The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family
of proteins
are readers which specifically recognize histone-acetylated lysine
residues. Each BET bromodomain protein contains two highly homologous
domains: the first bromodomain (BD1) and the second bromodomain (BD2).
Pan-BET bromodomain inhibition is a potential therapy for various
cancers and immune-inflammatory diseases, but only few reported inhibitors
show selectivity within the BET family. Herein, we identified a series
of benzo[cd]indol-2(1H)-ones and
pyrrolo[4,3,2-de]quinolin-2(1H)-ones
with good selectivity for BET BD1. Through structure-based optimization,
highly active and selective compounds are ultimately obtained. The
representative compounds are the first reported inhibitors with selectivity
more than 100-fold for BRD4(1) over BRD4(2). Among them, we further
show that 68 (LT052) mediates BRD4/NF-κB/NLRP3
signaling inflammatory pathways with comparable protein expression
and significantly improves symptoms of gout arthritis in a rat model.
Therefore, selective pharmacological modulation of individual bromodomains
could represent a strategy for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis.