Discovery of new MD2-targeted anti-inflammatory compounds for the treatment of sepsis and acute lung injury.

Myeloid differentiation 2 (MD2) is essential to the recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the subsequent mediation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent acute inflammatory disorders including sepsis and acute lung injury. Inhibitors targeting MD2 may provide an alternative means to subdue acute inflammatory diseases. In the present study, 39 bisaryl-1,4-dien-3-one compounds with 5-carbon connection chains were designed and synthesized as MD2 inhibitors based on the analysis of the molecular docking of xanthohumol to MD2. The compound-MD2 interactions were measured by cell-free assays including bis-ANS displacement and SPR, and the active compounds were further tested for MD2 inhibition and anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-challenged macrophages. The most active compound, 1f, was shown to have remarkable protective effects against sepsis shock and pulmonary inflammation. Collectively, we present evidence that bisaryl-1,4-dien-3-one is a new lead structure for the development of anti-inflammatory agents targeting MD2.