Discovery of the First Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Signal Peptide Peptidase-Like 2a (SPPL2a) Inhibitor Displaying Pronounced Immunomodulatory Effects In Vivo

J Med Chem. 2018 Feb 8;61(3):865-880. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01371. Epub 2018 Jan 23.

Abstract

Signal peptide peptidase-like 2a (SPPL2a) is an aspartic intramembrane protease which has recently been shown to play an important role in the development and function of antigen presenting cells such as B lymphocytes and dendritic cells. In this paper, we describe the discovery of the first selective and orally active SPPL2a inhibitor (S)-2-cyclopropyl-N1-((S)-5,11-dioxo-10,11-dihydro-1H,3H,5H-spiro[benzo[d]pyrazolo[1,2-a][1,2]diazepine-2,1'-cyclopropan]-10-yl)-N4-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyridin-3-yl)succinamide 40 (SPL-707). This compound shows adequate selectivity against the closely related enzymes γ-secretase and SPP and a good pharmacokinetic profile in mouse and rat. Compound 40 significantly inhibited processing of the SPPL2a substrate CD74/p8 fragment in rodents at doses ≤10 mg/kg b.i.d. po. Oral dosing of 40 for 11 days at ≥10 mg/kg b.i.d. recapitulated the phenotype seen in Sppl2a knockout (ko) and ENU mutant mice (reduced number of specific B cells and myeloid dendritic cells). Thus, we believe that SPPL2a represents an interesting and druggable pharmacological target, potentially providing a novel approach for the treatment of autoimmune diseases by targeting B cells and dendritic cells.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Biological Availability
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / chemistry
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacokinetics*
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Mice
  • Pyrazoles / administration & dosage
  • Pyrazoles / chemistry
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Rats

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Pyrazoles
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • signal peptide peptidase