Discovery of Strong 3-Nitro-2-Phenyl-2H-Chromene Analogues as Antitrypanosomal Agents and Inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi Glucokinase.

Chagas disease is one of the world's neglected tropical diseases, caused by the human pathogenic protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. There is currently a lack of effective and tolerable clinically available therapeutics to treat this life-threatening illness and the discovery of modern alternative options is an urgent matter. T. cruzi glucokinase (TcGlcK) is a potential drug target because its product, d-glucose-6-phosphate, serves as a key metabolite in the pentose phosphate pathway, glycolysis, and gluconeogenesis. In 2019, we identified a novel cluster of TcGlcK inhibitors that also exhibited anti-T. cruzi efficacy called the 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromene analogues. This was achieved by performing a target-based high-throughput screening (HTS) campaign of 13,040 compounds. The selection criteria were based on first determining which compounds strongly inhibited TcGlcK in a primary screen, followed by establishing on-target confirmed hits from a confirmatory assay. Compounds that exhibited notable in vitro trypanocidal activity over the T. cruzi infective form (trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes) co-cultured in NIH-3T3 mammalian host cells, as well as having revealed low NIH-3T3 cytotoxicity, were further considered. Compounds GLK2-003 and GLK2-004 were determined to inhibit TcGlcK quite well with IC50 values of 6.1 µM and 4.8 µM, respectively. Illuminated by these findings, we herein screened a small compound library consisting of thirteen commercially available 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromene analogues, two of which were GLK2-003 and GLK2-004 (compounds 1 and 9, respectively). Twelve of these compounds had a one-point change from the chemical structure of GLK2-003. The analogues were run through a similar primary screening and confirmatory assay protocol to our previous HTS campaign. Subsequently, three in vitro biological assays were performed where compounds were screened against (a) T. cruzi (Tulahuen strain) infective form co-cultured within NIH-3T3 cells, (b) T. brucei brucei (427 strain) bloodstream form, and (c) NIH-3T3 host cells alone. We report on the TcGlcK inhibitor constant determinations, mode of enzyme inhibition, in vitro antitrypanosomal IC50 determinations, and an assessment of structure-activity relationships. Our results reveal that the 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromene scaffold holds promise and can be further optimized for both Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis early-stage drug discovery research.

Xanthine oxidase levels and immune dysregulation are independently associated with anemia in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Severe anemia is an important contributor to mortality in children with severe malaria. Anemia in malaria is a multi-factorial complication, since dyserythropoiesis, hemolysis and phagocytic clearance of uninfected red blood cells (RBCs) can contribute to this syndrome. High levels of oxidative stress and immune dysregulation have been proposed to contribute to severe malarial anemia, facilitating the clearance of uninfected RBCs. In a cohort of 552 Ugandan children with severe malaria, we measured the levels of xanthine oxidase (XO), an oxidative enzyme that is elevated in the plasma of malaria patients. The levels of XO in children with severe anemia were significantly higher compared to children with severe malaria not suffering from severe anemia. Levels of XO were inversely associated with RBC hemoglobin (ρ = - 0.25, p < 0.0001), indicating a relation between this enzyme and severe anemia. When compared with the levels of immune complexes and of autoimmune antibodies to phosphatidylserine, factors previously associated with severe anemia in malaria patients, we observed that XO is not associated with them, suggesting that XO is associated with severe anemia through an independent mechanism. XO was associated with prostration, acidosis, jaundice, respiratory distress, and kidney injury, which may reflect a broader relation of this enzyme with severe malaria pathology. Since inhibitors of XO are inexpensive and well-tolerated drugs already approved for use in humans, the validation of XO as a contributor to severe malarial anemia and other malaria complications may open new possibilities for much needed adjunctive therapy in malaria.

Broad anti-pathogen potential of DEAD box RNA helicase eIF4A-targeting rocaglates.

Inhibition of eukaryotic initiation factor 4A has been proposed as a strategy to fight pathogens. Rocaglates exhibit the highest specificities among eIF4A inhibitors, but their anti-pathogenic potential has not been comprehensively assessed across eukaryotes. In silico analysis of the substitution patterns of six eIF4A1 aa residues critical to rocaglate binding, uncovered 35 variants. Molecular docking of eIF4A:RNA:rocaglate complexes, and in vitro thermal shift assays with select recombinantly expressed eIF4A variants, revealed that sensitivity correlated with low inferred binding energies and high melting temperature shifts. In vitro testing with silvestrol validated predicted resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans and Leishmania amazonensis and predicted sensitivity in Aedes sp., Schistosoma mansoni, Trypanosoma brucei, Plasmodium falciparum, and Toxoplasma gondii. Our analysis further revealed the possibility of targeting important insect, plant, animal, and human pathogens with rocaglates. Finally, our findings might help design novel synthetic rocaglate derivatives or alternative eIF4A inhibitors to fight pathogens.

Dual-pharmacophore artezomibs hijack the Plasmodium ubiquitin-proteasome system to kill malaria parasites while overcoming drug resistance.

Artemisinins (ART) are critical anti-malarials and despite their use in combination therapy, ART-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is spreading globally. To counter ART resistance, we designed artezomibs (ATZs), molecules that link an ART with a proteasome inhibitor (PI) via a non-labile amide bond and hijack parasite's own ubiquitin-proteasome system to create novel anti-malarials in situ. Upon activation of the ART moiety, ATZs covalently attach to and damage multiple parasite proteins, marking them for proteasomal degradation. When damaged proteins enter the proteasome, their attached PIs inhibit protease function, potentiating the parasiticidal action of ART and overcoming ART resistance. Binding of the PI moiety to the proteasome active site is enhanced by distal interactions of the extended attached peptides, providing a mechanism to overcome PI resistance. ATZs have an extra mode of action beyond that of each component, thereby overcoming resistance to both components, while avoiding transient monotherapy seen when individual agents have disparate pharmacokinetic profiles.

Novel Diarylthioether Compounds as Agents for the Treatment of Chagas Disease.

Herein, we describe the hit optimization of a novel diarylthioether chemical class found to be active against Trypanosoma cruzi; the parasite responsible for Chagas disease. The hit compound was discovered through a whole-cell phenotypic screen and as such, the mechanism of action for this chemical class is unknown. Our investigations led to clear structure-activity relationships and the discovery of several analogues with high in vitro potency. Furthermore, we observed excellent activity during acute in vivo efficacy studies in mice infected with transgenic T. cruzi. These diarylthioether compounds represent a promising new chemotype for Chagas disease drug discovery and merit further development to increase oral exposure without increasing toxicity.

Autoimmunity to phosphatidylserine and anemia in African Trypanosome infections.

Anemia caused by trypanosome infection is poorly understood. Autoimmunity during Trypanosoma brucei infection was proposed to have a role during anemia, but the mechanisms involved during this pathology have not been elucidated. In mouse models and human patients infected with malaria parasites, atypical B-cells promote anemia through the secretion of autoimmune anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) antibodies that bind to uninfected erythrocytes and facilitate their clearance. Using mouse models of two trypanosome infections, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, we assessed levels of autoantibodies and anemia. Our results indicate that acute T. brucei infection, but not T. cruzi, leads to early increased levels of plasma autoantibodies against different auto antigens tested (PS, DNA and erythrocyte lysate) and expansion of atypical B cells (ABCs) that secrete these autoantibodies. In vitro studies confirmed that a lysate of T. brucei, but not T. cruzi, could directly promote the expansion of these ABCs. PS exposure on erythrocyte plasma membrane seems to be an important contributor to anemia by delaying erythrocyte recovery since treatment with an agent that prevents binding to it (Annexin V) ameliorated anemia in T. brucei-infected mice. Analysis of the plasma of patients with human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) revealed high levels of anti-PS antibodies that correlated with anemia. Altogether these results suggest a relation between autoimmunity against PS and anemia in both mice and patients infected with T. brucei.

Synthesis, biochemical, and biological evaluation of C2 linkage derivatives of amino sugars, inhibitors of glucokinase from Trypanosoma cruzi.

Eighteen amino sugar analogues were screened against Trypanosoma cruzi glucokinase (TcGlcK), a potential drug-target of the protozoan parasite in order to assess for viable enzyme inhibition. The analogues were divided into three amino sugar scaffolds that included d-glucosamine (d-GlcN), d-mannosamine (d-ManN), and d-galactosamine (d-GalN); moreover, all but one of these compounds were novel. TcGlcK is an important metabolic enzyme that has a role in producing G6P for glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). The inhibition of these pathways via glucose kinases (i.e., glucokinase and hexokinase) appears to be a strategic approach for drug discovery. Glucose kinases phosphorylate d-glucose with co-substrate ATP to yield G6P and the formed G6P enters both pathways for catabolism. The compound screen revealed five on-target confirmed inhibitors that were all from the d-GlcN series, such as compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Four of these compounds were strong TcGlcK inhibitors (1, 2, 4, and 6) since they were found to have micromolar inhibitory constant (Ki) values around 20 µM. Three of the on-target confirmed inhibitors (1, 5, and 6) revealed notable in vitro anti-T. cruzi activity with IC50 values being less than 50 µM. Compound 1 was benzoyl glucosamine (BENZ-GlcN), a known TcGlcK inhibitor that was the starting point for the design of the compounds in this study; in addition, TcGlcK - compound 1 inhibition properties were previously determined [D'Antonio, E. L. et al. (2015) Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 204, 64-76]. As such, compounds 5 and 6 were further evaluated biochemically, where formal Ki values were determined as well as their mode of TcGlcK inhibition. The Ki values determined for compounds 5 and 6 were 107 ± 4 µM and 15.2 ± 3.3 µM, respectively, and both of these compounds exhibited the competitive inhibition mode.

Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi Growth Inhibitors with Activity In Vivo within a Collection of Licensed Drugs.

Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), affects more than six million people worldwide, with its greatest burden in Latin America. Available treatments present frequent toxicity and variable efficacy at the chronic phase of the infection, when the disease is usually diagnosed. Hence, development of new therapeutic strategies is urgent. Repositioning of licensed drugs stands as an attractive fast-track low-cost approach for the identification of safer and more effective chemotherapies. With this purpose we screened 32 licensed drugs for different indications against T. cruzi. We used a primary in vitro assay of Vero cells infection by T. cruzi. Five drugs showed potent activity rates against it (IC50 < 4 µmol L-1), which were also specific (selectivity index >15) with respect to host cells. T. cruzi inhibitory activity of four of them was confirmed by a secondary anti-parasitic assay based on NIH-3T3 cells. Then, we assessed toxicity to human HepG2 cells and anti-amastigote specific activity of those drugs progressed. Ultimately, atovaquone-proguanil, miltefosine, and verapamil were tested in a mouse model of acute T. cruzi infection. Miltefosine performance in vitro and in vivo encourages further investigating its use against T. cruzi.

Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Activity of Metabolism Modifier Compounds.

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects over 6 million people worldwide. Development of new drugs to treat this disease remains a priority since those currently available have variable efficacy and frequent adverse effects, especially during the long regimens required for treating the chronic stage of the disease. T. cruzi modulates the host cell-metabolism to accommodate the cell cytosol into a favorable growth environment and acquire nutrients for its multiplication. In this study we evaluated the specific anti-T. cruzi activity of nine bio-energetic modulator compounds. Notably, we identified that 17-DMAG, which targets the ATP-binding site of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), has a very high (sub-micromolar range) selective inhibition of the parasite growth. This inhibitory effect was also highly potent (IC50 = 0.27 µmol L-1) against the amastigote intracellular replicative stage of the parasite. Moreover, molecular docking results suggest that 17-DMAG may bind T. cruzi Hsp90 homologue Hsp83 with good affinity. Evaluation in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection did not show parasite growth inhibition, highlighting the difficulties encountered when going from in vitro assays onto preclinical drug developmental stages.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of substrate - analogue inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi ribose 5-phosphate isomerase type B.

Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase type B (RPI-B) is a key enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway that catalyzes the isomerization of ribose 5-phosphate (R5P) and ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P). Trypanosoma cruzi RPI-B (TcRPI-B) appears to be a suitable drug-target mainly due to: (i) its essentiality (as previously shown in other trypanosomatids), (ii) it does not present a homologue in mammalian genomes sequenced thus far, and (iii) it participates in the production of NADPH and nucleotide/nucleic acid synthesis that are critical for parasite cell survival. In this survey, we report on the competitive inhibition of TcRPI-B by a substrate - analogue inhibitor, Compound B (Ki = 5.5 ± 0.1 µM), by the Dixon method. This compound has an iodoacetamide moiety that is susceptible to nucleophilic attack, particularly by the cysteine thiol group. Compound B was conceived to specifically target Cys-69, an important active site residue. By incubating TcRPI-B with Compound B, a trypsin digestion LC-MS/MS analysis revealed the identification of Compound B covalently bound to Cys-69. This inhibitor also exhibited notable in vitro trypanocidal activity against T. cruzi infective life-stages co-cultured in NIH-3T3 murine host cells (IC50 = 17.40 ± 1.055 µM). The study of Compound B served as a proof-of-concept so that next generation inhibitors can potentially be developed with a focus on using a prodrug group in replacement of the iodoacetamide moiety, thus representing an attractive starting point for the future treatment of Chagas' disease.

Discovery of Potent N-Ethylurea Pyrazole Derivatives as Dual Inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi.

Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) and Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) are causative agents of parasitic diseases known as human African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease, respectively. Together, these diseases affect 68 million people around the world. Current treatments are unsatisfactory, frequently associated with intolerable side-effects, and generally inadequate in treating all stages of disease. In this paper, we report the discovery of N-ethylurea pyrazoles that potently and selectively inhibit the viability of T. brucei and T. cruzi. Sharp and logical SAR led to the identification of 54 as the best compound, with an in vitro IC50 of 9 nM and 16 nM against T. b. brucei and T. cruzi, respectively. Compound 54 demonstrates favorable physicochemical properties and was efficacious in a murine model of Chagas disease, leading to undetectable parasitemia within 6 days when CYP metabolism was inhibited.

Tamoxifen activity against Plasmodium in vitro and in mice.

BACKGROUND: Tamoxifen is an oestrogen receptor modulator that is widely used for the treatment of early stage breast cancer and reduction of recurrences. Tamoxifen is also used as a powerful research tool for controlling gene expression in the context of the Cre/loxP site-specific recombination system in conditional mutant mice. METHODS: To determine whether the administration of tamoxifen affects Plasmodium growth and/or disease outcome in malaria, in vitro studies assessing the effect of tamoxifen and its active metabolite 4-hydroxytamoxifen on Plasmodium falciparum blood stages were performed. Tamoxifen effects were also evaluated in vivo treating C57/B6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain), which is the standard animal model for the study of cerebral malaria. RESULTS: Tamoxifen and its active metabolite, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, show activity in vitro against P. falciparum (16.7 to 5.8 µM IC50, respectively). This activity was also confirmed in tamoxifen-treated mice infected with P. berghei, which show lower levels of parasitaemia and do not develop signs of cerebral malaria, compared to control mice. Mice treated with tamoxifen for 1 week and left untreated for an additional week before infection showed similar parasitaemia levels and signs of cerebral malaria as control untreated mice. CONCLUSIONS: Tamoxifen and its active metabolite, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, have significant activity against the human parasite P. falciparum in vitro and the rodent parasite P. berghei in vivo. This activity may be useful for prevention of malaria in patients taking this drug chronically, but also represents a major problem for scientists using the conditional mutagenic Cre/LoxP system in the setting of rodent malaria. Allowing mice to clear tamoxifen before starting a Plasmodium infection allows the use the Cre/LoxP conditional mutagenic system to investigate gene function in specific tissues.