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Dodonova SA, Zhidkova EM, Kryukov AA, Valiev TT, Kirsanov KI, Kulikov EP, Budunova IV, Yakubovskaya MG, Lesovaya EA. Synephrine and Its Derivative Compound A: Common and Specific Biological Effects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17537. [PMID: 38139366 PMCID: PMC10744207 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This review is focused on synephrine, the principal phytochemical found in bitter orange and other medicinal plants and widely used as a dietary supplement for weight loss/body fat reduction. We examine different aspects of synephrine biology, delving into its established and potential molecular targets, as well as its mechanisms of action. We present an overview of the origin, chemical composition, receptors, and pharmacological properties of synephrine, including its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity in various in vitro and animal models. Additionally, we conduct a comparative analysis of the molecular targets and effects of synephrine with those of its metabolite, selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist (SEGRA) Compound A (CpdA), which shares a similar chemical structure with synephrine. SEGRAs, including CpdA, have been extensively studied as glucocorticoid receptor activators that have a better benefit/risk profile than glucocorticoids due to their reduced adverse effects. We discuss the potential of synephrine usage as a template for the synthesis of new generation of non-steroidal SEGRAs. The review also provides insights into the safe pharmacological profile of synephrine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana A. Dodonova
- Research Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Kursk State Medical University, 305041 Kursk, Russia; (S.A.D.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Ekaterina M. Zhidkova
- Department of Chemical Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (E.M.Z.); (T.T.V.); (K.I.K.); (M.G.Y.)
| | - Alexey A. Kryukov
- Research Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Kursk State Medical University, 305041 Kursk, Russia; (S.A.D.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Timur T. Valiev
- Department of Chemical Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (E.M.Z.); (T.T.V.); (K.I.K.); (M.G.Y.)
| | - Kirill I. Kirsanov
- Department of Chemical Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (E.M.Z.); (T.T.V.); (K.I.K.); (M.G.Y.)
- Faculty of Oncology, Ryazan State Medical University Named after Academician I.P. Pavlov, 390026 Ryazan, Russia
| | - Evgeny P. Kulikov
- Laboratory of Single Cell Biology, Russian University of People’s Friendship (RUDN) University, 117198 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Irina V. Budunova
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Marianna G. Yakubovskaya
- Department of Chemical Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (E.M.Z.); (T.T.V.); (K.I.K.); (M.G.Y.)
- Faculty of Oncology, Ryazan State Medical University Named after Academician I.P. Pavlov, 390026 Ryazan, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A. Lesovaya
- Department of Chemical Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (E.M.Z.); (T.T.V.); (K.I.K.); (M.G.Y.)
- Faculty of Oncology, Ryazan State Medical University Named after Academician I.P. Pavlov, 390026 Ryazan, Russia
- Laboratory of Single Cell Biology, Russian University of People’s Friendship (RUDN) University, 117198 Moscow, Russia;
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2
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Gazorpak M, Hugentobler KM, Paul D, Germain PL, Kretschmer M, Ivanova I, Frei S, Mathis K, Rudolf R, Mompart Barrenechea S, Fischer V, Xue X, Ptaszek AL, Holzinger J, Privitera M, Hierlemann A, Meijer OC, Konrat R, Carreira EM, Bohacek J, Gapp K. Harnessing PROTAC technology to combat stress hormone receptor activation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8177. [PMID: 38071198 PMCID: PMC10710461 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44031-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Counteracting the overactivation of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) is an important therapeutic goal in stress-related psychiatry and beyond. The only clinically approved GR antagonist lacks selectivity and induces unwanted side effects. To complement existing tools of small-molecule-based inhibitors, we present a highly potent, catalytically-driven GR degrader, KH-103, based on proteolysis-targeting chimera technology. This selective degrader enables immediate and reversible GR depletion that is independent of genetic manipulation and circumvents transcriptional adaptations to inhibition. KH-103 achieves passive inhibition, preventing agonistic induction of gene expression, and significantly averts the GR's genomic effects compared to two currently available inhibitors. Application in primary-neuron cultures revealed the dependency of a glucocorticoid-induced increase in spontaneous calcium activity on GR. Finally, we present a proof of concept for application in vivo. KH-103 opens opportunities for a more lucid interpretation of GR functions with translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Gazorpak
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karina M Hugentobler
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Paul
- Lab of Statistical Bioinformatics, University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Luc Germain
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Lab of Statistical Bioinformatics, University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Computational Neurogenomics, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Kretschmer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Iryna Ivanova
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Selina Frei
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kei Mathis
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Remo Rudolf
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Mompart Barrenechea
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Fischer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Xiaohan Xue
- Bio Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandra L Ptaszek
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for High-Content Structural Biology and Biotechnology, Max Perutz Laboratories, Department of Structural and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julian Holzinger
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for High-Content Structural Biology and Biotechnology, Max Perutz Laboratories, Department of Structural and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattia Privitera
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Hierlemann
- Bio Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300, RA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Konrat
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erick M Carreira
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Gapp
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
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3
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Pofi R, Caratti G, Ray DW, Tomlinson JW. Treating the Side Effects of Exogenous Glucocorticoids; Can We Separate the Good From the Bad? Endocr Rev 2023; 44:975-1011. [PMID: 37253115 PMCID: PMC10638606 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
It is estimated that 2% to 3% of the population are currently prescribed systemic or topical glucocorticoid treatment. The potent anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids to deliver therapeutic benefit is not in doubt. However, the side effects associated with their use, including central weight gain, hypertension, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and osteoporosis, often collectively termed iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome, are associated with a significant health and economic burden. The precise cellular mechanisms underpinning the differential action of glucocorticoids to drive the desirable and undesirable effects are still not completely understood. Faced with the unmet clinical need to limit glucocorticoid-induced adverse effects alongside ensuring the preservation of anti-inflammatory actions, several strategies have been pursued. The coprescription of existing licensed drugs to treat incident adverse effects can be effective, but data examining the prevention of adverse effects are limited. Novel selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists and selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators have been designed that aim to specifically and selectively activate anti-inflammatory responses based upon their interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor. Several of these compounds are currently in clinical trials to evaluate their efficacy. More recently, strategies exploiting tissue-specific glucocorticoid metabolism through the isoforms of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase has shown early potential, although data from clinical trials are limited. The aim of any treatment is to maximize benefit while minimizing risk, and within this review we define the adverse effect profile associated with glucocorticoid use and evaluate current and developing strategies that aim to limit side effects but preserve desirable therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Pofi
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Giorgio Caratti
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
| | - David W Ray
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Oxford Kavli Centre for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX37LE, UK
| | - Jeremy W Tomlinson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
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4
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Liang Y, Jiang Q, Zou H, Zhao J, Zhang J, Ren L. Withaferin A: A potential selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator with anti-inflammatory effect. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 179:113949. [PMID: 37467946 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids have been widely applied to various clinical treatment, however some serious side effects may occur during the treatment. It is widely known that glucocorticoids produce a marked effect through binding to glucocorticoid receptor (GR). As withaferin A can provide multiple health benefits, this work aims to confirm withaferin A as a potential selective GR modulator with anti-inflammatory effect. Fluorescence polarization assay confirmed that withaferin A could steadily bind to GR with an IC50 value of 203.80 ± 0.36 μM. Meanwhile, glucocorticoid receptor translocation of withaferin A was measured by nuclear fractionation assay. Dual luciferase reporter assay showed that withaferin A did not activate GR transcription. Furthermore, withaferin A decreased the GR-related protein expression with less side effects. The result of molecular docking showed that hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions contributed to the binding of withaferin A with GR. In addition, the GR-withaferin A complex maintained a stable binding throughout the dynamics simulation process. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that withaferin A inhibited the production of cytokines, confirming its anti-inflammatory effect. These findings indicate that withaferin A is a potential selective GR modulator and this work may provide a research basis for developing dietary supplements and nutraceuticals against inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Qiuyan Jiang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Haoyang Zou
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Jingqi Zhao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Li Ren
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
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5
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A glucocorticoid-receptor agonist ameliorates bleomycin-induced alveolar simplification in newborn rats. Pediatr Res 2022; 93:1551-1558. [PMID: 36068343 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02257-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucocorticoids (GCs) are highly effective yet problematic agents against bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The dimeric trans-activation of GCs induces unfavorable effects, while monomeric trans-repression suppresses inflammation-related genes. Recently, non-steroidal-selective glucocorticoid-receptor agonists and modulators (SEGRAMs) with only the trans-repressive action have been designed. METHODS Using a bleomycin (Bleo)-induced alveolar simplification newborn rat model (recapitulating arrested alveolarization during BPD), we evaluated the therapeutic effects of compound-A (CpdA), a SEGRAM. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered Bleo from postnatal day (PD) 0 to 10 and treated with dexamethasone (Dex) or CpdA from PD 0 to 13. The morphological changes and mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin (IL)-1β, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), and C-C motif chemokine 2 (CCL2) were investigated. RESULTS Similar to the effects of Dex, CpdA exerted protective effects on morphological derangements and inhibited macrophage infiltration and production of pro-inflammatory mediators in Bleo-treated animals. The effects of CpdA were probably mediated by GC receptor (GR)-dependent trans-repression, because unlike the Dex-treated group, anti-inflammatory genes specifically induced by GR-dependent trans-activation (such as "glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper, GILZ") were not upregulated. CONCLUSIONS CpdA improved lung inflammation, inhibited the arrest of alveolar maturation, and restored histological and biochemical changes in a Bleo-induced alveolar simplification model. IMPACT SEGRAMs have attracted widespread attention because they are expected to not exhibit unfavorable effects of GCs. Compound A, one of the SEGRAMs, improved lung morphometric changes and decreased lung inflammation in a bleomycin-induced arrested alveolarization, a newborn rat model representing one of the main features of BPD pathology. Compound A did not elicit bleomycin-induced poor weight gain, in contrast to dexamethasone treatment. SEGRAMs, including compound A, may be promising candidates for the therapy of BPD with less adverse effects compared with GCs.
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6
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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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Glutamine synthetase regulation by dexamethasone, RU486, and compound A in astrocytes derived from aged mouse cerebral hemispheres is mediated via glucocorticoid receptor. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:4471-4485. [PMID: 34491525 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04236-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) regulate astrocyte function, while glutamine synthetase (GS), an enzyme highly expressed in astrocytes, is one of the most remarkable GCs-induced genes. GCs mediate their effects through their cognate glucocorticoid receptor (GRα and GRβ isoforms); however, the mechanism via which these isoforms regulate GS activity in astrocytes remains unknown. We used dexamethasone (DEX), a classical GRα/GRβ agonist, RU486, which is a specific GRβ ligand, and Compound A, a known "dissociated" ligand, to delineate the mechanism via which GR modulates GS activity. Aged Mouse Cerebral Hemisphere astrocytes were treated with DEX (1 μM), RU486 (1 nM-1 μM) or compound A (10 μM), alone or in combination with DEX. GS activity and expression, GR isoforms (mRNA and protein levels), and GRα subcellular trafficking were measured. DEX increased GS activity in parallel with GRα nuclear translocation. RU486 increased GS activity in absence of GRα nuclear translocation implicating thus a role of GRβ-mediated mechanism compound A had no effect on GS activity implicating a GRα-GRE-mediated mechanism. None of the compounds affected whole-cell GRα protein content. DEX reduced GRα and GRβ mRNA levels, while RU486 increased GRβ gene expression. We provide evidence that GS activity, in astrocytes, is regulated via GRα- and GRβ-mediated pathways with important implications in pathological conditions in which astrocytes are involved.
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8
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Frank F, Liu X, Ortlund EA. Glucocorticoid receptor condensates link DNA-dependent receptor dimerization and transcriptional transactivation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2024685118. [PMID: 34285072 PMCID: PMC8325269 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2024685118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ligand-regulated transcription factor (TF) that controls the tissue- and gene-specific transactivation and transrepression of thousands of target genes. Distinct GR DNA-binding sequences with activating or repressive activities have been identified, but how they modulate transcription in opposite ways is not known. We show that GR forms phase-separated condensates that specifically concentrate known coregulators via their intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in vitro. A combination of dynamic, multivalent (between IDRs) and specific, stable interactions (between LxxLL motifs and the GR ligand-binding domain) control the degree of recruitment. Importantly, GR DNA binding directs the selective partitioning of coregulators within GR condensates such that activating DNAs cause enhanced recruitment of coactivators. Our work shows that condensation controls GR function by modulating coregulator recruitment and provides a mechanism for the up- and down-regulation of GR target genes controlled by distinct DNA recognition elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipp Frank
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Eric A Ortlund
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
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A Novel Methodology Using Dexamethasone to Induce Neuronal Differentiation in the CNS-Derived Catecholaminergic CAD Cells. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:2337-2353. [PMID: 34059943 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01109-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The Cath.a-differentiated (CAD) cell line is a central nervous system-derived catecholaminergic cell line originating from tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-producing neurons located around the locus coeruleus area of the mouse brain. CAD cells have been used as an in vitro model for cellular and molecular studies due to their ability to differentiate under serum-free media conditions. However, the lack of serum-derived survival factors, limits the longevity for differentiated CAD cells to be maintained in healthy conditions; thereby, limiting their use in long-term culture studies. Here, we present a novel differentiation method that utilizes dexamethasone (Dex), a synthetic glucocorticoid receptor agonist. Specifically, we discovered that the addition of 100 µM of Dex into the 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS)-supplemented media effectively induced neuronal differentiation of CAD cells, as characterized by neurite formation and elongation. Dex-differentiated CAD cells exited the cell cycle, stopped proliferating, extended the neurites, and expressed neuronal markers. These effects were dependent on the glucocorticoid receptors (GR) as they were abolished by GR knockdown. Importantly, Dex-differentiated CAD cells showed longer survival duration than serum-free differentiated CAD cells. In addition, RNA-sequencing and qPCR data demonstrate that several genes involved in proliferation, neuronal differentiation, and survival pathways were differentially expressed in the Dex-differentiated cells. This is the first study to reveal Dex as a novel differentiation methodology used to generate postmitotic neuronal CAD cells, which may be utilized as an in vitro neuronal model for cellular and molecular neurobiology research.
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10
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McGinn MA, Tunstall BJ, Schlosburg JE, Gregory-Flores A, George O, de Guglielmo G, Mason BJ, Hunt HJ, Koob GF, Vendruscolo LF. Glucocorticoid receptor modulators decrease alcohol self-administration in male rats. Neuropharmacology 2021; 188:108510. [PMID: 33647278 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with the dysregulation of brain stress and reward systems, including glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). The mixed glucocorticoid/progesterone receptor antagonist mifepristone and selective GR antagonist CORT113176 have been shown to selectively reduce alcohol consumption in alcohol-dependent rats. Mifepristone has also been shown to decrease alcohol consumption and craving for alcohol in humans with AUD. The present study tested the effects of the GR modulators CORT118335, CORT122928, CORT108297, and CORT125134 on alcohol self-administration in nondependent (air-exposed) and alcohol-dependent (alcohol vapor-exposed) adult male rats. Different GR modulators recruit different GR-associated transcriptional cofactors. Thus, we hypothesized that these GR modulators would vary in their effects on alcohol drinking. CORT118335, CORT122928, and CORT125134 significantly reduced alcohol self-administration in both alcohol-dependent and nondependent rats. CORT108297 had no effect on alcohol self-administration in either group. The present results support the potential of GR modulators for the development of treatments for AUD. Future studies that characterize genomic and nongenomic effects of these GR modulators will elucidate potential molecular mechanisms that underlie alcohol drinking in alcohol-dependent and nondependent states.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Adrienne McGinn
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Brendan J Tunstall
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
| | - Joel E Schlosburg
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Olivier George
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Giordano de Guglielmo
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Barbara J Mason
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - George F Koob
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leandro F Vendruscolo
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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11
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Rogliani P, Ritondo BL, Puxeddu E, Pane G, Cazzola M, Calzetta L. Experimental Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Asthma: A Systematic Review. J Exp Pharmacol 2020; 12:233-254. [PMID: 32982485 PMCID: PMC7495344 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s237480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are considered the cornerstone of asthma treatment. Despite the solid evidence documenting the efficacy and safety of ICSs at the level of the airways, their use can be affected by pulmonary and systemic adverse events (AEs) when administered chronically and/or at high doses. Thus, there is a pharmacological and medical need for new glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR) ligands with a more favorable therapeutic index, in order to overcome the shortcomings of currently available ICSs. The therapeutic profile of GCs can be improved by enhancing genomic mechanisms mediated by transrepression, which is assumed to be responsible for several anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions, rather than transactivation, which causes most of the GC-associated AEs. It was assumed that an independent modulation of the molecular mechanisms underlying transactivation and transrepression could translate into the dissociation of beneficial effects from AEs. Therefore, current research is looking for GCs that are able to elicit prevalently transrepression with negligible transactivating activity. These compounds are known as selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists (SEGRAs). In this review, experimental GR agonists currently in pre-clinical and clinical development for the treatment of asthma have been systematically assessed. Several compounds are currently under pre-clinical development, but only three novel experimental GR agonists (GW870086X, AZD5423, AZD7594) seem to have some potential therapeutic relevance and have entered clinical trials for the treatment of asthma. Since data from pre-clinical studies have not always been confirmed in clinical investigations, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed in asthmatic patients to confirm the potentially positive benefit/risk ratio of each specific SEGRA and to optimize the development strategy of these agents in respiratory medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Rogliani
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Ludovica Ritondo
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Ermanno Puxeddu
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Gloria Pane
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Cazzola
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Luigino Calzetta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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12
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Kroon J, Pereira AM, Meijer OC. Glucocorticoid Sexual Dimorphism in Metabolism: Dissecting the Role of Sex Hormones. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2020; 31:357-367. [PMID: 32037025 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2020.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that are of pivotal importance in human physiology. Glucocorticoid signaling is complex in nature and dependent on many interacting factors. As glucocorticoids exhibit sexually dimorphic effects on several key processes including in metabolism, crosstalk with the sex steroid hormones (androgens and estrogens) is relevant. In this review, we highlight the state-of-the-art knowledge on glucocorticoid sexual dimorphism and sex hormone crosstalk. We include current insight in the molecular mechanisms that underlie nuclear steroid receptor crosstalk, and sex hormone effects on glucocorticoid metabolism. Finally, we show how these findings translate to humans exposed to excess glucocorticoid signaling, and we propose future avenues in the emerging field of steroid hormone crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kroon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Alberto M Pereira
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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13
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Nanocrystals for Improved Drug Delivery of Dexamethasone in Skin Investigated by EPR Spectroscopy. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12050400. [PMID: 32349460 PMCID: PMC7284345 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12050400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanocrystals represent an improvement over the traditional nanocarriers for dermal application, providing the advantages of 100% drug loading, a large surface area, increased adhesion, and the potential for hair follicle targeting. To investigate their advantage for drug delivery, compared to a base cream formulation, dexamethasone (Dx), a synthetic glucocorticoid frequently used for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, was covalently linked with the paramagnetic probe 3-(carboxy)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (PCA) to DxPCA. To investigate the penetration efficiency between these two vehicles, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used, which allows the quantification of a spin-labeled drug in different skin layers and the monitoring of the drug release. The penetration behavior in excised healthy and barrier-disrupted porcine skin was monitored by EPR, and subsequently analyzed using a numerical diffusion model. As a result, diffusion constants and free energy values in the different layers of the skin were identified for both formulations. Dx-nanocrystals showed a significantly increased drug amount that penetrated into viable epidermis and dermis of intact (factor 3) and barrier-disrupted skin (factor 2.1) compared to the base cream formulation. Furthermore, the observed fast delivery of the spin-labeled drug into the skin (80% DxPCA within 30 min) and a successive release from the aggregate unit into the viable tissue makes these nanocrystals very attractive for clinical applications.
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14
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Van Moortel L, Gevaert K, De Bosscher K. Improved Glucocorticoid Receptor Ligands: Fantastic Beasts, but How to Find Them? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:559673. [PMID: 33071974 PMCID: PMC7541956 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.559673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Exogenous glucocorticoids are widely used in the clinic for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and hematological cancers. Unfortunately, their use is associated with debilitating side effects, including hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, mood swings, and weight gain. Despite the continued efforts of pharma as well as academia, the search for so-called selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators (SEGRMs), compounds with strong anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer properties but a reduced number or level of side effects, has had limited success so far. Although monoclonal antibody therapies have been successfully introduced for the treatment of certain disorders (such as anti-TNF for rheumatoid arthritis), glucocorticoids remain the first-in-line option for many other chronic diseases including asthma, multiple sclerosis, and multiple myeloma. This perspective offers our opinion on why a continued search for SEGRMs remains highly relevant in an era where small molecules are sometimes unrightfully considered old-fashioned. Besides a discussion on which bottlenecks and pitfalls might have been overlooked in the past, we elaborate on potential solutions and recent developments that may push future research in the right direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Van Moortel
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kris Gevaert
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Karolien De Bosscher
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15
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PlexinB1 Promotes Nuclear Translocation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor. Cells 2019; 9:cells9010003. [PMID: 31861264 PMCID: PMC7017238 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) are nuclear receptors whose function depends on their entry into the nucleus where they activate transcription of an overlapping set of genes. Both AR and GR have a role in resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), the mainstay of treatment for late stage prostate cancer. PlexinB1, a receptor for semaphorins, has been implicated in various cancers including prostate cancer and has a role in resistance to ADT. We show here that activation of PlexinB1 by Sema4D and Sema3C results in translocation of endogenous GR to the nucleus in prostate cancer cells, and that this effect is dependent on PlexinB1 expression. Sema4D/Sema3C promotes the translocation of GR-GFP to the nucleus and mutation of the nuclear localization sequence (NLS1) of GR abrogates this response. These findings implicate the importin α/β system in the Sema4D/Sema3C-mediated nuclear import of GR. Knockdown of PlexinB1 in prostate cancer cells decreases the levels of glucocorticoid-responsive gene products and antagonizes the decrease in cell motility and cell area of prostate cancer cells upon dexamethasone treatment, demonstrating the functional significance of these findings. These results show that PlexinB1 activation has a role in the trafficking and activation of the nuclear receptor GR and thus may have a role in resistance to androgen deprivation therapy in late stage prostate cancer.
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16
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Bougarne N, Mylka V, Ratman D, Beck IM, Thommis J, De Cauwer L, Tavernier J, Staels B, Libert C, De Bosscher K. Mechanisms Underlying the Functional Cooperation Between PPARα and GRα to Attenuate Inflammatory Responses. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1769. [PMID: 31447832 PMCID: PMC6695567 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) act via the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1, GRα) to combat overshooting responses to infectious stimuli, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS). As such, GCs inhibit the activity of downstream effector cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF). PPARα (NR1C1) is a nuclear receptor described to function on the crossroad between lipid metabolism and control of inflammation. In the current work, we have investigated the molecular mechanism by which GCs and PPARα agonists cooperate to jointly inhibit NF-κB-driven expression in A549 cells. We discovered a nuclear mechanism that predominantly targets Mitogen- and Stress-activated protein Kinase-1 activation upon co-triggering GRα and PPARα. In vitro GST-pull down data further support that the anti-inflammatory mechanism may additionally involve a non-competitive physical interaction between the p65 subunit of NF-κB, GRα, and PPARα. Finally, to study metabolic effector target cells common to both receptors, we overlaid the effect of GRα and PPARα crosstalk in mouse primary hepatocytes under LPS-induced inflammatory conditions on a genome-wide level. RNA-seq results revealed lipid metabolism genes that were upregulated and inflammatory genes that were additively downregulated. Validation at the cytokine protein level finally supported a consistent additive anti-inflammatory response in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Bougarne
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research Lab, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Viacheslav Mylka
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research Lab, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dariusz Ratman
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research Lab, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ilse M Beck
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research Lab, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium.,Receptor Research Laboratories, Cytokine Receptor Lab, Ghent, Belgium.,Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011 - EGID, Lille, France.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Thommis
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research Lab, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lode De Cauwer
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research Lab, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Tavernier
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium.,Receptor Research Laboratories, Cytokine Receptor Lab, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Staels
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011 - EGID, Lille, France
| | - Claude Libert
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research Lab, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
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17
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Louw A. GR Dimerization and the Impact of GR Dimerization on GR Protein Stability and Half-Life. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1693. [PMID: 31379877 PMCID: PMC6653659 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacologically, glucocorticoids, which mediate their effects via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), are a most effective therapy for inflammatory diseases despite the fact that chronic use causes side-effects and acquired GC resistance. The design of drugs with fewer side-effects and less potential for the development of resistance is therefore considered crucial for improved therapy. Dimerization of the GR is an integral step in glucocorticoid signaling and has been identified as a possible molecular site to target for drug development of anti-inflammatory drugs with an improved therapeutic index. Most of the current understanding regarding the role of GR dimerization in GC signaling derives for dimerization deficient mutants, although the role of ligands biased toward monomerization has also been described. Even though designing for loss of dimerization has mostly been applied for reduction of side-effect profile, designing for loss of dimerization may also be a fruitful strategy for the development of GC drugs with less potential to develop GC resistance. GC-induced resistance affects up to 30% of users and is due to a reduction in the GR functional pool. Several molecular mechanisms of GC-mediated reductions in GR pool have been described, one of which is the autologous down-regulation of GR density by the ubiquitin-proteasome-system (UPS). Loss of GR dimerization prevents autologous down-regulation of the receptor through modulation of interactions with components of the UPS and post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, which prime the GR for degradation. Rational design of conformationally biased ligands that select for a monomeric GR conformation, which increases GC sensitivity through improving GR protein stability and increasing half-life, may be a productive avenue to explore. However, potential drawbacks to this approach should be considered as well as the advantages and disadvantages in chronic vs. acute treatment regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Louw
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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18
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Novel role for receptor dimerization in post-translational processing and turnover of the GRα. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14266. [PMID: 30250038 PMCID: PMC6155283 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32440-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs), acting via the glucocorticoid receptor (GRα), remain the mainstay therapeutic choice for the treatment of inflammation. However, chronic GC use, aside from generating undesirable side-effects, results in GRα down-regulation, often coupled to a decrease in GC-responsiveness, which may culminate in acquired GC resistance. The current study presents evidence for a novel role of the dimerization state of the GRα in mediating GC-mediated GRα turnover. Through comparing the effects of dimerization promoting GCs on down-regulation of a transfected human wild type GRα (hGRwt) or a dimerization deficient GRα mutant (hGRdim), we established that a loss of receptor dimerization restricts GRα turnover, which was supported by the use of the dimerization abrogating Compound A (CpdA), in cells containing endogenous GRα. Moreover, we showed that the dimerization state of the GRα influenced the post-translational processing of the receptor, specifically hyper-phosphorylation at Ser404, which influenced the interaction of GRα with the E3 ligase, FBXW7α, thus hampering receptor turnover via the proteasome. Lastly, the restorative effects of CpdA on the GRα pool, in the presence of Dex, were demonstrated in a combinatorial treatment protocol. These results expand our understanding of factors that contribute to GC-resistance and may be exploited clinically.
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19
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Clarisse D, Van Wesemael K, Tavernier J, Offner F, Beck IM, De Bosscher K. Effect of combining glucocorticoids with Compound A on glucocorticoid receptor responsiveness in lymphoid malignancies. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197000. [PMID: 29738549 PMCID: PMC5940183 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a cornerstone in the treatment of lymphoid malignancies such as multiple myeloma (MM) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Yet, prolonged GC use is hampered by deleterious GC-related side effects and the emergence of GC resistance. To tackle and overcome these GC-related problems, the applicability of selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists and modulators was studied, in search of fewer side-effects and at least equal therapeutic efficacy as classic GCs. Compound A (CpdA) is a prototypical example of such a selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator and does not support GR-mediated transactivation. Here, we examined whether the combination of CpdA with the classic GC dexamethasone (Dex) may improve GC responsiveness of MM and ALL cell lines. We find that the combination of Dex and CpdA does not substantially enhance GC-mediated cell killing. In line, several apoptosis hallmarks, such as caspase 3/7 activity, PARP cleavage and the levels of cleaved-caspase 3 remain unchanged upon combining Dex with CpdA. Moreover, we monitor no additional inhibition of cell proliferation and the homologous downregulation of GR is not counteracted by the combination of Dex and CpdA. In addition, CpdA is unable to modulate Dex-liganded GR transactivation and transrepression, yet, Dex-mediated transrepression is also aberrant in these lymphoid cell lines. Together, transrepression-favoring compounds, alone or combined with GCs, do not seem a valid strategy in the treatment of lymphoid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Clarisse
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab (NRL) and Cytokine Receptor Lab (CRL), Department for Biomolecular Medicine, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karlien Van Wesemael
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Tavernier
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab (NRL) and Cytokine Receptor Lab (CRL), Department for Biomolecular Medicine, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fritz Offner
- Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ilse M. Beck
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Health Sciences, Odisee University College, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab (NRL) and Cytokine Receptor Lab (CRL), Department for Biomolecular Medicine, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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20
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Clarisse D, Thommis J, Van Wesemael K, Houtman R, Ratman D, Tavernier J, Offner F, Beck I, De Bosscher K. Coregulator profiling of the glucocorticoid receptor in lymphoid malignancies. Oncotarget 2017; 8:109675-109691. [PMID: 29312638 PMCID: PMC5752551 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coregulators cooperate with nuclear receptors, such as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), to enhance or repress transcription. These regulatory proteins are implicated in cancer, yet, their role in lymphoid malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), is largely unknown. Here, we report the use and extension of the microarray assay for real-time nuclear receptor coregulator interactions (MARCoNI) technology to detect coregulator associations with endogenous GR in cell lysates. We use MARCoNI to determine the GR coregulator profile of glucocorticoid-sensitive (MM and ALL) and glucocorticoid-resistant (ALL) cells, and identify common and unique coregulators for different cell line comparisons. Overall, we identify SRC-1/2/3, PGC-1α, RIP140 and DAX-1 as the strongest interacting coregulators of GR in MM and ALL cells and show that the interaction strength does not correlate with GR protein levels. Lastly, as a step towards patient samples, we determine the GR coregulator profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We profile the interactions between GR and coregulators in MM and ALL cells and suggest to further explore the GR coregulator profile in hematological patient samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Clarisse
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab (NRL) and Cytokine Receptor Lab (CRL), VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Thommis
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab (NRL) and Cytokine Receptor Lab (CRL), VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karlien Van Wesemael
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - René Houtman
- PamGene International B.V., 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Dariusz Ratman
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab (NRL) and Cytokine Receptor Lab (CRL), VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Current/Present address: Roche Global IT Solutions, Roche-Polska, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Tavernier
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab (NRL) and Cytokine Receptor Lab (CRL), VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fritz Offner
- Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ilse Beck
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Health Sciences, Odisee University College, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab (NRL) and Cytokine Receptor Lab (CRL), VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
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