Selective Targeting of Integrin αvβ8 by a Highly Active Cyclic Peptide

• Published in: Journal of medicinal chemistry Vol. 62; no. 4; pp. 2024 - 2037
• Main Authors: Reichart, Florian, Maltsev, Oleg V, Kapp, Tobias G, Räder, Andreas F. B, Weinmüller, Michael, Marelli, Udaya Kiran, Notni, Johannes, Wurzer, Alexander, Beck, Roswitha, Wester, Hans-Jürgen, Steiger, Katja, Di Maro, Salvatore, Di Leva, Francesco Saverio, Marinelli, Luciana, Nieberler, Markus, Reuning, Ute, Schwaiger, Markus, Kessler, Horst
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 28.02.2019
• Subjects: Boron Compounds - metabolism; Boron Compounds - pharmacology; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Design; Fluorescent Dyes - metabolism; Fluorescent Dyes - pharmacology; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Integrins - metabolism; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Molecular Docking Simulation; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Peptides, Cyclic - metabolism; Peptides, Cyclic - pharmacology; Proof of Concept Study; Radiopharmaceuticals - metabolism; Radiopharmaceuticals - pharmacology
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01588
• ISSN: 0022-2623; 1520-4804

Integrins play important roles in physiological and pathophysiological processes. Among the RGD-recognizing integrin subtypes, the αvβ8 receptor is emerging as an attractive target because of its involvement in various illnesses, such as autoimmune diseases, viral infections, and cancer. However, its functions have, so far, not been investigated in living subjects mainly because of the lack of a selective αvβ8 ligand. Here, we report the design and potential medical applications of a cyclic octapeptide as the first highly selective small-molecule ligand for αvβ8. Remarkably, this compound displays low nanomolar αvβ8 binding affinity and a strong discriminating power of at least 2 orders of magnitude versus other RGD-recognizing integrins. Peptide functionalization with fluorescent or radioactive labels enables the selective imaging of αvβ8-positive cells and tissues. This new probe will pave the way for detailed characterization of the distinct (patho)­physiological role of this relatively unexplored integrin, providing a basis to fully exploit the potential of αvβ8 as a target for molecular diagnostics and personalized therapy regimens.