KAG-308 is an effective selective and orally active agonist of the EP4 receptor (Ki: 2.57 nM and EC50: 17 nM for humanEP4 receptor), more selective over EP1, EP2, EP3, and IP receptor. KAG-308 suppresses colitis and promotes histological mucosal healing,
The prostaglandin E receptor 4 (EP4) is one of four G protein-coupled receptors that mediate the actions of prostaglandin E2 . Binding of PGE2 to the EP4 receptor causes an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP, which plays important roles in bone formation and resorption, cancer, and atherosclerosis. KMN-80 is a substituted γ-lactam (pyrrolidinone) derivative of PGE1 that acts as a selective and potent agonist of EP4 with an IC50 value of 3 nM (IC50 = 1.4 μM for EP3 and > 10 μM for all other prostanoid receptors). In functional assays it has been shown to stimulate secreted alkaline phosphatase gene reporter activity in EP4-transfected HEK293 cells with an EC50 value of 0.19 nM, demonstrating >5,000 and 50,000-fold selectivity against EP2 and TP, respectively. KMN-80 can induce the differentiation of bone marrow stem cells from both young and aged rats into osteoblasts in vitro (EC50s = 20 and 153 nM, respectively) and exhibits favorable tolerability up to at least 10 μM, whereas the EP4 agonist L-902,688 is highly cytotoxic at similar concentrations in these cells. KMN-80 has been used to repair calvarial defects in an in vivo rat craniomaxillofacial reconstruction model (rate of reduction in defect size equivalent to BMP-2 treated rats) and to promote bone formation in a rat incisor tooth socket model.
CR6086 is a novel, potent EP4 antagonist showing favourable immunomodulatory properties, striking DMARD effects in rodents, and anti-inflammatory activity targeted to immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and distinct from the general effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors. CR6086 showed selectivity and high affinity for the humanEP4 receptor (Ki = 16.6 nM) and functioned as a pure antagonist (half-maximal inhibitory concentration, 22 nM) on PGE2-stimulated cAMP production.
MF-592 is a potent and selective antagonists of the EP4 receptor. MF-592 demonstrated good functional potency (hEP4 IC50 = 3 nM) and potent inhibition of PGE2 modulated TNFa release in LPS stimulated human whole blood (hWB) (IC50 = 78nM). In addition, it showed an excellent oral pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and in vivo efficacy in a rat chronic adjuvant-induced-arthritis model (ED50 = 0.1 mg kg day).. MF-592 has a desirable overall preclinical profile that suggests it is suitable for further development.