Yao-Yao Jiang, Shuai-Ting Yan, Shan-Zhuo Zhang, Meng Wang, Wei-Ming Diao, Jun Li, Xiao-Min Fang, Hang Yin
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
TLR4 signaling is instrumental in orchestrating multiple aspects of innate immunity. Developing small molecule inhibitors targeting the TLR4 pathway holds potential therapeutic promise for TLR4-related disorders. Herein, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered next-generation screening approach, employing HelixVS and HelixDock, was utilized to focus on the TLR4−TLR4* (a second copy of TLR4) homodimerization surface, leading to the identification of a potent pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivative, designated as compound 1. An extensive structure−activity relationship (SAR) exploration culminated in the discovery of the lead compound TH023, which effectively blocked the LPS-stimulated NF-κB activation and nitric oxide overproduction in HEK-Blue hTLR4 and RAW264.7 cells, with IC50 values of 0.354 and 1.61 μM, respectively. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations indicated that TH023 stabilized TLR4−MD-2 and disrupted its association with TLR4*. Moreover, TH023 alleviated the lung injury and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in LPS-induced septic mice. These findings not only illuminated the strategic advantage of HelixDock in advancing the frontiers of AI-driven drug discovery, but also provided valuable structural insights for the rational design of TLR4−TLR4* protein−protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors based on the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine scaffold. Overall, this study validated a new strategy for TLR4 signaling regulation by targeting its dimerization, thereby underscoring the therapeutic promise of TH023 in treating TLR4-mediated inflammatory diseases.
期刊介绍:
The European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry is a global journal that publishes studies on all aspects of medicinal chemistry. It provides a medium for publication of original papers and also welcomes critical review papers.
A typical paper would report on the organic synthesis, characterization and pharmacological evaluation of compounds. Other topics of interest are drug design, QSAR, molecular modeling, drug-receptor interactions, molecular aspects of drug metabolism, prodrug synthesis and drug targeting. The journal expects manuscripts to present the rational for a study, provide insight into the design of compounds or understanding of mechanism, or clarify the targets.