Discovery of Novel Pyrazolo[3,4- b] Pyridine Derivatives with Dual Activities of Vascular Remodeling Inhibition and Vasodilation for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

J Med Chem. 2020 Oct 8;63(19):11215-11234. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01132. Epub 2020 Sep 22.

Abstract

Current pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapeutic strategies mainly focus on vascular relaxation with less emphasis on vascular remodeling, which results in poor prognosis. Hence, dual pathway regulators with vasodilation effect via soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulation and vascular remodeling regulation effect by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibition provide more advantages and potentialities. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of novel pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridine derivatives based on sGC stimulator and AMPK inhibitor scaffolds. In vitro, 2 exhibited moderate vasodilation activity and higher proliferation and migration suppressive effects compared to riociguat. In vivo, 2 significantly decreased right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), attenuated pulmonary artery medial thickness (PAMT), and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) in hypoxia-induced PAH rat models (i.g.). Given the unique advantages of significant vascular remodeling inhibition and moderate vascular relaxation based on the dual pathway regulation, we proposed 2 as a promising lead for anti-PAH drug discovery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenylate Kinase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Adenylate Kinase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Pyrazoles / chemistry*
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / chemistry*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Vascular Remodeling / drug effects*
  • Vasodilation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyridines
  • pyrazolo(3,4-b)pyridine
  • Adenylate Kinase