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Sheahan TD, Warwick CA, Cui AY, Baranger DA, Perry VJ, Smith KM, Manalo AP, Nguyen EK, Koerber HR, Ross SE. Identification of a convergent spinal neuron population that encodes itch. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.29.560205. [PMID: 37873278 PMCID: PMC10592866 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.29.560205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Itch is a protective sensation that drives scratching. Although specific cell types have been proposed to underlie itch, the neural circuit basis for itch remains unclear. Here, we used two-photon Ca2+ imaging of the dorsal horn to visualize the neuronal populations that are activated by itch-inducing agents. We identify a convergent population of spinal neurons that is defined by the expression of GRPR. Moreover, we discover that itch is conveyed to the brain via GRPR-expressing spinal output neurons that target the lateral parabrachial nucleus. Further, we show that nalfurafine, a clinically effective kappa opioid receptor agonist, relieves itch by inhibiting GRPR spinoparabrachial neurons. Finally, we demonstrate that a subset of GRPR spinal neurons show persistent, cell-intrinsic Ca2+ oscillations. These experiments provide the first population-level view of the spinal neurons that respond to pruritic stimuli, pinpoint the output neurons that convey itch to the brain, and identify the cellular target of kappa opioid receptor agonists for the inhibition of itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayler D. Sheahan
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Co-first authors
| | - Charles A. Warwick
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Co-first authors
| | - Abby Y. Cui
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David A.A. Baranger
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis Missouri, USA
| | - Vijay J. Perry
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kelly M. Smith
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Current Address: Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, LTD, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Allison P. Manalo
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eileen K. Nguyen
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Current Address: Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - H. Richard Koerber
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarah E. Ross
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Lead contact
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Sheng S, Zhao S, Zhang F. Insights into the roles of bacterial infection and antibiotics in Parkinson’s disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:939085. [PMID: 35967873 PMCID: PMC9366083 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.939085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, which is accompanied with the classical motor symptoms and a range of non-motor symptoms. Bacterial infection affects the neuroinflammation associated with the pathology of PD and various antibiotics have also been confirmed to play an important role not only in bacterial infection, but also in the PD progression. This mini-review summarized the role of common bacterial infection in PD and introduced several antibiotics that had anti-PD effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of the Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Shuo Zhao
- Electron Microscopy Room of School of Basic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of the Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Feng Zhang,
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3
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Sheahan TD, Warwick CA, Fanien LG, Ross SE. The Neurokinin-1 Receptor is Expressed with Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor in Spinal Interneurons and Modulates Itch. J Neurosci 2020; 40:8816-8830. [PMID: 33051347 PMCID: PMC7659450 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1832-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R; encoded by Tacr1) is expressed in spinal dorsal horn neurons and has been suggested to mediate itch in rodents. However, previous studies relied heavily on neurotoxic ablation of NK1R spinal neurons, which limited further dissection of their function in spinal itch circuitry. To address this limitation, we leveraged a newly developed Tacr1CreER mouse line to characterize the role of NK1R spinal neurons in itch. We show that pharmacological activation of spinal NK1R and chemogenetic activation of Tacr1CreER spinal neurons increases itch behavior in male and female mice, whereas pharmacological inhibition of spinal NK1R suppresses itch behavior. We use fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to characterize the endogenous expression of Tacr1 throughout the superficial and deeper dorsal horn (DDH), as well as the lateral spinal nucleus (LSN), of mouse and human spinal cord. Retrograde labeling studies in mice from the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) show that less than 20% of superficial Tacr1CreER dorsal horn neurons are spinal projection neurons, and thus the majority of Tacr1CreER are local interneurons. We then use a combination of in situ hybridization and ex vivo two-photon Ca2+ imaging of the mouse spinal cord to establish that NK1R and the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) are coexpressed within a subpopulation of excitatory superficial dorsal horn (SDH) neurons. These findings are the first to suggest a role for NK1R interneurons in itch and extend our understanding of the complexities of spinal itch circuitry.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The spinal cord is a critical hub for processing somatosensory input, yet which spinal neurons process itch input and how itch signals are encoded within the spinal cord is not fully understood. We demonstrate neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) spinal neurons mediate itch behavior in mice and that the majority of NK1R spinal neurons are local interneurons. These NK1R neurons comprise a subset of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) interneurons and are thus positioned at the center of spinal itch transmission. We show NK1R mRNA expression in human spinal cord, underscoring the translational relevance of our findings in mice. This work is the first to suggest a role for NK1R interneurons in itch and extends our understanding of the complexities of spinal itch circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayler D Sheahan
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15213, Pennsylvania
| | - Charles A Warwick
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15213, Pennsylvania
| | - Louis G Fanien
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15213, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah E Ross
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15213, Pennsylvania
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Pacifico S, Albanese V, Illuminati D, Fantinati A, Marzola E, Ferrari F, Neto JA, Sturaro C, Ruzza C, Calò G, Preti D, Guerrini R. Tetrabranched Hetero-Conjugated Peptides as Bifunctional Agonists of the NOP and Mu Opioid Receptors. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:2444-2451. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Valentina Albanese
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Davide Illuminati
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Anna Fantinati
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Erika Marzola
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Joaquim Azevedo Neto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Chiara Sturaro
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Delia Preti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
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Tzschentke TM, Linz K, Koch T, Christoph T. Cebranopadol: A Novel First-in-Class Potent Analgesic Acting via NOP and Opioid Receptors. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2019; 254:367-398. [PMID: 30927089 DOI: 10.1007/164_2019_206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cebranopadol is a novel first-in-class analgesic with highly potent agonistic activity at nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) and opioid receptors. It is highly potent and efficacious across a broad range of preclinical pain models. Its side effect profile is better compared to typical opioids. Mechanistic studies have shown that cebranopadol's activity at NOP receptors contributes to its anti-hyperalgesic effects while ameliorating some of its opioid-type side effects, including respiratory depression and abuse potential. Phase II of clinical development has been completed, demonstrating efficacy and good tolerability in acute and chronic pain conditions.This article focusses on reviewing data on the preclinical in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, safety, and tolerability, as well as clinical trials with cebranopadol.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Klaus Linz
- Grünenthal GmbH, Global Innovation, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Koch
- Grünenthal GmbH, Global Innovation, Aachen, Germany
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6
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Bortolanza M, Nascimento GC, Socias SB, Ploper D, Chehín RN, Raisman-Vozari R, Del-Bel E. Tetracycline repurposing in neurodegeneration: focus on Parkinson’s disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2018; 125:1403-1415. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-018-1913-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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7
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Calo' G, Rizzi A, Ruzza C, Ferrari F, Pacifico S, Gavioli EC, Salvadori S, Guerrini R. Peptide welding technology - A simple strategy for generating innovative ligands for G protein coupled receptors. Peptides 2018; 99:195-204. [PMID: 29031796 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Based on their high selectivity of action and low toxicity, naturally occurring peptides have great potential in terms of drug development. However, the pharmacokinetic properties of peptides, in particular their half life, are poor. Among different strategies developed for reducing susceptibility to peptidases, and thus increasing the duration of action of peptides, the generation of branched peptides has been described. However, the synthesis and purification of branched peptides are extremely complicated thus limiting their druggability. Here we present a novel and facile synthesis of tetrabranched peptides acting as GPCR ligands and their in vitro and vivo pharmacological characterization. Tetrabranched derivatives of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), N/OFQ related peptides, opioid peptides, tachykinins, and neuropeptide S were generated with the strategy named peptide welding technology (PWT) and characterized by high yield and purity of the desired final product. In general, PWT derivatives displayed a pharmacological profile similar to that of the natural sequence in terms of affinity, pharmacological activity, potency, and selectivity of action in vitro. More importantly, in vivo studies demonstrated that PWT peptides are characterized by increased potency associated with long lasting duration of action. In conclusion, PWT derivatives of biologically active peptides can be viewed as innovative pharmacological tools for investigating those conditions and states in which selective and prolonged receptor stimulation promotes beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girolamo Calo'
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Anna Rizzi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Severo Salvadori
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Italy
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Mannangatti P, Sundaramurthy S, Ramamoorthy S, Jayanthi LD. Differential effects of aprepitant, a clinically used neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist on the expression of conditioned psychostimulant versus opioid reward. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:695-705. [PMID: 28013351 PMCID: PMC5266628 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4504-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) signaling modulates behaviors associated with psychostimulants and opioids. Psychostimulants, such as amphetamine (AMPH) and cocaine, bind to monoamine transporters and alter their functions. Both dopamine and norepinephrine transporters are regulated by NK1R activation suggesting a role for NK1R mediated catecholamine transporter regulation in psychostimulant-mediated behaviors. OBJECTIVES The effect of in vivo administration of aprepitant (10 mg/kg) on the expression of AMPH (0.5 and 2 mg/kg) and cocaine (5 and 20 mg/kg)-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) as well as locomotor activation was examined in C57BL/6J mice. The effect of aprepitant on morphine (1 and 5 mg/kg)-induced CPP was also examined to identify the specific actions of aprepitant on psychostimulant versus opioid-induced behaviors. RESULTS Aprepitant administration significantly attenuated the CPP expression and locomotor activation produced by AMPH and cocaine. In contrast, aprepitant significantly enhanced the expression of CPP produced by morphine while significantly suppressing the locomotor activity of the mice conditioned with morphine. Aprepitant by itself did not induce significant CPP or conditioned place aversion or locomotor activation or suppression. CONCLUSIONS Attenuation of AMPH or cocaine-induced CPP and locomotor activation by aprepitant suggests a role for NK1R signaling in psychostimulant-mediated behaviors. Stimulation of morphine-induced CPP expression and suppression of locomotor activity of morphine-conditioned mice suggest differential effects of NK1R antagonism on conditioned psychostimulant versus opioid reward. Collectively, these findings indicate that clinically used NK1R antagonist, aprepitant may serve as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of psychostimulant abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lankupalle D Jayanthi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
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Yang Z, Zhang X, Guo N, Li B, Zhao S. Substance P Inhibits the Collagen Synthesis of Rat Myocardial Fibroblasts Induced by Ang II. Med Sci Monit 2016; 22:4937-4946. [PMID: 27980320 PMCID: PMC5189721 DOI: 10.12659/msm.898454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the regulating effects of Substance P (SP) on the collagen synthesis of rat myocardial fibroblasts (CFBs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) and its potential mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS The CFBs of a neonatal SD rat were separately cultured and divided into the control group, Ang II treatment group, and treatment groups with different concentrations of SP, Ang II +; each group was given corresponding treatment respectively. RESULTS Ang II successfully induced the collagen synthesis of CFBs. Compared with the control group, the phosphorylation levels of TGF-β, erk, and smad2/3 were higher (p<0.05). Different concentrations of SP had an effect on Ang II-induced CFBs, reduced the collagen synthesis of CFBs, and increased the expressions of SP receptors, accompanied by lowering TGF-β protein, erk protein phosphorylation level, and smad2/3 protein phosphorylation level (p<0.05). Moreover, the higher the concentrations of SP, the more obvious of an effect it exerted. Treating the Ang II + SP group with aprepitant reduced the inhibiting effects of SP on collagen synthesis. The expression changes of collagen I and collagen III detected by immunocytochemistry were exactly in accordance with the results of qPCR and Western blotting. CONCLUSIONS SP can inhibit collagen synthesis of CFBs after Ang II inducing which may adjust the downstream signaling pathways associated protein including TGF-β, erk and smad2/3. SP can block the progress of myocardial fibrosis and is dose dependent, which is expected to be a promising target for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Xinzhong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Naipeng Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Sheng Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Capital Medical University Electric Power Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China (mainland)
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Pharmacological studies on the NOP and opioid receptor agonist PWT2-[Dmt 1]N/OFQ(1-13). Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 794:115-126. [PMID: 27871910 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
An innovative chemical strategy named peptide welding technology (PWT) has been developed for the facile synthesis of tetrabranched peptides. [Dmt1]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 acts as a universal agonist for nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and classical opioid receptors. The present study investigated the pharmacological profile of the PWT derivative of [Dmt1]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2 (PWT2-[Dmt1]) in several assays in vitro and in vivo after spinal administration in monkeys subjected to the tail withdrawal assay. PWT2-[Dmt1] mimicked the effects of [Dmt1]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 displaying full agonist activity, similar affinity/potency and selectivity at human recombinant N/OFQ (NOP) and opioid receptors in receptor binding, stimulation of [35S]GTPγS binding, calcium mobilization in cells expressing chimeric G proteins, and BRET studies for measuring receptor/G-protein and receptor/β-arrestin 2 interaction. In vivo in monkeys PWT2-[Dmt1] elicited dose-dependent and robust antinociceptive effects being more potent and longer lasting than [Dmt1]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2. The analgesic action of PWT2-[Dmt1] was sensitive to the NOP receptor antagonist J-113397, but not naltrexone. Thus, the present study demonstrated that the tetrabranched derivative of [Dmt1]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 obtained with the PWT technology maintains the in vitro pharmacological profile of the parent peptide but displays higher potency and longer lasting action in vivo.
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11
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Rizzi A, Cerlesi MC, Ruzza C, Malfacini D, Ferrari F, Bianco S, Costa T, Guerrini R, Trapella C, Calo' G. Pharmacological characterization of cebranopadol a novel analgesic acting as mixed nociceptin/orphanin FQ and opioid receptor agonist. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2016; 4:e00247. [PMID: 28116100 PMCID: PMC5242173 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile of cebranopadol, a novel agonist for opioid and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptors (NOP). In vitro cebranopadol was assayed in calcium mobilization studies in cells coexpressing NOP or opioid receptors and chimeric G‐proteins and in a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay for studying receptor interaction with G‐protein and β‐arrestin 2. The mouse tail withdrawal and formalin tests were used for investigating cebranopadol antinociceptive properties. In calcium mobilization studies cebranopadol showed the following rank order of potency NOP = mu > kappa ≥ delta. In BRET studies, cebranopadol promoted NOP and mu receptors interaction with G‐protein with similar high potency and efficacy. However, cebranopadol did not stimulated NOP–β‐arrestin 2 interactions and displayed reduced potency at mu/β‐arrestin 2. In vivo, cebranopadol exhibits highly potent and extremely long‐lasting antinociceptive effects. The effects of cebranopadol in the tail withdrawal assay were sensitive to both SB‐612111 and naloxone. Collectively the present results confirm and extend previous finding demonstrating that cebranopadol, by acting as mixed NOP/opioid receptor agonist, elicits robust analgesic effects in different pain models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rizzi
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Maria Camilla Cerlesi
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Sara Bianco
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Tommaso Costa
- Department of Pharmacology Istituto Superiore di Sanita' Rome Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Medical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
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12
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Rizzi A, Sukhtankar DD, Ding H, Hayashida K, Ruzza C, Guerrini R, Calò G, Ko MC. Spinal antinociceptive effects of the novel NOP receptor agonist PWT2-nociceptin/orphanin FQ in mice and monkeys. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:3661-70. [PMID: 25828800 PMCID: PMC4507167 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Using an innovative chemical approach, peptide welding technology (PWT), a tetrabranched derivative of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) has been generated and pharmacologically characterized. Both in vitro and in vivo PWT2-N/OFQ displayed the same pharmacological profile to the natural ligand. It was more potent and produced longer-lasting effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the spinal effects of PWT2-N/OFQ in nociceptive and neuropathic pain models in mice and non-human primates. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Tail withdrawal assay in mice and monkeys was used as a nociceptive pain model and mechanical threshold in mice subjected to chronic constriction injury was used as a neuropathic pain model. The antinociceptive effects of spinally administered N/OFQ and PWT2-N/OFQ were assessed in these models. KEY RESULTS PWT2-N/OFQ mimicked the spinal antinociceptive effects of N/OFQ both in nociceptive and neuropathic pain models in mice as well as in non-human primates displaying 40-fold higher potency and a markedly prolonged duration of action. The effects of N/OFQ and PWT2-N/OFQ were sensitive to the N/OFQ receptor (NOP) antagonist SB-612111, but not to opioid receptor antagonists. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The present study has demonstrated that PWT2-N/OFQ mimicked the antinociceptive effects of the natural peptide in rodents and non-human primates acting as a potent and longer-lasting NOP-selective agonist. More generally, PWT derivatives of biologically active peptides can be viewed as innovative pharmacological tools for investigating those conditions and states in which selective and prolonged receptor stimulation promotes beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rizzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - D D Sukhtankar
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - H Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - K Hayashida
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - C Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - R Guerrini
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - G Calò
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M C Ko
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Ruzza C, Rizzi A, Malfacini D, Pulga A, Pacifico S, Salvadori S, Trapella C, Reinscheid RK, Calo G, Guerrini R. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of a neuropeptide S tetrabranched derivative. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2015; 3:e00108. [PMID: 25692025 PMCID: PMC4317238 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The peptide welding technology (PWT) is a novel chemical strategy that allows the synthesis of multibranched peptides with high yield, purity, and reproducibility. With this approach, a tetrabranched derivative of neuropeptide S (NPS) has been synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. The in vitro activity of PWT1-NPS has been studied in a calcium mobilization assay. In vivo, PWT1-NPS has been investigated in the locomotor activity (LA) and recovery of the righting reflex (RR) tests. In calcium mobilization studies, PWT1-NPS behaved as full agonist at the mouse NPS receptor (NPSR) being threefold more potent than NPS. The selective NPSR antagonists [ (t) Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS and SHA 68 displayed similar potency values against NPS and PWT1-NPS. In vivo, both NPS (1-100 pmol, i.c.v.) and PWT1-NPS (0.1-100 pmol, i.c.v.) stimulated mouse LA, with PWT1-NPS showing higher potency than NPS. In the RR assay, NPS (100 pmol, i.c.v.) was able to reduce the percentage of mice losing the RR after diazepam administration and their sleep time 5 min after the i.c.v. injection, but it was totally inactive 2 h after the injection. On the contrary, PWT1-NPS (30 pmol, i.c.v.), injected 2 h before diazepam, displayed wake-promoting effects. This PWT1-NPS stimulant effect was no longer evident in mice lacking the NPSR receptor. The PWT1 technology can be successfully applied to the NPS sequence. PWT1-NPS displayed in vitro a pharmacological profile similar to NPS. In vivo PWT1-NPS mimicked NPS effects showing higher potency and long-lasting action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Rizzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alice Pulga
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Severo Salvadori
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Rainer K Reinscheid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine Irvine, California, 92697
| | - Girolamo Calo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara 44121, Ferrara, Italy
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