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Colón Ortiz R, Knerler S, Fridman LB, Mercado A, Price AS, Rosado-Franco JJ, Wilkins H, Flores BR, Orsburn BC, Williams DW. Cocaine regulates antiretroviral therapy CNS access through pregnane-x receptor-mediated drug transporter and metabolizing enzyme modulation at the blood brain barrier. Fluids Barriers CNS 2024; 21:5. [PMID: 38200564 PMCID: PMC10777548 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00507-3] [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: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appropriate interactions between antiretroviral therapies (ART) and drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes at the blood brain barrier (BBB) are critical to ensure adequate dosing of the brain to achieve HIV suppression. These proteins are modulated by demographic and lifestyle factors, including substance use. While understudied, illicit substances share drug transport and metabolism pathways with ART, increasing the potential for adverse drug:drug interactions. This is particularly important when considering the brain as it is relatively undertreated compared to peripheral organs and is vulnerable to substance use-mediated damage. METHODS We used an in vitro model of the human BBB to determine the extravasation of three first-line ART drugs, emtricitabine (FTC), tenofovir (TFV), and dolutegravir (DTG), in the presence and absence of cocaine, which served as our illicit substance model. The impact of cocaine on BBB integrity and permeability, drug transporters, metabolizing enzymes, and their master transcriptional regulators were evaluated to determine the mechanisms by which substance use impacted ART central nervous system (CNS) availability. RESULTS We determined that cocaine had a selective impact on ART extravasation, where it increased FTC's ability to cross the BBB while decreasing TFV. DTG concentrations that passed the BBB were below quantifiable limits. Interestingly, the potent neuroinflammatory modulator, lipopolysaccharide, had no effect on ART transport, suggesting a specificity for cocaine. Unexpectedly, cocaine did not breach the BBB, as permeability to albumin and 4 kDa FITC-dextran, as well as tight junction proteins and adhesion molecules remained unchanged. Rather, cocaine selectively decreased the pregnane-x receptor (PXR), but not constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). Consequently, drug transporter expression and activity decreased in endothelial cells of the BBB, including p-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4). Further, cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzymatic activity increased following cocaine treatment that coincided with decreased expression. Finally, cocaine modulated adenylate kinases that are required to facilitate biotransformation of ART prodrugs to their phosphorylated, pharmacologically active counterparts. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that additional considerations are needed in CNS HIV treatment strategies for people who use cocaine, as it may limit ART efficacy through regulation of drug transport and metabolizing pathways at the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodnie Colón Ortiz
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Stephen Knerler
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Lisa B Fridman
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Alicia Mercado
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Amira-Storm Price
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jose J Rosado-Franco
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Hannah Wilkins
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Bianca R Flores
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Benjamin C Orsburn
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Dionna W Williams
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Rollins Research Center, 1510 Clifton Road NE, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Fernandes LDR, Lopes JR, Bonjorno AF, Prates JLB, Scarim CB, Dos Santos JL. The Application of Prodrugs as a Tool to Enhance the Properties of Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors. Viruses 2023; 15:2234. [PMID: 38005911 PMCID: PMC10675571 DOI: 10.3390/v15112234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is an effective treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which has transformed the highly lethal disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), into a chronic and manageable condition. However, better methods need to be developed for enhancing patient access and adherence to therapy and for improving treatment in the long term to reduce adverse effects. From the perspective of drug discovery, one promising strategy is the development of anti-HIV prodrugs. This approach aims to enhance the efficacy and safety of treatment, promoting the development of more appropriate and convenient systems for patients. In this review, we discussed the use of the prodrug approach for HIV antiviral agents and emphasized nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. We comprehensively described various strategies that are used to enhance factors such as water solubility, bioavailability, pharmacokinetic parameters, permeability across biological membranes, chemical stability, drug delivery to specific sites/organs, and tolerability. These strategies might help researchers conduct better studies in this field. We also reported successful examples from the primary therapeutic classes while discussing the advantages and limitations. In this review, we highlighted the key trends in the application of the prodrug approach for treating HIV/AIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil; (L.d.R.F.); (J.R.L.); (A.F.B.); (J.L.B.P.); (C.B.S.)
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Fridman LB, Knerler S, Price AS, Ortiz RC, Mercado A, Wilkins H, Flores BR, Orsburn BC, Williams DW. Cocaine Regulates Antiretroviral Therapy CNS Access Through Pregnane-X Receptor-Mediated Drug Transporter and Metabolizing Enzyme Modulation at the Blood Brain Barrier. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.28.551042. [PMID: 37546800 PMCID: PMC10402182 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.28.551042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Appropriate interactions between antiretroviral therapies (ART) and drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes at the blood brain barrier (BBB) are critical to ensure adequate dosing of the brain to achieve HIV suppression. These proteins are modulated by demographic and lifestyle factors, including substance use. While understudied, illicit substances share drug transport and metabolism pathways with ART, increasing the potential for adverse drug:drug interactions. This is particularly important when considering the brain as it is relatively undertreated compared to peripheral organs and is vulnerable to substance use-mediated damage. Methods We used an in vitro model of the human BBB to determine the extravasation of three first-line ART drugs, emtricitabine (FTC), tenofovir (TFV), and dolutegravir (DTG), in the presence and absence of cocaine, which served as our illicit substance model. The impact of cocaine on BBB integrity and permeability, drug transporters, metabolizing enzymes, and their master transcriptional regulators were evaluated to determine the mechanisms by which substance use impacted ART central nervous system (CNS) availability. Results We determined that cocaine had a selective impact on ART extravasation, where it increased FTC's ability to cross the BBB while decreasing TFV. DTG concentrations that passed the BBB were below quantifiable limits. Interestingly, the potent neuroinflammatory modulator, lipopolysaccharide, had no effect on ART transport, suggesting a specificity for cocaine. Unexpectedly, cocaine did not breach the BBB, as permeability to albumin and tight junction proteins and adhesion molecules remained unchanged. Rather, cocaine selectively decreased the pregnane-x receptor (PXR), but not constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). Consequently, drug transporter expression and activity decreased in endothelial cells of the BBB, including p-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4). Further, cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzymatic activity increased following cocaine treatment that coincided with decreased expression. Finally, cocaine modulated adenylate kinases are required to facilitate biotransformation of ART prodrugs to their phosphorylated, pharmacologically active counterparts. Conclusion Our findings indicate that additional considerations are needed in CNS HIV treatment strategies for people who use cocaine, as it may limit ART efficacy through regulation of drug transport and metabolizing pathways at the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa B. Fridman
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Stephen Knerler
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Amira-Storm Price
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Rodnie Colón Ortiz
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Alicia Mercado
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Hannah Wilkins
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Bianca R. Flores
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Benjamin C. Orsburn
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Dionna W. Williams
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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