Novel Triazolopyrimidine-Derived Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonists as Potential Treatment for Inflammatory Kidney Diseases

• Published in: ChemMedChem Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 179 - 189
• Main Authors: Nettekoven, Matthias, Adam, Jean-Michel, Bendels, Stefanie, Bissantz, Catarina, Fingerle, Jürgen, Grether, Uwe, Grüner, Sabine, Guba, Wolfgang, Kimbara, Atsushi, Ottaviani, Giorgio, Püllmann, Bernd, Rogers-Evans, Mark, Röver, Stephan, Rothenhäusler, Benno, Schmitt, Sebastien, Schuler, Franz, Schulz-Gasch, Tanja, Ullmer, Christoph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: WEINHEIM Blackwell Publishing Ltd 19.01.2016; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - chemical synthesis; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - pharmacology; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists - chemical synthesis; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists - chemistry; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists - pharmacology; CB2 receptor agonists; Chemistry, Medicinal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; fibrosis; Humans; inflammation; Inflammation - drug therapy; Kidney Diseases - drug therapy; Kidneys; lead optimization; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Models, Molecular; Molecular Structure; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Physicochemical properties; Pyrimidines - chemical synthesis; Pyrimidines - chemistry; Pyrimidines - pharmacology; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 - agonists; Science & Technology; Structure-Activity Relationship; Triazoles - chemical synthesis; Triazoles - chemistry; Triazoles - pharmacology; triazolopyrimidines; TARGET; CB2 RECEPTORS; lead optimization; LIGANDS; inflammation; ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM; triazolopyrimidines; fibrosis; ABSORPTION; CB2 receptor agonists; SOLUBILITY
• ISSN: 1860-7179; 1860-7187
• DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500218

The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) system is described to modulate various pathological conditions, including inflammation and fibrosis. A series of new heterocyclic small‐molecule CB2 receptor agonists were identified from a high‐throughput screen. Lead optimization gave access to novel, highly potent, and selective (over CB1) triazolopyrimidine derivatives. A preliminary structure–activity relationship was established, and physicochemical properties in this compound class were significantly improved toward better solubility, lipophilicity, and microsomal stability. An optimized triazolopyrimidine derivative, (3S)‐1‐[5‐tert‐butyl‐3‐[(1‐cyclopropyltetrazol‐5‐yl)methyl]triazolo[4,5‐d]pyrimidin‐7‐yl]pyrrolidin‐3‐ol (39), was tested in a kidney ischemia–reperfusion model, in which it showed efficacy at a dose of 10 mg kg−1 (p.o.). A significant depletion of the three measured kidney markers indicated a protective role of CB2 receptor activation toward inflammatory kidney damage. Compound 39 was also protective in a model of renal fibrosis. Oral treatment with 39 at 3 mg kg−1 per day significantly decreased the amount of fibrosis by ∼40 % which was induced by unilateral ureter obstruction. Kidney protection: A series of small‐molecule CB2 receptor agonists was identified in a high‐throughput screen. Lead optimization work gave access to novel triazolopyrimidine derivatives, highly potent on CB2 and selective over CB1. Optimized compound 39 was efficacious in an in vivo model for kidney ischemia–reperfusion and in an in vivo model of renal fibrosis (unilateral ureter obstruction) upon p.o. administration.