Folic acid derived-P5779 mimetics regulate DAMP-mediated inflammation through disruption of HMGB1:TLR4:MD-2 axes

PLoS One. 2018 Feb 15;13(2):e0193028. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193028. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) protein that mediates inflammatory responses after infection or injury. Previously, we reported a peptide inhibitor of HMGB1 (P5779) that acts by directly interrupting HMGB1/MD-2 binding. Here, fingerprint similarity search and docking studies suggest folic acid derived-drugs function as P5779 mimetopes. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies demonstrate that folic acid mimics the binding of P5779 at the TLR4 and MD-2 intersection. In surface plasmon resonance (SPR) studies, these drugs showed direct binding to TLR4/MD-2 but not HMGB1. Furthermore, these P5779 mimetopes inhibit HMGB1 and MD-2 binding and suppress HMGB1-induced TNF release in human macrophages in the nanomolar range. We assert from our findings that their demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects may be working through TLR4-dependent signaling.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials / pharmacology
  • Folic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Folic Acid / chemistry
  • Folic Acid / pharmacology
  • HMGB1 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • HMGB1 Protein / chemistry
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lymphocyte Antigen 96 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Lymphocyte Antigen 96 / chemistry
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / chemistry
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • HMGB1 Protein
  • HMGB1 protein, human
  • LY96 protein, human
  • Lymphocyte Antigen 96
  • MD-2 mimetic peptide
  • Peptides
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Folic Acid