In vitro models for neuropathic pain phenotypic screening in brain therapeutics.

The discovery of brain therapeutics faces a significant challenge due to the low translatability of preclinical results into clinical success. To address this gap, several efforts have been made to obtain more translatable neuronal models for phenotypic screening. These models allow the selection of active compounds without predetermined knowledge of drug targets.

Resilience to Pain-Related Depression in σ Receptor Knockout Mice Is Associated with the Reversal of Pain-Induced Brain Changes in Affect-Related Genes.

Mice lacking the σ receptor chaperone (σR) are resilient to depressive-like behaviors secondary to neuropathic pain. Examining the resilience's brain mechanisms could help develop conceptually novel therapeutic strategies. We explored the diminished motivation for a natural reinforcer (white chocolate) in the partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) model in wild-type (WT) and σR mice.

Discovery of WLB-89462, a New Drug-like and Highly Selective σ Receptor Ligand with Neuroprotective Properties.

The synthesis and pharmacological activity of a new series of isoxazolylpyrimidines as sigma-2 receptor (σR) ligands are reported. Modification of a new hit retrieved in an HTS campaign allowed the identification of the compound WLB-89462 () with good σR affinity ( = 13 nM) and high selectivity vs both the σR ( = 1777 nM) and a general panel of 180 targets. It represents one of the first σR ligands with drug-like properties, linked to a good physicochemical and ADMET profile (good solubility, no CYP inhibition, good metabolic stability, high permeability, brain penetration, and high oral exposure in rodents).

Development of a Novel σ Receptor Biosensor Based on Its Heterodimerization with Binding Immunoglobulin Protein in Living Cells.

The σ receptor (S1R) is a ligand-regulated non-opioid intracellular receptor involved in several pathological conditions. The development of S1R-based drugs as therapeutic agents is a challenge due to the lack of simple functional assays to identify and classify S1R ligands. We have developed a novel nanoluciferase binary technology (NanoBiT) assay based on the ability of S1R to heteromerize with the binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) in living cells.

Bispecific sigma-1 receptor antagonism and mu-opioid receptor partial agonism: WLB-73502, an analgesic with improved efficacy and safety profile compared to strong opioids.

Opioids are the most effective painkillers, but their benefit-risk balance often hinder their therapeutic use. WLB-73502 is a dual, bispecific compound that binds sigma-1 (S1R) and mu-opioid (MOR) receptors. WLB-73502 is an antagonist at the S1R.