A Phenotypic High-Throughput Screen with RSV-Infected Primary Human Small Airway Epithelial Cells (SAECs).

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a commonly occurring pathogen that can cause severe disease in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals with a large, unmet clinical need. We developed a high-throughput, primary cell-based antiviral RSV assay to enable identification of small molecules using cytopathic effect (CPE) as a phenotypic end point. To provide increased biological relevance, we developed our assay with primary human small airway epithelial cells (SAECs), which originate from known sites of RSV infection and replication instead of a more traditional immortalized cell line. Using purchased low-passage cells, cost-effective large-scale culture methods were developed to provide assay-ready frozen SAECs. A high-throughput screening campaign using the GSK Screening Collection was performed. The screen was executed in 384-well plates over a 12-week period with an average Z' of 0.5. The screen yielded 17 post-entry hits with activity in the primary cells, which were not active in immortalized cells. Potencies for this class of compounds were equal between the primary and immortalize cell lines. For entry inhibitors, the number was much lower, with increased potency observed in immortalized cells. This is the first known use of frozen primary human cells for an RSV high-throughput screening phenotypic campaign.

The discovery of potent blockers of the canonical transient receptor channels, TRPC3 and TRPC6, based on an anilino-thiazole pharmacophore.

Lead optimization of piperidine amide HTS hits, based on an anilino-thiazole core, led to the identification of analogs which displayed low nanomolar blocking activity at the canonical transient receptor channels 3 and 6 (TRPC3 & 6) based on FLIPR (carbachol stimulated) and electrophysiology (OAG stimulated) assays. In addition, the anilino-thiazole amides displayed good selectivity over other TRP channels (TRPA1, TRPV1, and TRPV4), as well as against cardiac ion channels (CaV1.2, hERG, and NaV1.5). The high oxidation potential of the aliphatic piperidine and aniline groups, as well as the lability of the thiazole amide group contributed to the high clearance observed for this class of compounds. Conversion of an isoquinoline amide to a naphthyridine amide markedly reduced clearance for the bicyclic piperidines, and improved oral bioavailability for this compound series, however TRPC3 and TRPC6 blocking activity was reduced substantially. Although the most potent anilino-thiazole amides ultimately lacked oral exposure in rodents and were not suitable for chronic dosing, analogs such as 14-19, 22, and 23 are potentially valuable in vitro tool compounds for investigating the role of TRPC3 and TRPC6 in cardiovascular disease.

Substituted N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs as potent Kv1.3 ion channel blockers. Part 2.

We report the synthesis and in vitro activity of a series of novel substituted N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs. These analogs showed potent inhibitory activity against Kv1.3. Several demonstrated similar potency to the known Kv1.3 inhibitor PAP-1 when tested under the IonWorks patch clamp assay conditions. Two compounds 13i and 13rr were advanced further as potential tool compounds for in vivo validation studies.

N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs as potent Kv1.3 inhibitors. Part 1.

We report the synthesis and in vitro activity of a series of novel N-{3-[(1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)(phenyl)amino]propyl}benzamide analogs. These analogs showed potent inhibitory activity against Kv1.3. Several compounds, including compound 8b, showed similar potency to the known Kv1.3 inhibitor PAP-1 when tested under the IonWorks patch clamp assay conditions.