AZ2158 is a more potent formyl peptide receptor 1 inhibitor than the commonly used peptide antagonists in abolishing neutrophil chemotaxis

Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1), a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in phagocytes, recognizes short Nformylated peptides originating from proteins synthesized by bacteria and mitochondria. Such FPR1 agonists are important regulators of neutrophil functions and by that, determinants of inflammatory reactions. As FPR1 is implicated in promoting both pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving responses associated with inflammatory diseases, characterization of ligands that potently and selectively modulate FPR1 induced functions might be of high relevance. Accordingly, a number of FPR1 specific antagonists have been identified and shown to inhibit agonist binding or receptor down-stream signaling as well as neutrophil functions such as granule secretion and NADPH oxidase activity. The inhibitory effect on neutrophil chemotaxis induced by FPR1 agonists has generally not been part of basic antagonist characterization. In this study we show that the inhibitory effects on neutrophil chemotaxis of established FPR1 antagonists (i.e., cyclosporin H, BOC1 and BOC2) are limited. Our data demonstrate that the recently described small molecule AZ2158 is a potent and selective FPR1 antagonist in human neutrophils. In contrast to the already established FPR1 antagonists, AZ2158 also potently inhibits chemotaxis. Whereas the cyclosporin H inhibition was agonist selective, AZ2158 inhibited the FPR1 response induced by both a balanced and a biased FPR1 agonist equally well. In accordance with the species specificity described for many FPR1 ligands, AZ2158 was not recognized by the mouse orthologue of FPR1. Our data demonstrate that AZ2158 may serve as an excellent tool compound for further mechanistic studies of human FPR1 mediated activities.

Automated summary

Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) is a G protein-coupled receptor that recognizes short N-formylated peptides. The recently discovered FPR1 antagonist AZ2158 is a potent inhibitor of neutrophil chemotaxis and can act on both balanced and biased FPR1 agonists. This compound shows promise for further study of FPR1-mediated activities.