fluorocarbon group that is no more than 13 amino acid residues.
As used herein, the expression “completely hydrosoluble at physiological pH” means that the fluoropeptides of the present invention as above described have at least 50% hydrophobic amino acid residues and have an overall positive net charges and a final solubility in aqueous mixture above 100 μM by visual inspection of the cloudiness of the resulting dispersion and/or solubility measurements by classical physicochemical methods.
As used herein, the expression “non-immunogen” means that the fluoropeptides of the present invention as above described are not derived from any antigens capable of inducing immune response in an animal, including humans. Antigens may be derived from a virus, bacterium or mycobacterium, parasite, fungus, or any infectious agent or an autologous antigen or allergen. The fluoropeptides described in the invention are not included in any vaccine.
As used herein, the expression “metabolically stable” means that the fluoropeptides of the present invention as above described, have at least the half-life of the native peptide, in particular have a half-life at least twice longer than native peptide, of at least 20 min or more than one hour, as measured in the stability assay performed in human plasma.
As used herein, the expression “fluorocarbon group” includes either, perfluorocarbon (where all hydrogen are replaced by fluorine) or, hydrofluorocarbon (which contains both C—H and C—F bonds).
The fluorocarbon group may comprise one or more chains derived from perfluorocarbon or mixed fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon radicals, and may be saturated or unsaturated, each chain having from 3 to 30 carbon atoms. The fluorocarbon group is linked to the peptide through a covalent linkage, for example via NH2-group of a lysine of the peptide of formula (I). The coupling to the peptide may be achieved through a functional group for linkage to —NH2, being naturally present on the lysine of the peptide of formula I, or onto a linker. Modify the nature of the linkage between the fluorocarbon chain and the peptide allows to modulate the stability and/or solubility of the peptide. Examples of such linkages between the fluorocarbon chain and the peptide of formula I include amide, hydrazine, disulphide, thioether, ester, triazole and oxime bonds.
Optionally, a cleavable linker element (peptide or non-peptidic) may be incorporated to permit cleavage of the peptide from the fluorocarbon group. The linker may also be incorporated to assist in the synthesis of the fluoropeptide and to improve its stability and/or solubility, for example by including additional charges. So charged linker may be particularly useful especially if the peptide to which it is linked has no cationic aminoacids (i.e. lysine, histidine, arginine) at its N-terminal end. Examples of linkers include polyethylene glycol (PEG), or a peptide having about 1 to 6 amino acids, natural on non-natural ones, that may be cleaved by proteolytic enzymes or not. Preferably said amino acids are chosen from the group consisting of basic or aliphatic amino acids, more preferably from histidine, lysine, arginine and glycine. For example, the linker may be Arg-Gly-Arg.
Thus, the fluorocarbon group of the peptide analog of the present invention has chemical formula (II) CmFn—CyHx(L) wherein m=3 to 30, n≤2m+1, y=0 to 2, x≤2y, (m+y)=3 to 30, and L, which is optional, is a functional group leading to covalent attachment to the peptide. For example said functional group is a carbonyle —C(O)— that forms an amide bond with the —NH2 of a lysine.
According to a particular embodiment of the above formula II of the fluorocarbon, m=5 to 15, preferably m=5 to 15 and y=1 to 4. According to another particular embodiment, the formula of the fluorocarbon group is perfluoroundecanoic acid of formula (A)
or alternatively is 2H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluoroundecanoic acid of formula (B)
or alternatively is heptadecafluoro-pentadecanoic acid of formula (C)
In these cases it is to be noted that reducing the length of the fluorocarbon group of formula (II), for example by deleting at least two CF2 groups, preferably at least four CF2 groups, can increase the solubility and/or plasmatic stability of the peptide to which it is linked.
According to a particular embodiment, the peptide analog of the present invention as above defined is further covalently linked to an acetyl group and/or an acyl group —C(O)R where R is a C7-30 alkyl. For example it has the following formula (III) CH3—CyHx—C(O)— wherein y=7 to 30, preferably y=10 to 20, more preferably y=14, and x=2y.
Said fluorocarbon group or further acetyl and/or acyl group can be linked at the N-terminal part of the peptide directly through a lysine, either on the alpha-amino or the epsilon-amino groups.
In one aspect, the peptide analog of the present invention includes but are not limited to neuropeptides or peptide hormones, a peptide mimetics or a fragment derived therefrom, for example Adiponectin, Adrenomedullin, Angiotensinogen, Angiotensin I, Angiotensin II, Angiopoietin-like Protein 8/Betatrophin, Amylin, Apelin, Apela Asprosin, Atrial Natriuretic Peptide/ANPO BNP, Betatrophin, Bradykinin, Calcitonin, Cholecystokinin, Chorionic Gonadotropin alpha Chain (HCG alpha), Chorionic Gonadotropin alpha/beta (HCG), CILP-1, Claudin-4, CNP, Copeptin, CRHBP, Corticotropin-releasing hormone, Dopamine, Enkephalin, Endothelin, Endothelin-1, Endothelin-2, Endothelin-3, Erythropoietin, FSH alpha/beta, FSH beta, Gastrin I, Gastrin-releasing Peptide/Bombesin, Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), Ghrelin/Obestatin, Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)Glucagon, GLP1, GLP2, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)GOAT/MBOAT4, Growth Hormone, Growth Hormone 2, Hepcidin, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, IGFBP-5, IGFBP-6, IGFBP-L1, IGFBP-rp1/IGFBP-7, IGFL-3, Incretins, INSL3, INSL4, INSL6, Insulin, Parathyroid hormone (PTH), Proinsulin, Irisin/FNDC5, Leptin/OB, LH alpha/beta Heterodimer, LH beta, Mas, MCT8/SLC16A2, Melanocyte-stimulating hormone, melatonin, Metastin/KiSS1, Motilin, Neuropeptide S/NPS, Neuropeptide Y/NPY, Neurophysin II, Obestatin, Orexin A/Hypocretin-1, Orexin B/Hypocretin-2, Osteocalcin, Oxytocin, PACAP/ADCYAP1, Pancreatic Polypeptide/PP, PITX2, Peptide YY (PYY), Placental Lactogen/CSH1, Prolactin, Proliferin, Proliferin-related Protein/Plfr, Proprotein Convertase 2/PCSK2, PSG-1, PSG-6, PTH, PTHLH/PTHrP, Retinol Binding Protein 4, Relaxin-1, Relaxin-2, Relaxin-3, Renalase, Secretin, Serpin A8/Angiotensinogen, SOCS-2, Somatostatin, Stanniocalcin 1/STC-1, Stanniocalcin 2/STC-2, Substance P, Thrombopoietin, Thyroglobulin, Thyroxine, Transthyretin/Prealbumin Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), TSH alpha/beta Heterodimer, TSH beta, Urocortin, Urotensin-II, V1b Vasopressin/Arg8-Vasopressin, VIP.
In one aspect, the peptide analog of the present invention includes but are not limited to natural or non-natural peptide which is capable of interacting with AGTR-1, AGTR-2, Bradykinin RB1/BDKRB1, BRS3, C5L2/GPR77, Calcitonin R, CCK-A R, Cholecystokinin-B R/CCKBR, Pro-Corticoliberin/Pro-CRH, CRHR1, CRHR2, CRLR, EDNRA/Endothelin R Type A, ELTD1, Endothelin, EDNRB/Endothelin R Type B, Erythropoietin R, FSH R, Gastrin-releasing Peptide R/GRPR, GHRHR, GHSR, GIPR, GLP-1R, GLP-2R, Glucagon R/GCGR, GnRHR, GPR10, GPR39, Growth Hormone R/GHR, IGF-I R, IGFLR1, Insulin R/CD220, Insulin R/IGF-I R Heterotetramer, INSRR, IRS1, IRS2, KiSS1R/GPR54, Leptin R, Lgr6, LHR, MCHR1, MCHR2 Melanocortin-1 R/MC1R, Melanocortin-2 R/MC2R, Melanocortin-3 R/MC3R, Melanocortin-4 R, Melanocortin-5 R/MC5R, Motilin R/GPR38, NK1R, NK2R, NK3R/TACR3, NPR-1, Orexin R1/HCRTR1, Orexin R2/HCRTR2, OXTR, Prokineticin R1/PROKR1, Prokineticin R2/PROKR2, Prolactin R, PTH1R/PTHR1, PTH2R, RAMP1, RAMP2, RAMP3, Relaxin R1, Relaxin R2, RXFP3/RLN3R1, RXFP4/GPCR142, Secretin R, Somatostatin R1/SSTR1, Somatostatin R3/SSTR3, Somatostatin R4/SSTR4, Somatostatin R2/SSTR2, Somatostatin R5/SSTR5, TRHR, TSH R, Urotensin-II R, Vasopressin R/AVPR1B, V2 Vasopressin R/AVPR2, V1a Vasopressin R/AVPR1A, VIP R1/VPAC1
According to a particular embodiment, the peptide analog of the present invention is selected from:
Xaa1-Arg-Pro-Xaa2-Leu-Xaa3-Xaa4-Xaa5-Gly-Pro-Xaa6-Pro-Xaa7 (IV)
and wherein
Xaa1 is L- or D-glutamine (QL or QD) or alanine (A);
Xaa2 is arginine (R) or lysine (K) or D-norleucine (Nle);
Xaa3 is serine (S) or alanine (A);
Xaa4 is histidine (H) or alanine (A);
Xaa5 is lysine (K) or norleucine (Nle);
Xaa6 is methionine (M), leucine (L), phenylalanine (F) or norleucine (Nle);
Xaa7 is phenylalanine (F), 4-Br phenylalanine (4-BrF), 4-(Obenzyl)phenylalanine (4-ObnF) or p-benzoyl phenylalanine (Bpa); and
According to another particular embodiment, a peptide analog of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of:
i) an angiotensin II analog having said peptide of the formula (V) (SEQ ID NO: 3):
Xaa1-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Xaa2 (V)
and wherein
Xaa1 is aspartic acid (D) or sarcosine;
Xaa2 is phenylalanine or OH; and
ii) an angiotensin II analog with an amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity with the sequence of (i).
According to another particular embodiment, a peptide analog of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of:
i) an oxytocin analog having said peptide of the formula (VI) (SEQ ID NO: 4):
Cys-Tyr-Ile-Xaa1-Asp-Cys-Xaa2-Xaa3-Gly (VI)
and wherein
Xaa1 is glutamine or threonine;
Xaa2 is proline or glycine;
Xaa3 is leucine, lysine or proline;
ii) an oxytocin analog with an amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity with the sequence of (i).
In another aspect, the present invention also relates to a peptide analog of the present invention, for use as a drug.
In another aspect, the present invention also relates to a peptide analog of the present invention, for use in the prevention and/or treatment of a GPCR-related disease or GPCR-related disorder, preferably selected from central nervous system (CNS) disorders, cardiovascular disorders, nociception, renal disorders, neuroinflammation, etc . . . . For example said diseases or disorders include, but are not limited to:
For example said therapeutic peptides of the present invention include, but are not limited to the following peptides:
In cardiovascular disease:
In various central nervous system diseases:
In various Dermatologic diseases:
In various ear nose throat disorders:
In various aastrointestinal diseases:
In various aenetic disorders diseases:
In various genito-urinary system and sexual hormones disorders:
In various hematological disorders:
In various hormonal disorders:
In various immunological disorders:
In various infectious diseases:
In various male health diseases:
In various metabolic disorders:
In various musculoskeletal disorders:
In various nutritional disorders:
In various oncolodical disorders:
In various gastrointestinal disorders:
In various functional gastrointestinal disorders:
In various respiratory disorders:
In various women's health disorders:
In another aspect, a peptide analog of the present invention may be used in an in vitro or in vivo diagnostic method. In the present invention, the in vitro or in vivo diagnostic method may be any method known to one skilled in the art in which a peptide analog could be used. For example said diagnostic methods may be selected from the group comprising medical imaging methods such as Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) by using for example Mangradex nanoparticles.
The present invention will be further illustrated by the following examples. However these examples should not be interpreted in any way as limiting the scope of the present invention.
Reagents were obtained from commercial source and used without any further purification. Fmoc-L-amino acids were purchased from Novabiochem, Polypeptides and Iris Biotech. Fmoc-protected Rink Amide NovaGel® resin was purchased from Novabiochem and the overall yields for the solid-phase syntheses were calculated based on the initial loadings provided by the supplier (0.7 mmol/g). Fmoc-protected Wang NovaGel® resin was purchased from Novabiochem and the overall yields for the solid-phase syntheses were calculated based on the initial loadings provided by the supplier (0.1 mmol/g).
Analysis were performed either on a C18 Sunfire column (5 μm, 4.6 mm×150 mm) using a linear gradient (5% to 95% in 20 min, flow rate of 1 mL·min−1) of solvent B (0.1% TFA in CH3CN, v/v) in solvent A (0.1% TFA in H2O, v/v). Detection was set AT 220 nm and 254 nM.
Purifications were performed on Sunfire C18 column (5 μm, 19×150 mm) on Gilson PLC2020 with absorption detection. The separation was achieved using successive isocratic and linear gradients (5 min at 5%; 5% to 60% in 30 min; 60% to 100% in 10 min; flow rate of 20 mL·min−1) of solvent B (0.1% TFA in CH3CN, v/v) in solvent A (0.1% TFA in H2O, v/v).
Analysis were obtained on a ZQ (Z quadripole) Waters/Micromass spectrometer equipped with an X-Terra C18 column (0.5 μm, 4.6 mm×50 mm) using electrospray ionization mode (ESI).
Analysis were acquired on a Bruker MicroTof mass spectrometer, using electrospray ionization (ESI) and a time-of-flight analyzer (TOF) or on an Autoflex II TOF/TOF Bruker mass spectrometer using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization technique (MALDI) and a time-of-light analyzer (TOF).
Standard automated solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) were performed on an Applied Biosystem ABI 433A synthesizer (Appelar, France). The elongation was carried out by coupling a 10-fold excess of Fmoc-L-amino acid derivatives, using 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt), and diisopropylethylamine (Hünig's base) (DIPEA) as coupling reagents in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent. At the end of the peptide sequence synthesis, the resin was washed with CH2Cl2 and MeOH and then dried in vacuo. After each coupling step, Fmoc deprotection was performed by treatment with piperidine monitored by UV at 301 nm.
Peptide elongation was performed starting from fried resin previously synthetized by standard automated SPPS. Non-automated SPPS were performed in polypropylene tubes equipped with polyethylene frits and polypropylene caps using an orbital agitator shaking device.
The Fmoc-protected resin (1 equiv) was swollen 1 h in DMF and the excess solvent was removed by filtration. Cleavage of the Fmoc protecting group was performed in a solution of 20% (v/v) piperidine in DMF (2 times for 15 min). The piperidine solution was drained off and the resin was washed with successively DMF, CH2Cl2 and MeOH (3×0.5 mL).
All Fmoc-protected amino acids (4 equiv) were coupled in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) for 45 min using HBTU (3.8 equiv) and HOBt (4 equiv) with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIEA) (12 equiv) as activating agents. The excess solvent was removed by filtration and the resin was washed with successively DMF, CH2Cl2 and MeOH (3×0.5 mL).
The cycle of coupling, washing and deprotection were repeated until the targeted peptides were obtained. The completion of couplings and Fmoc deprotections were monitored with ninhydrin test and TNBS test:
Ninhydrin test (for primary amines): Resin beads were suspended in 2 drops of a solution containing 5 g of ninhydrin dissolved in 100 mL of ethanol, 2 drops of a solution containing 80 g of liquefied phenol in 20 mL of ethanol, and 2 drops of a 0.001M aqueous solution of potassium cyanide to 98 mL pyridine. The mixture was heated at 100° C. for 1 min. The color positive test (presence of free amino groups). A yellow or blue solution and yellow beads indicate a negative test.
TNBS test (for primary amines): Resin beads were suspended in 2 drops of a solution containing 10% (v/v) DIPEA in DMF and 2 drops of a solution containing 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in DMS. The color of the solution and the beads were observed. A yellow-red solution and red beads indicate a positive test. A yellow-red solution and yellow beads indicate a negative test.
General Protocol for Peptide Elongation with a Perfluoroalkyl Chain
The resin containing the peptide sequence of interest (1 equiv) was swollen in DMF, and the excess solvent was removed by filtration. A solution of piperidine in DMF (20% v/v—0.5 mL) was added, and the mixture was shaken at room temperature for 15 min. The solution was drained, and the operation was repeated for 15 min. The solution was drained, and the resin was washed with DMF and CH2Cl2. In a separate vial, DIEA (8 equiv) was added to a solution of 4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11-heptadecafluoroundecanoic acid (2 equiv), HBTU (2 equiv), and HOBt (1.9 equiv) in DMF (0.5 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 min and was added to the resin. The mixture was shaken at room temperature for 2 h. The solution was drained and the resin was washed with DMF, CH2Cl2, and MeOH the dried in vacuo.
The dried resin was treated with TFA/Phenol/Thioanisole/1,2-Ethanedithiol/water (10 mL/0.75 g/0.5 mL/0.25 mL/0.5 mL) and the mixture was shaken at room temperature for 3 h. The filtrate was collected in a cold diethyl ether solution and the beads washed with TFA. The solution was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 2 min. The precipitate was washed in a cold diethyl ether solution and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 2 min. The diethyl ether solution was eliminated and the precipitate was dried in vacuo. The crude product was purified by semi-preparative RP-HPLC and lyophilized.
Fmoc-Gln-Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Met-Pro-Phe-Wang resin (16 μmol), 4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11-heptadecafluoroundecanoic acid (2 equiv), HBTU (2 equiv), HOBt (1.9 equiv) and DIEA (8 equiv) were reacted according the general protocol, affording the title compound (18.9 mg, 47.7%) as a white solid. tR=11.05 min (>95% purity at 220 nm); HRMS (ESI) calcd for C80H114F17N23O175: 2023.82123; found: 2023.82752.
Fmoc-Gln-Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Met-Pro-Phe-Wang resin (16 μmol), Boc-Lys(Fmoc)-OH (4 equiv), HBTU (3.8 equiv), HOBt (4 equiv) and DIEA (12 equiv) were reacted according the general procedure. Then, 4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11-heptadecafluoroundecanoic acid (2 equiv), HBTU (2 equiv), HOBt (1.9 equiv) and DIEA (8 equiv) were reacted according the general protocol, affording the title compound (14.5 mg, 35%) as a white solid. tR=10.68 min (>95% purity at 220 nm); HRMS (ESI) calcd for C86H126F17N25O18S: 2151.91619; found: 2151.91393.
Evaluation of the agonist activity of compounds at the human APJ receptor expressed in transfected CHO cells, determined by measuring their effects on cAMP modulation using the HTRF detection method. Experimental protocol: The cells are suspended in HBSS buffer (Invitrogen) complemented with 20 mM HEPES (pH 7.4) and 500 μM IBMX, then distributed in microplates at a density of 1.5×104 cells/well in the presence of either of the following: HBSS (basal control), the reference agonist at 30 nM (stimulated control) or various concentrations (EC50 determination), or the test compounds. Thereafter, the adenylyl cyclase activator NKH 477 is added at a final concentration of 0.3 μM. Following 10 min incubation at 37° C., the cells are lysed and the fluorescence acceptor (D2-labeled cAMP) and fluorescence donor (anti-cAMP antibody labeled with europium cryptate) are added. After 60 min at room temperature, the fluorescence transfer is measured at λex=337 nm and λem=620 and 665 nm using a microplate reader (Envison, Perkin Elmer). The cAMP concentration is determined by dividing the signal measured at 665 nm by that measured at 620 nm (ratio). The results are expressed as a percent of the control response to 30 nM apelin-13. The standard reference agonist is apelin-13, which is tested in each experiment at several concentrations to generate a concentration-response curve from which its EC50 value is calculated.
Evaluation of the affinity of compounds for the human apelin receptor in transfected CHO cells determined in a radioligand binding assay. Experimental protocol: Cell membrane homogenates (1 μg protein) are incubated for 120 min at 22° C. with 0.03 nM [125I](Glp65, Nle75, Tyr77)-apelin-13 in the absence or presence of the test compound in a buffer containing 50 mM Hepes/NaOH (pH 7.4), 100 mM NaCl, 10 mM KCl, 5 mM MgCl2, 1 mM EDTA, 0.04% bacitracin and 0.1% BSA. Nonspecific binding is determined in the presence of 1 μM apelin-13. Following incubation, the samples are filtered rapidly under vacuum through glass fiber filters (GF/B, Packard) presoaked with 0.3% PEI and rinsed several times with ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl using a 96-sample cell harvester (Unifilter, Packard). The filters are dried then counted for radioactivity in a scintillation counter (Topcount, Packard) using a scintillation cocktail (Microscint 0, Packard). The results are expressed as a percent inhibition of the control radioligand specific binding. The standard reference compound is apelin-13, which is tested in each experiment at several concentrations to obtain a competition curve from which its IC50 is calculated.
The solubility of each fluoropeptide was evaluated after dissolution in water to reach 100 μM. The resulting solution was vortexed 1 min following by 1 min in bath sonication. Solubility was then assessed by visual observation of the resulting dispersion (Clear/Cloudy and presence of particulates).
This procedure is designed to determine the stability of a test compound in blood or plasma from human or animal species in a 96-well plate format. The test compound is quantified at 5 time points by HPLC-MS/MS analysis.
Test concentration: 1 μM with a final DMSO concentration of 0.5%. Experimental protocol: Blood or plasma are pre-warmed at 37° C. water bath for 5 min, followed by addition of the test compound. The incubation is performed in a 37° C. water bath for 2 h. An aliquot of the incubation mixture is transferred to acetonitrile at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 h, respectively. Samples are then mixed and centrifuged. Supernatants are used for HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Reference compounds Propoxycaine and propantheline are tested simultaneously with the test compound in each assay. Analytical methods Samples are analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS using selected reaction monitoring. The HPLC system consists of a binary LC pump with autosampler, a C-18 column, and a gradient. Conditions may be adjusted as necessary. Data analysis Peak areas corresponding to the test compound are recorded. The compound remaining (%) is calculated by comparing the peak area at each time point to time zero. The half-life is calculated from the slope of the initial linear range of the logarithmic curve of compound remaining (%) vs. time, assuming first order kinetics
The results are presented in the table below:
These results demonstrate that the incorporation of the fluorocarbon chain has no impact on both the binding affinity and the functional activity of the resulting peptides, regardless of the location of the fluorocarbon chain, either on the epsilon or on the alpha-amino group of the apelin peptide. Noteworthy, the solubility of both fluoropeptide is above 100 μM in water. Finally, the location of the chain has an impact on the metabolic stability of the fluoropeptide in human plasma. Indeed, the more stable construct is obtained when the fluorocarbon chain is introduced on the alpha-amino part of the peptide (LE-122, t1/2>1241 min).
Fmoc-Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-Wang resin (50 μmol), 4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11-heptadecafluoroundecanoic acid (2 equiv), HBTU (2 equiv), HOBt (1.9 equiv) and DIEA (8 equiv) were reacted according the general protocol, affording the title compound (41.4 mg, 47%) as a white solid. tR=12.94 min (>95% purity at 220 nm); HRMS (ESI) calcd for C61H174F17N13O13: 15109.52576; found: 1519.52309.
Evaluation of the agonist activity of compounds at the human AT1 receptor expressed in transfected HEK-293 cells, determined by measuring their effect on cytosolic Ca2+ ion mobilization using a fluorimetric detection method. Experimental protocol: The cells are suspended in DMEM buffer (Invitrogen), then distributed in microplates at a density of 4.104 cells/well. The fluorescent probe (Fluo4 Direct, Invitrogen) mixed with probenicid in HBSS buffer (Invitrogen) complemented with 20 mM Hepes (Invitrogen) (pH 7.4) is then added into each well and equilibrated with the cells for 60 min at 37° C. then 15 min at 22° C. Thereafter, the assay plates are positioned in a microplate reader (CellLux, PerkinElmer) which is used for the addition of the test compound, reference agonist or HBSS buffer (basal control), and the measurements of changes in fluorescence intensity which varies proportionally to the free cytosolic Ca2+ ion concentration. For stimulated control measurements, angiotensin-II at 30 nM is added in separate assay wells. The results are expressed as a percent of the control response to 30 nM angiotensin-II. The standard reference agonist is angiotensin-II, which is tested in each experiment at several concentrations to generate a concentration-response curve from which its EC50 value is calculated.
Evaluation of the affinity of compounds for the human angiotensin-II AT1 receptor in transfected HEK-293 cells determined in a radioligand binding assay. Experimental protocol: Cell membrane homogenates (8 μg protein) are incubated for 120 min at 37° C. with 0.05 nM [125I][Sar1-Ile8]angiotensin-II in the absence or presence of the test compound in a buffer containing 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 5 mM MgCl2, 1 mM EDTA and 0.1% BSA. Nonspecific binding is determined in the presence of 10 μM angiotensin II. Following incubation, the samples are filtered rapidly under vacuum through glass fiber filters (GF/B, Packard) presoaked with 0.3% PEI and rinsed several times with ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl using a 96-sample cell harvester (Unifilter, Packard). The filters are dried then counted for radioactivity in a scintillation counter (Topcount, Packard) using a scintillation cocktail (Microscint 0, Packard). The results are expressed as a percent inhibition of the control radioligand specific binding. The standard reference compound is saralasin, which is tested in each experiment at several concentrations to obtain a competition curve from which its IC50 is calculated.
The solubility of the fluoropeptide was evaluated after dissolution in water to reach 100 μM. The resulting solution was vortexed 1 min following by 1 min in bath sonication. Solubility was then assessed by visual observation of the resulting dispersion (Clear/Cloudy and presence of particulates).
This procedure is designed to determine the stability of a test compound in blood or plasma from human or animal species in a 96-well plate format. The test compound is quantified at 5 time points by HPLC-MS/MS analysis.
Test concentration: 1 μM with a final DMSO concentration of 0.5%. Experimental protocol: Blood or plasma are pre-warmed at 37° C. water bath for 5 min, followed by addition of the test compound. The incubation is performed in a 37° C. water bath for 2 h. An aliquot of the incubation mixture is transferred to acetonitrile at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 h, respectively. Samples are then mixed and centrifuged. Supernatants are used for HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Reference compounds Propoxycaine and propantheline are tested simultaneously with the test compound in each assay. Analytical methods Samples are analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS using selected reaction monitoring. The HPLC system consists of a binary LC pump with autosampler, a C-18 column, and a gradient. Conditions may be adjusted as necessary. Data analysis Peak areas corresponding to the test compound are recorded. The compound remaining (%) is calculated by comparing the peak area at each time point to time zero. The half-life is calculated from the slope of the initial linear range of the logarithmic curve of compound remaining (%) vs. time, assuming first order kinetics
The results are presented in the table below:
These results indicate that the incorporation of the fluorocarbon chain has an impact on both the affinity and the functional activity compared to the native peptide. Indeed, the affinity of LE120 is significantly decreased altogether with the efficacy from 14 vs 460 nM, respectively. However, as previously described for apelin-13, the human plasma stability is greatly improved from 85 min for the native peptide to >1440 min for the fluoropeptide, again demonstrating the beneficial effect of the fluorocarbon chain on the metabolic stability.
Fmoc-Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Lys-Gly-NH2-Rink resin (165 μmol), 4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11-heptadecafluoroundecanoic acid (2 equiv), HBTU (2 equiv), HOBt (1.9 equiv) and DIEA (8 equiv) were reacted according the general protocol, affording the title compound (21.1 mg, 8%) as a white solid. tR=12.78 min (>95% purity at 220.8 nm); HRMS (ESI) calcd for C54H70F17N13O13S2: 1495.4386; found: 1495.43437.
Evaluation of the agonist activity of compounds at the human OT receptor endogenously expressed in ECV304 cells, determined by measuring their effect on cytosolic Ca2+ ion mobilization using a fluorimetric detection method. Experimental protocol: The cells are suspended in DMEM buffer (Invitrogen), then distributed in microplates at a density of 3.104 cells/well. The fluorescent probe (Fluo4 Direct, Invitrogen) mixed with probenicid in HBSS buffer (Invitrogen) complemented with 20 mM Hepes (Invitrogen) (pH 7.4) is then added into each well and equilibrated with the cells for 60 min at 37° C. then 15 min at 22° C. Thereafter, the assay plates are positioned in a microplate reader (CellLux, PerkinElmer) which is used for the addition of the test compound, reference agonist or HBSS buffer (basal control), and the measurements of changes in fluorescence intensity which varies proportionally to the free cytosolic Ca2+ ion concentration. For stimulated control measurements, oxytocin at 3 μM is added in separate assay wells. The results are expressed as a percent of the control response to 3 μM oxytocin. The standard reference agonist is oxytocin, which is tested in each experiment at several concentrations to generate a concentration-response curve from which its EC50 value is calculated.
Evaluation of the affinity of compounds for the human vasopressin Oxytocin receptor in transfected Chem-1 cells determined in a radioligand binding assay. Experimental protocol: Cell membrane homogenates (about 10 μg protein) are incubated for 120 min at 22° C. with 0.8 nM [3H]Oxytocin in the absence or presence of the test compound in a buffer containing 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 5 mM MgCl2 and 0.1% BSA. Nonspecific binding is determined in the presence of 1 μM Oxytocin. Following incubation, the samples are filtered rapidly under vacuum through glass fiber filters (GF/B, Packard) presoaked with 0.3% PEI and rinsed several times with ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCl and 0.1% BSA using a 96-sample cell harvester (Unifilter, Packard). The filters are dried then counted for radioactivity in a scintillation counter (Topcount, Packard) using a scintillation cocktail (Microscint 0, Packard). The results are expressed as a percent inhibition of the control radioligand specific binding. The standard reference compound is Oxytocin, which is tested in each experiment at several concentrations to obtain a competition curve from which its IC50 is calculated.
The solubility of the fluoropeptide was evaluated after dissolution in water to reach 100 μM. The resulting solution was vortexed 1 min following by 1 min in bath sonication. Solubility was then assessed by visual observation of the resulting dispersion (Clear/Cloudy and presence of particulates).
This procedure is designed to determine the stability of a test compound in blood or plasma from human or animal species in a 96-well plate format. The test compound is quantified at 5 time points by HPLC-MS/MS analysis.
Test concentration: 1 μM with a final DMSO concentration of 0.5%. Experimental protocol: Blood or plasma are pre-warmed at 37° C. water bath for 5 min, followed by addition of the test compound. The incubation is performed in a 37° C. water bath for 2 h. An aliquot of the incubation mixture is transferred to acetonitrile at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 h, respectively. Samples are then mixed and centrifuged. Supernatants are used for HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Reference compounds Propoxycaine and propantheline are tested simultaneously with the test compound in each assay. Analytical methods Samples are analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS using selected reaction monitoring. The HPLC system consists of a binary LC pump with autosampler, a C-18 column, and a gradient. Conditions may be adjusted as necessary. Data analysis Peak areas corresponding to the test compound are recorded. The compound remaining (%) is calculated by comparing the peak area at each time point to time zero. The half-life is calculated from the slope of the initial linear range of the logarithmic curve of compound remaining (%) vs. time, assuming first order kinetics.
The results are presented in the table below:
In the case of cyclic oxytocin, the incorporation of the fluorocarbon chain has a profound effect on the functional activity of the peptide (EC50 from 42 nM for the native peptide to >25% at 100 nM for the fluoro-ocytocin). In another hand, the presence of the fluorocarbon chain has a low impact on the human plasma stability (t1/2=147 min for the oxytocin vs 239 min for the fluoro-oxytocin).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16305733.4 | Jun 2016 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/064801 | 6/16/2017 | WO | 00 |
