Effects of an anti-inflammatory peptide (antiflammin 2) on cell influx, eicosanoid biosynthesis and oedema formation by arachidonic acid and tetradecanoyl phorbol dermal application

Novel transglutaminase inhibitors reverse the inflammation of allergic conjunctivitis

Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induce proteins that inhibit phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), including uteroglobin and lipocortin-1 (annexin I). Uteroglobin and lipocortin-1 retain several conserved sequences. Based on these sequences, several nonapeptides (antiflammins) were synthesized. These nonapeptides were shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo, possibly by inhibiting PLA(2). Subsequent research showed that PLA(2) is activated by transglutaminase 2 (TGase 2). We hypothesize here that TGase 2 inhibitors may increase the anti-inflammatory efficacy of inhibiting PLA(2) activity. To test this theory, we constructed recombinant peptides containing sequences from pro-elafin (for inhibition of TGase 2), and from lipocortin-1, lipocortin-5, and uteroglobin (for inhibition of PLA(2)). The recombinant peptides, which had dual inhibitory effects on purified TGase 2 and PLA(2), reversed the inflammation of allergic conjunctivitis to ragweed in a guinea pig model. The present work suggests that novel recombinant peptides may be safe and effective agents for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.

Repression of inflammatory responses in the absence of DNA binding by the glucocorticoid receptor

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) acts both as a transcription factor itself on genes carrying GR response elements (GREs) and as a modulator of other transcription factors. Using mice with a mutation in the GR, which cannot activate GRE promoters, we examine whether the important anti-inflammatory and immune suppressive functions of glucocorticoids (GCs) can be established in this in vivo animal model. We find that most actions are indeed exerted in the absence of the DNA-binding ability of the GR: inhibition of the inflammatory response of locally irritated skin and of the systemic response to lipopolysaccharides. GCs repress the expression and release of numerous cytokines both in vivo and in isolated primary macrophages, thymocytes and CD4(+) splenocytes. A transgenic reporter gene controlled by NF-kappa B exclusively is also repressed, suggesting that protein- protein interaction with other transcription factors such as NF-kappa B forms the basis of the anti-inflammatory activity of GR. The only defect of immune suppression detected so far concerns the induced apoptosis of thymocytes and T lymphocytes.

Antiflammin peptides in the regulation of inflammatory response

This review focuses on the role of antiflammins in the regulation of the inflammatory response, in particular acute inflammation. The results show that antiflammins were effective on several classical models of inflammation. Preliminary data suggest that antiflammin action may be due to their ability to suppress leukocyte trafficking to the lesion.

Antiflammins. Bioactive peptides derived from uteroglobin

Uteroglobin/Clara cell 10-kDa protein (UG/CC10) is a hormonally regulated small secretory protein that has a variety of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects. These include a potent anti-inflammatory activity and inhibitory effects on neutrophil migration, thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, in vitro chemoinvasion, as well as "tumor suppressor"-like effects and other properties. Several mechanisms of action have been proposed for these effects. Pharmacological properties suggest that UG itself or substances derived from it may be used as experimental drugs for several indications. The group of oligopeptides collectively known as "antiflammins" (AFs) were originally described in 1988. Their design was derived from the region of highest sequence similarity between UG and another group of proteins with anti-inflammatory properties, the lipocortins or annexins. Nanomolar concentrations of these peptides can reproduce several of the pharmacological activities of UG, including its in vivo anti-inflammatory effects and inhibition of platelet aggregation. The AFs have been safely and effectively used to suppress inflammation and fibrosis in several animal models. Progress in clarifying the mechanism of action of the AFs may facilitate the structure-based design of a novel class of potent anti-inflammatory, antichemotactic drugs.

The isolated perfused bovine udder as a model of dermal eicosanoid release

The aim of this study was to examine whether the isolated perfused bovine udder could be used as a suitable in vitro inflammation model. A common in vivo inflammation model is arachidonic acid-induced inflammation in mouse ears. As an in vitro substitute for this model, arachidonic acid was administered topically to the skin of an isolated perfused bovine udder and the subsequent changes in eicosanoid synthesis were examined. As with the mouse-ear model, there was a significant increase in eicosanoid synthesis (prostaglandins E(2) and F(2 alpha) and leukotrienes B(4) and C(4)/D(4)/E(4)) following topical irritation. This effect lasted for 3 hours. In addition, the changes in prostaglandin E(2) synthesis in the skin following irritation with arachidonic acid were measured by the microdialysis technique. In conclusion, the in vitro model described seems suitable for studies of pharmacological effects on eicosanoid synthesis.

Inhibition of MAP kinase kinase (MEK) results in an anti-inflammatory response in vivo

The MAP kinase pathway has been well-characterized as a cascade of sequential protein phosphorylation events leading to the upregulation of a variety of genes in response to growth factors and mitogens. We are interested in the role of these kinases in inflammation and have thus examined their activity in vivo using TPA-induced ear edema in the mouse as a model of inflammation. We show that the activities of both ERK-1 and ERK-2 are upregulated in this model in response to TPA. Increased levels of ERK phosphorylation are measurable as early as 15 min poststimulation and reach a level 8-fold over controls at 4 h. In contrast, minimal activation of JNK or p38 is observed. Topical treatment of ears with the MEK inhibitor, U0126, prevents ERK phosphorylation and ear swelling in a dose-dependent manner in this model. These results suggest that the MEK/ERK pathway is important during an inflammatory response in vivo.

Role of leukocyte influx in tissue prostaglandin H synthase-2 overexpression induced by phorbol ester and arachidonic acid in skin

The accumulation of neutrophils and mononuclear cells is a characteristic feature of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema. This cell influx was accompanied by the enhancement of eicosanoid tissue levels and prostaglandin H synthase-2 (PGHS-2) overexpression. Sialidase treatment, which affects the structure of selectins and inhibits leukocyte influx, significantly reduced eicosanoid and PGHS-2 levels and edema. In contrast, skin PGHS-2 overexpression induced by arachidonic acid (AA) application was not affected by sialidase treatment. These results suggest that PGHS-2 overexpression induced by TPA could be induced by AA and/or AA metabolite release by leukocyte infiltrated during the inflammatory process.

Role of prostaglandin H synthase isoforms in murine ear edema induced by phorbol ester application on skin

Topical application of TPA to a murine ear induced an edema that was accompanied by eicosanoid biosynthesis and an early enhancement of prostaglandin H synthase 2 (PGHS-2) expression. PGHS-2 induction may be correlated with the time-course of TPA-induced edema formation. Treatment with drugs that inhibit AA mobilization such as dexamethasone or manoalide or inhibitors of leukotriene formation such as zileuton or baicalein, reduced TPA-induced edema development and PGHS-2 levels. On the other hand, arachidonic acid (AA) application on the murine ear induced rapid expression of PGHS-2. This effect was not reproduced by other fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic, eicosatetraynoic or eicosapentaenoic acids. PGHS-2 expression induced by AA application was independent of PGHS and lipoxygenase metabolite synthesis. However, topical application of PGE2 on skin induced PGHS-2 overexpression. This study suggests that AA release and/or subsequent metabolism by PGHS may be involved in the induction of PGHS-2 expression in murine TPA- and AA-induced ear oedema.

Arachidonic acid (AA) and tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) exert systemic effects when applied topically in the mouse

We studied the systemic actions of topically applied arachidonic acid (AA) and tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) in the mouse. AA or TPA-induced ear edema, increases in vascular permeability, eicosanoid levels, neutrophil and mononuclear influx were determined in both phlogogen-treated and contralateral vehicle-treated ear of each mouse and were compared with vehicle-treated ears from control mice. Edema and vascular permeability increases appeared only in AA- or TPA-applied ears. Moreover, in contralateral ears from AA-treated mice an increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and LTB4 was found. Only LTB4 increased in the contralateral ear after TPA. Contralateral ears from AA- or TPA-treated mice also showed a significant increase in MPO levels. The increased levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha but not those of LTB4 in contralateral ears were reduced by indomethacin applied simultaneously with the phlogogen. AA also increased plasma and serum levels of LTB4, but not those of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. In contrast, TPA increased plasma and serum levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and LTB4. The results show that both AA and TPA applied topically exert systemic effects.

Antiflammin 1 peptide delivered non-invasively by iontophoresis reduces irritant-induced inflammation in vivo

The potential of an anti-inflammatory peptide (antiflammin 1) to reduce irritation when delivered transdermally by iontophoresis was examined. A model drug irritant, chlorpromazine, was co-delivered with and without antiflammin 1 by iontophoresis to hairless guinea pigs transdermally. Quantitative skin irritation measurements were obtained by monitoring erythema by skin color reflectance with the Minolta Chromameter. Antiflammin 1 delivered by iontophoresis significantly decreased, but did not eliminate, the erythema associated with co-delivery of an irritating drug compound. Lesion formation was also reduced in the presence of antiflammin 1. In vitro flux across hairless guinea pig skin demonstrated no significant differences in flux of the irritant compound in the presence or absence of antiflammin 1. In vivo generation and efflux of the inflammation mediator Prostaglandin E2 increased during 24-h application of irritant and was unchanged in the presence of antiflammin 1. This result is discussed with respect to recent evidence that antiflammins may act on the lipo-oxygenase pathway. In summary, antiflammin 1, an anti-inflammatory peptide, can be delivered transdermally by iontophoresis with retention of its biological activity in vivo.

Antiflammins: endogenous nonapeptides with regulatory effect on inflammation

1. Antiflammins are a new family of peptides that share a common sequence with uteroglobin and lipocortin-1, which retain the anti-inflammatory action of these proteins. 2. However, it is controversial whether or not the antiflammins have any effect on enzymes involved in arachidonic acid mobilization and/or arachidonic acid metabolism. 3. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the properties and activity of antiflammins.

Antiflammin-2, a nonapeptide of lipocortin-1, inhibits leukocyte chemotaxis but not arachidonic acid mobilization

We have studied the effects of antiflammin-2, a fragment corresponding to amino acids 246-254 of lipocortin-1 (HDMNKVLDL), on arachidonate mobilization and metabolism and we also determined the effect of antiflammin-2 on the chemotaxis of phagocytes. Our results demonstrated that the antiflammin-2 was not able to diminish significantly [3H]arachidonic acid mobilization stimulated by 4 beta-phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate or calcium ionophore A23187 in murine 3T6 fibroblasts or resident peritoneal macrophages. Further, antiflammin-2 had no effect on arachidonate metabolism. In contrast, a glucocorticoid such as dexamethasone reduced significantly [3H]arachidonic acid release and arachidonate metabolism induced in both cells. This study confirms the inhibitory effect of antiflammin on leukocyte migration and suggests that it acts partly through the inhibition of leukocyte binding to endothelial cells.

Effect of retinoids on dermal inflammation and on arachidonic acid mobilization and metabolism in murine 3T6 fibroblasts retinoids, arachidonate release and metabolism

Retinoids have shown anti-inflammatory activity in some animal models and human diseases, although the mechanism by which retinoids elicit this activity is unknown. In this study, retinoids significantly attenuated, in a dose-dependent fashion, murine ear oedema induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or oxazolone. Dexamethasone inhibited both oedemas whereas ketoprofen reduced only that induced by PMA. PMA application or oxazolone-induced contact hypersensitivity markedly increased production of eicosanoids such as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha or LTB4. The anti-oedematous effects of retinoids were accompanied by inhibition of tissue eicosanoid levels. Besides, retinoids showed toxic effects on culture fibroblasts caused by an irritant effect on plasma membrane. However, when we used subtoxic doses, we demonstrated that retinoids in vitro could inhibited arachidonate mobilization and eicosanoid biosynthesis induced in fibroblast cultures by PMA, calcium ionophore A23187 or bradykinin. Thus, this paper reports the ability of retinoids to inhibit skin inflammatory processes induced by tumour promotors or immunological stimuli. Moreover, we have demonstrated that retinoids at non-cytotoxic doses may inhibit eicosanoid generation and arachidonic acid mobilization in 3T6 fibroblasts.