Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases

Exploring the Therapeutic Landscape: A Narrative Review on Topical and Oral Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors in Dermatology

Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) is involved in the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines that mediate several chronic inflammatory disorders, including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. In recent years, the therapeutic armamentarium in dermatology has expanded with the introduction of PDE4 inhibitors, both in oral and topical formulations. PDE4 inhibitors have gained increasing interest due to their remarkable safety record and ease of prescription, as evidenced by the recent influx of literature detailing its off-label uses. Apremilast was the first PDE4 inhibitor approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers of Behcet's disease. Off-label use has been reported in diverse dermatological conditions, including aphthous stomatitis, chronic actinic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, cutaneous sarcoidosis, hidradenitis suppurativa, lichen planus, and discoid lupus erythematosus. Roflumilast is a PDE4 inhibitor that was approved by the FDA and the EMA as an oral treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Since patent expiration, several generic formulations of oral roflumilast have become available, and various studies have documented its off-label use in psoriasis and other dermatological conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa, recurrent oral aphthosis, nummular eczema, lichen planus, and Behçet's disease. Topical roflumilast has received FDA approval for treatment of plaque psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. The favorable safety profile encourages its long-term use as an alternative to corticosteroids, addressing the chronic nature of many dermatological conditions. New oral PDE4 inhibitors are being developed, such as orismilast (LEO-32731), mufemilast (Hemay005), difamilast (OPA-15406) or lotamilast (E6005/RVT-501), among others. This narrative review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, safety profile, and practical considerations regarding the oral and topical use of PDE4 inhibitors in dermatology.

Menisoxoisoaporphine A, a novel oxoisoaporphine alkaloid from Menispermi Rhizoma, inhibits inflammation by targeting PDE4B

Background

Dysregulated and excessive inflammatory reactions can lead to tissue damage, which is the underlying cause of most human diseases. Menisoxoisoaporphine A (MA), a novel oxoisoaporphine alkaloid, was obtained from Menispermi Rhizoma, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions in clinical practice. This suggests that MA has very promising potential for the development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Hence, this study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of MA.

Method

The anti-inflammatory effects of MA were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Its underlying mechanisms were explored through RNA sequencing and Western blotting. The binding modes and interactions sites between MA and phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) were predicted using molecular docking and validated by molecular dynamics simulation.

Results

MA treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced morphological changes, inflammatory cytokine relesae, and proinflammatory genes expression in RAW264.7 cells compared to the LPS-induced controls. Transcriptome sequencing analysis suggested that PDE4B might be a key target for MA to exert its therapeutic effect. Mechanismly, MA directly acted on Tyr405 site of PDE4B, thus leading to a sustained elevation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, which subsequently inactivated NF-κB signaling pathway by phosphorylating protein kinase A (PKA). MA inhibited the NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response depending on PDE4B.

Conclusion

MA, a natural and novel compound, exerted anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells. It demonstrated a strong binding ability to the Tyr405 sites of PDE4B, thereby inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway by regulating the cAMP-PKA axis. Elucidating the interaction between MA and PDE4B holds significant potential for the advancement of innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at inflammatory diseases. By strategically modulating this interaction, it may be feasible to achieve more precise regulation of inflammatory responses, thereby offering promising therapeutic benefits for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Investigation Into the Equine Metabolism of Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor Roflumilast for Potential Doping Control

The phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors constitute a relatively modern class of medications that are known for inducing bronchodilation and exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties within the body. Due to these properties, there is concern regarding their potential misuse as performance-enhancing substances in competitive sports. This study delves into the metabolic conversion of roflumilast in thoroughbred horses following oral administration and in vitro experimentation using equine liver microsomes and Cunninghamella elegans. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a Q Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer (HPLC-HRMS) was employed for analysis. The investigation identified 10 metabolites of roflumilast, including six phase I and four phase II metabolites from in vivo studies, and 11 metabolites from in vitro studies, consisting of eight phase I and three phase II metabolites. The identified biotransformation products encompassed processes such as hydroxylation, chlorine substitution, methylation, N-oxide formation, and even the dissociation of methylenecyclopropane and difluoromethane. Furthermore, the study identified three glucuronic acid and one sulfonic acid conjugated phase II metabolites of the investigated drug candidate. The aforementioned findings contribute to the detection and comprehension of the unauthorized utilization of roflumilast in equestrian sports.

Current Pharmacotherapy and Nutrition Therapy of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) consume large amounts of empty calories and are at risk for malnutrition. Malnutrition can present with micro- or macro-nutrient deficiencies. The standard-of-care drug treatment for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) is corticosteroids. While still in the standard treatment there are limitations in efficacy and certain patients do not respond to treatment (Lille score ≥.45). This article will focus on important concepts related to nutrition and ALD and on recent findings on predicting corticosteroid response and prognosis for AH patients.

Beta-Blockers as an Immunologic and Autonomic Manipulator in Critically Ill Patients: A Review of the Recent Literature

The autonomic nervous system plays a key role in maintaining body hemostasis through both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Sympathetic overstimulation as a reflex to multiple pathologies, such as septic shock, brain injury, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest, could be harmful and lead to autonomic and immunologic dysfunction. The continuous stimulation of the beta receptors on immune cells has an inhibitory effect on these cells and may lead to immunologic dysfunction through enhancing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10), and inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1B IL-1B and tissue necrotizing factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Sympathetic overstimulation-induced autonomic dysfunction may also happen due to adrenergic receptor insensitivity or downregulation. Administering anti-adrenergic medication, such as beta-blockers, is a promising treatment to compensate against the undesired effects of adrenergic surge. Despite many misconceptions about beta-blockers, beta-blockers have shown a promising effect in decreasing mortality in patients with critical illness. In this review, we summarize the recently published articles that have discussed using beta-blockers as a promising treatment to decrease mortality in critically ill patients, such as patients with septic shock, traumatic brain injury, cardiogenic shock, acute decompensated heart failure, and electrical storm. We also discuss the potential pathophysiology of beta-blockers in various types of critical illness. More clinical trials are encouraged to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of beta-blockers in improving mortality among critically ill patients.

Therapeutic perspectives on PDE4B inhibition in adipose tissue dysfunction and chronic liver injury

INTRODUCTION

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a complex disease associated with profound dysfunction. Despite an incredible burden, the first and only pharmacotherapy for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis was only approved in March of this year, indicating a gap in the translation of preclinical studies. There is a body of preclinical work on the application of phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors in CLD, none of these molecules have been successfully translated into clinical use.

AREAS COVERED

To design therapies to combat CLD, it is essential to consider the dysregulation of other tissues that contribute to its development and progression. As such, proper therapies must combat this throughout the body rather than focusing only on the liver. To detail this, literature characterizing the pathogenesis of CLD was pulled from PubMed, with a particular focus placed on the role of PDE4 in inflammation and metabolism. Then, the focus is shifted to detailing the available information on existing PDE4 inhibitors.

EXPERT OPINION

This review gives a brief overview of some of the pathologies of organ systems that are distinct from the liver but contribute to disease progression. The demonstrated efficacy of PDE4 inhibitors in other human inflammatory diseases should earn them further examination for the treatment of CLD.

Thromboxane-induced cerebral microvascular rarefaction predicts depressive symptom emergence in metabolic disease

Previous studies have suggested that the loss of microvessel density in the peripheral circulation with evolving metabolic disease severity represents a significant contributor to impaired skeletal muscle oxygenation and fatigue-resistance. Based on this and our recent work, we hypothesized that cerebral microvascular rarefaction was initiated from the increased prooxidant and proinflammatory environment with metabolic disease and is predictive of the severity of the emergence of depressive symptoms in obese Zucker rats (OZRs). In male OZR, cerebrovascular rarefaction followed the emergence of elevated oxidant and inflammatory environments characterized by increased vascular production of thromboxane A2 (TxA2). The subsequent emergence of depressive symptoms in OZR was associated with the timing and severity of the rarefaction. Chronic intervention with antioxidant (TEMPOL) or anti-inflammation (pentoxifylline) therapy blunted the severity of rarefaction and depressive symptoms, although the effectiveness was limited. Blockade of TxA2 production (dazmegrel) or action (SQ-29548) resulted in a stronger therapeutic effect, suggesting that vascular production and action represent a significant contributor to rarefaction and the emergence of depressive symptoms with chronic metabolic disease (although other pathways clearly contribute as well). A de novo biosimulation of cerebrovascular oxygenation in the face of progressive rarefaction demonstrates the increased probability of generating hypoxic regions within the microvascular networks, which could contribute to impaired neuronal metabolism and the emergence of depressive symptoms. The results of the present study also implicate the potential importance of aggressive prodromic intervention in reducing the severity of chronic complications arising from metabolic disease.NEW & NOTEWORTHY With clinical studies linking vascular disease risk to depressive symptom emergence, we used obese Zucker rats, a model of chronic metabolic disease, to identify potential mechanistic links between these two negative outcomes. Depressive symptom severity correlated with the extent of cerebrovascular rarefaction, after increased vascular oxidant stress/inflammation and TxA2 production. Anti-TxA2 interventions prevasculopathy blunted rarefaction and depressive symptoms, while biosimulation indicated that cerebrovascular rarefaction increased hypoxia within capillary networks as a potential contributing mechanism.

Phosphodiesterase 4 activity uniquely regulates ciliary cAMP-dependent 3T3-L1 adipogenesis

Recent evidence indicates that the presence of a primary cilium (PC), and of selective cAMP signaling within this smallest of organelles, promotes adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes incubated in media supplemented with either a natural (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), or a synthetic (TUG-891), free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4) agonist. Indeed, in this earlier work, activation of ciliary FFAR4 in 3T3-L1 cells was correlated with selective increases in PC cAMP and adipogenesis in these cells. However, this study was silent on the role of local PC cAMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs)-mediated events in regulating these adipogenic responses and on the identity of cAMP PDEs that could regulate the "pool" of ciliary cAMP accessed by FFAR4 agonists. In this context, we have identified the PDEs expressed by 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and showed that of these, only PDE4 inhibition promotes FFAR4-mediated adipogenesis. We propose that this work will identify more selective therapeutic targets through which to control adipogenesis, and perhaps the differentiation of other stem cells in which ciliary cAMP is critical.

The effect of PACAP administration on LPS-induced cytokine expression in the Atlantic salmon SHK-1 cell line

Recent work has identified pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) as a potential antimicrobial and immune stimulating agent which may be suitable for use in aquaculture. However, its effects on teleost immunity are not well studied and may be significantly different than what has been observed in mammals. In this study we examined the effects of PACAP on the Atlantic salmon macrophage cell line SHK-1. PACAP was able to increase the expression of LPS-induced il-1β in at concentrations of 1 uM when administered 24h prior to LPS stimulation. Furthermore, concentrations as low as 40nM had an effect when administered both 24h prior and in tandem with LPS. PACAP was also capable of increasing the expression of il-1β and tnf-α in SHK-1 cells challenged with a low dose of heat-killed Flavobacterium columnare. We attempted to get a better understanding of the mechanism underlying this enhancement of il-1β expression by manipulating downstream signaling of PACAP with inhibitors of phosphodiesterase and phospholipase C activity. We found that inducing cAMP accumulation with phosphodiesterase inhibitors failed to recapitulate the effect of PACAP administration on LPS-mediated il-1β expression by PACAP, while use of a phospholipase C inhibitor caused a PACAP-like enhancement in LPS-mediated il-1β expression. Interestingly, the VPAC1 receptor inhibitor PG97-269, but not the PAC1 inhibitor max.d.4, also was capable of causing a PACAP-like enhancement in LPS-mediated il-1β expression. This suggests that fish do not utilize the PACAP receptors in the same manner as mammals, but that it still exerts an immunostimulatory effect that make it a good immunostimulant for use in aquaculture.

Caffeine Produced in Rice Plants Provides Tolerance to Water-Deficit Stress

Exogenous or endogenous caffeine application confers resistance to diverse biotic stresses in plants. In this study, we demonstrate that endogenous caffeine in caffeine-producing rice (CPR) increases tolerance even to abiotic stresses such as water deficit. Caffeine produced by CPR plants influences the cytosolic Ca2+ ion concentration gradient. We focused on examining the expression of Ca2+-dependent protein kinase genes, a subset of the numerous proteins engaged in abiotic stress signaling. Under normal conditions, CPR plants exhibited increased expressions of seven OsCPKs (OsCPK10, OsCPK12, OsCPK21, OsCPK25, OsCPK26, OsCPK30, and OsCPK31) and biochemical modifications, including antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase) activity and non-enzymatic antioxidant (ascorbic acid) content. CPR plants exhibited more pronounced gene expression changes and biochemical alterations in response to water-deficit stress. CPR plants revealed increased expressions of 16 OsCPKs (OsCPK1, OsCPK2, OsCPK3, OsCPK4, OsCPK5, OsCPK6, OsCPK9, OsCPK10, OsCPK11, OsCPK12, OsCPK14, OsCPK16, OsCPK18, OsCPK22, OsCPK24, and OsCPK25) and 8 genes (OsbZIP72, OsLEA25, OsNHX1, OsRab16d, OsDREB2B, OsNAC45, OsP5CS, and OsRSUS1) encoding factors related to abiotic stress tolerance. The activity of antioxidant enzymes increased, and non-enzymatic antioxidants accumulated. In addition, a decrease in reactive oxygen species, an accumulation of malondialdehyde, and physiological alterations such as the inhibition of chlorophyll degradation and the protection of photosynthetic machinery were observed. Our results suggest that caffeine is a natural chemical that increases the potential ability of rice to cope with water-deficit stress and provides robust resistance by activating a rapid and comprehensive resistance mechanism in the case of water-deficit stress. The discovery, furthermore, presents a new approach for enhancing crop tolerance to abiotic stress, including water deficit, via the utilization of a specific natural agent.

Antifibrotic effect of apremilast in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts and bleomycin-induced mouse model

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitors have been reported to suppress the progression of dermal fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc); however, the precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Therefore, we conducted experiments focusing on the antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of apremilast using dermal fibroblasts derived from patients with SSc and an SSc mouse model. Dermal fibroblasts derived from healthy controls and patients with SSc were incubated with apremilast in the presence or absence of 10 ng/ml transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 for the measurement of intracellular cAMP levels and evaluation of mRNA and protein expression. A bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis mouse model was used to evaluate the inhibitory effects of apremilast on the progression of dermal fibrosis. Intracellular cAMP levels were significantly reduced in dermal fibroblasts derived from patients with SSc compared with those derived from healthy controls. Apremilast reduced the mRNA expression of profibrotic markers and the protein expression of type I collagen and Cellular Communication Network Factor 2 (CCN2) in dermal fibroblasts. Additionally, apremilast inhibited the progression of dermal fibrosis in mice, partly by acting on T cells. These results suggest that apremilast may be a potential candidate for treating dermal fibrosis in SSc.

Druggable targets for the immunopathy of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the leading threats to the health and socioeconomic well-being of humankind. Though research to develop disease modifying therapies for AD has traditionally focussed on the misfolding and aggregation of proteins, this approach has failed to yield a definitively curative agent. Accordingly, the search for additional or alternative approaches is a medicinal chemistry priority. Dysfunction of the brain's neuroimmune-neuroinflammation axis has emerged as a leading contender. Neuroimmunity however is mechanistically complex, rendering the recognition of candidate receptors a challenging task. Herein, a review of the role of neuroimmunity in the biomolecular pathogenesis of AD is presented with the identification of a 'druggable dozen' targets; in turn, each identified target represents one or more discrete receptors centred on a common biochemical mechanism. The druggable dozen is composed of both cellular and molecular messenger targets, with a 'targetable ten' microglial targets as well as two cytokine-based targets. For each target, the underlying molecular basis, with a consideration of strengths and weaknesses, is considered.

The translational revolution in atopic dermatitis: the paradigm shift from pathogenesis to treatment

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease, and it is considered a complex and heterogeneous condition. Different phenotypes of AD, defined according to the patient age at onset, race, and ethnic background; disease duration; and other disease characteristics, have been recently described, underlying the need for a personalized treatment approach. Recent advancements in understanding AD pathogenesis resulted in a real translational revolution and led to the exponential expansion of the therapeutic pipeline. The study of biomarkers in clinical studies of emerging treatments is helping clarify the role of each cytokine and immune pathway in AD and will allow addressing the unique immune fingerprints of each AD subset. Personalized medicine will be the ultimate goal of this targeted translational research. In this review, we discuss the changes in the concepts of both the pathogenesis of and treatment approach to AD, highlight the scientific rationale behind each targeted treatment and report the most recent clinical efficacy data.

Radiosynthesis, Preclinical, and Clinical Positron Emission Tomography Studies of Carbon-11 Labeled Endogenous and Natural Exogenous Compounds

The presence of positron emission tomography (PET) centers at most major hospitals worldwide, along with the improvement of PET scanner sensitivity and the introduction of total body PET systems, has increased the interest in the PET tracer development using the short-lived radionuclides carbon-11. In the last few decades, methodological improvements and fully automated modules have allowed the development of carbon-11 tracers for clinical use. Radiolabeling natural compounds with carbon-11 by substituting one of the backbone carbons with the radionuclide has provided important information on the biochemistry of the authentic compounds and increased the understanding of their in vivo behavior in healthy and diseased states. The number of endogenous and natural compounds essential for human life is staggering, ranging from simple alcohols to vitamins and peptides. This review collates all the carbon-11 radiolabeled endogenous and natural exogenous compounds synthesised to date, including essential information on their radiochemistry methodologies and preclinical and clinical studies in healthy subjects.

The diuretic effect of adding aminophylline or theophylline to furosemide in pediatric populations: a systematic review

The diuretic effect of the combined furosemide and aminophylline/theophylline among pediatric patients remains unclear. The primary aim of this systematic review was to examine the clinical diuretic effects (urine output and fluid balance) of co-administration of furosemide and aminophylline/theophylline as compared to furosemide alone in pediatric population. Ovid MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from its inception until March 2022 for observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the administration of furosemide versus furosemide and aminophylline/theophylline in pediatric population. Case reports, case series, commentaries, letters to editors, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. Five articles with a total sample population of 187 patients were included in this systematic review. As compared to the furosemide alone, our pooled data demonstrated that co-administration of furosemide and aminophylline/theophylline was associated with higher urine output (mean difference: 2.91 [90% CI 1.54 to 4.27], p < 0.0001, I² = 90%) and a more negative fluid balance (mean difference - 28.27 [95% CI: - 46.21 to - 10.33], p = 0.002, I² = 56%) than those who received furosemide alone.

CONCLUSION

This is the first paper summarizing the evidence of combined use of furosemide with aminophylline/theophylline in pediatric population. Our systematic review demonstrated that the co-administration of furosemide and aminophylline/theophylline could potentially yield better diuretic effects of urine output and negative fluid balance than furosemide alone in pediatric patients with fluid overload. Given the substantial degree of heterogeneity and low level of evidence, future adequately powered trials are warranted to provide evidence regarding the combined use of aminophylline/theophylline and furosemide as diuretic in the pediatric population.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Fluid overload is associated with poor prognosis for children in the intensive care unit. • The ineffective result of furosemide alone, even at high dose, as diuretic agent for children with diuretic resistant fluid overload in the intensive care unit.

WHAT IS NEW

• This is the first systematic review that compares furosemide alone and co-administration of furosemide and aminophylline/theophylline. • This paper showed potential benefit of co-administration of furosemide and aminophylline/theophylline promoting urine output and negative fluid balance compared to furosemide alone.

Recent developments of phosphodiesterase inhibitors: Clinical trials, emerging indications and novel molecules

The phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes, key regulator of the cyclic nucleotide signal transduction system, are long-established as attractive therapeutic targets. During investigation of trends within clinical trials, we have identified a particularly high number of clinical trials involving PDE inhibitors, prompting us to further evaluate the current status of this class of therapeutic agents. In total, we have identified 87 agents with PDE-inhibiting capacity, of which 85 interact with PDE enzymes as primary target. We provide an overview of the clinical drug development with focus on the current clinical uses, novel molecules and indications, highlighting relevant clinical studies. We found that the bulk of current clinical uses for this class of therapeutic agents are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), vascular and cardiovascular disorders and inflammatory skin conditions. In COPD, particularly, PDE inhibitors are characterised by the compliance-limiting adverse reactions. We discuss efforts directed to appropriately adjusting the dose regimens and conducting structure-activity relationship studies to determine the effect of structural features on safety profile. The ongoing development predominantly concentrates on central nervous system diseases, such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and fragile X syndrome; notable advancements are being also made in mycobacterial infections, HIV and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Our analysis predicts the diversification of PDE inhibitors' will continue to grow thanks to the molecules in preclinical development and the ongoing research involving drugs in clinical development.

Avanafil as a Novel Therapeutic Agent Against LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury via Increasing CGMP to Downregulate the TLR4-NF-κB-NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway

AIM

We demonstrate the effect of PDE5 inhibitors in cases of acute lung injury via the relationship between cGMP/NO and the TLR4-NF-κB-NLRP3 pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was performed with 30 male Wistar albino rats. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered intratracheally to the rats and acute lung injury (ALI) was induced. Twelve hours after LPS administration, avanafil, prepared at suitable doses according to the body weights of the animals, was administered by oral gavage. Lung tissue samples of all groups were examined histopathologically and by immunochemical staining (IL-1β, iNOS, TLR4, and NF-κB). The iNOS, NLRP3, and IL-1B mRNA expression levels in the lung tissues were measured by RT-PCR. The left upper lobes of the rat lungs were dried at 70 °C for 48 h and lung water content was calculated.

RESULT

Statistically significant increases in iNOS, NLRP3, and IL-1β mRNA expressions were observed in the rats with ALI compared to the healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Those increased expressions were reduced at both doses of avanafil (p < 0.0001). This reduction was found to be greater at 20 mg/kg (p < 0.0001). IL-1β, iNOS, TLR4, and NF-κB immunopositivity was moderate/severe in the ALI group and mild in the group with ALI + avanafil at 20 mg/kg (p < 0.05). When the wet/dry lung ratios were calculated, a statistically significant increase was seen in the ALI group compared to the healthy rats (p < 0.05). That increase was decreased with both avanafil doses (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We suggest that avanafil may prevent the progression of ALI and be effective in its treatment. We hope that this study will be supported by future clinical studies to yield a new indication for avanafil.

GPR174 signals via Gαs to control a CD86-containing gene expression program in B cells

GPR174 is abundantly expressed in B and T lymphocytes and has a role in restraining T cell responses, but the function of GPR174 in B cells is less clear. Here we report that upon in vitro culture B cells undergo a spontaneous GPR174-dependent activation process that is associated with marked changes in gene expression, including up-regulation of Cd86, Nr4a1, Ccr7, and phosphodiesterases. B cells lacking Gαs show a block in induction of the GPR174-dependent program. Spontaneous up-regulation of CD86 in cultured B cells is dependent on protein kinase A. Both GPR174- and Gαs-deficient B cells show enhanced survival in culture. In vivo, GPR174 contributes to NUR77 expression in follicular B cells and is needed for establishing a marginal zone compartment of normal size. Treatment of mice with lysophosphatidylserine (lysoPS), a GPR174 ligand, is sufficient to promote CD86 up-regulation by follicular B cells. These findings demonstrate that GPR174 can signal via Gαs to modulate B cell gene expression and show this can occur in vivo in response to lysoPS. Additionally, the findings illuminate a pathway that might be targeted to improve systems for the in vitro study of B cell responses.

Physiological roles of mammalian transmembrane adenylyl cyclase isoforms

Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) catalyze the conversion of ATP to the ubiquitous second messenger cAMP. Mammals possess nine isoforms of transmembrane ACs, dubbed AC1-9, that serve as major effector enzymes of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The transmembrane ACs display varying expression patterns across tissues, giving the potential for them to have a wide array of physiological roles. Cells express multiple AC isoforms, implying that ACs have redundant functions. Furthermore, all transmembrane ACs are activated by Gαs, so it was long assumed that all ACs are activated by Gαs-coupled GPCRs. AC isoforms partition to different microdomains of the plasma membrane and form prearranged signaling complexes with specific GPCRs that contribute to cAMP signaling compartments. This compartmentation allows for a diversity of cellular and physiological responses by enabling unique signaling events to be triggered by different pools of cAMP. Isoform-specific pharmacological activators or inhibitors are lacking for most ACs, making knockdown and overexpression the primary tools for examining the physiological roles of a given isoform. Much progress has been made in understanding the physiological effects mediated through individual transmembrane ACs. GPCR-AC-cAMP signaling pathways play significant roles in regulating functions of every cell and tissue, so understanding each AC isoform's role holds potential for uncovering new approaches for treating a vast array of pathophysiological conditions.

Intracellular Ca2+ accumulation triggered by caffeine provokes resistance against a broad range of biotic stress in rice

Chemical pesticides are still frequently overused to diminish such crop loss caused by biotic stress despite the threat to humans and the environment. Thus, it is urgent to find safer and more effective defense strategies. In this study, we report that caffeine, implanted through a transgenic approach, enhances resistance against variable biotic stresses in rice without fitness cost. Caffeine-producing rice (CPR) was generated by introducing three N-methyltransferase genes involved in the biosynthesis of caffeine in coffee plants. The CPR plants have no differences in morphology and growth compared to their wild-type counterparts, but they show strongly enhanced resistance to both bacterial leaf blight, rice blast, and attack of white-backed planthoppers. Caffeine acts as a repellent agent against rice pathogens. Moreover, caffeine triggers a series of Ca²⁺ signalling-like processes to synthesize salicylic acid (SA), a hormone associated with plant resistance. In CPR, phosphodiesterase was inhibited by caffeine, cAMP and cGMP increased, intracellular Ca²⁺ increased, phenylalanine lyase (PAL) was activated by OsCPK1, and SA synthesis was activated. This finding is a novel strategy to improve resistance against the biotic stresses of crops with a special type of defense inducer.

Application of the Solute-Solvent Intermolecular Interactions as Indicator of Caffeine Solubility in Aqueous Binary Aprotic and Proton Acceptor Solvents: Measurements and Quantum Chemistry Computations

The solubility of caffeine in aqueous binary mixtures was measured in five aprotic proton acceptor solvents (APAS) including dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, 1,4-dioxane, acetonitrile, and acetone. The whole range of concentrations was studied in four temperatures between 25 °C and 40 °C. All systems exhibit a strong cosolvency effect resulting in non-monotonous solubility trends with changes of the mixture composition and showing the highest solubility at unimolar proportions of organic solvent and water. The observed solubility trends were interpreted based on the values of caffeine affinities toward homo- and hetero-molecular pairs formation, determined on an advanced quantum chemistry level including electron correlation and correction for vibrational zero-point energy. It was found that caffeine can act as a donor in pairs formation with all considered aprotic solvents using the hydrogen atom attached to the carbon in the imidazole ring. The computed values of Gibbs free energies of intermolecular pairs formation were further utilized for exploring the possibility of using them as potential solubility prognostics. A semi-quantitative relationship (R² = 0.78) between caffeine affinities and the measured solubility values was found, which was used for screening for new greener solvents. Based on the values of the environmental index (EI), four morpholine analogs were considered and corresponding caffeine affinities were computed. It was found that the same solute–solvent structural motif stabilizes hetero-molecular pairs suggesting their potential applicability as greener replacers of traditional aprotic proton acceptor solvents. This hypothesis was confirmed by additional caffeine solubility measurements in 4-formylmorpholine. This solvent happened to be even more efficient compared to DMSO and the obtained solubility profile follows the cosolvency pattern observed for other aprotic proton acceptor solvents.

Ligustrazine Inhibits Lung Phosphodiesterase Activity in a Rat Model of Allergic Asthma

Objectives

This study sought to examine whether ligustrazine was capable of inhibiting phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity and improving lung function in a rat model of asthma.

Methods

Rats were initially sensitized using ovalbumin (OVA) and then were challenged daily with aerosolized OVA beginning 14 days later (30 min/day) to generate a rat model of asthma. Changes in airway function following methacholine (MCh) injection were evaluated by monitoring lung resistance (R_L) and dynamic lung compliance (C_dyn) values using an AniRes2005 analytic system. In addition, serum IgE was measured via ELISA, while PDE expression was evaluated via qPCR and western blotting. Key Findings. Ligustrazine significantly impaired allergen-induced lung hyperresponsivity and inflammation in this asthma model system. Ligustrazine treatment was also associated with reduced expression of PDEs including PDE4 in the lungs of these rats.

Conclusions

Ligustrazine suppresses airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsivity in this rat model system, and these changes are associated with decreased PDE expression at the protein and mRNA levels.

Arecoline Enhances Phosphodiesterase 4A Activity to Promote Transforming Growth Factor-β-Induced Buccal Mucosal Fibroblast Activation via cAMP-Epac1 Signaling Pathway

Chewing areca nut (betel quid) is strongly associated with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a pre-cancerous lesion. Among the areca alkaloids, arecoline is the main agent responsible for fibroblast proliferation; however, the specific molecular mechanism of arecoline affecting the OSF remains unclear. The present study revealed that arecoline treatment significantly enhanced Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced buccal mucosal fibroblast (BMF) activation and fibrotic changes. Arecoline interacts with phosphodiesterase 4A (PDE4A) to exert its effects through modulating PDE4A activity but not PDE4A expression. PDE4A silence reversed the effects of arecoline on TGF-β-induced BMFs activation and fibrotic changes. Moreover, the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1 (Epac1)-selective Cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) analog (8-Me-cAMP) but not the protein kinase A (PKA)-selective cAMP analog (N6-cAMP) remarkably suppressed α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and Collagen Type I Alpha 1 Chain (Col1A1) protein levels in response to TGF-β1 and arecoline co-treatment, indicating that cAMP-Epac1 but not cAMP-PKA signaling is involved in arecoline functions on TGF-β1-induced BMFs activation. In conclusion, arecoline promotes TGF-β1-induced BMFs activation through enhancing PDE4A activity and the cAMP-Epac1 signaling pathway during OSF. This novel mechanism might provide more powerful strategies for OSF treatment, requiring further in vivo and clinical investigation.

Functional Genomics of PRUNE1 in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) Tied to Medulloblastoma (MB) and Other Tumors

We analyze the fundamental functions of Prune_1 in brain pathophysiology. We discuss the importance and maintenance of the function of Prune_1 and how its perturbation influences both brain pathological conditions, neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, hypotonia, and variable brain anomalies (NMIHBA; OMIM: 617481), and tumorigenesis of medulloblastoma (MB) with functional correlations to other tumors. A therapeutic view underlying recent discoveries identified small molecules and cell penetrating peptides to impair the interaction of Prune_1 with protein partners (e.g., Nm23-H1), thus further impairing intracellular and extracellular signaling (i.e., canonical Wnt and TGF-β pathways). Identifying the mechanism of action of Prune_1 as responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), we have recognized other genes which are found overexpressed in brain tumors (e.g., MB) with functional implications in neurodevelopmental processes, as mainly linked to changes in mitotic cell cycle processes. Thus, with Prune_1 being a significant target in NDDs, we discuss how its network of action can be dysregulated during brain development, thus generating cancer and metastatic dissemination.

Experimental and Theoretical Study on Theobromine Solubility Enhancement in Binary Aqueous Solutions and Ternary Designed Solvents

The solubility of theobromine was studied both experimentally and theoretically. The solubility was determined spectrophotometrically at 25 °C in neat organic solvents, aqueous binary mixtures, Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) and ternary NADES mixtures with water. It was found that addition of water in unimolar proportions with some organic solvents increases theobromine solubility compared to neat solvents. Additionally, using NADES results in a solubility increase of the studied compound not only in relation to water but also DMSO. The addition of water (0.2 molar fraction) to NADES is responsible for an even larger increase of solubility. The measured solubilities were interpreted in terms of three theoretical frameworks. The first one-belonging to the set of data reduction techniques-proved to be very efficient in quantitative back-computations of excess solubility of theobromine in all studied systems. The default approach utilizing the well-recognized COSMO-RS (Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents) framework offered at most a qualitative solubility description. The extended search for possible contacts provided evidence for the existence of many intermolecular complexes that alter the electron density of the solute molecule, thus influencing solubility computations. Taking into account such intermolecular contacts by using the COSMO-RS-DARE (Conductor-like Screening Model for Realistic Solvation-Dimerization, Aggregation, and Reaction Extension) framework seriously increased the accuracy of solubility computations.

Solvent Screening for Solubility Enhancement of Theophylline in Neat, Binary and Ternary NADES Solvents: New Measurements and Ensemble Machine Learning

Theophylline, a typical representative of active pharmaceutical ingredients, was selected to study the characteristics of experimental and theoretical solubility measured at 25 °C in a broad range of solvents, including neat, binary mixtures and ternary natural deep eutectics (NADES) prepared with choline chloride, polyols and water. There was a strong synergistic effect of organic solvents mixed with water, and among the experimentally studied binary systems, the one containing DMSO with water in unimolar proportions was found to be the most effective in theophylline dissolution. Likewise, for NADES, the addition of water (0.2 molar fraction) resulted in increased solubility compared to pure eutectics, with the highest solubilisation potential offered by the composition of choline chloride with glycerol. The ensemble of Statistica Automated Neural Networks (SANNs) developed using intermolecular interactions in pure systems has been found to be a very accurate model for solubility computations. This machine learning protocol was also applied as an extensive screening for potential solvents with higher solubility of theophylline. Such solvents were identified in all three subgroups, including neat solvents, binary mixtures and ternary NADES systems. Some methodological considerations of SANNs applications for future modelling were also provided. Although the developed protocol is focused exclusively on theophylline solubility, it also has general importance and can be used for the development of predictive models adequate for solvent screening of other compounds in a variety of systems. Formulation of such a model offers rational guidance for the selection of proper candidates as solubilisers in the designed solvents screening.

Nonclinical genotoxicity and carcinogenicity profile of apremilast, an oral selective inhibitor of PDE4

Apremilast is an oral, selective small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) that has been approved for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and for patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet's disease. Apremilast modulates the inflammatory cascade in cells by inhibiting PDE4, thus preventing the degradation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, resulting in the upregulation of interleukin (IL)-10 and the downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-23, interferon gamma (IFNγ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Here, we evaluated the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of apremilast using Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)-compliant in vitro and in vivo studies. Apremilast was not genotoxic in the genetic toxicology battery, as evaluated for mutagenicity in the Ames test up to concentrations of 5000 μg/plate, clastogenicity in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes up to concentrations of 700 ug/mL was in excess of the solubility limit in culture medium and not able to assess; and negative for the induction of micronuclei in the bone marrow micronucleus test in mice up to doses of 2000 mg/kg/day. Furthermore, apremilast did not increase the incidence of tumors in lifetime rat or mouse carcinogenicity studies up to the maximum tolerated dose. In summary, in non-clinical studies, apremilast is not genotoxic and is not carcinogenic.

The Potential Role of Sildenafil in Cancer Management through EPR Augmentation

Enhanced permeation retention (EPR) was a significant milestone discovery by Maeda et al. paving the path for the emerging field of nanomedicine to become a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. Sildenafil is a potent inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) through the relaxation of smooth muscles and the modulation of vascular endothelial permeability. Overexpression of PDE-5 has been reported in lung, colon, metastatic breast cancers, and bladder squamous carcinoma. Moreover, sildenafil has been reported to increase the sensitivity of tumor cells of different origins to the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutic agents with augmented apoptosis mediated through inducing the downregulation of Bcl-xL and FAP-1 expression, enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, phosphorylating BAD and Bcl-2, upregulating caspase-3,8,9 activities, and blocking cells at G0/G1 cell cycle phase. Sildenafil has also demonstrated inhibitory effects on the efflux activity of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as ABCC4, ABCC5, ABCB1, and ABCG2, ultimately reversing multidrug resistance. Accordingly, there has been a growing interest in using sildenafil as monotherapy or chemoadjuvant in EPR augmentation and management of different types of cancer. In this review, we critically examine the basic molecular mechanism of sildenafil related to cancer biology and discuss the overall potential of sildenafil in enhancing EPR-based anticancer drug delivery, pointing to the outcomes of the most important related preclinical and clinical studies.

Vinpocetine alleviates lung inflammation via macrophage inflammatory protein-1β inhibition in an ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma model

Asthma is a well-known bronchial disease that causes bronchial inflammation, narrowing of the bronchial tubes, and bronchial mucus secretion, leading to bronchial blockade. In this study, we investigated the association between phosphodiesterase (PDE), specifically PDE1, and asthma using 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; a non-specific PDE inhibitor) and vinpocetine (Vinp; a PDE1 inhibitor). Balb/c mice were randomized to five treatment groups: control, ovalbumin (OVA), OVA + IBMX, OVA + Vinp, and OVA + dexamethasone (Dex). All mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA, except for the control group. IBMX, Vinp, or Dex was intraperitoneally administered 1 h before the challenge. Vinp treatment significantly inhibited the increase in airway hyper-responsiveness (P<0.001) and reduced the number of inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils, in the lungs (P<0.01). It also ameliorated the damage to the bronchi and alveoli and decreased the OVA-specific IgE levels in serum, an indicator of allergic inflammation increased by OVA (P<0.05). Furthermore, the increase in interleukin-13, a known Th2 cytokine, was significantly decreased by Vinp (P<0.05), and Vinp regulated the release and mRNA expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β) increased by OVA (P<0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that PDE1 is associated with allergic lung inflammation induced by OVA. Thus, PDE1 inhibitors can be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of asthma.

GLP-1 reduces the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via suppression of the stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway

Incretins, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are hormones secreted from small intestine accompanied with oral intake. We previously showed that transforming growth factor (TGF)-α stimulates the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells via mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, AKT and Rho-kinase. However, it remains to be elucidated whether incretins affect HCC cell functions. In the present study, therefore, we investigated whether incretins affect the migration of HCC cells using human HCC-derived HuH7 cells. GLP-1, but not GIP, reduced both TGF-α- and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced cell migration. IBMX, an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, enhanced the suppressive effect of GLP-1. GLP-1 attenuated the phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) by TGF-α and HGF. Our results strongly suggest that GLP-1 suppresses TGF-α- and HGF-induced migration of HCC cells through inhibiting the SAPK/JNK signaling pathway, and that the inhibition by GLP-1 is due to cAMP production.

Nicotinamide Treatment Facilitates Mitochondrial Fission through Drp1 Activation Mediated by SIRT1-Induced Changes in Cellular Levels of cAMP and Ca2

Mitochondrial autophagy (or mitophagy) is essential for mitochondrial quality control, which is critical for cellular and organismal health by attenuating reactive oxygen species generation and maintaining bioenergy homeostasis. Previously, we showed that mitophagy is activated in human cells through SIRT1 activation upon treatment of nicotinamide (NAM). Further, mitochondria are maintained as short fragments in the treated cells. In the current study, molecular pathways for NAM-induced mitochondrial fragmentation were sought. NAM treatment induced mitochondrial fission, at least in part by activating dynamin-1-like protein (Drp1), and this was through attenuation of the inhibitory phosphorylation at serine 637 (S637) of Drp1. This Drp1 hypo-phosphorylation was attributed to SIRT1-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which in turn induced a decrease in cellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) activity, a kinase targeting S637 of Drp1. Furthermore, in NAM-treated cells, cytosolic Ca²⁺ was highly maintained; and, as a consequence, activity of calcineurin, a Drp1-dephosphorylating phosphatase, is expected to be elevated. These results suggest that NAD⁺-mediated SIRT1 activation facilitates mitochondrial fission through activation of Drp1 by suppressing its phosphorylation and accelerating its dephosphorylation. Additionally, it is suggested that there is a cycle of mitochondrial fragmentation and cytosolic Ca²⁺-mediated Drp1 dephosphorylation that may drive sustained mitochondrial fragmentation.

Endothelial Cell-Derived Triosephosphate Isomerase Attenuates Insulin Secretion From Pancreatic Beta Cells of Male Rats

Insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells is tightly regulated by glucose and paracrine signals within the microenvironment of islets of Langerhans. Extracellular matrix from islet microcapillary endothelial cells (IMEC) affect beta-cell spreading and amplify insulin secretion. This study was aimed at investigating the hypothesis that contact-independent paracrine signals generated from IMEC may also modulate beta-cell insulin secretory functions. For this purpose, conditioned medium (CMp) preparations were prepared from primary cultures of rat IMEC and were used to simulate contact-independent beta cell-endothelial cell communication. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) assays were then performed on freshly isolated rat islets and the INS-1E insulinoma cell line, followed by fractionation of the CMp, mass spectroscopic identification of the factor, and characterization of the mechanism of action. The IMEC-derived CMp markedly attenuated first- and second-phase GSIS in a time- and dose-dependent manner without altering cellular insulin content and cell viability. Size exclusion fractionation, chromatographic and mass-spectroscopic analyses of the CMp identified the attenuating factor as the enzyme triosephosphate isomerase (TPI). An antibody against TPI abrogated the attenuating activity of the CMp while recombinant human TPI (hTPI) attenuated GSIS from beta cells. This effect was reversed in the presence of tolbutamide in the GSIS assay. In silico docking simulation identified regions on the TPI dimer that were important for potential interactions with the extracellular epitopes of the sulfonylurea receptor in the complex. This study supports the hypothesis that an effective paracrine interaction exists between IMEC and beta cells and modulates glucose-induced insulin secretion via TPI-sulfonylurea receptor-KATP channel (SUR1-Kir6.2) complex attenuating interactions.

Cross Talk Between Cyclic Nucleotides and Calcium Signaling Pathways in Plants-Achievements and Prospects

A variety of plant cellular activities are regulated through mechanisms controlling the level of signal molecules, such as cyclic nucleotides (cNMPs, e.g., cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate, cAMP, and cyclic guanosine 3':5'- monophosphate, cGMP) and calcium ions (Ca2⁺). The mechanism regulating cNMP levels affects their synthesis, degradation, efflux and cellular distribution. Many transporters and the spatiotemporal pattern of calcium signals, which are transduced by multiple, tunable and often strategically positioned Ca2⁺-sensing elements, play roles in calcium homeostasis. Earlier studies have demonstrated that while cNMPs and Ca2⁺ can act separately in independent transduction pathways, they can interact and function together. Regardless of the context, the balance between Ca2⁺ and cNMP is the most important consideration. This balance seems to be crucial for effectors, such as phosphodiesterases, cyclic nucleotide gated channels and cyclase activity. Currently, a wide range of molecular biology techniques enable thorough analyses of cellular cross talk. In recent years, data have indicated relationships between calcium ions and cyclic nucleotides in mechanisms regulating specific signaling pathways. The purpose of this study is to summarize the current knowledge on nucleotide-calcium cross talk in plants.

Characterisation of ovine bone marrow-derived stromal cells (oBMSC) and evaluation of chondrogenically induced micro-pellets for cartilage tissue repair in vivo

Abstract

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) show promise in cartilage repair, and sheep are the most common large animal pre-clinical model.

Objective

The objective of this study was to characterise ovine BMSC (oBMSC) in vitro, and to evaluate the capacity of chondrogenic micro-pellets manufactured from oBMSC or ovine articular chondrocytes (oACh) to repair osteochondral defects in sheep.

Design

oBMSC were characterised for surface marker expression using flow cytometry and evaluated for tri-lineage differentiation capacity. oBMSC micro-pellets were manufactured in a microwell platform, and chondrogenesis was compared at 2%, 5%, and 20% O₂. The capacity of cartilage micro-pellets manufactured from oBMSC or oACh to repair osteochondral defects in adult sheep was evaluated in an 8-week pilot study.

Results

Expanded oBMSC were positive for CD44 and CD146 and negative for CD45. The common adipogenic induction ingredient, 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), was toxic to oBMSC, but adipogenesis could be restored by excluding IBMX from the medium. BMSC chondrogenesis was optimal in a 2% O₂ atmosphere. Micro-pellets formed from oBMSC or oACh appeared morphologically similar, but hypertrophic genes were elevated in oBMSC micro-pellets. While oACh micro-pellets formed cartilage-like repair tissue in sheep, oBMSC micro-pellets did not.

Conclusion

The sensitivity of oBMSC, compared to human BMSC, to IBMX in standard adipogenic assays highlights species-associated differences. Micro-pellets manufactured from oACh were more effective than micro-pellets manufactured from oBMSC in the repair of osteochondral defects in sheep. While oBMSC can be driven to form cartilage-like tissue in vitro, the effective use of these cells in cartilage repair will depend on the successful mitigation of hypertrophy and tissue integration.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-020-02045-3.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase suppresses allergic lung inflammation by regulating MCP-1 in an OVA-induced asthma murine model with co-exposure to lipopolysaccharide

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Oral drugs used to treat persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Introduction:Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) is a life-threatening neonatal condition, mostly treated with inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), intravenous prostaglandins, oral bosentan, sildenafil and tadalafil. However, the utility of non-oral agents is limited in PPHN for their side effects and inconvenient deliveries. Therefore, oral agents such as bosentan, sildenafil and tadalafil are becoming appealing for their satisfactory efficacy, easy mode of administration and acceptable side effects. Areas covered: We conducted a comprehensive search on Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Sciences concerning the use of bosentan, sildenafil and tadalafil to treat PPHN and summarized their efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics. Expert opinion: Current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the favorable responses and tolerable side effects of bosentan and sildenafil. Nevertheless, those RCTs are small and only one study has described the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil in neonates. Accordingly, bosentan, sildenafil and tadalafil remain off-label in clinical use. More well-designed RCTs with large samples and long-term follow-up and pharmacometrics studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of bosentan, sildenafil and tadalafil in PPHN.

Principal component analysis of routine blood test results with Parkinson's disease: A case-control study

This study aimed to explore the association of routine blood test values and blood cell ratios with the risk or severity of Parkinson's disease (PD). The medical records of 453 PD patients and 436 controls were retrospectively reviewed. The severity of PD was quantified by the modified Hoehn-Yahr (HY) scale. We performed principal component analysis (PCA) of significant values/ratios and used logistic regression analysis to explore the relationship between principal components (PCs) and the risk of PD. Spearman correlation and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between indicators and the severity of PD. The PCA generated 9 PCs, which contributed to 90.86% of the total variance. Logistic regression analysis revealed positive associations of PC2 (a measure monocyte ratios) and PC6 (a measure of platelet ratios and volume) and negative associations of PC1 (a comprehensive measure of lymphocyte, eosinophil, neutrophil, and red blood cell values), PC4 (a measure of red blood cell values), and PC7 (a measure of red blood cell values and platelet volume) with the risk of PD. However, we observed no associations of variables with the severity of PD. In conclusion, PCA reduced the dimensionality of the data. Peripheral blood disorders may be associated with PD.

Impaired Redox and Protein Homeostasis as Risk Factors and Therapeutic Targets in Toxin-Induced Biliary Atresia

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Extrahepatic biliary atresia (BA) is a pediatric liver disease with no approved medical therapy. Recent studies using human samples and experimental modeling suggest that glutathione redox metabolism and heterogeneity play a role in disease pathogenesis. We sought to dissect the mechanistic basis of liver redox variation and explore how other stress responses affect cholangiocyte injury in BA.

METHODS

We performed quantitative in situ hepatic glutathione redox mapping in zebrafish larvae carrying targeted mutations in glutathione metabolism genes and correlated these findings with sensitivity to the plant-derived BA-linked toxin biliatresone. We also determined whether genetic disruption of HSP90 protein quality control pathway genes implicated in human BA altered biliatresone toxicity in zebrafish and human cholangiocytes. An in vivo screening of a known drug library was performed to identify novel modifiers of cholangiocyte injury in the zebrafish experimental BA model, with subsequent validation.

RESULTS

Glutathione metabolism gene mutations caused regionally distinct changes in the redox potential of cholangiocytes that differentially sensitized them to biliatresone. Disruption of human BA-implicated HSP90 pathway genes sensitized zebrafish and human cholangiocytes to biliatresone-induced injury independent of glutathione. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and other cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling activators worked synergistically with the glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine in preventing biliatresone-induced injury in zebrafish and human cholangiocytes. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors enhanced proteasomal degradation and required intact HSP90 chaperone.

CONCLUSION

Regional variation in glutathione metabolism underlies sensitivity to the biliary toxin biliatresone and may account for the reported association between BA transplant-free survival and glutathione metabolism gene expression. Human BA can be causatively linked to genetic modulation of protein quality control. Combined treatment with N-acetylcysteine and cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling enhancers warrants further investigation as therapy for BA.

The effect of two phosphodiesterase inhibitors on bone healing in mandibular fractures (animal study in rats)

OBJECTIVES

Despite advances in maxillofacial surgery, impaired bone healing remains a concern for surgical teams. Many studies have evaluated the effects of sildenafil and pentoxifylline on bone healing. However, their effects on healing of bone fractures have not been well investigated. This study aimed to assess the effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors sildenafil and pentoxifylline on healing of mandibular fractures in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into six groups of 10. Mandibular fracture was induced in all rats. After the surgical procedure, group C1 received saline, group S1 received 10 mg/kg sildenafil and group P1 received 50 mg/kg pentoxifylline. The rats were sacrificed after 1 week. Groups C4, S4, and P4 received pharmaceutical therapy as in groups C1, S1, and P1 but were sacrificed after 4 weeks. The samples then underwent histological analysis.

RESULTS

The mean rate of bone healing of mandibular fractures in groups S1 and P1 was significantly higher than in group C1 at 1 week (P<0.001). The mean rate of bone healing of mandibular fractures in group P1 was higher than in group S1 at 1 week (P=0.04). The mean rate of bone healing of mandibular fractures in groups S4 (P=0.001) and P4 (P=0.004) was significantly higher than in group C4 at 4 weeks, but no significant difference was noted in the rate of healing between groups P4 and S4 (P=0.53).

CONCLUSION

Sildenafil and pentoxifylline can be used as adjuncts to enhance bone healing in rats.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors: possible therapeutic drugs for female fertility regulation

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are group of enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine 3', 5' monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine 3', 5' monophosphate (cGMP) levels in wide variety of cell types. These PDEs are detected in encircling granulosa cells or in oocyte with in follicular microenvironment and responsible for the decrease of cAMP and cGMP levels in mammalian oocytes. A transient decrease of cAMP level initiates downstream pathways to cause spontaneous meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest and induces oocyte maturation. The nonspecific PDE inhibitors (caffeine, pentoxifylline, theophylline, IBMX etc.) as well as specific PDE inhibitors (cilostamide, milrinone, org 9935, cilostazol etc.) have been used to elevate cAMP level and inhibit meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest and oocyte maturation, ovulation, fertilization and pregnancy rates both in vivo as well as under in vitro culture conditions. The PDEs inhibitors are used as powerful experimental tools to demonstrate cyclic nucleotide mediated changes in ovarian functions and thereby fertility. Indeed, non-hormonal nature and reversible effects of nonspecific as well as specific PDE inhibitors hold promise for the development of novel therapeutic drugs for female fertility regulation.

Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Neural Substructure Development during Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Treatment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Stem cells are highly important in biology due to their unique innate ability to self-renew and differentiate into other specialised cells. In a neurological context, treating major injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke is a strong basis for research in this area. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a strong candidate because of their accessibility, compatibility if autologous, high yield and multipotency with a potential to generate neural cells. With the use of small-molecule chemicals, the neural induction of stem cells may occur within minutes or hours. Isobutylmethyl xanthine (IBMX) has been widely used in cocktails to induce neural differentiation. However, the key molecular mechanisms it instigates in the process are largely unknown. In this study we showed that IBMX-treated mesenchymal stem cells induced differentiation within 24 h with the unique expression of several key proteins such as Adapter protein crk, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, DNA topoisomerase 2-beta and Cell division protein kinase 5 (CDK5), vital in linking signalling pathways. Furthermore, the increased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in treated cells promotes phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and GTPase–Hras interactions. Bioinformatic and pathway analyses revealed upregulation in expression and an increase in the number of proteins with biological ontologies related to neural development and substructure formation. These findings enhance the understanding of the utility of IBMX in MSC neural differentiation and its involvement in neurite substructure development.

Xanthine Derivatives as Agents Affecting Non-dopaminergic Neuroprotection in Parkinson`s Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative and debilitating disease that affects 1% of the elderly population. Patient's motor disability results in extreme difficulty to deal with daily activities. Conventional treatment is limited to dopamine replacement therapy, which fails to delay disease's progression and is often associated with a number of adverse reactions. Recent progress in understanding the mechanisms involved in PD has revealed new molecular targets for therapeutic approaches. Among them, caffeine and xanthine derivatives are promising drug candidates, because of the possible symptomatic benefits in PD. In fact, consumption of coffee correlates with a reduced risk of PD. Over the last decades, a lot of efforts have been made to uncover the therapeutic potential of xanthine structures. The substituted xanthine molecule is used as a scaffold for the synthesis of new compounds with protective effects in neurodegenerative diseases, including PD, asthma, cancer and others. The administration of the xanthines has been proposed as a non-dopaminergic strategy for neuroprotection in PD and the mechanisms of protection have been associated with antagonism of adenosine A2A receptors and Monoamine Oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibition. The current review summarizes frequently suspected non-dopaminergic neuroprotective mechanisms and the possible beneficial effects of the xanthine derivatives in PD, along with some synthetic approaches to produce perspective xanthine derivatives as non-dopaminergic agents in PD treatment.

Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with cough, sputum production or dyspnoea, and a reduction in lung function, quality of life, and life expectancy. Apart from smoking cessation, no other treatments that slow lung function decline are available. Roflumilast and cilomilast are oral phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE₄) inhibitors proposed to reduce the airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction seen in COPD. This Cochrane Review was first published in 2011, and was updated in 2017 and 2020.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral PDE₄ inhibitors for management of stable COPD.

SEARCH METHODS

We identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from the Cochrane Airways Trials Register (date of last search 9 March 2020). We found other trials at web-based clinical trials registers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs if they compared oral PDE₄ inhibitors with placebo in people with COPD. We allowed co-administration of standard COPD therapy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Two independent review authors selected trials for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We resolved discrepancies by involving a third review author. We assessed our confidence in the evidence by using GRADE recommendations. Primary outcomes were change in lung function (minimally important difference (MID) = 100 mL) and quality of life (scale 0 to 100; higher score indicates more limitations).

MAIN RESULTS

We found 42 RCTs that met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analyses for roflumilast (28 trials with 18,046 participants) or cilomilast (14 trials with 6457 participants) or tetomilast (1 trial with 84 participants), with a duration between six weeks and one year or longer. These trials included people across international study centres with moderate to very severe COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades II to IV), with mean age of 64 years. We judged risks of selection bias, performance bias, and attrition bias as low overall amongst the 39 published and unpublished trials. Lung function Treatment with a PDE₄ inhibitor was associated with a small, clinically insignificant improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) over a mean of 40 weeks compared with placebo (mean difference (MD) 49.33 mL, 95% confidence interval (CI) 44.17 to 54.49; participants = 20,815; studies = 29; moderate-certainty evidence). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were also improved over 40 weeks (FVC: MD 86.98 mL, 95% CI 74.65 to 99.31; participants = 22,108; studies = 17; high-certainty evidence; PEF: MD 6.54 L/min, 95% CI 3.95 to 9.13; participants = 4245; studies = 6; low-certainty evidence). Quality of life Trials reported improvements in quality of life over a mean of 33 weeks (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) MD -1.06 units, 95% CI -1.68 to -0.43; participants = 7645 ; moderate-certainty evidence). Incidence of exacerbations Treatment with a PDE₄ inhibitor was associated with a reduced likelihood of COPD exacerbation over a mean of 40 weeks (odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.84; participants = 20,382; studies = 27; high-certainty evidence), that is, for every 100 people treated with PDE₄ inhibitors, five more remained exacerbation-free during the study period compared with those given placebo (number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 20, 95% CI 16 to 27). No change in COPD-related symptoms nor in exercise tolerance was found. Adverse events More participants in the treatment groups experienced an adverse effect compared with control participants over a mean of 39 weeks (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.38; participants = 21,310; studies = 30; low-certainty evidence). Participants experienced a range of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, or dyspepsia. Diarrhoea was more commonly reported with PDE₄ inhibitor treatment (OR 3.20, 95% CI 2.74 to 3.50; participants = 20,623; studies = 29; high-certainty evidence), that is, for every 100 people treated with PDE₄ inhibitors, seven more suffered from diarrhoea during the study period compared with those given placebo (number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) 15, 95% CI 13 to 17). The likelihood of psychiatric adverse events was higher with roflumilast 500 µg than with placebo (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.79 to 2.54; participants = 11,168; studies = 15 (COPD pool data); moderate-certainty evidence). Roflumilast in particular was associated with weight loss during the trial period and with an increase in insomnia and depressive mood symptoms. Participants treated with PDE₄ inhibitors were more likely to withdraw from trial participation; on average, 14% in the treatment groups withdrew compared with 8% in the control groups. Mortality No effect on mortality was found (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.24; participants = 19,786; studies = 27; moderate-certainty evidence), although mortality was a rare event during these trials.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

For this current update, five new studies from the 2020 search contributed to existing findings but made little impact on outcomes described in earlier versions of this review. PDE₄ inhibitors offered a small benefit over placebo in improving lung function and reducing the likelihood of exacerbations in people with COPD; however, they had little impact on quality of life or on symptoms. Gastrointestinal adverse effects and weight loss were common, and the likelihood of psychiatric symptoms was higher, with roflumilast 500 µg. The findings of this review provide cautious support for the use of PDE₄ inhibitors in COPD. In accordance with GOLD 2020 guidelines, they may have a place as add-on therapy for a subgroup of people with persistent symptoms or exacerbations despite optimal COPD management (e.g. people whose condition is not controlled by fixed-dose long-acting beta₂-agonist (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) combinations). More longer-term trials are needed to determine whether or not PDE₄ inhibitors modify FEV₁ decline, hospitalisation, or mortality in COPD.

Cytoskeletal Protein 4.1R Is a Positive Regulator of the FcεRI Signaling and Chemotaxis in Mast Cells

Protein 4.1R, a member of the 4.1 family, functions as a bridge between cytoskeletal and plasma membrane proteins. It is expressed in T cells, where it binds to a linker for activation of T cell (LAT) family member 1 and inhibits its phosphorylation and downstream signaling events after T cell receptor triggering. The role of the 4.1R protein in cell activation through other immunoreceptors is not known. In this study, we used 4.1R-deficient (4.1R-KO) and 4.1R wild-type (WT) mice and explored the role of the 4.1R protein in the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) signaling in mast cells. We found that bone marrow mast cells (BMMCs) derived from 4.1R-KO mice showed normal growth in vitro and expressed FcεRI and c-KIT at levels comparable to WT cells. However, 4.1R-KO cells exhibited reduced antigen-induced degranulation, calcium response, and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α. Chemotaxis toward antigen and stem cell factor (SCF) and spreading on fibronectin were also reduced in 4.1R-KO BMMCs, whereas prostaglandin E₂-mediated chemotaxis was not affected. Antibody-induced aggregation of tetraspanin CD9 inhibited chemotaxis toward antigen in WT but not 4.1R-KO BMMCs, implying a CD9-4.1R protein cross-talk. Further studies documented that in the absence of 4.1R, antigen-mediated phosphorylation of FcεRI β and γ subunits was not affected, but phosphorylation of SYK and subsequent signaling events such as phosphorylation of LAT1, phospholipase Cγ1, phosphatases (SHP1 and SHIP), MAP family kinases (p38, ERK, JNK), STAT5, CBL, and mTOR were reduced. Immunoprecipitation studies showed the presence of both LAT1 and LAT2 (LAT, family member 2) in 4.1R immunocomplexes. The positive regulatory role of 4.1R protein in FcεRI-triggered activation was supported by in vivo experiments in which 4.1R-KO mice showed the normal presence of mast cells in the ears and peritoneum, but exhibited impaired passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. The combined data indicate that the 4.1R protein functions as a positive regulator in the early activation events after FcεRI triggering in mast cells.

Screening for drugs to reduce zebrafish aggression identifies caffeine and sildenafil

Although aggression is a common symptom of psychiatric disorders the drugs available to treat it are non-specific and can have unwanted side effects. In this study we have used a behavioural platform in a phenotypic screen to identify drugs that can reduce zebrafish aggression without affecting locomotion. In a three tier screen of ninety-four drugs we discovered that caffeine and sildenafil can selectively reduce aggression. Caffeine also decreased attention and increased impulsivity in the 5-choice serial reaction time task whereas sildenafil showed the opposite effect. Imaging studies revealed that both caffeine and sildenafil are active in the zebrafish brain, with prominent activation of the thalamus and cerebellum evident. They also interact with 5-HT neurotransmitter signalling. In summary, we have demonstrated that juvenile zebrafish are a suitable model to screen for novel drugs to reduce aggression, with the potential to uncover the neural circuits and signalling pathways that mediate such behavioural effects.

Participation of the adenosine salvage pathway and cyclic AMP modulation in oocyte energy metabolism

A follicular spike in cyclic AMP (cAMP) and its subsequent degradation to AMP promotes oocyte maturation and ovulation. In vitro matured (IVM) oocytes do not receive the cAMP increase that occurs in vivo, and artificial elevation of cAMP in IVM cumulus-oocyte complexes improves oocyte developmental potential. This study examined whether mouse oocytes can use the cAMP degradation product AMP to generate ATP via the adenosine salvage pathway, and examined whether pharmacological elevation of cAMP in IVM cumulus-oocyte complexes alters ATP levels. Oocytes cultured with isotopic ¹³C₅-AMP dose-dependently produced ¹³C₅-ATP, however total cellular ATP remained constant. Pharmacological elevation of cAMP using forskolin and IBMX prior to IVM decreased oocyte ATP and ATP:ADP ratio, and promoted activity of the energy regulator AMPK. Conversely, cumulus cells exhibited higher ATP and no change in AMPK. Culture of oocytes without their cumulus cells or inhibition of their gap-junctional communication yielded lower oocyte ¹³C₅-ATP, indicating that cumulus cells facilitate ATP production via the adenosine salvage pathway. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that mouse oocytes can generate ATP from AMP via the adenosine salvage pathway, and cAMP elevation alters adenine nucleotide metabolism and may provide AMP for energy production via the adenosine salvage pathway during the energetically demanding process of meiotic maturation.

Interpreting Coronary Artery Disease Risk Through Gene-Environment Interactions in Gene Regulation

GWAS and eQTL studies identified thousands of genetic variants associated with complex traits and gene expression. Despite the important role of environmental exposures in complex traits, only a limited number of environmental factors were measured in these studies. Measuring molecular phenotypes in tightly controlled cellular environments provides a more tractable setting to study gene-environment interactions in the absence of other confounding variables. We performed RNA-seq and ATAC-seq in endothelial cells exposed to retinoic acid, dexamethasone, caffeine, and selenium to model genetic and environmental effects on gene regulation in the vascular endothelium-a common site of pathology in cardiovascular disease. We found that genes near regions of differentially accessible chromatin were more likely to be differentially expressed [OR = (3.41, 6.52), [Formula: see text]]. Furthermore, we confirmed that environment-specific changes in transcription factor binding are a key mechanism for cellular response to environmental stimuli. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these transcription response factor footprints for dexamethasone, caffeine, and retinoic acid were enriched in GTEx eQTLs from artery tissues, indicating that these environmental conditions are latently present in GTEx samples. Additionally, SNPs in footprints for response factors in caffeine are enriched in colocalized eQTLs for coronary artery disease (CAD), suggesting a role for caffeine in CAD risk. By combining GWAS, eQTLs, and response genes, we annotated environmental components that can increase or decrease disease risk through changes in gene expression in 43 genes. Interestingly, each treatment may amplify or buffer genetic risk for CAD, depending on the particular SNP or gene considered.