Repeated nicotine administration robustly increases bPiDDB inhibitory potency at alpha6beta2-containing nicotinic receptors mediating nicotine-evoked dopamine release

Nicotine Self-Administration as Paradigm for Medication Discovery for Smoking Cessation: Recent Findings in Medications Targeting the Cholinergic System

Tobacco kills every year approximately six million people as a direct result of direct use, and it is still considered one of the most excruciating threats for human health worldwide. The low successful rates of the currently available pharmacotherapies to assist in quitting tobacco use suggest there is a need for more effective treatments.The intravenous self-administration (IVSA) paradigm is considered the gold standard to study voluntary drug intake in animal models, including nicotine. The IVSA paradigm has been used to identify key mechanisms involved in the addictive properties of nicotine in both rodents and nonhuman primates. In this chapter we describe how the IVSA paradigm has served to further investigate the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the reinforcing properties of nicotine. Notably, this review will cover recent advances (i.e., research carried out during the past decade) using the IVSA paradigm, with a focus on the status of research on current smoking cessation medications (such as varenicline and bupropion) and of other nAChR ligands.The combination of the IVSA paradigm with pharmacological and genetic tools (e.g., knockout animals) has greatly contributed to our understanding of the role of specific subtype nAChRs in nicotine reinforcement processes. We also discuss some of the limitations of the IVSA paradigm so these can be taken into consideration when interpreting and designing new studies.

r-bPiDI, an α6β2* Nicotinic Receptor Antagonist, Decreases Nicotine-Evoked Dopamine Release and Nicotine Reinforcement

α6β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed by dopaminergic neurons mediate nicotine-evoked dopamine (DA) release and nicotine reinforcement. α6β2* antagonists inhibit these effects of nicotine, such that α6β2* receptors serve as therapeutic targets for nicotine addiction. The present research assessed the neuropharmacology of 1,10-bis(3-methyl-5,6-dihydropyridin-1(2H)-yl)decane (r-bPiDI), a novel small-molecule, tertiary amino analog of its parent compound, N,N-decane-1,10-diyl-bis-3-picolinium diiodide (bPiDI). bPiDI was previously shown to inhibit both nicotine-evoked DA release and the reinforcing effects of nicotine. In the current study, r-bPiDI inhibition of [(3)H]nicotine and [(3)H]methyllycaconitine binding sites was evaluated to assess interaction with the recognition binding sites on α4β2* and α7* nAChRs, respectively. Further, r-bPiDI inhibition of nicotine-evoked DA release in vitro in the absence and presence of α-conotoxin MII and following chronic in vivo nicotine administration were determined. The ability of r-bPiDI to decrease nicotine self-administration and food-maintained responding was also assessed. Results show that r-bPiDI did not inhibit [(3)H]nicotine or [(3)H]methyllycaconitine binding, but potently (IC50 = 37.5 nM) inhibited nicotine-evoked DA release from superfused striatal slices obtained from either drug naïve rats or from those repeatedly treated with nicotine. r-bPiDI inhibition of nicotine-evoked DA release was not different in the absence or presence of α-conotoxin MII, indicating that r-bPiDI acts as a potent, selective α6β2* nAChR antagonist. Acute systemic administration of r-bPiDI specifically decreased nicotine self-administration by 75 %, and did not alter food-maintained responding, demonstrating greater specificity relative to bPiDI and bPiDDB, as well as the tertiary amino analog r-bPiDDB. The current work describes the discovery of r-bPiDI, a tertiary amino, α-conotoxin MII-like small molecule that acts as a potent and selective antagonist at α6β2* nAChRs to specifically decrease nicotine self-administration in rats, thus, establishing r-bPiDI as a lead compound for development as a treatment for nicotine addiction.

Pharmacologically distinct nicotinic acetylcholine receptors drive efferent-mediated excitation in calyx-bearing vestibular afferents

Electrical stimulation of vestibular efferent neurons rapidly excites the resting discharge of calyx/dimorphic (CD) afferents. In turtle, this excitation arises when acetylcholine (ACh), released from efferent terminals, directly depolarizes calyceal endings by activating nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs). Although molecular biological data from the peripheral vestibular system implicate most of the known nAChR subunits, specific information about those contributing to efferent-mediated excitation of CD afferents is lacking. We sought to identify the nAChR subunits that underlie the rapid excitation of CD afferents and whether they differ from α9α10 nAChRs on type II hair cells that drive efferent-mediated inhibition in adjacent bouton afferents. We recorded from CD and bouton afferents innervating the turtle posterior crista during electrical stimulation of vestibular efferents while applying several subtype-selective nAChR agonists and antagonists. The α9α10 nAChR antagonists, α-bungarotoxin and α-conotoxin RgIA, blocked efferent-mediated inhibition in bouton afferents while leaving efferent-mediated excitation in CD units largely intact. Conversely, 5-iodo-A-85380, sazetidine-A, varenicline, α-conotoxin MII, and bPiDDB (N,N-dodecane-1,12-diyl-bis-3-picolinium dibromide) blocked efferent-mediated excitation in CD afferents without affecting efferent-mediated inhibition in bouton afferents. This pharmacological profile suggested that calyceal nAChRs contain α6 and β2, but not α9, nAChR subunits. Selective blockade of efferent-mediated excitation in CD afferents distinguished dimorphic from calyx afferents by revealing type II hair cell input. Dimorphic afferents differed in having higher mean discharge rates and a mean efferent-mediated excitation that was smaller in amplitude yet longer in duration. Molecular biological data demonstrated the expression of α9 in turtle hair cells and α4 and β2 in associated vestibular ganglia.

Functional interaction between pre-synaptic α6β2-containing nicotinic and adenosine A2A receptors in the control of dopamine release in the rat striatum

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pre-synaptic nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) and adenosine A2A receptors (A2A Rs) are involved in the control of dopamine release and are putative therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease and addiction. Since A2A Rs have been reported to interact with nAChRs, here we aimed at mapping the possible functional interaction between A2A Rs and nAChRs in rat striatal dopaminergic terminals.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We pharmacologically characterized the release of dopamine and defined the localization of nAChR subunits in rat striatal nerve terminals in vitro and carried out locomotor behavioural sensitization in rats in vivo.

KEY RESULTS

In striatal nerve terminals, the selective A2A R agonist CGS21680 inhibited, while the A2A R antagonist ZM241385 potentiated the nicotine-stimulated [(3) H]dopamine ([(3) H]DA) release. Upon blockade of the α6 subunit-containing nAChRs, the remaining nicotine-stimulated [(3) H]DA release was no longer modulated by A2A R ligands. In the locomotor sensitization experiments, nicotine enhanced the locomotor activity on day 7 of repeated nicotine injection, an effect that no longer persisted after 1 week of drug withdrawal. Notably, ZM241385-injected rats developed locomotor sensitization to nicotine already on day 2, which remained persistent upon nicotine withdrawal.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results provide the first evidence for a functional interaction between nicotinic and adenosine A2A R in striatal dopaminergic terminals, with likely therapeutic consequences for smoking, Parkinson's disease and other dopaminergic disorders.

Scientific overview: 2013 BBC plenary symposium on tobacco addiction

Nicotine dependence plays a critical role in addiction to tobacco products, and thus contributes to a variety of devastating tobacco-related diseases (SGR 2014). Annual costs associated with smoking in the US are estimated to be between $289 and $333 billion. Effective interventions for nicotine dependence, especially in smokers, are a critical barrier to the eradication of tobacco-related diseases. This overview highlights research presented at the Plenary Symposium of Behavior, Biology and Chemistry: Translational Research in Addiction Conference (BBC), hosted by the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, on March 9-10, 2013. The Plenary Symposium focused on tobacco addiction, and covered topics ranging from basic science to national policy. As in previous years, the meeting brought together globally-renowned scientists, graduate student recruits, and young scientists from underrepresented populations in Texas and other states with the goal of fostering interest in drug addiction research in young generations.

Nicotinic receptor antagonists as treatments for nicotine abuse

Despite the proven efficacy of current pharmacotherapies for tobacco dependence, relapse rates continue to be high, indicating that novel medications are needed. Currently, several smoking cessation agents are available, including varenicline (Chantix®), bupropion (Zyban®), and cytisine (Tabex®). Varenicline and cytisine are partial agonists at the α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Bupropion is an antidepressant but is also an antagonist at α3β2* ganglionic nAChRs. The rewarding effects of nicotine are mediated, in part, by nicotine-evoked dopamine (DA) release leading to sensitization, which is associated with repeated nicotine administration and nicotine addiction. Receptor antagonists that selectivity target central nAChR subtypes mediating nicotine-evoked DA release should have efficacy as tobacco use cessation agents with the therapeutic advantage of a limited side-effect profile. While α-conotoxin MII (α-CtxMII)-insensitive nAChRs (e.g., α4β2*) contribute to nicotine-evoked DA release, these nAChRs are widely distributed in the brain, and inhibition of these receptors may lead to nonselective and untoward effects. In contrast, α-CtxMII-sensitive nAChRs mediating nicotine-evoked DA release offer an advantage as targets for smoking cessation, due to their more restricted localization primarily to dopaminergic neurons. Small drug-like molecules that are selective antagonists at α-CtxMII-sensitive nAChR subtypes that contain α6 and β2 subunits have now been identified. Early research identified a variety of quaternary ammonium analogs that were potent and selective antagonists at nAChRs mediating nicotine-evoked DA release. More recent data have shown that novel, nonquaternary bis-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine analogs potently inhibit (IC50<1nM) nicotine-evoked DA release in vitro by acting as antagonists at α-CtxMII-sensitive nAChR subtypes; these compounds also decrease NIC self-administration in rats.

Angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptor antagonists modulate nicotine-evoked [³H]dopamine and [³H]norepinephrine release

Tobacco smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. A major negative health consequence of chronic smoking is hypertension. Untoward addictive and cardiovascular sequelae associated with chronic smoking are mediated by nicotine-induced activation of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) within striatal dopaminergic and hypothalamic noradrenergic systems. Hypertension involves both brain and peripheral angiotensin systems. Activation of angiotensin type-1 receptors (AT1) release dopamine and norepinephrine. The current study determined the role of AT1 and angiotensin type-2 (AT2) receptors in mediating nicotine-evoked dopamine and norepinephrine release from striatal and hypothalamic slices, respectively. The potential involvement of nAChRs in mediating effects of AT1 antagonist losartan and AT2 antagonist, 1-[[4-(dimethylamino)-3-methylphenyl]methyl]-5-(diphenylacetyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid (PD123319) was evaluated by determining their affinities for α4β2* and α7* nAChRs using [³H]nicotine and [³H]methyllycaconitine binding assays, respectively. Results show that losartan concentration-dependently inhibited nicotine-evoked [³H]dopamine and [³H]norepinephrine release (IC₅₀: 3.9 ± 1.2 and 2.2 ± 0.7 μM; Imax: 82 ± 3 and 89 ± 6%, respectively). In contrast, PD123319 did not alter nicotine-evoked norepinephrine release, and potentiated nicotine-evoked dopamine release. These results indicate that AT1 receptors modulate nicotine-evoked striatal dopamine and hypothalamic norepinephrine release. Furthermore, AT1 receptor activation appears to be counteracted by AT2 receptor activation in striatum. Losartan and PD123319 did not inhibit [³H]nicotine or [³H]methyllycaconitine binding, indicating that these AT1 and AT2 antagonists do not interact with the agonist recognition sites on α4β2* and α7* nAChRs to mediate these effects of nicotine. Thus, angiotensin receptors contribute to the effects of nicotine on dopamine and norepinephrine release in brain regions involved in nicotine reward and hypertension.

bPiDI: a novel selective α6β2* nicotinic receptor antagonist and preclinical candidate treatment for nicotine abuse

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) containing α6β2 subunits expressed by dopamine neurons regulate nicotine-evoked dopamine release. Previous results show that the α6β2* nAChR antagonist, N,N'-dodecane-1,12-diyl-bis-3-picolinium dibromide (bPiDDB) inhibits nicotine-evoked dopamine release from dorsal striatum and decreases nicotine self-administration in rats. However, overt toxicity emerged with repeated bPiDDB treatment. The current study evaluated the preclinical pharmacology of a bPiDDB analogue.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The C₁₀ analogue of bPiDDB, N,N-decane-1,10-diyl-bis-3-picolinium diiodide (bPiDI), was evaluated preclinically for nAChR antagonist activity.

KEY RESULTS

bPiDI inhibits nicotine-evoked [³H]dopamine overflow (IC₅₀= 150 nM, I(max)=58%) from rat striatal slices. Schild analysis revealed a rightward shift in the nicotine concentration-response curve and surmountability with increasing nicotine concentration; however, the Schild regression slope differed significantly from 1.0, indicating surmountable allosteric inhibition. Co-exposure of maximally inhibitory concentrations of bPiDI (1 µM) and the α6β2* nAChR antagonist α-conotoxin MII (1 nM) produced inhibition not different from either antagonist alone, indicating that bPiDI acts at α6β2* nAChRs. Nicotine treatment (0.4 mg·kg⁻¹·da⁻¹, 10 days) increased more than 100-fold the potency of bPiDI (IC₅₀=1.45 nM) to inhibit nicotine-evoked dopamine release. Acute treatment with bPiDI (1.94-5.83 µmol·kg⁻¹, s.c.) specifically reduced nicotine self-administration relative to responding for food. Across seven daily treatments, bPiDI decreased nicotine self-administration; however, tolerance developed to the acute decrease in food-maintained responding. No observable body weight loss or lethargy was observed with repeated bPiDI.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results are consistent with the hypothesis that α6β2* nAChR antagonists have potential for development as pharmacotherapies for tobacco smoking cessation.

Effects of nicotine administration on striatal dopamine signaling after traumatic brain injury in rats

Previous studies on the therapeutic potential of agents affecting the dopamine system in traumatic brain injury (TBI) suggest that dopamine dysregulation may have a major role in behavioral deficit after TBI. We have previously identified that TBI reduces striatal dopamine synthesis and release at 7 days post-injury. In order to reverse deficits in the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine release following TBI, we administered nicotine by intraperitoneal injection into rats for 7 days. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity assay demonstrated recovery of activity with nicotine treatment in injured animals. Microdialysis experiments using potassium stimulation to induce dopamine release showed recovery of dopamine release in injured animals receiving nicotine treatment. There was no effect of nicotine injection on extracellular dopamine metabolite levels, indicating the specificity of nicotine's effect on dopamine synthesis and release. Also, the activation of downstream postsynaptic molecule dopamine and cAMP regulated phosphoprotein 32 (DARPP-32) was assessed by Western blots for DARPP-32 phosphorylated at threonine 34 (pDARPP-32-T34). Injury reduced pDARPP-32-T34 levels, but nicotine treatment of injured animals did not alter pDARPP-32-T34 levels, indicating that postsynaptic dopamine signaling is complex, and the recovery of dopamine release may not be sufficient for the recovery of DARPP-32 activity.

Recent advances in understanding nicotinic receptor signaling mechanisms that regulate drug self-administration behavior

Tobacco smoking is one of the leading causes of disease and premature death in the United States. Nicotine is considered the major reinforcing component in tobacco smoke responsible for tobacco addiction. Nicotine acts in the brain through the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The predominant nAChR subtypes in mammalian brain are those containing α4 and β2 subunits. The α4β2 nAChRs, particularly those located in the mesoaccumbens dopamine pathway, play a key role in regulating the reinforcing properties of nicotine. Considering that twelve mammalian nAChR subunits have been cloned, it is likely that nAChRs containing subunits in addition to, or other than, α4 and β2 also play a role in the tobacco smoking habit. Consistent with this possibility, human genome-wide association studies have shown that genetic variation in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster located in chromosome region 15q25, which encode the α5, α3 and β4 nAChR subunits, respectively, increases vulnerability to tobacco addiction and smoking-related diseases. Most recently, α5-containing nAChRs located in the habenulo-interpeduncular tract were shown to limit intravenous nicotine self-administration behavior in rats and mice, suggesting that deficits in α5-containing nAChR signaling in the habenulo-interpeduncular tract increases vulnerability to the motivational properties of nicotine. Finally, evidence suggests that nAChRs may also play a prominent role in controlling consumption of addictive drugs other than nicotine, including cocaine, alcohol, opiates and cannabinoids. The aim of the present review is to discuss recent preclinical findings concerning the identity of the nAChR subtypes that regulate self-administration of nicotine and other drugs of abuse.

Pharmacologic antagonism of ghrelin receptors attenuates development of nicotine induced locomotor sensitization in rats

AIMS

Ghrelin (GHR) is an orexigenic gut peptide that interacts with ghrelin receptors (GHR-Rs) to modulate brain reinforcement circuits. Systemic GHR infusions augment cocaine stimulated locomotion and conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats, whereas genetic or pharmacological ablation of GHR-Rs has been shown to attenuate the acute locomotor-enhancing effects of nicotine, cocaine, amphetamine and alcohol and to blunt the CPP induced by food, alcohol, amphetamine and cocaine in mice. The stimulant nicotine can induce CPP and like amphetamine and cocaine, repeated administration of nicotine induces locomotor sensitization in rats. A key issue is whether pharmacological antagonism of GHR-Rs would similarly attenuate nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization.

METHOD

To examine the role of GHR-Rs in the behavioral sensitizing effects of nicotine, adult male rats were injected with either 0, 3 or 6 mg/kg of the GHR-R receptor antagonist JMV 2959 (i.p.) and 20 min later with either vehicle or 0.4 mg/kg nicotine hydrogen tartrate (s.c.) on each of 7 consecutive days.

RESULTS

Rats treated with nicotine alone showed robust locomotor sensitization, whereas rats pretreated with JMV 2959 showed significantly attenuated nicotine-induced hyperlocomotion.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that GHR-R activity is required for the induction of locomotor sensitization to nicotine and complement an emerging literature implicating central GHR systems in drug reward/reinforcement.

Indolizidine (-)-235B' and related structural analogs: discovery of nicotinic receptor antagonists that inhibit nicotine-evoked [3H]dopamine release

Although several therapeutic agents are available to aid in tobacco smoking cessation, relapse rates continue to be high, warranting the development of alternative pharmacotherapies. Nicotine-evoked dopamine release from its presynaptic terminals in the central nervous system leads to reward which maintains continued tobacco use. The ability of indolizidine (-)-235B' and a sub-library of structurally related analogs to inhibit nicotine-evoked [(3)H]dopamine release from rat striatal slices was determined in the current study. Indolizidine (-)-235B' inhibited nicotine-evoked [(3)H]dopamine release in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50)=42 nM, I(max)=55%). Compound (-)-237D, the double bond-reduced analog, afforded the greatest inhibitory potency (IC(50)=0.18 nM, I(max)=76%), and was 233-fold more potent than indolizidine (-)-235B'. The des-8-methyl aza-analog of indolizidine (-)-235B', ZZ-272, also inhibited nicotine-evoked [(3)H]dopamine release (IC(50)=413 nM, I(max)=59%). Concomitant exposure to maximally effective concentrations of indolizidine (-)-235B', ZZ-272 or (-)-237D with a maximally effective concentration of α-conotoxin MII, a selective antagonist for α6β2-containing nicotinic receptors, resulted in inhibition of nicotine-evoked [(3)H]dopamine release no greater than that produced by each compound alone. The latter results suggest that indolizidine (-)-235B', (-)-237D, ZZ-272 and α-conotoxin MII inhibit the same α-conotoxin MII-sensitive nicotinic receptor subtypes. Thus, indolizidine (-)-235B' and its analogs act as antagonists of α6β2-nicotinic receptors and constitute a novel structural scaffold for the discovery of pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation.

Expression of functional human α6β2β3* acetylcholine receptors in Xenopus laevis oocytes achieved through subunit chimeras and concatamers

α6β2β3* acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on dopaminergic neurons are important targets for drugs to treat nicotine addiction and Parkinson's disease. However, it has not been possible to efficiently express functional α6β2β3* AChRs in oocytes or transfected cells. α6/α3 subunit chimeras permit expression of functional AChRs and reveal that parts of the α6 M1 transmembrane domain and large cytoplasmic domain impair assembly. Concatameric subunits permit assembly of functional α6β2β3* AChRs with defined subunit compositions and subunit orders. Assembly of accessory subunits is limiting in formation of mature AChRs. A single linker between the β3 accessory subunit and an α4 or α6 subunit is sufficient to permit assembly of complex β3-(α4β2)(α6β2) or β3-(α6β2)(α4β2) AChRs. Concatameric pentamers such as β3-α6-β2-α4-β2 have been functionally characterized. α6β2β3* AChRs are sensitive to activation by drugs used for smoking cessation therapy (nicotine, varenicline, and cytisine) and by sazetidine. All these are partial agonists. (α6β2)(α4β2)β3 AChRs are most sensitive to agonists. (α6β2)₂β3 AChRs have the greatest Ca²+ permeability. (α4β2)(α6β2)β3 AChRs are most efficiently transported to the cell surface, whereas (α6β2)₂β3 AChRs are the least efficiently transported. Dopaminergic neurons may have special chaperones for assembling accessory subunits with α6 subunits and for transporting (α6β2)₂β3 AChRs to the cell surface. Concatameric pentamers and pentamers formed from combinations of trimers, dimers, and monomers exhibit similar properties, indicating that the linkers between subunits do not alter their functional properties. For the first time, these concatamers allow analysis of functional properties of α6β2β3* AChRs. These concatamers should enable selection of drugs specific for α6β2β3* AChRs.