Receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) cell signaling inhibitors based on a 3,5-diphenyl-2-aminopyridine scaffold

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) is a key mediator of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) cell signaling that has been implicated in various chronic inflammatory conditions. A new class of RIPK2 kinase/NOD signaling inhibitors based on a 3,5-diphenyl-2-aminopyridine scaffold was developed. Several co-crystal structures of RIPK2•inhibitor complexes were analyzed to provide insights into inhibitor selectivity versus the structurally related activin receptor-like kinase 2 (ALK2) demonstrating that the inhibitor sits deeper in the hydrophobic binding pocket of RIPK2 perturbing the orientation of the DFG motif. In addition, the structure-activity relationship study revealed that in addition to anchoring to the hinge and DFG via the 2-aminopyridine and 3-phenylsulfonamide, respectively, appropriate occupancy of the region between the gatekeeper and the αC-helix provided by substituents in the 4- and 5-positions of the 3-phenylsulfonamide were necessary to achieve potent NOD cell signaling inhibition. For example, compound 18t (e.g. CSLP37) displayed potent biochemical RIPK2 kinase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 16 ± 5 nM), >20-fold selectivity versus ALK2 and potent NOD cell signaling inhibition (IC₅₀ = 26 ± 4 nM) in the HEKBlue assay. Finally, in vitro ADME and pharmacokinetic characterization of 18t further supports the prospects of the 3,5-diphenyl-2-aminopyridine scaffold for the generation of in vivo pharmacology probes of RIPK2 kinase and NOD cell signaling functions.