Modulation of Naturally Occurring Linear Dipeptide Chirality to Reduce the Affinity for Oligopeptide Transporter 1 and Increase Intestinal Stability for an Enhanced Colon-Targeting Effect in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Application of trans-4-l-Hydroxyprolyl-l-serine

The naturally occurring linear dipeptide JBP923 (trans-4-l-Hyp-l-Ser, HS-tLL) with anti-inflammatory effects showed potential for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, colon-specific delivery after oral administration is still a challenge because its absorption is mediated by oligopeptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) in the upper small intestine and because of its instability in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, we aimed to enhance the colon-targeting efficiency by modulating HS-tLL chirality to synthesize eight enantiomers. Among these enantiomers, trans-4-d-Hyp-d-Ser, cis-4-l-Hyp-d-Ser, cis-4-d-Hyp-l-Ser, and cis-4-d-Hyp-d-Ser did not work as substrates of PEPT1 and were stable in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in enhanced colonic accumulation through the paracellular pathway due to the loose tight junctions in IBD. Interestingly, cis-4-d-Hyp-d-Ser exerted the most potent therapeutic effect on IBD. Our findings revealed the impact of chirality on the colonic accumulation of the linear dipeptide, providing strategies for the colon-targeted delivery of the linear dipeptide for the treatment of IBD.