Tau Protein Aggregation Inhibitors for Tauopathies

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by brain amyloid plaques consisting of insoluble beta-amyloid protein (A?), and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) containing aggregated tau protein. AD drug discovery efforts havebeen largely focused on reducing brain A? levels, with much less emphasis on tau-directed strategies. ProteoTech Inc. has developed a number of different in vitro screening technologies and cellular models that identified new potent inhibitors of amyloidoses. We have designed, synthesized and tested a class of new chemical entities (NCE) consisting of small molecules (200-400 MW) containing polyhydroxylated aromatic rings spaced by a linker region. Results from our Phase I SBIR studies have identified ten (10) lead small molecule compounds that possess strong potency to inhibit/disrupt tau protein fibril formation in vitro. This discovery has been confirmed by several independent methodologies, including Thioflavin S fluorometry, CD spectroscopy, electron microscopy and cell-based assays. We hypothesize that specific lead polyhydroxylated aromatic compounds can also serve as direct inhibitors of tau aggregation/fibrillogenesis in mouse models of tauopathies. These compounds are believed to possess great potential as new therapeutic agents for AD and related tauopathies. The major objective of our Phase II SBIR project is to identify lead polyhydroxylated aromatic compounds in a relevant mouse model of tauopathy that have the ability to reduce tau-related pathology and to improve tau-induced behavioral deficits. In Specific Aim 1, we will assess the 10 lead small molecule compounds for their drugability, blood-brain-barrier penetration, pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles, and acute toxicity in mice. Three lead smallmolecule compounds that possess the best brain penetration, peripheral PK, drugability and tolerance in mice will be selected for animal studies in Aim 2. In Specific Aim 2, we will test the three best lead compounds (selected from Aim 1) for their in vivo efficacy in a transgenic mouse model expressing the human P301S mutant tau protein. We will treat mice with three compounds with one of two administration routes (orally or s.c. to be determined from Aim 1 studies) at 3 doses for each compound for 6 months (starting at 3 months of age). The effectiveness of these compounds in reducing tau aggregation/NFT formation, improving tau-related memory deficits, and improving CSF tau biomarker profiles will be determined using staining and quantitative immunohistochemistry, western blotting, ELISAs and behavioral testing including the Morris water maze test. This Phase II SBIR project will lead to a pre-clinical candidate (and back-up) for the treatment of tau aggregation in AD and other tauopathies. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This Phase II SBIR project will lead to the development of novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of tau protein aggregation found in the neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer disease and other related tauopathies. Neurofibrillary tangle formation is one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia in the elderly.