Assessing the dynamics of nuclear glucocorticoid-receptor complex: adding flexibility to gene expression modeling

Modeling Corticosteroid Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Part III: Estrous Cycle and Estrogen Receptor-Dependent Antagonism of Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper (GILZ) Enhancement by Corticosteroids

Our previous report examined the pharmacokinetics (PK) of methylprednisolone (MPL) and adrenal suppression after a 50 mg/kg IM bolus in male and female rats, and we described in detail the development of a minimal physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (mPBPK/PD) model. In continuation of such assessments, we investigated sex differences in genomic MPL responses (PD). Message expression of the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) was chosen as a multitissue biomarker of glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated drug response. Potential time-dependent interplay between sex hormone and glucocorticoid signaling in vivo was assessed by comparing the enhancement of GILZ by MPL in the uterus [high estrogen receptor (ER) density] and in liver (lower ER density) from male and female rats dosed within the proestrus (high estradiol/progesterone) and estrus (low estradiol/progesterone) phases of the rodent estrous cycle. An expanded-systems PD model of MPL considering circadian rhythms, multireceptor (ER and GR) control, and estrous variations delineated the determinants controlling receptor/gene-mediated steroid responses. Hepatic GILZ response was ∼3-fold greater in females, regardless of estrous stage, compared with males, driven predominantly by increased MPL exposure in females and a negligible influence of estrogen interaction. In contrast, GILZ response in the uterus during proestrus in females was 60% of that observed in estrus-phased females, despite no PK or receptor differences, providing in vivo support to the hypothesis of estrogen-mediated antagonism of glucocorticoid signaling. The developed model offers a mechanistic platform to assess the determinants of sex and tissue specificity in corticosteroid actions and, in turn, reveals a unique PD drug-hormone interaction occurring in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Mechanisms relating to sex-based pharmacodynamic variability in genomic responses to corticosteroids have been unclear. Using combined experimental and systems pharmacology modeling approaches, sex differences in both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms controlling the enhancement of a sensitive corticosteroid-regulated biomarker, the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), were clarified in vivo. The multiscale minimal physiologically based pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamic model successfully captured the experimental observations and quantitatively discerned the roles of the rodent estrous cycle (hormonal variation) and tissue specificity in mediating the antagonistic coregulation of GILZ gene synthesis. These findings collectively support the hypothesis that estrogens antagonize pharmacodynamic signaling of genomic corticosteroid actions in vivo in a time- and estrogen receptor-dependent manner.

Modeling Corticosteroid Pharmacogenomics and Proteomics in Rat Liver

Corticosteroids (CS) regulate the expression of numerous genes at the mRNA and protein levels. The time course of CS pharmacogenomics and proteomics were examined in livers obtained from adrenalectomized rats given a 50-mg/kg bolus dose of methylprednisolone. Microarrays and mass spectrometry-based proteomics were employed to quantify hepatic transcript and protein dynamics. One-hundred, sixty-three differentially expressed mRNA and their corresponding proteins (163 genes) were clustered into two dominant groups. The temporal profiles of most proteins were delayed compared with their mRNA, attributable to synthesis delays and slower degradation kinetics. On the basis of our fifth-generation model of CS, mathematical models were developed to simultaneously describe the emergent time patterns for an array of steroid-responsive mRNA and proteins. The majority of genes showed time-dependent increases in mRNA and protein expression before returning to baseline. A model assuming direct, steroid-mediated stimulation of mRNA synthesis was applied. Some mRNAs and their proteins displayed down-regulation following CS. A model assuming receptor-mediated inhibition of mRNA synthesis was used. More complex patterns were observed for other genes (e.g., biphasic behaviors and opposite directionality in mRNA and protein). Models assuming either stimulation or inhibition of mRNA synthesis coupled with dual secondarily induced regulatory mechanisms affecting mRNA or protein turnover were derived. These findings indicate that CS-regulated gene expression manifested at the mRNA and protein levels are controlled via mechanisms affecting key turnover processes. Our quantitative models of CS pharmacogenomics were expanded from mRNA to proteins and provide extended hypotheses for understanding the direct, secondary, and downstream mechanisms of CS actions.

Receptor/gene/protein-mediated signaling connects methylprednisolone exposure to metabolic and immune-related pharmacodynamic actions in liver

A multiscale pharmacodynamic model was developed to characterize the receptor-mediated, transcriptomic, and proteomic determinants of corticosteroid (CS) effects on clinically relevant hepatic processes following a single dose of methylprednisolone (MPL) given to adrenalectomized (ADX) rats. The enhancement of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity were simultaneously described. Mechanisms related to the effects of MPL on glucose homeostasis, including the regulation of CCAAT-enhancer binding protein-beta (C/EBPβ) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) as well as insulin dynamics were evaluated. The MPL-induced suppression of circulating lymphocytes was modeled by coupling its effect on cell trafficking with pharmacogenomic effects on cell apoptosis via the hepatic (STAT3-regulated) acute phase response. Transcriptomic and proteomic time-course profiles measured in steroid-treated rat liver were utilized to model the dynamics of mechanistically relevant gene products, which were linked to associated systemic end-points. While time-courses of TAT mRNA, protein, and activity were well described by transcription-mediated changes, additional post-transcriptional processes were included to explain the lack of correlation between PEPCK mRNA and protein. The immune response model quantitatively discerned the relative roles of cell trafficking versus gene-mediated lymphocyte apoptosis by MPL. This systems pharmacodynamic model provides insights into the contributions of selected molecular events occurring in liver and explores mechanistic hypotheses for the multi-factorial control of clinically relevant pharmacodynamic outcomes.

Stress disinhibits microglia via down-regulation of CD200R: A mechanism of neuroinflammatory priming

Exposure to stressors primes the neuroinflammatory and microglial proinflammatory response to subsequent immune challenges, suggesting that stress might attenuate immunoregulatory mechanisms in the CNS microenvironment. CD200:CD200R is a key immunoregulatory signaling dyad that constrains microglial activation, and disruption of CD200:CD200R signaling primes microglia to subsequent immune challenges. Therefore, the present study examined the mediating role of CD200:CD200R signaling in stress-induced microglial priming. Here, we found that exposure to an acute stressor reduced CD200R expression across sub-regions of the hippocampus, amygdala as well as in isolated hippocampal microglia. A transcriptional suppressor of CD200R, CAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteinβ, was induced by stress and inversely associated with CD200R expression. To examine whether disrupted CD200:CD200R signaling plays a mediating role in stress-induced microglial priming, a soluble fragment of CD200 (mCD200Fc) was administered intra-cisterna magna prior to stressor exposure and stress-induced microglia priming assessed ex vivo 24 h later. Treatment with mCD200Fc blocked the stress-induced priming of the microglial pro-inflammatory response. Further, treatment with mCD200R1Fc recapitulated the effects of stress on microglial priming. We previously found that stress increases the alarmin high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in hippocampus, and that HMGB1 mediates stress-induced priming of microglia. Thus, we examined whether stress-induced increases in hippocampal HMGB1 are a consequence of disrupted CD200:CD200R signaling. Indeed, treatment with mCD200Fc prior to stress exposure blocked the stress-induced increase in hippocampal HMGB1. The present study suggests that stress exposure disrupts immunoregulatory mechanisms in the brain, which typically constrain the immune response of CNS innate immune cells. This attenuation of immunoregulatory mechanisms may thus permit a primed activation state of microglia to manifest.

Meta-modeling of methylprednisolone effects on glucose regulation in rats

A retrospective meta-modeling analysis was performed to integrate previously reported data of glucocorticoid (GC) effects on glucose regulation following a single intramuscular dose (50 mg/kg), single intravenous doses (10, 50 mg/kg), and intravenous infusions (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg/h) of methylprednisolone (MPL) in normal and adrenalectomized (ADX) male Wistar rats. A mechanistic pharmacodynamic (PD) model was developed based on the receptor/gene/protein-mediated GC effects on glucose regulation. Three major target organs (liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) together with some selected intermediate controlling factors were designated as important regulators involved in the pathogenesis of GC-induced glucose dysregulation. Assessed were dynamic changes of food intake and systemic factors (plasma glucose, insulin, free fatty acids (FFA) and leptin) and tissue-specific biomarkers (cAMP, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA and enzyme activity, leptin mRNA, interleukin 6 receptor type 1 (IL6R1) mRNA and Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) mRNA) after acute and chronic dosing with MPL along with the GC receptor (GR) dynamics in each target organ. Upon binding to GR in liver, MPL dosing caused increased glucose production by stimulating hepatic cAMP and PEPCK activity. In adipose tissue, the rise in leptin mRNA and plasma leptin caused reduction of food intake, the exogenous source of glucose input. Down-regulation of IRS-1 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle inhibited the stimulatory effect of insulin on glucose utilization further contributing to hyperglycemia. The nuclear drug-receptor complex served as the driving force for stimulation or inhibition of downstream target gene expression within different tissues. Incorporating information such as receptor dynamics, as well as the gene and protein induction, allowed us to describe the receptor-mediated effects of MPL on glucose regulation in each important tissue. This advanced mechanistic model provides unique insights into the contributions of major tissues and quantitative hypotheses for the multi-factor control of a complex metabolic system.

Immunoresponsive gene 1 augments bactericidal activity of macrophage-lineage cells by regulating β-oxidation-dependent mitochondrial ROS production

Evidence suggests the bactericidal activity of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (mROS) directly contributes to killing phagocytozed bacteria. Infection-responsive components that regulate this process remain incompletely understood. We describe a role for the mitochondria-localizing enzyme encoded by Immunoresponsive gene 1 (IRG1) during the utilization of fatty acids as a fuel for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and associated mROS production. In a zebrafish infection model, infection-responsive expression of zebrafish irg1 is specific to macrophage-lineage cells and is regulated cooperatively by glucocorticoid and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Irg1-depleted macrophage-lineage cells are impaired in their ability to utilize fatty acids as an energy substrate for OXPHOS-derived mROS production resulting in defective bactericidal activity. Additionally, the requirement for fatty acid β-oxidation during infection-responsive mROS production and bactericidal activity toward intracellular bacteria is conserved in murine macrophages. These results reveal IRG1 as a key component of the immunometabolism axis, connecting infection, cellular metabolism, and macrophage effector function.

Cortisol and depression: three questions for psychiatry

BACKGROUND

Cortisol plays a multifaceted role in major depression disorder (MDD). Diurnal rhythms are disturbed, there is increased resistance to the feedback action of glucocorticoids, excess cortisol may induce MDD, basal levels may be higher and the post-awakening cortisol surge accentuated in those at risk for MDD. Does this suggest new avenues for studying MDD or its clinical management?

METHOD

The relevant literature was reviewed.

RESULTS

Cortisol contributes to genetic variants for the risk for MDD and the way that environmental events amplify risk. The corticoids' influence begins prenatally, but continues into adulthood. The impact of cortisol at each phase depends not only on its interaction with other factors, such as psychological traits and genetic variants, but also on events that have, or have not, occurred previously.

CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that the time is now right for serious consideration of the role of cortisol in a clinical context. Estimates of cortisol levels and the shape of the diurnal rhythm might well guide the understanding of subtypes of MDD and yield additional indicators for optimal treatment. Patients with disturbed cortisol rhythms might benefit from restitution of those rhythms; they may be distinct from those with more generally elevated levels, who might benefit from cortisol blockade. Higher levels of cortisol are a risk for subsequent depression. Should manipulation of cortisol or its receptors be considered as a preventive measure for some of those at very high risk of future MDD, or to reduce other cortisol-related consequences such as long-term cognitive decline?

Modeling corticosteroid effects in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis I: mechanistic disease progression model for the time course of collagen-induced arthritis in Lewis rats

A mechanism-based model was developed to describe the time course of arthritis progression in the rat. Arthritis was induced in male Lewis rats with type II porcine collagen into the base of the tail. Disease progression was monitored by paw swelling, bone mineral density (BMD), body weights, plasma corticosterone (CST) concentrations, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA expression in paw tissue. Bone mineral density was determined by PIXImus II dual energy X-ray densitometry. Plasma CST was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Cytokine and GR mRNA were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Disease progression models were constructed from transduction and indirect response models and applied using S-ADAPT software. A delay in the onset of increased paw TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA concentrations was successfully characterized by simple transduction. This rise was closely followed by an up-regulation of GR mRNA and CST concentrations. Paw swelling and body weight responses peaked approximately 21 days after induction, whereas bone mineral density changes were greatest at 23 days after induction. After peak response, the time course in IL-1beta, IL-6 mRNA, and paw edema slowly declined toward a disease steady state. Model parameters indicate TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA most significantly induce paw edema, whereas IL-6 mRNA exerted the most influence on BMD. The model for bone mineral density captures rates of turnover of cancellous and cortical bone and the fraction of each in the different regions analyzed. This small systems model integrates and quantitates multiple factors contributing to arthritis in rats.

Modeling corticosteroid effects in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis II: mechanistic pharmacodynamic model for dexamethasone effects in Lewis rats with collagen-induced arthritis

A mechanism-based model for pharmacodynamic effects of dexamethasone (DEX) was incorporated into our model for arthritis disease progression in the rat to aid in identification of the primary factors responsible for edema and bone loss. Collagen-induced arthritis was produced in male Lewis rats after injection of type II porcine collagen. DEX was given subcutaneously in single doses of 0.225 or 2.25 mg/kg or 7-day multiple doses of 0.045 or 0.225 mg/kg at 21 days postdisease induction. Effects on disease progression were measured by paw swelling, bone mineral density (BMD), body weights, plasma corticosterone (CST), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA expression in paw tissue. Lumbar and femur BMD was determined by PIXImus II dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Plasma CST was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Cytokine and GR mRNA were assayed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Indirect response models, drug interaction models, transduction processes, and the fifth-generation model of corticosteroid dynamics were integrated and applied using S-ADAPT software to describe how dexamethasone binding to GR can regulate diverse processes. Cytokine mRNA, GR mRNA, plasma CST, and paw edema were suppressed after DEX administration. TNF-alpha mRNA expression and BMD seemed to increase immediately after dosing but were ultimately reduced. Model parameters indicated that IL-6 and IL-1beta were most sensitive to inhibition by DEX. TNF-alpha seemed to primarily influence edema, whereas IL-6 contributed the most to bone loss. Lower doses of corticosteroids may be sufficient to suppress the cytokines most relevant to bone erosion.

Pharmacodynamic modeling of acute and chronic effects of methylprednisolone on hepatic urea cycle genes in rats

Corticosteroids (CS) regulate many enzymes at both mRNA and protein levels. This study used microarrays to broadly assess regulation of various genes related to the greater urea cycle and employs pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling to quantitatively analyze and compare the temporal profiles of these genes during acute and chronic exposure to methylprednisolone (MPL). One group of adrenalectomized male Wistar rats received an intravenous bolus dose (50 mg/kg) of MPL, whereas a second group received MPL by a subcutaneous infusion (Alzet osmotic pumps) at a rate of 0.3 mg/kg/hr for seven days. The rats were sacrificed at various time points over 72 hours (acute) or 168 hours (chronic) and livers were harvested. Total RNA was extracted and Affymetrix gene chips (RG_U34A for acute and RAE 230A for chronic) were used to identify genes regulated by CS. Besides five primary urea cycle enzymes, many other genes related to the urea cycle showed substantial changes in mRNA expression. Some genes that were simply up- or down-regulated after acute MPL showed complex biphasic patterns upon chronic infusion indicating involvement of secondary regulation. For the simplest patterns, indirect response models were used to describe the nuclear steroid-bound receptor mediated increase or decrease in gene transcription (e.g. tyrosine aminotransferase, glucocorticoid receptor). For the biphasic profiles, involvement of a secondary biosignal was assumed (e.g. ornithine decarboxylase, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein) and more complex models were derived. Microarrays were used successfully to explore CS effects on various urea cycle enzyme genes. PD models presented in this report describe testable hypotheses regarding molecular mechanisms and quantitatively characterize the direct or indirect regulation of various genes by CS.

Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Acute and Chronic Effects of Methylprednisolone on Hepatic Urea Cycle Genes in Rats

Corticosteroids (CS) regulate many enzymes at both mRNA and protein levels. This study used microarrays to broadly assess regulation of various genes related to the greater urea cycle and employs pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling to quantitatively analyze and compare the temporal profiles of these genes during acute and chronic exposure to methylprednisolone (MPL). One group of adrenalectomized male Wistar rats received an intravenous bolus dose (50 mg/kg) of MPL, whereas a second group received MPL by a subcutaneous infusion (Alzet osmotic pumps) at a rate of 0.3 mg/kg/hr for seven days. The rats were sacrificed at various time points over 72 hours (acute) or 168 hours (chronic) and livers were harvested. Total RNA was extracted and Affymetrix® gene chips (RGU34A for acute and RAE 230A for chronic) were used to identify genes regulated by CS. Besides five primary urea cycle enzymes, many other genes related to the urea cycle showed substantial changes in mRNA expression. Some genes that were simply up- or down-regulated after acute MPL showed complex biphasic patterns upon chronic infusion indicating involvement of secondary regulation. For the simplest patterns, indirect response models were used to describe the nuclear steroid-bound receptor mediated increase or decrease in gene transcription (e.g. tyrosine aminotransferase, glucocorticoid receptor). For the biphasic profiles, involvement of a secondary biosignal was assumed (e.g. ornithine decarboxylase, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein) and more complex models were derived. Microarrays were used successfully to explore CS effects on various urea cycle enzyme genes. PD models presented in this report describe testable hypotheses regarding molecular mechanisms and quantitatively characterize the direct or indirect regulation of various genes by CS.

Modeling of corticosteroid effects on hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptors and plasma lipid dynamics in rats

PURPOSE

This study examines methylprednisolone (MPL) effects on the dynamics of hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mRNA and plasma lipids associated with increased risks for atherosclerosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Normal male Wistar rats were given 50 mg/kg MPL intramuscularly (IM) and sacrificed at various times. Measurements included plasma MPL and CST, hepatic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA, cytosolic GR density and hepatic LDLR mRNA, and plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and triglycerides (TG).

RESULTS

MPL showed bi-exponential disposition with two first-order absorption components. Hepatic GR and LDLR mRNA exhibited circadian patterns which were disrupted by MPL. Down-regulation in GR mRNA (40-50%) was followed by a delayed rebound phase. LDLR mRNA exhibited transient down-regulation (60-70%). Cytosolic GR density was significantly suppressed but returned to baseline by 72 h. Plasma TC and LDLC showed increases (55 and 142%) at 12 h. A mechanistic receptor/gene pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model was developed to describe CS effects on hepatic LDLR mRNA and plasma cholesterols.

CONCLUSIONS

Our PK/PD model was able to satisfactorily capture the MPL effects on hepatic LDLR, its relationship to various plasma cholesterols, and builds the foundation to explore this area in the future.

Modeling receptor/gene-mediated effects of corticosteroids on hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase dynamics in rats: dual regulation by endogenous and exogenous corticosteroids

Receptor/gene-mediated effects of corticosteroids on hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) were evaluated in normal rats. A group of normal male Wistar rats were injected with 50 mg/kg methylprednisolone (MPL) intramuscularly at the nadir of their plasma corticosterone (CST) rhythm (early light cycle) and sacrificed at various time points up to 96 h post-treatment. Blood and livers were collected to measure plasma MPL, CST, hepatic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA, cytosolic GR density, TAT mRNA, and TAT activity. The pharmacokinetics of MPL showed bi-exponential disposition with two first-order absorption components from the injection site and bioavailability was 21%. Plasma CST was reduced after MPL dosing, but resumed its daily circadian pattern within 36 h. Cytosolic receptor density was significantly suppressed (90%) and returned to baseline by 72 h resuming its biphasic pattern. Hepatic GR mRNA follows a circadian pattern which was disrupted by MPL and did not return during the study. MPL caused significant down-regulation (50%) in GR mRNA which was followed by a delayed rebound phase (60-70 h). Hepatic TAT mRNA and activity showed up-regulation as a consequence of MPL, and returned to their circadian baseline within 72 and 24 h of treatment. A mechanistic receptor/gene-mediated pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model was able to satisfactorily describe the complex interplay of exogenous and endogenous corticosteroid effects on hepatic GR mRNA, cytosolic free GR, TAT mRNA, and TAT activity in normal rats.