Discovery and Characterization of a New Class of C5aR1 Antagonists Showing In Vivo Activity

Abstract

C5a is an anaphylatoxin protein produced by the cleavage of the complement system's component C5 protein. It signals through the G-proteincoupled receptor C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) to induce the chemotaxis of primarily neutrophils and monocytes and the release of inflammatory molecules. A large body of evidence linking C5aR1 signaling to acute and chronic inflammatory disorders has triggered interest in developing potent C5aR antagonists. Herein we report the discovery of new C5aR1 antagonistic chemical classes. Many representatives showed low nanomolar IC 50 values in a C5aR1 β-arrestin-2 recruitment assay, inhibiting the migration of human neutrophils toward C5a and the internalization of the receptor in human whole blood. Two leading compounds were characterized further in vivo. Target engagement of the receptor by these two C5aR1 antagonists was demonstrated in vivo. In particular, the inhibition of migration in vitro with the two compounds further translated in a dosedependent efficacy in a rat model of C5a-induced neutrophilia.