ABSTRACT
In an effort to shed light on the active binding conformation of our 3-amino-1-alkyl-cyclopentane carboxamide CCR2 antagonists, we prepared several conformationally constrained analogs resulting from backbone cyclization. Evaluation of CCR2 binding affinities for these analogs gave insight into the optimal relative positions of the piperidine and benzylamide moieties while simultaneously leading to the discovery of a new, potent lead type based upon a spirocyclic acetal scaffold.
Subject(s)
Cyclopentanes/chemistry , Receptors, CCR2/antagonists & inhibitors , Spiro Compounds/chemistry , Acetals/chemistry , Acetals/pharmacology , Crystallography, X-Ray , Cyclopentanes/pharmacology , Humans , Kinetics , Molecular Conformation , Monocytes/drug effects , Monocytes/metabolism , Receptors, CCR2/metabolism , Spiro Compounds/pharmacology , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
Through modification of a screening hit we have discovered a structurally distinct new lead, (2S)-N-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-phenylpiperidin-1-yl)butanamide (11), which has subsequently served as the departure point for an ongoing program targeting CCR2 antagonists. Optimization of 11 leading to antagonists 26 and 37 is described. Antagonist 26 was shown to have good oral bioavailability in rats. Antagonist 37 had a CCR2 IC50 of 59 nM and excellent potency in a functional assay measuring inhibition of MCP-1 induced monocyte chemotaxis (IC50 of 41 nM).
