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A Robust Bioassay of the Human Bradykinin B 2 Receptor that Extends Molecular and Cellular Studies: The Isolated Umbilical Vein. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14030177. [PMID: 33668382 PMCID: PMC7996148 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bradykinin (BK) has various physiological and pathological roles. Medicinal chemistry efforts targeted toward the widely expressed BK B2 receptor (B2R), a G-protein-coupled receptor, were primarily aimed at developing antagonists. The only B2R antagonist in clinical use is the peptide icatibant, approved to abort attacks of hereditary angioedema. However, the anti-inflammatory applications of B2R antagonists are potentially wider. Furthermore, the B2R antagonists notoriously exhibit species-specific pharmacological profiles. Classical smooth muscle contractility assays are exploited over a time scale of several hours and support determining potency, competitiveness, residual agonist activity, specificity, and reversibility of pharmacological agents. The contractility assay based on the isolated human umbilical vein, expressing B2R at physiological density, was introduced when investigating the first non-peptide B2R antagonist (WIN 64338). Small ligand molecules characterized using the assay include the exquisitely potent competitive antagonist, Pharvaris Compound 3 or the partial agonist Fujisawa Compound 47a. The umbilical vein assay is also useful to verify pharmacologic properties of special peptide B2R ligands, such as the carboxypeptidase-activated latent agonists and fluorescent probes. Furthermore, the proposed agonist effect of tissue kallikrein on the B2R has been disproved using the vein. This assay stands in between cellular and molecular pharmacology and in vivo studies.
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Chen Y, Jiang S, Liu Y, Xiong J, Liang J, Ji W. Role of ERK1/2 activation on itch sensation induced by bradykinin B1 activation in inflamed skin. Exp Ther Med 2016; 12:627-632. [PMID: 27446253 PMCID: PMC4950635 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
It has previously been demonstrated that bradykinin receptor B1 (B1R) agonists evoke an itch-related scratching response in inflamed skin via the B1 receptor; however, the mechanisms responsible for this abnormal itch sensation remain unclear. Therefore, the present study utilized a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced mouse model of inflammation to elucidate the mechanisms responsible. Over a period of 30 min, scratching behavior was quantified by the number of hind limb scratches of the area surrounding the drug injection site on the neck. Furthermore, western blot analysis was used to investigate the potential role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 signaling as a mediator of itch in CFA-treated mice. The results demonstrated that CFA-induced inflammation at the back of the neck is associated with sustained enhancement of ERK1/2 activation in the spinal cord. Moreover, B1R agonist treatment resulted in increased expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in the spinal cord, which peaked at 45 min. Consistent with these findings, inhibition of either mitogen-activated protein/ERK kinase or ERK1/2, as well as inhibition of ERK1/2 activation following inflammation, attenuated B1 receptor-mediated scratching responses to a greater extent, as compared with control mice. Collectively, the results of the present study indicated that enhanced and persistent ERK1/2 activation in the spinal cord may be required to induce a scratching response to B1R agonists following CFA-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhen Chen
- Postgraduate Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China; Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Shuyan Jiang
- Postgraduate Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China; Division of Anesthesiology, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Yuying Liu
- Postgraduate Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China; Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Jialing Xiong
- Postgraduate Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China; Division of Anesthesiology, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Jiexian Liang
- Postgraduate Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China; Division of Anesthesiology, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Wenjin Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
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