The photocatalyzed uphill isomerization of drugs using Ru(bpy3)2 is reported by Nicolas Winssinger et al. in their Research Article (e202203390). This chemistry was shown to locally convert inactive ...drugs into active ones that alter the tubulin dynamics in cells (green structures in the background of the picture).
Neurochemistry The photomodulation of the 5‐HT2A receptor by a light‐controllable N,N‐dimethyltryptamine derivative is reported by Michael Decker et al. in their Communication (e202203034).
Psoriasis is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory skin disease lacking a cure that affects approximately 2% of the population. Defective keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, and aberrant ...immune responses are major factors in its pathogenesis. Available treatments for moderate to severe psoriasis are directed to immune system causing systemic immunosuppression over time, and thus concomitant serious side effects (i.e. infections and cancer) may appear. In recent years, the Gi protein-coupled A3 receptor (A3R) for adenosine has been suggested as a novel and very promising therapeutic target for psoriasis. Accordingly, selective, and high affinity A3R agonists are known to induce robust anti-inflammatory effects in animal models of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Here, we demonstrated the efficacy of a selective A3R agonist, namely MRS5698, in preventing the psoriatic-like phenotype in the IL-23 mouse model of psoriasis. Subsequently, we photocaged this molecule with a coumarin moiety to yield the first photosensitive A3R agonist, MRS7344, which in photopharmacological experiments prevented the psoriatic-like phenotype in the IL-23 animal model. Thus, we have demonstrated the feasibility of using a non-invasive, site-specific, light-directed approach to psoriasis treatment.
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•A systemic A3 adenosine receptor agonist is efficacious against psoriasis, but with dose-limiting side effects.•An A3 agonist with a violet light-cleavable masking group achieves skin-targeted delivery.•Significant protection was achieved in an IL-23 mouse model of psoriasis.•This is the first example of applying in vivo photopharmacology to a potent GPCR ligand for skin treatment.
Emerging Targets in Photopharmacology Lerch, Michael M.; Hansen, Mickel J.; van Dam, Gooitzen M. ...
Angewandte Chemie (International ed.),
September 5, 2016, Letnik:
55, Številka:
37
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The field of photopharmacology uses molecular photoswitches to establish control over the action of bioactive molecules. It aims to reduce systemic drug toxicity and the emergence of resistance, ...while achieving unprecedented precision in treatment. By using small molecules, photopharmacology provides a viable alternative to optogenetics. We present here a critical overview of the different pharmacological targets in various organs and a survey of organ systems in the human body that can be addressed in a non‐invasive manner. We discuss the prospects for the selective delivery of light to these organs and the specific requirements for light‐activatable drugs. We also aim to illustrate the druggability of medicinal targets with recent findings and emphasize where conceptually new approaches have to be explored to provide photopharmacology with future opportunities to bring “smart” molecular design ultimately to the realm of clinical use.
Spotlight on the patient: The impressive advances made in the field of photopharmacology in recent years are critically reviewed with respect to the “photodruggability” of medicinal targets and prospects for the selective delivery of light to different organs. This Review is meant to provide a stimulus for chemists to enter this exciting field, with fascinating opportunities to bring “smart” molecular design to the realm of clinical use.
A journey into the nano‐world: The ability to design, use and control motor‐like functions at the molecular level sets the stage for numerous dynamic molecular systems. In his Nobel Lecture, B. L. ...Feringa describes the evolution of the field of molecular motors and explains how to program and control molecules by incorporating responsive and adaptive properties.
Photopharmacology is an attractive approach for achieving targeted drug action with the use of light. In photopharmacology, molecular photoswitches are introduced into the structure of biologically ...active small molecules to allow for the optical control of their potency. Going beyond trial and error, photopharmacology has progressively applied rational drug design methodologies to devise light‐controlled bioactive ligands. In this review, we categorize photopharmacological efforts from the standpoint of medicinal chemistry strategies, focusing on diffusible photochromic ligands modified with photoswitches that operate through E‐Z bond isomerization. In the vast majority of cases, photoswitchable ligands are designed as analogs of existing compounds, through a variety of approaches. By analyzing in detail a comprehensive list of instructive examples, we describe the state of the art and discuss future opportunities for rational design in photopharmacology.
The state of the art of rational design in photopharmacology is analyzed with a focus on E‐Z molecular photoswitches and on computer‐aided approaches. By meticulously examining the design strategies of photopharmacology through the lens of medicinal chemistry, this review identifies existing trends and novel opportunities for the development of photoswitchable ligands.
The versatile proteasome inhibitor MG132 was inactivated with a photolabile protection group at its reactive aldehyde function, as described by Esther Zanin and co‐workers in their Research Article ...on page 1187. Upon blue‐light irradiation MG132 activity is restored, and cancer cells either undergo arrest during the metaphase of the cell cycle or die by apoptosis.
Photopharmacology. Visible‐light photoswitchable benzimidazole azo‐ arenes as β‐arrestin2‐biased cannabinoid 2 receptor agonists are reported by Michael Decker et al. in their Research Article ...(e202306176).
In recent years, the use of light to selectively and precisely activate drugs has been developed along the fundamental concepts of photopharmacology. One of the key methods in this field relies on ...transiently silencing the drug activity with photocleavable protecting groups (PPGs). To effectively utilize light‐activated drugs in future medical applications, physicians will require a reliable method to assess whether light penetrates deep enough into the tissues to activate the photoresponsive theragnostic agents. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging agents that allow for the detection of light penetration and drug activation in the tissues using non‐invasive whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST)‐MRI modalities. The approach relies on the use of PPG‐protected MR contrast agents, which upon irradiation with light change their imaging signal. A Gadolinium(III)‐based MRI contrast agent is presented that undergoes a significant change in relaxivity (25%) upon uncaging, providing a reliable indicator of light‐induced cargo release. Additionally, we introduce the first light‐responsive CEST‐MRI imaging agent, enabling positive signal enhancement (off‐to‐on) upon light activation, offering a novel approach to visualize the activation of photoactive agents in living tissues. This research provides a proof‐of‐principle for the non‐invasive, whole‐body imaging of light penetration and drug activation with high temporal resolution characteristic of MR methods.
Seeing the light inside: In this paper, smart contrast agents are presented that enable the use of non‐invasive whole‐body methods for the imaging of light penetration and photoactivation of drugs inside the human body. These molecules change their MRI and CEST‐MRI signal under light irradiation, acting as responsive imaging agents for the future applications of light in medicine, photodynamic therapy and photopharmacology.
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