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Kriska T, Natarajan J, Herrnreiter A, Park SK, Pfister SL, Thomas MJ, Widiapradja A, Levick SP, Campbell WB. Cellular metabolism of substance P produces neurokinin-1 receptor peptide agonists with diminished cyclic AMP signaling. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 327:C151-C167. [PMID: 38798270 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00103.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Substance P (SP) is released from sensory nerves in the arteries and heart. It activates neurokinin-1 receptors (NK1Rs) causing vasodilation, immune modulation, and adverse cardiac remodeling. The hypothesis was tested: SP and SP metabolites activate different second messenger signaling pathways. Macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts metabolized SP to N- and C-terminal metabolites to varying extents. SP 5-11 was the most abundant metabolite followed by SP 1-4, SP 7-11, SP 6-11, SP 3-11, and SP 8-11. In NK1R-expressing human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells, SP and some C-terminal SP metabolites stimulate the NK1R, promoting the dissociation of several Gα proteins, including Gαs and Gαq from their βγ subunits. SP increases intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca]i) and cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation with similar -log EC50 values of 8.5 ± 0.3 and 7.8 ± 0.1 M, respectively. N-terminal metabolism of SP by up to five amino acids and C-terminal deamidation of SP produce peptides that retain activity to increase [Ca]i but not to increase cAMP. C-terminal metabolism results in the loss of both activities. Thus, [Ca]i and cAMP signaling are differentially affected by SP metabolism. To assess the role of N-terminal metabolism, SP and SP 6-11 were compared with cAMP-mediated activities in NK1R-expressing 3T3 fibroblasts. SP inhibits nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity, cell proliferation, and wound healing and stimulates collagen production. SP 6-11 had little or no activity. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is increased by SP but not by SP 6-11. Thus, metabolism may select the cellular response to SP by inhibiting or redirecting the second messenger signaling pathway activated by the NK1R.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Endothelial cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts metabolize substance P (SP) to N- and C-terminal metabolites with SP 5-11 as the most abundant metabolite. SP activates neurokinin-1 receptors to increase intracellular calcium and cyclic AMP. In contrast, SP metabolites of N-terminal metabolism and C-terminal deamidation retain the ability to increase calcium but lose the ability to increase cyclic AMP. These new insights indicate that the metabolism of SP directs cellular functions by regulating specific signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamas Kriska
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Jayashree Natarajan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Anja Herrnreiter
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Sang-Kyu Park
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Sandra L Pfister
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Michael J Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Alexander Widiapradja
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, Virginia, United States
| | - Scott P Levick
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, Virginia, United States
| | - William B Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
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2
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Avila A, Zhang SL. A circadian clock regulates the blood-brain barrier across phylogeny. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2024; 126:241-287. [PMID: 39029975 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
As the central regulatory system of an organism, the brain is responsible for overseeing a wide variety of physiological processes essential for an organism's survival. To maintain the environment necessary for neurons to function, the brain requires highly selective uptake and elimination of specific molecules through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). As an organism's activities vary throughout the day, how does the BBB adapt to meet the changing needs of the brain? A mechanism is through temporal regulation of BBB permeability via its circadian clock, which will be the focal point of this chapter. To comprehend the circadian clock's role within the BBB, we will first examine the anatomy of the BBB and the transport mechanisms enabling it to fulfill its role as a restrictive barrier. Next, we will define the circadian clock, and the discussion will encompass an introduction to circadian rhythms, the Transcription-Translation Feedback Loop (TTFL) as the mechanistic basis of circadian timekeeping, and the organization of tissue clocks found in organisms. Then, we will cover the role of the circadian rhythms in regulating the cellular mechanisms and functions of the BBB. We discuss the implications of this regulation in influencing sleep behavior, the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and finally drug delivery for treatment of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Avila
- Cell Biology Department, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shirley L Zhang
- Cell Biology Department, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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3
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Rahman MS, Hadi Esfahani S, Zhang Y, Queen A, Aljarrah M, Kandil H, Baez A, Abbruscato TJ, Karamyan VT, Trippier PC. Imidazole Bioisostere Activators of Endopeptidase Neurolysin with Enhanced Potency and Metabolic Stability. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:510-517. [PMID: 38628788 PMCID: PMC11017387 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The peptidase neurolysin (Nln) has been validated as a potential target for developing therapeutics for ischemic stroke (IS). Overexpression of Nln in a mouse model of IS provides significant cerebroprotection, leading to reduced infarction size and edema volume. Pharmacological inhibition of Nln in the post-stroke brain worsens neurological outcomes. A virtual screen identified dipeptide small-molecule activators of Nln. Optimization studies resulted in a class of peptidomimetic compounds with promising activity. However, these compounds still possessed an amide bond that compromised their stability in plasma and the brain. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of amide bioisosteres based on our peptidomimetic leads. Imidazole-based bioisosteres afford scaffolds with increased potency to activate Nln combined with enhanced mouse plasma stability and significantly better brain permeability over the original dipeptide hits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Shafikur Rahman
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Shiva Hadi Esfahani
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
- Laboratory
for Neurodegenerative Disease & Drug Discovery, William Beaumont
School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Aarfa Queen
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Manar Aljarrah
- Laboratory
for Neurodegenerative Disease & Drug Discovery, William Beaumont
School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
- Biological
and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
| | - Haya Kandil
- Laboratory
for Neurodegenerative Disease & Drug Discovery, William Beaumont
School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
- Biological
and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
| | - Andrew Baez
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Thomas J. Abbruscato
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
- Center
for Blood Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Vardan T. Karamyan
- Laboratory
for Neurodegenerative Disease & Drug Discovery, William Beaumont
School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
- Department
of Foundational Medical Studies, William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
| | - Paul C. Trippier
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
- UNMC
Center for Drug Design and Innovation, University
of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
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4
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Zhang Y, Sharma S, Jonnalagadda S, Kumari S, Queen A, Esfahani SH, Archie SR, Nozohouri S, Patel D, Trippier PC, Karamyan VT, Abbruscato TJ. Discovery of the Next Generation of Non-peptidomimetic Neurolysin Activators with High Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability: a Pharmacokinetics Study in Healthy and Stroke Animals. Pharm Res 2023; 40:2747-2758. [PMID: 37833570 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-023-03619-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is growing interest in seeking pharmacological activation of neurolysin (Nln) for stroke treatment. Discovery of central nervous system drugs remains challenging due to the protection of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The previously reported peptidomimetic Nln activators display unsatisfactory BBB penetration. Herein, we investigate the next generation of non-peptidomimetic Nln activators with high BBB permeability. METHODS A BBB-mimicking model was used to evaluate their in vitro BBB permeability. Protein binding, metabolic stability, and efflux assays were performed to determine their unbound fraction, half-lives in plasma and brains, and dependence of BBB transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles were elucidated in healthy and stroke mice. RESULTS Compounds KS52 and KS73 out of this generation exhibit improved peptidase activity and BBB permeability compared to the endogenous activator and previous peptidomimetic activators. They show reasonable plasma and brain protein binding, improved metabolic stability, and independence of P-gp-mediated efflux. In healthy animals, they rapidly distribute into brains and reach peak levels of 18.69% and 12.10% injected dose (ID)/ml at 10 min. After 4 h, their total brain concentrations remain 7.78 and 12.34 times higher than their A50(minimal concentration required for enhancing 50% peptidase activity). Moreover, the ipsilateral hemispheres of stroke animals show comparable uptake to the corresponding contralateral hemispheres and healthy brains. CONCLUSIONS This study provides essential details about the pharmacokinetic properties of a new generation of potent non-peptidomimetic Nln activators with high BBB permeability and warrants the future development of these agents as potential neuroprotective pharmaceutics for stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
- Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Sejal Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
- Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Shirisha Jonnalagadda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
- UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Shikha Kumari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
- UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Aarfa Queen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
- UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Shiva Hadi Esfahani
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease & Drug Discovery, William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
| | - Sabrina Rahman Archie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
- Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Saeideh Nozohouri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
- Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Dhavalkumar Patel
- Office of Sciences, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
- UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Vardan T Karamyan
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease & Drug Discovery, William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
| | - Thomas J Abbruscato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA.
- Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, Jerry. H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA.
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5
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Gao X, Bayraktutan U. Substance P reversibly compromises the integrity and function of blood-brain barrier. Peptides 2023:171048. [PMID: 37390897 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance P (SP) plays a role in vasodilatation and tissue integrity through its receptor, neurokinin 1 (NK1R). However, its specific effect on blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains unknown. METHODS The impact of SP on the integrity/function of human BBB model in vitro, composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), astrocytes and pericytes, was assessed by measurements of transendothelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux of sodium fluorescein (NaF), respectively in the absence/presence of specific inhibitors targeting NK1R (CP96345), Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK; Y27632) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS; N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester). Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, was employed as a positive control. The levels of tight junction proteins, zonula occludens-1, occludin and claudin-5 alongside RhoA/ROCK/myosin regulatory light chain-2 (MLC2) and extracellular signal‑regulated protein kinase (Erk1/2) proteins were detected by western analyses. Subcellular localisations of F-actin and tight junction proteins were visualized by immunocytochemistry. Flow cytometry was used to detect transient calcium release. RESULTS Exposure to SP increased RhoA, ROCK2 and phosphorylated serine-19 MLC2 protein levels and Erk1/2 phosphorylation in BMECs which were abolished by CP96345. These increases were independent of the changes in intracellular calcium availability. SP perturbed BBB in a time-dependent fashion through induction of stress fibres. Changes in tight junction protein dissolution or relocalisation were not involved in SP-mediated BBB breakdown. Inhibition of NOS, ROCK and NK1R mitigated the effect of SP on BBB characteristics and stress fibre formation. CONCLUSION SP promoted a reversible decline in BBB integrity independent of tight junction proteins expression or localisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Gao
- Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ulvi Bayraktutan
- Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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6
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Nagano N, Ichihashi Y, Komatsu T, Matsuzaki H, Hata K, Watanabe T, Misawa Y, Suzuki M, Sakamoto S, Kagami Y, Kashiro A, Takeuchi K, Kanemitsu Y, Ochiai H, Watanabe R, Honda K, Urano Y. Development of fluorogenic substrates for colorectal tumor-related neuropeptidases for activity-based diagnosis. Chem Sci 2023; 14:4495-4499. [PMID: 37152255 PMCID: PMC10155908 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc07029d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The M3 metalloproteases, neurolysin and THOP1, are neuropeptidases that are expressed in various tissues and metabolize neuropeptides, such as neurotensin. The biological roles of these enzymes are not well characterized, partially because the chemical tools to analyse their activities are not well developed. Here, we developed a fluorogenic substrate probe for neurolysin and thimet oligopeptidase 1 (THOP1), which enabled the analysis of enzymatic activity changes in tissue and plasma samples. In particular, the probe was useful for studying enzyme activities in a single-molecule enzyme assay platform, which can detect enzyme activity with high sensitivity. We detected the activity of neurolysin in plasma samples and revealed higher enzyme activity in the blood samples of patients with colorectal tumor. The result indicated that single-molecule neurolysin activity is a promising candidate for a blood biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norimichi Nagano
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Yuki Ichihashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Toru Komatsu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Matsuzaki
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Keisuke Hata
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Toshiaki Watanabe
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Misawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Misa Suzuki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Shingo Sakamoto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Yu Kagami
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Ayumi Kashiro
- Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School 1-1-5 Sendagi Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Keiko Takeuchi
- Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School 1-1-5 Sendagi Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Yukihide Kanemitsu
- National Cancer Center Hospital 5-1-1 Tsukiji Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0045 Japan
| | - Hiroki Ochiai
- National Cancer Center Hospital 5-1-1 Tsukiji Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0045 Japan
| | - Rikiya Watanabe
- Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN 2-1 Hirosawa Wako Saitama 351-0198 Japan
| | - Kazufumi Honda
- Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School 1-1-5 Sendagi Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School 1-1-5 Sendagi Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8602 Japan
| | - Yasuteru Urano
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
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7
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Gao X, Frakich N, Filippini P, Edwards LJ, Vinkemeier U, Gran B, Tanasescu R, Bayraktutan U, Colombo S, Constantinescu CS. Effects of substance P on human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line hCMEC/D3 are mediated exclusively through a truncated NK-1 receptor and depend on cell confluence. Neuropeptides 2022; 95:102265. [PMID: 35696961 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2022.102265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide substance P (SP) mediates pain transmission, immune modulation, vasodilation and neurogenic inflammation. Its role in the peripheral nervous system has been well characterised. However, its actions on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are less clear and warrant further study. The aim of this study was to characterise the effect of SP on the brain microvascular endothelial cells using the immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cell line hCMEC/D3. As part of our studies, we have evaluated changes in expression, at mRNA and protein levels, of genes involved in the function of the blood-brain barrier such as occludin, induced by exposure to SP. We show that the effect of SP is dependent on cell confluence status. Thus, at low confluence but not at full confluence, SP treatment reduced occludin expression. The expression of the SP receptor, neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) (the truncated form of the receptor expressed exclusively in this cell line) was also modulated in a similar pattern. SP treatment stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk2) phosphorylation which was not associated to changes in Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), or Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1) protein expression. In addition, SP treatment effectively recovered nitric oxide production on cells exposed to tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). SP did not trigger intracellular calcium release in hCMEC/D3 cells. We conclude that hCMEC/D3 cells are partially responsive to SP, that the effects are mediated through the truncated form of the receptor and are dependent on the confluence status of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Gao
- Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Nanci Frakich
- Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Perla Filippini
- Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Laura J Edwards
- Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, Medical School, Royal Derby Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3DT, University of Nottingham, UK
| | - Uwe Vinkemeier
- School of Life Science, Action Medical Research Professor of Cell Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Bruno Gran
- Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Radu Tanasescu
- Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK; Department of Neurology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ulvi Bayraktutan
- Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sergio Colombo
- School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Cris S Constantinescu
- Academic Unit of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK; Department of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper Neurological Institute, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
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8
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The relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity, clinical parameters, and oxidative stress in fibromyalgia syndrome: A novel point of view. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil 2022; 68:262-270. [PMID: 35989949 PMCID: PMC9366487 DOI: 10.5606/tftrd.2022.9741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives
This study aims to reveal the relationship between serum total antioxidant status (TAS), clinical parameters, and nutrition (dietary total antioxidant capacity [TAC]) in patients with fibromyalgia.
Patients and methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 60 female participants (mean age: 44.7±9.7 years; range, 18 to 50 years) at Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital between July 2020 and February 2021. Thirty female patients with fibromyalgia were compared with 30 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy individuals. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index were used. Total antioxidant status, total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured. Dietary TAC was calculated using the ferric reducing ability of plasma according to a food frequency questionnaire.
Results
Total antioxidant status showed no significant difference between groups (p=0.080). Total oxidant status and OSI were significantly higher in the patient group (p<0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). The mean dietary TAC was 16.5±6.5 in the patient group and 17.2±6.2 in the control group, and it was similar between groups (p=0.492). Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index global score was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p<0.001). Dietary TAC showed a moderate positive correlation with serum TAS in both groups (r=0.373, p=0.042 for the patient group, and r=0.380, p=0.038 for the control group). In the patient group, TOS and OSI showed a moderate positive correlation with FIQ total scores (r=0.420, p=0.021 and r=0.450, p=0.013, respectively). The mean polyunsaturated fatty acid and omega-6 intake of the patient group was significantly lower than the control group (p=0.025 for both). Dietary antioxidant intake from vegetables (p=0.025), legumes/nuts (p=0.049), and meat (p<0.001) was significantly lower, whereas dietary antioxidant intake from cereal and potatoes was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group (p=0.028).
Conclusion
The results indicate that oxidative stress can be reduced by increasing dietary antioxidant intake in fibromyalgia.
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9
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Esfahani SH, Abbruscato TJ, Trippier PC, Karamyan VT. Small molecule neurolysin activators, potential multi-mechanism agents for ischemic stroke therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:401-404. [PMID: 35543670 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2077190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Hadi Esfahani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Thomas J Abbruscato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA.,Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Vardan T Karamyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA.,Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
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In-Vivo and Ex-Vivo Brain Uptake Studies of Peptidomimetic Neurolysin Activators in Healthy and Stroke Animals. Pharm Res 2022; 39:1587-1598. [PMID: 35239135 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03218-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Neurolysin (Nln) is a peptidase that functions to preserve the brain following ischemic stroke by hydrolyzing various neuropeptides. Nln activation has emerged as an attractive drug discovery target for treatment of ischemic stroke. Among first-in-class peptidomimetic Nln activators, we selected three lead compounds (9d, 10c, 11a) for quantitative pharmacokinetic analysis to provide valuable information for subsequent preclinical development. METHODS Pharmacokinetic profile of these compounds was studied in healthy and ischemic stroke-induced mice after bolus intravenous administration. Brain concentration and brain uptake clearance (Kin) was calculated from single time point analysis. The inter-relationship between LogP with in-vitro and in-vivo permeability was studied to determine CNS penetration. Brain slice uptake method was used to study tissue binding, whereas P-gp-mediated transport was evaluated to understand the potential brain efflux of these compounds. RESULTS According to calculated parameters, all three compounds showed a detectable amount in the brain after intravenous administration at 4 mg/kg; however, 11a had the highest brain concentration and brain uptake clearance. A strong correlation was documented between in-vitro and in-vivo permeability data. The efflux ratio of 10c was ~6-fold higher compared to 11a and correlated well with its lower Kin value. In experimental stroke animals, the Kin of 11a was significantly higher in ischemic vs. contralateral and intact hemispheres, though it remained below its A50 value required to activate Nln. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these preclinical pharmacokinetic studies reveal promising BBB permeability of 11a and indicate that it can serve as an excellent lead for developing improved drug-like Nln activators.
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11
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Bradykinin-target therapies in SARS-CoV-2 infection: current evidence and perspectives. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2022; 395:275-283. [PMID: 35089406 PMCID: PMC8795307 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02206-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a potentially fatal disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that preferentially infects the respiratory tract. Bradykinin (BK) is a hypotensive substance that recently emerged as one of the mechanisms to explain COVID-19-related complications. Concerning this, in this review, we try to address the complex link between BK and pathophysiology of COVID-19, investigating the role of this peptide as a potential target for pharmacological modulation in the management of SARS-CoV-2. The pathology of COVID-19 may be more a result of the BK storm than the cytokine storm, and which BK imbalance is a relevant factor in the respiratory disorders caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Regarding this, an interesting point of intervention for this disease is to modulate BK signaling. Some drugs, such as icatibant, ecallantide, and noscapine, and even a human monoclonal antibody, lanadelumab, have been studied for their potential utility in COVID-19 by modulating BK signaling. The interaction of the BK pathway and the involvement of cytokines such as IL-6 and IL1 may be key to the use of blockers, even if only as adjuvants. In fact, reduction of BK, mainly DABK, is considered a relevant strategy to improve clinical conditions of COVID-19 patients. In this context, despite the current unproven clinical efficacy, drugs repurposing that block B1 or B2 receptor activation have gained prominence for the treatment of COVID-19 in the world.
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12
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Potentials of Neuropeptides as Therapeutic Agents for Neurological Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020343. [PMID: 35203552 PMCID: PMC8961788 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent leaps in modern medicine, progress in the treatment of neurological diseases remains slow. The near impermeable blood-brain barrier (BBB) that prevents the entry of therapeutics into the brain, and the complexity of neurological processes, limits the specificity of potential therapeutics. Moreover, a lack of etiological understanding and the irreversible nature of neurological conditions have resulted in low tolerability and high failure rates towards existing small molecule-based treatments. Neuropeptides, which are small proteinaceous molecules produced by the body, either in the nervous system or the peripheral organs, modulate neurological function. Although peptide-based therapeutics originated from the treatment of metabolic diseases in the 1920s, the adoption and development of peptide drugs for neurological conditions are relatively recent. In this review, we examine the natural roles of neuropeptides in the modulation of neurological function and the development of neurological disorders. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of these proteinaceous molecules in filling gaps in current therapeutics.
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13
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Jayaraman S, Kocot J, Esfahani SH, Wangler NJ, Uyar A, Mechref Y, Trippier PC, Abbruscato TJ, Dickson A, Aihara H, Ostrov DA, Karamyan VT. Identification and Characterization of Two Structurally Related Dipeptides that Enhance Catalytic Efficiency of Neurolysin. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 379:191-202. [PMID: 34389655 PMCID: PMC8626779 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurolysin (Nln) is a recently recognized endogenous mechanism functioning to preserve the brain from ischemic injury. To further understand the pathophysiological function of this peptidase in stroke and other neurologic disorders, the present study was designed to identify small molecule activators of Nln. Using a computational approach, the structure of Nln was explored, which was followed by docking and in silico screening of ∼140,000 molecules from the National Cancer Institute Developmental Therapeutics Program database. Top ranking compounds were evaluated in an Nln enzymatic assay, and two hit histidine-dipeptides were further studied in detail. The identified dipeptides enhanced the rate of synthetic substrate hydrolysis by recombinant (human and rat) and mouse brain-purified Nln in a concentration-dependent manner (micromolar A50 and Amax ≥ 300%) but had negligible effect on activity of closely related peptidases. Both dipeptides also enhanced hydrolysis of Nln endogenous substrates neurotensin, angiotensin I, and bradykinin and increased efficiency of the synthetic substrate hydrolysis (Vmax/Km ratio) in a concentration-dependent manner. The dipeptides and competitive inhibitor dynorphin A (1-13) did not affect each other's affinity for Nln, suggesting differing nature of their respective binding sites. Lastly, drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) and differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) assays confirmed concentration-dependent interaction of Nln with the activator molecule. This is the first study demonstrating that Nln activity can be enhanced by small molecules, although the peptidic nature and low potency of the activators limit their application. The identified dipeptides provide a chemical scaffold to develop high-potency, drug-like molecules as research tools and potential drug leads. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study describes discovery of two molecules that selectively enhance activity of peptidase Nln-a newly recognized cerebroprotective mechanism in the poststroke brain. The identified molecules will serve as a chemical scaffold for development of drug-like molecules to further study Nln and may become lead structures for a new class of drugs. In addition, our conceptual and methodological framework and research findings might be used for other peptidases and enzymes, the activation of which bears therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinidhi Jayaraman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Joanna Kocot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Shiva Hadi Esfahani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Naomi J Wangler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Arzu Uyar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Yehia Mechref
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Thomas J Abbruscato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Alex Dickson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Hideki Aihara
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - David A Ostrov
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
| | - Vardan T Karamyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (S.J., J.K., S.H.E., N.J.W., T.J.A., V.T.K.) and Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research (T.J.A., V.T.K.), School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.U., A.D.); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Y.M.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (P.C.T.); Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.); and Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (D.A.O.)
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Rahman MS, Kumari S, Esfahani SH, Nozohouri S, Jayaraman S, Kinarivala N, Kocot J, Baez A, Farris D, Abbruscato TJ, Karamyan VT, Trippier PC. Discovery of First-in-Class Peptidomimetic Neurolysin Activators Possessing Enhanced Brain Penetration and Stability. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12705-12722. [PMID: 34436882 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Peptidase neurolysin (Nln) is an enzyme that functions to cleave various neuropeptides. Upregulation of Nln after stroke has identified the enzyme as a critical endogenous cerebroprotective mechanism and validated target for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Overexpression of Nln in a mouse model of stroke results in dramatic improvement of stroke outcomes, while pharmacological inhibition aggravates them. Activation of Nln has therefore emerged as an intriguing target for drug discovery efforts for ischemic stroke. Herein, we report the discovery and hit-to-lead optimization of first-in-class Nln activators based on histidine-containing dipeptide hits identified from a virtual screen. Adopting a peptidomimetic approach provided lead compounds that retain the pharmacophoric histidine moiety and possess single-digit micromolar potency over 40-fold greater than the hit scaffolds. These compounds exhibit 5-fold increased brain penetration, significant selectivity over highly homologous peptidases, greater than 65-fold increase in mouse brain stability, and 'drug-like' fraction unbound in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shafikur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Shikha Kumari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Shiva Hadi Esfahani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Saeideh Nozohouri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Srinidhi Jayaraman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Nihar Kinarivala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Joanna Kocot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Andrew Baez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Delaney Farris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Thomas J Abbruscato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States.,Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Vardan T Karamyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States.,Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States.,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States.,UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
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15
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Karamyan VT. Between two storms, vasoactive peptides or bradykinin underlie severity of COVID-19? Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e14796. [PMID: 33687143 PMCID: PMC7941673 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to be a world-wide pandemic with overwhelming socioeconomic impact. Since inflammation is one of the major causes of COVID-19 complications, the associated molecular mechanisms have been the focus of many studies to better understand this disease and develop improved treatments for patients contracting SARS-CoV-2. Among these, strong emphasis has been placed on pro-inflammatory cytokines, associating severity of COVID-19 with so-called "cytokine storm." More recently, peptide bradykinin, its dysregulated signaling or "bradykinin storm," has emerged as a primary mechanism to explain COVID-19-related complications. Unfortunately, this important development may not fully capture the main molecular players that underlie the disease severity. To this end, in this focused review, several lines of evidence are provided to suggest that in addition to bradykinin, two closely related vasoactive peptides, substance P and neurotensin, are also likely to drive microvascular permeability and inflammation, and be responsible for development of COVID-19 pathology. Furthermore, based on published experimental observations, it is postulated that in addition to ACE and neprilysin, peptidase neurolysin (Nln) is also likely to contribute to accumulation of bradykinin, substance P and neurotensin, and progression of the disease. In conclusion, it is proposed that "vasoactive peptide storm" may underlie severity of COVID-19 and that simultaneous inhibition of all three peptidergic systems could be therapeutically more advantageous rather than modulation of any single mechanism alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vardan T. Karamyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Blood Brain Barrier ResearchSchool of PharmacyTTUHSCAmarilloTXUSA
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