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Van Moortel L, Thommis J, Maertens B, Staes A, Clarisse D, De Sutter D, Libert C, Meijer OC, Eyckerman S, Gevaert K, De Bosscher K. Novel assays monitoring direct glucocorticoid receptor protein activity exhibit high predictive power for ligand activity on endogenous gene targets. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 152:113218. [PMID: 35709653 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Exogenous glucocorticoids are widely used in the clinic for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and auto-immune diseases. Unfortunately, their use is hampered by many side effects and therapy resistance. Efforts to find more selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists and modulators (called SEGRAMs) that are able to separate anti-inflammatory effects via gene repression from metabolic effects via gene activation, have been unsuccessful so far. In this study, we characterized a set of functionally diverse GR ligands in A549 cells, first using a panel of luciferase-based reporter gene assays evaluating GR-driven gene activation and gene repression. We expanded this minimal assay set with novel luciferase-based read-outs monitoring GR protein levels, GR dimerization and GR Serine 211 (Ser211) phosphorylation status and compared their outcomes with compound effects on the mRNA levels of known GR target genes in A549 cells and primary hepatocytes. We found that luciferase reporters evaluating GR-driven gene activation and gene repression were not always reliable predictors for effects on endogenous target genes. Remarkably, our novel assay monitoring GR Ser211 phosphorylation levels proved to be the most reliable predictor for compound effects on almost all tested endogenous GR targets, both driven by gene activation and repression. The integration of this novel assay in existing screening platforms running both in academia and industry may therefore boost chances to find novel GR ligands with an actual improved therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Van Moortel
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Jonathan Thommis
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Brecht Maertens
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - An Staes
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Dorien Clarisse
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Delphine De Sutter
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Claude Libert
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Sven Eyckerman
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Kris Gevaert
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
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Seo JH, Jin MH, Chang YH. Anti-inflammatory effect of Salsola komarovii extract with dissociated glucocorticoid activity. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020; 20:176. [PMID: 32503533 PMCID: PMC7275605 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-02979-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glucocorticoids (GCs) are anti-inflammatory drugs widely used to treat acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. However, despite their excellent efficacy, the long-term use of GCs is relatively limited owing to their adverse effects. Recent studies have sought to reduce these adverse effects by developing dissociated GCs that bind to GC receptors (GRs) to induce potent anti-inflammatory effects without the transcription of GC response element (GRE)-promoted genes. Some species of the genus Salsola are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cancer, hypertension, and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the potential dissociated GC activities and underlying mechanisms of Salsola komarovii (SK), which is native to Korea. Methods To determine whether SK ethanol extract (SEE) directly interacts with the GR, an in vitro fluorescence polarization based-GR competitor assay was performed. The effect of SEE on the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and GRE was confirmed in HepG2 cells using the Cignal reporter assay. The anti-inflammatory effect of SK was determined by assessing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin (IL)-6 production. To confirm whether SEE induces GRE-driven gene expression, preadipocyte differentiation followed by lipid deposition was performed in the presence of SEE. Results SEE exhibited GR binding activity in the fluorescence polarization competitive binding assay and induced GR nuclear translocation. It also interfered with the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and the NF-κB-dependent transcriptional activity based on the immunofluorescence analysis and reporter assay, respectively. SEE exerted anti-inflammatory effects by reducing LPS-induced IL-6 production as effectively as hydrocortisone (positive control). SK did not induce GRE-driven gene expression and preadipocyte differentiation, which is one of the major adverse effects of GCs. Conclusions Collectively, these results suggest that SK could be a novel and safe anti-inflammatory agent with dissociated GC properties and, therefore, it has great potential for use in treating inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyun Seo
- LG Science Research Park, LG Household and Healthcare Ltd., 70, Magokjoongang 10-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 07795, Korea
| | - Mu Hyun Jin
- LG Science Research Park, LG Household and Healthcare Ltd., 70, Magokjoongang 10-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 07795, Korea
| | - Yun Hee Chang
- LG Science Research Park, LG Household and Healthcare Ltd., 70, Magokjoongang 10-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 07795, Korea.
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Souffriau J, Eggermont M, Van Ryckeghem S, Van Looveren K, Van Wyngene L, Van Hamme E, Vuylsteke M, Beyaert R, De Bosscher K, Libert C. A screening assay for Selective Dimerizing Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists and Modulators (SEDIGRAM) that are effective against acute inflammation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12894. [PMID: 30150712 PMCID: PMC6110732 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31150-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists that promote GR homodimerization more than standard glucocorticoids such as Dexamethasone could be more effective anti-inflammatory molecules against acute and life-threatening inflammatory conditions. To test this hypothesis, we set up a screening pipeline aimed at discovering such Selective Dimerizing GR Agonists and Modulators (SEDIGRAM). The pipeline consists of a reporter gene assay based on a palindromic glucocorticoid responsive element (GRE). This assay represents GR dimerization in human A549 lung epithelial cells. In the pipeline, this is followed by analysis of endogenous GRE-driven gene expression, a FRET assay confirming dimerization, and monitoring of in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. In a proof of principle experiment, starting from seven candidate compounds, we identified two potentially interesting compounds (Cortivazol and AZD2906) that confer strong protection in a mouse model of aggressive TNF-induced lethal inflammation. A screening pipeline for SEDIGRAM may assist the search for compounds that promote GR dimerization and limit overwhelming acute inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Souffriau
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Melanie Eggermont
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sara Van Ryckeghem
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kelly Van Looveren
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lise Van Wyngene
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Van Hamme
- Bio Imaging Core, Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Rudi Beyaert
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab, Center for Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Claude Libert
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium. .,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Popović V, Goeman J, Thommis J, Heyerick A, Caroen J, Van der Eycken J, De Bosscher K. Daucane esters from laserwort (Laserpitium latifolium L.) inhibit cytokine and chemokine production in human lung epithelial cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2017; 26:28-36. [PMID: 28257662 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laserwort, Laserpitium latifolium L. (Apiaceae), is a European medicinal plant. Its roots and rhizomes were traditionally used as a general tonic and to treat inflammatory and infective diseases. PURPOSE The anti-inflammatory potential of daucane esters, isolated from underground parts extract of L. latifolium and specific structural features that contribute to their activity were investigated. In addition, we studied their interference with the transactivation capacity of the Glucocorticoid Receptor when added together with a classic glucocorticoid (GC), dexamethasone (DEX). This particular property may be relevant in combination strategies, attempting to circumvent diabetogenic side effects of glucocorticoids upon long-term anti-inflammatory treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine L. latifolium daucane esters were isolated and elucidated as derivatives of desoxodehydrolaserpitin, laserpitin and a novel 2β-esterified laserpitinol analogue. Of all compounds effects on NF-κB- and AP-1-driven pro-inflammatory pathways were assessed using TNF- or PMA-induced reporter gene analysis in A549 cells. Daucanes with a strong and concentration-dependent inhibition of both NF-κB and AP-1, were tested for a potential effect on DEX-stimulated GR-driven Glucocorticoid Response Element (GRE) reporter gene activity. In addition, GRE-driven anti-inflammatory mRNA expression was determined (GILZ and DUSP1). Also anti-inflammatory properties were validated by monitoring effects on CCL-2, IL-6, IL-1β mRNA expression levels (qPCR) and on CCL-2 chemokine production (ELISA). RESULTS Daucanes featuring an ester moiety and/or a hydroxy group at positions 2β, 6α and 10α and especially the novel 2β-esterified laserpitinol derivative that, in comparison to other isolated compounds, features an additional 9α-hydroxy group, demonstrated suppression of both NF-κB- and AP-1-dependent pro-inflammatory pathways. Remarkably, those entities competitively and concentration-dependently repressed GR-driven GRE-dependent reporter gene activities. The most active compounds inhibited CCL-2 protein excretion and compound 4 downregulated genes coding for IL-1β and IL-6 induced upon TNF treatment in A549. In absence of TNF, compound 4 upregulated the GRE-mediated anti-inflammatory gene GILZ, but not DUSP1. CONCLUSIONS Daucane esters are novel anti-inflammatory agents that may, in combination with GCs, potentially improve therapeutic benefit. These results contribute to the ongoing search for novel anti-inflammatory agents as safer alternatives to, or with, GCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Višnja Popović
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab, VIB-Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Laboratory for Organic and Bio-Organic Synthesis, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Jan Goeman
- Laboratory for Organic and Bio-Organic Synthesis, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Thommis
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab, VIB-Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arne Heyerick
- Reliable Cancer Therapies, Boechoutlaan 221, B-1853 Strombeek-Bever, Belgium
| | - Jurgen Caroen
- Laboratory for Organic and Bio-Organic Synthesis, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Johan Van der Eycken
- Laboratory for Organic and Bio-Organic Synthesis, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab, VIB-Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
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