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Raffaele M, Kovacovicova K, Biagini T, Lo Re O, Frohlich J, Giallongo S, Nhan JD, Giannone AG, Cabibi D, Ivanov M, Tonchev AB, Mistrik M, Lacey M, Dzubak P, Gurska S, Hajduch M, Bartek J, Mazza T, Micale V, Curran SP, Vinciguerra M. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid receptor (NOP) selective ligand MCOPPB links anxiolytic and senolytic effects. GeroScience 2022; 44:463-483. [PMID: 34820764 PMCID: PMC8612119 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00487-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of senescent cells may drive age-associated alterations and pathologies. Senolytics are promising therapeutics that can preferentially eliminate senescent cells. Here, we performed a high-throughput automatized screening (HTS) of the commercial LOPAC®Pfizer library on aphidicolin-induced senescent human fibroblasts, to identify novel senolytics. We discovered the nociceptin receptor FQ opioid receptor (NOP) selective ligand 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (MCOPPB, a compound previously studied as potential anxiolytic) as the best scoring hit. The ability of MCOPPB to eliminate senescent cells in in vitro models was further tested in mice and in C. elegans. MCOPPB reduced the senescence cell burden in peripheral tissues but not in the central nervous system. Mice and worms exposed to MCOPPB also exhibited locomotion and lipid storage changes. Mechanistically, MCOPPB treatment activated transcriptional networks involved in the immune responses to external stressors, implicating Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Our study uncovers MCOPPB as a NOP ligand that, apart from anxiolytic effects, also shows tissue-specific senolytic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Raffaele
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristina Kovacovicova
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Psychogenics Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - Tommaso Biagini
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Oriana Lo Re
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Jan Frohlich
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sebastiano Giallongo
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - James D Nhan
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Computational Biology, Arts, and Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Antonino Giulio Giannone
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Pathologic Anatomy Unit-University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Cabibi
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Pathologic Anatomy Unit-University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Martin Ivanov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Anton B Tonchev
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Martin Mistrik
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Matthew Lacey
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Dzubak
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Sona Gurska
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Hajduch
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Bartek
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Genome Integrity Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tommaso Mazza
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sean P Curran
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Computational Biology, Arts, and Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.
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Ubaldi M, Cannella N, Borruto AM, Petrella M, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Soverchia L, Stopponi S, Weiss F, Cifani C, Ciccocioppo R. Role of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ-NOP Receptor System in the Regulation of Stress-Related Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12956. [PMID: 34884757 PMCID: PMC8657682 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is a 17-residue neuropeptide that binds the nociceptin opioid-like receptor (NOP). N/OFQ exhibits nucleotidic and aminoacidics sequence homology with the precursors of other opioid neuropeptides but it does not activate either MOP, KOP or DOP receptors. Furthermore, opioid neuropeptides do not activate the NOP receptor. Generally, activation of N/OFQ system exerts anti-opioids effects, for instance toward opioid-induced reward and analgesia. The NOP receptor is widely expressed throughout the brain, whereas N/OFQ localization is confined to brain nuclei that are involved in stress response such as amygdala, BNST and hypothalamus. Decades of studies have delineated the biological role of this system demonstrating its involvement in significant physiological processes such as pain, learning and memory, anxiety, depression, feeding, drug and alcohol dependence. This review discusses the role of this peptidergic system in the modulation of stress and stress-associated psychiatric disorders in particular drug addiction, mood, anxiety and food-related associated-disorders. Emerging preclinical evidence suggests that both NOP agonists and antagonists may represent a effective therapeutic approaches for substances use disorder. Moreover, the current literature suggests that NOP antagonists can be useful to treat depression and feeding-related diseases, such as obesity and binge eating behavior, whereas the activation of NOP receptor by agonists could be a promising tool for anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Nazzareno Cannella
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Anna Maria Borruto
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Michele Petrella
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Micioni Di Bonaventura
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Laura Soverchia
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Serena Stopponi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Friedbert Weiss
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.U.); (N.C.); (A.M.B.); (M.P.); (M.V.M.D.B.); (L.S.); (S.S.); (C.C.)
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Gavioli EC, Holanda VAD, Calo G, Ruzza C. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor system blockade as an innovative strategy for increasing resilience to stress. Peptides 2021; 141:170548. [PMID: 33862163 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The ability to successfully cope with stress is known as 'resilience', and resilient individuals are less prone to develop psychopathologies. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of resilience may be instrumental to improve current therapies and benefit high-risk subjects. This review summarizes the complex interplay that exists between physiological and pathological responses to stressful events and the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) - N/OFQ receptor (NOP) system, including: the effects of stress in regulating N/OFQ release and NOP expression; the ability of the N/OFQ-NOP system to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; behavioral studies; and evidence in humans correlating this peptidergic system with psychopathologies. Available findings support the view that N/OFQ signaling stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, thus increasing stress circulating hormones and corticotropin-releasing factor signaling. Additionally, activation of the NOP receptor inhibits monoamine transmission, including 5-HT, and this may contribute to maladaptive outcomes of stress. Ultimately, the N/OFQ system seems to have an important role in stress vulnerability, and blockade of NOP signaling may provide an innovative strategy for the treatment of stress related psychopathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine C Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Victor A D Holanda
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Girolamo Calo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Technopole of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Botticelli L, Tomassoni D, Tayebati SK, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Cifani C. The Melanocortin System behind the Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors. Nutrients 2020; 12:E3502. [PMID: 33202557 PMCID: PMC7696960 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysfunction of melanocortin signaling has been associated with obesity, given the important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, food intake, satiety and body weight. In the hypothalamus, the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) contribute to the stability of these processes, but MC3R and MC4R are also localized in the mesolimbic dopamine system, the region that responds to the reinforcing properties of highly palatable food (HPF) and where these two receptors seem to affect food reward and motivation. Loss of function of the MC4R, resulting from genetic mutations, leads to overeating in humans, but to date, a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms and behaviors that promote overconsumption of caloric foods remains unknown. Moreover, the MC4R demonstrated to be a crucial modulator of the stress response, factor that is known to be strictly related to binge eating behavior. In this review, we will explore the preclinical and clinical studies, and the controversies regarding the involvement of melanocortin system in altered eating patterns, especially binge eating behavior, food reward and motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Botticelli
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Daniele Tomassoni
- School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Seyed Khosrow Tayebati
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
| | | | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
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Underlying Susceptibility to Eating Disorders and Drug Abuse: Genetic and Pharmacological Aspects of Dopamine D4 Receptors. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12082288. [PMID: 32751662 PMCID: PMC7468707 DOI: 10.3390/nu12082288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) has a predominant expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), brain area strictly involved in the modulation of reward processes related to both food and drug consumption. Additionally, the human DRD4 gene is characterized by a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the exon 3 and, among the polymorphic variants, the 7-repeat (7R) allele appears as a contributing factor in the neurobiological mechanisms underlying drug abuse, aberrant eating behaviors and related comorbidities. The 7R variant encodes for a receptor with a blunted intracellular response to dopamine, and carriers of this polymorphism might be more tempted to enhance dopamine levels in the brain, through the overconsumption of drugs of abuse or palatable food, considering their reinforcing properties. Moreover, the presence of this polymorphism seems to increase the susceptibility of individuals to engage maladaptive eating patterns in response to negative environmental stimuli. This review is focused on the role of DRD4 and DRD4 genetic polymorphism in these neuropsychiatric disorders in both clinical and preclinical studies. However, further research is needed to better clarify the complex DRD4 role, by using validated preclinical models and novel compounds more selective for DRD4.
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Cifani C, Avagliano C, Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Giusepponi ME, De Caro C, Cristiano C, La Rana G, Botticelli L, Romano A, Calignano A, Gaetani S, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Russo R. Modulation of Pain Sensitivity by Chronic Consumption of Highly Palatable Food Followed by Abstinence: Emerging Role of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:266. [PMID: 32231568 PMCID: PMC7086305 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a strong relationship between palatable diet and pain sensitivity, and the cannabinoid and opioid systems might play an important role in this correlation. The palatable diet used in many animal models of obesity is the cafeteria (CAF) diet, based on human food with high sugar, salt, and fat content. In this study, we investigated whether long-term exposure to a CAF diet could modify pain sensitivity and explored the role of the cannabinergic system in this modification. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two groups: one fed with standard chow only (CO) and the other with extended access (EA) to a CAF diet. Hot plate and tail flick tests were used to evaluate pain sensitivity. At the end of a 40-day CAF exposure, EA rats showed a significant increase in the pain threshold compared to CO rats, finding probably due to up-regulation of CB1 and mu-opioid receptors. Instead, during abstinence from palatable foods, EA animals showed a significant increase in pain sensibility, which was ameliorated by repeated treatment with a fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor, PF-3845 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), every other day for 28 days. Ex vivo analysis of the brains of these rats clearly showed that this effect was mediated by mu-opioid receptors, which were up-regulated following repeated treatment of PF-3845. Our data add to the knowledge about changes in pain perception in obese subjects, revealing a key role of CB1 and mu-opioid receptors and their possible pharmacological crosstalk and reinforcing the need to consider this modulation in planning effective pain management for obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Carmen Avagliano
- Department of Pharmacy, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Carmen De Caro
- Department of Pharmacy, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Cristiano
- Department of Pharmacy, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna La Rana
- Department of Pharmacy, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Botticelli
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer," Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Calignano
- Department of Pharmacy, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer," Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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