Open AccessThe discovery of a selective and potent A 2a agonist with extended lung retention
Author(s) -
Åstrand Annika B. M.,
Lamm Bergström Eva,
Zhang Hui,
Börjesson Lena,
Söderdahl Therese,
Wingren Cecilia,
Jansson AnneHelene,
Smailagic Amir,
Johansson Camilla,
Bladh Håkan,
Shamovsky Igor,
Tunek Anders,
Drmota Tomas
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pharmacology research and perspectives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.975
H-Index - 27
ISSN - 2052-1707
DOI - 10.1002/prp2.134
Subject(s) - agonist , pharmacology , pharmacokinetics , in vivo , pharmacodynamics , therapeutic index , potency , lipophilicity , drug , lung , medicine , dosing , ec50 , in vitro , partial agonist , drug discovery , chemistry , receptor , stereochemistry , biology , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology
Although the anti‐inflammatory role of the A 2a receptor is well established, controversy remains with regard to the therapeutic value for A 2a agonists in treatment of inflammatory lung diseases, also as a result of unwanted A 2a ‐mediated cardiovascular effects. In this paper, we describe the discovery and characterization of a new, potent and selective A 2a agonist (compound 2) with prolonged lung retention and limited systemic exposure following local administration. To support the lead optimization chemistry program with compound selection and profiling, multiple in vitro and in vivo assays were used, characterizing compound properties, pharmacodynamics (PD), and drug concentrations. Particularly, pharmacokinetic‐PD modeling was applied to quantify the effects on the cardiovascular system, and an investigative toxicology study in rats was performed to explore potential myocardial toxicities. Compound 2, in comparison to a reference A 2a agonist, UK ‐432,097, demonstrated higher solubility, lower lipophilicity, lower plasma protein binding, high rat lung retention (28% remaining after 24 h), and was efficacious in a lung inflammatory rat model following intratracheal dosing. Despite these properties, compound 2 did not provide a sufficient therapeutic index, that is, separation of local anti‐inflammatory efficacy in the lung from systemic side effects in the cardiovascular system. The plasma concentration that resulted in induction of hypotension (half maximal effective concentration; EC 50 0.5 nmol/L) correlated to the in vitro A 2a potency ( rIC 50 0.6 nmol/L). Histopathological lesions in the heart were observed at a dose level which is threefold above the efficacious dose level in the inflammatory rat lung model. In conclusion, compound 2 is a highly potent and selective A 2a agonist with significant lung retention after intratracheal administration. Despite its local anti‐inflammatory efficacy in rat lung, small margins to the cardiovascular effects suggested limited therapeutic value of this compound for treatment of inflammatory lung disease by the inhaled route.