Evaluation and Optimization of in silico designed Sphingosine-1-Phosphate (S1P) Receptor Subtype 1 Modulators for the Management of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS) through inflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR1) modulators have been approved for the management of MS. Phosphorylated fingolimod mimics endogenous sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid that regulates remyelination and cell injury. Amiselimod was developed as a successor of fingolimod, with more specificity for S1PR1, and showed promising results until phase 2 clinical trials. This study utilized the fingolimod and amiselimod scaffolds, together with their critical binding interactions for the S1PR1 Ligand Binding Pocket, as templates for the in silico de novo design of high efficiency binding Lipinski rule-compliant molecules. A rigorous selection process identified two molecules, Molecules 003 and 019, deriving from fingolimod and amiselimod, respectively, which were deemed most suitable for further optimization.