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Li Q, Liao Q, Qi S, Huang H, He S, Lyu W, Liang J, Qin H, Cheng Z, Yu F, Dong X, Wang Z, Han L, Han Y. Opportunities and perspectives of small molecular phosphodiesterase inhibitors in neurodegenerative diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116386. [PMID: 38614063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116386] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase (PDE) is a superfamily of enzymes that are responsible for the hydrolysis of two second messengers: cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). PDE inhibition promotes the gene transcription by activating cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), initiating gene transcription of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The procedure exerts neuroprotective profile, and motor and cognitive improving efficacy. From this point of view, PDE inhibition will provide a promising therapeutic strategy for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we summarized the PDE inhibitors that have entered the clinical trials or been discovered in recent five years. Well-designed clinical or preclinical investigations have confirmed the effectiveness of PDE inhibitors, such as decreasing Aβ oligomerization and tau phosphorylation, alleviating neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress, modulating neuronal plasticity and improving long-term cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Qinghong Liao
- Shandong Kangqiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Qingdao, 266033, Shandong, PR China
| | - Shulei Qi
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Siyu He
- Guizhou Province Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Weiping Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Jinxin Liang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Huan Qin
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Zimeng Cheng
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Fan Yu
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xue Dong
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Ziming Wang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 256699, Shandong, PR China
| | - Lingfei Han
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yantao Han
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
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Schepers M, Paes D, Tiane A, Rombaut B, Piccart E, van Veggel L, Gervois P, Wolfs E, Lambrichts I, Brullo C, Bruno O, Fedele E, Ricciarelli R, Ffrench-Constant C, Bechler ME, van Schaik P, Baron W, Lefevere E, Wasner K, Grünewald A, Verfaillie C, Baeten P, Broux B, Wieringa P, Hellings N, Prickaerts J, Vanmierlo T. Selective PDE4 subtype inhibition provides new opportunities to intervene in neuroinflammatory versus myelin damaging hallmarks of multiple sclerosis. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 109:1-22. [PMID: 36584795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by focal inflammatory lesions and prominent demyelination. Even though the currently available therapies are effective in treating the initial stages of disease, they are unable to halt or reverse disease progression into the chronic progressive stage. Thus far, no repair-inducing treatments are available for progressive MS patients. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of new therapeutic strategies either targeting the destructive immunological demyelination or boosting endogenous repair mechanisms. Using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models, we demonstrate that selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), a family of enzymes that hydrolyzes and inactivates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), reduces inflammation and promotes myelin repair. More specifically, we segregated the myelination-promoting and anti-inflammatory effects into a PDE4D- and PDE4B-dependent process respectively. We show that inhibition of PDE4D boosts oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) differentiation and enhances (re)myelination of both murine OPCs and human iPSC-derived OPCs. In addition, PDE4D inhibition promotes in vivo remyelination in the cuprizone model, which is accompanied by improved spatial memory and reduced visual evoked potential latency times. We further identified that PDE4B-specific inhibition exerts anti-inflammatory effects since it lowers in vitro monocytic nitric oxide (NO) production and improves in vivo neurological scores during the early phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In contrast to the pan PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast, the therapeutic dose of both the PDE4B-specific inhibitor A33 and the PDE4D-specific inhibitor Gebr32a did not trigger emesis-like side effects in rodents. Finally, we report distinct PDE4D isoform expression patterns in human area postrema neurons and human oligodendroglia lineage cells. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, we confirmed that pde4d1/2 and pde4d6 are the key targets to induce OPC differentiation. Collectively, these data demonstrate that gene specific PDE4 inhibitors have potential as novel therapeutic agents for targeting the distinct disease processes of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Schepers
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Dean Paes
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Assia Tiane
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Ben Rombaut
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Piccart
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Lieve van Veggel
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Pascal Gervois
- Department of Cardio and Organ Systems, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Esther Wolfs
- Department of Cardio and Organ Systems, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Ivo Lambrichts
- Department of Cardio and Organ Systems, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Chiara Brullo
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Olga Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberta Ricciarelli
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Charles Ffrench-Constant
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine and MS Society Edinburgh Centre, Edinburgh bioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marie E Bechler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Pauline van Schaik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wia Baron
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Evy Lefevere
- Rewind Therapeutics NV, Gaston Geenslaan 2, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kobi Wasner
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Anne Grünewald
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Catherine Verfaillie
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paulien Baeten
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bieke Broux
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Paul Wieringa
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Complex Tissue Regeneration department, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Niels Hellings
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium.
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Epstein PM, Basole C, Brocke S. The Role of PDE8 in T Cell Recruitment and Function in Inflammation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:636778. [PMID: 33937235 PMCID: PMC8085600 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.636778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors targeting cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) expressed in leukocytes have entered clinical practice to treat inflammatory disorders, with three PDE4 inhibitors currently in clinical use as therapeutics for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, atopic dermatitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In contrast, the PDE8 family that is upregulated in pro-inflammatory T cells is a largely unexplored therapeutic target. It was shown that PDE8A plays a major role in controlling T cell and breast cancer cell motility, including adhesion to endothelial cells under physiological shear stress and chemotaxis. This is a unique function of PDE8 not shared by PDE4, another cAMP specific PDE, employed, as noted, as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic. Additionally, a regulatory role was shown for the PDE8A-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (Raf)-1 kinase signaling complex in myelin antigen reactive CD4+ effector T cell adhesion and locomotion by a mechanism differing from that of PDE4. The PDE8A-Raf-1 kinase signaling complex affects T cell motility, at least in part, via regulating the LFA-1 integrin mediated adhesion to ICAM-1. The findings that PDE8A and its isoforms are expressed at higher levels in naive and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35–55 activated effector T (Teff) cells compared to regulatory T (Treg) cells and that PDE8 inhibition specifically affects MOG35–55 activated Teff cell adhesion, indicates that PDE8A could represent a new beneficial target expressed in pathogenic Teff cells in CNS inflammation. The implications of this work for targeting PDE8 in inflammation will be discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Epstein
- Department of Cell Biology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Chaitali Basole
- Department of Immunology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Stefan Brocke
- Department of Immunology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
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4
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Schepers M, Tiane A, Paes D, Sanchez S, Rombaut B, Piccart E, Rutten BPF, Brône B, Hellings N, Prickaerts J, Vanmierlo T. Targeting Phosphodiesterases-Towards a Tailor-Made Approach in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1727. [PMID: 31396231 PMCID: PMC6667646 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by heterogeneous clinical symptoms including gradual muscle weakness, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. The disease course of MS can be classified into a relapsing-remitting (RR) phase defined by periods of neurological disabilities, and a progressive phase where neurological decline is persistent. Pathologically, MS is defined by a destructive immunological and neuro-degenerative interplay. Current treatments largely target the inflammatory processes and slow disease progression at best. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop next-generation therapeutic strategies that target both neuroinflammatory and degenerative processes. It has been shown that elevating second messengers (cAMP and cGMP) is important for controlling inflammatory damage and inducing CNS repair. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) have been studied extensively in a wide range of disorders as they breakdown these second messengers, rendering them crucial regulators. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of PDE inhibition in limiting pathological inflammation and stimulating regenerative processes in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Schepers
- Department of Neuroimmunology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Assia Tiane
- Department of Neuroimmunology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Dean Paes
- Department of Neuroimmunology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Selien Sanchez
- Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Ben Rombaut
- Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Piccart
- Department of Neuroimmunology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Bert Brône
- Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Niels Hellings
- Department of Neuroimmunology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Neuroimmunology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Namazi Sarvestani N, Saberi Firouzi S, Falak R, Karimi MY, Davoodzadeh Gholami M, Rangbar A, Hosseini A. Phosphodiesterase 4 and 7 inhibitors produce protective effects against high glucose-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells via modulation of the oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation pathways. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:1293-1306. [PMID: 29713919 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0241-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is the most common diabetic complication. It is estimated diabetic population will increase to 592 million by the year 2035. This is while at least 50-60% of all diabetic patients will suffer from neuropathy in their lifetime. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and inflammation are crucial pathways in development and progression of DN. Since there is also no selective and effective therapeutic agent to prevent or treat high glucose (HG)-induced neuronal cell injury, it is crucial to explore tools by which one can reduce factors related to these pathways. Phosphodiesterase 4 and 7 (PDE 4 and 7) regulate oxidative damage, neurodegenaration, and inflammatory responses through modulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level, and thus can be as important drug targets for regulating DN. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of inhibitors of PDE 4 and 7, named rolipram and BRL5048, on HG-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells as an in vitro cellular model for DN and determine the possible mechanisms for theirs effects. We report that the PC12 cells pre-treatment with rolipram (2 μM) and/or BRL5048 (0.2 μM) for 60 min and then exposing the cells to HG (4.5 g/L for 72 h) or normal glucose (NG) (1 g/L for 72 h) condition show: (1) significant attenuation in ROS, MDA and TNF-a levels, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, expression of caspase 3 and UCP2 proteins; (2) significant increase in viability, GSH/GSSG ratio, MMP and ATP levels. All these data together led us to propose PDE 4 and 7 inhibitors, and specifically, rolipram and BRL5048, as potential drugs candidate to be further studied for the prevention and treatment of DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Namazi Sarvestani
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, Department of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Saberi Firouzi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Falak
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Akram Rangbar
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Asieh Hosseini
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Aldrich A, Bosch ME, Fallet R, Odvody J, Burkovetskaya M, Rama Rao KV, Cooper JD, Drack AV, Kielian T. Efficacy of phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors in juvenile Batten disease (CLN3). Ann Neurol 2016; 80:909-923. [PMID: 27804148 PMCID: PMC5215570 DOI: 10.1002/ana.24815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL), or juvenile Batten disease, is a pediatric lysosomal storage disease caused by autosomal recessive mutations in CLN3, typified by blindness, seizures, progressive cognitive and motor decline, and premature death. Currently, there is no treatment for JNCL that slows disease progression, which highlights the need to explore novel strategies to extend the survival and quality of life of afflicted children. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a second messenger with pleiotropic effects, including regulating neuroinflammation and neuronal survival. Here we investigated whether 3 phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors (rolipram, roflumilast, and PF-06266047) could mitigate behavioral deficits and cell-specific pathology in the Cln3Δex7/8 mouse model of JNCL. METHODS In a randomized, blinded study, wild-type (WT) and Cln3Δex7/8 mice received PDE4 inhibitors daily beginning at 1 or 3 months of age and continuing for 6 to 9 months, with motor deficits assessed by accelerating rotarod testing. The effect of PDE4 inhibitors on cAMP levels, astrocyte and microglial activation (glial fibrillary acidic protein and CD68, respectively), lysosomal pathology (lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1), and astrocyte glutamate transporter expression (glutamate/aspartate transporter) were also examined in WT and Cln3Δex7/8 animals. RESULTS cAMP levels were significantly reduced in the Cln3Δex7/8 brain, and were restored by PF-06266047. PDE4 inhibitors significantly improved motor function in Cln3Δex7/8 mice, attenuated glial activation and lysosomal pathology, and restored glutamate transporter expression to levels observed in WT animals, with no evidence of toxicity as revealed by blood chemistry analysis. INTERPRETATION These studies reveal neuroprotective effects for PDE4 inhibitors in Cln3Δex7/8 mice and support their therapeutic potential in JNCL patients. Ann Neurol 2016;80:909-923.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Aldrich
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Megan E Bosch
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Rachel Fallet
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Jessica Odvody
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Maria Burkovetskaya
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | | | - Jonathan D Cooper
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, King's College, London, United Kingdom.,Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
| | - Arlene V Drack
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
| | - Tammy Kielian
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
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Cyclic citrullinated MBP 87-99 peptide stimulates T cell responses: Implications in triggering disease. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 25:528-538. [PMID: 27908754 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Amino acid mutations to agonist peptide epitopes of myelin proteins have been used to modulate immune responses and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE, animal model of multiple sclerosis). Such amino acid alteration are termed, altered peptide ligands (APL). We have shown that the agonist myelin basic protein (MBP) 87-99 epitope (MBP87-99) with crucial T cell receptor (TCR) substitutions at positions 91 and 96 (K91,P96 (TCR contact residues) to R91,A96; [R91,A96]MBP87-99) results in altered T cell responses and inhibits EAE symptoms. In this study, the role of citrullination of arginines in [R91,A96]MBP87-99 peptide analog was determined using in vivo experiments in combination with computational studies. The immunogenicity of linear [Cit91,A96,Cit97]MBP87-99 and its cyclic analog - cyclo(87-99)[Cit91,A96,Cit97]MBP87-99 when conjugated to the carrier mannan (polysaccharide) were studied in SJL/J mice. It was found that mannosylated cyclo(87-99)[Cit91,A96,Cit97]MBP87-99 peptide induced strong T cell proliferative responses and IFN-gamma cytokine secretion compared with the linear one. Moreover, the interaction of linear and cyclic peptide analogs with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC II, H2-IAs) and TCR was analyzed using molecular dynamics simulations at the receptor level, in order to gain a better understanding of the molecular recognition mechanisms that underly the different immunological profiles of citrullinated peptides compared to its agonist native counterpart MBP87-99 epitope. The results demonstrate that the citrullination of arginine in combination with the backbone conformation of mutated linear and cyclic analogs are significant elements for the immune response triggering the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Feng J, Misu T, Fujihara K, Sakoda S, Nakatsuji Y, Fukaura H, Kikuchi S, Tashiro K, Suzumura A, Ishii N, Sugamura K, Nakashima I, Itoyama Y. Ibudilast, a nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, regulates Th1/Th2 balance and NKT cell subset in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2016; 10:494-8. [PMID: 15471363 DOI: 10.1191/1352458504ms1070oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the immunoregulatory effects of ibudilast, a nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, at a clinically applicable dose (60 mg/day p.o. for four weeks) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Sensitive real-time PCR for quantifying cytokine mRNA in the blood CD4- cells revealed that the ibudilast monotherapy significantly reduced tumour necrosis factor-a and interferon (IFN)-g mRNA and the IFN-g/interleukin-4 mRNA ratio, suggesting a shift in the cytokine profile from Th1 toward Th2 dominancy. In a flow cytometric analysis, natural killer T cells, which have been reported to relate to Th2 responses in MS and its animal model (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis), increased significantly after the therapy. None of the significant immunological changes were seen in healthy subjects or untreated MS patients. Ibudilast may be a promising therapy for MS and its clinical effects warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Feng
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryomachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan
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9
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Pearse DD, Hughes ZA. PDE4B as a microglia target to reduce neuroinflammation. Glia 2016; 64:1698-709. [PMID: 27038323 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The importance of microglia in immune homeostasis within the brain is undisputed. Their role in a diversity of neurological and psychiatric diseases as well as CNS injury is the subject of much investigation. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is a critical regulator of microglia homeostasis; as the predominant negative modulator of cyclic AMP signaling within microglia, phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) represents a promising target for modulating immune function. PDE4 expression is regulated by inflammation, and in turn, PDE4 inhibition can alter microglia reactivity. As the prototypic PDE4 inhibitor, rolipram, was tested clinically in the 1980s, drug discovery and clinical development of PDE4 inhibitors have been severely hampered by tolerability issues involving nausea and emesis. The two PDE4 inhibitors approved for peripheral inflammatory disorders (roflumilast and apremilast) lack brain penetration and are dose-limited by side effects making them unsuitable for modulating microglial function. Subtype selective inhibitors targeting PDE4B are of high interest given the critical role PDE4B plays in immune function versus the association of PDE4D with nausea and emesis. The challenges and requirements for successful development of a novel brain-penetrant PDE4B inhibitor are discussed in the context of early clinical development strategies. Furthermore, the challenges of monitoring the state of microglia in vivo are highlighted, including a description of the currently available tools and their limitations. Continued drug discovery efforts to identify safe and well-tolerated, brain-penetrant PDE4 inhibitors are a reflection of the confidence in the rationale for modulation of this target to produce meaningful therapeutic benefit in a wide range of neurological conditions and injury. GLIA 2016;64:1698-1709.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien D Pearse
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,The Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Zoë A Hughes
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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10
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Di Prisco S, Merega E, Lanfranco M, Casazza S, Uccelli A, Pittaluga A. Acute desipramine restores presynaptic cortical defects in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by suppressing central CCL5 overproduction. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:2457-67. [PMID: 24528439 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Altered glutamate exocytosis and cAMP production in cortical terminals of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice occur at the early stage of disease (13 days post-immunization, d.p.i.). Neuronal defects were paralleled by overexpression of the central chemokine CCL5 (also known as RANTES), suggesting it has a role in presynaptic impairments. We propose that drugs able to restore CCL5 content to physiological levels could also restore presynaptic defects. Because of its efficacy in controlling CCL5 overexpression, desipramine (DMI) appeared to be a suitable candidate to test our hypothesis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Control and EAE mice at 13 d.p.i. were acutely or chronically administered DMI and monitored for behaviour and clinical scores. Noradrenaline and glutamate release, cAMP, CCL5 and TNF-α production were quantified in cortical synaptosomes and homogenates. Peripheral cytokine production was also determined. KEY RESULTS Noradrenaline exocytosis and α₂ -adrenoeceptor-mediated activity were unmodified in EAE mice at 13 d.p.i. when compared with control. Acute, but not chronic, DMI reduced CCL5 levels in cortical homogenates of EAE mice at 13 d.p.i., but did not affect peripheral IL-17 and TNF-α contents or CCL5 plasma levels. Acute DMI caused a long-lasting restoration of glutamate exocytosis, restored endogenous cAMP production and impeded the shift from inhibition to facilitation of the CCL5-mediated control of glutamate exocytosis. Finally, DMI ameliorated anxiety-related behaviour but not motor activity or severity of clinical signs. CONCLUSIONS We propose DMI as an add-on therapy to normalize neuropsychiatric symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients at the early stage of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Di Prisco
- Department of Pharmacy, DiFAR, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, Genoa, Italy
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11
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Kumar N, Goldminz AM, Kim N, Gottlieb AB. Phosphodiesterase 4-targeted treatments for autoimmune diseases. BMC Med 2013; 11:96. [PMID: 23557064 PMCID: PMC3616808 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-11-96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in phosphodiesterase (PDE)-targeted therapies have shown promise in recent years for treating patients with a variety of autoimmune diseases. This review summarizes the development of PDE4 inhibitors and the associated literature with a focus on treatments for autoimmune diseases. After the initial investigations of the prototypic PDE inhibitor, rolipram, more selective inhibitors targeting the PDE4 isozyme have been developed. With phase II and phase III clinical trials currently underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the latest generation of PDE4 inhibitors, namely apremilast, a new class of treatments may be around the corner for patients suffering from chronic, autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Kumar
- Department of Dermatology, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street #114, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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12
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Işeri P, Başyiğit I, Ozerdem C, Başyiğit H, Efendi H, Yıldız F. The effect of pulse methylprednisolone plus theophylline treatment on clinical, pulmonary and inflammatory markers in relapses of multiple sclerosis. Balkan Med J 2013; 30:33-6. [PMID: 25207066 DOI: 10.5152/balkanmedj.2013.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there was a relationship between severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbation and pulmonary function test (PFT) and to determine the effect of theophylline, which was added to intravenous methylprednisolone, on serum Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha levels and clinical scores in MS relapses. STUDY DESIGN Double blind randomized controlled trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS The baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was determined, PFT was performed and blood was taken for analysis of TNF- alpha in patients with MS exacerbation. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; group 1 received intravenous methylprednisolone+IV theophylline and group 2 intravenous methylprednisolone+placebo for 5 days. PFT and EDSS score were repeated and blood was taken for TNF-alpha on the 5(th) and 30(th) days of the treatment. RESULTS Twenty-four patients (14 female, 10 male) were included in the study. Mean age was 32.6±9, duration of disease was 5.4±4.2 years, number of exacerbations was 5±2. There was a significant correlation between the number of exacerbations and EDSS score (p=0.000, r=1). Restrictive PFT findings were detected in 8 and decrease in carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) in 3 cases. In within-group analysis, EDSS score was found to be decreased on day 5 and still low on day 30 in the theophylline group (baseline 3±1.3; 5(th) day 2.4±1.6; 30(th) day 2±1.7). There was no statistically significant difference in the EDSS score of the placebo group (3±1.6; 2.8±1.7; 2.4±1.9 respectively). While serum TNF-alpha level was not changed in the placebo group, there was a non-significant decrease on day 5 and increase on day 30 in the theophylline group. There was no correlation between the clinical parameters, PFT and TNF-alpha level. CONCLUSION There was no correlation between severity of MS and PFT findings. It is suggested that theophylline might be effective in MS exacerbations since it caused decreases in clinical scores; studies with longer treatment duration are needed to clarify its possible anti-inflammatory effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pervin Işeri
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Ilknur Başyiğit
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Ciğdem Ozerdem
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Başyiğit
- Hospital Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Hüsnü Efendi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Füsun Yıldız
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
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13
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Schaal SM, Garg MS, Ghosh M, Lovera L, Lopez M, Patel M, Louro J, Patel S, Tuesta L, Chan WM, Pearse DD. The therapeutic profile of rolipram, PDE target and mechanism of action as a neuroprotectant following spinal cord injury. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43634. [PMID: 23028463 PMCID: PMC3446989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The extent of damage following spinal cord injury (SCI) can be reduced by various neuroprotective regimens that include maintaining levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP), via administration of the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor Rolipram. The current study sought to determine the optimal neuroprotective dose, route and therapeutic window for Rolipram following contusive SCI in rat as well as its prominent PDE target and putative mechanism of protection. Rolipram or vehicle control (10% ethanol) was given subcutaneously (s.c.) daily for 2 wk post-injury (PI) after which the preservation of oligodendrocytes, neurons and central myelinated axons was stereologically assessed. Doses of 0.1 mg/kg to 1.0 mg/kg (given at 1 h PI) increased neuronal survival; 0.5 mg to 1.0 mg/kg protected oligodendrocytes and 1.0 mg/kg produced optimal preservation of central myelinated axons. Ethanol also demonstrated significant neuronal and oligo-protection; though the preservation provided was significantly less than Rolipram. Subsequent use of this optimal Rolipram dose, 1.0 mg/kg, via different routes (i.v., s.c. or oral, 1 h PI), demonstrated that i.v. administration produced the most significant and consistent cyto- and axo- protection, although all routes were effective. Examination of the therapeutic window for i.v. Rolipram (1.0 mg/kg), when initiated between 1 and 48 h after SCI, revealed maximal neuroprotection at 2 h post-SCI, although the protective efficacy of Rolipram could still be observed when administration was delayed for up to 48 h PI. Importantly, use of the optimal Rolipram regimen significantly improved locomotor function after SCI as measured by the BBB score. Lastly we show SCI-induced changes in PDE4A, B and D expression and phosphorylation as well as cytokine expression and immune cell infiltration. We demonstrate that Rolipram abrogates SCI-induced PDE4B1 and PDE4A5 production, PDE4A5 phosphorylation, MCP-1 expression and immune cell infiltration, while preventing post-injury reductions in IL-10. This work supports the use of Rolipram as an acute neuroprotectant following SCI and defines an optimal administration protocol and target for its therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Marie Schaal
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- The Neuroscience Program, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Maneesh Sen Garg
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mousumi Ghosh
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lilie Lovera
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Michael Lopez
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Monal Patel
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jack Louro
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Samik Patel
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Luis Tuesta
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Wai-Man Chan
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Damien Daniel Pearse
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- The Neuroscience Program, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- The Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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14
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Rolipram promotes remyelination possibly via MEK-ERK signal pathway in cuprizone-induced demyelination mouse. Exp Neurol 2012; 237:304-11. [PMID: 22836144 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Revised: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rolipram, a 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, has long been studied for its immune modulating effects in the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In the current study, we investigated the effects of rolipram on remyelination after cuprizone- or lysolecithin-induced demyelination and the signal transduction pathways potentially modulating this response. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cuprizone-induced demyelination in mice and lysolecithin (LPC)-induced demyelination in rat cerebellum slice culture were treated with rolipram. Demyelination was evaluated by Luxol fast blue (LFB) or myelin basic protein (MBP) staining and western blot. Oligodendroglial cells were cultured with different concentrations of rolipram, and 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CNPase) activity, MBP expression, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation were measured. RESULTS Rolipram antagonized lysolecithin (LPC)-induced demyelination in rat cerebellar slice cultures and cuprizone-fed mice. In vitro, rolipram treatment promoted oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) maturation, an effect that was partially blocked by the inhibitors of the mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). CONCLUSION Rolipram promotes the maturation of OPCs, facilitates remyelination, and increases ERK phosphorylation. All of these actions are involved in an action against cuprizone-induced demyelination that may occur partly via the MEK-ERK pathway. Importantly, this may have therapeutic implications for MS.
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Shenoy P, Agarwal V, Agarwal A, Misra R, Naik S. Potential for phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the management of autoimmune diseases. Drug Dev Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ddr.20486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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16
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Christiansen SH, Selige J, Dunkern T, Rassov A, Leist M. Combined anti-inflammatory effects of β2-adrenergic agonists and PDE4 inhibitors on astrocytes by upregulation of intracellular cAMP. Neurochem Int 2011; 59:837-46. [PMID: 21871511 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2011.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2011] [Revised: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 08/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is an important hallmark of all neurodegenerative diseases and activation of different glial populations may be involved in the progression of some of these disorders. Especially, the activation of astroglia can lead to long-term detrimental morphological changes, such as scar formation. Therefore, improved strategies to modulate inflammation in these cells are currently being investigated. We investigated the interaction of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitors, such as rolipram, with other agents raising cellular cAMP levels. When used alone, none of the PDE4 inhibitors increased cAMP levels. The adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, the β(2)-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol and the mixed β(1)/β(2)-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol increased intracellular cAMP levels of cortical murine astrocytes. This increase was synergistically elevated by rolipram or the PDE4 inhibitor RO-201724, but not by inhibition of PDE3. Inflammatory stimulation of the cells with the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IFN-γ strongly induced PDE4B and augmented overall PDE4 activity, while PDE3 activity was low. Clenbuterol and forskolin caused downregulation of cytokines and chemokines such as IL-6 and MCP-1. This effect was further enhanced by rolipram, but not by the PDE3 inhibitor milrinone. The cAMP-raising drug combinations attenuated the upregulation of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA and the secretion of IL-6, but did not affect initial NF-κB signalling triggered by the stimulating cytokines. These results indicate that PDE4 may be a valuable anti-inflammatory target in brain diseases, especially under conditions associated with stimulation of cAMP-augmenting astrocyte receptors as is observed by clenbuterol treatment.
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PDE8 regulates rapid Teff cell adhesion and proliferation independent of ICER. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12011. [PMID: 20711499 PMCID: PMC2918507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2010] [Accepted: 07/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abolishing the inhibitory signal of intracellular cAMP by phosphodiesterases (PDEs) is a prerequisite for effector T (Teff) cell function. While PDE4 plays a prominent role, its control of cAMP levels in Teff cells is not exclusive. T cell activation has been shown to induce PDE8, a PDE isoform with 40- to 100-fold greater affinity for cAMP than PDE4. Thus, we postulated that PDE8 is an important regulator of Teff cell functions. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We found that Teff cells express PDE8 in vivo. Inhibition of PDE8 by the PDE inhibitor dipyridamole (DP) activates cAMP signaling and suppresses two major integrins involved in Teff cell adhesion. Accordingly, DP as well as the novel PDE8-selective inhibitor PF-4957325-00 suppress firm attachment of Teff cells to endothelial cells. Analysis of downstream signaling shows that DP suppresses proliferation and cytokine expression of Teff cells from Crem-/- mice lacking the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER). Importantly, endothelial cells also express PDE8. DP treatment decreases vascular adhesion molecule and chemokine expression, while upregulating the tight junction molecule claudin-5. In vivo, DP reduces CXCL12 gene expression as determined by in situ probing of the mouse microvasculature by cell-selective laser-capture microdissection. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Collectively, our data identify PDE8 as a novel target for suppression of Teff cell functions, including adhesion to endothelial cells.
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Abstract
Phophodiesterases inhibitors (PDEis) act by inhibiting the catabolism of cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, which are ubiquitously expressed in cells of the immune system. Increased levels of cAMP and/or cGMP have been reported to decrease the activity of pro-inflammatory TH1 cells, attenuate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and experimental arthritis. PDE5i like Sildenafil improves endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodelling in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension and refractory secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, with a potential to cause disease modification in the former. Studies in animal models of fibrosis suggest that these drugs have anti-fibrotic effect and may be potentially useful in conditions like scleroderma. They also have been shown to have renoprotective effect in animal models. The emerging trends make it necessary to exploit the full therapeutic potential of this class of drugs in various autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, profibrotic conditions and PAH.
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Mizrachi K, Aricha R, Feferman T, Kela-Madar N, Mandel I, Paperna T, Miller A, Ben-Nun A, Berrih-Aknin S, Souroujon MC, Fuchs S. Involvement of phosphodiesterases in autoimmune diseases. J Neuroimmunol 2010; 220:43-51. [PMID: 20100627 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2009] [Revised: 12/28/2009] [Accepted: 12/28/2009] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that several phosphodiesterase (PDE) subtypes are up-regulated in muscles and lymph node cells (LNC) of rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). In the present study we investigated PDE expression during the course of EAMG and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) and found that the up-regulated expression of selected PDE subtypes in both experimental models is correlated with disease severity. In EAMG, PDE expression is correlated also with muscle damage. A similar up-regulation of PDE was also observed in the respective human diseases, MG and multiple sclerosis (MS). Our findings suggest that change in PDE expression levels is a general phenomenon in autoimmune diseases and may also be used as a marker for disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Mizrachi
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Baptiste DC, Tighe A, Fehlings MG. Spinal cord injury and neural repair: focus on neuroregenerative approaches for spinal cord injury. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2010; 18:663-73. [PMID: 19379122 DOI: 10.1517/13543780902897623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This review discusses the urgent need for improved therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring function following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The focus of this paper is neuroregenerative approaches for SCI, with a highlighted comparison of recent advances in the field and comparisons to that made by Cethrin (Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), the leading nerve repair product. OBJECTIVE This review first provides the reader with an understanding of SCI. The market for promising therapeutics that can either intervene in secondary etiological mechanisms or ameliorate symptoms associated with SCI are then discussed. The reader will also learn about Cethrin and its current status in clinical evaluation. METHODS Review of the preclinical literature and clinical SCI trials relevant to the discovery and current development of Cethrin. RESULTS/CONCLUSION In a recently concluded Phase I/IIa clinical trial involving 37 patients with either cervical or thoracic SCIs, the evidence for Cethrin indicates that topical administration of either 0.3, 1, 3 or 6 mg of the recombinant rho inhibitor following surgical decompression is safe. Alseres has announced that planning is underway for a Phase IIB trial of Cethrin to include a placebo arm to assess better the drugs' clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darryl C Baptiste
- University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Western Research Institute, Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Abstract
Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are involved in the regulation of intracellular levels of the second messengers cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). These enzymes hydrolyse the cyclic nucleotides to the corresponding nucleoside 5'-monophosphates. Nine PDE subtypes have been identified; these differ in their substrate specificity and mode of activation. The type 4 PDE (PDE(4)) hydrolyses cAMP, is activated by elevated levels of cAMP, and is inhibited by rolipram. Inhibition of enzyme activity has been shown to modulate the activity of cells of the immune system. The production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)(alpha) by activated monocytes and macrophages is inhibited, and cytokine secretion and proliferation of type 1 T helper cells are suppressed. Both immune cell activation and their concomitant induction of cytokine secretion are implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS), which is the major demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Studies with the selective PDE(4) inhibitor rolipram in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (an animal model of MS) in mice, rats and nonhuman primates have demonstrated the efficacy of the compound in this disease model, suggesting that PDE(4) inhibitors could ameliorate the clinical course of MS. Unfortunately, clinical trials with PDE(4) inhibitors revealed the major adverse effects of these drugs, namely nausea and vomiting. However, novel PDE(4) inhibitors, which target only a subpopulation of PDE(4) enzymes, may provoke fewer adverse effects. The efficacy of a PDE(4) inhibitor in MS still needs to be demonstrated in a well designed clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Dinter
- Department of Immunology, Berlex Biosciences, Richmond, California 94804, USA.
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Simonini MV, Polak PE, Sharp A, McGuire S, Galea E, Feinstein DL. Increasing CNS noradrenaline reduces EAE severity. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2009; 5:252-9. [PMID: 19957206 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-009-9182-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 11/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous neurotransmitter noradrenaline (NA) is known to exert potent anti-inflammatory effects in glial cells, as well as provide neuroprotection against excitatory and inflammatory stimuli. These properties raise the possibility that increasing levels of NA in the central nervous system (CNS) could provide benefit in neurological diseases and conditions containing an inflammatory component. In the current study, we tested this possibility by examining the consequences of selectively modulating CNS NA levels on the development of clinical signs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In mice immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide to develop a chronic disease, pretreatment to selectively deplete CNS NA levels exacerbated clinical scores. Elevation of NA levels using the selective NA reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine did not affect clinical scores, while treatment of immunized mice with the synthetic NA precursor L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS) prevented further worsening. In contrast, treatment of mice with a combination of atomoxetine and L-DOPS led to significant improvement in clinical scores as compared to the control group. The combined treatment reduced astrocyte activation in the molecular layer of the cerebellum as assessed by staining for glial fibrillary protein but did not affect Th1 or Th17 type cytokine production from splenic T cells. These data suggest that selective elevation of CNS NA levels could provide benefit in EAE and multiple sclerosis without influencing peripheral immune responses.
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Bielekova B, Richert N, Howard T, Packer AN, Blevins G, Ohayon J, McFarland HF, Stürzebecher CS, Martin R. Treatment with the phosphodiesterase type-4 inhibitor rolipram fails to inhibit blood--brain barrier disruption in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2009; 15:1206-14. [PMID: 19776093 PMCID: PMC3085182 DOI: 10.1177/1352458509345903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Rolipram, a prototypic phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, is highly effective in suppressing Th1 autoimmunity in multiple animal models, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In addition, rolipram has been extensively studied as a potential neuroprotective agent. Based on its anti-inflammatory activity, we tested the efficacy of rolipram in suppressing inflammatory disease activity in multiple sclerosis in a proof-of-principle phase I/II open-label clinical trial. Enrolled MS patients were evaluated by monthly MRI and clinical examinations during 3 months (four MRIs) of pretreatment baseline and 8 months of rolipram therapy. The primary outcome was a change in contrast-enhanced lesions between baseline and the last 4 months of rolipram therapy. Previously defined biomarkers of rolipram-mediated immunomodulation were evaluated during the study. The trial was stopped prematurely because the drug was poorly tolerated and because of safety concerns: we observed an increase, rather than decrease, in the brain inflammatory activity measured by contrast-enhanced lesions on brain MRI. At the administered doses rolipram was active in vivo as documented by immunological assays. We conclude that the reasons underlying the discrepancy between the therapeutic efficacy of rolipram in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis versus multiple sclerosis are at present not clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibiana Bielekova
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Nancy Richert
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Thomas Howard
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Amy N. Packer
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Gregg Blevins
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
- Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, 9-101 CSB, Edmonton AB, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Joan Ohayon
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Henry F. McFarland
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | | | - Roland Martin
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Clinical MS Research, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
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The antidepressant venlafaxine ameliorates murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2009; 12:525-36. [PMID: 18922202 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145708009425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Antidepressants are known to impact on the immune system. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory properties of venlafaxine, a selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a T-cell-mediated CNS demyelinating disease model of multiple sclerosis. EAE was induced in SJL/J mice by adoptive transfer of myelin-specific T cells. Mice received different doses of venlafaxine before induction and after onset of disease. Sustained daily oral treatment with 6, 20 and 60 mg/kg significantly ameliorated the clinical symptoms of the disease compared to vehicle during both preventive and therapeutic intervention. Venlafaxine suppressed the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12 p40, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in encephalitogenic T-cell clones, splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages in vitro. It also diminished mRNA expression of a number of inflammatory genes in the inflamed CNS tissue, among them CD3, CD8, Granzyme B, IL-12 p40, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and the chemokines Ccl2 and RANTES, whereas the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor was increased. These findings demonstrate the strong immunomodulatory property of the selective SNRI venlafaxine. Further studies are warranted to clarify whether venlafaxine may exert similar effects in humans.
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Press NJ, Banner KH. PDE4 inhibitors - a review of the current field. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2009; 47:37-74. [PMID: 19328289 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6468(08)00202-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Neil J Press
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 5AB, UK
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A double mutation of MBP(83-99) peptide induces IL-4 responses and antagonizes IFN-gamma responses. J Neuroimmunol 2008; 200:77-89. [PMID: 18675465 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2008.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2008] [Revised: 06/05/2008] [Accepted: 06/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A number of treatment options are available to multiple sclerosis patients, however this needs to be improved. Herein, we designed and synthesized a number of peptides by mutating principal TCR contact residues based on MBP(83-99) peptide epitope. Immunization of SJL/J mice with MBP(83-99) and mutant [A(91)]MBP(83-99), [E(91)]MBP(83-99), [F(91)]MBP(83-99), [Y(91)]MBP(83-99), and [R(91), A(96)]MBP(83-99) peptides, induced IFN-gamma, and only [R(91), A(96)]MBP(83-99) mutant peptide was able to induce IL-4 secretion by T cells. T cells against the native MBP(83-99) peptide cross-reacted with all peptides except [Y(91)]MBP(83-99) and [R(91),A(96)]MBP(83-99). The double mutant [R(91), A(96)]MBP(83-99) was able to antagonize IFN-gamma production in vitro by T cells against the native MBP(83-99) peptide. Antibodies generated to [R(91), A(96)]MBP(83-99) did not cross-react with whole MBP protein. Molecular modeling between peptide analogs and H2 I-A(s) demonstrated novel interactions. The [R(91), A(96)]MBP(83-99) double mutant peptide analog is the most promising for further therapeutic studies.
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Katsara M, Yuriev E, Ramsland PA, Deraos G, Tselios T, Matsoukas J, Apostolopoulos V. Mannosylation of mutated MBP83-99 peptides diverts immune responses from Th1 to Th2. Mol Immunol 2008; 45:3661-70. [PMID: 18541301 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2008] [Revised: 04/22/2008] [Accepted: 04/23/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease mediated primarily by CD4+ T cells. The design of peptide mutants of disease-associated myelin epitopes to alter immune responses offers a promising avenue for the treatment of MS. We designed and synthesized a number of peptide analogs by mutating the principal TCR contact residue based on MBP83-99 epitope and these peptides were conjugated to reduced mannan. Immune responses were diverted from Th1 to Th2 in SJL/J mice and generated antibodies which did not cross-react with native MBP protein. Peptide [Y91]MBP83-99 gave the best cytokine and antibody profile and constitutes a promising candidate peptide for immunotherapy of MS. Structural alignment of existing crystal structures revealed the peptide binding motif of I-As. Molecular modeling was used to identify H-bonding and van der Waals interactions between peptides and MHC (I-A(s)).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Katsara
- Immunology and Vaccine Laboratory, Burnet Institute (Austin campus), VIC, Australia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND This review summarizes several promising pharmacological approaches for the therapeutic management of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), which are either in early-phase clinical trials or nearing clinical translation. OBJECTIVE This review provides the reader with an understanding of the key pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to neurological deficits after SCI. Through discussion of the mechanism(s) of action of the selected therapeutic approaches potentially important targets to aid further drug discovery will be highlighted. METHODS Systematic literature review of the pre-clinical literature and clinical SCI trials related to neuroprotective, immunomodulatory and regenerative therapeutic approaches. RESULTS/CONCLUSION The next decade will witness an unprecedented number of clinical trials which will seek to translate key biomedical research discoveries. The promising drug-based therapeutic approaches include regenerative strategies to neutralize myelin-mediated neurite outgrowth inhibition, neuroprotective strategies to reduce apoptotic triggers, the targeting of cationic/glutamatergic toxicity, anti-inflammatory strategies and the use of approaches to stabilize disrupted cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darryl C Baptiste
- Toronto Western Hospital, Division of Cellular & Molecular Biology, Toronto Western Research Institute and Krembil Neuroscience Centre, 12th Floor Room 407 McLaughlin Pavilion, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
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Caramori G, Groneberg D, Ito K, Casolari P, Adcock IM, Papi A. New drugs targeting Th2 lymphocytes in asthma. J Occup Med Toxicol 2008; 3 Suppl 1:S6. [PMID: 18315837 PMCID: PMC2259400 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6673-3-s1-s6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma represents a profound worldwide public health problem. The most effective anti-asthmatic drugs currently available include inhaled beta2-agonists and glucocorticoids and control asthma in about 90-95% of patients. The current asthma therapies are not cures and symptoms return soon after treatment is stopped even after long term therapy. Although glucocorticoids are highly effective in controlling the inflammatory process in asthma, they appear to have little effect on the lower airway remodelling processes that appear to play a role in the pathophysiology of asthma at currently prescribed doses. The development of novel drugs may allow resolution of these changes. In addition, severe glucocorticoid-dependent and resistant asthma presents a great clinical burden and reducing the side-effects of glucocorticoids using novel steroid-sparing agents is needed. Furthermore, the mechanisms involved in the persistence of inflammation are poorly understood and the reasons why some patients have severe life threatening asthma and others have very mild disease are still unknown. Drug development for asthma has been directed at improving currently available drugs and findings new compounds that usually target the Th2-driven airway inflammatory response. Considering the apparently central role of T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of asthma, drugs targeting disease-inducing Th2 cells are promising therapeutic strategies. However, although animal models of asthma suggest that this is feasible, the translation of these types of studies for the treatment of human asthma remains poor due to the limitations of the models currently used. The myriad of new compounds that are in development directed to modulate Th2 cells recruitment and/or activation will clarify in the near future the relative importance of these cells and their mediators in the complex interactions with the other pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cells and mediators responsible of the different asthmatic phenotypes. Some of these new Th2-oriented strategies may in the future not only control symptoms and modify the natural course of asthma, but also potentially prevent or cure the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Caramori
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Centro di Ricerca su Asma e BPCO, Università di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - David Groneberg
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Free University and Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kazuhiro Ito
- Airway Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College of London, London, UK
| | - Paolo Casolari
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Centro di Ricerca su Asma e BPCO, Università di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ian M Adcock
- Airway Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College of London, London, UK
| | - Alberto Papi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Centro di Ricerca su Asma e BPCO, Università di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Abstract
The DISC locus is located at the breakpoint of a balanced t(1;11) chromosomal translocation in a large and unique Scottish family. This translocation segregates in a highly statistically significant manner with a broad diagnosis of psychiatric illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression, as well as with a narrow diagnosis of schizophrenia alone. Two novel genes were identified at this locus and due to the high prevalence of schizophrenia in this family, they were named Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) and Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia-2 (DISC2). DISC1 encodes a novel multifunctional scaffold protein, whereas DISC2 is a putative noncoding RNA gene antisense to DISC1. A number of independent genetic linkage and association studies in diverse populations support the original linkage findings in the Scottish family and genetic evidence now implicates the DISC locus in susceptibility to schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and major depression as well as various cognitive traits. Despite this, with the exception of the t(1;11) translocation, robust evidence for a functional variant(s) is still lacking and genetic heterogeneity is likely. Of the two genes identified at this locus, DISC1 has been prioritized as the most probable candidate susceptibility gene for psychiatric illness, as its protein sequence is directly disrupted by the translocation. Much research has been undertaken in recent years to elucidate the biological functions of the DISC1 protein and to further our understanding of how it contributes to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. These data are the main subject of this review; however, the potential involvement of DISC2 in the pathogenesis of psychiatric illness is also discussed. A detailed picture of DISC1 function is now emerging, which encompasses roles in neurodevelopment, cytoskeletal function and cAMP signalling, and several DISC1 interactors have also been defined as independent genetic susceptibility factors for psychiatric illness. DISC1 is a hub protein in a multidimensional risk pathway for major mental illness, and studies of this pathway are opening up opportunities for a better understanding of causality and possible mechanisms of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Chubb
- Medical Genetics Section, The Centre for Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Rossi C, Padmanaban D, Ni J, Yeh LA, Glicksman MA, Waldner H. Identifying druglike inhibitors of myelin-reactive T cells by phenotypic high-throughput screening of a small-molecule library. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 12:481-9. [PMID: 17478482 DOI: 10.1177/1087057107301272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory T cells that are reactive to myelin protein components of the CNS play a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The authors have previously generated mice that predominantly harbor T cells transgenic for a T-cell receptor (TCR) that is specific to the myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) 139-151 and that spontaneously develop MS-like paralysis. T cells from healthy transgenic mice respond to stimulation with PLP139-151 in a highly specific manner by proliferation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (INF)-gamma in vitro. To identify druglike compounds that may inhibit inflammatory T-cell responses, the authors have developed a high-throughput screening assay with primary T cells from PLP TCR transgenic mice. They have screened 41,184 small-molecule compounds that follow Lipinski's rules for their inhibitory activity on the proliferation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PLP-reactive T cells. To this end, the screen identified 6 nontoxic compounds with a molecular weight <500 that inhibited inflammatory responses in PLP-reactive T cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. The identified compounds represent valid leads that may be developed into novel therapeutics for MS that could be administered orally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Rossi
- Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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Kanes SJ, Tokarczyk J, Siegel SJ, Bilker W, Abel T, Kelly MP. Rolipram: a specific phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor with potential antipsychotic activity. Neuroscience 2006; 144:239-46. [PMID: 17081698 PMCID: PMC3313447 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2006] [Revised: 09/12/2006] [Accepted: 09/16/2006] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Currently available antipsychotic medications work primarily by antagonizing D2 dopamine receptors, thus raising intracellular cAMP levels. We hypothesized that intracellular stimulation of cAMP levels in the CNS would have similar effects to treatment with antipsychotic medication. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of an acute treatment of rolipram, an inhibitor of type 4 phosphodiesterases that degrade cAMP, on acoustic startle and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response in C57BL/6J mice known to exhibit poor PPI. PPI is disrupted in schizophrenia patients, and the ability of a drug to increase PPI in mice is predictive of antipsychotic efficacy. We show here that acute treatment with rolipram significantly increases PPI at doses that do not alter the acoustic startle response (lowest effective dose 0.66 mg/kg). In addition, rolipram (0.66 mg/kg) blocks the disruptive effects of amphetamine (10 mg/kg) on PPI. At a slightly higher dose (1.0 mg/kg), rolipram also induces catalepsy. Thus, phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibition has many of the same behavioral effects as traditional antipsychotic medications. In contrast to traditional antipsychotics, these effects are achieved through alteration of an intracellular second messenger system rather than antagonism of neurotransmitter receptors. Given previous reports showing rolipram improves cognition, we conclude that PDE4 represents an important novel target for further antipsychotic drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. J. Kanes
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - J. Tokarczyk
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - S. J. Siegel
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - W. Bilker
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - T. Abel
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 422 Lynch Labs, 433 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - M. P. Kelly
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 422 Lynch Labs, 433 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Correspondence to: M. P. Kelly, Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 422 Lynch Labs, 433 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Tel: +1-215-898-3155; fax: +1-215-898-8780. (M. P. Kelly)
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Nessler S, Stadelmann C, Bittner A, Schlegel K, Gronen F, Brueck W, Hemmer B, Sommer N. Suppression of autoimmune encephalomyelitis by a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist — A putative role for substance P in CNS inflammation. J Neuroimmunol 2006; 179:1-8. [PMID: 16904192 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2006.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2006] [Revised: 06/25/2006] [Accepted: 06/26/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Substance P (SP) is an excitatory neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system. Most of its physiological functions are mediated through binding to the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). Recently, proinflammatory properties of SP have been described. In this study we utilized T cell transfer experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to investigate the role of SP in CNS autoimmune disease. Treatment with the NK-1R antagonist CP-96,345 dramatically reduced clinical and histological signs of EAE if administered before disease onset. The protective effect of CP96,345 treatment was related to a reduced expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on CNS endothelia. The cellular composition or activation status of splenocytes was not affected by CP-96,345 administration, while the secretion of proinflammatory Th1 cytokines was reduced in treated animals. Th2 cytokines remained largely unaffected by NK-1 receptor antagonist treatment. In summary, our findings suggest that the protective effect of CP96,345 treatment is mediated by stabilization of the blood-brain barrier and suppression of Th1 immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Nessler
- Clinical Neuroimmunology Group, Department of Neurology, Philipps-University, Rudolf-Bultmann-Strasse 8, Marburg, Germany.
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Moore CS, Earl N, Frenette R, Styhler A, Mancini JA, Nicholson DW, Hebb ALO, Owens T, Robertson GS. Peripheral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibition produced by 4-[2-(3,4-Bis-difluoromethoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-phenyl]-ethyl]-3-methylpyridine-1-oxide (L-826,141) prevents experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2006; 319:63-72. [PMID: 16809479 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.106.106096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Administration of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors suppresses the pathogenesis associated with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). In the present study, we compared the effects of rolipram and 4-[2-(3,4-bis-difluoromethoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-phenyl]-ethyl]-3-methylpyridine-1-oxide (L-826,141), a novel nonbrain penetrant PDE4 inhibitor, on the onset and severity of clinical signs in a chronic, nonrelapsing/remitting model of EAE. Both rolipram (10 mg/kg p.o.) and L-826,141 (3 mg/kg p.o.) reduced the severity of EAE relative to controls, whereas L-826,141 (3 mg/kg p.o.) also delayed disease onset. To assess whether L-826,141 prevented EAE progression after the first signs of clinical onset, rolipram (10 mg/kg p.o.) or L-826,141 (3 or 30 mg/kg p.o.) were administered 24 h after the first signs of EAE were observed. Only L-826,141 at a dose of 30 mg/kg p.o. significantly decreased the clinical severity of EAE compared with vehicle controls. Immunohistochemical detection of the neuronal activity marker Fos confirmed that L-826,141 did not reach concentrations in the central nervous system sufficient to activate central neurons. Lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha in whole blood and plasma concentrations of L-826,141 revealed that only the 30-mg/kg dose resulted in levels sufficient to produce a near complete inhibition of PDE4 activity in immune cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that peripheral PDE4 inhibition, produced by L-826,141, prevents the progression of EAE after the first onset of clinical signs, and suggest that similar compounds may have clinical efficacy in the treatment of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Moore
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Sir Charles Tupper Bldg., 5850 College St., Halifax, NS B3H 1X5, Canada
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Lerner A, Epstein P. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases as targets for treatment of haematological malignancies. Biochem J 2006; 393:21-41. [PMID: 16336197 PMCID: PMC1383661 DOI: 10.1042/bj20051368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The cAMP signalling pathway has emerged as a key regulator of haematopoietic cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In parallel, general understanding of the biology of cyclic nucleotide PDEs (phosphodiesterases) has advanced considerably, revealing the remarkable complexity of this enzyme system that regulates the amplitude, kinetics and location of intracellular cAMP-mediated signalling. The development of therapeutic inhibitors of specific PDE gene families has resulted in a growing appreciation of the potential therapeutic application of PDE inhibitors to the treatment of immune-mediated illnesses and haematopoietic malignancies. This review summarizes the expression and function of PDEs in normal haematopoietic cells and the evidence that family-specific inhibitors will be therapeutically useful in myeloid and lymphoid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Lerner
- *Evans Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, U.S.A
- †Department of Pathology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, U.S.A
| | - Paul M. Epstein
- ‡Department of Pharmacology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, U.S.A
- To whom correspondence should be addressed (email )
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Videla S, Vilaseca J, Medina C, Mourelle M, Guarner F, Salas A, Malagelada JR. Selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 ameliorates chronic colitis and prevents intestinal fibrosis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2005; 316:940-5. [PMID: 16254133 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.105.090837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors may be an important target in the treatment of several inflammatory conditions. The anti-inflammatory effect of PDE4 inhibitors bears similarities with that of steroids, without interfering with the hypophysary-adrenal-axis. We compared the effect of rolipram, a selective PDE4 inhibitor, with steroids on the clinical course of experimental colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). Three groups of rats (n = 20) received TNBS. One group received methylprednisolone from day 7, another group received rolipram from the same day, and control group received no further treatment. On days 14 and 21 after TNBS instillation, sets of 10 rats underwent colonic dialysis to measure eicosanoid release. Colonic lesions were blindly scored, and colons were homogenized for quantification of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and collagen content. Concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in colonic tissue was also measured. Both treatments reduced significantly the eicosanoid release and MPO activity. On day 14, both rolipram and methylprednisolone significantly reduced TNF-alpha content, but TGF-beta1 was only inhibited by rolipram. On day 21, lesion scores and collagen content were significantly reduced only in rolipram-treated group. In conclusion, PDE4 inhibition by rolipram markedly ameliorates the course of chronic colitis and it is superior to methylprednisolone in preventing late collagen deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Videla
- Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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37
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Dyke HJ, Montana JG. The therapeutic potential of PDE4 inhibitors. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2005; 8:1301-25. [PMID: 15992151 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.8.9.1301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase enzymes are responsible for the inactivation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a cAMP specific phosphodiesterase expressed in inflammatory cells such as eosinophils. Inhibition of PDE4 results in an elevation of cAMP in these cells, which in turn downregulates the inflammatory response. The anti-inflammatory effects of PDE4 inhibitors have been well documented both in vitro and in vivo in a variety of animal models. The potential use of PDE4 inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory disorders has received considerable attention from the pharmaceutical industry, but to date, there are no selective PDE4 inhibitors on the market. Early PDE4 inhibitors, typified by rolipram, suffered from dose-limiting side effects, including nausea and emesis, which severely restricted their therapeutic utility. Second generation compounds, including CDP840 and SB207499 (Ariflo), have been identified with reduced side effect liability. Recent evidence suggests a correlation between side effects and the ability of compounds to bind at the so-called high affinity rolipram binding site (HPDE), whilst beneficial effects appear to correlate with binding at the catalytic site. A number of companies are actively pursuing compounds which exhibit improved affinity for the catalytic site and reduced affinity for the HPDE, in the expectation that this will provide compounds with an improved therapeutic index.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Dyke
- Celltech Chiroscience, Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 4WE, UK
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Mazzio E, Becker A, Soliman KFA. Characterization of neurotransmitters and dopamine attenuation of inducible nitric oxide synthase in glioma cells. J Neuroimmunol 2002; 131:70-82. [PMID: 12458038 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(02)00260-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays a significant role in the pathology of central nervous system diseases. Inducible NOS expression is regulated by intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) signaling, and astrocytes contain both iNOS and adenylate cyclase-coupled neurotransmitter receptors. The data obtained from the present study indicated that acetylcholine, lambda-amino-n-butyric acid, glutamate, quinolinic acid, N-methyl-D-aspartate and aspartate have no effect on NO(2)(-) production in C6 glioma cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma. However, dopamine (DA) caused inhibition of NO(2)(-) production and iNOS transcription. The effects of DA were not due to homovanillic acid/3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, the autoxidative products superoxide (O(2)(-))/hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) or direct reactions with NO(2)(-). Forskolin, adenylate cyclase activator, dose-dependently reduced NO(2)(-). Meanwhile, (+/-) SKF-38393 D(1) receptor agonist attenuated iNOS in a similar fashion to DA. In addition, the results indicated that DA attenuation of iNOS was significantly impeded by the adenylate cyclase inhibitor MDL-12,330A, the D(1) antagonist SCH-23390, the beta2 adrenergic receptor antagonist ICI-118,551 and the beta1 adrenergic receptor antagonist atenolol. In conclusion, it appears that DA attenuates iNOS through a D(1), beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptor-linked adenylate cyclase-mediated cAMP cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Mazzio
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
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Zhang B, Yang L, Konishi Y, Maeda N, Sakanaka M, Tanaka J. Suppressive effects of phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitors on rat cultured microglial cells: comparison with other types of cAMP-elevating agents. Neuropharmacology 2002; 42:262-9. [PMID: 11804623 DOI: 10.1016/s0028-3908(01)00174-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of inhibitors of cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE IV) on cultured rat microglial cells. Microglial cells expressed mRNA encoding PDE IV. Rolipram and RO-20-1724, specific inhibitors of PDE IV, elevated the intracellular cAMP level much higher than the other types of PDE inhibitors. cAMP in astrocytes but not in cerebrocortical neurons was similarly increased in response to treatment with PDE IV inhibitors examined. The PDE IV inhibitors, a beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol and an adenylyl cyclase stimulant forskolin suppressed the proliferation of microglial cells as revealed by PCNA-immunocytochemical staining. The PDE IV inhibitors suppressed release of TNF alpha and nitric oxide (NO) from lipopolysaccharide-activated microglial cells in pure culture, while they did not affect NO release from microglial cells in neuron-microglia coculture. The PDE IV inhibitors also suppressed superoxide anion production by phorbol ester-treated microglial cells. Isoproterenol and forskolin similarly suppressed the macrophage-like functions of activated microglial cells. However, the PDE IV inhibitors displayed novel effects distinct from those of isoproterenol, forskolin and 8Br-cAMP, regarding expression of mRNAs encoding PDE IV, metallothionein-1 and hemeoxigenase-1. The present data showed that the PDE IV inhibitors can be available to control microglial function and that their effects on glial cells should be taken into account when PDE IV inhibitors are used for treatment of brain diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ehime University, Ehime, Japan
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40
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Zhu J, Mix E, Winblad B. The antidepressant and antiinflammatory effects of rolipram in the central nervous system. CNS DRUG REVIEWS 2001; 7:387-98. [PMID: 11830756 PMCID: PMC6741679 DOI: 10.1111/j.1527-3458.2001.tb00206.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Rolipram is a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterases (PDE) IV, especially of the subtype PDE IVB. These phosphodiesterases are responsible for hydrolysis of the cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP, particularly in nerve and immune cells. Consequences of rolipram-induced elevation of intracellular cAMP are increased synthesis and release of norepinephrine, which enhance central noradrenergic transmission, and suppress expression of proinflammatory cytokines and other mediators of inflammation. In humans and animals rolipram produces thereby a variety of biological effects. These effects include attenuation of endogenous depression and inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), both effects are of potential clinical relevance. There are some discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo effects of rolipram, as well as between results obtained in animal models and clinical studies. The clinical use of rolipram is limited because of its behavioral and other side effects. Newly developed selective PDE IV inhibitors with presumably higher potency and lower toxicity are currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhu
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
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41
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Salvi SS, Babu KS, Holgate ST. Is asthma really due to a polarized T cell response toward a helper T cell type 2 phenotype? Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001; 164:1343-6. [PMID: 11704578 DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.164.8.2103080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S S Salvi
- Department of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
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42
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Kalbus M, Fleckenstein BT, Offenhäusser M, Blüggel M, Melms A, Meyer HE, Rammensee HG, Martin R, Jung G, Sommer N. Ligand motif of the autoimmune disease-associated mouse MHC class II molecule H2-A(s). Eur J Immunol 2001; 31:551-62. [PMID: 11180120 DOI: 10.1002/1521-4141(200102)31:2<551::aid-immu551>3.0.co;2-p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The MHC class II molecule H2-A(s), expressed in the SJL mouse strain, is the principle restriction element of autoreactive CD4(+) T cells mediating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. We deduced the H2-A(s) ligand motif from the analysis of naturally processed self peptides and from peptide binding studies. Major anchor residues were identified using various sets of substituted and truncated peptides, derived from natural peptide ligands and known H2-A(s) binders like myelin basic protein 81 - 99. The nine-residue H2-A(s) core binding motif comprises an arrangement of anchors in relative positions P1, P4, P6, P7, and P9. The P1 pocket is relatively unspecific and the P6 pocket favors hydrophobic-aliphatic side chains. The P1 pocket contributes little to peptide binding. Primary anchors were identified in P4, P7, and in particular in P9. The preferred anchor residues are Lys (P4), His/Arg (P7), and Pro (P9), respectively. Ala-polysubstituted peptides containing only one of these dominant anchor residues still retain the capacity to bind to H2-A(s). Thus, the presence of only one suitable anchor side chain in P4, P7, or P9 is sufficient for high-affinity peptide binding, at least in the absence of negatively charged side chains nearby. The identified ligand motif facilitates the analysis of immunogenic peptides interacting with H2-A(s) and will allow a better prediction of pathogenetically relevant peptide antigens in the autoimmune mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kalbus
- Department of Neurology, Tübingen University, Tübingen, Germany.
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43
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Abbas N, Zou LP, Pelidou SH, Winblad B, Zhu J. Protective effect of Rolipram in experimental autoimmune neuritis: protection is associated with down-regulation of IFN-gamma and inflammatory chemokines as well as up-regulation of IL-4 in peripheral nervous system. Autoimmunity 2000; 32:93-9. [PMID: 11078155 DOI: 10.3109/08916930008994078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Rolipram, a phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor, is reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. It can markedly downregulate antigen-driven T cell proliferation and suppress TNF-(alpha and TNF-beta production in vitro and in vivo, which have led to its use in the treatment of a number of autoimmune disorders including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN). EAN is a CD4+ T cell-mediated demyelinating autoimmune disease of peripheral nervous system (PNS) that represents an animal model for the study of the immunopathogenesis and immunotherapy of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in human. In the previous study, we reported that suppression of EAN by Rolipram was associated with down-regulated myelin antigen-induced T cell responses as well as downregulated IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production. Here we report that EAN induced in Lewis rats by inoculation with the PNS P2 protein peptide 57-81 and Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), was strongly suppressed by Rolipram administered twice daily intraperitoneally from day 9 post immunization (p.i.), i.e. after onset of clinical EAN to day 18 p.i. This clinical effect was associated with dose-dependent down-regulated production of IFN-gamma and the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha, MIP-2 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1) as well as up-regulated IL-4 production in sciatic nerve sections from Rolipram-treated EAN rats at maximum of clinical EAN, i.e. on day 14 p.i.. These findings suggest that Rolipram may be useful in certain T cell-dependent autoimmune diseases and inflammatory neuropathies. These observations call for further studies on the potential role of Rolipram in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Abbas
- Dept. of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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44
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Dinter H, Tse J, Halks-Miller M, Asarnow D, Onuffer J, Faulds D, Mitrovic B, Kirsch G, Laurent H, Esperling P, Seidelmann D, Ottow E, Schneider H, Tuohy VK, Wachtel H, Perez HD. The type IV phosphodiesterase specific inhibitor mesopram inhibits experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in rodents. J Neuroimmunol 2000; 108:136-46. [PMID: 10900347 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(00)00265-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune disease with pathological features reminiscent of those seen in multiple sclerosis and thus serves as an animal model for this disease. Inhibition of type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE IV) in animals with this disease has been shown to result in amelioration of disease symptoms. Here we describe the immunomodulatory activity of the novel potent and selective PDE IV inhibitor mesopram. In vitro, mesopram selectively inhibits the activity of type 1 helper T (Th1) cells without affecting cytokine production or proliferation of type 2 helper T (Th2) cells. Administration of mesopram to rodents inhibits EAE in various models. Clinically, EAE is completely suppressed by mesopram in Lewis rats. This is accompanied by a reduction of inflammatory lesions in spinal cord and brain. RT-PCR analysis revealed a marked reduction in the expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the brains of these animals. Furthermore, the ex vivo production of Th1 cytokines by activated spleen cells derived from mesopram-treated animals is significantly reduced compared to vehicle-treated controls. Amelioration of the clinical symptoms is also observed during chronic EAE in mesopram-treated SJL mice as well as in relapsing-remitting EAE in SWXJ mice using a therapeutic treatment regimen. These data demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of mesopram and provide a rationale for its clinical development.
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MESH Headings
- 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases/antagonists & inhibitors
- 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases/metabolism
- Acute Disease
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use
- Cell Division/drug effects
- Cells, Cultured
- Central Nervous System/drug effects
- Central Nervous System/immunology
- Central Nervous System/metabolism
- Central Nervous System/pathology
- Chronic Disease
- Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Down-Regulation/drug effects
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/drug therapy
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Female
- Humans
- Inflammation/drug therapy
- Inflammation/metabolism
- Inflammation/pathology
- Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis
- Interferon-gamma/metabolism
- Interleukin-5/biosynthesis
- Interleukin-5/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy
- Oxazoles/pharmacology
- Oxazoles/therapeutic use
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred Lew
- Recurrence
- Spleen/drug effects
- Spleen/immunology
- Substrate Specificity
- Th1 Cells/cytology
- Th1 Cells/drug effects
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Th1 Cells/metabolism
- Th2 Cells/cytology
- Th2 Cells/drug effects
- Th2 Cells/immunology
- Th2 Cells/metabolism
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- H Dinter
- Department of Immunology, Berlex Biosciences, 15049 San Pablo Ave., Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
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45
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Souness JE, Aldous D, Sargent C. Immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 4 inhibitors. IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY 2000; 47:127-62. [PMID: 10878287 DOI: 10.1016/s0162-3109(00)00185-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J E Souness
- Discovery Biology 1 (JA3-1), Aventis Pharma Ltd., Dagenham Research Centre, Rainham Road South, Dagenham, RM10 7XS, Essex, UK.
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46
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Bielekova B, Lincoln A, McFarland H, Martin R. Therapeutic potential of phosphodiesterase-4 and -3 inhibitors in Th1-mediated autoimmune diseases. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2000; 164:1117-24. [PMID: 10623864 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.2.1117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors have the potential to modulate immune responses from the Th1 toward the Th2 phenotype and are considered candidate therapies for Th1-mediated autoimmune disorders. However, depending on the model and cell types employed, studies of atopic individuals have come to the opposite conclusion, i.e., that PDE inhibitors may be beneficial in asthma. Using in vitro immunopharmacologic techniques we analyzed the effects of PDE4 and PDE3 inhibitors on human immune cells to address these discrepancies and broaden our understanding of their mechanism of action. Our results indicate that PDE inhibitors have complex inhibitory effects within in vivo achievable concentration ranges on Th1-mediated immunity, whereas Th2-mediated responses are mostly unaffected or enhanced. The Th2 skewing of the developing immune response is explained by the effects of PDE inhibitors on several factors contributing to T cell priming: the cytokine milieu; the type of costimulatory signal, i.e., up-regulation of CD86 and down-regulation of CD80; and the Ag avidity. The combination of PDE4 and PDE3 inhibitors expresses synergistic effects and may broaden the therapeutic window. Finally, we observed a differential sensitivity to PDE inhibition in autoreactive vs foreign Ag-specific T cells and cells derived from multiple sclerosis patients vs those derived from healthy donors. This suggests that PDE inhibition weakens the strength of the T cell stimulus and corrects the underlying disease-associated cytokine skew in T cell-mediated autoimmune disorders. These new findings broaden the understanding of the immunomodulatory actions of PDE inhibitors and underscore their promising drug profile for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Bielekova
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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47
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Zou LP, Deretzi G, Pelidou SH, Levi M, Wahren B, Quiding C, van der Meide P, Zhu J. Rolipram suppresses experimental autoimmune neuritis and prevents relapses in Lewis rats. Neuropharmacology 2000; 39:324-33. [PMID: 10670428 DOI: 10.1016/s0028-3908(99)00144-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Rolipram, a phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor, can markedly down-regulate antigen-driven T cell proliferation and suppress TNF-alpha production in vitro and in vivo. Here we report the effects of Rolipram on experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), which can be induced by immunization with myelin components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) combined with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), and which represents a CD4+ T cell-mediated animal model for human Guillain-Barré syndrome. EAN induced in Lewis rats by inoculation with the PNS P2 protein peptide 57-81 and FCA was strongly suppressed by Rolipram administered twice daily intraperitoneally from day 9 post immunization (p.i.), i.e. after onset of clinical EAN. Suppression of EAN was associated with down-regulated myelin antigen-induced T cell responses as well as down-regulated IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production. A relapse of clinical EAN occurred upon treatment of a short duration (7 days), while prolongation of treatment resulted in the prevention of clinical EAN relapse. There was no relationship between clinical EAN relapse and high levels of TNF-alpha. The immunomodulatory effects of Rolipram call for further research into the potential role of drugs acting on the immune system in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- L P Zou
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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48
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Lock C, Oksenberg J, Steinman L. The role of TNFalpha and lymphotoxin in demyelinating disease. Ann Rheum Dis 1999; 58 Suppl 1:I121-8. [PMID: 10577988 PMCID: PMC1766588 DOI: 10.1136/ard.58.2008.i121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Lock
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Beckman Center B002, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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49
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Pette M, Muraro PA, Pette DF, Dinter H, McFarland HF, Martin R. Differential effects of phosphodiesterase type 4-specific inhibition on human autoreactive myelin-specific T cell clones. J Neuroimmunol 1999; 98:147-56. [PMID: 10430048 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(99)00088-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Proinflammatory cytokines, secreted by autoreactive CD4+ T lymphocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of several human autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Since the antigen specificities of these T cells are not known at present, therapeutic strategies aiming at common effector pathways, in particular cytokine secretion, may be more feasible in the near future. We have studied the influence of the isoenzyme-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram on the proliferation and cytokine secretion of human myelin basic protein-specific T cell clones. The inhibition of proliferation correlated with interference with the IL-2/IL-2 receptor system, while the effects of rolipram on several T helper 1-(TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IFN-gamma) and T helper 2-like cytokines (IL-4, IL-13) as well as IL-10 revealed an interesting drug profile, with preferential inhibition of TNF-beta, TNF-alpha and IL-10. This profile suggest that rolipram differs from other currently used immunomodulatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pette
- Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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50
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Folcik VA, Smith T, O'Bryant S, Kawczak JA, Zhu B, Sakurai H, Kajiwara A, Staddon JM, Glabinski A, Chernosky AL, Tani M, Johnson JM, Tuohy VK, Rubin LL, Ransohoff RM. Treatment with BBB022A or rolipram stabilizes the blood-brain barrier in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: an additional mechanism for the therapeutic effect of type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitors. J Neuroimmunol 1999; 97:119-28. [PMID: 10408965 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(99)00063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
We examined the treatment effects of two structurally distinct phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE IV) inhibitors, BBB022 and rolipram, in murine and rat models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Based on our data, we propose a mechanism of action which may supplement immunomodulatory effects of PDE IV inhibitors. In particular, PDE inhibitors promote elevation of intracellular cAMP levels, increasing the electrical resistance of endothelial monolayers by stabilizing intercellular junctional complexes. Such an effect on central nervous system (CNS) vascular endothelium has the potential to reduce disease severity in EAE, because both inflammatory cells and humoral factors readily cross a disrupted blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this report, we demonstrate the capacity of BBB022 and rolipram to decrease clinical severity of EAE. further, PDE IV inhibitors significantly reduced BBB permeability in the spinal cords of mice with EAE. These results provide evidence that PDE IV-inhibitors may exert therapeutic effects in EAE by modifying cerebrovascular endothelial permeability, reducing tissue edema as well as entry of inflammatory cells and factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- V A Folcik
- Department of Neurosciences, The Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA
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