Abstract P2047: Identification Of Selective Small-molecule ERBB4 Agonists With Cardioprotective Effects

• Published in: Circulation research 2022-08, Vol.131 (Suppl_1), p.AP2047-AP2047
• Main Authors: Feyen, Eline, Cools, Julie, Van fraeyenhove, Jens, Tubeeckx, Michiel, De Winter, Hans, Audenaert, Dominique, Bruyns, Tine, De Keulenaer, Gilles, Segers, Vincent
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0009-7330; 1524-4571
• DOI: 10.1161/res.131.suppl_1.P2047

IntroductionMorbidity and mortality of heart failure remain high, mandating new therapeutic approaches. The neuregulin-1 (NRG1)/ERBB4 axis is cardioprotective and an attractive target for treatment. Clinical trials with recombinant NRG1 are ongoing, but require intravenous administration, limiting applicability and efficacy. PurposeTo develop selective small-molecule ERBB4 agonists with cardioprotective effects. MethodsA high-throughput screening of 10,240 compounds (cpds) was performed on a ERBB4/ERBB4 dimerization assay. Hit cpds were co-administered with NRG1 or fluorescently labeled NRG1 to determine competitive binding. Selectivity, receptor phosphorylation, toxicity and metabolic stability were determined using Luminex RTK phosphoprotein, ERBB2/ERBB3 dimerization and adenylate kinase assays or LC-MS/MS. Apoptotic and hypertrophic effects of cpds (4-32μM) on cultured cardiomyocytes were studied after exposure to 100μM H2O2 and 100nM angiotensin II (AngII). Antifibrotic effects (4-32μM) were studied on TGF-β-induced collagen synthesis in cultured human fibroblasts, and in mice (n=9-10/group) treated with AngII (1000 ng/kg/min) or cpd (83 μg/kg/h) using osmotic pumps. ResultsWe identified 8 similar pyrimidine derivatives inducing ERBB4/ERBB4 dimerization (Emax 9-33% relative to NRG1, EC50 6E-6 to 2E-7M). Competition assays indicated allosteric receptor binding and potentiation of NRG1-induced ERBB4 receptor dimerization, up to 2.7 fold (P