Description
ML-221 is an antagonist of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) APJ (IC
50 = 4.8 μM). It is selective for APJ over the angiotensin II type 1 (AT
1) receptor (IC
50 = >78 μM). ML-221 antagonizes apelin 13-induced activation of APJ in cAMP and β-arrestin recruitment assays (IC
50s = 0.7 and 1.75 μM, respectively). It inhibits proliferation and angiogenesis in Mz-ChA-1 cholangiocarcinoma cells when used at concentrations ranging from 5 to 15 μM.
In vivo, ML-221 (150 μg/kg) reduces tumor growth in a Mz-ChA-1 mouse xenograft model. Intrathecal injection of ML-221 (10 μg per animal) reduces mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in rats. ML-221 also inhibits pathological angiogenesis and enhances normal vessel recovery in retinal ischemic regions in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.