The naturally-occurring cytokine hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also known as scatter factor(SF), is active in numerous tissues throughout the body, participating in the regulation of angiogenesis, organogenesis, tissue repair and neural induction. HGF is 1) mitogenic in many normal cell types, including hepatocytes, vascular endothelial cells, and melanocytes;2) a morphogen that promotes the formation of branched tube-like structures in epithelial cells;3) cytoprotective by virtue of its anti-apoptotic activity and exerts anti-fibrotic effects by opposing TGFbeta1-Smad signaling. All biological effects of HGF are triggered by stimulating its cell surface receptor c-Met, with concomitant activation of downstream effector pathways. Several recently published studies have documented the therapeutic potential of exogenously administered SF/HGF in animal models of renal, pulmonary and liver fibrosis. Administration of HGF into injured liver tissue suggests that the cytokine is effective in promoting tissue repair and organ regeneration and in reducing fibrosis. HGF effectively alleviates the structural damage seen in liver cirrhosis, an end-stage liver disease that is frequently caused by Hepatitis C infection or long-term alcohol abuse. Given it's therapeutic potential, there is heightened interest in the development of HGF mimetics that can activate c-Met. To date, an HGF-derived peptide and c-Met activating antibodies have been developed, yet those polypeptide-based mimetics are unstable and expensive. To overcome these shortcomings, we will develop small molecule mimetics of HGF activity.
In Aim 1, we will design such small molecules using our LRD (Limited rational design) approach and synthesize them using synthetic organic technology.
In aim 2, we will test the activity of our newly developed compounds in epithelial cell culture models.

Public Health Relevance

Administration of Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), a naturally occurring cytokine, has proven beneficial for the recovery from liver injury during hepatitis infection and during liver transplantation in animal models. It is also the only efficient treatment for chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) that causes a scarring of the liver and steady decline of its function. Cirrhosis is most often caused by Hepatitis C infection and long-term alcohol abuse. However, HGF production is expensive and the manufactured protein is not stable, making it unsuitable for therapeutic use. To circumvent these problems, we will develop small molecule mimetics of HGF that work with equal or better efficacy and specificity and are cheaper to produce and easier to administer than recombinantly made HGF.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AA020630-03
Application #
8300103
Study Section
Biomedical Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Program Officer
Radaeva, Svetlana
Project Start
2011-07-12
Project End
2013-06-30
Budget Start
2012-07-01
Budget End
2013-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
060217502
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10065
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Zhao, Xiaoping; Xiaoli; Zong, Haihong et al. (2014) Inhibition of SREBP transcriptional activity by a boron-containing compound improves lipid homeostasis in diet-induced obesity. Diabetes 63:2464-73
Das, Bhaskar C; McCormick, Laura; Thapa, Pritam et al. (2013) Use of zebrafish in chemical biology and drug discovery. Future Med Chem 5:2103-16
Anguiano, Jaime; Garner, Thomas P; Mahalingam, Murugesan et al. (2013) Chemical modulation of chaperone-mediated autophagy by retinoic acid derivatives. Nat Chem Biol 9:374-82
Das, Bhaskar C; Thapa, Pritam; Karki, Radha et al. (2013) Boron chemicals in diagnosis and therapeutics. Future Med Chem 5:653-76
Das, Bhaskar C; Tang, Xiang-Ying; Rogler, Patrick et al. (2012) Design and synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted boron-containing 1,2,4-oxadiazoles as potential combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) analogs. Tetrahedron Lett 53:3947-3950