Discerning the promising binding sites of S100/calgranulins and their therapeutic potential in atherosclerosis

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the members of S100 family proteins (calgranulins) bind with their receptors, particularly receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of disease. Thus, these proteins could be considered as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the treatment of atherosclerotic inflammation.

Areas covered

This review summarizes the pathology of S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 in the development of atherosclerosis and reveals key structural features of these proteins which are potentially critical in their pathological effects. This article focuses on the translational significance of antagonizing these proteins by using small molecules in patent literature, clinical and preclinical studies and also discusses future approaches that could be employed to block these proteins in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Expert Opinion

Based on the critical role of S100/calgranulins in the regulation of atherosclerosis, these proteins are potential targets to develop better therapeutic options in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, further research is still needed to clarify their exact molecular mechanism by analyzing their detailed structural features that can expedite future research to develop novel therapeutics against these proteins to treat atherosclerotic inflammation.

KEYWORDS:

• Atherosclerosis
• calgranulins
• rage
• s100a8
• s100a9
• s100a12
• toll-like receptor-4

Article highlights

• The pathological role of S100/calgranulins in atherosclerosis is critically analyzed.

• Expression, distribution, and structural information of S100A8/A9 and S100A12 proteins are reviewed.

• Various small molecules and their effects in clinical and preclinical studies in antagonizing the S100/calgranulins have been disclosed.

• Patent literature is provided with description on the importance of antagonizing S100/calgranulins by using reported synthetic molecules and antibody compositions.

• Gap in our knowledge and future directions for further research are highlighted to define the role and significance of antagonizing S100/calgranulins in various inflammatory diseases.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The research work of DK Agrawal is supported by the aforementioned research grants. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The research work of DK Agrawal is supported by research grants R01 HL144125 and R01HL147662 from the National Institutes of Health, USA. The content of this review article is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.