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The NLRP3 inflammasome is a critical component of innate immunity that senses diverse pathogen- and host-derived molecules. However, its aberrant activation has been associated with the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including cancer. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of aryl sulfonamide derivatives (ASDs) to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome. Among these, compounds 6c, 7n, and 10specifically inhibited NLRP3 activation at nanomolar concentrations without affecting the activation of the NLRC4 and AIM2 inflammasomes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these compounds reduce interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production in vivoand attenuate melanoma tumor growth. Moreover, metabolic stability in liver microsomes of 6c, 7n, and 10was studied along with plasma exposure in mice of the most interesting compound 6c. Therefore, we generated potent NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors, which can be considered in future medicinal chemistry and pharmacological studies aimed at developing a new therapeutic approach for NLRP3 inflammasome-driven cancer.

The nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ)/N/OFQ receptor (NOP) system controls different biological functions including pain and cough reflex. Mixed NOP/opioid receptor agonists elicit similar effects to strong opioids but with reduced side effects. In this work, 31 peptides with the general sequence [Tyr/Dmt1,Xaa5]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2were synthesized and pharmacologically characterized for their action at human recombinant NOP/opioid receptors. The best results in terms of NOP versus mu opioid receptor potency were obtained by substituting both Tyr1and Thr5at the N-terminal portion of N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2with the noncanonical amino acid Dmt. [Dmt1,5]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2has been identified as the most potent dual NOP/mu receptor peptide agonist so far described. Experimental data have been complemented by in silicostudies to shed light on the molecular mechanisms by which the peptide binds the active form of the mu receptor. Finally, the compound exerted antitussive effects in an in vivomodel of cough.

Neuropeptide S modulates important neurobiological functions including locomotion, anxiety, and drug abuse through interaction with its G protein-coupled receptor known as neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR). NPSR antagonists are potentially useful for the treatment of substance abuse disorders against which there is an urgent need for new effective therapeutic approaches. Potent NPSR antagonists in vitrohave been discovered which, however, require further optimization of their in vivopharmacological profile. This work describes a new series of NPSR antagonists of the oxazolo[3,4-a]pyrazine class. The guanidine derivative 16exhibited nanomolar activity in vitroand 5-fold improved potency in vivocompared to SHA-68, a reference pharmacological tool in this field. Compound 16can be considered a new tool for research studies on the translational potential of the NPSergic system. An in-depth molecular modeling investigation was also performed to gain new insights into the observed structure–activity relationships and provide an updated model of ligand/NPSR interactions.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) controls different biological functions viaselective stimulation of the N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor. The pleiotropic actions of N/OFQ may limit the development of NOP ligands as innovative drugs in different therapeutic areas. The pharmacological concept of functional selectivity (aka biased agonism) might be useful for amplifying beneficial actions and/or counteracting side effects. Thus, molecules with large bias factors toward G protein or β arrestin are required for investigating the translational value of NOP biased modulation. Herein, the biased behavior of a heterogeneous library of NOP-targeting peptide derivatives was evaluated in vitrowith the aim to provide possible insights into the structural determinants that govern the selective activation of G protein versusβ-arrestin. Our results demonstrate that lipidation of N/OFQ(1–13)-NH2is a useful strategy for obtaining G protein biased agonists for the NOP receptor.

Recent cardiology research studies have reported the role, function, and structure of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and have shown that its opening plays a key role in the progression of myocardial cell death secondary to reperfusion. In this manuscript, we validated a new pharmacological approach as an adjunct to reperfusion in myocardial infarction (MI) treatment and describe the discovery, optimization, and structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies of the first small-molecule mPTP opening inhibitors based on a 1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane scaffold that targets the c subunit of the F1/FO-ATP synthase complex. We identified three potential compounds with good mPTP inhibitory activity and beneficial effects in a model of MI, including a decreased apoptotic rate in the whole heart and overall improvement of cardiac function upon administration during reperfusion. The selected compounds did not show off-target effects at the cellular and mitochondrial levels. Moreover, the compounds preserved the mitochondrial ATP content despite interacting with the ATP synthase complex.

Finding a therapy for ischemia–reperfusion injury, which consists of cell death following restoration of blood flowing into the artery affected by ischemia, is a strong medical need. Nowadays, only the use of broad-spectrum molecular therapies has demonstrated a partial efficacy in protecting the organs following reperfusion, while randomized clinical trials focused on more specific drug targets have failed. In order to overcome this problem, we applied a combination of molecular modeling and chemical synthesis to identify novel spiropiperidine-based structures active in mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening inhibition as a key process to enhance cell survival after blood flow restoration. Our results were confirmed by biological assay on an in vitro cell model on HeLa and human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and pave the way to further investigation on an in vivo model system.

A series of benzyloxy and phenoxy derivatives of the adenosine receptor agonists N6-cyclopentyl adenosine (CPA) and N6-cyclopentyl 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CP-NECA) were synthesized, and their potency and selectivity were assessed. We observed that the most potent were the compounds with a halogen in the metaposition on the aromatic ring of the benzyloxy- or phenoxycyclopentyl substituent. In general, the NECA-based compounds displayed greater A1R selectivity than the adenosine-based compounds, with N6-2-(3-bromobenzyloxy)cyclopentyl-NECA and N6-2-(3-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopentyl-NECA showing ∼1500-fold improved A1R selectivity compared to NECA. In addition, we quantified the compounds’ affinity and kinetics of binding at both human and rat A1R using a NanoBRET binding assay and found that the halogen substituent in the benzyloxy- or phenoxycyclopentyl moiety seems to confer high affinity for the A1R. Molecular modeling studies suggested a hydrophobic subpocket as contributing to the A1R selectivity displayed. We believe that the identified selective potent A1R agonists are valuable tool compounds for adenosine receptor research.

2-(3‘,4‘,5‘-Trimethoxybenzoyl)-3-amino-5-aryl/heteroaryl thiophene derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity, inhibition of tubulin polymerization, and cell cycle effects. SARs were elucidated with various substitutions on the aryl moiety 5-position of the thienyl ring. Substituents at the para-position of the 5-phenyl group showed antiproliferative activity in the order of FCH3> OCH3BrNO2> CF3I > OEt. Several of these compounds led to arrest of HL-60 cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis.

A new series of compounds in which the 2-amino-5-chlorophenyl ring of phenstatin analogue 7 was replaced with a 2-amino-5-aryl thiophene was synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity and for inhibition of tubulin polymerization and colchicine binding to tubulin. 2-Amino-3-(3‘,4‘/V‘-trimethoxybenzoyl)-5-phenyl thiophene (9f) as well as the p-fluoro-, p-methyl-, and p-methoxyphenyl substituted analogues (8H, j, and l, respectively) displayed high antiproliferative activities with IC50 values from 2.5 to 6.5 nM against the L1210 and K562 cell lines. Compounds 8H and j were more active than combretastatin A-4 as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. Molecular docking simulations to the colchicine site of tubulin were performed to determine the possible binding mode of 8H. The results obtained demonstrated that antiproliferative activity correlated well with the inhibition of tubulin polymerization and the lengthening of the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, a good correlation was found between these inhibitory effects and the induction of apoptosis in cells treated with the compounds.

Compounds presenting an additional fused ring on the xanthine nucleus have been reported to exhibit antagonistic activity with various levels of affinity and selectivity toward the four adenosine receptors subtypes A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. This paper reports synthesis and biological evaluation of new 1-benzyl-3-propyl-1H,6H-pyrrolo[2,1-f]purine-2,4-diones and 1-benzyl-3-propyl-1H,8H-imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4-diones, among which we identified potent and selective A3 adenosine receptors antagonists. In particular, 1-benzyl-7-methyl-3-propyl-1H,8H-imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4-dione (11e) shows a Ki (hA3) value from binding assay of 0.8 nM.

In this paper we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a new class of 2-phenyl-2,5-dihydro-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-4-ones as A3 adenosine receptor antagonists. We designed a new route based on the Kira-Vilsmeier reaction for the synthesis of this class of compounds. Some of the synthesized compounds showed A3 adenosine receptor affinity in the nanomolar range and good selectivity as evaluated in radioligand binding assays at human (h) A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 adenosine receptor subtypes. We introduced several substituents on the 2-phenyl ring. In particular substitution at the 4-position by methyl, methoxy, and chlorine gave optimal activity and selectivity 6c (KihA1, A2A>1000 nM, EC50hA2B>1000 nM, KihA3 = 9 nM), 6d (KihA1, A2A>1000 nM, EC50hA2B>1000 nM, KihA3 = 16 nM), 6b (KihA1, A2A >1000 nM, EC50hA2B>1000 nM, KihA3 = 19 nM). In conclusion, the 2-phenyl-2,5-dihydro-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-4-one derivatives described herein represent a new family of in vitro selective antagonists for the adenosine A3 receptor.

A new series of 1-deoxy-1-[(6-(4-(substituted-aminosulfonyl)phenyl)amino)carbonylamino-9H-purin-9-yl]-N-ethyl-β-d-ribofuranuronamides (83−102) have been synthesized and tested at the human A3 adenosine receptor subtype. All the derivatives described in this work displayed affinity versus this receptor in the nanomolar range and good selectivity versus A1 adenosine receptor subtype, confirming that the p-sulfonamido moiety positively affected the activity of the molecules. The best substituents at the sulfonamido nucleus were found to be small alkyl groups, like methyl, isopropyl, ethyl, or allyl moieties (compounds 96−100), whereas monosubstitution at the amino group led to a decrease in A3 affinity values. The selectivity versus A1 adenosine receptor subtype is increased when the amino group in the sulfonamido core is represented by a hydrogenated heterocyclic ring like piperidine, morpholine, or pyrroline. Bulky groups, like adamantane and alkyl chains with more than four carbon atoms, are detrimental for the affinity and the selectivity of the A3 adenosine receptor agonists described here.

Here we report the synthesis of 8-heterocycle-substituted xanthines as potent and selective A2B adenosine receptor antagonists. The structure−activity relationships (SAR) of the xanthines synthesized in binding to recombinant human A2B adenosine receptors (ARs) in HEK-293 cells (HEK-A2B) and at other AR subtypes were explored. The synthesized compounds showed A2B adenosine receptor affinity in the nanomolar range and good levels of selectivity evaluated in radioligand binding assays at human (h) A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 ARs. We introduced several heterocycles, such as pyrazole, isoxazole, pyridine, and pyridazine, at the 8-position of the xanthine nucleus and we have also investigated different spacers (substituted acetamide, oxyacetamide, and urea moieties) on the heterocycle introduced. Various groups at the 3- and 4-positions of phenylacetamide moiety were studied. This study allowed us to identify the derivatives 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[5-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]acetamide (29b, MRE2028F20) [Ki(hA2B) = 38 nM, Ki(hA1,hA2A,hA3) >1000 nM], N-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-2-[5-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxy]acetamide (62b, MRE2029F20) [Ki(hA2B) = 5.5 nM, Ki(hA1,hA2A,hA3) > 1000 nM], and N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-[5-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxy]acetamide (72b, MRE2030F20) [Ki(hA2B = 12 nM, Ki(hA1,hA2A, hA3) > 1000 nM], which showed high affinity at the A2B receptor subtype and very good selectivity vs the other ARs. Substitution of the acetamide with an urea moiety afforded bioisosteric xanthines with good affinity and selectivity comparable to the acetamide derivatives. Substitution at the para-position of a 4-benzyloxy group of the phenylacetamido chain enhanced affinity at the A2B receptor [compound 30b (Ki(hA2B) = 13 nM) vs compound 21b (Ki(hA2B = 56 nM)] but did not favor selectivity. The derivatives with higher affinity at human A2B AR proved to be antagonists, in the cyclic AMP assay, capable of inhibiting the stimulatory effect of NECA (100 nM) with IC50 values in the nanomolar range, a trend similar to that observed in the binding assay (62b, IC50 = 38 nM; 72b, IC50 = 46 nM). In conclusion, the 8-pyrazolo-1,3-dipropyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione derivatives described herein represent a new family of selective antagonists for the adenosine A2B receptor.

In the past few years, our group has been involved in the development of A2A and A3 adenosine receptor antagonists which led to the synthesis of SCH58261 (5-amino-7-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-furyl)pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine, 61), potent and very selective at the A2A receptor subtype, and N⁸-substituted-pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines-N⁵-urea or amide (MRE series, b), very selective at the human A3 adenosine receptor subtype. We now describe a large series of C⁹- and C²-substituted pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines to represent an extension of structure−activity relationship work on this class of tricyclic compounds. The introduction of a substituent at 9 position of the tricyclic antagonistic structure led to retention of receptor affinity but a loss of selectivity in respect to the lead compounds b, N⁸-substituted-pirazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines-N⁵-urea or -amide. The substitution of the furanyl moiety of compound 61, necessary for receptor binding, with a phenyl or a substituted aromatic ring (compounds 5a−d, 6−8), caused a complete loss of the affinity at all the adenosine receptor subtypes, demonstrating that the furanyl ring is a necessary structural element to guarantee interaction with the adenosine receptor surface. The introduction of an ethoxy group at the ortho position of the aromatic ring to mimic the oxygen of the furan (compound 5c, 5-amino-7-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-ethoxyphenyl)pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine) did not enhance affinity. The introduction of the cycloaminomethyl function by Mannich reaction at the 5‘ position of the furanyl ring of 61 and the C⁹-substituted compound 41 (5-amino-8-methyl-9-methylsulfanyl-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine) resulted in complete water solubility but a loss of receptor affinity. We can conclude that modifications or substitutions at the furanyl ring are not allowed and the introduction of a substituent at the 9-position of the core pyrazolo-triazolo-pyrimidine structure caused a severe loss of selectivity, probably due to an increased steric hindrance of the radical introduced.