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Georgieva S, Todorov P, Tchekalarova J, Subaer S, Peneva P, Chakarov K, Hartati H, Faika S. Chemical Behavior and Bioactive Properties of Spinorphin Conjugated to 5,5'-Dimethyl- and 5,5'-Diphenylhydantoin Analogs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:770. [PMID: 38931437 PMCID: PMC11206695 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of new peptides and their derivatives is an outcome of ongoing efforts to identify a peptide with significant biological activity for effective usage as a possible therapeutic agent. Spinorphin peptides have been documented to exhibit numerous applications and features. In this study, biologically active peptide derivatives based on novel peptide analogues of spinorphin conjugated with 5,5'-dimethyl (Dm) and 5,5'-diphenyl (Ph) hydantoin derivatives have been successfully synthesized and characterized. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and spectral methods such as UV-Vis, FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), CD (Circular Dichroism), and fluorimetry were used to characterize the microstructure of the resulting compounds. The results revealed changes in peptide morphology as a result of the restructuring of the aminoacidic sequences and aromatic bonds, which is related to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between tyrosyl groups and the hydantoin moiety. Electrochemical and fluorescence approaches were used to determine some physicochemical parameters related to the biological behavior of the compounds. The biological properties of the spinorphin derivatives were evaluated in vivo for anticonvulsant activity against the psychomotor seizures at different doses of the studied peptides. Both spinorphin analog peptides with Ph and Dm groups showed activity against all three phases of the seizure in the intravenous Pentylenetetrazole Seizure (ivPTZ) test. This suggests that hydantoin residues do not play a crucial role in the structure of spinorphin compounds and in determining the potency to raise the seizure threshold. On the other hand, analogs with a phenytoin residue are active against the drug-resistant epilepsy test (6-Hz test). In addition, bioactivity analyses revealed that the new peptide analogues have the potential to be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. These findings suggest promising avenues for further research that may lead to the development of alternative medicines or applications in various fields beyond epilepsy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stela Georgieva
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Petar Todorov
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria; (P.T.)
| | - Jana Tchekalarova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Subaer Subaer
- Material Physics Laboratory, Physics Department, Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM), Makassar 90223, Indonesia
| | - Petia Peneva
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria; (P.T.)
| | - Kalin Chakarov
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Hartati Hartati
- Material Physics Laboratory, Physics Department, Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM), Makassar 90223, Indonesia
| | - Sitti Faika
- Material Physics Laboratory, Physics Department, Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM), Makassar 90223, Indonesia
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Jiao Y, Tong CSW, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Nicholls JM, Rainer TH. Intraperitoneal versus intranasal administration of lipopolysaccharide in causing sepsis severity in a murine model: a preliminary comparison. Lab Anim Res 2024; 40:18. [PMID: 38741131 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-024-00205-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Community-acquired respiratory infection is the commonest cause of sepsis presenting to emergency departments. Yet current experimental animal models simulate peritoneal sepsis with intraperitoneal (I.P.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as the predominant route. We aimed to compare the progression of organ injury between I.P. LPS and intranasal (I.N.) LPS in order to establish a better endotoxemia murine model of respiratory sepsis. Eight weeks old male BALB/c mice received LPS-Escherichia coli doses at 0.15, 1, 10, 20, 40 and 100 mg per kg body weight (e.g. LPS-10 is a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight). Disease severity was monitored by a modified Mouse Clinical Assessment Score for Sepsis (M-CASS; range 0-21). A M-CASS score ≥ 10 or a weight reduction of ≥ 20%, was used as a criterion for euthanasia. The primary outcome was the survival rate (either no death or no need for euthanasia). The progression of disease was specified as M-CASS, body weight, blood glucose, histopathological changes to lung, liver, spleen, kidney, brain and heart tissues. Survival rate in I.P. LPS-20 mice was 0% (2/3 died; 1/3 euthanized with M-CASS > 10) at 24 h. Survival rate in all doses of I.N. LPS was 100% (20/20; 3-4 per group) at 96 h. 24 h mean M-CASS post-I.P. LPS-10 was 6.4/21 significantly higher than I.N. LPS-10 of 1.7/21 (Unpaired t test, P < 0.05). Organ injury was present at 96 h in the I.P. LPS-10 group: lung (3/3; 100%), spleen (3/3; 100%) and liver (1/3; 33%). At 24 h in the I.P. LPS-20 group, kidney injury was observed in the euthanized mouse. At 96 h in the post-I.N. LPS-20 group, only lung injury was observed in 2/3 (67%) mice (Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's, P < 0.01). At 24 h in the post-I.N. LPS-100 group all (4/4) mice had evidence of lung injury. Variable doses of I.N. LPS in mice produced lung injury but did not produce sepsis. Higher doses of I.P. LPS induced multi-organ injury but not respiratory sepsis. Lethal models of respiratory virus, e.g., influenza A, might provide alternative avenues that can be explored in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqing Jiao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cindy S W Tong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lingyun Zhao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yilin Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - John M Nicholls
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Timothy H Rainer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Hochrainer N, Serafin P, D’Ingiullo S, Mollica A, Granica S, Brytan M, Kleczkowska P, Spetea M. In Vitro and In Vivo Pharmacological Profiles of LENART01, a Dermorphin-Ranatensin Hybrid Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4007. [PMID: 38612817 PMCID: PMC11012005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Diverse chemical and pharmacological strategies are currently being explored to minimize the unwanted side effects of currently used opioid analgesics while achieving effective pain relief. The use of multitarget ligands with activity at more than one receptor represents a promising therapeutic approach. We recently reported a bifunctional peptide-based hybrid LENART01 combining dermorphin and ranatensin pharmacophores, which displays activity to the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) in rat brains and spinal cords. In this study, we investigated the in vitro binding and functional activities to the human MOR and the in vivo pharmacology of LENART01 in mice after subcutaneous administration. In vitro binding assays showed LENART01 to bind and be selective to the human MOR over the other opioid receptor subtypes and delta, kappa and nociceptin receptors. In the [35S]GTPγS binding assay, LENART01 acted as a potent and full agonist to the human MOR. In mice, LENART01 produced dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in formalin-induced inflammatory pain, with increased potency than morphine. Antinociceptive effects were reversed by naloxone, indicating MOR activation in vivo. Behavioral studies also demonstrated LENART01's properties to induce less adverse effects without locomotor dysfunction and withdrawal syndrome compared to conventional opioid analgesics, such as morphine. LENART01 is the first peptide-based MOR-D2R ligand known to date and the first dual MOR-dopamine D2R ligand for which in vivo pharmacology is reported with antinociceptive efficacy and reduced opioid-related side effects. Our current findings may pave the way to new pain therapeutics with limited side effects in acute and chronic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Hochrainer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Pawel Serafin
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (P.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Sara D’Ingiullo
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Adriano Mollica
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Sebastian Granica
- Microbiota Lab, Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phytotherapy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Marek Brytan
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 01-163 Warsaw, Poland; (P.S.); (M.B.)
| | | | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Zhang YZ, Wang SY, Guo XC, Liu XH, Wang XF, Wang MM, Qiu TT, Han FT, Zhang Y, Wang CL. Novel endomorphin analogues CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 produce potent and long-lasting antinociception with a favourable side effect profile at the spinal level. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1268-1289. [PMID: 37990825 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Endomorphins have shown great promise as pharmaceutics for the treatment of pain. We have previously confirmed that novel endomorphin analogues CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 behaved as potent μ agonists and displayed potent antinociceptive activities at the supraspinal and peripheral levels. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antinociceptive properties of CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 following intrathecal (i.t.) administration. Furthermore, their antinociceptive tolerance and opioid-like side effects were also determined. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The spinal antinociceptive effects of CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 were determined in a series of pain models, including acute radiant heat paw withdrawal test, spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain, complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain, visceral pain and formalin pain. Antinociceptive tolerance was evaluated in radiant heat paw withdrawal test. KEY RESULTS Spinal administration of CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 produced potent and prolonged antinociceptive effects in acute pain. CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 may produce their antinociception through distinct μ receptor subtypes. These two analogues also exhibited significant analgesic activities in neuropathic, inflammatory, visceral and formalin pain at the spinal level. It is noteworthy that CEMR-1 showed non-tolerance-forming analgesic properties, while CEMR-2 exhibited substantially reduced antinociceptive tolerance. Furthermore, both analogues displayed no or reduced side effects on conditioned place preference response, physical dependence, locomotor activity and gastrointestinal transit. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The present investigation demonstrated that CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 displayed potent and long-lasting antinociception with a favourable side effect profile at the spinal level. Therefore, CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 might serve as promising analgesic compounds with minimal opioid-like side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Zhe Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Si-Yu Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Xue-Ci Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Xiao-Han Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | | | - Meng-Meng Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Ting-Ting Qiu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Feng-Tong Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Chang-Lin Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
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Gach-Janczak K, Biernat M, Kuczer M, Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk A, Kluczyk A. Analgesic Peptides: From Natural Diversity to Rational Design. Molecules 2024; 29:1544. [PMID: 38611824 PMCID: PMC11013236 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain affects one-third of the global population and is a significant public health issue. The use of opioid drugs, which are the strongest painkillers, is associated with several side effects, such as tolerance, addiction, overdose, and even death. An increasing demand for novel, safer analgesic agents is a driving force for exploring natural sources of bioactive peptides with antinociceptive activity. Since the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a crucial role in pain modulation, the discovery of new peptide ligands for GPCRs is a significant challenge for novel drug development. The aim of this review is to present peptides of human and animal origin with antinociceptive potential and to show the possibilities of their modification, as well as the design of novel structures. The study presents the current knowledge on structure-activity relationship in the design of peptide-based biomimetic compounds, the modification strategies directed at increasing the antinociceptive activity, and improvement of metabolic stability and pharmacodynamic profile. The procedures employed in prolonged drug delivery of emerging compounds are also discussed. The work summarizes the conditions leading to the development of potential morphine replacements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Gach-Janczak
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.G.-J.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Monika Biernat
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Mariola Kuczer
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Anna Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.G.-J.); (A.A.-B.)
| | - Alicja Kluczyk
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
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Hohenwarter L, Puil E, Rouhollahi E, Bohrmann L, Lu S, Saatchi K, Häfeli UO, Barr A, Böttger R, Viswanadham KKD, Li SD. A Novel Leu-Enkephalin Prodrug Produces Pain-Relieving and Antidepressant Effects. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:688-703. [PMID: 38243899 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Persistent pain is a significant healthcare problem with limited treatment options. The high incidence of comorbid chronic pain and depression significantly reduces life quality and complicates the treatment of both conditions. Antidepressants are less effective for pain and depression than for depression alone and they induce severe side effects. Opioids are highly efficacious analgesics, but rapid development of tolerance, dependence, and debilitating side effects limit their efficacy and safe use. Leucine-enkephalin (Leu-ENK), the endogenous delta opioid receptor agonist, controls pain and mood and produces potent analgesia with reduced adverse effects compared to conventional opioids. High proteolytic instability, however, makes Leu-ENK ineffective after systemic administration and limits its clinical usefulness. KK-103, a Leu-ENK prodrug, was developed to overcome these limitations of Leu-ENK via markedly increased plasma stability in mice. We showed rapid and substantially increased systemic adsorption and blood plasma exposure of KK-103 compared to Leu-ENK. We also observed brain uptake of radiolabeled KK-103 after systemic administration, indicating a central effect of KK-103. We then established KK-103's prolonged antinociceptive efficacy in the ramped hot plate and formalin test. In both models, KK-103 produced a comparable dose to the maximum antinociceptive-effect relationship. The pain-alleviating effect of KK-103 primarily resulted from activating the delta opioid receptor after the likely conversion of KK-103 to Leu-ENK in vivo. Finally, KK-103 produced an antidepressant-like activity comparable to the antidepressant desipramine, but with minimal gastrointestinal inhibition and no incidence of sedation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hohenwarter
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ernest Puil
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Elham Rouhollahi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Lennart Bohrmann
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shawna Lu
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Katayoun Saatchi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Urs O Häfeli
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Alasdair Barr
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Roland Böttger
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - K K DurgaRao Viswanadham
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shyh-Dar Li
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
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7
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Wang SY, Zhang YZ, Liu XH, Guo XC, Wang XF, Han FT, Zhang Y, Wang CL. Endomorphin-2 analogs with C-terminal esterification display potent antinociceptive effects in the formalin pain test in mice. Peptides 2024; 171:171116. [PMID: 37951356 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Previously, we have investigated three C-terminal esterified endomorphin-2 (EM-2) analogs EM-2-Me, EM-2-Et and EM-2-Bu with methyl, ethyl and tert-butyl ester modifications, respectively. These analogs produced significant antinociception in acute pain at the spinal and supraspinal levels, with reduced tolerance and gastrointestinal side effects. The present study was undertaken to determine the analgesic effects and opioid mechanisms of these three analogs in the formalin pain test. Our results demonstrated that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of 0.67-20 nmol EM-2 analogs EM-2-Me, EM-2-Et and EM-2-Bu produced dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in both phase Ⅰ and phase Ⅱ of formalin pain. EM-2-Me and EM-2-Bu displayed more potent antinociception than morphine. Especially, EM-2-Bu exhibited the highest antinociception in phase Ⅱ of formalin pain, with the ED50 value being 2.1 nmol. Naloxone (80 nmol, i.c.v.) completely antagonized the antinociceptive effects of EM-2-Me, EM-2-Et and EM-2-Bu (20 nmol, i.c.v.) in both phase I and phase Ⅱ of formalin pain, suggesting a central opioid mechanism. Nevertheless, the antinociception induced by EM-2-Me might be involved in the release of dynorphin A, which subsequently acted on κ- opioid receptor. EM-2-Bu produced the antinociception probably by the direct activation of both μ- and δ-opioid receptors. EM-2-Me, EM-2-Et and EM-2-Bu also produced significant analgesic effects after peripheral administration, and the central opioid receptors were involved. Furthermore, EM-2-Bu had no influence on the locomotor activity after i.c.v. injection. The present investigation demonstrated that C-terminal esterified modifications of EM-2 will be beneficial for developing novel therapeutics in formalin pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yu Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yu-Zhe Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Xiao-Han Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Xue-Ci Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | | | - Feng-Tong Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Chang-Lin Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China; State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China.
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8
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Hohenwarter L, Böttger R, Li SD. Modification and Delivery of Enkephalins for Pain Modulation. Int J Pharm 2023; 646:123425. [PMID: 37739096 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain negatively affects patient's quality of life and poses a significant economic burden. First line pharmaceutical treatment of chronic pain, including NSAIDs or antidepressants, is often inefficient to reduce pain, or produces intolerable adverse effects. In such cases, opioids are frequently prescribed for their potent analgesia, but chronic opioid use is also frequently associated with debilitating side effects that may offset analgesic benefits. Nonetheless, opioids continue to be widely utilized due to the lack of effective alternative analgesics. Since their discovery in 1975, a class of endogenous opioids called enkephalins (ENKs) have been investigated for their ability to relieve pain with significantly reduced adverse effects compared to conventional opioids. Their low metabolic stability and inability to cross biological membranes, however, make ENKs ineffective analgesics. Over past decades, much effort has been invested to overcome these limitations and develop ENK-based pain therapies. This review summarizes and describes chemical modifications and ENK delivery technologies utilizing ENK conjugates, nanoparticles and ENK gene delivery approaches and discusses valid lessons, challenges, and future directions of this evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hohenwarter
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Roland Böttger
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shyh-Dar Li
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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9
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Todorov P, Georgieva S, Tchekalarova J, Peneva P, Mateeva P, Assenov B, Dzhambazova E, Pechlivanova D. Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of anti-hyperalgesia, anticonvulsant and antioxidant activity of novel VV-hemorphin-5 analogs. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2023; 356:e2300267. [PMID: 37532631 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Two series of new VV-hemorphin-5 analogs with structures Val-Val-Tyr-Xxx-Trp-Thr-Gln-NH2 and Adam-Val-Val-Tyr-Xxx-Trp-Thr-Gln-NH2 , where Xxx is Ac5c (1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid), Ac6c (1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid), Ac7c (1-aminocycloheptane-1-carboxylic acid), and Adam is the low-molecular-weight lipophilic adamantyl building block, were synthesized, characterized electrochemically and evaluated for antioxidant, anti-hyperalgesia, and anticonvulsant activity. The design of the compounds followed the strategy to improve the propensity for aqueous solubility and/or to increase their affinity for the target receptor or enzyme. The partition coefficient value shows that the peptide scaffold goes from hydrophilic to lipophilic with the increasing size of the cycloalkane ring and even more with the introduction of the adamantane. The peptides C5-V and C7-V were the only analogs that provoked an immediate antinociceptive effect changing the mechanical pain threshold. The six new peptide analogs produced a significant and long-lasting carrageenan model of inflammatory pain in rats. While the adamantane hemorphin analog Ad7-V was the only compound with the potency to suppress psychomotor seizures in the 6-Hz test, the C6-V and Ad6-V exhibited protective activity against the seizure spread in the maximal electroshock seizure test in mice. The active analogs did not show neurotoxicity or sedative effects. Our results revealed a structure-related specific activity of a newly designed hemorphin analog that could be used as a template for future modification and preparation of compounds with potential analgesic and anticonvulsant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar Todorov
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Stela Georgieva
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Jana Tchekalarova
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Petia Peneva
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Polina Mateeva
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Borislav Assenov
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Elena Dzhambazova
- Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Daniela Pechlivanova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Sofia, Bulgaria
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10
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Zhao L, Ma Y, Song X, Wu Y, Jin P, Chen G. PD-1: A New Candidate Target for Analgesic Peptide Design. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1142-1150. [PMID: 36781089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a common health problem in humans. The unique properties and valuable clinical applications of analgesic peptides make them attractive pharmacotherapy options for pain control. Numerous targets for pain modulation processes are currently known, including opioid receptors, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, voltage-gated ion channels, neuronal nicotinic receptors, and neurotensin receptors. However, these targets are not able to address the development needs of peptide-based drugs. Recent studies revealed that programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is widely expressed in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), spinal cord, and cerebral cortex. PD-1 signaling in neurons is involved in the regulation of neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. PD-1 is able to silence nociceptive neurons upon activation. Consistently, Pd1 deficiency or blockade increases the pain sensitivity in naïve mice. PD-1 agonists, including PD-L1 and H-20, evoke Src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) phosphorylation, modulate neuronal excitability, and attenuate acute and chronic pain with minimal opioid-related adverse effects, suggesting a superior therapeutic index and a sound strategy for the development novel nonopioid analgesics. In addition, PD-1 signaling in non-neuronal cells could alleviate chronic pain by regulating neuroinflammation. Here, we review the potential and challenges of PD-1 as a candidate target for the development of analgesic peptides. PERSPECTIVE: This review paper aims to review recent advances in research on PD-1 in the domain of pain interference, explore how to obtain more promising PD-1 receptor-targeting analgesic peptides based on PD-L1 and analgesic peptide H-20 for relieving pathological pain, and offer potential optimization strategies for follow-up work of H-20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Zhao
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaofei Song
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yongjiang Wu
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Pengjie Jin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
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11
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Santino F, Gentilucci L. Design of κ-Opioid Receptor Agonists for the Development of Potential Treatments of Pain with Reduced Side Effects. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28010346. [PMID: 36615540 PMCID: PMC9822356 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The κ-opioid receptor (KOR) has recently emerged as an alternative therapeutic target for the development of pain medications, without deleterious side effects associated with the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). However, modulation of KOR is currently under investigation for the treatment of depression, mood disorders, psychiatric comorbidity, and specific drug addictions. However, KOR agonists also trigger adverse effects including sedation, dysphoria, and hallucinations. In this respect, there is currently much debate on alternative paradigms. Recent effort has been devoted in search of biased ligands capable of selectively activating favorable signaling over signaling associated with unwanted side effects. On the other hand, the use of partial agonists is expected to allow the analgesia to be produced at dosages lower than those required to produce the adverse effects. More empirically, the unwanted central effects can be also avoided by using peripherally restricted agonists. In this review, we discuss the more recent trends in the design of KOR-selective, biased or partial, and finally, peripherally acting agonists. Special emphasis is given on the discussion of the most recent approaches for controlling functional selectivity of KOR-specific ligands.
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12
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Duration and Dose–Response Relationship of the Analgesic Action of the Tetrapeptide H-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Gly-NH2 (Taphalgin), a Synthetic Derivative of Dermorphine, in Comparison with Morphine Hydrochloride. Pharm Chem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11094-022-02771-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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13
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Gemler BT, Mukherjee C, Howland CA, Huk D, Shank Z, Harbo LJ, Tabbaa OP, Bartling CM. Function-based classification of hazardous biological sequences: Demonstration of a new paradigm for biohazard assessments. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:979497. [PMID: 36277394 PMCID: PMC9585941 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.979497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioengineering applies analytical and engineering principles to identify functional biological building blocks for biotechnology applications. While these building blocks are leveraged to improve the human condition, the lack of simplistic, machine-readable definition of biohazards at the function level is creating a gap for biosafety practices. More specifically, traditional safety practices focus on the biohazards of known pathogens at the organism-level and may not accurately consider novel biodesigns with engineered functionalities at the genetic component-level. This gap is motivating the need for a paradigm shift from organism-centric procedures to function-centric biohazard identification and classification practices. To address this challenge, we present a novel methodology for classifying biohazards at the individual sequence level, which we then compiled to distinguish the biohazardous property of pathogenicity at the whole genome level. Our methodology is rooted in compilation of hazardous functions, defined as a set of sequences and associated metadata that describe coarse-level functions associated with pathogens (e.g., adherence, immune subversion). We demonstrate that the resulting database can be used to develop hazardous “fingerprints” based on the functional metadata categories. We verified that these hazardous functions are found at higher levels in pathogens compared to non-pathogens, and hierarchical clustering of the fingerprints can distinguish between these two groups. The methodology presented here defines the hazardous functions associated with bioengineering functional building blocks at the sequence level, which provide a foundational framework for classifying biological hazards at the organism level, thus leading to the improvement and standardization of current biosecurity and biosafety practices.
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14
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Differential Effects of a Novel Opioid Ligand UTA1003 on Antinociceptive Tolerance and Motor Behaviour. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070789. [PMID: 35890089 PMCID: PMC9318816 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Analgesic tolerance is a major problem in the clinic for the maintenance of opioid-induced long-term pain relief. Opioids with mixed activity on multiple opioid receptors promise reduced antinociceptive tolerance in preclinical studies, but these compounds typically show poor bioavailability upon oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intravenous administration. We designed UTA1003 as a novel opioid that acts as a mu (MOP) and kappa (KOP) opioid receptor agonist and a partial agonist for delta (DOP) opioid receptor. In the present study, its antinociceptive effects, as well as its effects on antinociceptive tolerance and motor behaviour, were investigated in male rats. Acute antinociception was measured before (basal) and at different time points after subcutaneous injection of UTA1003 or morphine using the tail flick and hot plate assays. Various motor behavioural activities, including horizontal locomotion, rearing, and turning, were automatically measured in an open-field arena. The antinociceptive and behavioural effects of repeated administration of UTA1003 and morphine were determined over eight days. UTA1003 induced mild antinociceptive effects after acute administration but induced no tolerance after repeated treatment. Importantly, UTA1003 co-treatment with morphine prevented antinociceptive tolerance compared to morphine alone. UTA1003 showed less motor suppression than morphine in both acute and sub-chronic treatment regimens, while it did not affect morphine-induced motor suppression or hyper-excitation. Based on these activities, we speculate that UTA1003 crosses the blood-brain barrier after subcutaneous administration and, therefore, could be developed as a lead molecule to avoid opioid-induced antinociceptive tolerance and motor suppression. Further structural modifications to improve its antinociceptive effects, toxicity profile, and ADME parameters are nevertheless required.
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15
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Anticholinesterase Inhibition, Drug-Likeness Assessment, and Molecular Docking Evaluation of Milk Protein-Derived Opioid Peptides for the Control of Alzheimer’s Disease. DAIRY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/dairy3030032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties of 23 dairy-protein-derived opioid peptides were studied using SwissADME and ADMETlab in silico tools. All the opioid peptides had poor drug-like properties based on violations of Lipinski’s rule-of-five. Moreover, prediction of their pharmacokinetic properties showed that the peptides had poor intestinal absorption and bioavailability. Following this, two well-known opioid peptides (βb-casomorphin-5, βb-casomorphin-7) from A1 bovine milk and caffeine (positive control) were selected for in silico molecular docking and in vitro inhibition study with two cholinesterase enzyme receptors important for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Both peptides showed higher binding free energies and inhibitory activities to butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) than caffeine, but in vitro binding energy values were lower than those from the docking model. Moreover, the two casomorphins had lower inhibitory properties against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) than caffeine, although the docking model predicted the opposite. At 1 mg/mL concentrations, βb-casomorphin-5 and βb-casomorphin-7 showed promising results in inhibiting both cholinesterases (i.e., respectively 34% and 43% inhibition of AChE, and 67% and 81% inhibition of BChE). These dairy-derived opioid peptides have the potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease via cholinesterase inhibition. However, appropriate derivatization may be required to improve their poor predicted intestinal absorption and bioavailability.
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16
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da Silva A, Lepetre-Mouelhi S, Couvreur P. Micro- and nanocarriers for pain alleviation. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 187:114359. [PMID: 35654211 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Acute or chronic pain is a major source of impairment in quality of life and affects a substantial part of the population. To date, pain is alleviated by a limited range of treatments with significant toxicity, increased risk of misuse and inconsistent efficacy, owing, in part, to lack of specificity and/or unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties. Thanks to the unique properties of nanoscaled drug carriers, nanomedicine may enhance drug biodistribution and targeting, thus contributing to improved bioavailability and lower off-target toxicity. After a brief overview of the current situation and the main critical issues regarding pain alleviation, this review will examine the most advanced approaches using nanomedicine of each drug class, from the preclinical stage to approved nanomedicines.
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17
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Wang L, Shao X, Cheng M, Fan X, Wang C, Jiang H, Zhang X. Mechanisms and applications of milk‐derived bioactive peptides in Food for Special Medical Purposes. Int J Food Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.15622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Jinan China
| | - Xiaoqing Shao
- College of Food Science and Engineering Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Jinan China
| | - Ming Cheng
- Qingdao Research Institute of Husbandry and Veterinary Qingdao China
| | - Xiaoxue Fan
- College of Food Science and Engineering Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Jinan China
| | - Cunfang Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Jinan China
| | - Hua Jiang
- College of Food Science and Engineering Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Jinan China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Jinan China
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18
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Zhang YZ, Wang MM, Wang SY, Wang XF, Yang WJ, Zhao YN, Han FT, Zhang Y, Gu N, Wang CL. Novel Cyclic Endomorphin Analogues with Multiple Modifications and Oligoarginine Vector Exhibit Potent Antinociception with Reduced Opioid-like Side Effects. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16801-16819. [PMID: 34781680 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Endomorphins (EMs) are potent pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pain. Herein, we investigated several novel EM analogues with multiple modifications and oligoarginine conjugation. Our results showed that analogues 1-6 behaved as potent μ-opioid agonists and enhanced stability and lipophilicity. Analogues 5 and 6 administered centrally and peripherally induced significant and prolonged antinociceptive effects in acute pain. Both analogues also produced long-acting antiallodynic effects against neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Furthermore, they showed a reduced acute antinociceptive tolerance. Analogue 6 decreased the extent of chronic antinociceptive tolerance, and analogue 5 exhibited no tolerance at the supraspinal level. Particularly, they displayed nontolerance-forming antinociception at the peripheral level. In addition, analogues 5 and 6 exhibited reduced or no opioid-like side effects on gastrointestinal transit, conditioned place preference (CPP), and motor impairment. The present investigation established that multiple modifications and oligoarginine-vector conjugation of EMs would be helpful in developing novel analgesics with fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Zhe Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Meng-Meng Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Si-Yu Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Wang
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Wen-Jiao Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Ya-Nan Zhao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Feng-Tong Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Ning Gu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Chang-Lin Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150001, China.,Stake Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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19
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Abstract
Difelikefalin (Korsuva™) is a synthetic peptide agonist of the kappa opioid receptor being developed by Cara Therapeutics for the treatment of pruritus. In August 2021, intravenous difelikefalin was approved in the USA for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults undergoing haemodialysis. Intravenous difelikefalin has also been evaluated for CKD-associated pruritus in patients undergoing haemodialysis in various other countries, with Marketing Authorization Application under regulatory review in the EU and a phase III trial ongoing in Japan. Clinical studies of an oral formulation of difelikefalin have also been completed or are underway in pruritus indications, including pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis, notalgia paraesthetica or primary biliary cholangitis. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of difelikefalin leading to this first approval for CKD-associated pruritus in adults undergoing haemodialysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma D Deeks
- Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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20
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Viscusi ER, Torjman MC, Munera CL, Stauffer JW, Setnik BS, Bagal SN. Effect of difelikefalin, a selective kappa opioid receptor agonist, on respiratory depression: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Transl Sci 2021; 14:1886-1893. [PMID: 33982405 PMCID: PMC8504812 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Difelikefalin, a selective kappa opioid receptor agonist designed to limit central nervous system (CNS) penetration, is under development for the treatment of pruritus. Its hydrophilic, small-peptidic structure limits CNS entry, minimizing potential CNS-mediated adverse events (AEs). This study assessed the effect of difelikefalin on key relevant measures of respiratory depression in healthy volunteers. This single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover study enrolled healthy, nonsmoking volunteers. Subjects were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment sequences of difelikefalin (1.0 or 5.0 mcg/kg i.v.) or placebo on sequential days with an intervening 24 (±2) h washout period. The primary end points included incidence of increased end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2 ) greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg versus baseline or a level greater than 50 mm Hg sustained greater than or equal to 30 seconds, and incidence of reduction in saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2 ) to less than 92% sustained greater than or equal to 30 seconds. Secondary end points included incidence of reduced respiratory rate and other safety assessments. Fifteen subjects were randomized and completed the study. No subject on placebo or difelikefalin met the increased ETCO2 or reduced SpO2 primary end point criteria for respiratory depression. All respiratory measures in each group remained near baseline values during 4-h postdose observations. No subject met the reduced respiratory rate criterion or experienced clinically significant changes in ETCO2 , SpO2 , or respiratory rate. The most commonly reported treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs; ≥20% of subjects) were paresthesia, hypoesthesia, and somnolence in the difelikefalin arms. All TEAEs were mild and resolved without intervention. Difelikefalin 1.0 and 5.0 mcg/kg i.v. did not produce respiratory depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene R. Viscusi
- Department of AnesthesiologySidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Marc C. Torjman
- Department of AnesthesiologySidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | | | - Beatrice S. Setnik
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- AltasciencesMontrealQuebecCanada
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21
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Dumitrascuta M, Bermudez M, Trovato O, De Neve J, Ballet S, Wolber G, Spetea M. Antinociceptive Efficacy of the µ-Opioid/Nociceptin Peptide-Based Hybrid KGNOP1 in Inflammatory Pain without Rewarding Effects in Mice: An Experimental Assessment and Molecular Docking. Molecules 2021; 26:3267. [PMID: 34071603 PMCID: PMC8198056 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioids are the most effective analgesics, with most clinically available opioids being agonists to the µ-opioid receptor (MOR). The MOR is also responsible for their unwanted effects, including reward and opioid misuse leading to the current public health crisis. The imperative need for safer, non-addictive pain therapies drives the search for novel leads and new treatment strategies. In this study, the recently discovered MOR/nociceptin (NOP) receptor peptide hybrid KGNOP1 (H-Dmt-D-Arg-Aba-β-Ala-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Ile-Lys-NH2) was evaluated following subcutaneous administration in mouse models of acute (formalin test) and chronic inflammatory pain (Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced paw hyperalgesia), liabilities of spontaneous locomotion, conditioned place preference, and the withdrawal syndrome. KGNOP1 demonstrated dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in the formalin test, and efficacy in attenuating thermal hyperalgesia with prolonged duration of action. Antinociceptive effects of KGNOP1 were reversed by naltrexone and SB-612111, indicating the involvement of both MOR and NOP receptor agonism. In comparison with morphine, KGNOP1 was more potent and effective in mouse models of inflammatory pain. Unlike morphine, KGNOP1 displayed reduced detrimental liabilities, as no locomotor impairment nor rewarding and withdrawal effects were observed. Docking of KGNOP1 to the MOR and NOP receptors and subsequent 3D interaction pattern analyses provided valuable insights into its binding mode. The mixed MOR/NOP receptor peptide KGNOP1 holds promise in the effort to develop new analgesics for the treatment of various pain states with fewer MOR-mediated side effects, particularly abuse and dependence liabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dumitrascuta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.D.); (O.T.)
| | - Marcel Bermudez
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, D-14195 Berlin, Germany; (M.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Olga Trovato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.D.); (O.T.)
| | - Jolien De Neve
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; (J.D.N.); (S.B.)
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; (J.D.N.); (S.B.)
| | - Gerhard Wolber
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, D-14195 Berlin, Germany; (M.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.D.); (O.T.)
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22
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Obeng S, Hiranita T, León F, McMahon LR, McCurdy CR. Novel Approaches, Drug Candidates, and Targets in Pain Drug Discovery. J Med Chem 2021; 64:6523-6548. [PMID: 33956427 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Because of the problems associated with opioids, drug discovery efforts have been employed to develop opioids with reduced side effects using approaches such as biased opioid agonism, multifunctional opioids, and allosteric modulation of opioid receptors. Receptor targets such as adrenergic, cannabinoid, P2X3 and P2X7, NMDA, serotonin, and sigma, as well as ion channels like the voltage-gated sodium channels Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 have been targeted to develop novel analgesics. Several enzymes, such as soluble epoxide hydrolase, sepiapterin reductase, and MAGL/FAAH, have also been targeted to develop novel analgesics. In this review, old and recent targets involved in pain signaling and compounds acting at these targets are summarized. In addition, strategies employed to reduce side effects, increase potency, and efficacy of opioids are also elaborated. This review should aid in propelling drug discovery efforts to discover novel analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Obeng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States.,Department Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Takato Hiranita
- Department Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Francisco León
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, United States
| | - Lance R McMahon
- Department Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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23
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Viveros-Ceballos JL, Matías-Valdez LA, Sayago FJ, Cativiela C, Ordóñez M. New approaches towards the synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro isoquinoline-3-phosphonic acid (Tic P). Amino Acids 2021; 53:451-459. [PMID: 33646426 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-02962-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Two new strategies for the efficient synthesis of racemic 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-phosphonic acid (TicP) (±)-2 have been developed. The first strategy involves the electron-transfer reduction of the easily obtained α,β-dehydro phosphonophenylalanine followed by a Pictet-Spengler cyclization. The second strategy involves a radical decarboxylation-phosphorylation reaction on 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Tic). In both strategies, the highly electrophilic N-acyliminium ion is formed as a key intermediate, and the target compound is obtained in good yield using mild reaction conditions and readily available starting materials, complementing existing methodologies and contributing to the easy accessibility of (±)-2 for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Viveros-Ceballos
- Centro de Investigaciones Químicas-IICBA, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, 62209, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Lizeth A Matías-Valdez
- Centro de Investigaciones Químicas-IICBA, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, 62209, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Francisco J Sayago
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, ISQCH, Universidad de Zaragoza, CSIC, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carlos Cativiela
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, ISQCH, Universidad de Zaragoza, CSIC, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mario Ordóñez
- Centro de Investigaciones Químicas-IICBA, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, 62209, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
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24
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Ehrlich AT, Darcq E. Recent advances in basic science methodology to evaluate opioid safety profiles and to understand opioid activities. Fac Rev 2021; 10:15. [PMID: 33718932 PMCID: PMC7946392 DOI: 10.12703/r/10-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids are powerful drugs used by humans for centuries to relieve pain and are still frequently used as pain treatment in current clinical practice. Medicinal opioids primarily target the mu opioid receptor (MOR), and MOR activation produces unmatched pain-alleviating properties, as well as side effects such as strong rewarding effects, and thus abuse potential, and respiratory depression contributing to death during overdose. Therefore, the ultimate goal is to create opioid pain-relievers with reduced respiratory depression and thus fewer chances of lethality. Efforts are also underway to reduce the euphoric effects of opioids and avoid abuse liability. In this review, recent advances in basic science methodology used to understand MOR pharmacology and activities will be summarized. The focus of the review will be to describe current technological advances that enable the study of opioid analgesics from subcellular mechanisms to mesoscale network responses. These advances in understanding MOR physiological responses will help to improve knowledge and future design of opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza T Ehrlich
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emmanuel Darcq
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- INSERM U1114, UNISTRA University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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Spetea M, Schmidhammer H. Kappa Opioid Receptor Ligands and Pharmacology: Diphenethylamines, a Class of Structurally Distinct, Selective Kappa Opioid Ligands. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 271:163-195. [PMID: 33454858 DOI: 10.1007/164_2020_431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (KOR), a G protein-coupled receptor, and its endogenous ligands, the dynorphins, are prominent members of the opioid neuromodulatory system. The endogenous kappa opioid system is expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and has a key role in modulating pain in central and peripheral neuronal circuits and a wide array of physiological functions and neuropsychiatric behaviors (e.g., stress, reward, emotion, motivation, cognition, epileptic seizures, itch, and diuresis). We review the latest advances in pharmacology of the KOR, chemical developments on KOR ligands with advances and challenges, and therapeutic and potential applications of KOR ligands. Diverse discovery strategies of KOR ligands targeting natural, naturally derived, and synthetic compounds with different scaffolds, as small molecules or peptides, with short or long-acting pharmacokinetics, and central or peripheral site of action, are discussed. These research efforts led to ligands with distinct pharmacological properties, as agonists, partial agonists, biased agonists, and antagonists. Differential modulation of KOR signaling represents a promising strategy for developing pharmacotherapies for several human diseases, either by activating (treatment of pain, pruritus, and epilepsy) or blocking (treatment of depression, anxiety, and addiction) the receptor. We focus on the recent chemical and pharmacological advances on diphenethylamines, a new class of structurally distinct, selective KOR ligands. Design strategies and investigations to define structure-activity relationships together with in vivo pharmacology of diphenethylamines as agonists, biased agonists, and antagonists and their potential use as therapeutics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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26
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Schmidhammer H, Erli F, Guerrieri E, Spetea M. Development of Diphenethylamines as Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Ligands and Their Pharmacological Activities. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215092. [PMID: 33147885 PMCID: PMC7663249 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the opioid receptors, the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) has been gaining substantial attention as a promising molecular target for the treatment of numerous human disorders, including pain, pruritus, affective disorders (i.e., depression and anxiety), drug addiction, and neurological diseases (i.e., epilepsy). Particularly, the knowledge that activation of the KOR, opposite to the mu opioid receptor (MOR), does not produce euphoria or leads to respiratory depression or overdose, has stimulated the interest in discovering ligands targeting the KOR as novel pharmacotherapeutics. However, the KOR mediates the negative side effects of dysphoria/aversion, sedation, and psychotomimesis, with the therapeutic promise of biased agonism (i.e., selective activation of beneficial over deleterious signaling pathways) for designing safer KOR therapeutics without the liabilities of conventional KOR agonists. In this review, the development of new KOR ligands from the class of diphenethylamines is presented. Specifically, we describe the design strategies, synthesis, and pharmacological activities of differently substituted diphenethylamines, where structure–activity relationships have been extensively studied. Ligands with distinct profiles as potent and selective agonists, G protein-biased agonists, and selective antagonists, and their potential use as therapeutic agents (i.e., pain treatment) and research tools are described.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemistry
- Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Ligands
- Pain/drug therapy
- Pain/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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27
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Dumitrascuta M, Bermudez M, Ballet S, Wolber G, Spetea M. Mechanistic Understanding of Peptide Analogues, DALDA, [Dmt 1]DALDA, and KGOP01, Binding to the mu Opioid Receptor. Molecules 2020; 25:E2087. [PMID: 32365707 PMCID: PMC7248707 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25092087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The mu opioid receptor (MOR) is the primary target for analgesia of endogenous opioid peptides, alkaloids, synthetic small molecules with diverse scaffolds, and peptidomimetics. Peptide-based opioids are viewed as potential analgesics with reduced side effects and have received constant scientific interest over the years. This study focuses on three potent peptide and peptidomimetic MOR agonists, DALDA, [Dmt1]DALDA, and KGOP01, and the prototypical peptide MOR agonist DAMGO. We present the first molecular modeling study and structure-activity relationships aided by in vitro assays and molecular docking of the opioid peptide analogues, in order to gain insight into their mode of binding to the MOR. In vitro binding and functional assays revealed the same rank order with KGOP01 > [Dmt1]DALDA > DAMGO > DALDA for both binding and MOR activation. Using molecular docking at the MOR and three-dimensional interaction pattern analysis, we have rationalized the experimental outcomes and highlighted key amino acid residues responsible for agonist binding to the MOR. The Dmt (2',6'-dimethyl-L-Tyr) moiety of [Dmt1]DALDA and KGOP01 was found to represent the driving force for their high potency and agonist activity at the MOR. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of MOR function and flexible peptide ligand-MOR interactions, that are of significant relevance for the future design of opioid peptide-based analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dumitrascuta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Marcel Bermudez
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, D-14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Gerhard Wolber
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, D-14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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Claff T, Yu J, Blais V, Patel N, Martin C, Wu L, Han GW, Holleran BJ, Van der Poorten O, White KL, Hanson MA, Sarret P, Gendron L, Cherezov V, Katritch V, Ballet S, Liu ZJ, Müller CE, Stevens RC. Elucidating the active δ-opioid receptor crystal structure with peptide and small-molecule agonists. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaax9115. [PMID: 31807708 PMCID: PMC6881160 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax9115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Selective activation of the δ-opioid receptor (DOP) has great potential for the treatment of chronic pain, benefitting from ancillary anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects. Moreover, DOP agonists show reduced adverse effects as compared to μ-opioid receptor (MOP) agonists that are in the spotlight of the current "opioid crisis." Here, we report the first crystal structures of the DOP in an activated state, in complex with two relevant and structurally diverse agonists: the potent opioid agonist peptide KGCHM07 and the small-molecule agonist DPI-287 at 2.8 and 3.3 Å resolution, respectively. Our study identifies key determinants for agonist recognition, receptor activation, and DOP selectivity, revealing crucial differences between both agonist scaffolds. Our findings provide the first investigation into atomic-scale agonist binding at the DOP, supported by site-directed mutagenesis and pharmacological characterization. These structures will underpin the future structure-based development of DOP agonists for an improved pain treatment with fewer adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Claff
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Ren Building, 393 Middle Huaxia Rd, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
- PharmaCenter Bonn, University of Bonn, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jing Yu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Ren Building, 393 Middle Huaxia Rd, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Véronique Blais
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Nilkanth Patel
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Charlotte Martin
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lijie Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Ren Building, 393 Middle Huaxia Rd, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Gye Won Han
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Brian J. Holleran
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Olivier Van der Poorten
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kate L. White
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | | | - Philippe Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Louis Gendron
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Vsevolod Katritch
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Zhi-Jie Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Ren Building, 393 Middle Huaxia Rd, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Christa E. Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, University of Bonn, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
- Corresponding author. (C.E.M.); (R.C.S.)
| | - Raymond C. Stevens
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Ren Building, 393 Middle Huaxia Rd, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Corresponding author. (C.E.M.); (R.C.S.)
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Montgomery D, Anand JP, Griggs NW, Fernandez TJ, Hartman JG, Sánchez-Santiago AA, Pogozheva ID, Traynor JR, Mosberg HI. Novel Dimethyltyrosine-Tetrahydroisoquinoline Peptidomimetics with Aromatic Tetrahydroisoquinoline Substitutions Show in Vitro Kappa and Mu Opioid Receptor Agonism. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3682-3689. [PMID: 31199621 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dimethyltyrosine-tetrahydroisoquinoline (Dmt-Tiq) scaffold was originally developed in the production of selective delta opioid receptor (DOR) antagonists. Installation of a 7-benzyl pendant on the tetrahydroisoquinoline core of this classic opioid scaffold introduced kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonism. Further modification of this pendant resulted in retention of KOR agonism and the addition of mu opioid receptor (MOR) partial agonism, a bifunctional profile with potential to be used in the treatment of cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna Montgomery
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jessica P. Anand
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Edward F. Domino Research Center, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nicholas W. Griggs
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Thomas J. Fernandez
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Joshua G. Hartman
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ashley A. Sánchez-Santiago
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Irina D. Pogozheva
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - John R. Traynor
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Edward F. Domino Research Center, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Henry I. Mosberg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Edward F. Domino Research Center, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Harris HM, Eans SO, Ganno ML, Davis JC, Dooley CT, McLaughlin JP, Nefzi A. Antinociceptive activity of thiazole-containing cyclized DAMGO and Leu-(Met) enkephalin analogs. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:5305-5315. [PMID: 31094391 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob00882a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies demonstrate the promise of opioid peptides as analgesics, but poor oral bioavailability has limited their therapeutic development. This study sought to increase the oral bioavailability of opioid peptides by cyclization, using Hantzsch-based macrocyclization strategies to produce two new series of cyclized DAMGO and Leu/Met-enkephalin analogs. Opioid receptor affinity and selectivity for compounds in each series were assessed in vitro with radioligand competition binding assays. Compounds demonstrated modest affinity but high selectivity for the mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors (MOR, DOR and KOR), while selectivity for mu opioid receptors varied by structure. Antinociceptive activity of each compound was initially screened in vivo following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration and testing in the mouse 55 °C warm-water tail-withdrawal test. The four most active compounds were then evaluated for dose- and time-dependent antinociception, and opioid receptor selectivity in vivo. Cyclic compounds 1924-10, 1936-1, 1936-7, and 1936-9 produced robust and long- lasting antinociception with ED50 values ranging from 0.32-0.75 nmol following i.c.v. administration mediated primarily by mu- and delta-opioid receptor agonism. Compounds 1924-10, 1936-1 and 1936-9 further displayed significant time-dependent antinociception after oral (10 mg kg-1, p.o.) administration. A higher oral dose (30 mg kg-1. p.o.) of all four cyclic peptides also reduced centrally-mediated respiration, suggesting successful penitration into the CNS. Overall, these data suggest cyclized opioid peptides synthesized by a Hantzsch-based macrocyclization strategy can retain opioid agonist activity to produce potent antinociception in vivo while conveying improved bioavailability following oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Harris
- University of Florida Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shainnel O Eans
- University of Florida Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michelle L Ganno
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA.
| | - Jennifer C Davis
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA.
| | - Colette T Dooley
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA.
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- University of Florida Department of Pharmacodynamics, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Adel Nefzi
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA.
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Stefanucci A, Lei W, Pieretti S, Novellino E, Dimmito MP, Marzoli F, Streicher JM, Mollica A. On resin click-chemistry-mediated synthesis of novel enkephalin analogues with potent anti-nociceptive activity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5771. [PMID: 30962495 PMCID: PMC6453917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42289-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the chemical synthesis of two DPDPE analogues 7a (NOVA1) and 7b (NOVA2). This entailed the solid-phase synthesis of two enkephalin precursor chains followed by a CuI-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, with the aim of improving in vivo analgesic efficacy versus DPDPE. NOVA2 showed good affinity and selectivity for the μ-opioid receptor (KI of 59.2 nM, EC50 of 12.9 nM, EMax of 87.3%), and long lasting anti-nociceptive effects in mice when compared to DPDPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azzurra Stefanucci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Wei Lei
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Stefano Pieretti
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Centro Nazionale Ricerca e Valutazione Preclinica e Clinica dei farmaci, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Pia Dimmito
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesca Marzoli
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Centro Nazionale Ricerca e Valutazione Preclinica e Clinica dei farmaci, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - John M Streicher
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Adriano Mollica
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
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33
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Pérez de Vega MJ, Ferrer-Montiel A, González-Muñiz R. Recent progress in non-opioid analgesic peptides. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 660:36-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Lattanzi R, Rief S, Schmidhammer H, Negri L, Spetea M. In vitro and in vivo Pharmacological Activities of 14- O-Phenylpropyloxymorphone, a Potent Mixed Mu/Delta/Kappa-Opioid Receptor Agonist With Reduced Constipation in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1002. [PMID: 30233377 PMCID: PMC6127270 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain, particularly chronic pain, is still an unsolved medical condition. Central goals in pain control are to provide analgesia of adequate efficacy and to reduce complications associated with the currently available drugs. Opioids are the mainstay for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. However, opioid pain medications also cause detrimental side effects, thus highlighting the need of innovative and safer analgesics. Opioids mediate their actions via the activation of opioid receptors, with the mu-opioid receptor as the primary target for analgesia, but also for side effects. One long-standing focus of drug discovery is the pursuit for new opioids exhibiting a favorable dissociation between analgesia and adverse effects. In this study, we describe the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profiles of the 14-O-phenylpropyl substituted analog of the mu-opioid agonist 14-O-methyloxymorphone (14-OMO). The consequence of the substitution of the 14-O-methyl in 14-OMO with a 14-O-phenylpropyl group on in vitro binding and functional activity, and in vivo behavioral properties (nociception and gastrointestinal motility) was investigated. In binding studies, 14-O-phenylpropyloxymorphone (POMO) displayed very high affinity at mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors (Ki values in nM, mu:delta:kappa = 0.073:0.13:0.30) in rodent brain membranes, with complete loss of mu-receptor selectivity compared to 14-OMO. In guinea-pig ileum and mouse vas deferens bioassays, POMO was a highly efficacious and full agonist, being more potent than 14-OMO. In the [35S]GTPγS binding assays with membranes from CHO cells expressing human opioid receptors, POMO was a potent mu/delta-receptor full agonist and a kappa-receptor partial agonist. In vivo, POMO was highly effective in acute thermal nociception (hot-plate test, AD50 = 0.7 nmol/kg) in mice after subcutaneous administration, with over 70- and 9000-fold increased potency than 14-OMO and morphine, respectively. POMO-induced antinociception is mediated through the activation of the mu-opioid receptor, and it does not involve delta- and kappa-opioid receptors. In the charcoal test, POMO produced fourfold less inhibition of the gastrointestinal transit than 14-OMO and morphine. In summary, POMO emerges as a new potent mixed mu/delta/kappa-opioid receptor agonist with reduced liability to cause constipation at antinociceptive doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Lattanzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer,” Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Rief
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lucia Negri
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer,” Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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De Marco R, Bedini A, Spampinato S, Comellini L, Zhao J, Artali R, Gentilucci L. Constraining Endomorphin-1 by β,α-Hybrid Dipeptide/Heterocycle Scaffolds: Identification of a Novel κ-Opioid Receptor Selective Partial Agonist. J Med Chem 2018; 61:5751-5757. [PMID: 29901392 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Herein we present the expedient synthesis of endomorphin-1 analogues containing stereoisomeric β2-homo-Freidinger lactam-like scaffolds ([Amo2]EM), and we discuss opioid receptor (OR) affinity, enzymatic stability, functional activity, in vivo antinociceptive effects, and conformational and molecular docking analysis. Hence, H-Tyr-Amo-Trp-PheNH2 resulted to be a new chemotype of highly stable, selective, partial KOR agonist inducing analgesia, therefore displaying great potential interest as a painkiller possibly with reduced harmful side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella De Marco
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" , University of Bologna , Via Selmi 2 , 40126 Bologna , Italy
| | - Andrea Bedini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology , University of Bologna , Via Irnerio 48 , 40126 Bologna , Italy
| | - Santi Spampinato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology , University of Bologna , Via Irnerio 48 , 40126 Bologna , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Comellini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" , University of Bologna , Via Selmi 2 , 40126 Bologna , Italy
| | - Junwei Zhao
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" , University of Bologna , Via Selmi 2 , 40126 Bologna , Italy
| | - Roberto Artali
- Scientia Advice , 20832 Desio , Monza and Brianza , Italy
| | - Luca Gentilucci
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" , University of Bologna , Via Selmi 2 , 40126 Bologna , Italy
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Tryptophan-Containing Non-Cationizable Opioid Peptides - a new chemotype with unusual structure and in vivo activity. Future Med Chem 2017; 9:2099-2115. [PMID: 29130348 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2017-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, a new family of opioid peptides containing tryptophan came to the spotlight for the absence of the fundamental protonable tyramine 'message' pharmacophore. Structure-activity relationship investigations led to diverse compounds, characterized by different selectivity profiles and agonist or antagonist effects. Substitution at the indole of Trp clearly impacted peripheral/central antinociceptivity. These peculiarities prompted to gather all the compounds in a new class, and to coin the definition 'Tryptophan-Containing Non-Cationizable Opioid Peptides', in short 'TryCoNCOPs'. Molecular docking analysis suggested that the TryCoNCOPs can still interact with the receptors in an agonist-like fashion. However, most TryCoNCOPs showed significant differences between the in vitro and in vivo activities, suggesting that opioid activity may be elicited also via alternative mechanisms.
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Van der Poorten O, Van Den Hauwe R, Eiselt E, Betti C, Guillemyn K, Chung NN, Hallé F, Bihel F, Schiller PW, Tourwé D, Sarret P, Gendron L, Ballet S. χ-Space Screening of Dermorphin-Based Tetrapeptides through Use of Constrained Arylazepinone and Quinolinone Scaffolds. ACS Med Chem Lett 2017; 8:1177-1182. [PMID: 29152051 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein, the synthesis of novel conformationally constrained amino acids, 4-amino-8-bromo-2-benzazepin-3-one (8-Br-Aba), 3-amino-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-one, and regioisomeric 4-amino-naphthoazepinones (1- and 2-Ana), is described. Introduction of these constricted scaffolds into the N-terminal tetrapeptide of dermorphin (i.e., H-Tyr-d-Ala-Phe-Gly-NH2) induced significant shifts in binding affinity, selectivity, and in vitro activity at the μ- and δ-opioid receptors (MOP and DOP, respectively). A reported constrained μ-/δ-opioid lead tetrapeptide H-Dmt-d-Arg-Aba-Gly-NH2 was modified through application of various constrained building blocks to identify optimal spatial orientations in view of activity at the opioid receptors. Interestingly, when the aromatic moieties were turned toward the C-terminus of the peptide sequences, (partial) (ant)agonism at MOP and weak (ant)agonism at DOP were noticed, whereas the incorporation of the 1-Ana residue led toward balanced low nanomolar MOP/DOP binding and in vitro agonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Van der Poorten
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robin Van Den Hauwe
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emilie Eiselt
- Département
de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre
de Recherche du CHU de Sherbrooke, Centre d’Excellence en Neurosciences de l’Université de Sherbrooke, and Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4,Canada
| | - Cecilia Betti
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karel Guillemyn
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nga N. Chung
- Department
of Chemical Biology and Peptide Research, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, 110 Avenue Des Pins Ouest, Montreal, QC H2W1R7, Canada
| | - François Hallé
- UMR7200,
CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 Route
du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Frédéric Bihel
- UMR7200,
CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 Route
du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Peter W. Schiller
- Department
of Chemical Biology and Peptide Research, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, 110 Avenue Des Pins Ouest, Montreal, QC H2W1R7, Canada
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Département
de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre
de Recherche du CHU de Sherbrooke, Centre d’Excellence en Neurosciences de l’Université de Sherbrooke, and Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4,Canada
| | - Louis Gendron
- Département
de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Centre
de Recherche du CHU de Sherbrooke, Centre d’Excellence en Neurosciences de l’Université de Sherbrooke, and Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4,Canada
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Liu X, Zhao L, Wang Y, Zhou J, Wang D, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Wang Z, Yang D, Mou L, Wang R. MEL-N16: A Series of Novel Endomorphin Analogs with Good Analgesic Activity and a Favorable Side Effect Profile. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:2180-2193. [PMID: 28732166 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid peptides are neuromodulators that bind to opioid receptors and reduce pain sensitivity. Endomorphins are among the most active endogenous opioid peptides, and they have good affinity and selectivity toward the μ opioid receptor. However, their clinical usage is hindered by their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier and their poor in vivo activity after peripheral injection. In order to overcome these defects, we have designed and synthesized a series of novel endomorphin analogs with multiple site modifications. Radioligand binding, cAMP accumulation, and β-arrestin-2 recruitment assays were employed to determine the activity of synthesized endomorphin analogs toward opioid receptors. The blood-brain barrier permeability and antinociceptive effect of these analogs were determined in several rodent models of acute and persistent pain. In addition, the side effects of the analogs were examined. The radioligand binding assay and functional activity examination indicated that the MEL-N16 series of compounds were more active agonists against μ opioid receptor than were the parent peptides. Notably, the analogs displayed biased downstream signaling toward G-protein pathways over β-arrestin-2 recruitment. The analogs showed highly potent antinociceptive effects in the tested nociceptive models. In comparison with endomorphins, the synthesized analogs were better able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and exerted their pain regulatory activity in the central nervous system after peripheral injection. These analogs also have lower tendency to cause side effects than morphine does at similar or equal antinociceptive doses. The MEL-N16 compounds have highly potent and efficacious analgesic effects in various pain models with a favorable side effect profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Long Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Dan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xianghui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Zhaojuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Dongxu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Lingyun Mou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology,
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical
Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
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Wei C, Pohorille A. Sequence-Dependent Interfacial Adsorption and Permeation of Dipeptides across Phospholipid Membranes. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:9859-9867. [PMID: 28982244 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b08238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We investigate permeation of three blocked dipeptides with different side chain polarity across a phospholipid membrane and their behavior at the water-membrane interface by way of molecular dynamics simulations. Hydrophilic serine-serine dipeptide is found to desorb from the interface to aqueous phase, whereas hydrophobic phenylalanine-leucine and amphiphilic serine-leucine tend to accumulate at the interface with a free energy minimum of -3 kcal/mol. All three dipeptides exhibit free energy barriers to permeation across the membrane located at the center of the bilayer. The height of the barrier is strongly sequence dependent and increases with the dipeptide polarity. It is equal to 3.5, 6.4, and 10.0 kcal/mol for phenylalanine-leucine, serine-leucine, and serine-serine, respectively. The corresponding permeability coefficients are equal to 4.6 × 10-3, 4.5 × 10-5, and 8.7 × 10-8 cm/s. The apparent insensitivity of membrane permeability to hydrophobicity of dipeptides, found in some experiments, is attributed to neglecting corrections for unstirred water layers near membrane surface, which are significant for hydrophobic species. Different hydrophobicity of the dipeptides also influences their conformations and orientations, both at the interface and inside the membrane. In particular, penetration of hydrophilic serine-serine dipeptide causes the formation of water-filled defects in the bilayer. These results are relevant to the delivery of peptide-based therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Wei
- NASA Ames Research Center, Mail Stop 239-4, Moffett Field, California 94035, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco , San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Andrew Pohorille
- NASA Ames Research Center, Mail Stop 239-4, Moffett Field, California 94035, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco , San Francisco, California 94143, United States
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40
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Wang Y, Zhou J, Liu X, Zhao L, Wang Z, Zhang X, Wang K, Wang L, Wang R. Structure-constrained endomorphin analogs display differential antinociceptive mechanisms in mice after spinal administration. Peptides 2017; 91:40-48. [PMID: 28363796 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported a series of novel endomorphin analogs with unnatural amino acid modifications. These analogs display good binding affinity and functional activity toward the μ opioid receptor (MOP). In the present study, we further investigated the spinal antinociceptive activity of these compounds. The analogs were potent in several nociceptive models. Opioid antagonists and antibodies against several endogenous opioid peptides were used to determine the mechanisms of action of these peptides. Intrathecal pretreatment with naloxone and β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA) effectively inhibited analog-induced analgesia, demonstrating that activity of the analogs is regulated primarily through MOP. Antinociception induced by analog 2 through 4 was not reversed by δ opioid receptor (DOP) or κ opioid receptor (KOP) antagonist; antibodies against dynorphin-A (1-17), dynorphin-B (1-13), and Leu5/Met5-enkephalin had no impact on the antinociceptive effects of these analogs. In contrast, antinociceptive effects induced by a spinal injection of the fluorine substituted analog 1 were significantly reversed by KOP antagonism. Furthermore, intrathecal pretreatment with antibodies against dynorphin-B (1-13) attenuated the antinociceptive effect of analog 1. These results indicate that the antinociceptive activity exerted by intrathecally-administered analog 1 is mediated, in part, through KOP with increased release of dynorphin-B (1-13). The chemical modifications used in the present study may serve as a useful tool to gain insight into the mechanisms of endomorphins activity.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesia
- Analgesics, Opioid/administration & dosage
- Analgesics, Opioid/antagonists & inhibitors
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemistry
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Antibodies/immunology
- Dynorphins/administration & dosage
- Dynorphins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Dynorphins/chemistry
- Dynorphins/pharmacology
- Enkephalin, Leucine/administration & dosage
- Enkephalin, Leucine/antagonists & inhibitors
- Enkephalin, Leucine/chemistry
- Enkephalin, Leucine/pharmacology
- Enkephalin, Methionine/administration & dosage
- Enkephalin, Methionine/antagonists & inhibitors
- Enkephalin, Methionine/chemistry
- Enkephalin, Methionine/pharmacology
- Fluorine/chemistry
- Injections, Spinal
- Male
- Mice
- Naloxone/administration & dosage
- Naloxone/pharmacology
- Naltrexone/administration & dosage
- Naltrexone/analogs & derivatives
- Naltrexone/pharmacology
- Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacology
- Oligopeptides/administration & dosage
- Oligopeptides/antagonists & inhibitors
- Oligopeptides/chemistry
- Oligopeptides/pharmacology
- Opioid Peptides/administration & dosage
- Opioid Peptides/antagonists & inhibitors
- Opioid Peptides/chemistry
- Opioid Peptides/pharmacology
- Pain/drug therapy
- Pain/metabolism
- Pain Measurement
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, sigma/antagonists & inhibitors
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Jingjing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Long Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Zhaojuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xianghui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Kezhou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Linqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
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42
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Olson KM, Lei W, Keresztes A, LaVigne J, Streicher JM. Novel Molecular Strategies and Targets for Opioid Drug Discovery for the Treatment of Chronic Pain. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2017; 90:97-110. [PMID: 28356897 PMCID: PMC5369049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Opioid drugs like morphine and fentanyl are the gold standard for treating moderate to severe acute and chronic pain. However, opioid drug use can be limited by serious side effects, including constipation, tolerance, respiratory suppression, and addiction. For more than 100 years, we have tried to develop opioids that decrease or eliminate these liabilities, with little success. Recent advances in understanding opioid receptor signal transduction have suggested new possibilities to activate the opioid receptors to cause analgesia, while reducing or eliminating unwanted side effects. These new approaches include designing functionally selective ligands, which activate desired signaling cascades while avoiding signaling cascades that are thought to provoke side effects. It may also be possible to directly modulate downstream signaling through the use of selective activators and inhibitors. Separate from downstream signal transduction, it has also been found that when the opioid system is stimulated, various negative feedback systems are upregulated to compensate, which can drive side effects. This has led to the development of multi-functional molecules that simultaneously activate the opioid receptor while blocking various negative feedback receptor systems including cholecystokinin and neurokinin-1. Other novel approaches include targeting heterodimers of the opioid and other receptor systems which may drive side effects, and making endogenous opioid peptides druggable, which may also reduce opioid mediated side effects. Taken together, these advances in our molecular understanding provide a path forward to break the barrier in producing an opioid with reduced or eliminated side effects, especially addiction, which may provide relief for millions of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith M. Olson
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Wei Lei
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Attila Keresztes
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Justin LaVigne
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - John M. Streicher
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ,To whom all correspondence should be addressed: John M. Streicher, Ph.D., University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Life Sciences North 563, Box 245050, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724, 520-626-7495,
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Rosa M, Gonzalez-Nunez V, Barreto-Valer K, Marcelo F, Sánchez-Sánchez J, Calle LP, Arévalo JC, Rodríguez RE, Jiménez-Barbero J, Arsequell G, Valencia G. Role of the sugar moiety on the opioid receptor binding and conformation of a series of enkephalin neoglycopeptides. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:2260-2265. [PMID: 28284867 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Glycosylation by simple sugars is a drug discovery alternative that has been explored with varying success for enhancing the potency and bioavailability of opioid peptides. Long ago we described two O-glycosides having either β-Glucose and β-Galactose of (d-Met2, Pro5)-enkephalinamide showing one of the highest antinociceptive activities known. Here, we report the resynthesis of these two analogs and the preparation of three novel neoglycopeptide derivatives (α-Mannose, β-Lactose and β-Cellobiose). Binding studies to cloned zebrafish opioid receptors showed very small differences of affinity between the parent compound and the five glycopeptides thus suggesting that the nature of the carbohydrate moiety plays a minor role in determining the binding mode. Indeed, NMR conformational studies, combined with molecular mechanics calculations, indicated that all glycopeptides present the same major conformation either in solution or membrane-like environment. The evidences provided here highlight the relevance for in vivo activity of the conjugating bond between the peptide and sugar moieties in opioid glycopeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mònica Rosa
- Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña (IQAC-CSIC), E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verónica Gonzalez-Nunez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Katherine Barreto-Valer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Filipa Marcelo
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE Faculdade Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Julia Sánchez-Sánchez
- Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Luis P Calle
- CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technological Park, E-48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Juan C Arévalo
- Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raquel E Rodríguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technological Park, E-48160 Derio, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao E-48013, Spain; Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country, EHU/UPV, E-48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña (IQAC-CSIC), E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gregorio Valencia
- Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña (IQAC-CSIC), E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Wang Y, Yang J, Liu X, Zhao L, Yang D, Zhou J, Wang D, Mou L, Wang R. Endomorphin-1 analogs containing α-methyl-β-amino acids exhibit potent analgesic activity after peripheral administration. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:4951-4955. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob01115f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
C-Terminal substitution with aromatic β2,3-amino acids can improve the bioactivity and bioavailability of endomorphin-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province
- Department of Pharmacology
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Lanzhou University
| | - Junxian Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province
- Department of Pharmacology
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Lanzhou University
| | - Xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province
- Department of Pharmacology
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Lanzhou University
| | - Long Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province
- Department of Pharmacology
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Lanzhou University
| | - Dongxu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province
- Department of Pharmacology
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Lanzhou University
| | - Jingjing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province
- Department of Pharmacology
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Lanzhou University
| | - Dan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province
- Department of Pharmacology
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Lanzhou University
| | - Lingyun Mou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province
- Department of Pharmacology
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Lanzhou University
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province
- Department of Pharmacology
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Lanzhou University
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45
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Aguirre TAS, Teijeiro-Osorio D, Rosa M, Coulter IS, Alonso MJ, Brayden DJ. Current status of selected oral peptide technologies in advanced preclinical development and in clinical trials. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 106:223-241. [PMID: 26921819 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The development of oral dosage forms that allows absorption of therapeutic peptides to the systemic circulation is one of the greatest challenges for the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, a number of technologies including either mixtures of penetration enhancers or protease inhibitors and/or nanotechnology-based products are under clinical development. Typically, these formulations are presented in the form of enteric-coated tablets or capsules. Systems undergoing preclinical investigation include further advances in nanotechnology, including intestinal microneedle patches, as well as their combination with regional delivery to the colon. This review critically examines four selected promising oral peptide technologies at preclinical stage and the twelve that have progressed to clinical trials, as indicated in www.clinicaltrials.gov. We examined these technologies under the criteria of peptide selection, formulation design, system components and excipients, intestinal mechanism of action, efficacy in man, and safety issues. The conclusion is that most of the technologies in clinical trials are incremental rather than paradigm-shifting and that even the more clinically advanced oral peptide drugs examples of oral bioavailability appear to yield oral bioavailability values of only 1-2% and are, therefore, only currently suitable for a limited range of peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A S Aguirre
- Centro de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - D Teijeiro-Osorio
- CIMUS Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M Rosa
- Sigmoid Pharma, Dublin City University, Invent Centre, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - I S Coulter
- Sigmoid Pharma, Dublin City University, Invent Centre, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - M J Alonso
- CIMUS Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - D J Brayden
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Distinct roles of exogenous opioid agonists and endogenous opioid peptides in the peripheral control of neuropathy-triggered heat pain. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32799. [PMID: 27605249 PMCID: PMC5015056 DOI: 10.1038/srep32799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain often results from peripheral nerve damage, which can involve immune response. Local leukocyte-derived opioid peptides or exogenous opioid agonists inhibit neuropathy-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in animal models. Since neuropathic pain can also be augmented by heat, in this study we investigated the role of opioids in the modulation of neuropathy-evoked heat hypersensitivity. We used a chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in wild-type and opioid peptide-knockout mice, and tested opioid effects in heat and mechanical hypersensitivity using Hargreaves and von Frey tests, respectively. We found that although perineural exogenous opioid agonists, including peptidergic ligands, were effective, the endogenous opioid peptides β-endorphin, Met-enkephalin and dynorphin A did not alleviate heat hypersensitivity. Specifically, corticotropin-releasing factor, an agent triggering opioid peptide secretion from leukocytes, applied perineurally did not attenuate heat hypersensitivity in wild-type mice. Exogenous opioids, also shown to release opioid peptides via activation of leukocyte opioid receptors, were equally analgesic in wild-type and opioid peptide-knockout mice, indicating that endogenous opioids do not contribute to exogenous opioid analgesia in heat hypersensitivity. Furthermore, exogenously applied opioid peptides were ineffective as well. Conversely, opioid peptides relieved mechanical hypersensitivity. Thus, both opioid type and sensory modality may determine the outcome of neuropathic pain treatment.
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Srivastava S, Fergason-Cantrell EA, Nahas RI, Lever JR. Synthesis and opioid receptor binding of indium (III) and [ 111In]-labeled macrocyclic conjugates of diprenorphine: novel ligands designed for imaging studies of peripheral opioid receptors. Tetrahedron 2016; 72:6127-6135. [PMID: 28190898 DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2016.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Radiolabeled diprenorphine (DPN) and analogs are widely used ligands for non-invasive brain imaging of opioid receptors. To develop complementary radioligands optimized for studies of the peripheral opioid receptors, we prepared a pair of hydrophilic DPN derivatives, conjugated to the macrocyclic chelator DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid), for complexation with trivalent metals. The non-radioactive indium (III) complexes, tethered to the C6-oxygen position of the DPN scaffold by 6- to 9-atom spacers, displayed high affinities for binding to μ, δ and κ opioid receptors in vitro. Use of the 9-atom linker conferred picomolar affinities equipotent to those of the parent ligand DPN. The [111In]-labeled complexes were prepared in good yield (>70%), with high radiochemical purity (~99%) and high specific radioactivity (>4000 mCi/μmol). Their log D7.4 values were -2.21 to -1.66. In comparison, DPN is lipophilic, with a log D7.4 of +2.25. Further study in vivo is warranted to assess the suitability of these [111In]-labeled DPN-DOTA conjugates for imaging trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shefali Srivastava
- Department of Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Emily A Fergason-Cantrell
- Department of Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Roger I Nahas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - John R Lever
- Department of Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
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Lindqvist A, Jönsson S, Hammarlund-Udenaes M. Exploring Factors Causing Low Brain Penetration of the Opioid Peptide DAMGO through Experimental Methods and Modeling. Mol Pharm 2016; 13:1258-66. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annika Lindqvist
- Translational
PKPD Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Associate Member
of SciLife Lab, Uppsala University, Box 591, Uppsala, SE-75124, Sweden
| | - Siv Jönsson
- Pharmacometrics
Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, Uppsala, SE-75124, Sweden
| | - Margareta Hammarlund-Udenaes
- Translational
PKPD Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Associate Member
of SciLife Lab, Uppsala University, Box 591, Uppsala, SE-75124, Sweden
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Rational Approach to the Design of Bioactive Peptidomimetics: Recent Developments in Opioid Agonist Peptides. STUDIES IN NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63462-7.00002-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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50
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Eans SO, Ganno ML, Reilley KJ, Patkar KA, Senadheera SN, Aldrich JV, McLaughlin JP. The macrocyclic tetrapeptide [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 produces short-acting κ opioid receptor antagonism in the CNS after oral administration. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 169:426-36. [PMID: 23425081 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Revised: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cyclic peptides are resistant to proteolytic cleavage, therefore potentially exhibiting activity after systemic administration. We hypothesized that the macrocyclic κ opioid receptor (KOR)-selective antagonist [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 would demonstrate antagonist activity after systemic, that is, s.c. and oral (per os, p. o.), administration. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH C57BL/6J mice were pretreated with [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 s.c. or p.o. before administration of the KOR-selective agonist U50,488 and the determination of antinociception in the warm-water tail-withdrawal assay. The locomotor activity of mice treated with [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 was determined by rotorod testing. Additional mice demonstrating cocaine conditioned place preference and subsequent extinction were pretreated daily with vehicle or [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 and then exposed to repeated forced swim stress or a single additional session of cocaine place conditioning before redetermining place preference. KEY RESULTS Pretreatment with [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 administered s.c. or p.o. dose-dependently antagonized the antinociception induced by i.p. administration of U50,488 in mice tested in the warm-water tail-withdrawal assay for less than 12 and 6 h respectively. [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 also produced limited (<25%), short-duration antinociception mediated through KOR agonism. Orally administered [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 dose-dependently antagonized centrally administered U50,488-induced antinociception, and prevented stress-, but not cocaine-induced, reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behaviour, consistent with its KOR antagonist activity, without affecting locomotor activity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The macrocyclic tetrapeptide [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 is a short-duration KOR antagonist with weak KOR agonist activity that is active after oral administration and demonstrates blood-brain barrier permeability. These data validate the use of systemically active peptides such as [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 as potentially useful therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shainnel O Eans
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA
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