51
|
Kaserer T, Steinacher T, Kainhofer R, Erli F, Sturm S, Waltenberger B, Schuster D, Spetea M. Identification and characterization of plant-derived alkaloids, corydine and corydaline, as novel mu opioid receptor agonists. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13804. [PMID: 32796875 PMCID: PMC7427800 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70493-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain remains a key therapeutic area with intensive efforts directed toward finding effective and safer analgesics in light of the ongoing opioid crisis. Amongst the neurotransmitter systems involved in pain perception and modulation, the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), a G protein-coupled receptor, represents one of the most important targets for achieving effective pain relief. Most clinically used opioid analgesics are agonists to the MOR, but they can also cause severe side effects. Medicinal plants represent important sources of new drug candidates, with morphine and its semisynthetic analogues as well-known examples as analgesic drugs. In this study, combining in silico (pharmacophore-based virtual screening and docking) and pharmacological (in vitro binding and functional assays, and behavioral tests) approaches, we report on the discovery of two naturally occurring plant alkaloids, corydine and corydaline, as new MOR agonists that produce antinociceptive effects in mice after subcutaneous administration via a MOR-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, corydine and corydaline were identified as G protein-biased agonists to the MOR without inducing β-arrestin2 recruitment upon receptor activation. Thus, these new scaffolds represent valuable starting points for future chemical optimization towards the development of novel opioid analgesics, which may exhibit improved therapeutic profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Kaserer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Theresa Steinacher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Roman Kainhofer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Filippo Erli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sonja Sturm
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Birgit Waltenberger
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Daniela Schuster
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Department of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - 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.
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Williams AV, Duque-Wilckens N, Ramos-Maciel S, Campi KL, Bhela SK, Xu CK, Jackson K, Chini B, Pesavento PA, Trainor BC. Social approach and social vigilance are differentially regulated by oxytocin receptors in the nucleus accumbens. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1423-1430. [PMID: 32198453 PMCID: PMC7360746 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0657-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin is currently being considered as a novel therapeutic for anxiety disorders due to its ability to promote affiliative behaviors. In the nucleus accumbens (NAc) activation of oxytocin receptors (OTR) promotes social approach (time spent near an unfamiliar individual). Here, we show that stressful social experiences reduce the expression of NAc OTR mRNA, coinciding with decreases in social approach. Social stressors also increase social vigilance, characterized as orienting to an unfamiliar individual without approaching. Vigilance is a key component of behavioral inhibition, a personality trait that is a risk factor for anxiety disorders. To understand whether NAc OTR can modulate both social approach and vigilance, we use pharmacological approaches to assess the impact of activation or inhibition of NAc OTR downstream pathways on these behaviors. First, we show that in unstressed male and female California mice, inhibition of OTR by an unbiased antagonist (L-368,899) reduces social approach but does not induce social vigilance. Next, we show that infusion of Atosiban, an OTR-Gq antagonist/OTR-Gi agonist, has the same effect in unstressed females. Finally, we show that Carbetocin, a biased OTR-Gq agonist, increases social approach in stressed females while simultaneously inhibiting social vigilance. Taken together these data suggest that OTR in the NAc differentially modulate social approach and social vigilance, primarily through an OTR-Gq mechanism. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of OTR alone is insufficient to induce vigilance in unstressed mice, suggesting that mechanisms modulating social approach may be distinct from mechanisms modulating social vigilance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexia V. Williams
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Natalia Duque-Wilckens
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Stephanie Ramos-Maciel
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Katharine L. Campi
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Shanu K. Bhela
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Christine K. Xu
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Kenneth Jackson
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Bice Chini
- 0000 0001 2174 1754grid.7563.7Isnstitute of Neuroscience of National Research Council and NEUROMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Patricia A. Pesavento
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Brian C. Trainor
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bDepartment of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Zhang P, Yang M, Chen C, Liu L, Wei X, Zeng S. Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/Opioid Receptor Pathway Crosstalk and Impact on Opioid Analgesia, Immune Function, and Gastrointestinal Motility. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1455. [PMID: 32733481 PMCID: PMC7360813 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) recognizes exogenous pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and endogenous danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and initiates the innate immune response. Opioid receptors (μ, δ, and κ) activate inhibitory G-proteins and relieve pain. This review summarizes the following types of TLR4/opioid receptor pathway crosstalk: (a) Opioid receptor agonists non-stereoselectively activate the TLR4 signaling pathway in the central nervous system (CNS), in the absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Opioids bind to TLR4, in a manner parallel to LPS, activating TLR4 signaling, which leads to nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) expression and the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. (b) Opioid receptor agonists inhibit the LPS-induced TLR4 signaling pathway in peripheral immune cells. Opioids operate as pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in neuroinflammation in the CNS, but they mediate immunosuppressive effects in the peripheral immune system. It is apparent that TLR4/opioid receptor pathway crosstalk varies dependent on the cell type and activating stimulus. (c) Both the TLR4 and opioid receptor pathways activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. This crosstalk is located downstream of the TLR4 and opioid receptor signaling pathways. Furthermore, the classic opioid receptor can also produce pro-inflammatory effects in the CNS via MAPK signaling and induce neuroinflammation. (d) Opioid receptor agonists induce the production of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), an endogenous TLR4 agonist, supporting intercellular (neuron-to-glia or glia-to-neuron) interactions. This review also summarizes the potential effects of TLR4/opioid receptor pathway crosstalk on opioid analgesia, immune function, and gastrointestinal motility. Opioids non-stereoselectively activate the TLR4 pathway, and together with the subsequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 by glia, this TLR4 signaling initiates the central immune signaling response and modifies opioid pharmacodynamics. The DAMP HMGB1 is associated with the development of neuropathic pain. To explain morphine-induced persistent sensitization, a positive feedback loop has been proposed; this involves an initial morphine-induced amplified release of IL-1β and a subsequent exacerbated release of DAMPs, which increases the activation of TLR4 and the purinergic receptor P2X7R. Opioid receptor (μ, δ, and κ) agonists are involved in many aspects of immunosuppression. The intracellular TLR4/opioid receptor signaling pathway crosstalk induces the formation of the β-arrestin-2/TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) complex, which contributes to morphine-induced inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-α secretion in mast cells. A possible molecular mechanism is that the TLR4 pathway initially triggers the formation of the β-arrestin-2/TRAF6 complex, which is amplified by opioid receptor signaling, suggesting that β-arrestin-2 acts as a functional component of the TLR4 pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Meirong Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunhua Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Liu Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinchuan Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Si Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Abstract
Buprenorphine has not only had an interdisciplinary impact on our understanding of key neuroscience topics like opioid pharmacology, pain signaling, and reward processing but has also been a key influence in changing the way that substance use disorders are approached in modern medical systems. From its leading role in expanding outpatient treatment of opioid use disorders to its continued influence on research into next-generation analgesics, buprenorphine has been a continuous player in the ever-evolving societal perception of opioids and substance use disorder. To provide a multifaceted account on the enormous diversity of areas where this molecule has made an impact, this article discusses buprenorphine's chemical properties, synthesis and development, pharmacology, adverse effects, manufacturing information, and historical place in the field of chemical neuroscience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jillian L. Kyzer
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Cody J. Wenthur
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Assessment of structure-activity relationships and biased agonism at the Mu opioid receptor of novel synthetic opioids using a novel, stable bio-assay platform. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113910. [PMID: 32179045 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Fentanyl and morphine are agonists of the Mu opioid receptor (MOR), which is a member of the GPCR family. Their analgesic effects are associated with unwanted side effects. On a signaling level downstream from MOR, it has been hypothesized that analgesia may be mediated through the G protein pathway, whereas the undesirable effects of opioids have been linked to the β-arrestin (βarr) pathway. Despite being an increasingly debated subject, little is known about a potential 'bias' (i.e. the preferential activation of one pathway over the other) of the novel synthetic opioids (NSO) - including fentanyl analogs - that have emerged on the illegal drug market. We have therefore developed and applied a novel, robust bio-assay platform to study the activity of 21 NSO, to evaluate to what extent these MOR agonists show biased agonism and to investigate the potential correlation with their structure. In addition, we evaluated the functional selectivity of TRV130, a purported G protein-biased agonist. We applied newly established stable bio-assays in HEK293T cells, based on the principle of functional complementation of a split nanoluciferase, to assess MOR activation via recruitment of a mini-Gi protein (GTPase domain of Gαi subunit) or βarr2. All but two of the tested NSO demonstrated a concentration-dependent response at MOR in both bio-assays. The developed bio-assays allow to gain insight into the βarr2 or G protein recruitment potential of NSO, which may eventually help to better understand why certain opioids are associated with higher toxicity. Adding to the recent discussion about the relevance of the biased agonism concept for opioids, we did not observe a significant bias for any of the evaluated compounds, including TRV130.
Collapse
|
56
|
Valentino RJ, Koroshetz W, Volkow ND. Neurobiology of the Opioid Epidemic: Basic and Translational Perspectives. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:2-3. [PMID: 31806083 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Walter Koroshetz
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nora D Volkow
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Valentino RJ, Koroshetz W, Volkow ND. Translating Opioid Pharmacology From Bench to Bedside, and Back. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:4-5. [PMID: 31806084 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Walter Koroshetz
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nora D Volkow
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|