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González-Álvarez H, Ensan D, Xin T, Wong JF, Zepeda-Velázquez CA, Cros J, Sweeney MN, Hoffer L, Kiyota T, Wilson BJ, Aman A, Roberts O, Isaac MB, Bullock AN, Smil D, Al-awar R. Discovery of Conformationally Constrained ALK2 Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2024; 67:4707-4725. [PMID: 38498998 PMCID: PMC10983009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Despite decades of research on new diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) treatments, little or no progress has been made on improving patient outcomes. In this work, we explored novel scaffold modifications of M4K2009, a 3,5-diphenylpyridine ALK2 inhibitor previously reported by our group. Here we disclose the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a first-in-class set of 5- to 7-membered ether-linked and 7-membered amine-linked constrained inhibitors of ALK2. This rigidification strategy led us to the discovery of the ether-linked inhibitors M4K2308 and M4K2281 and the amine-linked inhibitors M4K2304 and M4K2306, each with superior potency against ALK2. Notably, M4K2304 and M4K2306 exhibit exceptional selectivity for ALK2 over ALK5, surpassing the reference compound. Preliminary studies on their in vivo pharmacokinetics, including blood-brain barrier penetration, revealed that these constrained scaffolds have favorable exposure and do open a novel chemical space for further optimization and future evaluation in orthotopic models of DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor González-Álvarez
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Deeba Ensan
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Tao Xin
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Jong Fu Wong
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Carlos A. Zepeda-Velázquez
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Julien Cros
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K.
| | - Melissa N. Sweeney
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K.
| | - Laurent Hoffer
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Taira Kiyota
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Brian J. Wilson
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Ahmed Aman
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
- Leslie
Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Owen Roberts
- M4K Pharma, 101 College Street, MaRS Centre,
South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Methvin B. Isaac
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Alex N. Bullock
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K.
| | - David Smil
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Rima Al-awar
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
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Gao P, Inada Y, Hotta A, Sakurai H, Ikeya M. iMSC-mediated delivery of ACVR2B-Fc fusion protein reduces heterotopic ossification in a mouse model of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:83. [PMID: 38500216 PMCID: PMC10949803 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03691-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disease caused by a gain-of-function mutation in ACVR1, which is a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor. Moreover, it causes progressive heterotopic ossification (HO) in connective tissues. Using FOP patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (FOP-iPSCs) and mouse models, we elucidated the underlying mechanisms of FOP pathogenesis and identified a candidate drug for FOP. METHODS In the current study, healthy mesenchymal stem/stromal cells derived from iPSCs (iMSCs) expressing ACVR2B-Fc (iMSCACVR2B-Fc), which is a neutralizing receptobody, were constructed. Furthermore, patient-derived iMSCs and FOP mouse model (ACVR1R206H, female) were used to confirm the inhibitory function of ACVR2B-Fc fusion protein secreted by iMSCACVR2B-Fc on BMP signaling pathways and HO development, respectively. RESULTS We found that secreted ACVR2B-Fc attenuated BMP signaling initiated by Activin-A and BMP-9 in both iMSCs and FOP-iMSCs in vitro. Transplantation of ACVR2B-Fc-expressing iMSCs reduced primary HO in a transgenic mouse model of FOP. Notably, a local injection of ACVR2B-Fc-expressing iMSCs and not an intraperitoneal injection improved the treadmill performance, suggesting compound effects of ACVR2B-Fc and iMSCs. CONCLUSIONS These results offer a new perspective for treating FOP through stem cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Center for Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and, Department of General Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53, Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Inada
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53, Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akitsu Hotta
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53, Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Sakurai
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53, Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Makoto Ikeya
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53, Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
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Mundy C, Yao L, Shaughnessy KA, Saunders C, Shore EM, Koyama E, Pacifici M. Palovarotene Action Against Heterotopic Ossification Includes a Reduction of Local Participating Activin A-Expressing Cell Populations. JBMR Plus 2023; 7:e10821. [PMID: 38130748 PMCID: PMC10731142 DOI: 10.1002/jbm4.10821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification (HO) consists of extraskeletal bone formation. One form of HO is acquired and instigated by traumas or surgery, and another form is genetic and characterizes fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). Recently, we and others showed that activin A promotes both acquired and genetic HO, and in previous studies we found that the retinoid agonist palovarotene inhibits both HO forms in mice. Here, we asked whether palovarotene's action against HO may include an interference with endogenous activin A expression and/or function. Using a standard mouse model of acquired HO, we found that activin A and its encoding RNA (Inhba) were prominent in chondrogenic cells within developing HO masses in untreated mice. Single-cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) assays verified that Inhba expression characterized chondroprogenitors and chondrocytes in untreated HO, in addition to its expected expression in inflammatory cells and macrophages. Palovarotene administration (4 mg/kg/d/gavage) caused a sharp inhibition of both HO and amounts of activin A and Inhba transcripts. Bioinformatic analyses of scRNAseq data sets indicated that the drug had reduced interactions and cross-talk among local cell populations. To determine if palovarotene inhibited Inhba expression directly, we assayed primary chondrocyte cultures. Drug treatment inhibited their cartilaginous phenotype but not Inhba expression. Our data reveal that palovarotene markedly reduces the number of local Inhba-expressing HO-forming cell populations. The data broaden the spectrum of HO culprits against which palovarotene acts, accounting for its therapeutic effectiveness. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Mundy
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic SurgeryThe Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Lutian Yao
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic SurgeryThe Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of OrthopaedicsThe First Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Kelly A. Shaughnessy
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic SurgeryThe Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Cheri Saunders
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic SurgeryThe Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Eileen M. Shore
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Genetics, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Eiki Koyama
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic SurgeryThe Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Maurizio Pacifici
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic SurgeryThe Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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Colopi A, Fuda S, Santi S, Onorato A, Cesarini V, Salvati M, Balistreri CR, Dolci S, Guida E. Impact of age and gender on glioblastoma onset, progression, and management. Mech Ageing Dev 2023; 211:111801. [PMID: 36996926 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, while its frequency in pediatric patients is 10-15%. For this reason, age is considered one of the major risk factors for the development of GBM, as it correlates with cellular aging phenomena involving glial cells and favoring the process of tumor transformation. Gender differences have been also identified, as the incidence of GBM is higher in males than in females, coupled with a worse outcome. In this review, we analyze age- and gender- dependent differences in GBM onset, mutational landscape, clinical manifestations, and survival, according to the literature of the last 20 years, focusing on the major risk factors involved in tumor development and on the mutations and gene alterations most frequently found in adults vs young patients and in males vs females. We then highlight the impact of age and gender on clinical manifestations and tumor localization and their involvement in the time of diagnosis and in determining the tumor prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Colopi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Fuda
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Samuele Santi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Onorato
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeriana Cesarini
- Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Translational Pharmacology-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Salvati
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Cellular and Molecular Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Susanna Dolci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Eugenia Guida
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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5
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Expression and Function of BMP and Activin Membrane-Bound Inhibitor (BAMBI) in Chronic Liver Diseases and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043473. [PMID: 36834884 PMCID: PMC9964332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BAMBI (bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor) is a transmembrane pseudoreceptor structurally related to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β type 1 receptors (TGF-β1Rs). BAMBI lacks a kinase domain and functions as a TGF-β1R antagonist. Essential processes such as cell differentiation and proliferation are regulated by TGF-β1R signaling. TGF-β is the best-studied ligand of TGF-βRs and has an eminent role in inflammation and fibrogenesis. Liver fibrosis is the end stage of almost all chronic liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and at the moment, there is no effective anti-fibrotic therapy available. Hepatic BAMBI is downregulated in rodent models of liver injury and in the fibrotic liver of patients, suggesting that low BAMBI has a role in liver fibrosis. Experimental evidence convincingly demonstrated that BAMBI overexpression is able to protect against liver fibrosis. Chronic liver diseases have a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and BAMBI was shown to exert tumor-promoting as well as tumor-protective functions. This review article aims to summarize relevant studies on hepatic BAMBI expression and its role in chronic liver diseases and HCC.
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6
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Asati V, Bharti SK, Das R, Kashaw V, Kashaw SK. Discovery of novel ALK2 inhibitors of pyrazolo-pyrimidines: A computational study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:10422-10436. [PMID: 34225569 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1944320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
ALK2 is a serine/threonine kinase, involved in different signaling pathways and associated with cell proliferation and differentiation. The present study includes development of pharmacophore, 3-D QSAR, docking and virtual screening studies on 30 different pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives. The pharmacophore study provides ARRR_2 hypothesis with four different features essential for ALK2 kinase inhibitory activity. The 3 D-QSAR study determined the statistically significant model by using partial least-square regression (PLS) method with R2 value of 0.9711 and Q2 value of 0.6846. Validation of 3 D-QSAR has been performed by LOO cross-validation method where with R2CV value of 0.56. The virtual screening study on ZINC database provides compounds such as ZINC66091638, ZINC43524105, ZINC19458227 and ZINC72441013 involved good binding interactions (docking scores -8.91, -7.40, -8.43, and -9.47, respectively) with ALK2 kinase (PDB ID: 3Q4U). The docking study of pyrazolo-pyrimidines derivatives found potent compounds, 7i, 13r, 13d, and 21 with docking scores -9.83, -9.75, -9.76, and -9.75, respectively. The important interactions with amino acid residues were HID 286, ASN341. ADME properties further assist to provide important structural features of ALK2 kinase. The present study may be help to medicinal scientists in the direction to develop potent inhibitors against ALK2 kinase.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Asati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Sanjay K Bharti
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Ratnesh Das
- Department of Chemistry, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Varsha Kashaw
- Sagar Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Sushil Kumar Kashaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Wentworth KL, Lalonde RL, Groppe JC, Brewer N, Moody T, Hansberry S, Taylor KE, Shore EM, Kaplan FS, Pignolo RJ, Yelick PC, Hsiao EC. Functional Testing of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) Pathway Variants Identified on Whole-Exome Sequencing in a Patient with Delayed-Onset Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Using ACVR1 R206H -Specific Human Cellular and Zebrafish Models. J Bone Miner Res 2022; 37:2058-2076. [PMID: 36153796 PMCID: PMC9950781 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is critical in skeletal development. Overactivation can trigger heterotopic ossification (HO) as in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare, progressive disease of massive HO formation. A small subset of FOP patients harboring the causative ACVR1R206H mutation show strikingly mild or delayed-onset HO, suggesting that genetic variants in the BMP pathway could act as disease modifiers. Whole-exome sequencing of one such patient identified BMPR1AR443C and ACVR2AV173I as candidate modifiers. Molecular modeling predicted significant structural perturbations. Neither variant decreased BMP signaling in ACVR1R206H HEK 293T cells at baseline or after stimulation with BMP4 or activin A (AA), ligands that activate ACVR1R206H signaling. Overexpression of BMPR1AR443C in a Tg(ACVR1-R206Ha) embryonic zebrafish model, in which overactive BMP signaling yields ventralized embryos, did not alter ventralization severity, while ACVR2AV173I exacerbated ventralization. Co-expression of both variants did not affect dorsoventral patterning. In contrast, BMPR1A knockdown in ACVR1R206H HEK cells decreased ligand-stimulated BMP signaling but did not affect dorsoventral patterning in Tg(ACVR1-R206Ha) zebrafish. ACVR2A knockdown decreased only AA-stimulated signaling in ACVR1R206H HEK cells and had no effect in Tg(ACVR1-R206Ha) zebrafish. Co-knockdown in ACVR1R206H HEK cells decreased basal and ligand-stimulated signaling, and co-knockdown/knockout (bmpr1aa/ab; acvr2aa/ab) decreased Tg(ACVR1-R206Ha) zebrafish ventralization phenotypes. Our functional studies showed that knockdown of wild-type BMPR1A and ACVR2A could attenuate ACVR1R206H signaling, particularly in response to AA, and that ACVR2AV173I unexpectedly increased ACVR1R206H -mediated signaling in zebrafish. These studies describe a useful strategy and platform for functionally interrogating potential genes and genetic variants that may impact the BMP signaling pathway. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Wentworth
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert L Lalonde
- Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Division of Craniofacial and Molecular Genetics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jay C Groppe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Niambi Brewer
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and The Center of Research for FOP & Related Disorders, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tania Moody
- Institute for Human Genetics, the Program in Craniofacial Biology, the UCSF Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Regeneration Medicine, and the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Steven Hansberry
- San Francisco State University, California Institute of Regenerative Medicine Bridges to Stem Cell Research Program, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kimberly E Taylor
- Russell/Engleman Rheumatology Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eileen M Shore
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and The Center of Research for FOP & Related Disorders, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Frederick S Kaplan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and The Center of Research for FOP & Related Disorders, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Pamela C Yelick
- Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Division of Craniofacial and Molecular Genetics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward C Hsiao
- Institute for Human Genetics, the Program in Craniofacial Biology, the UCSF Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Regeneration Medicine, and the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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8
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Nagar G, Mittal P, Gupta SRR, Pahuja M, Sanger M, Mishra R, Singh A, Singh IK. Multi-omics therapeutic perspective on ACVR1 gene: from genetic alterations to potential targeting. Brief Funct Genomics 2022; 22:123-142. [PMID: 36003055 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A receptor type I (ACVR1), a transmembrane serine/threonine kinase, belongs to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, which signals via phosphorylating the downstream effectors and SMAD transcription factors. Its central role in several biological processes and intracellular signaling is well known. Genetic variation in ACVR1 has been associated with a rare disease, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive, and its somatic alteration is reported in rare cancer diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Furthermore, altered expression or variation of ACVR1 is associated with multiple pathologies such as polycystic ovary syndrome, congenital heart defects, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, posterior fossa ependymoma and other malignancies. Recent advancements have witnessed ACVR1 as a potential pharmacological target, and divergent promising approaches for its therapeutic targeting have been explored. This review highlights the structural and functional characteristics of receptor ACVR1, associated signaling pathways, genetic variants in several diseases and cancers, protein-protein interaction, gene expression, regulatory miRNA prediction and potential therapeutic targeting approaches. The comprehensive knowledge will offer new horizons and insights into future strategies harnessing its therapeutic potential.
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9
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Two Modulators of Skeletal Development: BMPs and Proteoglycans. J Dev Biol 2022; 10:jdb10020015. [PMID: 35466193 PMCID: PMC9036252 DOI: 10.3390/jdb10020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryogenesis, skeletal development is tightly regulated by locally secreted growth factors that interact with proteoglycans (PGs) in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional growth factors that play critical roles in cartilage maturation and bone formation. BMP signals are transduced from plasma membrane receptors to the nucleus through both canonical Smad and noncanonical p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. BMP signalling is modulated by a variety of endogenous and exogenous molecular mechanisms at different spatiotemporal levels and in both positive and negative manners. As an endogenous example, BMPs undergo extracellular regulation by PGs, which generally regulate the efficiency of ligand-receptor binding. BMP signalling can also be exogenously perturbed by a group of small molecule antagonists, such as dorsomorphin and its derivatives, that selectively bind to and inhibit the intracellular kinase domain of BMP type I receptors. In this review, we present a current understanding of BMPs and PGs functions in cartilage maturation and osteoblast differentiation, highlighting BMP–PG interactions. We also discuss the identification of highly selective small-molecule BMP receptor type I inhibitors. This review aims to shed light on the importance of BMP signalling and PGs in cartilage maturation and bone formation.
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10
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Pignolo RJ, Pacifici M. Retinoid Agonists in the Targeting of Heterotopic Ossification. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113245. [PMID: 34831466 PMCID: PMC8617746 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoids are metabolic derivatives of vitamin A and regulate the function of many tissues and organs both prenatally and postnatally. Active retinoids, such as all trans-retinoic acid, are produced in the cytoplasm and then interact with nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs) to up-regulate the transcription of target genes. The RARs can also interact with target gene response elements in the absence of retinoids and exert a transcriptional repression function. Studies from several labs, including ours, showed that chondrogenic cell differentiation and cartilage maturation require (i) the absence of retinoid signaling and (ii) the repression function by unliganded RARs. These and related insights led to the proposition that synthetic retinoid agonists could thus represent pharmacological agents to inhibit heterotopic ossification (HO), a process that recapitulates developmental skeletogenesis and involves chondrogenesis, cartilage maturation, and endochondral ossification. One form of HO is acquired and is caused by injury, and another severe and often fatal form of it is genetic and occurs in patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). Mouse models of FOP bearing mutant ACVR1R206H, characteristic of most FOP patients, were used to test the ability of the retinoid agonists selective for RARα and RARγ against spontaneous and injury-induced HO. The RARγ agonists were found to be most effective, and one such compound, palovarotene, was selected for testing in FOP patients. The safety and effectiveness data from recent and ongoing phase II and phase III clinical trials support the notion that palovarotene may represent a disease-modifying treatment for patients with FOP. The post hoc analyses showed substantial efficacy but also revealed side effects and complications, including premature growth plate closure in some patients. Skeletally immature patients will need to be carefully weighed in any future regulatory indications of palovarotene as an important therapeutic option in FOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Pignolo
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Maurizio Pacifici
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopedics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
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11
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Song W, Dai WJ, Zhang MH, Wang H, Yang XZ. Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression of TGF- β Signaling Regulators and Prognosis in Human Esophageal Cancer. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2021; 2021:1812227. [PMID: 34725559 PMCID: PMC8557076 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1812227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
More and more evidences show that TGF-β has a crucial role in tumor initiation and development. However, the mechanism of the TGF-β signal regulator in esophageal cancer (EC) is still unclear. Here, we use a variety of bioinformatics methods to analyze the expression and survival data of TGF-β signal regulators in patients with EC. We extracted the expression of the S-TGF-β signal regulator from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The cBioPortal database was used to assess the frequency of genetic variation. The TGF-β signal regulator is expressed in EC and normal tissues. The objective is to use the Kaplan-Meier plotter database to investigate the prognostic value of TGF-β signal regulators in cancer patients. The DAVID and clusterProfiler software package were used for functional enrichment analysis. We found that patients with TGF-β signaling mutations have shorter overall survival, disease-free survival, disease-specific survival, platinum overall survival, and platinum-free progression survival. We found that compared with the noncancerous tissues of patients with EC, ZFYVE9, BMPR1B, TGFB3, TGFBRAP1, ACVRL1, TGFBR2, SMAD4, SMAD7, ACVR2A, BMPR1, and SMAD9 were significantly downregulated in tumor tissues, while ACVR1 and Smad1 were significantly upregulated in tumor samples. Univariate survival analysis showed that ACVR1, TGFBR3, TGFBRAP1, BMPR1A, SMAD4, and TGFBR2 were positively correlated with overall survival (OS) prolongation. In addition, TGF-β signal transduction regulators could be divided into two classes. Subclass 1 was involved in regulating cell adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling, and Rap1 signaling. Subclass 2 was related to regulating angiogenesis and PI3K signaling. In short, all members of TGF-β signal regulators can be used as biomarkers to predict the prognosis of patients with EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223300, China
| | - Wei-Jie Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223300, China
| | - Meng-hui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223300, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223300, China
| | - Xiao-Zhong Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223300, China
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12
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Agnew C, Ayaz P, Kashima R, Loving HS, Ghatpande P, Kung JE, Underbakke ES, Shan Y, Shaw DE, Hata A, Jura N. Structural basis for ALK2/BMPR2 receptor complex signaling through kinase domain oligomerization. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4950. [PMID: 34400635 PMCID: PMC8368100 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25248-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon ligand binding, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptors form active tetrameric complexes, comprised of two type I and two type II receptors, which then transmit signals to SMAD proteins. The link between receptor tetramerization and the mechanism of kinase activation, however, has not been elucidated. Here, using hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, combined with analysis of SMAD signaling, we show that the kinase domain of the type I receptor ALK2 and type II receptor BMPR2 form a heterodimeric complex via their C-terminal lobes. Formation of this dimer is essential for ligand-induced receptor signaling and is targeted by mutations in BMPR2 in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We further show that the type I/type II kinase domain heterodimer serves as the scaffold for assembly of the active tetrameric receptor complexes to enable phosphorylation of the GS domain and activation of SMADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Agnew
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Risa Kashima
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hanna S Loving
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Prajakta Ghatpande
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Kung
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, USA
| | - Eric S Underbakke
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
| | | | - David E Shaw
- D. E. Shaw Research, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Akiko Hata
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Natalia Jura
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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13
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Pierce JL, Perrien DS. Do Interactions of Vitamin D 3 and BMP Signaling Hold Implications in the Pathogenesis of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva? Curr Osteoporos Rep 2021; 19:358-367. [PMID: 33851285 PMCID: PMC8515998 DOI: 10.1007/s11914-021-00673-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a debilitating rare disease known for episodic endochondral heterotopic ossification (HO) caused by gain-of-function mutations in ACVR1/ALK2. However, disease severity varies among patients with identical mutations suggesting disease-modifying factors, including diet, may have therapeutic implications. The roles of vitamin D3 in calcium metabolism and chondrogenesis are known, but its effects on BMP signaling and chondrogenesis are less studied. This review attempts to assess the possibility of vitamin D's effects in FOP by exploring relevant intersections of VD3 with mechanisms of FOP flares. RECENT FINDINGS In vitro and in vivo studies suggest vitamin D suppresses inflammation, while clinical studies suggest that vitamin D3 protects against arteriosclerosis and inversely correlates with non-genetic intramuscular HO. However, the enhancement of chondrogenesis, BMP signaling, and possibly Activin A expression by vitamin D may be more relevant in FOP. There appears to be little potential for vitamin D to reduce HO in FOP, but testing the potential for excess vitamin D to promote HO may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Pierce
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, WMRB 1027, Atlanta, GA, 30232, USA
| | - Daniel S Perrien
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, WMRB 1027, Atlanta, GA, 30232, USA.
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14
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Murrell E, Tong J, Smil D, Kiyota T, Aman AM, Isaac MB, Watson IDG, Vasdev N. Leveraging Open Science Drug Development for PET: Preliminary Neuroimaging of 11C-Labeled ALK2 Inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:846-850. [PMID: 34055235 PMCID: PMC8155239 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Mutations
in the gene encoding activin receptor-like kinase 2 (ALK2)
are implicated in the pathophysiology of a pediatric brainstem cancer,
diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Inhibitors of ALK2 that cross
the blood–brain barrier have been proposed as a method of treatment
for DIPG. As part of an open science approach to radiopharmaceutical
and drug discovery, we developed 11C-labeled radiotracers
from potent and selective lead ALK2 inhibitors to investigate their
brain permeability through positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging.
Four radiotracers were synthesized by 11C-methylation and
assessed by dynamic PET imaging in healthy Sprague–Dawley rats.
One of the compounds, [11C]M4K2127, showed high initial brain uptake (SUV ∼
2), including in the region of interest (pons). This data supports
the use of this chemotype as a brain penetrant ALK2 inhibitor that
permeates evenly into the pons with potential application for the
treatment of DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Murrell
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College St., M5T 1R8, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Junchao Tong
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College St., M5T 1R8, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - David Smil
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, M5G 0A3, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Taira Kiyota
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, M5G 0A3, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Ahmed M. Aman
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, M5G 0A3, Toronto, Ontario Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St., M5S 3M2, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Methvin B. Isaac
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, M5G 0A3, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Iain D. G. Watson
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, M5G 0A3, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Neil Vasdev
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College St., M5T 1R8, Toronto, Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College St., M5T 1R8, Toronto, Ontario Canada
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15
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Haseeb A, Kc R, Angelozzi M, de Charleroy C, Rux D, Tower RJ, Yao L, Pellegrino da Silva R, Pacifici M, Qin L, Lefebvre V. SOX9 keeps growth plates and articular cartilage healthy by inhibiting chondrocyte dedifferentiation/osteoblastic redifferentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2019152118. [PMID: 33597301 PMCID: PMC7923381 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019152118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cartilage is essential throughout vertebrate life. It starts developing in embryos when osteochondroprogenitor cells commit to chondrogenesis, activate a pancartilaginous program to form cartilaginous skeletal primordia, and also embrace a growth-plate program to drive skeletal growth or an articular program to build permanent joint cartilage. Various forms of cartilage malformation and degeneration diseases afflict humans, but underlying mechanisms are still incompletely understood and treatment options suboptimal. The transcription factor SOX9 is required for embryonic chondrogenesis, but its postnatal roles remain unclear, despite evidence that it is down-regulated in osteoarthritis and heterozygously inactivated in campomelic dysplasia, a severe skeletal dysplasia characterized postnatally by small stature and kyphoscoliosis. Using conditional knockout mice and high-throughput sequencing assays, we show here that SOX9 is required postnatally to prevent growth-plate closure and preosteoarthritic deterioration of articular cartilage. Its deficiency prompts growth-plate chondrocytes at all stages to swiftly reach a terminal/dedifferentiated stage marked by expression of chondrocyte-specific (Mgp) and progenitor-specific (Nt5e and Sox4) genes. Up-regulation of osteogenic genes (Runx2, Sp7, and Postn) and overt osteoblastogenesis quickly ensue. SOX9 deficiency does not perturb the articular program, except in load-bearing regions, where it also provokes chondrocyte-to-osteoblast conversion via a progenitor stage. Pathway analyses support roles for SOX9 in controlling TGFβ and BMP signaling activities during this cell lineage transition. Altogether, these findings deepen our current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that specifically ensure lifelong growth-plate and articular cartilage vigor by identifying osteogenic plasticity of growth-plate and articular chondrocytes and a SOX9-countered chondrocyte dedifferentiation/osteoblast redifferentiation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Haseeb
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Ranjan Kc
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Marco Angelozzi
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Charles de Charleroy
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Danielle Rux
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Robert J Tower
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Lutian Yao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | | | - Maurizio Pacifici
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Ling Qin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Véronique Lefebvre
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104;
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16
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Ventura F, Williams E, Ikeya M, Bullock AN, ten Dijke P, Goumans MJ, Sanchez-Duffhues G. Challenges and Opportunities for Drug Repositioning in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020213. [PMID: 33669809 PMCID: PMC7922784 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultrarare congenital disease that progresses through intermittent episodes of bone formation at ectopic sites. FOP patients carry heterozygous gene point mutations in activin A receptor type I ACVR1, encoding the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I serine/threonine kinase receptor ALK2, termed activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)2. The mutant ALK2 displays neofunctional responses to activin, a closely related BMP cytokine that normally inhibits regular bone formation. Moreover, the mutant ALK2 becomes hypersensitive to BMPs. Both these activities contribute to enhanced ALK2 signalling and endochondral bone formation in connective tissue. Being a receptor with an extracellular ligand-binding domain and intrinsic intracellular kinase activity, the mutant ALK2 is a druggable target. Although there is no approved cure for FOP yet, a number of clinical trials have been recently initiated, aiming to identify a safe and effective treatment for FOP. Among other targeted approaches, several repurposed drugs have shown promising results. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanisms underlying ALK2 mutation-induced aberrant signalling and ectopic bone formation. In addition, we recapitulate existing in vitro models to screen for novel compounds with a potential application in FOP. We summarize existing therapeutic alternatives and focus on repositioned drugs in FOP, at preclinical and clinical stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc Ventura
- Department de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Eleanor Williams
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; (E.W.); (A.N.B.)
| | - Makoto Ikeya
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan;
| | - Alex N. Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; (E.W.); (A.N.B.)
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Marie-José Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Cardiovascular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Gonzalo Sanchez-Duffhues
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Cardiovascular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence:
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17
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Genomic Context and Mechanisms of the ACVR1 Mutation in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020154. [PMID: 33562470 PMCID: PMC7914827 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Basic research in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) was carried out in the various fields involved in the disease pathophysiology and was important for designing therapeutic approaches, some of which were already developed as ongoing or planned clinical trials. Genetic research was fundamental in identifying the FOP causative mutation, and the astonishing progress in technologies for genomic analysis, coupled to related computational methods, now make possible further research in this field. We present here a review of molecular and cellular factors which could explain why a single mutation, the R206H in the ACVR1 gene, is absolutely prevalent in FOP patients. We also address the mechanisms by which FOP expressivity could be modulated by cis-acting variants in the ACVR1 genomic region in human chromosome 2q. Finally, we also discuss the general issue of genetic modifiers in FOP.
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18
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ALK2 Receptor Kinase Association with FKBP12.6 Is Structurally Conserved with the ALK2-FKBP12 Complex. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020129. [PMID: 33572801 PMCID: PMC7911104 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The immunophilin FKBP12 is a known inhibitor of type I BMP and TGF-β receptors that competes for binding with their substrate SMADs. FKBP12 and the close paralog FKBP12.6 additionally assemble with ryanodine receptors to control Ca2+ release. Binding of FKBP12.6 to BMP/TGF-β receptors has yet to be investigated, but appears plausible given its high sequence similarity to FKBP12. Here, we found that FKBP12.6 can assemble with BMP and TGF-β-family type I receptors, but not with type II receptors. Cellular immunoprecipitation confirmed similar binding of FKBP12 and FKBP12.6 to the BMP receptor ALK2 (ACVR1), a known target of mutations in the congenital syndrome fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), as well as the pediatric brain tumor diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). SEC-MALS analyses using purified proteins indicated a direct 1:1 interaction between FKBP12.6 and the receptor's cytoplasmic domains. The 2.17 Å structure of this ALK2-FKBP12.6 complex bound to the inhibitor dorsomorphin showed FKBP12.6 binding to the GS domain of ALK2 in a manner equivalent to the FKBP12 complex, with ALK2 residues Phe198 and Leu199 extending into the FK506-binding pocket of FKBP12.6. These findings suggest a level of redundancy in FKBP-family regulation of BMP and TGF-β signaling.
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19
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Liu Y, Zhao XD. A Three-Generation Pedigree of Multifocal Heterotopic Ossification With Bilateral Involvement. Orthopedics 2021; 44:e139-e145. [PMID: 33089331 DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20201007-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification (HO) can be classified as nonhereditary HO (NHHO) or hereditary HO (HHO). Hereditary HO includes 2 different forms: fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) and progressive osseous heteroplasia (POH). Each of these disorders is caused by mutations in a single (different) gene. Clinical diagnosis of FOP can be confirmed by sequence analysis of the ACVR1 gene. Fewer than 10 families with autosomal dominant inheritance of FOP have been reported. The authors report clinical manifestations, pedigree analysis, and mutational analysis of the ACVR1 in a 3-generation Chinese family with 4 individuals presenting multifocal and bilateral involvement of HO. Clinical features of affected individuals of the family were not consistent with the classic FOP or atypical FOP. Exon sequencing was performed on every family member and 3 sporadic NHHO patients who did not belong to this family. All family members and 3 sporadic NHHO patients carried 2 hereditary homozygous silent mutations- c.270C>T and c.690G>A-the new and unique mutations in ACVR1. These results may suggest that the affected individuals in this family present a novel FOP-variant syndrome or a new form of HHO. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first well-documented instance of a 3-generation Chinese family with multifocal and bilateral involvement of HO. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(1):e139-e145.].
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20
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Engers DW, Bollinger SR, Felts AS, Vadukoot AK, Williams CH, Blobaum AL, Lindsley CW, Hong CC, Hopkins CR. Discovery, synthesis and characterization of a series of 7-aryl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-ylquinolines as activin-like kinase (ALK) inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127418. [PMID: 32750526 PMCID: PMC7494637 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The activin-like kinases are a family of kinases that play important roles in a variety of disease states. Of this class of kinases, ALK2, has been shown by a gain-of-function to be the primary driver of the childhood skeletal disease fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) and more recently the pediatric cancer diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Herein, we report our efforts to identify a novel imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine scaffold as potent inhibitors of ALK2 with good in vivo pharmacokinetic properties suitable for future animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren W Engers
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sean R Bollinger
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrew S Felts
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Anish K Vadukoot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA
| | - Charles H Williams
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Anna L Blobaum
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Charles C Hong
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Corey R Hopkins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA.
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21
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Smil D, Wong JF, Williams EP, Adamson RJ, Howarth A, McLeod DA, Mamai A, Kim S, Wilson BJ, Kiyota T, Aman A, Owen J, Poda G, Horiuchi KY, Kuznetsova E, Ma H, Hamblin JN, Cramp S, Roberts OG, Edwards AM, Uehling D, Al-Awar R, Bullock AN, O'Meara JA, Isaac MB. Leveraging an Open Science Drug Discovery Model to Develop CNS-Penetrant ALK2 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. J Med Chem 2020; 63:10061-10085. [PMID: 32787083 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There are currently no effective chemotherapeutic drugs approved for the treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), an aggressive pediatric cancer resident in the pons region of the brainstem. Radiation therapy is beneficial but not curative, with the condition being uniformly fatal. Analysis of the genomic landscape surrounding DIPG has revealed that activin receptor-like kinase-2 (ALK2) constitutes a potential target for therapeutic intervention given its dysregulation in the disease. We adopted an open science approach to develop a series of potent, selective, orally bioavailable, and brain-penetrant ALK2 inhibitors based on the lead compound LDN-214117. Modest structural changes to the C-3, C-4, and C-5 position substituents of the core pyridine ring afforded compounds M4K2009, M4K2117, and M4K2163, each with a superior potency, selectivity, and/or blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration profile. Robust in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and tolerability mark these inhibitors as advanced preclinical compounds suitable for further development and evaluation in orthotopic models of DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Smil
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Jong Fu Wong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor P Williams
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Roslin J Adamson
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Howarth
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - David A McLeod
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Ahmed Mamai
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Soyoung Kim
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Brian J Wilson
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Taira Kiyota
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Ahmed Aman
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada.,Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Julie Owen
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Gennady Poda
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada.,Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Kurumi Y Horiuchi
- Reaction Biology Corp., Suite 2, 1 Great Valley Parkway, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355, United States
| | - Ekaterina Kuznetsova
- Reaction Biology Corp., Suite 2, 1 Great Valley Parkway, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355, United States
| | - Haiching Ma
- Reaction Biology Corp., Suite 2, 1 Great Valley Parkway, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355, United States
| | - J Nicole Hamblin
- Charles River Discovery, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Waldon, Essex CB10 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Cramp
- Charles River Discovery, 8-9 Spire Green Centre, Flex Meadow, Harlow, Essex CM19 5TR, United Kingdom
| | - Owen G Roberts
- M4K Pharma, 101 College Street, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Aled M Edwards
- M4K Pharma, 101 College Street, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - David Uehling
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Rima Al-Awar
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Alex N Bullock
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Jeff A O'Meara
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada.,M4K Pharma, 101 College Street, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Methvin B Isaac
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
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22
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Kumar S, Fritz Z, Sulakhiya K, Theis T, Berthiaume F. Transcriptional Factors and Protein Biomarkers as Target Therapeutics in Traumatic Spinal Cord and Brain Injury. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:1092-1105. [PMID: 32442086 PMCID: PMC7709155 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200522203542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic injury to the spinal cord (SCI) and brain (TBI) are serious health problems and affect many people every year throughout the world. These devastating injuries are affecting not only patients but also their families socially as well as financially. SCI and TBI lead to neurological dysfunction besides continuous inflammation, ischemia, and necrosis followed by progressive neurodegeneration. There are well-established changes in several other processes such as gene expression as well as protein levels that are the important key factors to control the progression of these diseases. We are not yet able to collect enough knowledge on the underlying mechanisms leading to the altered gene expression profiles and protein levels in SCI and TBI. Cell loss is hastened by the induction or imbalance of pro- or anti-inflammatory expression profiles and transcription factors for cell survival after or during trauma. There is a sequence of events of dysregulation of these factors from early to late stages of trauma that opens a therapeutic window for new interventions to prevent/restrict the progression of these diseases. There has been increasing interest in the modulation of these factors for improving the patient’s quality of life by targeting both SCI and TBI. Here, we review some of the recent transcriptional factors and protein biomarkers that have been developed and discovered in the last decade in the context of targeted therapeutics for SCI and TBI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneel Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Zachary Fritz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kunjbihari Sulakhiya
- Department of Pharmacy, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak, India
| | - Thomas Theis
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The
State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Francois Berthiaume
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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23
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Seeherman HJ, Berasi SP, Brown CT, Martinez RX, Juo ZS, Jelinsky S, Cain MJ, Grode J, Tumelty KE, Bohner M, Grinberg O, Orr N, Shoseyov O, Eyckmans J, Chen C, Morales PR, Wilson CG, Vanderploeg EJ, Wozney JM. A BMP/activin A chimera is superior to native BMPs and induces bone repair in nonhuman primates when delivered in a composite matrix. Sci Transl Med 2020; 11:11/489/eaar4953. [PMID: 31019025 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aar4953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/carriers approved for orthopedic procedures achieve efficacy superior or equivalent to autograft bone. However, required supraphysiological BMP concentrations have been associated with potential local and systemic adverse events. Suboptimal BMP/receptor binding and rapid BMP release from approved carriers may contribute to these outcomes. To address these issues and improve efficacy, we engineered chimeras with increased receptor binding by substituting BMP-6 and activin A receptor binding domains into BMP-2 and optimized a carrier for chimera retention and tissue ingrowth. BV-265, a BMP-2/BMP-6/activin A chimera, demonstrated increased binding affinity to BMP receptors, including activin-like kinase-2 (ALK2) critical for bone formation in people. BV-265 increased BMP intracellular signaling, osteogenic activity, and expression of bone-related genes in murine and human cells to a greater extent than BMP-2 and was not inhibited by BMP antagonist noggin or gremlin. BV-265 induced larger ectopic bone nodules in rats compared to BMP-2 and was superior to BMP-2, BMP-2/6, and other chimeras in nonhuman primate bone repair models. A composite matrix (CM) containing calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite granules suspended in a macroporous, fenestrated, polymer mesh-reinforced recombinant human type I collagen matrix demonstrated improved BV-265 retention, minimal inflammation, and enhanced handling. BV-265/CM was efficacious in nonhuman primate bone repair models at concentrations ranging from 1/10 to 1/30 of the BMP-2/absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) concentration approved for clinical use. Initial toxicology studies were negative. These results support evaluations of BV-265/CM as an alternative to BMP-2/ACS in clinical trials for orthopedic conditions requiring augmented healing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen P Berasi
- Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer Inc., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Robert X Martinez
- Department of Inflammation and Immunology, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Z Sean Juo
- Biomedical Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Scott Jelinsky
- Department of Inflammation and Immunology, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Michael J Cain
- Department of Inflammation and Immunology, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jaclyn Grode
- Bioventus Surgical, Bioventus LLC, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Marc Bohner
- Robert Mathys Stiftung (RMS) Foundation, Bettlach 2544, Switzerland
| | | | - Nadav Orr
- CollPlant Ltd., Ness Ziona 74140, Israel
| | | | - Jeroen Eyckmans
- Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christopher Chen
- Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | | | | | - John M Wozney
- Bioventus Surgical, Bioventus LLC, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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24
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Ensan D, Smil D, Zepeda-Velázquez CA, Panagopoulos D, Wong JF, Williams EP, Adamson R, Bullock AN, Kiyota T, Aman A, Roberts OG, Edwards AM, O'Meara JA, Isaac MB, Al-Awar R. Targeting ALK2: An Open Science Approach to Developing Therapeutics for the Treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. J Med Chem 2020; 63:4978-4996. [PMID: 32369358 PMCID: PMC8213057 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Diffuse
intrinsic pontine glioma is an aggressive pediatric cancer
for which no effective chemotherapeutic drugs exist. Analysis of the
genomic landscape of this disease has led to the identification of
the serine/threonine kinase ALK2 as a potential target for therapeutic
intervention. In this work, we adopted an open science approach to
develop a series of potent type I inhibitors of ALK2 which are orally
bio-available and brain-penetrant. Initial efforts resulted in the
discovery of M4K2009, an analogue of the previously reported
ALK2 inhibitor LDN-214117. Although highly selective
for ALK2 over the TGF-βR1 receptor ALK5, M4K2009 is also moderately active against the hERG potassium channel. Varying
the substituents of the trimethoxyphenyl moiety gave rise to an equipotent
benzamide analogue M4K2149 with reduced off-target affinity
for the ion channel. Additional modifications yielded 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzamide
derivatives (26a–c), which possess high inhibitory
activity against ALK2, excellent selectivity, and superior pharmacokinetic
profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeba Ensan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.,Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - David Smil
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Carlos A Zepeda-Velázquez
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Dimitrios Panagopoulos
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Jong Fu Wong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
| | - Eleanor P Williams
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
| | - Roslin Adamson
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
| | - Alex N Bullock
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
| | - Taira Kiyota
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Ahmed Aman
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada.,Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Owen G Roberts
- M4K Pharma Inc., 101 College Street, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Aled M Edwards
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada.,M4K Pharma Inc., 101 College Street, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Jeff A O'Meara
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Methvin B Isaac
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Rima Al-Awar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.,Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
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25
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Sekimata K, Sato T, Sakai N. ALK2: A Therapeutic Target for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva and Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2020; 68:194-200. [PMID: 32115526 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c19-00882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) are diseases that typically manifest in childhood and are associated with severely reduced life expectancy. However, there are currently no effective therapies for these diseases, which remain incurable. Activin receptor-like kinase-2 (ALK2), encoded by the ACVR1 gene, is a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type-I receptor subtype that plays an important physiological role in the development of bones, muscles, brain, and other organs. Constitutively active mutants of ALK2 have been identified as causative of FOP and involved in the tumorigenesis of DIPG owing to abnormal activation of BMP signaling, and therefore have emerged as promising treatment targets. Here, we describe these two diseases, along with the link to ALK2 signal transduction, and highlight potential ALK2 inhibitors that are under development to offer new hope for patients with FOP and DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiko Sekimata
- Drug Discovery Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
| | - Tomohiro Sato
- Drug Discovery Computational Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
| | - Naoki Sakai
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Biosystems Dynamics Research
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26
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Pan H, Fleming N, Hong CC, Mishina Y, Perrien DS. Methods for the reliable induction of heterotopic ossification in the conditional Alk2Q207D mouse. JOURNAL OF MUSCULOSKELETAL & NEURONAL INTERACTIONS 2020; 20:149-159. [PMID: 32131380 PMCID: PMC7104591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Conditional Alk2Q207D-floxed (caALK2fl) mice have previously been used as a model of heterotopic ossification (HO). However, HO formation in this model can be highly variable, and it is unclear which methods reliably induce HO. Hence, these studies report validated methods for reproducibly inducing HO in caALK2fl mice. METHODS Varying doses of Adex-cre and cardiotoxin (CTX) were injected into the calf muscles of 9, 14, or 28-day-old caALK2fl/- or caALK2fl/fl mice. HO was measured by planar radiography or microCT at 14-28 days post-injury. RESULTS In 9-day-old caALK2fl/- or caALK2fl/fl mice, single injections of 109 PFU Adex-cre and 0.3 μg of CTX were sufficient to induce extensive HO within 14 days post-injury. In 28-day-old mice, the doses were increased to 5 x 109 PFU Adex-cre and 3.0 μg of CTX to achieve similar consistency, but at a slower rate versus younger mice. Using a crush injury, instead of CTX, also provided consistent induction of HO. Finally, the Type 1 BMPR inhibitor, DMH1, significantly reduced HO formation in 28-day-old caALK2fl/fl mice. CONCLUSIONS These data illustrate multiple methods for reliable induction of localized HO in the caALK2flmouse that can serve as a starting point for new laboratories utilizing this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichun Pan
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicole Fleming
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Charles C Hong
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN,Department of Pharmacology, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN,Division of Cardiology in the Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN,Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville TN
| | - Yuji Mishina
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Daniel S. Perrien
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN,Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville TN,Division of Clinical Pharmacology in the Department of Medicine and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN,Center for Small Animal Imaging, Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN,Corresponding author: Daniel S. Perrien, Ph.D., 101 Woodruff Circle, 1027 WMRB, Atlanta, GA 30322 E-mail: •
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27
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Tsintzas D, Jaggi A, Jaggi L, Mahesh S, Vithoulkas G. Heterotopic ossification in a 7-year-old female patient treated with individualized homeopathy: A case report. Clin Case Rep 2019; 7:2526-2533. [PMID: 31893094 PMCID: PMC6935605 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.2547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Classical homeopathy can be included among the treatment options for congenital heterotopic ossification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dionysios Tsintzas
- Orthopaedic SurgeonRehabilitation Centre General Hospital of AitoloakarnaniaAgrinioGreece
| | - Atul Jaggi
- H3 Centre of Classical HomeopathyNashikIndia
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28
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29
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Valer JA, Sánchez-de-Diego C, Pimenta-Lopes C, Rosa JL, Ventura F. ACVR1 Function in Health and Disease. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111366. [PMID: 31683698 PMCID: PMC6912516 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A receptor type I (ACVR1) encodes for a bone morphogenetic protein type I receptor of the TGFβ receptor superfamily. It is involved in a wide variety of biological processes, including bone, heart, cartilage, nervous, and reproductive system development and regulation. Moreover, ACVR1 has been extensively studied for its causal role in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic disorder characterised by progressive heterotopic ossification. ACVR1 is linked to different pathologies, including cardiac malformations and alterations in the reproductive system. More recently, ACVR1 has been experimentally validated as a cancer driver gene in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a malignant childhood brainstem glioma, and its function is being studied in other cancer types. Here, we review ACVR1 receptor function and signalling in physiological and pathological processes and its regulation according to cell type and mutational status. Learning from different functions and alterations linked to ACVR1 is a key step in the development of interdisciplinary research towards the identification of novel treatments for these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Valer
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Cristina Sánchez-de-Diego
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carolina Pimenta-Lopes
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
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30
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Yang E, Mundy C, Rappaport EF, Pacifici M, Billings PC. Identification and characterization of a novel heparan sulfate-binding domain in Activin A longest variants and implications for function. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222784. [PMID: 31536599 PMCID: PMC6752817 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Activins regulate numerous processes including inflammation and are synthesized as precursors consisting of a long N-terminal pro-region and a mature protein. Genomic human databases currently list three activin A (Act A) variants termed X1, X2 and X3. The X3 variant is the shortest, lacks N-terminal segments present in X1 and X2, and has been the focus of most past literature. Here, we asked whether these variants are expressed by human cells and tissues and what structural features are contained within their pro-regions. Human monocytic-like cells THP1 and U937 expressed X1 and X2 variants after exposure to phorbol ester or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, while X2 transcripts were present in placenta. Expression vectors encoding full length X2 or X3 variants resulted in production and secretion of biologically active Act A from cultured cells. Previous studies reported a putative HS-binding domain (HBD) in the X3 pro-region. Here, we identified a novel HBD with consensus HS-binding motifs near the N-terminal end of X1 and X2 pro-regions. Peptides encompassing this new domain interacted with substrate-bound HS with nanomolar affinity, while peptides from putative X3 HBD did not. In good agreement, full length X2 pro-region interacted with heparin-agarose, while the X3 pro-region did not. In sum, our study reveals that Act A variants are expressed by inflammatory cells and placenta and yield biological activity. The high affinity HBD in X1 and X2 pro-region and its absence in X3 could greatly influence overall Act A distribution, availability and activity in physiological and pathological circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Yang
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Christina Mundy
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Eric F. Rappaport
- Molecular Genetics Core, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Maurizio Pacifici
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Paul C. Billings
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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31
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Duchatel RJ, Jackson ER, Alvaro F, Nixon B, Hondermarck H, Dun MD. Signal Transduction in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Proteomics 2019; 19:e1800479. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201800479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J. Duchatel
- Cancer Signalling Research Group School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research Innovation and Translation Hunter Medical Research Institute Lambton NSW 2305 Australia
| | - Evangeline R. Jackson
- Cancer Signalling Research Group School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research Innovation and Translation Hunter Medical Research Institute Lambton NSW 2305 Australia
| | - Frank Alvaro
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research Innovation and Translation Hunter Medical Research Institute Lambton NSW 2305 Australia
- John Hunter Children's Hospital Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle New Lambton Heights NSW 2305 Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science School of Environmental and Life Sciences University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
| | - Hubert Hondermarck
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research Innovation and Translation Hunter Medical Research Institute Lambton NSW 2305 Australia
- Cancer Neurobiology Group School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
| | - Matthew D. Dun
- Cancer Signalling Research Group School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research Innovation and Translation Hunter Medical Research Institute Lambton NSW 2305 Australia
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32
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The role of Activin A in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a prominent mediator. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20190377. [PMID: 31341010 PMCID: PMC6680371 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20190377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the aberrant formation of mature, lamellar bone in nonosseous tissue. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare and devastating genetic disorder that causes progressive HO in the ligaments, tendons, and muscles throughout the body. FOP is attributed to an autosomal mutation in activin receptor-like kinase 2 (ALK2), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor. Initial studies show that mutant ALK2 drives HO by constitutively activating the BMP signaling pathway. Recently, mutant ALK2 has been shown to transduce Smad1/5 signaling and enhance chondrogenesis, calcification in response to Activin A, which normally signals through Smad2/3 and inhibits BMP signaling pathway. Furthermore, Activin A induces heterotopic bone formation via mutant ALK2, while inhibition of Activin A blocks spontaneous and trauma-induced HO. In this manuscript, we describe the molecular mechanism of the causative gene ALK2 in FOP, mainly focusing on the prominent role of Activin A in HO. It reveals a potential strategy for prevention and treatment of FOP by inhibition of Activin A. Further studies are needed to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Activin A in FOP in more detail.
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33
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Wu J, Ren B, Shi F, Hua P, Lin H. BMP and mTOR signaling in heterotopic ossification: Does their crosstalk provide therapeutic opportunities? J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:12108-12122. [PMID: 30989716 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification (HO) refers to the pathological formation of ectopic bone in soft tissues, it occurs following severe trauma or in patients with a rare genetic disorder known as fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. The pathological process of HO formation is a two-step mechanism: inflammation and destruction of connective tissues, followed by bone formation. The latter is further subdivided into three stages: fibroproliferation/angiogenesis, chondrogenesis, and osteogenesis. Currently, therapeutic options for HO are limited. New potential therapeutics will most likely arise from a more detailed understanding of the signaling pathways implicated in each stage of ectopic bone formation and molecular targets that may be effective at both the early and late stages of HO. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is believed to play a key role in the overall HO process. Recently, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway has received attention as a critical pathway for chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and HO. Inhibition of mTOR signaling has been shown to block trauma-induced and genetic HO. Intriguingly, recent studies have revealed crosstalk between mTOR and BMP signaling. Moreover, mTOR has emerged as a factor involved in the early hypoxic and inflammatory stages of HO. We will summarize the current knowledge of the roles of mTOR and BMP signaling in HO, with a particular focus on the crosstalk between mTOR and BMP signaling. We also discuss the activation of AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) by the most widely used drug for type 2 diabetes, metformin, which exerts a dual negative regulatory effect on mTOR and BMP signaling, suggesting that metformin is a promising drug treatment for HO. The discovery of an mTOR-BMP signaling network may be a potential molecular mechanism of HO and may represent a novel therapeutic target for the pharmacological control of HO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Wu
- Jiangxi Medical School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangx, China.,Nanchang Joint Programme, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Bowen Ren
- Jiangxi Medical School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangx, China.,Nanchang Joint Programme, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Fuli Shi
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ping Hua
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hui Lin
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Sekimata K, Sato T, Sakai N, Watanabe H, Mishima-Tsumagari C, Taguri T, Matsumoto T, Fujii Y, Handa N, Honma T, Tanaka A, Shirouzu M, Yokoyama S, Miyazono K, Hashizume Y, Koyama H. Bis-Heteroaryl Pyrazoles: Identification of Orally Bioavailable Inhibitors of Activin Receptor-Like Kinase-2 (R206H). Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2019; 67:224-235. [DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c18-00598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiko Sekimata
- Drug Discovery Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
| | - Tomohiro Sato
- Drug Discovery Computational Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
| | - Naoki Sakai
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Biosystems Dynamics Research
| | - Hisami Watanabe
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Biosystems Dynamics Research
| | | | - Tomonori Taguri
- Drug Discovery Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
| | - Takehisa Matsumoto
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Biosystems Dynamics Research
| | - Yoshifumi Fujii
- Crystallographic Drug Discovery Platform Unit, RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center
| | - Noriko Handa
- Crystallographic Drug Discovery Platform Unit, RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center
| | - Teruki Honma
- Drug Discovery Computational Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
| | - Akiko Tanaka
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Biosystems Dynamics Research
| | - Mikako Shirouzu
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Biosystems Dynamics Research
| | - Shigeyuki Yokoyama
- Crystallographic Drug Discovery Platform Unit, RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | | | - Hiroo Koyama
- Drug Discovery Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
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Asnaghi L, White DT, Key N, Choi J, Mahale A, Alkatan H, Edward DP, Elkhamary SM, Al-Mesfer S, Maktabi A, Hurtado CG, Lee GY, Carcaboso AM, Mumm JS, Safieh LA, Eberhart CG. ACVR1C/SMAD2 signaling promotes invasion and growth in retinoblastoma. Oncogene 2018; 38:2056-2075. [PMID: 30401983 PMCID: PMC6430693 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0543-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular cancer in children. While the primary tumor can often be treated by local or systemic chemotherapy, metastatic dissemination is generally resistant to therapy and remains a leading cause of pediatric cancer death in much of the world. In order to identify new therapeutic targets in aggressive tumors, we sequenced RNA transcripts in five snap frozen retinoblastomas which invaded the optic nerve and five which did not. A three-fold increase was noted in mRNA levels of ACVR1C/ALK7, a type I receptor of the TGF-β family, in invasive retinoblastomas, while downregulation of DACT2 and LEFTY2, negative modulators of the ACVR1C signaling, was observed in most invasive tumors. A two- to three-fold increase in ACVR1C mRNA was also found in invasive WERI Rb1 and Y79 cells as compared to non-invasive cells in vitro. Transcripts of ACVR1C receptor and its ligands (Nodal, Activin A/B, and GDF3) were expressed in six retinoblastoma lines, and evidence of downstream SMAD2 signaling was present in all these lines. Pharmacological inhibition of ACVR1C signaling using SB505124, or genetic downregulation of the receptor using shRNA potently suppressed invasion, growth, survival, and reduced the protein levels of the mesenchymal markers ZEB1 and Snail. The inhibitory effects on invasion, growth, and proliferation were recapitulated by knocking down SMAD2, but not SMAD3. Finally, in an orthotopic zebrafish model of retinoblastoma, a 55% decrease in tumor spread was noted (p=0.0026) when larvae were treated with 3 μM of SB505124, as compared to DMSO. Similarly, knockdown of ACVR1C in injected tumor cells using shRNA also resulted in a 54% reduction in tumor dissemination in the zebrafish eye as compared to scrambled shRNA control (p=0.0005). Our data support a role for the ACVR1C/SMAD2 pathway in promoting invasion and growth of retinoblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Asnaghi
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David T White
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nolan Key
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joshua Choi
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alka Mahale
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hind Alkatan
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Deepak P Edward
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sahar M Elkhamary
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Azza Maktabi
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Christopher G Hurtado
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Grace Y Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Jeff S Mumm
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Charles G Eberhart
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Cutting Edge Therapeutic Insights Derived from Molecular Biology of Pediatric High-Grade Glioma and Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Bioengineering (Basel) 2018; 5:bioengineering5040088. [PMID: 30340362 PMCID: PMC6315414 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering5040088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) and brainstem gliomas are some of the most challenging cancers to treat in children, with no effective therapies and 5-year survival at ~2% for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) patients. The standard of care for pHGG as a whole remains surgery and radiation combined with chemotherapy, while radiation alone is standard treatment for DIPG. Unfortunately, these therapies lack specificity for malignant glioma cells and have few to no reliable biomarkers of efficacy. Recent discoveries have revealed that epigenetic disruption by highly conserved mutations in DNA-packaging histone proteins in pHGG, especially DIPG, contribute to the aggressive nature of these cancers. In this review we pose unanswered questions and address unexplored mechanisms in pre-clinical models and clinical trial data from pHGG patients. Particular focus will be paid towards therapeutics targeting chromatin modifiers and other epigenetic vulnerabilities that can be exploited for pHGG therapy. Further delineation of rational therapeutic combinations has strong potential to drive development of safe and efficacious treatments for pHGG patients.
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Pacifici M. Acquired and congenital forms of heterotopic ossification: new pathogenic insights and therapeutic opportunities. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2018; 40:51-58. [PMID: 29614433 PMCID: PMC6015534 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification (HO) involves the formation and accumulation of extraskeletal bone tissue at the expense of local tissues including muscles and connective tissues. There are common forms of HO that are triggered by extensive trauma, burns and other bodily insults, and there are also rare congenital severe forms of HO that occur in children with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva or Progressive Osseous Heteroplasia. Given that HO is often preceded by inflammation, current treatments usually involve anti-inflammatory drugs alone or in combination with local irradiation, but are not very effective. Recent studies have provided novel insights into the pathogenesis of acquired and genetic forms of HO and have used the information to conceive and test new and more specific therapies in animal models. In this review, I provide salient examples of these exciting and promising advances that are undoubtedly paving the way toward resolution of this debilitating and at times fatal disease.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/diagnosis
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/genetics
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/physiopathology
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/therapy
- Bone and Bones/drug effects
- Bone and Bones/pathology
- Bone and Bones/physiopathology
- Bone and Bones/radiation effects
- Drug Discovery/methods
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Humans
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Myositis Ossificans/diagnosis
- Myositis Ossificans/genetics
- Myositis Ossificans/physiopathology
- Myositis Ossificans/therapy
- Ossification, Heterotopic/diagnosis
- Ossification, Heterotopic/genetics
- Ossification, Heterotopic/physiopathology
- Ossification, Heterotopic/therapy
- Osteogenesis/drug effects
- Osteogenesis/genetics
- Osteogenesis/radiation effects
- Phenotype
- Skin Diseases, Genetic/diagnosis
- Skin Diseases, Genetic/genetics
- Skin Diseases, Genetic/physiopathology
- Skin Diseases, Genetic/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Pacifici
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Ravazzolo R, Cappato S, Bocciardi R. Hints on transcriptional control of essential players in heterotopic ossification of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Bone 2018; 109:187-191. [PMID: 29100956 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Signaling of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) pathway is influenced by the level of expression of its components, in particular receptors, intracellular molecules and target genes which largely depends on gene transcription. One peculiar aspect of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) relates to the cell types in which the genetic mutation exerts its effects, then not only those involved in the heterotopic ossification processes but also others that participate in the inflammatory phases preceding and triggering heterotopic ossification. Such effects are in part detectable as variation in gene expression, which is also variably manifesting in term of time of appearance in different phases of the inflammatory or ossification processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ravazzolo
- DINOGMI Department, University of Genova, Genova, Italy; Medical Genetics Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy.
| | | | - Renata Bocciardi
- DINOGMI Department, University of Genova, Genova, Italy; Medical Genetics Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
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Alessi Wolken DM, Idone V, Hatsell SJ, Yu PB, Economides AN. The obligatory role of Activin A in the formation of heterotopic bone in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Bone 2018; 109:210-217. [PMID: 28629737 PMCID: PMC6706059 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disorder that presents at birth with only minor patterning defects, but manifests its debilitating pathology early in life with episodic, yet progressive and cumulative, heterotopic ossification (HO) of ligaments, tendons, and a subset of major skeletal muscles. The resulting HO lesions are endochondral in nature, and appear to be linked to inflammatory stimuli arising in association with known injuries, or from inflammation linked to normal tissue repair. FOP is caused by gain-of-function mutations in ACVR1, which encodes a type I BMP receptor. Initial studies on the pathogenic mechanism of FOP-causing mutations in ACVR1 focused on the enhanced function of this receptor in response to certain BMP ligands, or independently of ligands, but did not directly address the fact that HO in FOP is episodic and inflammation-driven. Recently, we and others demonstrated that Activin A is an obligate factor for the initiation of HO in FOP, signaling aberrantly via mutant ACVR1 to transduce osteogenic signals and trigger heterotopic bone formation (Hatsell et al., 2015; Hino et al., 2015). Subsequently, we identified distinct tissue-resident mesenchymal progenitor cells residing in muscles and tendons that recognize Activin A as a pro-osteogenic signal (solely in the context of FOP-causing mutant ACVR1), and give rise to the cartilaginous anlagen that form heterotopic bone (Dey et al., 2016). During the course of these studies, we also found that the activity of FOP-causing ACVR1 mutations does not by itself explain the triggered or inflammatory nature of HO in FOP, suggesting the importance of other, inflammation-introduced, factors or processes. This review presents a synthesis of these findings with a focus on the role of Activin A and inflammation in HO, and lays out perspectives for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana M Alessi Wolken
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - Vincent Idone
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - Sarah J Hatsell
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - Paul B Yu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aris N Economides
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA; Regeneron Genetics Center, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA.
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40
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Pacifici M. Retinoid roles and action in skeletal development and growth provide the rationale for an ongoing heterotopic ossification prevention trial. Bone 2018; 109:267-275. [PMID: 28826842 PMCID: PMC8011837 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The majority of skeletal elements develop via endochondral ossification. This process starts with formation of mesenchymal cell condensations at prescribed sites and times in the early embryo and is followed by chondrogenesis, growth plate cartilage maturation and hypertrophy, and replacement of cartilage with bone and marrow. This complex stepwise process is reactivated and recapitulated in physiologic conditions such as fracture repair, but can occur extraskeletally in pathologies including heterotopic ossification (HO), Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) and Hereditary Multiple Exostoses (HME). One form of HO is common and is triggered by trauma, invasive surgeries or burns and is thus particularly common amongst severely wounded soldiers. There is also a congenital and very severe form of HO that occurs in children with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) and is driven by activating mutations in ACVR1 encoding the type I bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor ALK2. Current treatments for acquired HO, including NSAIDs and local irradiation, are not always effective and can have side effects, and there is no effective treatment for HO in FOP. This review article describes the research path we took several years ago to develop a new and effective treatment for both congenital and acquired forms of HO and specifically, the testing of synthetic retinoid agonists to block the initial and critical chondrogenic step leading to HO onset and progression. We summarize studies with mouse models of injury-induced and congenital HO demonstrating the effectiveness and mode of action of the retinoid agonists, including Palovarotene. Our studies have provided the rationale for, directly led to, an ongoing phase 2 FDA clinical trial to test efficacy and safety of Palovarotene in FOP. Top-line results released a few months ago by the pharmaceutical sponsor Clementia are very encouraging. Given shared developmental pathways amongst pathologies of extraskeletal tissue formation, Palovarotene may also be effective in HME as preliminary in vitro data suggest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Pacifici
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
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Le V, Anderson E, Akiyama T, Wharton KA. Drosophila models of FOP provide mechanistic insight. Bone 2018; 109:192-200. [PMID: 29128351 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare bone disease characterized by episodic events of heterotopic ossification (HO). All cases of FOP have been attributed to mutations in the ACVR1 gene that render the encoded BMP type I ALK2 receptor hypersensitive, resulting in the activation of BMP signaling, at inappropriate times in inappropriate locations. The episodic or sporadic nature of HO associated with FOP rests with the occurrence of specific 'triggers' that push the hypersensitive ALK2-FOP receptor into full signaling mode. Identification of these triggers and their mechanism of action is critical for preventing HO and its devastating consequences in FOP patients. Models of FOP, generated in Drosophila, are shown to activate the highly conserved BMP signaling pathway in both Drosophila cell culture and in developing tissues in vivo. The most common FOP mutation, R206H, in ALK2 and its synonymous mutation, K262H, in the orthologous Drosophila receptor Sax, abolish the ability of wild type receptors to inhibit BMP ligand-induced signaling and lead to ubiquitous pathway activation in both cases but with important differences. When expressed in Drosophila, human ALK2R206H exhibits constitutive signaling. SaxK262H on the other hand can elicit excessive signaling similar to that observed for ALK2R206H in mammalian systems in vivo. For example, hyperactive signaling mediated by SaxK262H is triggered by an increase in ligand or in type II receptors. Interestingly, while the constitutive nature of ALK2R2026H in Drosophila requires activation by the type II receptor, it does not require its ligand binding domain. The differences exhibited by the two Drosophila FOP models enable a valuable comparative analysis poised to reveal critical regulatory mechanisms governing signaling output from these mutated receptors. Modifier screens using these Drosophila FOP models will be extremely valuable in identifying genes or compounds that reduce or prevent the hyperactive BMP signaling that initiates HO associated with FOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viet Le
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Program in Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward Anderson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Takuya Akiyama
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Kristi A Wharton
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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42
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Qi Z, Luan J, Zhou X, Cui Y, Han J. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: Basic understanding and experimental models. Intractable Rare Dis Res 2017; 6:242-248. [PMID: 29259851 PMCID: PMC5735276 DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2017.01055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive (FOP) is an extremely rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by congenital malformations of the great toes and progressive heterotopic ossification that can induce a disabling second skeleton. Spontaneously occurring flare-ups can cause inflammatory soft tissue to swell, followed by progressive and disabling heterotopic endochondral ossification. FOP is very rare, with an estimated incidence of one case per two million individuals. There is no definitive treatment for FOP, but the longevity of patients with FOP can be extended by early diagnosis and appropriate prevention of flares-up. Some promising treatment strategies and targets have recently been reported. The current review describes the classical phenotype and genotype of FOP, useful methods of diagnosing the condition, therapeutic approaches and commonly used drugs, and experimental models used to study this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijuan Qi
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Jinan-Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Ji'nan, China
- Key Laboratory for Rare Disease Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory for Biotech Drugs of the Ministry of Health, Shandong Medical Biotechnological Center, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China
| | - Jing Luan
- Key Laboratory for Rare Disease Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory for Biotech Drugs of the Ministry of Health, Shandong Medical Biotechnological Center, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Rare Disease Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory for Biotech Drugs of the Ministry of Health, Shandong Medical Biotechnological Center, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China
| | - Yazhou Cui
- Key Laboratory for Rare Disease Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory for Biotech Drugs of the Ministry of Health, Shandong Medical Biotechnological Center, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China
| | - Jinxiang Han
- Key Laboratory for Rare Disease Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory for Biotech Drugs of the Ministry of Health, Shandong Medical Biotechnological Center, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China
- Address correspondence to: Dr. Jinxiang Han, Key Laboratory for Rare Disease Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory for Biotech Drugs of the Ministry of Health, Shandong Medical Biotechnological Center, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, Shandong 250062, China. E-mail:
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Loomans HA, Andl CD. Activin receptor-like kinases: a diverse family playing an important role in cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:2431-2447. [PMID: 27904762 PMCID: PMC5126264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role and function of the members of the TGFβ superfamily has been a substantial area of research focus for the last several decades. During that time, it has become apparent that aberrations in TGFβ family signaling, whether through the BMP, Activin, or TGFβ arms of the pathway, can result in tumorigenesis or contribute to its progression. Downstream signaling regulates cellular growth under normal physiological conditions yet induces diverse processes during carcinogenesis, ranging from epithelial- to-mesenchymal transition to cell migration and invasion to angiogenesis. Due to these observations, the question has been raised how to utilize and target components of these signaling pathways in cancer therapy. Given that these cascades include both ligands and receptors, there are multiple levels at which to interfere. Activin receptor-like kinases (ALKs) are a group of seven type I receptors responsible for TGFβ family signal transduction and are utilized by many ligands within the superfamily. The challenge lies in specifically targeting the often-overlapping functional effects of BMP, Activin, or TGFβ signaling during cancer progression. This review focuses on the characteristic function of the individual receptors within each subfamily and their recognized roles in cancer. We next explore the clinical utility of therapeutically targeting ALKs as some have shown partial responses in Phase I clinical trials but disappointing outcomes when used in Phase II studies. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future directions of this body of work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holli A Loomans
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN, USA
| | - Claudia D Andl
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL, USA
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44
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Severino M, Bertamino M, Tortora D, Morana G, Uccella S, Bocciardi R, Ravazzolo R, Rossi A, Di Rocco M. Novel asymptomatic CNS findings in patients with ACVR1/ALK2 mutations causing fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. J Med Genet 2016; 53:859-864. [PMID: 27565519 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2016-104076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is an autosomal dominant disorder due to germline mutations of ACVR1/ALK2 causing progressive heterotopic endochondral ossifications. Evidence of central nervous system involvement has emerged only recently. METHODS We performed an observational cross-sectional brain MRI study in 13 patients (8 females, mean age 20 years), examining the relationship of clinical and neuroradiological findings. RESULTS All patients presented small asymptomatic lesions similar to hamartomas at the level of the dorsal medulla and ventral pons, associated with minor brainstem dysmorphisms and abnormal origin of the vestibulocochlear and facial nerves. The size of the brainstem lesions did not correlate with patient's age (p=0.061), age at first flare-up (p=0.733), severity of disability (p=0.194), history of head trauma (p=0.415) or hearing loss (p=0.237). The radiologic features and the absence of neurological symptoms were consistent with a benign process. Variable signal abnormalities and/or calcifications of the dentate nuclei were noted in all patients, while basal ganglia abnormalities were present in nine subjects. Brain calcifications positively correlated with patient's age (p<0.001) and severity of disability (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS Our data support the hypothesis that the effects of mutation of the ACVR1/ALK2 gene are extended to the central nervous system. Brainstem hamartomatous lesions and dysmorphisms, variably associated with dentate nucleus and basal ganglia signal abnormalities and/or calcifications, may represent useful disease hallmarks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giovanni Morana
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Uccella
- Neuropsychiatry Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Renata Bocciardi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Ravazzolo
- Medical Genetics Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maja Di Rocco
- Rare Disease Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), originally identified as osteoinductive components in extracts derived from bone, are now known to play important roles in a wide array of processes during formation and maintenance of various organs including bone, cartilage, muscle, kidney, and blood vessels. BMPs and the related "growth and differentiation factors" (GDFs) are members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family, and transduce their signals through type I and type II serine-threonine kinase receptors and their intracellular downstream effectors, including Smad proteins. Furthermore, BMP signals are finely tuned by various agonists and antagonists. Because deregulation of the BMP activity at multiple steps in signal transduction is linked to a wide variety of human diseases, therapeutic use of activators and inhibitors of BMP signaling will provide potential avenues for the treatment of the human disorders that are caused by hypo- and hyperactivation of BMP signals, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takenobu Katagiri
- Division of Pathophysiology, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka-shi, Saitama 350-1241, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Watabe
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Bio-Matrix, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
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