Multiscale biased chemical space remodeling for developing APLNR agonists with anti-HFpEF efficacy

Q Qiu Sun (Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) X Xiaowen Tian L Lun Tan (Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) Y Yan Deng (Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) S Sicen Liu (Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) Y Yixiao Xiong (Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) Y Yuying Feng (Division of Nephrology and Kidney Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) Y Yujia Wang L Lele Zhang J Jiayi Zhu (Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University) H Huan Xiao Z Zhenhua Shao Y Yingqiang Guo (Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) W Wei Yan T Tao Li L Liang Ouyang (Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University)

Abstract

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) represents a significant global health burden, yet effective pharmacotherapies remain elusive. The angiotensin-like 1 receptor, also known as the apelin receptor (APLNR), is a promising target for treating HFpEF due to its role in modulating cardiovascular function. Despite the cardioprotective effects of endogenous ligand, apelin, achieving G-protein-biased agonism for therapeutic benefit poses a significant challenge. In this study, we unravel the biased signal transduction pathway mediated by a reported partial G i -protein-biased APLNR agonist CMF-019 and developed a biased chemical space remodeling approach to identify exclusive G-protein-biased agonists targeting APLNR. These agonists exhibited enhanced Gi-protein-biased function and protective effects in both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings not only enhance comprehension of APLNR-biased agonism but also establish drug design strategies for modifying and reshaping biased chemical landscapes in other G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 18
Published May 06, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (16)

Q

Qiu Sun

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

X

Xiaowen Tian

L

Lun Tan

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Y

Yan Deng

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

S

Sicen Liu

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Y

Yixiao Xiong

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Y

Yuying Feng

Division of Nephrology and Kidney Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Y

Yujia Wang

L

Lele Zhang

J

Jiayi Zhu

Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University

H

Huan Xiao

Z

Zhenhua Shao

Y

Yingqiang Guo

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

W

Wei Yan

T

Tao Li

L

Liang Ouyang

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University