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Kurimoto T, Tamai I, Nakagawa T, Miyai A, Yamamoto Y, Kosugi Y, Deai K, Hata T, Ohta T, Matsushita M, Yamada T. JTP-117968, a novel selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator, exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effect while maintaining bone mineral density in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 895:173880. [PMID: 33476654 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.173880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Classic glucocorticoids have been prescribed for various inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, due to their outstanding anti-inflammatory effects. However, glucocorticoids cause numerous unwanted side effects, including osteoporosis and diabetes. Hence, selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators (SGRMs), which retain anti-inflammatory effects with minimized side effects, are among the most anticipated drugs in the clinical field. The assumption is that there are two major mechanisms of action via glucocorticoid receptors, transrepression (TR) and transactivation (TA). In general, anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids are largely due to TR, while the side effects associated with glucocorticoids are mostly mediated through TA. We previously reported that JTP-117968, a novel SGRM, maintained partial TR activity while remarkably reducing the TA activity. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of JTP-117968 on a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge model and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model in mice. Meanwhile, we tested the effect of JTP-117968 on the bone mineral density (BMD) in mouse femur to evaluate the side effect. Based on the evaluation, JTP-117968 reduced the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor α induced by LPS challenge in mice significantly. Remarkably, CIA development was suppressed by JTP-117968 comparably with prednisolone and PF-802, an active form of fosdagrocorat that has been developed clinically as an orally available SGRM. Strikingly, the side effect of JTP-117968 on mouse femoral BMD was much lower than those of PF-802 and prednisolone. Therefore, JTP-117968 has attractive potential as a new therapeutic option against inflammatory diseases with minimized side effects compared to classic glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Kurimoto
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., Osaka, Japan; Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agrobiology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
| | - Isao Tamai
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakagawa
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsuko Miyai
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasuo Yamamoto
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Kosugi
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., Osaka, Japan
| | - Katsuya Deai
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hata
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ohta
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Functional Anatomy, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Takahisa Yamada
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agrobiology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
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Rogliani P, Ritondo BL, Puxeddu E, Pane G, Cazzola M, Calzetta L. Experimental Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Asthma: A Systematic Review. J Exp Pharmacol 2020; 12:233-254. [PMID: 32982485 PMCID: PMC7495344 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s237480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are considered the cornerstone of asthma treatment. Despite the solid evidence documenting the efficacy and safety of ICSs at the level of the airways, their use can be affected by pulmonary and systemic adverse events (AEs) when administered chronically and/or at high doses. Thus, there is a pharmacological and medical need for new glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR) ligands with a more favorable therapeutic index, in order to overcome the shortcomings of currently available ICSs. The therapeutic profile of GCs can be improved by enhancing genomic mechanisms mediated by transrepression, which is assumed to be responsible for several anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions, rather than transactivation, which causes most of the GC-associated AEs. It was assumed that an independent modulation of the molecular mechanisms underlying transactivation and transrepression could translate into the dissociation of beneficial effects from AEs. Therefore, current research is looking for GCs that are able to elicit prevalently transrepression with negligible transactivating activity. These compounds are known as selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists (SEGRAs). In this review, experimental GR agonists currently in pre-clinical and clinical development for the treatment of asthma have been systematically assessed. Several compounds are currently under pre-clinical development, but only three novel experimental GR agonists (GW870086X, AZD5423, AZD7594) seem to have some potential therapeutic relevance and have entered clinical trials for the treatment of asthma. Since data from pre-clinical studies have not always been confirmed in clinical investigations, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed in asthmatic patients to confirm the potentially positive benefit/risk ratio of each specific SEGRA and to optimize the development strategy of these agents in respiratory medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Rogliani
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Ludovica Ritondo
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Ermanno Puxeddu
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Gloria Pane
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Cazzola
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Luigino Calzetta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Souffriau J, Eggermont M, Van Ryckeghem S, Van Looveren K, Van Wyngene L, Van Hamme E, Vuylsteke M, Beyaert R, De Bosscher K, Libert C. A screening assay for Selective Dimerizing Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists and Modulators (SEDIGRAM) that are effective against acute inflammation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12894. [PMID: 30150712 PMCID: PMC6110732 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31150-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists that promote GR homodimerization more than standard glucocorticoids such as Dexamethasone could be more effective anti-inflammatory molecules against acute and life-threatening inflammatory conditions. To test this hypothesis, we set up a screening pipeline aimed at discovering such Selective Dimerizing GR Agonists and Modulators (SEDIGRAM). The pipeline consists of a reporter gene assay based on a palindromic glucocorticoid responsive element (GRE). This assay represents GR dimerization in human A549 lung epithelial cells. In the pipeline, this is followed by analysis of endogenous GRE-driven gene expression, a FRET assay confirming dimerization, and monitoring of in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. In a proof of principle experiment, starting from seven candidate compounds, we identified two potentially interesting compounds (Cortivazol and AZD2906) that confer strong protection in a mouse model of aggressive TNF-induced lethal inflammation. A screening pipeline for SEDIGRAM may assist the search for compounds that promote GR dimerization and limit overwhelming acute inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Souffriau
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Melanie Eggermont
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sara Van Ryckeghem
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kelly Van Looveren
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lise Van Wyngene
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Van Hamme
- Bio Imaging Core, Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Rudi Beyaert
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab, Center for Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Claude Libert
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium. .,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Abstract
The glucocorticoid hormone cortisol acts throughout the body to support circadian processes and adaptation to stress. The glucocorticoid receptor is the target of cortisol and of synthetic glucocorticoids, which are used widely in the clinic. Both agonism and antagonism of the glucocorticoid receptor may be beneficial in disease, but given the wide expression of the receptor and involvement in various processes, beneficial effects are often accompanied by unwanted side effects. Selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators are ligands that induce a receptor conformation that allows activation of only a subset of downstream signaling pathways. Such molecules thereby combine agonistic and antagonistic properties. Here we discuss the mechanisms underlying selective receptor modulation and their promise in treating diseases in several organ systems where cortisol signaling plays a role.
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