1
|
Carstens G, Verbeek MM, Rohlwink UK, Figaji AA, te Brake L, van Laarhoven A. Metabolite transport across central nervous system barriers. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2024; 44:1063-1077. [PMID: 38546534 PMCID: PMC11179608 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x241241908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Metabolomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is used to improve diagnostics and pathophysiological understanding of neurological diseases. Alterations in CSF metabolite levels can partly be attributed to changes in brain metabolism, but relevant transport processes influencing CSF metabolite concentrations should be considered. The entry of molecules including metabolites into the central nervous system (CNS), is tightly controlled by the blood-brain, blood-CSF, and blood-spinal cord barriers, where aquaporins and membrane-bound carrier proteins regulate influx and efflux via passive and active transport processes. This report therefore provides reference for future CSF metabolomic work, by providing a detailed summary of the current knowledge on the location and function of the involved transporters and routing of metabolites from blood to CSF and from CSF to blood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gesa Carstens
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center of Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marcel M Verbeek
- Departments of Neurology and Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ursula K Rohlwink
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anthony A Figaji
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lindsey te Brake
- Department of Pharmacy, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan van Laarhoven
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center of Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chaves JCS, Dando SJ, White AR, Oikari LE. Blood-brain barrier transporters: An overview of function, dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and strategies for treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166967. [PMID: 38008230 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166967] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain-barrier (BBB) has a major function in maintaining brain homeostasis by regulating the entry of molecules from the blood to the brain. Key players in BBB function are BBB transporters which are highly expressed in brain endothelial cells (BECs) and critical in mediating the exchange of nutrients and waste products. BBB transporters can also influence drug delivery into the brain by inhibiting or facilitating the entry of brain targeting therapeutics for the treatment of brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies have shown that AD is associated with a disrupted BBB and transporter dysfunction, although their roles in the development in AD are not fully understand. Modulation of BBB transporter activity may pose a novel approach to enhance the delivery of drugs to the brain for enhanced treatment of AD. In this review, we will give an overview of key functions of BBB transporters and known changes in AD. In addition, we will discuss current strategies for transporter modulation for enhanced drug delivery into the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana C S Chaves
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, QUT, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Samantha J Dando
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Anthony R White
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, QUT, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lotta E Oikari
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, QUT, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ronaldson PT, Davis TP. Blood-brain barrier transporters: a translational consideration for CNS delivery of neurotherapeutics. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2024; 21:71-89. [PMID: 38217410 PMCID: PMC10842757 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2024.2306138] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Successful neuropharmacology requires optimization of CNS drug delivery and, by extension, free drug concentrations at brain molecular targets. Detailed assessment of blood-brain barrier (BBB) physiological characteristics is necessary to achieve this goal. The 'next frontier' in CNS drug delivery is targeting BBB uptake transporters, an approach that requires evaluation of brain endothelial cell transport processes so that effective drug accumulation and improved therapeutic efficacy can occur. AREAS COVERED BBB permeability of drugs is governed by tight junction protein complexes (i.e., physical barrier) and transporters/enzymes (i.e., biochemical barrier). For most therapeutics, a component of blood-to-brain transport involves passive transcellular diffusion. Small molecule drugs that do not possess acceptable physicochemical characteristics for passive permeability may utilize putative membrane transporters for CNS uptake. While both uptake and efflux transport mechanisms are expressed at the brain microvascular endothelium, uptake transporters can be targeted for optimization of brain drug delivery and improved treatment of neurological disease states. EXPERT OPINION Uptake transporters represent a unique opportunity to optimize brain drug delivery by leveraging the endogenous biology of the BBB. A rigorous understanding of these transporters is required to improve translation from the bench to clinical trials and stimulate the development of new treatment paradigms for neurological diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas P. Davis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona College of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barrera-Téllez FJ, Prieto-Martínez FD, Hernández-Campos A, Martínez-Mayorga K, Castillo-Bocanegra R. In Silico Exploration of the Trypanothione Reductase (TryR) of L. mexicana. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16046. [PMID: 38003236 PMCID: PMC10671491 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216046] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease which affects nearly 1.5 million people every year, with Mexico being an important endemic region. One of the major defense mechanisms of these parasites is based in the polyamine metabolic pathway, as it provides the necessary compounds for its survival. Among the enzymes in this route, trypanothione reductase (TryR), an oxidoreductase enzyme, is crucial for the Leishmania genus' survival against oxidative stress. Thus, it poses as an attractive drug target, yet due to the size and features of its catalytic pocket, modeling techniques such as molecular docking focusing on that region is not convenient. Herein, we present a computational study using several structure-based approaches to assess the druggability of TryR from L. mexicana, the predominant Leishmania species in Mexico, beyond its catalytic site. Using this consensus methodology, three relevant pockets were found, of which the one we call σ-site promises to be the most favorable one. These findings may help the design of new drugs of trypanothione-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. Barrera-Téllez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Fernando D. Prieto-Martínez
- Instituto de Química, Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Mérida-Tetiz, Km. 4.5, Ucú 97357, Mexico
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Karina Martínez-Mayorga
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sierra Papacal, Mérida 97302, Mexico
| | - Rafael Castillo-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ungvári O, Bakos É, Kovacsics D, Özvegy-Laczka C. The fluorescence-based competitive counterflow assay developed for organic anion transporting polypeptides 1A2, 1B1, 1B3 and 2B1 identifies pentamidine as a selective OATP1A2 substrate. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23223. [PMID: 37781971 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300530rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic anion transporting polypeptides OATP1A2, OATP1B1, OATP1B3 and OATP2B1 are Na+ - and ATP-independent exchangers of large, organic compounds, encompassing structurally diverse xenobiotics, including various drugs. These OATPs influence intestinal absorption (OATP2B1), hepatic clearance (OATP1B1/3) and blood to brain penetration (OATP1A2, OATP2B1) of their drug substrates. Consequently, OATP-mediated drug or food interactions may lead to altered pharmacokinetics and toxicity. During drug development, investigation of hepatic OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 is recommended by international regulatory agencies. Most frequently, OATP-drug interactions are investigated in an indirect assay, i.e., by examining uptake inhibition of a radioactive or fluorescent probe. However, indirect assays do not distinguish between transported substrates and non-transported OATP inhibitors. To fill this hiatus, a novel assay, termed competitive counterflow (CCF) has been developed and has since been applied for several OATPs to differentiate between substrates and non-transported inhibitors. However, previous OATP CCF assays, with the exception of that for OATP1B1, used radioactive probes. In the current study, we demonstrate that sulforhodamine 101 or pyranine can be used as fluorescent probes in a CCF assay to identify transported substrates of OATP1A2, or OATPs 1B1, 1B3 and 2B1, respectively. With the help of the newly developed fluorescence-based CCF method, we identify the FDA-approved anti-protozoal drug, pentamidine as a unique substrate of OATP1A2. Furthermore, we confirm the selective, OATP1A2-mediated uptake of pentamidine in a cytotoxicity assay. Based on our results, OATP1A2 may be an important determinant of pentamidine transport through the blood-brain barrier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Ungvári
- Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Bakos
- Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Daniella Kovacsics
- Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csilla Özvegy-Laczka
- Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Boyanova ST, Lloyd-Morris E, Corpe C, Rahman KM, Farag DB, Page LK, Wang H, Fleckney AL, Gatt A, Troakes C, Vizcay-Barrena G, Fleck R, Reeves SJ, Thomas SA. Interaction of amisulpride with GLUT1 at the blood-brain barrier. Relevance to Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286278. [PMID: 37874822 PMCID: PMC10597500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286278] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction may be involved in the increased sensitivity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients to antipsychotics, including amisulpride. Studies indicate that antipsychotics interact with facilitated glucose transporters (GLUT), including GLUT1, and that GLUT1 BBB expression decreases in AD. We tested the hypotheses that amisulpride (charge: +1) interacts with GLUT1, and that BBB transport of amisulpride is compromised in AD. GLUT1 substrates, GLUT1 inhibitors and GLUT-interacting antipsychotics were identified by literature review and their physicochemical characteristics summarised. Interactions between amisulpride and GLUT1 were studied using in silico approaches and the human cerebral endothelial cell line, hCMEC/D3. Brain distribution of [3H]amisulpride was determined using in situ perfusion in wild type (WT) and 5xFamilial AD (5xFAD) mice. With transmission electron microscopy (TEM) we investigated brain capillary degeneration in WT mice, 5xFAD mice and human samples. Western blots determined BBB transporter expression in mouse and human. Literature review revealed that, although D-glucose has no charge, charged molecules can interact with GLUT1. GLUT1 substrates are smaller (184.95±6.45g/mol) than inhibitors (325.50±14.40g/mol) and GLUT-interacting antipsychotics (369.38±16.04). Molecular docking showed beta-D-glucose (free energy binding: -15.39kcal/mol) and amisulpride (-29.04kcal/mol) interact with GLUT1. Amisulpride did not affect [14C]D-glucose hCMEC/D3 accumulation. [3H]amisulpride uptake into the brain (except supernatant) of 5xFAD mice compared to WT remained unchanged. TEM revealed brain capillary degeneration in human AD. There was no difference in GLUT1 or P-glycoprotein BBB expression between WT and 5xFAD mice. In contrast, caudate P-glycoprotein, but not GLUT1, expression was decreased in human AD capillaries versus controls. This study provides new details about the BBB transport of amisulpride, evidence that amisulpride interacts with GLUT1 and that BBB transporter expression is altered in AD. This suggests that antipsychotics could potentially exacerbate the cerebral hypometabolism in AD. Further research into the mechanism of amisulpride transport by GLUT1 is important for improving antipsychotics safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sevda T. Boyanova
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ethlyn Lloyd-Morris
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Corpe
- King’s College London, Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Doaa B. Farag
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Lee K. Page
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hao Wang
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice L. Fleckney
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ariana Gatt
- King’s College London, Wolfson Centre for Age Related Disease, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Troakes
- King’s College London, London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, IoPPN, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gema Vizcay-Barrena
- King’s College London, Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roland Fleck
- King’s College London, Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne J. Reeves
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah A. Thomas
- King’s College London, Department of Physiology, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Parvez MM, Sadighi A, Ahn Y, Keller SF, Enoru JO. Uptake Transporters at the Blood-Brain Barrier and Their Role in Brain Drug Disposition. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2473. [PMID: 37896233 PMCID: PMC10610385 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Uptake drug transporters play a significant role in the pharmacokinetic of drugs within the brain, facilitating their entry into the central nervous system (CNS). Understanding brain drug disposition is always challenging, especially with respect to preclinical to clinical translation. These transporters are members of the solute carrier (SLC) superfamily, which includes organic anion transporter polypeptides (OATPs), organic anion transporters (OATs), organic cation transporters (OCTs), and amino acid transporters. In this systematic review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of uptake drug transporters in the brain and their contribution to drug disposition. Here, we also assemble currently available proteomics-based expression levels of uptake transporters in the human brain and their application in translational drug development. Proteomics data suggest that in association with efflux transporters, uptake drug transporters present at the BBB play a significant role in brain drug disposition. It is noteworthy that a significant level of species differences in uptake drug transporters activity exists, and this may contribute toward a disconnect in inter-species scaling. Taken together, uptake drug transporters at the BBB could play a significant role in pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). Continuous research is crucial for advancing our understanding of active uptake across the BBB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md Masud Parvez
- Department of Quantitative, Translational & ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94080, USA; (M.M.P.)
| | - Armin Sadighi
- Department of Quantitative, Translational & ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94080, USA; (M.M.P.)
| | - Yeseul Ahn
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 1300 S Coulter St., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Steve F. Keller
- Department of Quantitative, Translational & ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94080, USA; (M.M.P.)
| | - Julius O. Enoru
- Department of Quantitative, Translational & ADME Sciences (QTAS), AbbVie Biotherapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94080, USA; (M.M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jamabo M, Mahlalela M, Edkins AL, Boshoff A. Tackling Sleeping Sickness: Current and Promising Therapeutics and Treatment Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12529. [PMID: 37569903 PMCID: PMC10420020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the extracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, and targeted for eradication by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the lengthening of the proposed time frame for eliminating human African trypanosomiasis as control programs were interrupted. Armed with extensive antigenic variation and the depletion of the B cell population during an infectious cycle, attempts to develop a vaccine have remained unachievable. With the absence of a vaccine, control of the disease has relied heavily on intensive screening measures and the use of drugs. The chemotherapeutics previously available for disease management were plagued by issues such as toxicity, resistance, and difficulty in administration. The approval of the latest and first oral drug, fexinidazole, is a major chemotherapeutic achievement for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis in the past few decades. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, while poor compliance and resistance remain outstanding challenges. Drug discovery is on-going, and herein we review the recent advances in anti-trypanosomal drug discovery, including novel potential drug targets. The numerous challenges associated with disease eradication will also be addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miebaka Jamabo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Maduma Mahlalela
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Adrienne L. Edkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Biotechnology Research Centre (BioBRU), Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa;
| | - Aileen Boshoff
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Watson CP, Sekhar GN, Thomas SA. Identification of transport systems involved in eflornithine delivery across the blood-brain barrier. FRONTIERS IN DRUG DELIVERY 2023; 3:1113493. [PMID: 38482132 PMCID: PMC7615738 DOI: 10.3389/fddev.2023.1113493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a neglected parasitic disease that continues to persist in sub-Saharan Africa. It is fatal if untreated. The first stage of the disease is associated with the presence of the parasite in the periphery and the second stage with the presence of the parasites in the CNS. The treatment of CNS stage HAT requires the drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Eflornithine is an amino acid analogue that is used to treat second stage HAT gambiense both alone and in combination with nifurtimox. Recent studies have identified that accumulation of eflornithine into the parasites (trypanosomes) involves the amino acid transporter (Trypanosoma brucei AAT6). In this study we tested the hypothesis that eflornithine uses a cationic amino acid transport system to cross the BBB. We particularly focused on system-y+ and system-B0,+. To do this we utilized specialist databases to compare the physicochemical characteristics of relevant molecules and an in vitro model of the BBB to explore the mechanisms of eflornithine delivery into the CNS. Our results confirmed that eflornithine is related to the endogenous amino acid, ornithine. At pH 7.4, eflornithine is predominately (92.39%) a zwitterionic (dipolar) amino acid and ornithine is predominately (99.08%) a cationic (tripolar) amino acid. In addition, the gross charge distribution at pH 7.4 of eflornithine is much smaller (+0.073) than that of ornithine (+0.99). Further results indicated that eflornithine utilized a saturable transport mechanism(s) to cross the hCMEC/D3 cell membranes and that transport was inhibited by the presence of other amino acids including ornithine. Eflornithine transport was also sodium-independent and sensitive to a y+-system inhibitor, but not a B0,+-system inhibitor. Eflornithine transport was also inhibited by pentamidine, suggestive of transport by organic cation transporters (OCT) which are expressed in this cell line. We confirmed expression of the y+-system protein, CAT1, and the B0,+-system protein, ATB0,+, in the hCMEC/D3 cells. We conclude that eflornithine uses the cationic amino acid transporter, system y+, and OCT to cross the BBB. This research highlights the potential of system-y+ to deliver drugs, including eflornithine, across the BBB to treat brain diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P. Watson
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London, UK
| | - Gayathri Nair Sekhar
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London, UK
| | - Sarah A Thomas
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sharma S, Zhang Y, Akter KA, Nozohouri S, Archie SR, Patel D, Villalba H, Abbruscato T. Permeability of Metformin across an In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model during Normoxia and Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation Conditions: Role of Organic Cation Transporters (Octs). Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051357. [PMID: 37242599 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Our lab previously established that metformin, a first-line type two diabetes treatment, activates the Nrf2 pathway and improves post-stroke recovery. Metformin's brain permeability value and potential interaction with blood-brain barrier (BBB) uptake and efflux transporters are currently unknown. Metformin has been shown to be a substrate of organic cationic transporters (Octs) in the liver and kidneys. Brain endothelial cells at the BBB have been shown to express Octs; thus, we hypothesize that metformin uses Octs for its transport across the BBB. We used a co-culture model of brain endothelial cells and primary astrocytes as an in vitro BBB model to conduct permeability studies during normoxia and hypoxia using oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions. Metformin was quantified using a highly sensitive LC-MS/MS method. We further checked Octs protein expression using Western blot analysis. Lastly, we completed a plasma glycoprotein (P-GP) efflux assay. Our results showed that metformin is a highly permeable molecule, uses Oct1 for its transport, and does not interact with P-GP. During OGD, we found alterations in Oct1 expression and increased permeability for metformin. Additionally, we showed that selective transport is a key determinant of metformin's permeability during OGD, thus, providing a novel target for improving ischemic drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sejal Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Khondker Ayesha Akter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Saeideh Nozohouri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Sabrina Rahman Archie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Dhavalkumar Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Heidi Villalba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Thomas Abbruscato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Petrovskaya AV, Barykin EP, Tverskoi AM, Varshavskaya KB, Mitkevich VA, Petrushanko IY, Makarov AA. Blood–Brain Barrier Transwell Modeling. Mol Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893322060140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
12
|
Targeting organic cation transporters at the blood-brain barrier to treat ischemic stroke in rats. Exp Neurol 2022; 357:114181. [PMID: 35905840 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Drug discovery and development for stroke is challenging as evidenced by few drugs that have advanced beyond a Phase III clinical trial. Memantine is a N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that has been shown to be neuroprotective in various preclinical studies. We have identified an endogenous BBB uptake transport system for memantine: organic cation transporters 1 and 2 (Oct1/Oct2). Our goal was to evaluate Oct1/Oct2 as a required BBB mechanism for memantine neuroprotective effects. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min followed by reperfusion. Memantine (5 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered 2 h following intraluminal suture removal. Specificity of Oct-mediated transport was evaluated using cimetidine (15 mg/kg, i.v.), a competitive Oct1/Oct2 inhibitor. At 2 h post-MCAO, [3H]memantine uptake was increased in ischemic brain tissue. Cimetidine inhibited blood-to-brain uptake of [3H]memantine, which confirmed involvement of an Oct-mediated transport mechanism. Memantine reduced post-MCAO infarction and brain edema progression as well as improved neurological outcomes during post-stroke recovery. All positive effects of memantine were attenuated by co-administration of cimetidine, which demonstrates that Oct1/Oct2 transport is required for memantine to exert neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke. Furthermore, Oct1/Oct2-mediated transport was shown to be the dominant mechanism for memantine brain uptake in the MCAO model despite a concurrent increase in paracellular "leak." These novel and translational findings provide mechanistic evidence for the critical role of BBB transporters in CNS delivery of stroke therapeutics, information that can help such drugs advance in clinical trials.
Collapse
|
13
|
Transport Mechanisms at the Blood–Brain Barrier and in Cellular Compartments of the Neurovascular Unit: Focus on CNS Delivery of Small Molecule Drugs. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071501. [PMID: 35890396 PMCID: PMC9324459 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a primary origin of morbidity and mortality in the United States and around the world. Indeed, several research projects have attempted to discover new drugs or repurpose existing therapeutics to advance stroke pharmacotherapy. Many of these preclinical stroke studies have reported positive results for neuroprotective agents; however, only one compound (3K3A-activated protein C (3K3A-APC)) has advanced to Phase III clinical trial evaluation. One reason for these many failures is the lack of consideration of transport mechanisms at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and neurovascular unit (NVU). These endogenous transport processes function as a “gateway” that is a primary determinant of efficacious brain concentrations for centrally acting drugs. Despite the knowledge that some neuroprotective agents (i.e., statins and memantine) are substrates for these endogenous BBB transporters, preclinical stroke studies have largely ignored the role of transporters in CNS drug disposition. Here, we review the current knowledge on specific BBB transporters that either limit drug uptake into the brain (i.e., ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters) or can be targeted for optimized drug delivery (i.e., solute carrier (SLC) transporters). Additionally, we highlight the current knowledge on transporter expression in astrocytes, microglia, pericytes, and neurons with an emphasis on transport mechanisms in these cell types that can influence drug distribution within the brain.
Collapse
|
14
|
Huttunen J, Adla SK, Markowicz-Piasecka M, Huttunen KM. Increased/Targeted Brain (Pro)Drug Delivery via Utilization of Solute Carriers (SLCs). Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061234. [PMID: 35745806 PMCID: PMC9228667 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane transporters have a crucial role in compounds’ brain drug delivery. They allow not only the penetration of a wide variety of different compounds to cross the endothelial cells of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), but also the accumulation of them into the brain parenchymal cells. Solute carriers (SLCs), with nearly 500 family members, are the largest group of membrane transporters. Unfortunately, not all SLCs are fully characterized and used in rational drug design. However, if the structural features for transporter interactions (binding and translocation) are known, a prodrug approach can be utilized to temporarily change the pharmacokinetics and brain delivery properties of almost any compound. In this review, main transporter subtypes that are participating in brain drug disposition or have been used to improve brain drug delivery across the BBB via the prodrug approach, are introduced. Moreover, the ability of selected transporters to be utilized in intrabrain drug delivery is discussed. Thus, this comprehensive review will give insights into the methods, such as computational drug design, that should be utilized more effectively to understand the detailed transport mechanisms. Moreover, factors, such as transporter expression modulation pathways in diseases that should be taken into account in rational (pro)drug development, are considered to achieve successful clinical applications in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland; (J.H.); (S.K.A.)
| | - Santosh Kumar Adla
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland; (J.H.); (S.K.A.)
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 542/2, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena Markowicz-Piasecka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Kristiina M. Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland; (J.H.); (S.K.A.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Pentamidine (PTM), which is a diamine that is widely known for its antimicrobial activity, is a very interesting drug whose mechanism of action is not fully understood. In recent years, PTM has been proposed as a novel potential drug candidate for the treatment of mental illnesses, myotonic dystrophy, diabetes, and tumors. Nevertheless, the systemic administration of PTM causes severe side effects, especially nephrotoxicity. In order to efficiently deliver PTM and reduce its side effects, several nanosystems that take advantage of the chemical characteristics of PTM, such as the presence of two positively charged amidine groups at physiological pH, have been proposed as useful delivery tools. Polymeric, lipidic, inorganic, and other types of nanocarriers have been reported in the literature for PTM delivery, and they are all in different development phases. The available approaches for the design of PTM nanoparticulate delivery systems are reported in this review, with a particular emphasis on formulation strategies and in vitro/in vivo applications. Furthermore, a critical view of the future developments of nanomedicine for PTM applications, based on recent repurposing studies, is provided. Created with BioRender.com.
Collapse
|
16
|
Blood-Brain Barrier Transporters: Opportunities for Therapeutic Development in Ischemic Stroke. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031898. [PMID: 35163820 PMCID: PMC8836701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability. Over the past decades, several efforts have attempted to discover new drugs or repurpose existing therapeutics to promote post-stroke neurological recovery. Preclinical stroke studies have reported successes in identifying novel neuroprotective agents; however, none of these compounds have advanced beyond a phase III clinical trial. One reason for these failures is the lack of consideration of blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport mechanisms that can enable these drugs to achieve efficacious concentrations in ischemic brain tissue. Despite the knowledge that drugs with neuroprotective properties (i.e., statins, memantine, metformin) are substrates for endogenous BBB transporters, preclinical stroke research has not extensively studied the role of transporters in central nervous system (CNS) drug delivery. Here, we review current knowledge on specific BBB uptake transporters (i.e., organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs in humans; Oatps in rodents); organic cation transporters (OCTs in humans; Octs in rodents) that can be targeted for improved neuroprotective drug delivery. Additionally, we provide state-of-the-art perspectives on how transporter pharmacology can be integrated into preclinical stroke research. Specifically, we discuss the utility of in vivo stroke models to transporter studies and considerations (i.e., species selection, co-morbid conditions) that will optimize the translational success of stroke pharmacotherapeutic experiments.
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang M, Sun Y, Hu B, He Z, Chen S, Qi D, An H, Wei Y. Organic Cation Transporters are Involved in Fluoxetine Transport Across the Blood-Brain Barrier in Vivo and in Vitro. Curr Drug Deliv 2021; 19:508-517. [PMID: 34238184 DOI: 10.2174/1567201818666210708122326] [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: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The research and development of drugs for the treatment of central nervous system diseases faces many challenges at present. One of the most important questions to be answered is, how does the drug cross the blood-brain barrier to get to the target site for pharmacological action. Fluoxetine is widely used in clinical antidepressant therapy. However, the mechanism by which fluoxetine passes through the BBB also remains unclear. Under physiological pH conditions, fluoxetine is an organic cation with a relatively small molecular weight (<500), which is in line with the substrate characteristics of organic cation transporters (OCTs). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the interaction of fluoxetine with OCTs at the BBB and BBB-associated efflux transporters. This is of great significance for fluoxetine to better treat depression. Moreover, it can provide a theoretical basis for clinical drug combinations. METHODS In vitro BBB model was developed using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), and the cellular accumulation was tested in the presence or absence of transporter inhibitors. In addition, an in vivo trial was performed in rats to investigate the effect of OCTs on the distribution of fluoxetine in the brain tissue. Fluoxetine concentration was determined by a validated UPLC-MS/MS method. RESULTS The results showed that amantadine (an OCT1/2 inhibitor) and prazosin (an OCT1/3 inhibitor) significantly decreased the cellular accumulation of fluoxetine (P <.001). Moreover, we found that N-methylnicotinamide (an OCT2 inhibitor) significantly inhibited the cellular uptake of 100 and 500 ng/mL fluoxetine (P <.01 and P <.05 respectively). In contrast, corticosterone (an OCT3 inhibitor) only significantly inhibited the cellular uptake of 1000 ng/mL fluoxetine (P <.05). The P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor, verapamil, and the multidrug resistance resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) inhibitor, MK571, significantly decreased the cellular uptake of fluoxetine. However, intracellular accumulation of fluoxetine was not significantly changed when fluoxetine was incubated with the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) inhibitor Ko143. Furthermore, in vivo experiments proved that corticosterone and prazosin significantly inhibited the brain-plasma ratio of fluoxetine at 5.5 h and 12 h, respectively. CONCLUSION OCTs might play a significant role in the transport of fluoxetine across the BBB. In addition, P-gp, BCRP, and MRPs seemed not to mediate the efflux transport of fluoxetine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), No.182, Tianmu Shan Road, 310013 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Sun
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), No.182, Tianmu Shan Road, 310013 Hangzhou, China
| | - Bingying Hu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), No.182, Tianmu Shan Road, 310013 Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhisheng He
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), No.182, Tianmu Shan Road, 310013 Hangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), No.182, Tianmu Shan Road, 310013 Hangzhou, China
| | - Dake Qi
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), No.182, Tianmu Shan Road, 310013 Hangzhou, China
| | - Hai An
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), No.182, Tianmu Shan Road, 310013 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Wei
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), No.182, Tianmu Shan Road, 310013 Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Żołek T, Dömötör O, Rezler M, Enyedy ÉA, Maciejewska D. Deposition of pentamidine analogues in the human body - spectroscopic and computational approaches. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 161:105779. [PMID: 33667666 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.105779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bis-benzamidines are a diverse group of compounds with high potential in pharmacotherapy, and among them, pentamidine is a drug of great therapeutic significance in Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis and therapy. Pharmacokinetic properties of these cationic species such as transport, acid/base equilibria, and interactions with potential target molecules are still of interest, especially for recently designed compounds. To broaden our knowledge drug-likeness, human serum albumin binding, and acidity constants (Ka) were experimentally and theoretically examined for five pentamidine analogues 1 - 5 with -NH-CO-chain-CO-NH-bridges of increasing length and O, N, and S atoms in the chain. The studied analogues display very marked activity against Pneumocystis carinii without cytotoxicity that inspired us to perform an in silico analysis of their mode of action based on the hypothesis that the small DNA groove of rich in adenine-thymine pairs is their molecular target. These studies allowed us to classify them as very promising lead molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Żołek
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Orsolya Dömötör
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7. H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mateusz Rezler
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Éva A Enyedy
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7. H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dorota Maciejewska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhou S, Zeng S, Shu Y. Drug-Drug Interactions at Organic Cation Transporter 1. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:628705. [PMID: 33679412 PMCID: PMC7925875 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.628705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between drugs and various transporters is one of the decisive factors that affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. The organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) is a member of the Solute Carrier 22A (SLC22A) family that plays a vital role in the membrane transport of organic cations including endogenous substances and xenobiotics. This article mainly discusses the drug-drug interactions (DDIs) mediated by OCT1 and their clinical significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiwei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Oral Medicine, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Sujuan Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Oral Medicine, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Shu
- Key Laboratory of Oral Medicine, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Betterton RD, Davis TP, Ronaldson PT. Organic Cation Transporter (OCT/OCTN) Expression at Brain Barrier Sites: Focus on CNS Drug Delivery. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 266:301-328. [PMID: 33674914 PMCID: PMC8603467 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) continues to be a considerable challenge in the pharmacological treatment and management of neurological disorders. This is primarily due to the physiological and biochemical characteristics of brain barrier sites (i.e., blood-brain barrier (BBB), blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB)). Drug uptake into brain tissue is highly restricted by expression of tight junction protein complexes and adherens junctions between brain microvascular endothelial cells and choroid plexus epithelial cells. Additionally, efflux transport proteins expressed at the plasma membrane of these same endothelial and epithelial cells act to limit CNS concentrations of centrally acting drugs. In contrast, facilitated diffusion via transporter proteins allows for substrate-specific flux of molecules across the plasma membrane, directing drug uptake into the CNS. Organic Cation Transporters (OCTs) and Novel Organic Cation Transporters (OCTNs) are two subfamilies of the solute carrier 22 (SLC22) family of proteins that have significant potential to mediate delivery of positively charged, zwitterionic, and uncharged therapeutics. While expression of these transporters has been well characterized in peripheral tissues, the functional expression of OCT and OCTN transporters at CNS barrier sites and their role in delivery of therapeutic drugs to molecular targets in the brain require more detailed analysis. In this chapter, we will review current knowledge on localization, function, and regulation of OCT and OCTN isoforms at the BBB and BCSFB with a particular emphasis on how these transporters can be utilized for CNS delivery of therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Betterton
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Thomas P Davis
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Patrick T Ronaldson
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Maier J, Niello M, Rudin D, Daws LC, Sitte HH. The Interaction of Organic Cation Transporters 1-3 and PMAT with Psychoactive Substances. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 266:199-214. [PMID: 33993413 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Organic cation transporters 1-3 (OCT1-3, SLC22A1-3) and the plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT, SLC29A4) play a major role in maintaining monoaminergic equilibrium in the central nervous system. With many psychoactive substances interacting with OCT1-3 and PMAT, a growing literature focuses on characterizing their properties via in vitro and in vivo studies. In vitro studies mainly aim at characterizing compounds as inhibitors or substrates of murine, rat, and human isoforms. The preponderance of studies has put emphasis on phenylalkylamine derivatives, but ketamine and opioids have also been investigated. Studies employing in vivo (knockout) models mostly concentrate on the interaction of psychoactive substances and OCT3, with an emphasis on stress and addiction, pharmacokinetics, and sensitization to psychoactive drugs. The results highlight the importance of OCT3 in the mechanism of action of psychoactive compounds. Concerning in vivo studies, a veritable research gap concerning OCT1, 2, and PMAT exists. This review provides an overview and summary of research conducted in this field of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Maier
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Niello
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Deborah Rudin
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lynette C Daws
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Substrates and Inhibitors of Organic Cation Transporters (OCTs) and Plasma Membrane Monoamine Transporter (PMAT) and Therapeutic Implications. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 266:119-167. [PMID: 34495395 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The gene products of the SLC22A gene family (hOCT1, hOCT2, and hOCT3) and of the SLC29A4 gene (hPMAT or hENT4) are all polyspecific organic cation transporters. Human OCTs (including hPMAT) are expressed in peripheral tissues such as small intestine, liver, and kidney involved in the pharmacokinetics of drugs. In the human brain, all four transporters are expressed at the blood-brain barrier (BBB), hOCT2 is additionally expressed in neurons, and hOCT3 and hPMAT in glia. More than 40% of the presently used drugs are organic cations. This chapter lists and discusses all known drugs acting as substrates or inhibitors of these four organic cation transporters, independently of whether the transporter is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) or in peripheral tissues. Of interest is their involvement in drug absorption, distribution, and excretion as well as potential OCT-associated drug-drug interactions (DDIs), with a focus on drugs that act in the CNS.
Collapse
|
23
|
Design, synthesis, antitrypanosomal activity, DNA/RNA binding and in vitro ADME profiling of novel imidazoline-substituted 2-arylbenzimidazoles. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 207:112802. [PMID: 32927230 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Novel imidazoline benzimidazole derivatives containing diversely substituted phenoxy moieties were synthesized with the aim of evaluating their antitrypanosomal activity, DNA/RNA binding affinity and in vitro ADME properties. The presence of the diethylaminoethyl subunit in 18a-18c led to enhanced antitrypanosomal potency, particularly for 18a and 18c, which contain unsubstituted and methoxy-substituted phenoxy moieties. They were found to be > 2-fold more potent against African trypanosomes than nifurtimox. Fluorescence and CD spectroscopy, thermal denaturation assays and computational analysis indicated a preference of 18a-18c toward AT-rich DNA and their minor groove binding mode. Replacement of the amidine group with less basic and ionisable nitrogen-containing moieties failed to improve membrane permeability of the investigated compounds. Due to structural diversification, the compounds displayed a range of physico-chemical features resulting in variable in vitro ADME properties, leaving space for further optimization of the biological profiles.
Collapse
|
24
|
Dickie EA, Giordani F, Gould MK, Mäser P, Burri C, Mottram JC, Rao SPS, Barrett MP. New Drugs for Human African Trypanosomiasis: A Twenty First Century Success Story. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5010029. [PMID: 32092897 PMCID: PMC7157223 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The twentieth century ended with human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) epidemics raging across many parts of Africa. Resistance to existing drugs was emerging, and many programs aiming to contain the disease had ground to a halt, given previous success against HAT and the competing priorities associated with other medical crises ravaging the continent. A series of dedicated interventions and the introduction of innovative routes to develop drugs, involving Product Development Partnerships, has led to a dramatic turnaround in the fight against HAT caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. The World Health Organization have been able to optimize the use of existing tools to monitor and intervene in the disease. A promising new oral medication for stage 1 HAT, pafuramidine maleate, ultimately failed due to unforeseen toxicity issues. However, the clinical trials for this compound demonstrated the possibility of conducting such trials in the resource-poor settings of rural Africa. The Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi), founded in 2003, has developed the first all oral therapy for both stage 1 and stage 2 HAT in fexinidazole. DNDi has also brought forward another oral therapy, acoziborole, potentially capable of curing both stage 1 and stage 2 disease in a single dosing. In this review article, we describe the remarkable successes in combating HAT through the twenty first century, bringing the prospect of the elimination of this disease into sight.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Dickie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (E.A.D.); (F.G.); (M.K.G.)
| | - Federica Giordani
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (E.A.D.); (F.G.); (M.K.G.)
| | - Matthew K. Gould
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (E.A.D.); (F.G.); (M.K.G.)
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; (P.M.); (C.B.)
| | - Christian Burri
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; (P.M.); (C.B.)
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK;
| | - Srinivasa P. S. Rao
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA;
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (E.A.D.); (F.G.); (M.K.G.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
P De Koning H. The Drugs of Sleeping Sickness: Their Mechanisms of Action and Resistance, and a Brief History. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E14. [PMID: 31963784 PMCID: PMC7157662 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
With the incidence of sleeping sickness in decline and genuine progress being made towards the WHO goal of eliminating sleeping sickness as a major public health concern, this is a good moment to evaluate the drugs that 'got the job done': their development, their limitations and the resistance that the parasites developed against them. This retrospective looks back on the remarkable story of chemotherapy against trypanosomiasis, a story that goes back to the very origins and conception of chemotherapy in the first years of the 20 century and is still not finished today.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harry P De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sekhar GN, Fleckney AL, Boyanova ST, Rupawala H, Lo R, Wang H, Farag DB, Rahman KM, Broadstock M, Reeves S, Thomas SA. Region-specific blood-brain barrier transporter changes leads to increased sensitivity to amisulpride in Alzheimer's disease. Fluids Barriers CNS 2019; 16:38. [PMID: 31842924 PMCID: PMC6915870 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-019-0158-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research into amisulpride use in Alzheimer's disease (AD) implicates blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in antipsychotic sensitivity. Research into BBB transporters has been mainly directed towards the ABC superfamily, however, solute carrier (SLC) function in AD has not been widely studied. This study tests the hypothesis that transporters for organic cations contribute to the BBB delivery of the antipsychotics (amisulpride and haloperidol) and is disrupted in AD. METHODS The accumulation of [3H]amisulpride (3.7-7.7 nM) and [3H]haloperidol (10 nM) in human (hCMEC/D3) and mouse (bEnd.3) brain endothelial cell lines was explored. Computational approaches examined molecular level interactions of both drugs with the SLC transporters [organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1), plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT) and multi-drug and toxic compound extrusion proteins (MATE1)] and amisulpride with the ABC transporter (P-glycoprotein). The distribution of [3H]amisulpride in wildtype and 3×transgenic AD mice was examined using in situ brain perfusion experiments. Western blots determined transporter expression in mouse and human brain capillaries . RESULTS In vitro BBB and in silico transporter studies indicated that [3H]amisulpride and [3H]haloperidol were transported by the influx transporter, OCT1, and efflux transporters MATE1 and PMAT. Amisulpride did not have a strong interaction with OCTN1, OCTN2, P-gp, BCRP or MRP and could not be described as a substrate for these transporters. Amisulpride brain uptake was increased in AD mice compared to wildtype mice, but vascular space was unaffected. There were no measurable changes in the expression of MATE1, MATE2, PMAT OCT1, OCT2, OCT3, OCTN1, OCTN2 and P-gp in capillaries isolated from whole brain homogenates from the AD mice compared to wildtype mice. Although, PMAT and MATE1 expression was reduced in capillaries obtained from specific human brain regions (i.e. putamen and caudate) from AD cases (Braak stage V-VI) compared to age matched controls (Braak stage 0-II). CONCLUSIONS Together our research indicates that the increased sensitivity of individuals with Alzheimer's to amisulpride is related to previously unreported changes in function and expression of SLC transporters at the BBB (in particular PMAT and MATE1). Dose adjustments may be required for drugs that are substrates of these transporters when prescribing for individuals with AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Nair Sekhar
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Alice L Fleckney
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Sevda Tomova Boyanova
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Huzefa Rupawala
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Rachel Lo
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Hao Wang
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Doaa B Farag
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 9NH, UK
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo, 11431, Egypt
| | - Khondaker Miraz Rahman
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Martin Broadstock
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, Camberwell, London, SE5 9N, UK
| | - Suzanne Reeves
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Sarah Ann Thomas
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 9NH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Jiang Y, Liu C, Zhai W, Zhuang N, Han T, Ding Z. The Optimization Design Of Lactoferrin Loaded HupA Nanoemulsion For Targeted Drug Transport Via Intranasal Route. Int J Nanomedicine 2019; 14:9217-9234. [PMID: 31819426 PMCID: PMC6885571 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s214657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Huperzine A (HupA) is a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat Alzheimer's disease. The existing dosage of HupA lacks brain selectivity and can cause serious side effects in the gastrointestinal and peripheral cholinergic systems. Purpose The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a HupA nanoemulsion (NE) and a targeted HupA-NE modified with lactoferrin (Lf) for intranasal administration. Methods The NE was formulated using pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and optimized with response surface methodology. Particle size distribution and zeta potential were evaluated, and transmission electron microscopy was performed. We investigated the transport mechanisms of HupA-NEs into hCMEC/D3 cells, an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier. HupA-NE, Lf-HupA-NE, and HupA solution were intranasally administered to rats to investigate the brain-targeting effects of these formulations. A drug targeting index (DTI) was calculated to determine brain-targeting efficiency. Results Optimized HupA-NE had a particle size of 15.24±0.67 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.128±0.025, and zeta potential of -4.48±0.97 mV. The composition of the optimized HupA-NE was 3.00% isopropyl myristate (IPM), 3.81% Capryol 90, and 40% Cremophor EL + Labrasol. NEs, particularly Lf-HupA-NE, were taken up into hCMEC/D3 cells to a greater extent than pure drug alone. Western blot analysis showed that hCMEC/D3 cells contained P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and multidrug resistance associated protein 1 (MRP1) transporters. The likely mechanisms resulting in higher NE transport to the brain were uptake by specific transporters and transcytosis. In vivo, intranasal Lf-HupA-NE significantly enhanced drug delivery to the brain compared to HupA-NE, which was confirmed by differences in pharmacokinetic parameters. The DTI of Lf-HupA-NE (3.2±0.75) demonstrated brain targeting, and the area under the curve for Lf-HupA-NE was significantly higher than that for HupA-NE. Conclusion Lf-HupA-NE is a promising nasal drug delivery carrier for facilitating delivery of HupA to the central nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yueyao Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenqi Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanchen Zhai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Zhuang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Tengfei Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiying Ding
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Aréchiga-Figueroa IA, Marmolejo-Murillo LG, Cui M, Delgado-Ramírez M, van der Heyden MAG, Sánchez-Chapula JA, Rodríguez-Menchaca AA. High-potency block of Kir4.1 channels by pentamidine: Molecular basis. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 815:56-63. [PMID: 28993158 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels are expressed in almost all mammalian tissues and contribute to a wide range of physiological processes. Kir4.1 channel expression is found in the brain, inner ear, eye, and kidney. Loss-of-function mutations in the pore-forming Kir4.1 subunit cause an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by epilepsy, ataxia, sensorineural deafness and tubulopathy (SeSAME/EST syndrome). Despite its importance in physiological and pathological conditions, pharmacological research of Kir4.1 is limited. Here, we characterized the effect of pentamidine on Kir4.1 channels using electrophysiology, mutagenesis and computational methods. Pentamidine potently inhibited Kir4.1 channels when applied to the cytoplasmic side under inside-out patch clamp configuration (IC50 = 97nM). The block was voltage dependent. Molecular modeling predicted the binding of pentamidine to the transmembrane pore region of Kir4.1 at aminoacids T127, T128 and E158. Mutation of each of these residues reduced the potency of pentamidine to block Kir4.1 channels. A pentamidine analog (PA-6) inhibited Kir4.1 with similar potency (IC50 = 132nM). Overall, this study shows that pentamidine blocks Kir4.1 channels interacting with threonine and glutamate residues in the transmembrane pore region. These results can be useful to design novel compounds with major potency and specificity over Kir4.1 channels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iván A Aréchiga-Figueroa
- CONACYT, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | | | - Meng Cui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mayra Delgado-Ramírez
- Departamento de Fisiología y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Marcel A G van der Heyden
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - José A Sánchez-Chapula
- Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima, Colima, Col, Mexico
| | - Aldo A Rodríguez-Menchaca
- Departamento de Fisiología y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|