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Matthey M, Roberts R, Seidinger A, Simon A, Schröder R, Kuschak M, Annala S, König GM, Müller CE, Hall IP, Kostenis E, Fleischmann BK, Wenzel D. Targeted inhibition of G q signaling induces airway relaxation in mouse models of asthma. Sci Transl Med 2018; 9:9/407/eaag2288. [PMID: 28904224 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aag2288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Obstructive lung diseases are common causes of disability and death worldwide. A hallmark feature is aberrant activation of Gq protein-dependent signaling cascades. Currently, drugs targeting single G protein (heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein)-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are used to reduce airway tone. However, therapeutic efficacy is often limited, because various GPCRs contribute to bronchoconstriction, and chronic exposure to receptor-activating medications results in desensitization. We therefore hypothesized that pharmacological Gq inhibition could serve as a central mechanism to achieve efficient therapeutic bronchorelaxation. We found that the compound FR900359 (FR), a membrane-permeable inhibitor of Gq, was effective in silencing Gq signaling in murine and human airway smooth muscle cells. Moreover, FR both prevented bronchoconstrictor responses and triggered sustained airway relaxation in mouse, pig, and human airway tissue ex vivo. Inhalation of FR in healthy wild-type mice resulted in high local concentrations of the compound in the lungs and prevented airway constriction without acute effects on blood pressure and heart rate. FR administration also protected against airway hyperreactivity in murine models of allergen sensitization using ovalbumin and house dust mite as allergens. Our findings establish FR as a selective Gq inhibitor when applied locally to the airways of mice in vivo and suggest that pharmacological blockade of Gq proteins may be a useful therapeutic strategy to achieve bronchorelaxation in asthmatic lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Matthey
- Institute of Physiology I, Life and Brain Center, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Richard Roberts
- Pharmacology Research Group, University Hospital of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Alexander Seidinger
- Institute of Physiology I, Life and Brain Center, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Annika Simon
- Institute of Physiology I, Life and Brain Center, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ralf Schröder
- Molecular, Cellular, and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus Kuschak
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Suvi Annala
- Molecular, Cellular, and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriele M König
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,PharmaCenter, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,PharmaCenter, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ian P Hall
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Evi Kostenis
- Molecular, Cellular, and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,PharmaCenter, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernd K Fleischmann
- Institute of Physiology I, Life and Brain Center, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. .,PharmaCenter, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniela Wenzel
- Institute of Physiology I, Life and Brain Center, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Rashid S, Heer JK, Garle MJ, Alexander SPH, Roberts RE. Hydrogen sulphide-induced relaxation of porcine peripheral bronchioles. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 168:1902-10. [PMID: 23215842 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2012] [Revised: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter. Although it has been shown to elicit responses in vascular and other smooth muscle preparations, a role for endogenously produced H2S in mediating airway tone has yet to be demonstrated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether H2S is produced within the airways and to determine the functional effect on airway tone. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Small peripheral airways (<5 mm in diameter) from porcine lungs were set up in isolated tissue baths, pre-contracted with the muscarinic agonist carbachol, and then exposed to either the H2S donor sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), or the precursor L-cysteine. H2S production from L-cysteine or 3-mercaptopyruvate in tissue homogenates was measured by the methylene blue assay. Expression of the H2S-synthesizing enzymes cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ lyase (CSE) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase (3-MST) were measured by Western blotting. KEY RESULTS NaHS caused a large relaxation of the airways, which was inhibited partially by pre-contraction with KCl or exposure to tetraethylammonium, but not glibenclamide, paxilline or 4-aminopyridine. L-cysteine also caused a relaxation of the airways which was inhibited by the CBS inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid. Tissue homogenates from airways exposed to L-cysteine or 3-mercaptopyruvate in vitro showed a significant production of H2S. Western blotting demonstrated immunoreactivity to CBS, CSE and 3-MST enzymes in the airways. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These data demonstrate that H2S can be produced endogenously within porcine airways causing relaxation. The mechanism of relaxation depends, in part, on K(+) channel activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rashid
- Cardiovascular Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Nottingham, UK
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Perez-Aso M, Flacco N, Carpena N, Montesinos MC, D'Ocon P, Ivorra MD. β-Adrenoceptors differentially regulate vascular tone and angiogenesis of rat aorta via ERK1/2 and p38. Vascul Pharmacol 2014; 61:80-9. [PMID: 24768830 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2014.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
β-Adrenoceptors (β-ARs) modulate ERK1/2 and p38 in different cells, but little is known about the contribution of these signaling pathways to the function of β-ARs in vascular tissue. Immunoblotting analysis of rat aortic rings, primary endothelial (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) isolated from aorta showed that β-AR stimulation with isoprenaline activated p38 in aortic rings and in both cultured cell types, whereas it had a dual effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation, decreasing it in ECs while increasing it in SMCs. These effects were reversed by propranolol, which by itself increased p-ERK1/2 in ECs. Isoprenaline β-AR mediated vasodilation of aortic rings was potentiated by the ERK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, in the presence or absence of endothelium or L-NAME, whereas inhibition of p38 had no impact. Isoprenaline moderately decreased sprouting from aorta rings in the Matrigel angiogenesis assay; conversely propranolol not only prevented isoprenaline inhibition, but stimulated angiogenesis. ERK1/2 inhibition decreased angiogenesis, while a dramatic stimulation was observed by p38 blockade. Our results suggest that ERK1/2 activation after β-ARs stimulation in the smooth muscle hinders the vasodilator effect of isoprenaline, but in the endothelium β-ARs decreases ERK1/2 and increases p38 activity reducing therefore angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Perez-Aso
- Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Nicla Flacco
- Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Nuria Carpena
- Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - M Carmen Montesinos
- Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; Institut de Reconociment Molecular i Desenvolupament Tecnològic, Centre Mixte Universitat Politècnica de València - Universitat de València, Spain
| | - Pilar D'Ocon
- Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - M Dolores Ivorra
- Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
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Goplen N, Karim Z, Guo L, Zhuang Y, Huang H, Gorska MM, Gelfand E, Pagés G, Pouysségur J, Alam R. ERK1 is important for Th2 differentiation and development of experimental asthma. FASEB J 2012; 26:1934-45. [PMID: 22262639 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-196477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The ERK1/2 signaling pathway regulates a variety of T-cell functions. We observed dynamic changes in the expression of ERK1/2 during T-helper cell differentiation. Specifically, the expression of ERK1/2 was decreased and increased by IL-12 and IL-4, respectively. To address this subject further, we examined the specific role of ERK1 in Th2 differentiation and development of experimental asthma using ERK1(-/-) mice. ERK1(-/-) mice were unable to mount airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in two different models of asthma, acute and chronic. ERK1(-/-) mice had reduced expression of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 but not IL-17A or IFN-γ. They had reduced levels of allergen-specific IgE and blood eosinophils. T cells from immunized ERK1(-/-) mice manifested reduced proliferation in response to the sensitizing allergen. ERK1(-/-) T cells had reduced and short-lived expression of JunB following TCR stimulation, which likely contributed to their impaired Th2 differentiation. Immunized ERK1(-/-) mice showed reduced numbers of CD44(high) CD4 T cells in the spleen. In vitro studies demonstrated that Th2 but not Th1 cells from ERK1(-/-) mice had reduced numbers of CD44(high) cells. Finally, CD4 T cells form ERK1(-/-) mice expressed higher levels of BIM under growth factor-deprived conditions and reduced Mcl-1 on stimulation. As a result, the survival of CD4 T cells, especially CD44(high) Th2 cells, was much reduced in ERK1(-/-) mice. We conclude that ERK1 plays a nonredundant role in Th2 differentiation and development of experimental asthma. ERK1 controls Th2 differentiation and survival through its effect on JunB and BIM, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Goplen
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA
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