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Francucci B, Dal Ben D, Lambertucci C, Spinaci A, Volpini R, Marucci G, Buccioni M. A patent review of adenosine A 2B receptor antagonists (2016-present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:689-712. [PMID: 35387537 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2057222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR) plays a crucial role in pathophysiologic conditions associated with high adenosine release, typical of airway inflammatory pathologies, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. In some pathologies, simultaneous inactivation of A2A and A2BARs is desirable to have a synergism of action that leads to a greater efficacy of the pharmacological treatment and less side effects due to the dose of drug administered. In this context, it is strongly required to identify molecules capable of selectively antagonizing A2BAR or A2A/A2BARs. AREAS COVERED The review provides a summary of patents, published from 2016 to present, on chemicals and their clinical use. In this paper, information on the biological activity of representative structures of recently developed A2B or A2A/A2B receptor ligands is reported. EXPERT OPINION Among the four P1 receptors, A2BAR is the most inscrutable and the least studied until a few years ago, but its involvement in various inflammatory pathologies has recently made it a pharmacological target of high interest. Many efforts by the academy and pharmaceutical companies have been made to discover potential A2BAR and A2A/A2BARs drugs. Although several compounds have been synthesized only a few molecules have entered clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Francucci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Diego Dal Ben
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Catia Lambertucci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Andrea Spinaci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Rosaria Volpini
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Gabriella Marucci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Michela Buccioni
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
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Coppi E, Cherchi F, Venturini M, Lucarini E, Corradetti R, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Ghelardini C, Pedata F, Pugliese AM. Therapeutic Potential of Highly Selective A 3 Adenosine Receptor Ligands in the Central and Peripheral Nervous System. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27061890. [PMID: 35335254 PMCID: PMC8952202 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ligands of the Gi protein-coupled adenosine A3 receptor (A3R) are receiving increasing interest as attractive therapeutic tools for the treatment of a number of pathological conditions of the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS, respectively). Their safe pharmacological profiles emerging from clinical trials on different pathologies (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and fatty liver diseases) confer a realistic translational potential to these compounds, thus encouraging the investigation of highly selective agonists and antagonists of A3R. The present review summarizes information on the effect of latest-generation A3R ligands, not yet available in commerce, obtained by using different in vitro and in vivo models of various PNS- or CNS-related disorders. This review places particular focus on brain ischemia insults and colitis, where the prototypical A3R agonist, Cl-IB-MECA, and antagonist, MRS1523, have been used in research studies as reference compounds to explore the effects of latest-generation ligands on this receptor. The advantages and weaknesses of these compounds in terms of therapeutic potential are discussed.
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Coppi E, Cencetti F, Cherchi F, Venturini M, Donati C, Bruni P, Pedata F, Pugliese AM. A 2 B Adenosine Receptors and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Signaling Cross-Talk in Oligodendrogliogenesis. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:677988. [PMID: 34135730 PMCID: PMC8202686 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.677988] [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] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocyte-formed myelin sheaths allow fast synaptic transmission in the brain. Impairments in the process of myelination, or demyelinating insults, might cause chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Under physiological conditions, remyelination is an ongoing process throughout adult life consisting in the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) into mature oligodendrocytes (OLs). During pathological events, this process fails due to unfavorable environment. Adenosine and sphingosine kinase/sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling axes (SphK/S1P) play important roles in remyelination processes. Remarkably, fingolimod (FTY720), a sphingosine analog recently approved for MS treatment, plays important roles in OPC maturation. We recently demonstrated that the selective stimulation of A2 B adenosine receptors (A2 B Rs) inhibit OPC differentiation in vitro and reduce voltage-dependent outward K+ currents (I K ) necessary to OPC maturation, whereas specific SphK1 or SphK2 inhibition exerts the opposite effect. During OPC differentiation A2 B R expression increases, this effect being prevented by SphK1/2 blockade. Furthermore, selective silencing of A2 B R in OPC cultures prompts maturation and, intriguingly, enhances the expression of S1P lyase, the enzyme responsible for irreversible S1P catabolism. Finally, the existence of an interplay between SphK1/S1P pathway and A2 B Rs in OPCs was confirmed since acute stimulation of A2 B Rs activates SphK1 by increasing its phosphorylation. Here the role of A2 B R and SphK/S1P signaling during oligodendrogenesis is reviewed in detail, with the purpose to shed new light on the interaction between A2 B Rs and S1P signaling, as eventual innovative targets for the treatment of demyelinating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Coppi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Cencetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Cherchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Venturini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Donati
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Felicita Pedata
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pugliese
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Coppi E, Dettori I, Cherchi F, Bulli I, Venturini M, Lana D, Giovannini MG, Pedata F, Pugliese AM. A 2B Adenosine Receptors: When Outsiders May Become an Attractive Target to Treat Brain Ischemia or Demyelination. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9697. [PMID: 33353217 PMCID: PMC7766015 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249697] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine is a signaling molecule, which, by activating its receptors, acts as an important player after cerebral ischemia. Here, we review data in the literature describing A2BR-mediated effects in models of cerebral ischemia obtained in vivo by the occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAo) or in vitro by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in hippocampal slices. Adenosine plays an apparently contradictory role in this receptor subtype depending on whether it is activated on neuro-glial cells or peripheral blood vessels and/or inflammatory cells after ischemia. Indeed, A2BRs participate in the early glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity responsible for neuronal and synaptic loss in the CA1 hippocampus. On the contrary, later after ischemia, the same receptors have a protective role in tissue damage and functional impairments, reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and neuroinflammation by central and/or peripheral mechanisms. Of note, demyelination following brain ischemia, or autoimmune neuroinflammatory reactions, are also profoundly affected by A2BRs since they are expressed by oligodendroglia where their activation inhibits cell maturation and expression of myelin-related proteins. In conclusion, data in the literature indicate the A2BRs as putative therapeutic targets for the still unmet treatment of stroke or demyelinating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Coppi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (I.D.); (F.C.); (I.B.); (M.V.); (F.P.); (A.M.P.)
| | - Ilaria Dettori
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (I.D.); (F.C.); (I.B.); (M.V.); (F.P.); (A.M.P.)
| | - Federica Cherchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (I.D.); (F.C.); (I.B.); (M.V.); (F.P.); (A.M.P.)
| | - Irene Bulli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (I.D.); (F.C.); (I.B.); (M.V.); (F.P.); (A.M.P.)
| | - Martina Venturini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (I.D.); (F.C.); (I.B.); (M.V.); (F.P.); (A.M.P.)
| | - Daniele Lana
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (D.L.); (M.G.G.)
| | - Maria Grazia Giovannini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (D.L.); (M.G.G.)
| | - Felicita Pedata
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (I.D.); (F.C.); (I.B.); (M.V.); (F.P.); (A.M.P.)
| | - Anna Maria Pugliese
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (I.D.); (F.C.); (I.B.); (M.V.); (F.P.); (A.M.P.)
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Ponzio TA, Wang YF, Hatton GI. Activation of adenosine A2A receptors alters postsynaptic currents and depolarizes neurons of the supraoptic nucleus. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2006; 291:R359-66. [PMID: 16644907 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00747.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Supraoptic nucleus (SON) neurons secrete oxytocin or vasopressin in response to various physiological stimuli (e.g., lactation/suckling, dehydration). Released near fenestrated capillaries of the neurohypophysis, these peptides enter the blood and travel to peripheral target organs. The pervasive neuromodulator adenosine, acting at A1 receptors, is an important inhibitory regulator of magnocellular neuroendocrine cell activity. Another high-affinity adenosine receptor exists in this system, however. We examined the physiological effects of adenosine A2A receptor activation and determined its localization among various cell types within the SON. In whole cell patch-clamp recordings from rat brain slices, application of the selective adenosine A2A receptor agonist CGS-21680 caused membrane depolarizations in SON neurons, often leading to increased firing activity. Membrane potential changes were persistent (>10 min) and could be blocked by the selective A2A receptor antagonist ZM-241385, or GDP-beta-S, the latter suggesting postsynaptic sites of action. However, +/--alpha-methyl-(4-carboxyphenyl)glycine or TTX also blocked CGS-21680 effects, indicating secondary actions on postsynaptic neurons. In voltage-clamp mode, application of CGS-21680 caused a slight increase (approximately 8%) in high-frequency clusters of excitatory postsynaptic currents. With the use of specific antibodies, adenosine A2A receptors were immunocytochemically localized to both the magnocellular neurons and astrocytes of the SON. Ecto-5'nucleotidase, an enzyme involved in the metabolism of ATP to adenosine, was also localized to astrocytes of the SON. These results demonstrate that adenosine acting at A2A receptors can enhance the excitability of SON neurons and modulate transmitter release from glutamatergic afferents projecting to the nucleus. We suggest that adenosine A2A receptors may function in neuroendocrine regulation through both direct neuronal mechanisms and via actions involving glia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd A Ponzio
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, USA.
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Abstract
The overactivation of glutamate receptors is a major cause of Ca(2+) overload in cells, potentially leading to cell damage and death. There is an abundance of agents and mechanisms by which glutamate receptor activation can be prevented or modulated in order to control these effects. They include the well-established, competitive and non-competitive antagonists at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and modulators of desensitisation of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. More recently, it has emerged that some compounds can act selectively at different subunits of glutamate receptors, allowing a differential blockade of subtypes. It is also becoming clear that a number of endogenous compounds, including purines, can modify glutamate receptor sensitivity. The kynurenine pathway is an alternative but distinct pathway to the generation of glutamate receptor ligands. The products of tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway include both quinolinic acid, a selective agonist at NMDA receptors, and kynurenic acid, an antagonist at several glutamate receptor subtypes. The levels of these metabolites change as a result of the activation of inflammatory processes and immune-competent cells, and may have a significant impact on Ca(2+) fluxes and neuronal damage. Drugs which target some of these various sites and processes, or which change the balance between the excitotoxin quinolinic acid and the neuroprotective kynurenic acid, could also have potential as neuroprotective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor W Stone
- Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences Division of Neuroscience and Biomed. System, West Medical Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
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Li SN, Wong PT. The adenosine receptor agonist, APNEA, increases calcium influx into rat cortical synaptosomes through N-type channels associated with A2a receptors. Neurochem Res 2000; 25:457-9. [PMID: 10823578 DOI: 10.1023/a:1007503907823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
N6-2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyladenosine (APNEA) is a nonselective adenosine receptor agonist known to have a high affinity for the adenosine A1 and A3 receptors. It was found to be able to dose-dependently increase the sustained (4 min) Ca2+ influx into rat cortical synaptosomes while 2-chloro-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5-N-methyluronamide (Cl-IB-MECA), a selective A3 agonist has no effect. However, this effect of APNEA was not affected by the presence of 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine (CPT), a selective A1 antagonist; but instead completely abolished by 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine (CSC), a selective A2a antagonist, or omega-conotoxin GVIA. These results show that in the rat cortex, presynaptic A2a receptors can mediate neurotransmitter release by increasing Ca2+ influx through the N-type calcium channels. A1 and A3 receptors appear not to be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore
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Laitinen JT. Selective detection of adenosine A1 receptor-dependent G-protein activity in basal and stimulated conditions of rat brain [35S]guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate autoradiography. Neuroscience 1999; 90:1265-79. [PMID: 10338296 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4522(98)00571-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
[35S]Guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate autoradiography is a novel technique to detect receptor-dependent activation of G-proteins in brain tissue sections. While an increasing number of reports using this approach are beginning to appear, little effort has been directed to the identification of factors responsible for the heterogeneously distributed [35S]guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate signal in basal conditions. The present study demonstrates that endogenously formed adenosine generates a widespread and prominent adenosine A1 receptor-dependent signal in basal conditions using this technique. Treatment of rat brain tissue sections with the A1-selective antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine dose-dependently (EC50 < 10 nM) suppressed basal [35S]guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate binding in a region-specific manner, an effect fully mimicked by the adenosine-depleting enzyme adenosine deaminase, and less so by the A1 antagonist cirsimarin and by caffeine. That adenosine was continuously formed during the incubation is supported by the constant requirements of adenosine deaminase in order to suppress basal radioligand binding and further by the fact that low micromolar concentrations of adenine nucleotides evoked only adenosine-mimicking and fully 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine-sensitive binding responses. In the presence of adenosine deaminase, all responses to adenine nucleotides were abolished, indicating that prior conversion to adenosine was required. Upon stimulation, this technique selectively detected A1 receptor-activated G-proteins, as the non-selective agonists adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine and the A1-selective agonist N6-p-sulfophenyladenosine all evoked only 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine-sensitive responses in identical gray matter areas, and also in several white matter areas such as the corpus callosum, anterior commissure, optic tract and cerebellar white matter. Dose-response studies revealed region-specific differences in the magnitude of A1 receptor-stimulated G-protein activation, with the highest response (nine-fold over basal) detectable in the hippocampus. No response to the A2A-selective agonist 2-[(2-aminoethylamino)carbonylethylphenylethylamino]-5'-N-et hylcarboxamidoadenosine or the A3-selective agonist 2-chloro-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide was detected in any region. These data reveal that a significant amount of noise inherent to [35S]guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate autoradiography can be eliminated by removal of the adenosine signal, a step likely facilitating detection of responses to other receptors. Furthermore, the data establish [35S]guanosine 5-(gamma-thio)triphosphate autoradiography as a novel and selective approach to directly assess A1 receptor-G-protein coupling in anatomically defined regions of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Laitinen
- Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Finland
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Gonçalves ML, Cunha RA, Ribeiro JA. Adenosine A2A receptors facilitate 45Ca2+ uptake through class A calcium channels in rat hippocampal CA3 but not CA1 synaptosomes. Neurosci Lett 1997; 238:73-7. [PMID: 9464658 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(97)00803-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the hippocampus, the neuromodulatory role of adenosine depends on a balance between inhibitory A1 responses and facilitatory A2A responses. Since the presynaptic effects of hippocampal inhibitory A1 adenosine receptors are mostly mediated by inhibition of Ca2+ channels, we now investigated whether presynaptic facilitatory A2A adenosine receptors would modulate calcium influx in the hippocampus. The mixed A1/A2 agonist, 2-chloroadenosine (CADO; 1 microM) inhibited veratridine (20 microM)-evoked 45Ca2+ influx into hippocampal synaptosomes of the CA1 or CA3 areas by 24.2 +/- 4.5% and 17.2 +/- 5.8%, respectively. In the presence of the A, antagonist, 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX; 100 nM), the inhibitory effect of CADO (1 microM) on 45Ca2+ influx was prevented in CA1 synaptosomes, but was converted into a facilitatory effect (14.2 +/- 6.7%) in CA3 synaptosomes. The A2A agonist, CGS 21680 (3-30 nM) facilitated 45Ca2+ influx in CA3 synaptosomes, with a maximum increase of 22.9 +/- 3.9% at 10 nM, and was virtually devoid of effect in CA1 synaptosomes. This facilitatory effect of CGS 21680 (10 nM) in CA3 synaptosomes was prevented by the A2A antagonist 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine (CSC; 200 nM), but not by the A1 antagonist, DPCPX (20 or 100 nM). The facilitatory effect of CGS 21680 on 45Ca2+ uptake by CA3 synaptosomes was prevented by the class A calcium channel blocker, omega-agatoxin-IVA (200 nM). These results indicate that presynaptic adenosine A2A receptors facilitate calcium influx in the CA3 but not the CA1 area of the rat hippocampus through activation of class A calcium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Portugal
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