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Dogra S, Conn PJ. Metabotropic glutamate receptors as emerging targets for the treatment of schizophrenia. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 101:275-285. [PMID: 35246479 PMCID: PMC9092465 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence of glutamatergic abnormalities in the brains of schizophrenia patients has led to efforts to target various components of glutamatergic signaling as potential new approaches for schizophrenia. Exciting research suggests that metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors could provide a fundamentally new approach for better symptomatic relief in schizophrenia patients. In preclinical studies, the mGlu5 receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have efficacy in animal models relevant for all symptom domains in schizophrenia. Interestingly, biased pure mGlu5 receptor PAMs that do not potentiate coupling of mGlu5 receptors to NMDA receptors lack neurotoxic effects associated with mGlu5 PAMs that enhance coupling to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors or have allosteric agonist activity (ago-PAMs). This provides a better therapeutic profile for treating schizophrenia-like symptoms. Additionally, the mGlu1 receptor PAMs modulate dopamine release in the striatum, which may contribute to their antipsychotic-like effects. Besides group I mGlu (mGlu1 and mGlu5) receptors, agonists of mGlu2/3 receptor also induce robust antipsychotic-like and pro-cognitive effects in rodents and may be effective in treating symptoms of schizophrenia in a selective group of patients. Additionally, mGlu2/4 receptor heterodimers modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex at selective synapses activated in schizophrenia and, therefore, hold potential as novel antipsychotics. Excitingly, the mGlu3 receptor activation can enhance cognition in rodents suggesting that mGlu3 receptor agonist/PAM could provide a novel approach for the treatment of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Collectively, the development of mGlu receptor-specific ligands may provide an alternative approach to meet the clinical need for safer and efficacious therapeutics for schizophrenia. Significance Statement The currently available antipsychotic medications do not show significant efficacy for treating negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Emerging preclinical and clinical literature suggests that pharmacological targeting of metabotropic glutamate receptors could potentially provide an alternative approach for designing safer and efficacious therapeutics for treating schizophrenia.
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Busceti CL, Ginerete RP, Di Menna L, D'Errico G, Cisani F, Di Pietro P, Imbriglio T, Bruno V, Battaglia G, Fornai F, Monn JA, Pittaluga A, Nicoletti F. Behavioural and biochemical responses to methamphetamine are differentially regulated by mGlu2 and mGlu3 metabotropic glutamate receptors in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2021; 196:108692. [PMID: 34217776 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors) shape mechanisms of methamphetamine addiction, but the individual role played by the two subtypes is unclear. We measured methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and motor responses to single or repeated injections of methamphetamine in wild-type, mGlu2-/-, and mGlu3-/-mice. Only mGlu3-/-mice showed methamphetamine preference in the CPP test. Motor response to the first methamphetamine injection was dramatically reduced in mGlu2-/-mice, unless these mice were treated with the mGlu5 receptor antagonist, MTEP. In contrast, methamphetamine-induced sensitization was increased in mGlu3-/-mice compared to wild-type mice. Only mGlu3-/-mice sensitized to methamphetamine showed increases in phospho-ERK1/2 levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and free radical formation in the NAc and medial prefrontal cortex. These changes were not detected in mGlu2-/-mice. We also measured a series of biochemical parameters related to the mechanism of action of methamphetamine in naïve mice to disclose the nature of the differential behavioural responses of the three genotypes. We found a reduced expression and activity of dopamine transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine transporter-2 in the NAc and striatum of mGlu2-/-and mGlu3-/-mice, whereas expression of the DAT adaptor, syntaxin 1A, was selectively increased in the striatum of mGlu3-/-mice. Methamphetamine-stimulated dopamine release in striatal slices was largely reduced in mGlu2-/-, but not in mGlu3-/-, mice. These findings suggest that drugs that selectively enhance mGlu3 receptor activity or negatively modulate mGlu2 receptors might be beneficial in the treatment of methamphetamine addiction and associated brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Valeria Bruno
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy; Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Anna Pittaluga
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
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van der Veen B, Kapanaiah SKT, Kilonzo K, Steele-Perkins P, Jendryka MM, Schulz S, Tasic B, Yao Z, Zeng H, Akam T, Nicholson JR, Liss B, Nissen W, Pekcec A, Kätzel D. Control of impulsivity by G i-protein signalling in layer-5 pyramidal neurons of the anterior cingulate cortex. Commun Biol 2021; 4:662. [PMID: 34079054 PMCID: PMC8172539 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02188-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological impulsivity is a debilitating symptom of multiple psychiatric diseases with few effective treatment options. To identify druggable receptors with anti-impulsive action we developed a systematic target discovery approach combining behavioural chemogenetics and gene expression analysis. Spatially restricted inhibition of three subdivisions of the prefrontal cortex of mice revealed that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) regulates premature responding, a form of motor impulsivity. Probing three G-protein cascades with designer receptors, we found that the activation of Gi-signalling in layer-5 pyramidal cells (L5-PCs) of the ACC strongly, reproducibly, and selectively decreased challenge-induced impulsivity. Differential gene expression analysis across murine ACC cell-types and 402 GPCRs revealed that - among Gi-coupled receptor-encoding genes - Grm2 is the most selectively expressed in L5-PCs while alternative targets were scarce. Validating our approach, we confirmed that mGluR2 activation reduced premature responding. These results suggest Gi-coupled receptors in ACC L5-PCs as therapeutic targets for impulse control disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kasyoka Kilonzo
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Stefanie Schulz
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Zizhen Yao
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas Akam
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Janet R Nicholson
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Div. Research Germany, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Birgit Liss
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Linacre College and New College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Wiebke Nissen
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Div. Research Germany, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Anton Pekcec
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Div. Research Germany, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Dennis Kätzel
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
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Gregory KJ, Goudet C. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CXI. Pharmacology, Signaling, and Physiology of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. Pharmacol Rev 2020; 73:521-569. [PMID: 33361406 DOI: 10.1124/pr.119.019133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors respond to glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain, mediating a modulatory role that is critical for higher-order brain functions such as learning and memory. Since the first mGlu receptor was cloned in 1992, eight subtypes have been identified along with many isoforms and splice variants. The mGlu receptors are transmembrane-spanning proteins belonging to the class C G protein-coupled receptor family and represent attractive targets for a multitude of central nervous system disorders. Concerted drug discovery efforts over the past three decades have yielded a wealth of pharmacological tools including subtype-selective agents that competitively block or mimic the actions of glutamate or act allosterically via distinct sites to enhance or inhibit receptor activity. Herein, we review the physiologic and pathophysiological roles for individual mGlu receptor subtypes including the pleiotropic nature of intracellular signal transduction arising from each. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of prototypical and commercially available orthosteric agonists and antagonists as well as allosteric modulators, including ligands that have entered clinical trials. Finally, we highlight emerging areas of research that hold promise to facilitate rational design of highly selective mGlu receptor-targeting therapeutics in the future. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The metabotropic glutamate receptors are attractive therapeutic targets for a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Over the past three decades, intense discovery efforts have yielded diverse pharmacological tools acting either competitively or allosterically, which have enabled dissection of fundamental biological process modulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors and established proof of concept for many therapeutic indications. We review metabotropic glutamate receptor molecular pharmacology and highlight emerging areas that are offering new avenues to selectively modulate neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Gregory
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (K.J.G.) and Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), University of Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), Montpellier, France (C.G.)
| | - Cyril Goudet
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (K.J.G.) and Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), University of Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), Montpellier, France (C.G.)
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Martínez-Pinteño A, García-Cerro S, Mas S, Torres T, Boloc D, Rodríguez N, Lafuente A, Gassó P, Arnaiz JA, Parellada E. The positive allosteric modulator of the mGlu2 receptor JNJ-46356479 partially improves neuropathological deficits and schizophrenia-like behaviors in a postnatal ketamine mice model. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 126:8-18. [PMID: 32407891 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Current antipsychotics have limited efficacy in controlling cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia (SZ). Glutamatergic dysregulation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of SZ, based on the capacity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists such as ketamine (KET) to induce SZ-like behaviors. This could be related to their putative neuropathological effect on gamma-aminobutyric (GABAergic) interneurons expressing parvalbumin (PV), which would lead to a hyperglutamatergic condition. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) negatively modulates glutamate release and has been considered a potential clinical target for novel antipsychotics drugs. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of JNJ-46356479 (JNJ), a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the mGluR2, in reversing neuropathological and behavioral deficits induced in a postnatal KET mice model of SZ. These animals presented impaired spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test, suggesting deficits in spatial working memory, and a decrease in social motivation and memory, assessed in both the Three-Chamber and the Five Trial Social Memory tests. Interestingly, JNJ treatment of adult mice partially reversed these deficits. Mice treated with KET also showed a reduction in PV+ in the mPFC and dentate gyrus together with an increase in c-Fos expression in this hippocampal area. Compared to the control group, mice treated with KET + JNJ showed a similar PV density and c-Fos activity pattern. Our results suggest that pharmacological treatment with a PAM of the mGluR2 such as JNJ could help improve cognitive and negative symptoms related to SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susana García-Cerro
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Mas
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Barcelona, Spain; The August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Teresa Torres
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Boloc
- Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia Rodríguez
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amalia Lafuente
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Barcelona, Spain; The August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Patricia Gassó
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Barcelona, Spain; The August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Albert Arnaiz
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Barcelona, Spain; The August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Eduard Parellada
- The August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain; Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Clinic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Spain.
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Trabanco AA, Bartolomé JM, Cid JM. mGluR2 positive allosteric modulators: an updated patent review (2013-2018). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2019; 29:497-507. [PMID: 31242055 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2019.1637421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Positive allosteric modulation of mGlu2 has attracted much interest as an alternative approach to classical orthosteric receptor activation. Two mGlu2 PAMS have advanced into the clinic. The results obtained in schizophrenia and MDD phase 2 clinical trials have tempered the high expectations put on selective mGlu2 receptor activation for treating these conditions; nevertheless, the search for novel therapeutic indications and novel chemotypes continues to be an active field of research. AREAS COVERED 2013-2018 patent literature on mGlu2 receptor PAMs. EXPERT OPINION After a decade of intensive research, the mGlu2 PAM field has seen a deceleration in the last five years. Negative phase 2 schizophrenia clinical trials with JNJ-40411813 and AZD8529 seem to have tempered the high expectations of the scientific community on the utility of mGlu2 PAMs for the treatment of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, novel therapeutic indications continue to be explored and AZD8529 is currently in a phase 2 study for smoking cessation. The advances in medicinal chemistry and in pharmacology, with novel indications such as epilepsy, have set the stage in the field of mGlu2 receptor PAMs. Ongoing preclinical and clinical studies will contribute to define their optimal therapeutic indication and potential to become novel therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés A Trabanco
- a Discovery Chemistry , Janssen Research and Development, a division of Janssen-Cilag S.A ., Toledo , Spain
| | - José Manuel Bartolomé
- a Discovery Chemistry , Janssen Research and Development, a division of Janssen-Cilag S.A ., Toledo , Spain
| | - José María Cid
- a Discovery Chemistry , Janssen Research and Development, a division of Janssen-Cilag S.A ., Toledo , Spain
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Abstract
Abnormalities of glutamatergic transmission are implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. Among the glutamate receptors, metabotropic (mGlu) 2/3 receptors have recently gained much attention as molecular targets for the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety. Both orthosteric and allosteric antagonists of mGlu2/3 receptors have been synthesized, and their therapeutic potential has been examined. These research activities have demonstrated the promise of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists as potential treatment agents for the above-mentioned neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, it has been considered that the antidepressant effects of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists are worthy of pursuing, since the antidepressant profiles as well as synaptic/neural mechanisms involved in the actions of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists are similar to those of ketamine, which has been demonstrated to show potent, rapid and sustained efficacy in patients with depression, even those resistant to the conventionally prescribed antidepressants. In this chapter, the general pharmacology of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists and their therapeutic potential are reviewed. In particular, I focus on the usefulness of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists as novel antidepressants, in comparison with ketamine.
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( 2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine exerts mGlu 2 receptor-dependent antidepressant actions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:6441-6450. [PMID: 30867285 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1819540116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently approved antidepressant drugs often take months to take full effect, and ∼30% of depressed patients remain treatment resistant. In contrast, ketamine, when administered as a single subanesthetic dose, exerts rapid and sustained antidepressant actions. Preclinical studies indicate that the ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine [(2R,6R)-HNK] is a rapid-acting antidepressant drug candidate with limited dissociation properties and abuse potential. We assessed the role of group II metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes 2 (mGlu2) and 3 (mGlu3) in the antidepressant-relevant actions of (2R,6R)-HNK using behavioral, genetic, and pharmacological approaches as well as cortical quantitative EEG (qEEG) measurements in mice. Both ketamine and (2R,6R)-HNK prevented mGlu2/3 receptor agonist (LY379268)-induced body temperature increases in mice lacking the Grm3, but not Grm2, gene. This action was not replicated by NMDA receptor antagonists or a chemical variant of ketamine that limits metabolism to (2R,6R)-HNK. The antidepressant-relevant behavioral effects and 30- to 80-Hz qEEG oscillation (gamma-range) increases resultant from (2R,6R)-HNK administration were prevented by pretreatment with an mGlu2/3 receptor agonist and absent in mice lacking the Grm2, but not Grm3 -/-, gene. Combined subeffective doses of the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 and (2R,6R)-HNK exerted synergistic increases on gamma oscillations and antidepressant-relevant behavioral actions. These findings highlight that (2R,6R)-HNK exerts antidepressant-relevant actions via a mechanism converging with mGlu2 receptor signaling and suggest enhanced cortical gamma oscillations as a marker of target engagement relevant to antidepressant efficacy. Moreover, these results support the use of (2R,6R)-HNK and inhibitors of mGlu2 receptor function in clinical trials for treatment-resistant depression either alone or in combination.
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Nicoletti F, Orlando R, Di Menna L, Cannella M, Notartomaso S, Mascio G, Iacovelli L, Matrisciano F, Fazio F, Caraci F, Copani A, Battaglia G, Bruno V. Targeting mGlu Receptors for Optimization of Antipsychotic Activity and Disease-Modifying Effect in Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:49. [PMID: 30890967 PMCID: PMC6413697 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are considered as candidate drug targets for the treatment of schizophrenia. These receptors form a family of eight subtypes (mGlu1 to -8), of which mGlu1 and -5 are coupled to Gq/11, and all other subtypes are coupled to Gi/o. Here, we discuss the possibility that selective ligands of individual mGlu receptor subtypes may be effective in controlling the core symptoms of schizophrenia, and, in some cases, may impact mechanisms underlying the progression of the disorder. Recent evidence indicates that activation of mGlu1 receptors inhibits dopamine release in the meso-striatal system. Hence, selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of mGlu1 receptors hold promise for the treatment of positive symptoms of schizophrenia. mGlu5 receptors are widely expressed in the CNS and regulate the activity of cells that are involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, such as cortical GABAergic interneurons and microglial cells. mGlu5 receptor PAMs are under development for the treatment of schizophrenia and cater the potential to act as disease modifiers by restraining neuroinflammation. mGlu2 receptors have attracted considerable interest because they negatively modulate 5-HT2A serotonin receptor signaling in the cerebral cortex. Both mGlu2 receptor PAMs and orthosteric mGlu2/3 receptor agonists display antipsychotic-like activity in animal models, and the latter drugs are inactive in mice lacking mGlu2 receptors. So far, mGlu3 receptors have been left apart as drug targets for schizophrenia. However, activation of mGlu3 receptors boosts mGlu5 receptor signaling, supports neuronal survival, and drives microglial cells toward an antiinflammatory phenotype. This strongly encourages research of mGlu3 receptors in schizophrenia. Finally, preclical studies suggest that mGlu4 receptors might be targeted by novel antipsychotic drugs, whereas studies of mGlu7 and mGlu8 receptors in animal models of psychosis are still at their infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Orlando
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Luisa Iacovelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Matrisciano
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute (IRCCS), Troina, Italy
| | - Agata Copani
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Bruno
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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Lacivita E, Perrone R, Margari L, Leopoldo M. Targets for Drug Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Challenges and Future Directions. J Med Chem 2017; 60:9114-9141. [PMID: 29039668 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. Various factors are involved in the etiopathogenesis of ASD, including genetic factors, environmental toxins and stressors, impaired immune responses, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. The heterogeneity in the phenotype among ASD patients and the complex etiology of the condition have long impeded the advancement of the development of pharmacological therapies. In the recent years, the integration of findings from mouse models to human genetics resulted in considerable progress toward the understanding of ASD pathophysiology. Currently, strategies to treat core symptoms of ASD are directed to correct synaptic dysfunctions, abnormalities in central oxytocin, vasopressin, and serotonin neurotransmission, and neuroinflammation. Here, we present a survey of the studies that have suggested molecular targets for drug development for ASD and the state-of-the-art of medicinal chemistry efforts in related areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enza Lacivita
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Perrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Lucia Margari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche di Base, Neuroscienze e Organi di Senso, Unità di Neuropsichiatria Infantile, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Marcello Leopoldo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
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Maksymetz J, Moran SP, Conn PJ. Targeting metabotropic glutamate receptors for novel treatments of schizophrenia. Mol Brain 2017; 10:15. [PMID: 28446243 PMCID: PMC5405554 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-017-0293-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Support for the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction hypothesis of schizophrenia has led to increasing focus on restoring proper glutamatergic signaling as an approach for treatment of this devastating disease. The ability of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors to modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission has thus attracted considerable attention for the development of novel antipsychotics. Consisting of eight subtypes classified into three groups based on sequence homology, signal transduction, and pharmacology, the mGlu receptors provide a wide range of targets to modulate NMDAR function as well as glutamate release. Recently, allosteric modulators of mGlu receptors have been developed that allow unprecedented selectivity among subtypes, not just groups, facilitating the investigation of the effects of subtype-specific modulation. In preclinical animal models, positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the group I mGlu receptor mGlu5 have efficacy across all three symptom domains of schizophrenia (positive, negative, and cognitive). The discovery and development of mGlu5 PAMs that display unique signal bias suggests that efficacy can be retained while avoiding the neurotoxic effects of earlier compounds. Interestingly, mGlu1 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) appear efficacious in positive symptom models of the disease but are still in early preclinical development. While selective group II mGlu receptor (mGlu2/3) agonists have reached clinical trials but were unsuccessful, specific mGlu2 or mGlu3 receptor targeting still hold great promise. Genetic studies implicated mGlu2 in the antipsychotic effects of group II agonists and mGlu2 PAMs have since entered into clinical trials. Additionally, mGlu3 appears to play an important role in cognition, may confer neuroprotective effects, and thus is a promising target to alleviate cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Although group III mGlu receptors (mGlu4/6/7/8) have attracted less attention, mGlu4 agonists and PAMs appear to have efficacy across all three symptoms domains in preclinical models. The recent discovery of heterodimers comprising mGlu2 and mGlu4 may explain the efficacy of mGlu4 selective compounds but this remains to be determined. Taken together, compounds targeting mGlu receptors, specifically subtype-selective allosteric modulators, provide a compelling alternative approach to fill the unmet clinical needs for patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Maksymetz
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Sean P. Moran
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - P. Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
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Fazio F, Lionetto L, Curto M, Iacovelli L, Copeland CS, Neale SA, Bruno V, Battaglia G, Salt TE, Nicoletti F. Cinnabarinic acid and xanthurenic acid: Two kynurenine metabolites that interact with metabotropic glutamate receptors. Neuropharmacology 2017; 112:365-372. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Johnson KA, Lovinger DM. Presynaptic G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Gatekeepers of Addiction? Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:264. [PMID: 27891077 PMCID: PMC5104741 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug abuse and addiction cause widespread social and public health problems, and the neurobiology underlying drug actions and drug use and abuse is an area of intensive research. Drugs of abuse alter synaptic transmission, and these actions contribute to acute intoxication as well as the chronic effects of abused substances. Transmission at most mammalian synapses involves neurotransmitter activation of two receptor subtypes, ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast synaptic responses and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that have slower neuromodulatory actions. The GPCRs represent a large proportion of neurotransmitter receptors involved in almost all facets of nervous system function. In addition, these receptors are targets for many pharmacotherapeutic agents. Drugs of abuse directly or indirectly affect neuromodulation mediated by GPCRs, with important consequences for intoxication, drug taking and responses to prolonged drug exposure, withdrawal and addiction. Among the GPCRs are several subtypes involved in presynaptic inhibition, most of which are coupled to the Gi/o class of G protein. There is increasing evidence that these presynaptic Gi/o-coupled GPCRs have important roles in the actions of drugs of abuse, as well as behaviors related to these drugs. This topic will be reviewed, with particular emphasis on receptors for three neurotransmitters, Dopamine (DA; D1- and D2-like receptors), Endocannabinoids (eCBs; CB1 receptors) and glutamate (group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors). The focus is on recent evidence from laboratory animal models (and some evidence in humans) implicating these receptors in the acute and chronic effects of numerous abused drugs, as well as in the control of drug seeking and taking. The ability of drugs targeting these receptors to modify drug seeking behavior has raised the possibility of using compounds targeting these receptors for addiction pharmacotherapy. This topic is also discussed, with emphasis on development of mGlu2 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari A. Johnson
- Section on Synaptic Pharmacology, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD, USA
| | - David M. Lovinger
- Section on Synaptic Pharmacology, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD, USA
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14
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Drinkenburg WHIM, Ruigt GSF, Ahnaou A. Pharmaco-EEG Studies in Animals: An Overview of Contemporary Translational Applications. Neuropsychobiology 2016; 72:151-64. [PMID: 26901596 DOI: 10.1159/000442210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The contemporary value of animal pharmaco-electroencephalography (p-EEG)-based applications are strongly interlinked with progress in recording and neuroscience analysis methodology. While p-EEG in humans and animals has been shown to be closely related in terms of underlying neuronal substrates, both translational and back-translational approaches are being used to address extrapolation issues and optimize the translational validity of preclinical animal p-EEG paradigms and data. Present applications build further on animal p-EEG and pharmaco-sleep EEG findings, but also on stimulation protocols, more specifically pharmaco-event-related potentials. Pharmaceutical research into novel treatments for neurological and psychiatric diseases has employed an increasing number of pharmacological as well as transgenic models to assess the potential therapeutic involvement of different neurochemical systems and novel drug targets as well as underlying neuronal connectivity and synaptic function. Consequently, p-EEG studies, now also readily applied in modeled animals, continue to have an important role in drug discovery and development, with progressively more emphasis on its potential as a central readout for target engagement and as a (translational) functional marker of neuronal circuit processes underlying normal and pathological brain functioning. In a similar vein as was done for human p-EEG studies, the contribution of animal p-EEG studies can further benefit by adherence to guidelines for methodological standardization, which are presently under construction by the International Pharmaco-EEG Society (IPEG).
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15
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Griebel G, Pichat P, Boulay D, Naimoli V, Potestio L, Featherstone R, Sahni S, Defex H, Desvignes C, Slowinski F, Vigé X, Bergis OE, Sher R, Kosley R, Kongsamut S, Black MD, Varty GB. The mGluR2 positive allosteric modulator, SAR218645, improves memory and attention deficits in translational models of cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35320. [PMID: 27734956 PMCID: PMC5062470 DOI: 10.1038/srep35320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Normalization of altered glutamate neurotransmission through activation of the mGluR2 has emerged as a new approach to treat schizophrenia. These studies describe a potent brain penetrant mGluR2 positive allosteric modulator (PAM), SAR218645. The compound behaves as a selective PAM of mGluR2 in recombinant and native receptor expression systems, increasing the affinity of glutamate at mGluR2 as inferred by competition and GTPγ35S binding assays. SAR218645 augmented the mGluR2-mediated response to glutamate in a rat recombinant mGluR2 forced-coupled Ca2+ mobilization assay. SAR218645 potentiated mGluR2 agonist-induced contralateral turning. When SAR218645 was tested in models of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, it reduced head twitch behavior induced by DOI, but it failed to inhibit conditioned avoidance and hyperactivity using pharmacological and transgenic models. Results from experiments in models of the cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia showed that SAR218645 improved MK-801-induced episodic memory deficits in rats and attenuated working memory impairment in NMDA Nr1neo-/- mice. The drug reversed disrupted latent inhibition and auditory-evoked potential in mice and rats, respectively, two endophenotypes of schizophrenia. This profile positions SAR218645 as a promising candidate for the treatment of cognitive symptoms of patients with schizophrenia, in particular those with abnormal attention and sensory gating abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Griebel
- Sanofi R&D, Strategy, Science Policy &External Innovation, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Philippe Pichat
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Sciences Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Denis Boulay
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Sciences Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | - Lisa Potestio
- Sanofi R&D, 1041 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Henry Defex
- Sanofi R&D, 1041 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Xavier Vigé
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Sciences Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | - Rosy Sher
- Sanofi R&D, 1041 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Mark D Black
- Sanofi R&D, 1041 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
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16
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Lindsley CW, Emmitte KA, Hopkins CR, Bridges TM, Gregory KJ, Niswender CM, Conn PJ. Practical Strategies and Concepts in GPCR Allosteric Modulator Discovery: Recent Advances with Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. Chem Rev 2016; 116:6707-41. [PMID: 26882314 PMCID: PMC4988345 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Allosteric modulation of GPCRs has initiated a new era of basic and translational discovery, filled with therapeutic promise yet fraught with caveats. Allosteric ligands stabilize unique conformations of the GPCR that afford fundamentally new receptors, capable of novel pharmacology, unprecedented subtype selectivity, and unique signal bias. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the basics of GPCR allosteric pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, drug metabolism, and validated approaches to address each of the major challenges and caveats. Then, the review narrows focus to highlight recent advances in the discovery of allosteric ligands for metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes 1-5 and 7 (mGlu1-5,7) highlighting key concepts ("molecular switches", signal bias, heterodimers) and practical solutions to enable the development of tool compounds and clinical candidates. The review closes with a section on late-breaking new advances with allosteric ligands for other GPCRs and emerging data for endogenous allosteric modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig W. Lindsley
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Kyle A. Emmitte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNT System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, United States
| | - Corey R. Hopkins
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Thomas M. Bridges
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Karen J. Gregory
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Colleen M. Niswender
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - P. Jeffrey Conn
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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17
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Muguruza C, Meana JJ, Callado LF. Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors as Targets for Novel Antipsychotic Drugs. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:130. [PMID: 27242534 PMCID: PMC4873505 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder which substantially impairs patients' quality of life. Despite the extensive research in this field, the pathophysiology and etiology of schizophrenia remain unknown. Different neurotransmitter systems and functional networks have been found to be affected in the brain of patients with schizophrenia. In this context, postmortem brain studies as well as genetic assays have suggested alterations in Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in schizophrenia. Despite many years of drug research, several needs in the treatment of schizophrenia have not been addressed sufficiently. In fact, only 5-10% of patients with schizophrenia successfully achieve a full recovery after treatment. In recent years mGluRs have turned up as novel targets for the design of new antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia. Concretely, Group II mGluRs are of particular interest due to their regulatory role in neurotransmission modulating glutamatergic activity in brain synapses. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that orthosteric Group II mGluR agonists exhibit antipsychotic-like properties in animal models of schizophrenia. However, when these compounds have been tested in human clinical studies with schizophrenic patients results have been inconclusive. Nevertheless, it has been recently suggested that this apparent lack of efficacy in schizophrenic patients may be related to previous exposure to atypical antipsychotics. Moreover, the role of the functional heterocomplex formed by 5-HT2A and mGlu2 receptors in the clinical response to Group II mGluR agonists is currently under study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Muguruza
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHULeioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud MentalMadrid, Spain
| | - J. Javier Meana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHULeioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud MentalMadrid, Spain
| | - Luis F. Callado
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHULeioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud MentalMadrid, Spain
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18
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Bruno V, Caraci F, Copani A, Matrisciano F, Nicoletti F, Battaglia G. The impact of metabotropic glutamate receptors into active neurodegenerative processes: A "dark side" in the development of new symptomatic treatments for neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Neuropharmacology 2016; 115:180-192. [PMID: 27140693 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.04.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor ligands are under clinical development for the treatment of CNS disorders with high social and economic burden, such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), and Parkinson's disease (PD), and are promising drug candidates for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). So far, clinical studies have shown symptomatic effects of mGlu receptor ligands, but it is unknown whether these drugs act as disease modifiers or, at the opposite end, they accelerate disease progression by enhancing neurodegeneration. This is a fundamental issue in the treatment of PD and AD, and is also an emerging theme in the treatment of schizophrenia and MDD, in which neurodegeneration is also present and contribute to disease progression. Moving from in vitro data and preclinical studies, we discuss the potential impact of drugs targeting mGlu2, mGlu3, mGlu4 and mGlu5 receptor ligands on active neurodegeneration associated with AD, PD, schizophrenia, and MDD. We wish to highlight that our final comments on the best drug candidates are not influenced by commercial interests or by previous or ongoing collaborations with drug companies. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors, 5 years on'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Bruno
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; I.R.C.C.S. Associazione Oasi Maria S.S., Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Agata Copani
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; National Research Council, Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (IBB-CNR), 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Matrisciano
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
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19
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Pero JE, Rossi MA, Kelly MJ, Lehman HGF, Layton ME, Garbaccio RM, O’Brien JA, Magliaro BC, Uslaner J, Huszar SL, Fillgrove KL, Tang C, Kuo Y, Joyce LA, Sherer E, Jacobson MA. Optimization of Novel Aza-benzimidazolone mGluR2 PAMs with Respect to LLE and PK Properties and Mitigation of CYP TDI. ACS Med Chem Lett 2016; 7:312-7. [PMID: 26985321 PMCID: PMC4789683 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5b00459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigation of a novel amino-aza-benzimidazolone structural class of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) identified [2.2.2]-bicyclic amine 12 as an intriguing lead structure due to its promising physicochemical properties and lipophilic ligand efficiency (LLE). Further optimization led to chiral amide 18, which exhibited strong in vitro activity and attractive pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Hypothesis-driven target design identified compound 21 as a potent, highly selective, orally bioavailable mGluR2 PAM, which addressed a CYP time-dependent inhibition (TDI) liability of 18, while maintaining excellent drug-like properties with robust in vivo activity in a clinically validated model of antipsychotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E. Pero
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Michael A. Rossi
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Michael J. Kelly
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Hannah
D. G. F. Lehman
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Mark E. Layton
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Robert M. Garbaccio
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Julie A. O’Brien
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Brian C. Magliaro
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Jason
M. Uslaner
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Sarah L. Huszar
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Kerry L. Fillgrove
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Cuyue Tang
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Yuhsin Kuo
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Leo A. Joyce
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Edward
C. Sherer
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Marlene A. Jacobson
- Departments
of Medicinal Chemistry, In Vitro Sciences, Psychiatry Research, Central Pharmacology, Drug Metabolism, Process and Analytical
Chemistry, and Structural Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
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20
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Hikima T, Garcia-Munoz M, Arbuthnott GW. Presynaptic D1 heteroreceptors and mGlu autoreceptors act at individual cortical release sites to modify glutamate release. Brain Res 2016; 1639:74-87. [PMID: 26944299 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to study release of glutamic acid (GLU) from one-axon terminal or bouton at-a-time using cortical neurons grown in vitro to study the effect of presynaptic auto- and heteroreceptor stimulation. Neurons were infected with release reporters SypHx2 or iGluSnFR at 7 or 3 days-in-vitro (DIV) respectively. At 13-15 DIV single synaptic boutons were identified from images obtained from a confocal scanning microscope before and after field electrical stimulation. We further stimulated release by raising intracellular levels of cAMP with forskolin (10µM). Forskolin-mediated effects were dependent on protein kinase A (PKA) and did not result from an increase in endocytosis, but rather from an increase in the size of the vesicle readily releasable pool. Once iGluSnFR was confirmed as more sensitive than SypHx2, it was used to study the participation of presynaptic auto- and heteroreceptors on GLU release. Although most receptor agonizts (carbamylcholine, nicotine, dopamine D2, BDNF) did not affect electrically stimulated GLU release, a significant increase was observed in the presence of metabotropic D1/D5 heteroreceptor agonist (SKF38393 10µM) that was reversed by PKA inhibitors. Interestingly, stimulation of group II metabotropic mGLU2/3 autoreceptors (LY379268 50nM) induced a decrease in GLU release that was reversed by the specific mGLU2/3 receptor antagonist (LY341495 1µM) and also by PKA inhibitors (KT5720 200nM and PKI14-22 400nM). These changes in release probability at individual release sites suggest another level of control of the distribution of transmitter substances in cortical tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Hikima
- Brain Mechanism for Behaviour Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Marianela Garcia-Munoz
- Brain Mechanism for Behaviour Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Gordon William Arbuthnott
- Brain Mechanism for Behaviour Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan.
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21
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Ahnaou A, Biermans R, Drinkenburg WH. Modulation of mGlu2 Receptors, but Not PDE10A Inhibition Normalizes Pharmacologically-Induced Deviance in Auditory Evoked Potentials and Oscillations in Conscious Rats. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147365. [PMID: 26808689 PMCID: PMC4726622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Improvement of cognitive impairments represents a high medical need in the development of new antipsychotics. Aberrant EEG gamma oscillations and reductions in the P1/N1 complex peak amplitude of the auditory evoked potential (AEP) are neurophysiological biomarkers for schizophrenia that indicate disruption in sensory information processing. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase (i.e. PDE10A) and activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR2) signaling are believed to provide antipsychotic efficacy in schizophrenia, but it is unclear whether this occurs with cognition-enhancing potential. The present study used the auditory paired click paradigm in passive awake Sprague Dawley rats to 1) model disruption of AEP waveforms and oscillations as observed in schizophrenia by peripheral administration of amphetamine and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist phencyclidine (PCP); 2) confirm the potential of the antipsychotics risperidone and olanzapine to attenuate these disruptions; 3) evaluate the potential of mGluR2 agonist LY404039 and PDE10 inhibitor PQ-10 to improve AEP deficits in both the amphetamine and PCP models. PCP and amphetamine disrupted auditory information processing to the first click, associated with suppression of the P1/N1 complex peak amplitude, and increased cortical gamma oscillations. Risperidone and olanzapine normalized PCP and amphetamine-induced abnormalities in AEP waveforms and aberrant gamma/alpha oscillations, respectively. LY404039 increased P1/N1 complex peak amplitudes and potently attenuated the disruptive effects of both PCP and amphetamine on AEPs amplitudes and oscillations. However, PQ-10 failed to show such effect in either models. These outcomes indicate that modulation of the mGluR2 results in effective restoration of abnormalities in AEP components in two widely used animal models of psychosis, whereas PDE10A inhibition does not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah Ahnaou
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Ria Biermans
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Wilhelmus H. Drinkenburg
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
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22
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Wierońska JM, Zorn SH, Doller D, Pilc A. Metabotropic glutamate receptors as targets for new antipsychotic drugs: Historical perspective and critical comparative assessment. Pharmacol Ther 2015; 157:10-27. [PMID: 26549541 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we aim to present, discuss and clarify our current understanding regarding the prediction of possible antipsychotic effects of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor ligands. The number of preclinical trials clearly indicates, that this group of compounds constitutes an excellent alternative to presently used antipsychotic therapy, being effective not only to positive, but also negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Although the results of clinical trials that were performed for the group of mGlu2/3 agonists were not so enthusiastic as in animal studies, they still showed that mGlu ligands do not induced variety of side effects typical for presently used antipsychotics, and were generally well tolerated. The lack of satisfactory effectiveness towards schizophrenia symptoms of mGlu2/3 activators in humans could be a result of variety of uncontrolled factors and unidentified biomarkers different for each schizophrenia patient, that should be taken into consideration in the future set of clinical trials. The subject is still open for further research, and the novel classes of mGlu5 or mGlu2/3 agonists/PAMs were recently introduced, including the large group of compounds from the third group of mGlu receptors, especially of mGlu4 subtype. Finally, more precise treatment based on simultaneous administration of minimal doses of the ligands for two or more receptors, seems to be promising in the context of symptoms-specific schizophrenia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Wierońska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | | | | | - Andrzej Pilc
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Krakow, Poland.
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23
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Mediouni S, Marcondes MCG, Miller C, McLaughlin JP, Valente ST. The cross-talk of HIV-1 Tat and methamphetamine in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1164. [PMID: 26557111 PMCID: PMC4615951 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral therapy has dramatically improved the lives of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infected individuals. Nonetheless, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), which range from undetectable neurocognitive impairments to severe dementia, still affect approximately 50% of the infected population, hampering their quality of life. The persistence of HAND is promoted by several factors, including longer life expectancies, the residual levels of virus in the central nervous system (CNS) and the continued presence of HIV-1 regulatory proteins such as the transactivator of transcription (Tat) in the brain. Tat is a secreted viral protein that crosses the blood–brain barrier into the CNS, where it has the ability to directly act on neurons and non-neuronal cells alike. These actions result in the release of soluble factors involved in inflammation, oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, ultimately resulting in neuronal damage. The percentage of methamphetamine (MA) abusers is high among the HIV-1-positive population compared to the general population. On the other hand, MA abuse is correlated with increased viral replication, enhanced Tat-mediated neurotoxicity and neurocognitive impairments. Although several strategies have been investigated to reduce HAND and MA use, no clinically approved treatment is currently available. Here, we review the latest findings of the effects of Tat and MA in HAND and discuss a few promising potential therapeutic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Mediouni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Scripps Research Institute , Jupiter, FL, USA
| | | | - Courtney Miller
- Department of Metabolism and Aging, The Scripps Research Institute , Jupiter, FL, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute , Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Susana T Valente
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Scripps Research Institute , Jupiter, FL, USA
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