Structure-based discovery of mPGES-1 inhibitors suitable for preclinical testing in wild-type mice as a new generation of anti-inflammatory drugs

Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 26;8(1):5205. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-23482-4.

Abstract

Human mPGES-1 is recognized as a promising target for next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs without the side effects of currently available anti-inflammatory drugs, and various inhibitors have been reported in the literature. However, none of the reported potent inhibitors of human mPGES-1 has shown to be also a potent inhibitor of mouse or rat mPGES-1, which prevents using the well-established mouse/rat models of inflammation-related diseases for preclinical studies. Hence, despite of extensive efforts to design and discover various human mPGES-1 inhibitors, the promise of mPGES-1 as a target for the next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs has never been demonstrated in any wild-type mouse/rat model using an mPGES-1 inhibitor. Here we report discovery of a novel type of selective mPGES-1 inhibitors potent for both human and mouse mPGES-1 enzymes through structure-based rational design. Based on in vivo studies using wild-type mice, the lead compound is indeed non-toxic, orally bioavailable, and more potent in decreasing the PGE2 (an inflammatory marker) levels compared to the currently available drug celecoxib. This is the first demonstration in wild-type mice that mPGES-1 is truly a promising target for the next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Mice
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases
  • Ptges protein, mouse