MF63 [2-(6-chloro-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)-isophthalonitrile], a selective microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 inhibitor, relieves pyresis and pain in preclinical models of inflammation.
Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is a terminal prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthase in the cyclooxygenase pathway. Inhibitors of mPGES-1 may block PGE(2) production and relieve inflammatory symptoms. To test the hypothesis, we evaluated the antipyretic and analgesic properties of a novel and selective mPGES-1 inhibitor, MF63 [2-(6-chloro-1H-phenanthro-[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)isophthalonitrile], in animal models of inflammation. MF63 potently inhibited the human mPGES-1 enzyme (IC(50) = 1.3 nM), with a high degree (>1000-fold) of selectivity over other prostanoid synthases. In rodent species, MF63 strongly inhibited guinea pig mPGES-1 (IC(50) = 0.9 nM) but not the mouse or rat enzyme. When tested in the guinea pig and a knock-in (KI) mouse expressing human mPGES-1, the compound selectively suppressed the synthesis of PGE(2), but not other prostaglandins inhibitable by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), yet retained NSAID-like efficacy at inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced pyresis, hyperalgesia, and iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritic pain. In addition, MF63 did not cause NSAID-like gastrointestinal toxic effects, such as mucosal erosions or leakage in the KI mice or nonhuman primates, although it markedly inhibited PGE(2) synthesis in the KI mouse stomach. Our data demonstrate that mPGES-1 inhibition leads to effective relief of both pyresis and inflammatory pain in preclinical models of inflammation and may be a useful approach for treating inflammatory diseases.
Department of Pharmacology, Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research, 16711 Trans Canada Hwy, Kirkland, QC, Canada H9H 3L1. daigen_xu@merck.com
Daigen
D
Xu
Steven E
SE
Rowland
Patsy
P
Clark
André
A
Giroux
Bernard
B
Côté
Sébastien
S
Guiral
Myriam
M
Salem
Yves
Y
Ducharme
Richard W
RW
Friesen
Nathalie
N
Méthot
Joseph
J
Mancini
Laurent
L
Audoly
Denis
D
Riendeau
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008861:Microsomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases; D051381:Rats; D012453:Saimiri
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007093:Imidazoles; C526699:MF63 compound; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C000605862:PTGES protein, human; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases; C000605865:Ptges protein, mouse