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Goode-Romero G, Dominguez L. Descriptive molecular pharmacology of the δ opioid receptor (DOR): A computational study with structural approach. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304068. [PMID: 38991032 PMCID: PMC11239112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This work focuses on the δ receptor (DOR), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) belonging to the opioid receptor group. DOR is expressed in numerous tissues, particularly within the nervous system. Our study explores computationally the receptor's interactions with various ligands, including opiates and opioid peptides. It elucidates how these interactions influence the δ receptor response, relevant in a wide range of health and pathological processes. Thus, our investigation aims to explore the significance of DOR as an incoming drug target for pain relief and neurodegenerative diseases and as a source for novel opioid non-narcotic analgesic alternatives. We analyze the receptor's structural properties and interactions using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and Gaussian-accelerated MD across different functional states. To thoroughly assess the primary differences in the structural and conformational ensembles across our different simulated systems, we initiated our study with 1 μs of conventional Molecular Dynamics. The strategy was chosen to encompass the full activation cycle of GPCRs, as activation processes typically occur within this microsecond range. Following the cMD, we extended our study with an additional 100 ns of Gaussian accelerated Molecular Dynamics (GaMD) to enhance the sampling of conformational states. This simulation approach allowed us to capture a comprehensive range of dynamic interactions and conformational changes that are crucial for GPCR activation as influenced by different ligands. Our study includes comparing agonist and antagonist complexes to uncover the collective patterns of their functional states, regarding activation, blocking, and inactivation of DOR, starting from experimental data. In addition, we also explored interactions between agonist and antagonist molecules from opiate and opioid classifications to establish robust structure-activity relationships. These interactions have been systematically quantified using a Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) model. This research significantly contributes to our understanding of this significant pharmacological target, which is emerging as an attractive subject for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Goode-Romero
- Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Dominguez
- Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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2
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Birgül Iyison N, Abboud C, Abboud D, Abdulrahman AO, Bondar AN, Dam J, Georgoussi Z, Giraldo J, Horvat A, Karoussiotis C, Paz-Castro A, Scarpa M, Schihada H, Scholz N, Güvenc Tuna B, Vardjan N. ERNEST COST action overview on the (patho)physiology of GPCRs and orphan GPCRs in the nervous system. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38825750 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16389] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large family of cell surface receptors that play a critical role in nervous system function by transmitting signals between cells and their environment. They are involved in many, if not all, nervous system processes, and their dysfunction has been linked to various neurological disorders representing important drug targets. This overview emphasises the GPCRs of the nervous system, which are the research focus of the members of ERNEST COST action (CA18133) working group 'Biological roles of signal transduction'. First, the (patho)physiological role of the nervous system GPCRs in the modulation of synapse function is discussed. We then debate the (patho)physiology and pharmacology of opioid, acetylcholine, chemokine, melatonin and adhesion GPCRs in the nervous system. Finally, we address the orphan GPCRs, their implication in the nervous system function and disease, and the challenges that need to be addressed to deorphanize them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Necla Birgül Iyison
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Bogazici, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Clauda Abboud
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Dayana Abboud
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | | | - Ana-Nicoleta Bondar
- Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, Magurele, Romania
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute for Computational Biomedicine (IAS-5/INM-9), Jülich, Germany
| | - Julie Dam
- Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Zafiroula Georgoussi
- Laboratory of Cellular Signalling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Jesús Giraldo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Unitat de Bioestadística and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anemari Horvat
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology - Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Christos Karoussiotis
- Laboratory of Cellular Signalling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Alba Paz-Castro
- Molecular Pharmacology of GPCRs research group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago, Spain
| | - Miriam Scarpa
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Scholz
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bilge Güvenc Tuna
- Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nina Vardjan
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology - Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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3
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Conibear A, Bailey CP, Kelly E. Biased signalling in analgesic research and development. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2024; 76:102465. [PMID: 38830321 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2024.102465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Ligand bias offers a novel means to improve the therapeutic profile of drugs. With regard to G protein-coupled receptors involved in analgesia, it could be advantageous to develop such drugs if the analgesic effect is mediated by a different cellular signalling pathway than the adverse effects associated with the drug. Whilst this has been explored over a number of years for the μ receptor, it remains unclear whether this approach offers significant benefit for the treatment of pain. Nevertheless, the development of biased ligands at other G protein-coupled receptors in the CNS does offer some promise for the development of novel analgesic drugs in the future. Here we summarise and discuss the recent evidence to support this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Chris P Bailey
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
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Meqbil YJ, Aguilar J, Blaine AT, Chen L, Cassell RJ, Pradhan AA, van Rijn RM. Identification of 1,3,8-Triazaspiro[4.5]Decane-2,4-Dione Derivatives as a Novel δ Opioid Receptor-Selective Agonist Chemotype. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:301-309. [PMID: 38621994 PMCID: PMC11125782 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
δ opioid receptors (DORs) hold potential as a target for neurologic and psychiatric disorders, yet no DOR agonist has proven efficacious in critical phase II clinical trials. The exact reasons for the failure to produce quality drug candidates for the DOR are unclear. However, it is known that certain DOR agonists can induce seizures and exhibit tachyphylaxis. Several studies have suggested that those adverse effects are more prevalent in delta agonists that share the (+)-4-[(αR)-α-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-methoxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (SNC80)/4-[(αR*)-α-((2S*,5R*)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-hydroxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide chemotype. There is a need to find novel lead candidates for drug development that have improved pharmacological properties to differentiate them from the current failed delta agonists. Our objective in this study was to identify novel DOR agonists. We used a β-arrestin assay to screen a small G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR)-focused chemical library. We identified a novel chemotype of DOR agonists that appears to bind to the orthosteric site based of docking and molecular dynamic simulation. The most potent agonist hit compound is selective for the DOR over a panel of 167 other GPCRs, is slightly biased toward G-protein signaling and has anti-allodynic efficacy in a complete Freund's adjuvant model of inflammatory pain in C57BL/6 male and female mice. The newly discovered chemotype contrasts with molecules like SNC80 that are highly efficacious β-arrestin recruiters and may suggest this novel class of DOR agonists could be expanded on to develop a clinical candidate drug. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: δ opioid receptors are a clinical target for various neurological disorders, including migraine and chronic pain. Many of the clinically tested delta opioid agonists share a single chemotype, which carries risks during drug development. Through a small-scale high-throughput screening assay, this study identified a novel δ opioid receptor agonist chemotype, which may serve as alternative for the current analgesic clinical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazan J Meqbil
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Y.J.M., A.T.B., R.J.C., R.M.v.R.), Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, Computational Life Sciences (Y.J.M.), and Interdisciplinary Life Science-PULSe (A.T.B.), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, Indiana (R.M.v.R.); Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana (L.C., R.M.v.R.); Septerna Inc., South San Francisco, California (R.M.v.R.); and Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (J.A., A.A.P.)
| | - Jhoan Aguilar
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Y.J.M., A.T.B., R.J.C., R.M.v.R.), Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, Computational Life Sciences (Y.J.M.), and Interdisciplinary Life Science-PULSe (A.T.B.), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, Indiana (R.M.v.R.); Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana (L.C., R.M.v.R.); Septerna Inc., South San Francisco, California (R.M.v.R.); and Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (J.A., A.A.P.)
| | - Arryn T Blaine
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Y.J.M., A.T.B., R.J.C., R.M.v.R.), Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, Computational Life Sciences (Y.J.M.), and Interdisciplinary Life Science-PULSe (A.T.B.), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, Indiana (R.M.v.R.); Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana (L.C., R.M.v.R.); Septerna Inc., South San Francisco, California (R.M.v.R.); and Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (J.A., A.A.P.)
| | - Lan Chen
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Y.J.M., A.T.B., R.J.C., R.M.v.R.), Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, Computational Life Sciences (Y.J.M.), and Interdisciplinary Life Science-PULSe (A.T.B.), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, Indiana (R.M.v.R.); Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana (L.C., R.M.v.R.); Septerna Inc., South San Francisco, California (R.M.v.R.); and Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (J.A., A.A.P.)
| | - Robert J Cassell
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Y.J.M., A.T.B., R.J.C., R.M.v.R.), Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, Computational Life Sciences (Y.J.M.), and Interdisciplinary Life Science-PULSe (A.T.B.), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, Indiana (R.M.v.R.); Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana (L.C., R.M.v.R.); Septerna Inc., South San Francisco, California (R.M.v.R.); and Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (J.A., A.A.P.)
| | - Amynah A Pradhan
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Y.J.M., A.T.B., R.J.C., R.M.v.R.), Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, Computational Life Sciences (Y.J.M.), and Interdisciplinary Life Science-PULSe (A.T.B.), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, Indiana (R.M.v.R.); Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana (L.C., R.M.v.R.); Septerna Inc., South San Francisco, California (R.M.v.R.); and Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (J.A., A.A.P.)
| | - Richard M van Rijn
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (Y.J.M., A.T.B., R.J.C., R.M.v.R.), Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, Computational Life Sciences (Y.J.M.), and Interdisciplinary Life Science-PULSe (A.T.B.), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, Indiana (R.M.v.R.); Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana (L.C., R.M.v.R.); Septerna Inc., South San Francisco, California (R.M.v.R.); and Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (J.A., A.A.P.)
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5
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Kenakin T. Bias translation: The final frontier? Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1345-1360. [PMID: 38424747 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Biased signalling is a natural result of GPCR allosteric function and should be expected from any and all synthetic and natural agonists. Therefore, it may be encountered in all agonist discovery projects and must be considered as a beneficial (or possible detrimental) feature of new candidate molecules. While bias is detected easily, the synoptic nature of GPCR signalling makes translation of simple in vitro bias to complex in vivo systems problematic. The practical outcome of this is a difficulty in predicting the therapeutic value of biased signalling due to the failure of translation of identified biased signalling to in vivo agonism. This is discussed in this review as well as some new ways forward to improve this translation process and better exploit this powerful pharmacologic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Kenakin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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He Y, Su Q, Zhao L, Zhang L, Yu L, Shi J. Historical perspectives and recent advances in small molecule ligands of selective/biased/multi-targeted μ/δ/κ opioid receptor (2019-2022). Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106869. [PMID: 37797454 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The opioids have been used for more than a thousand years and are not only the most widely prescribed drugs for moderate to severe pain and acute pain, but also the preferred drugs. However, their non-analgesic effects, especially respiratory depression and potential addiction, are important factors that plague the safety of clinical use and are an urgent problem for pharmacological researchers to address. Current research on analgesic drugs has evolved into different directions: de-opioidization; application of pharmacogenomics to individualize the use of opioids; development of new opioids with less adverse effects. The development of new opioid drugs remains a hot research topic, and with the in-depth study of opioid receptors and intracellular signal transduction mechanisms, new research ideas have been provided for the development of new opioid analgesics with less side effects and stronger analgesic effects. The development of novel opioid drugs in turn includes selective opioid receptor ligands, biased opioid receptor ligands, and multi-target opioid receptor ligands and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) or antagonists and the single compound as multi-targeted agnoists/antagonists for different receptors. PAMs strategies are also getting newer and are the current research hotspots, including the BMS series of compounds and others, which are extensive and beyond the scope of this review. This review mainly focuses on the selective/biased/multi-targeted MOR/DOR/KOR (mu opioid receptor/delta opioid receptor/kappa opioid receptor) small molecule ligands and involves some cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) and structure-based approaches as well as the single compound as multi-targeted agnoists/antagonists for different receptors from 2019 to 2022, including discovery history, activities in vitro and vivo, and clinical studies, in an attempt to provide ideas for the development of novel opioid analgesics with fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye He
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Qian Su
- Department of Health Management & Institute of Health Management, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Liyun Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Lu Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China; State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China.
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Li Y, Eans SO, Ganno-Sherwood M, Eliasof A, Houghten RA, McLaughlin JP. Identification and Pharmacological Characterization of a Low-Liability Antinociceptive Bifunctional MOR/DOR Cyclic Peptide. Molecules 2023; 28:7548. [PMID: 38005269 PMCID: PMC10674865 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227548] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based opioid ligands are important candidates for the development of novel, safer, and more effective analgesics to treat pain. To develop peptide-based safer analgesics, we synthesized a mixture-based cyclic pentapeptide library containing a total of 24,624 pentapeptides and screened the mixture-based library samples using a 55 °C warm water tail-withdrawal assay. Using this phenotypic screening approach, we deconvoluted the mixture-based samples to identify a novel cyclic peptide Tyr-[D-Lys-Dap(Ant)-Thr-Gly] (CycloAnt), which produced dose- and time-dependent antinociception with an ED50 (and 95% confidence interval) of 0.70 (0.52-0.97) mg/kg i.p. mediated by the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Additionally, higher doses (≥3 mg/kg, i.p.) of CycloAnt antagonized delta-opioid receptors (DOR) for at least 3 h. Pharmacological characterization of CycloAnt showed the cyclic peptide did not reduce breathing rate in mice at doses up to 15 times the analgesic ED50 value, and produced dramatically less hyperlocomotion than the MOR agonist, morphine. While chronic administration of CycloAnt resulted in antinociceptive tolerance, it was without opioid-induced hyperalgesia and with significantly reduced signs of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal, which suggested reduced physical dependence compared to morphine. Collectively, the results suggest this dual MOR/DOR multifunctional ligand is an excellent lead for the development of peptide-based safer analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangmei Li
- College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA;
| | - Shainnel O. Eans
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Michelle Ganno-Sherwood
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA; (M.G.-S.); (R.A.H.)
| | - Abbe Eliasof
- College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA;
| | - Richard A. Houghten
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA; (M.G.-S.); (R.A.H.)
| | - Jay P. McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
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Blaine AT, van Rijn RM. Receptor expression and signaling properties in the brain, and structural ligand motifs that contribute to delta opioid receptor agonist-induced seizures. Neuropharmacology 2023; 232:109526. [PMID: 37004753 PMCID: PMC11078570 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109526] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The δ opioid receptor (δOR) is a therapeutic target for the treatment of various neurological disorders, such as migraines, chronic pain, alcohol use, and mood disorders. Relative to μ opioid receptor agonists, δOR agonists show lower abuse liability and may be potentially safer analgesic alternatives. However, currently no δOR agonists are approved for clinical use. A small number of δOR agonists reached Phase II trials, but ultimately failed to progress due to lack of efficacy. One side effect of δOR agonism that remains poorly understood is the ability of δOR agonists to produce seizures. The lack of a clear mechanism of action is partly driven by the fact that δOR agonists range in their propensity to induce seizure behavior, with multiple δOR agonists reportedly not causing seizures. There is a significant gap in our current understanding of why certain δOR agonists are more likely to induce seizures, and what signal-transduction pathway and/or brain area is engaged to produce these seizures. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge of δOR agonist-mediated seizures. The review was structured to highlight which agonists produce seizures, which brain regions have been implicated and which signaling mediators have been examined in this behavior. Our hope is that this review will spur future studies that are carefully designed and aimed to solve the question why certain δOR agonists are seizurogenic. Obtaining such insight may expedite the development of novel δOR clinical candidates without the risk of inducing seizures. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Opioid-induced changes in addiction and pain circuits".
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Affiliation(s)
- Arryn T Blaine
- Purdue University, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA; Purdue University Interdisciplinary Life Science graduate program, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Richard M van Rijn
- Purdue University, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA; Septerna Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
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Kelly E, Conibear A, Henderson G. Biased Agonism: Lessons from Studies of Opioid Receptor Agonists. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:491-515. [PMID: 36170657 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-052120-091058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In ligand bias different agonist drugs are thought to produce distinct signaling outputs when activating the same receptor. If these signaling outputs mediate therapeutic versus adverse drug effects, then agonists that selectively activate the therapeutic signaling pathway would be extremely beneficial. It has long been thought that μ-opioid receptor agonists that selectively activate G protein- over β-arrestin-dependent signaling pathways would produce effective analgesia without the adverse effects such as respiratory depression. However, more recent data indicate that most of the therapeutic and adverse effects of agonist-induced activation of the μ-opioid receptor are actually mediated by the G protein-dependent signaling pathway, and that a number of drugs described as G protein biased in fact may not be biased, but instead may be low-intrinsic-efficacy agonists. In this review we discuss the current state of the field of bias at the μ-opioid receptor and other opioid receptor subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Alexandra Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Graeme Henderson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
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Li Z, Mao JY, Zhou XH, Xu ZD. Network Pharmacological Investigation of Sinomenine Action Against Synovitis. INT J PHARMACOL 2022. [DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2022.1550.1559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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11
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Jin D, Chen H, Huang Y, Chen SR, Pan HL. δ-Opioid receptors in primary sensory neurons tonically restrain nociceptive input in chronic pain but do not enhance morphine analgesic tolerance. Neuropharmacology 2022; 217:109202. [PMID: 35917874 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
δ-Opioid receptors (DORs, encoded by the Oprd1 gene) are expressed throughout the peripheral and central nervous system, and DOR stimulation reduces nociception. Previous studies suggest that DORs promote the development of analgesic tolerance of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists. It is uncertain whether DORs expressed in primary sensory neurons are involved in regulating chronic pain and MOR agonist-induced tolerance. In this study, we generated Oprd1 conditional knockout (Oprd1-cKO) mice by crossing Advillin-Cre mice with Oprd1-floxed mice. DOR expression in the dorsal root ganglion was diminished in Oprd1-cKO mice. Systemic or intrathecal injection of the DOR agonist SNC-80 produced analgesia in wild-type (WT), but not Oprd1-cKO, mice. In contrast, intracerebroventricular injection of SNC-80 produced a similar analgesic effect in WT and Oprd1-cKO mice. However, morphine-induced analgesia, hyperalgesia, or analgesic tolerance did not differ between WT and Oprd1-cKO mice. Compared with WT mice, Oprd1-cKO mice showed increased mechanical and heat hypersensitivity after nerve injury or tissue inflammation. Furthermore, blocking DORs with naltrindole increased nociceptive sensitivity induced by nerve injury or tissue inflammation in WT, but not Oprd1-cKO, mice. In addition, naltrindole potentiated glutamatergic input from primary afferents to spinal dorsal horn neurons increased by nerve injury or CFA in WT mice; this effect was absent in Oprd1-cKO mice. Our findings indicate that DORs in primary sensory neurons are critically involved in the analgesic effect of DOR agonists but not morphine-induced analgesic tolerance. Presynaptic DORs at primary afferent central terminals constitutively inhibit inflammatory and neuropathic pain by restraining glutamatergic input to spinal dorsal horn neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daozhong Jin
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hong Chen
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yuying Huang
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Shao-Rui Chen
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Hui-Lin Pan
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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12
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Asghar J, Latif L, Alexander SPH, Kendall DA. Development of a novel cell-based, In-Cell Western/ERK assay system for the high-throughput screening of agonists acting on the delta-opioid receptor. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:933356. [PMID: 36225576 PMCID: PMC9549385 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.933356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) are important signaling mediators in mammalian cells and, as a result, one of the major areas of research focus. The detection and quantification of ERK phosphorylation as an index of activation is normally conducted using immunoblotting, which does not allow high-throughput drug screening. Plate-based immunocytochemical assays provide a cheaper and relatively high-throughput alternative method for quantifying ERK phosphorylation. Here, we present optimization steps aimed to increase assay sensitivity and reduce variance and cost using the LI-COR In-Cell Western (I-CW) system in a recombinant CHO-K1 cell line, over-expressing the human delta-opioid receptor (hDOPr) as a model.Methods: Cells cultured in 96-well microassay plates were stimulated with three standard/selective DOPr agonists (SNC80, ADL5859, and DADLE) and a novel selective DOPr agonist (PN6047) to elicit a phospho-ERK response as an index of activation. A number of experimental conditions were investigated during the assay development.Key results: Preliminary experiments revealed a clearly visible edge-effect which significantly increased assay variance across the plate and which was reduced by pre-incubation for 30 min at room temperature. ERK phosphorylation was detectable as early as 1 min after agonist addition, with a distinct peak at 3–5 min. Optimization of the cell seeding densities showed that 25,000 cells per well have the lowest basal phospho-ERK response and an optimal agonist ERK1/2 signal. Pre-incubation with apyrase (an ATPase) did not reduce the basal or agonist responses. All agonists produced concentration-dependent increases in phospho-ERK activation, and pertussis toxin was able to attenuate these ERK responses. Naltrindole, which is a selective DOPr antagonist, was able to antagonize the DOPr-mediated ERK activation of the ligands.Conclusion: We have developed an optimization protocol and highlighted a number of considerations when performing this high-throughput fluorescence immunocytochemical (ICC) assay measuring ERK phosphorylation in the human DOPr. The optimized protocol was found to be a more conducive option for the screening of delta agonists. This provides a basis for additional assay development to investigate opioid pharmacology. This protocol should be widely applicable for measuring ERK phosphorylation in any cell line and investigating other protein targets in GPCR drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junaid Asghar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical School, QMC, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Junaid Asghar,
| | - Liaque Latif
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical School, QMC, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen P. H. Alexander
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical School, QMC, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Kendall
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical School, QMC, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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13
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Blaine AT, Miao Y, Yuan J, Palant S, Liu RJ, Zhang ZY, van Rijn RM. Exploration of beta-arrestin isoform signaling pathways in delta opioid receptor agonist-induced convulsions. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:914651. [PMID: 36059958 PMCID: PMC9428791 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.914651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The δ-opioid receptor (δOR) has been considered as a therapeutic target in multiple neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders particularly as δOR agonists are deemed safer alternatives relative to the more abuse-liable µ-opioid receptor drugs. Clinical development of δOR agonists, however, has been challenging in part due to the seizure-inducing effects of certain δOR agonists. Especially agonists that resemble the δOR-selective agonist SNC80 have well-established convulsive activity. Close inspection suggests that many of those seizurogenic δOR agonists efficaciously recruit β-arrestin, yet surprisingly, SNC80 displays enhanced seizure activity in β-arrestin 1 knockout mice. This finding led us to hypothesize that perhaps β-arrestin 1 is protective against, whereas β-arrestin 2 is detrimental for δOR-agonist-induced seizures. To investigate our hypothesis, we characterized three different δOR agonists (SNC80, ADL5859, ARM390) in cellular assays and in vivo in wild-type and β-arrestin 1 and β-arrestin 2 knockout mice for seizure activity. We also investigated downstream kinases associated with β-arrestin-dependent signal transduction. We discovered that δOR agonist-induced seizure activity strongly and positively correlates with β-arrestin 2 efficacy for the agonist, but that indirect inhibition of ERK activation using the MEK inhibitor SL327 did not inhibit seizure potency and duration. Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling with honokiol but not PQR530, attenuated SNC80 seizure duration in β-arrestin 1 knockout, but honokiol did not reduce SNC80-induced seizures in wild-type mice. Ultimately, our results indicate that β-arrestin 2 is correlated with δOR agonist-induced seizure intensity, but that global β-arrestin 1 knockout mice are a poor model system to investigate their mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arryn T. Blaine
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Yiming Miao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jinling Yuan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Sophia Palant
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Rebecca J. Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Zhong-Yin Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue University Cancer Center, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Richard. M. van Rijn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue University Cancer Center, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- *Correspondence: Richard. M. van Rijn,
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14
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Bertels Z, Dripps IJ, Shah P, Moye LS, Tipton AF, Siegersma K, Pradhan AA. Delta opioid receptors in Nav1.8 expressing peripheral neurons partially regulate the effect of delta agonist in models of migraine and opioid-induced hyperalgesia. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN 2022; 12:100099. [PMID: 35859654 PMCID: PMC9289726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2022.100099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
DOR in Nav1.8 cells do not regulate anti-migraine effects of DOR agonist. DOR in Nav1.8 cells is critical for effect of DOR agonist in peripheral OIH. DOR in Nav1.8 cells is not necessary for effect of DOR agonist in cephalic OIH.
Migraine is one of the most common pain disorders and causes disability in millions of people every year. Delta opioid receptors (DOR) have been identified as a novel therapeutic target for migraine and other headache disorders. DORs are present in both peripheral and central regions and it is unclear which receptor populations regulate migraine-associated effects. The aim of this study was to determine if DOR expressed in peripheral nociceptors regulates headache associated endpoints and the effect of delta agonists within these mouse models. We used a conditional knockout, in which DOR was selectively deleted from Nav1.8 expressing cells. Nav1.8-DOR mice and loxP control littermates were tested in models of chronic migraine-associated allodynia, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, migraine-associated negative affect, and aura. Nav1.8-DOR and loxP mice had comparable effect sizes in all of these models. The anti-allodynic effect of the DOR agonist, SNC80, was slightly diminished in the nitroglycerin model of migraine. Intriguingly, in the OIH model the peripheral effects of SNC80 were completely lost in Nav1.8-DOR mice while the cephalic effects remained intact. Regardless of genotype, SNC80 continued to inhibit conditioned place aversion associated with nitroglycerin and decreased cortical spreading depression events associated with migraine aura. These results suggest that DOR in Nav1.8-expressing nociceptors do not critically regulate the anti-migraine effects of delta agonist; and that brain-penetrant delta agonists would be a more effective drug development strategy.
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15
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Meqbil YJ, van Rijn RM. Opportunities and Challenges for In Silico Drug Discovery at Delta Opioid Receptors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070873. [PMID: 35890173 PMCID: PMC9324648 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The delta opioid receptor is a Gi-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with a broad expression pattern both in the central nervous system and the body. The receptor has been investigated as a potential target for a multitude of significant diseases including migraine, alcohol use disorder, ischemia, and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite multiple attempts, delta opioid receptor-selective molecules have not been translated into the clinic. Yet, the therapeutic promise of the delta opioid receptor remains and thus there is a need to identify novel delta opioid receptor ligands to be optimized and selected for clinical trials. Here, we highlight recent developments involving the delta opioid receptor, the closely related mu and kappa opioid receptors, and in the broader area of the GPCR drug discovery research. We focus on the validity and utility of the available delta opioid receptor structures. We also discuss the increased ability to perform ultra-large-scale docking studies on GPCRs, the rise in high-resolution cryo-EM structures, and the increased prevalence of machine learning and artificial intelligence in drug discovery. Overall, we pose that there are multiple opportunities to enable in silico drug discovery at the delta opioid receptor to identify novel delta opioid modulators potentially with unique pharmacological properties, such as biased signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazan J. Meqbil
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
| | - Richard M. van Rijn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue Institute for Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Septerna Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-765-494-6461
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16
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Song Y, Feng T, Cao W, Yu H, Zhang Z. Identification of Key Genes in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Based on Bioinformatics Analysis. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2022:9022700. [PMID: 35712071 PMCID: PMC9197650 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9022700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to identify key genes associated with the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by bioinformatics analysis. Methods Datasets (GSE13597 and GSE34573) were screened and downloaded from the comprehensive gene expression database (GEO). GEO2R online tool was adopted to analyze microarray data GSE13597 and GSE34573 related to NPC. Volcano plot was generated using Bioconductor in R software. "Pheatmap" was used to draw heatmaps based on the top 10 regulated genes of GSE13597 and GSE34573. GO and KEGG analyses were conducted via online tool DAVID. We uploaded the DEGs of NPC to STRING software and then used Cytoscape software to draw PPI network of DEGs. Results 216 DEGs were obtained in GSE13597 between patient and control group (111 up-regulated DEGs and 105 down-regulated DEGs). 1101 DEGs were obtained in GSE34573 (470 up-regulated DEGs and 641 down-regulated DEGs). 63 common differential genes were screened named co-DEGs in the two datasets. These DEGs were mainly associated with defense response to bacterium, cell-matrix adhesion, chemokine-mediated signaling pathway, tissue homeostasis, humoral immune response, cilium movement, cilium organization, cilium assembly, and epithelial cilium movement. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor, salivary secretion, p53 signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, cell cycle, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and ECM-receptor interaction. We identified seven hub genes, including FN1, MMP-10, MUC1, KIF23, CDK1, MUC5B, and MUC5AC. Conclusions Seven hub genes, including FN1, MMP-10, MUC1, KIF23, CDK1, MUC5B, and MUC5AC, might be therapeutic potential biomarkers of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Song
- Department of Otolaryngology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Tao Feng
- Department of Otolaryngology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Wenping Cao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Zeng Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
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17
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-third consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2020 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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18
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Antinociceptive effect of N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide in mice: Involvement of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A/2C receptors. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 359:109918. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.109918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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19
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Cahill CM, Holdridge SV, Liu S, Xue L, Magnussen C, Ong E, Grenier P, Sutherland A, Olmstead MC. Delta opioid receptor activation modulates affective pain and modality-specific pain hypersensitivity associated with chronic neuropathic pain. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:129-148. [PMID: 32623788 PMCID: PMC8218601 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Delta opioid receptor (DOR) agonists alleviate nociceptive behaviors in various chronic pain models, including neuropathic pain, while having minimal effect on sensory thresholds in the absence of injury. The mechanisms underlying nerve injury-induced enhancement of DOR function are unclear. We used a peripheral nerve injury (PNI) model of neuropathic pain to assess changes in the function and localization of DORs in mice and rats. Intrathecal administration of DOR agonists reversed mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. The dose-dependent thermal antinociceptive effects of DOR agonists were shifted to the left in PNI rats. Administration of DOR agonists produced a conditioned place preference in PNI, but not in sham, animals, whereas the DOR antagonist naltrindole produced a place aversion in PNI, but not in sham, mice, suggesting the engagement of endogenous DOR activity in suppressing pain associated with the injury. GTPγS autoradiography revealed an increase in DOR function in the dorsal spinal cord, ipsilateral to PNI. Immunogold electron microscopy and in vivo fluorescent agonist assays were used to assess changes in the ultrastructural localization of DORs in the spinal dorsal horn. In shams, DORs were primarily localized within intracellular compartments. PNI significantly increased the cell surface expression of DORs within lamina IV-V dendritic profiles. Using neonatal capsaicin treatment, we identified that DOR agonist-induced thermal antinociception was mediated via receptors expressed on primary afferent sensory neurons but did not alter mechanical thresholds. These data reveal that the regulation of DORs following PNI and suggest the importance of endogenous activation of DORs in regulating chronic pain states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M. Cahill
- Dept of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA, 90095
| | - Sarah V. Holdridge
- Dept of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
| | - Steve Liu
- Dept of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA, 90095,Department of Psychology and Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
| | - Lihua Xue
- Dept of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
| | - Claire Magnussen
- Dept of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
| | - Edmund Ong
- Dept of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
| | - Patrick Grenier
- Dept of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
| | - Anne Sutherland
- Dept of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
| | - Mary C. Olmstead
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
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20
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Identification of a Novel Delta Opioid Receptor Agonist Chemotype with Potential Negative Allosteric Modulator Capabilities. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26237236. [PMID: 34885825 PMCID: PMC8659279 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The δ-opioid receptor (δOR) holds great potential as a therapeutic target. Yet, clinical drug development, which has focused on δOR agonists that mimic the potent and selective tool compound SNC80 have largely failed. It has increasingly become apparent that the SNC80 scaffold carries with it potent and efficacious β-arrestin recruitment. Here, we screened a relatively small (5120 molecules) physical drug library to identify δOR agonists that underrecruit β-arrestin, as it has been suggested that compounds that efficaciously recruit β-arrestin are proconvulsant. The screen identified a hit compound and further characterization using cellular binding and signaling assays revealed that this molecule (R995045, compound 1) exhibited ten-fold selectivity over µ- and κ-opioid receptors. Compound 1 represents a novel chemotype at the δOR. A subsequent characterization of fourteen analogs of compound 1, however did not identify a more potent δOR agonist. Computational modeling and in vitro characterization of compound 1 in the presence of the endogenous agonist leu-enkephalin suggest compound 1 may also bind allosterically and negatively modulate the potency of Leu-enkephalin to inhibit cAMP, acting as a ‘NAM-agonist’ in this assay. The potential physiological utility of such a class of compounds will need to be assessed in future in vivo assays.
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21
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Mansour A, Nagi K, Dallaire P, Lukasheva V, Le Gouill C, Bouvier M, Pineyro G. Comprehensive Signaling Profiles Reveal Unsuspected Functional Selectivity of δ-Opioid Receptor Agonists and Allow the Identification of Ligands with the Greatest Potential for Inducing Cyclase Superactivation. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:1483-1498. [PMID: 34661070 PMCID: PMC8506601 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Prolonged exposure
to opioid receptor agonists triggers adaptations
in the adenylyl cyclase (AC) pathway that lead to enhanced production
of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) upon withdrawal. This cellular
phenomenon contributes to withdrawal symptoms, hyperalgesia and analgesic
tolerance that interfere with clinical management of chronic pain
syndromes. Since δ-opioid receptors (DOPrs) are a promising
target for chronic pain management, we were interested in finding
out if cell-based signaling profiles as generated for drug discovery
purposes could inform us of the ligand potential to induce sensitization
of the cyclase path. For this purpose, signaling of DOPr agonists
was monitored at multiple effectors. The resulting signaling profiles
revealed marked functional selectivity, particularly for Met-enkephalin
(Met-ENK) whose signaling bias profile differed from those of synthetic
ligands like SNC-80 and ARM390. Signaling diversity among ligands
was systematized by clustering agonists according to similarities
in Emax and Log(τ) values for the
different responses. The classification process revealed that the
similarity in Gα/Gβγ, but not in β-arrestin
(βarr), responses was correlated with the potential of Met-ENK,
deltorphin II, (d-penicillamine2,5)-enkephalin (DPDPE), ARM390,
and SNC-80 to enhance cAMP production, all of which required Ca2+ mobilization to produce this response. Moreover, superactivation
by Met-ENK, which was the most-effective Ca2+ mobilizing
agonist, required Gαi/o activation, availability of Gβγ
subunits at the membrane, and activation of Ca2+ effectors
such as calmodulin and protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast, superactivation by (N-(l-tyrosyl)-(3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carbonyl)-l-phenylalanyl-l-phenylalanine (TIPP), which was set
in a distinct category through clustering, required activation of
Gαi/o subunits but was independent of the Gβγ dimer
and Ca2+ mobilization, relying instead on Src and Raf-1
to induce this cellular adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Mansour
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada.,CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Karim Nagi
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Paul Dallaire
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada.,CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Viktoriya Lukasheva
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Christian Le Gouill
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Graciela Pineyro
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada.,CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1C5, Canada
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22
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Reiss D, Maurin H, Audouard E, Martínez-Navarro M, Xue Y, Herault Y, Maldonado R, Cabañero D, Gaveriaux-Ruff C. Delta Opioid Receptor in Astrocytes Contributes to Neuropathic Cold Pain and Analgesic Tolerance in Female Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:745178. [PMID: 34602984 PMCID: PMC8483180 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.745178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The delta opioid receptor (DOR) contributes to pain control, and a major challenge is the identification of DOR populations that control pain, analgesia, and tolerance. Astrocytes are known as important cells in the pathophysiology of chronic pain, and many studies report an increased prevalence of pain in women. However, the implication of astrocytic DOR in neuropathic pain and analgesia, as well as the influence of sex in this receptor activity, remains unknown. Experimental Approach: We developed a novel conditional knockout (cKO) mouse line wherein DOR is deleted in astrocytes (named GFAP-DOR-KO), and investigated neuropathic mechanical allodynia as well as analgesia and analgesic tolerance in mutant male and female mice. Neuropathic cold allodynia was also characterized in mice of both sexes lacking DOR either in astrocytes or constitutively. Results: Neuropathic mechanical allodynia was similar in GFAP-DOR-KO and floxed DOR control mice, and the DOR agonist SNC80 produced analgesia in mutant mice of both sexes. Interestingly, analgesic tolerance developed in cKO males and was abolished in cKO females. Cold neuropathic allodynia was reduced in mice with decreased DOR in astrocytes. By contrast, cold allodynia was exacerbated in full DOR KO females. Conclusions: These findings show that astrocytic DOR has a prominent role in promoting cold allodynia and analgesic tolerance in females, while overall DOR activity was protective. Altogether this suggests that endogenous- and exogenous-mediated DOR activity in astrocytes worsens neuropathic allodynia while DOR activity in other cells attenuates this form of pain. In conclusion, our results show a sex-specific implication of astrocytic DOR in neuropathic pain and analgesic tolerance. These findings open new avenues for developing tailored DOR-mediated analgesic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Reiss
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Hervé Maurin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Emilie Audouard
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Miriam Martínez-Navarro
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yaping Xue
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cabañero
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), Universidad Miguel Hernández Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Claire Gaveriaux-Ruff
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
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23
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O'Brien JB, Roman DL. Novel treatments for chronic pain: moving beyond opioids. Transl Res 2021; 234:1-19. [PMID: 33727192 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
It is essential that safe and effective treatment options be available to patients suffering from chronic pain. The emergence of an opioid epidemic has shaped public opinions and created stigmas surrounding the use of opioids for the management of pain. This reality, coupled with high risk of adverse effects from chronic opioid use, has led chronic pain patients and their healthcare providers to utilize nonopioid treatment approaches. In this review, we will explore a number of cellular reorganizations that are associated with the development and progression of chronic pain. We will also discuss the safety and efficacy of opioid and nonopioid treatment options for chronic pain. Finally, we will review the evidence for adenylyl cyclase type 1 (AC1) as a novel target for the treatment of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B O'Brien
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - David L Roman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
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24
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Hill R, Canals M. Experimental considerations for the assessment of in vivo and in vitro opioid pharmacology. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 230:107961. [PMID: 34256067 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107961] [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: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Morphine and other mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists remain the mainstay treatment of acute and prolonged pain states worldwide. The major limiting factor for continued use of these current opioids is the high incidence of side effects that result in loss of life and loss of quality of life. The development of novel opioids bereft, or much less potent, at inducing these side effects remains an intensive area of research, with multiple pharmacological strategies being explored. However, as with many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), translation of promising candidates from in vitro characterisation to successful clinical candidates still represents a major challenge and attrition point. This review summarises the preclinical animal models used to evaluate the key opioid-induced behaviours of antinociception, respiratory depression, constipation and opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance. We highlight the influence of distinct variables in the experimental protocols, as well as the potential implications for differences in receptor reserve in each system. Finally, we discuss how methods to assess opioid action in vivo and in vitro relate to each other in the context of bridging the translational gap in opioid drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Hill
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands, United Kingdom.
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands, United Kingdom.
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25
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Pasquinucci L, Parenti C, Georgoussi Z, Reina L, Tomarchio E, Turnaturi R. LP1 and LP2: Dual-Target MOPr/DOPr Ligands as Drug Candidates for Persistent Pain Relief. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144168. [PMID: 34299443 PMCID: PMC8305117 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although persistent pain is estimated to affect about 20% of the adult population, current treatments have poor results. Polypharmacology, which is the administration of more than one drug targeting on two or more different sites of action, represents a prominent therapeutic approach for the clinical management of persistent pain. Thus, in the drug discovery process the "one-molecule-multiple targets" strategy nowadays is highly recognized. Indeed, multitarget ligands displaying a better antinociceptive activity with fewer side effects, combined with favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics, have already been shown. Multitarget ligands possessing non-opioid/opioid and opioid/opioid mechanisms of action are considered as potential drug candidates for the management of various pain conditions. In particular, dual-target MOPr (mu opioid peptide receptor)/DOPr (delta opioid peptide receptor) ligands exhibit an improved antinociceptive profile associated with a reduced tolerance-inducing capability. The benzomorphan-based compounds LP1 and LP2 belong to this class of dual-target MOPr/DOPr ligands. In the present manuscript, the structure-activity relationships and the pharmacological fingerprint of LP1 and LP2 compounds as suitable drug candidates for persistent pain relief is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (R.T.); Tel.: +39-095-738-4273 (L.P. & R.T.)
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Zafiroula Georgoussi
- Laboratory of Cellular Signaling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” Ag. Paraskevi-Attikis, 15310 Athens, Greece;
| | - Lorena Reina
- Postgraduate School of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology University of Catania, via S. Sofia n. 97, 95100 Catania, Italy;
| | - Emilia Tomarchio
- Postgraduate School of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (R.T.); Tel.: +39-095-738-4273 (L.P. & R.T.)
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26
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Weiss N, Zamponi GW. Opioid Receptor Regulation of Neuronal Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 41:839-847. [PMID: 32514826 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00894-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels play a pivotal role in the conversion of electrical signals into calcium entry into nerve endings that is required for the release of neurotransmitters. They are under the control of a number of cellular signaling pathways that serve to fine tune synaptic activities, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the opioid system. Besides modulating channel activity via activation of second messengers, GPCRs also physically associate with calcium channels to regulate their function and expression at the plasma membrane. In this mini review, we discuss the mechanisms by which calcium channels are regulated by classical opioid and nociceptin receptors. We highlight the importance of this regulation in the control of neuronal functions and their implication in the development of disease conditions. Finally, we present recent literature concerning the use of novel μ-opioid receptor/nociceptin receptor modulators and discuss their use as potential drug candidates for the treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Weiss
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gerald W Zamponi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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27
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De Neve J, Barlow TMA, Tourwé D, Bihel F, Simonin F, Ballet S. Comprehensive overview of biased pharmacology at the opioid receptors: biased ligands and bias factors. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:828-870. [PMID: 34223156 PMCID: PMC8221262 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00041a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main challenges in contemporary medicinal chemistry is the development of safer analgesics, used in the treatment of pain. Currently, moderate to severe pain is still treated with the "gold standard" opioids whose long-term often leads to severe side effects. With the discovery of biased agonism, the importance of this area of pharmacology has grown exponentially over the past decade. Of these side effects, tolerance, opioid misuse, physical dependence and substance use disorder (SUD) stand out, since these have led to many deaths over the past decades in both USA and Europe. New therapeutic molecules that induce a biased response at the opioid receptors (MOR, DOR, KOR and NOP receptor) are able to circumvent these side effects and, consequently, serve as more advantageous therapies with great promise. The concept of biased signaling extends far beyond the already sizeable field of GPCR pharmacology and covering everything would be vastly outside the scope of this review which consequently covers the biased ligands acting at the opioid family of receptors. The limitation of quantifying bias, however, makes this a controversial subject, where it is dependent on the reference ligand, the equation or the assay used for the quantification. Hence, the major issue in the field of biased ligands remains the translation of the in vitro profiles of biased signaling, with corresponding bias factors to in vivo profiles showing the presence or the lack of specific side effects. This review comprises a comprehensive overview of biased ligands in addition to their bias factors at individual members of the opioid family of receptors, as well as bifunctional ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien De Neve
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Thomas M A Barlow
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Frédéric Bihel
- Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7200, CNRS Université de Strasbourg Illkirch France
| | - Frédéric Simonin
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg Illkirch France
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
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28
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Chakraborty S, Majumdar S. Natural Products for the Treatment of Pain: Chemistry and Pharmacology of Salvinorin A, Mitragynine, and Collybolide. Biochemistry 2021; 60:1381-1400. [PMID: 32930582 PMCID: PMC7982354 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pain remains a very pervasive problem throughout medicine. Classical pain management is achieved through the use of opiates belonging to the mu opioid receptor (MOR) class, which have significant side effects that hinder their utility. Pharmacologists have been trying to develop opioids devoid of side effects since the isolation of morphine from papaver somniferum, more commonly known as opium by Sertürner in 1804. The natural products salvinorin A, mitragynine, and collybolide represent three nonmorphinan natural product-based targets, which are potent selective agonists of opioid receptors, and emerging next-generation analgesics. In this work, we review the phytochemistry and medicinal chemistry efforts on these templates and their effects on affinity, selectivity, analgesic actions, and a myriad of other opioid-receptor-related behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Chakraborty
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
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29
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Kudla L, Przewlocki R. Influence of G protein-biased agonists of μ-opioid receptor on addiction-related behaviors. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:1033-1051. [PMID: 33835467 PMCID: PMC8413226 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00251-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Opioid analgesics remain a gold standard for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. However, their clinical utility is seriously limited by a range of adverse effects. Among them, their high-addictive potential appears as very important, especially in the context of the opioid epidemic. Therefore, the development of safer opioid analgesics with low abuse potential appears as a challenging problem for opioid research. Among the last few decades, different approaches to the discovery of novel opioid drugs have been assessed. One of the most promising is the development of G protein-biased opioid agonists, which can activate only selected intracellular signaling pathways. To date, discoveries of several biased agonists acting via μ-opioid receptor were reported. According to the experimental data, such ligands may be devoid of at least some of the opioid side effects, such as respiratory depression or constipation. Nevertheless, most data regarding the addictive properties of biased μ-opioid receptor agonists are inconsistent. A global problem connected with opioid abuse also requires the search for effective pharmacotherapy for opioid addiction, which is another potential application of biased compounds. This review discusses the state-of-the-art on addictive properties of G protein-biased μ-opioid receptor agonists as well as we analyze whether these compounds can diminish any symptoms of opioid addiction. Finally, we provide a critical view on recent data connected with biased signaling and its implications to in vivo manifestations of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucja Kudla
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Smetna 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ryszard Przewlocki
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Smetna 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland.
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30
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Che T, Dwivedi-Agnihotri H, Shukla AK, Roth BL. Biased ligands at opioid receptors: Current status and future directions. Sci Signal 2021; 14:14/677/eaav0320. [PMID: 33824179 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aav0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The opioid crisis represents a major worldwide public health crisis that has accelerated the search for safer and more effective opioids. Over the past few years, the identification of biased opioid ligands capable of eliciting selective functional responses has provided an alternative avenue to develop novel therapeutics without the side effects of current opioid medications. However, whether biased agonism or other pharmacological properties, such as partial agonism (or low efficacy), account for the therapeutic benefits remains questionable. Here, we provide a summary of the current status of biased opioid ligands that target the μ- and κ-opioid receptors and highlight advances in preclinical and clinical trials of some of these ligands. We also discuss an example of structure-based biased ligand discovery at the μ-opioid receptor, an approach that could revolutionize drug discovery at opioid and other receptors. Last, we briefly discuss caveats and future directions for this important area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Che
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Hemlata Dwivedi-Agnihotri
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Arun K Shukla
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. .,National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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31
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Chen M, Wu S, Shen B, Fan Q, Zhang R, Zhou Y, Zhang P, Wang L, Zhang L. Activation of the δ opioid receptor relieves cerebral ischemic injury in rats via EGFR transactivation. Life Sci 2021; 273:119292. [PMID: 33667516 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Delta opioids are thought to relieve ischemic injury and have tissue-protective properties. However, the detailed mechanisms of delta opioids have not been well identified. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), have been shown to mediate downstream signals of δ opioid receptor (δOR) activation through the metalloproteinase (MMP)-dependent EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) excretion pathway, which is called transactivation. In this study, to investigate the role of EGFR in δOR-induced anti-ischemic effects in the brain, we applied the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model followed by reperfusion to mimic ischemic stroke injury in rats. Pre-treatment with the δOR agonist [D-ala2, D-leu5] enkephalin (DADLE) improved the neurologic deficits and the decreased infarct volume caused by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, which were blocked by the EGFR inhibitor AG1478 and the MMP inhibitor GM6001, respectively. Further results indicated that DADLE activated EGFR, Akt and ERK1/2 and upregulated EGFR expression in the hippocampus in a time-dependent manner, which were inhibited by AG1478 and GM6001. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results showed that δOR activation led to an increase in HB-EGF release, but HB-EGF in tissue was downregulated at the mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, this protective action caused by δOR agonists may involve attenuated hippocampal cellular apoptosis. Overall, these results demonstrate that MMP-mediated transactivation of EGFR is essential for δOR agonist-induced MCAO/reperfusion injury relief. These findings provide a potential molecular mechanism for the neuroprotective property of δOR and may add new insight into mitigating or preventing injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixuan Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shuo Wu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bing Shen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qingquan Fan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Pingping Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Liecheng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Lesha Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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32
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Bertels Z, Witkowski WD, Asif S, Siegersma K, van Rijn RM, Pradhan AA. A non-convulsant delta-opioid receptor agonist, KNT-127, reduces cortical spreading depression and nitroglycerin-induced allodynia. Headache 2021; 61:170-178. [PMID: 33326598 PMCID: PMC8082730 DOI: 10.1111/head.14019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine if the non-convulsant delta-opioid receptor (DOR) agonist, KNT-127, could inhibit migraine-associated endpoints. BACKGROUND The DOR has been identified as a therapeutic target for migraine. However, the development of delta agonists is limited as some ligands have seizurogenic properties, which may be related to their ability to induce receptor internalization. While both pro- and non-convulsant delta agonists can reduce migraine-associated allodynia, only the proconvulsant agonist, SNC80, has been shown to decrease cortical spreading depression (CSD). It is unclear if the ability of delta agonists to modulate cortical activity is related to the same signaling mechanisms that produce proconvulsant effects. METHODS The effects of the non-convulsant delta agonist, KNT-127, were examined. Repetitive CSD was induced in female C57BL6/J (n = 6/group) mice by continuous application of KCl and the effect of KNT-127/vehicle (Veh) on both local field potentials and optical intrinsic signals was determined. To assess the effect of KNT-127 on established chronic migraine-associated pain, male and female C57BL6/J mice were treated with nitroglycerin (NTG; 10 mg/kg, ip) every other day for 9 days and tested with KNT-127 (5 mg/kg, sc) or Veh on day 10 (n = 6/group). DOR-enhanced green fluorescent protein mice (n = 4/group) were used to confirm the internalization properties of KNT-127 in the trigeminal ganglia, trigeminal nucleus caudalis, and somatosensory cortex. RESULTS KNT-127 inhibited CSD events (t(10) = 3.570, p = 0.0051). In addition, this delta agonist also reversed established cephalic allodynia in the NTG model of chronic migraine (F(1, 20) = 12.80, p < 0.01). Furthermore, KNT-127 caused limited internalization of DOR in key migraine processing regions. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the antimigraine effects of DOR agonists can be separated from their proconvulsant effects. This data provides valuable information for the continued development of delta agonists for the treatment of migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah Asif
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | | | - Richard M van Rijn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University
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Abstract
The management of pain, particularly chronic pain, is still an area of medical need. In this context, opioids remain a gold standard for the treatment of pain. However, significant side effects, mainly of central origin, limit their clinical use. Here, we review recent progress to improve the therapeutic and safety profiles of opioids for pain management. Characterization of peripheral opioid-mediated pain mechanisms have been a key component of this process. Several studies identified peripheral µ, δ, and κ opioid receptors (MOR, DOR, and KOR, respectively) and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptors as significant players of opioid-mediated antinociception, able to achieve clinically significant effects independently of any central action. Following this, particularly from a medicinal chemistry point of view, main efforts have been directed towards the peripheralization of opioid receptor agonists with the objective of optimizing receptor activity and minimizing central exposure and the associated undesired effects. These activities have allowed the characterization of a great variety of compounds and investigational drugs that show low central nervous system (CNS) penetration (and therefore a reduced side effect profile) yet maintaining the desired opioid-related peripheral antinociceptive activity. These include highly hydrophilic/amphiphilic and massive molecules unable to easily cross lipid membranes, substrates of glycoprotein P (a extrusion pump that avoids CNS penetration), nanocarriers that release the analgesic agent at the site of inflammation and pain, and pH-sensitive opioid agonists that selectively activate at those sites (and represent a new pharmacodynamic paradigm). Hopefully, patients with pain will benefit soon from the incorporation of these new entities.
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34
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Abstract
Pain is an essential protective mechanism that the body uses to alert or prevent further damage. Pain sensation is a complex event involving perception, transmission, processing, and response. Neurons at different levels (peripheral, spinal cord, and brain) are responsible for these pro- or antinociceptive activities to ensure an appropriate response to external stimuli. The terminals of these neurons, both in the peripheral endings and in the synapses, are equipped with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels that sense structurally diverse stimuli and inhibitors of neuronal activity. This review will focus on the largest class of sensory proteins, the GPCRs, as they are distributed throughout ascending and descending neurons and regulate activity at each step during pain transmission. GPCR activation also directly or indirectly controls the function of co-localized ion channels. The levels and types of some GPCRs are significantly altered in different pain models, especially chronic pain states, emphasizing that these molecules could be new targets for therapeutic intervention in chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Che
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacology and Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
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35
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Abstract
Achieving effective pain management is one of the major challenges associated with modern day medicine. Opioids, such as morphine, have been the reference treatment for moderate to severe acute pain not excluding chronic pain modalities. Opioids act through the opioid receptors, the family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that mediate pain relief through both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Four types of opioid receptors have been described, including the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), κ-opioid receptor (KOR), δ-opioid receptor (DOR), and the nociceptin opioid peptide receptor (NOP receptor). Despite the proven success of opioids in treating pain, there are still some inherent limitations. All clinically approved MOR analgesics are associated with adverse effects, which include tolerance, dependence, addiction, constipation, and respiratory depression. On the other hand, KOR selective analgesics have found limited clinical utility because they cause sedation, anxiety, dysphoria, and hallucinations. DOR agonists have also been investigated but they have a tendency to cause convulsions. Ligands targeting NOP receptor have been reported in the preclinical literature to be useful as spinal analgesics and as entities against substance abuse disorders while mixed MOR/NOP receptor agonists are useful as analgesics. Ultimately, the goal of opioid-related drug development has always been to design and synthesize derivatives that are equally or more potent than morphine but most importantly are devoid of the dangerous residual side effects and abuse potential. One proposed strategy is to take advantage of biased agonism, in which distinct downstream pathways can be activated by different molecules working through the exact same receptor. It has been proposed that ligands not recruiting β-arrestin 2 or showing a preference for activating a specific G-protein mediated signal transduction pathway will function as safer analgesic across all opioid subtypes. This review will focus on the design and the pharmacological outcomes of biased ligands at the opioid receptors, aiming at achieving functional selectivity.
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Thibeault PE, Ramachandran R. Biased signaling in platelet G-protein coupled receptors. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2020; 99:255-269. [PMID: 32846106 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2020-0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Platelets are small megakaryocyte-derived, anucleate, disk-like structures that play an outsized role in human health and disease. Both a decrease in the number of platelets and a variety of platelet function disorders result in petechiae or bleeding that can be life threatening. Conversely, the inappropriate activation of platelets, within diseased blood vessels, remains the leading cause of death and morbidity by affecting heart attacks and stroke. The fine balance of the platelet state in healthy individuals is controlled by a number of receptor-mediated signaling pathways that allow the platelet to rapidly respond and maintain haemostasis. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are particularly important regulators of platelet function. Here we focus on the major platelet-expressed GPCRs and discuss the roles of downstream signaling pathways (e.g., different G-protein subtypes or β-arrestin) in regulating the different phases of the platelet activation. Further, we consider the potential for selectively targeting signaling pathways that may contribute to platelet responses in disease through development of biased agonists. Such selective targeting of GPCR-mediated signaling pathways by drugs, often referred to as biased signaling, holds promise in delivering therapeutic interventions that do not present significant side effects, especially in finely balanced physiological systems such as platelet activation in haemostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre E Thibeault
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A5C1, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A5C1, Canada
| | - Rithwik Ramachandran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A5C1, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A5C1, Canada
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Pol O. The role of carbon monoxide, heme oxygenase 1, and the Nrf2 transcription factor in the modulation of chronic pain and their interactions with opioids and cannabinoids. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:136-155. [PMID: 32820550 DOI: 10.1002/med.21726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain and its associated comorbidities are difficult to treat, even when the most potent analgesic compounds are used. Thus, research on new strategies to effectively relieve nociceptive and/or emotional disorders accompanying chronic pain is essential. Several studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of different carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CO-RMs), inducible heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and nuclear factor-2 erythroid factor-2 (Nrf2) transcription factor activators in several models of acute and chronic pain caused by inflammation, nerve injury or diabetes. More recently, the antidepressant and/or anxiolytic effects of several Nrf2 transcription factor inducers were demonstrated in a model of chronic neuropathic pain. These effects are mainly produced by inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, glial activation, mitogen-activated protein kinases and/or phosphoinositide 3-kinase/phospho-protein kinase B phosphorylation in the peripheral and/or central nervous system. Other studies also demonstrated that the analgesic effects of opioids and cannabinoids are improved when these drugs are coadministered with CO-RMs, HO-1 or Nrf2 activators in different preclinical pain models and that these improvements are generally mediated by upregulation or prevention of the downregulation of µ-opioid receptors, δ-opioid receptors and/or cannabinoid 2 receptors in the setting of chronic pain. We reviewed all these studies as well as studies on the mechanisms of action underlying the effects of CO-RMs, HO-1, and Nrf2 activators in chronic pain. In summary, activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/carbon monoxide signaling pathway alone and/or in combination with the administration of specific analgesics is a valid strategy for the treatment of chronic pain and some associated emotional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Pol
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Bagheri Tudashki H, Haddad Y, Charfi I, Couture R, Pineyro G. Ligand-specific recycling profiles determine distinct potential for chronic analgesic tolerance of delta-opioid receptor (DOPr) agonists. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:5718-5730. [PMID: 32279433 PMCID: PMC7214178 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
δ-opioid receptor (DOPr) agonists have analgesic efficacy in chronic pain models but development of tolerance limits their use for long-term pain management. Although agonist potential for inducing acute analgesic tolerance has been associated with distinct patterns of DOPr internalization, the association between trafficking and chronic tolerance remains ill-defined. In a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathy, deltorphin II and TIPP produced sustained analgesia following daily (intrathecal) i.t. injections over six days, whereas similar treatment with SNC-80 or SB235863 led to progressive tolerance and loss of the analgesic response. Trafficking assays in murine neuron cultures showed no association between the magnitude of ligand-induced sequestration and development of chronic tolerance. Instead, ligands that supported DOPr recycling were also the ones producing sustained analgesia over 6-day treatment. Moreover, endosomal endothelin-converting enzyme 2 (ECE2) blocker 663444 prevented DOPr recycling by deltorphin II and TIPP and precipitated tolerance by these ligands. In conclusion, agonists, which support DOPr recycling, avoid development of analgesic tolerance over repeated administration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Youssef Haddad
- Department of Pharmacology and PhysiologyFaculty of MedicineUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Iness Charfi
- Centre de RechercheCentre Hospitalier Universitaire Ste-JustineMontréalQCCanada
- Department of Pharmacology and PhysiologyFaculty of MedicineUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Rejean Couture
- Department of Pharmacology and PhysiologyFaculty of MedicineUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Graciela Pineyro
- Centre de RechercheCentre Hospitalier Universitaire Ste-JustineMontréalQCCanada
- Department of Pharmacology and PhysiologyFaculty of MedicineUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
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