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Milara J, Morell A, Roger I, Montero P, Cortijo J. Mechanisms underlying corticosteroid resistance in patients with asthma: a review of current knowledge. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:701-715. [PMID: 37658478 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2255124] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Corticosteroids are the most cost-effective anti-inflammatory drugs available for the treatment of asthma. Despite their effectiveness, several asthmatic patients have corticosteroid resistance or insensitivity and exhibit a poor response. Corticosteroid insensitivity implies a poor prognosis due to challenges in finding alternative therapeutic options for asthma. AREAS COVERED In this review, we describe asthma phenotypes and endotypes, as well as their differential responsiveness to corticosteroids. In addition, we describe the mechanism of action of corticosteroids underlying their regulation of the expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and their anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, we summarize the mechanistic evidence underlying corticosteroid-insensitive asthma, which is mainly related to changes in GR gene expression, structure, and post-transcriptional modifications. Finally, various pharmacological strategies designed to reverse corticosteroid insensitivity are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Corticosteroid insensitivity is influenced by the asthma phenotype, endotype, and severity, and serves as an indication for biological therapy. The molecular mechanisms underlying corticosteroid-insensitive asthma have been used to develop targeted therapeutic strategies. However, the lack of clinical trials prevents the clinical application of these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Milara
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Pharmacy department, University General Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- CIBERES, Health Institute Carlos III, Valencia, Spain
| | - Anselm Morell
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Inés Roger
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- CIBERES, Health Institute Carlos III, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paula Montero
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Pharmacy department, University General Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Julio Cortijo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- CIBERES, Health Institute Carlos III, Valencia, Spain
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Vega-Rioja A, Chacón P, Fernández-Delgado L, Doukkali B, del Valle Rodríguez A, Perkins JR, Ranea JAG, Dominguez-Cereijo L, Pérez-Machuca BM, Palacios R, Rodríguez D, Monteseirín J, Ribas-Pérez D. Regulation and directed inhibition of ECP production by human neutrophils. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1015529. [PMID: 36518751 PMCID: PMC9744134 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1015529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neutrophils are involved in the pathophysiology of allergic asthma, where the Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP) is a critical inflammatory mediator. Although ECP production is attributed to eosinophils, we reported that ECP is also present in neutrophils from allergic patients where, in contrast to eosinophils, it is produced in an IgE-dependent manner. Given the key role of ECP in asthma, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in ECP production as well as the effects induced by agonists and widely used clinical approaches. We also analyzed the correlation between ECP production and lung function. Methods Neutrophils from allergic asthmatic patients were challenged with allergens, alone or in combination with cytokines, in the presence of cell-signaling inhibitors and clinical drugs. We analyzed ECP levels by ELISA and confocal microscopy. Lung function was assessed by spirometry. Results IgE-mediated ECP release is dependent on phosphoinositide 3-kinase, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and the production of reactive oxygen species by NADPH-oxidase. Calcineurin phosphatase and the transcription factor NFAT are also involved. ECP release is enhanced by the cytokines interleukin (IL)-5 and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and inhibited by interferon-γ, IL-10, clinical drugs (formoterol, tiotropium and budesonide) and allergen-specific IT. We also found an inverse correlation between asthma severity and ECP levels. Conclusions Our results suggest the molecular pathways involved in ECP production and potential therapeutic targets. We also provide a new method to evaluate disease severity in asthmatic patients based on the quantification of in vitro ECP production by peripheral neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Vega-Rioja
- UGC de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain,Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain,*Correspondence: Antonio Vega-Rioja, ; Pedro Chacón, ; Javier Monteseirín,
| | - Pedro Chacón
- UGC de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain,Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain,*Correspondence: Antonio Vega-Rioja, ; Pedro Chacón, ; Javier Monteseirín,
| | | | - Bouchra Doukkali
- UGC de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - James R. Perkins
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Málaga, Spain
| | - Juan A. G. Ranea
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Málaga, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Javier Monteseirín
- Hospital Quirón Sagrado Corazón and Hospital Quirón Infanta-Luisa, Sevilla, Spain,*Correspondence: Antonio Vega-Rioja, ; Pedro Chacón, ; Javier Monteseirín,
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Uwagboe I, Adcock IM, Lo Bello F, Caramori G, Mumby S. New drugs under development for COPD. Minerva Med 2022; 113:471-496. [PMID: 35142480 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4806.22.08024-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The characteristic features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include inflammation and remodelling of the lower airways and lung parenchyma together with activation of inflammatory and immune processes. Due to the increasing habit of cigarette smoking worldwide COPD prevalence is increasing globally. Current therapies are unable to prevent COPD progression in many patients or target many of its hallmark characteristics which may reflect the lack of adequate biomarkers to detect the heterogeneous clinical and molecular nature of COPD. In this chapter we review recent molecular data that may indicate novel pathways that underpin COPD subphenotypes and indicate potential improvements in the classes of drugs currently used to treat COPD. We also highlight the evidence for new drugs or approaches to treat COPD identified using molecular and other approaches including kinase inhibitors, cytokine- and chemokine-directed biologicals and small molecules, antioxidants and redox signalling pathway inhibitors, inhaled anti-infectious agents and senolytics. It is important to consider the phenotypes/molecular endotypes of COPD patients together with specific outcome measures to target new therapies to particular COPD subtypes. This will require greater understanding of COPD molecular pathologies and a focus on biomarkers of predicting disease subsets and responder/non-responder populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Uwagboe
- Airways Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Ian M Adcock
- Airways Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK -
| | - Federica Lo Bello
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gaetano Caramori
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sharon Mumby
- Airways Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
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Baker JR, Donnelly LE. Leukocyte Function in COPD: Clinical Relevance and Potential for Drug Therapy. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2021; 16:2227-2242. [PMID: 34354348 PMCID: PMC8331105 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s266394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition affecting 10% of the global population over 45 years. Currently, there are no disease-modifying treatments, with current therapies treating only the symptoms of the disease. COPD is an inflammatory disease, with a high infiltration of leukocytes being found within the lung of COPD patients. These leukocytes, if not kept in check, damage the lung, leading to the pathophysiology associated with the disease. In this review, we focus on the main leukocytes found within the COPD lung, describing how the release of chemokines from the damaged epithelial lining recruits these cells into the lung. Once present, these cells become active and may be driven towards a more pro-inflammatory phenotype. These cells release their own subtypes of inflammatory mediators, growth factors and proteases which can all lead to airway remodeling, mucus hypersecretion and emphysema. Finally, we describe some of the current therapies and potential new targets that could be utilized to target aberrant leukocyte function in the COPD lung. Here, we focus on old therapies such as statins and corticosteroids, but also look at the emerging field of biologics describing those which have been tested in COPD already and potential new monoclonal antibodies which are under review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Baker
- Airway Disease, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Louise E Donnelly
- Airway Disease, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Chacón P, Vega-Rioja A, Doukkali B, Del Valle Rodríguez A, Bellido V, Puente Y, Alcañiz L, Rodríguez D, Palacios R, Cornejo-García JA, Monteseirín J, Rivas-Pérez D. Targeted inhibition of allergen-induced histamine production by neutrophils. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21483. [PMID: 33788304 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001912r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Histamine is a critical inflammatory mediator in allergic diseases. We showed in a previous work that neutrophils from allergic patients produce histamine in response to allergens to which the patients were sensitized. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in this process using peripheral blood neutrophils. We challenged these cells in vitro with allergens and analyzed histamine release in the culture supernatants. We also explored the effect of common therapeutic drugs that ameliorate allergic symptoms, as well as allergen-specific immunotherapy. Additionally, we examined the expression of histidine decarboxylase and diamine oxidase, critical enzymes in the metabolism of histamine, under allergen challenge. We show that allergen-induced histamine release is dependent on the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathways. We also found a contribution of the phosphatase calcineurin to lesser extent. Anti-histamines, glucocorticoids, anti-M3-muscarinic receptor antagonists, and mainly β2 -receptor agonists abolished the allergen-dependent histamine release. Interestingly, allergen-specific immunotherapy canceled the histamine release through the downregulation of histidine decarboxylase expression. Our observations describe novel molecular mechanisms involved in the allergen-dependent histamine release by human neutrophils and provide new targets to inhibit histamine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Chacón
- UGC de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Antonio Vega-Rioja
- UGC de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Bouchra Doukkali
- UGC de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Virginia Bellido
- UGC de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Yolanda Puente
- UGC de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Lorena Alcañiz
- UGC de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Javier Monteseirín
- UGC de Alergología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain.,Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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Ora J, Coppola A, Cazzola M, Calzetta L, Rogliani P. Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists Under Investigational to Treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. J Exp Pharmacol 2020; 12:559-574. [PMID: 33324119 PMCID: PMC7733406 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s259330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bronchodilators are the cornerstone of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) therapy and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) as a mono or combination treatment play a pivotal role. Several LAMAs are already available on the market in different formulations, but developing a new compound with a higher M3 receptor selectivity and a lower affinity to M2 receptors to increase the therapeutic effect and minimize the adverse effects is still a goal. Moreover, new formulations could improve adherence to therapy. Areas Covered This systematic review assesses investigational long-acting muscarinic antagonist in Phase I and II clinical trials over the last decade. It offers insights on whether LAMAs and/or their new formulations in clinical development can become effective treatments for COPD in the future. Expert Opinion Research on LAMA seems to have come to a standstill, the few new molecules under study do not show distinctive characteristics compared to the previous ones. Muscarinic antagonist/β2-agonist (MABAs) appear to be the major innovation currently under investigation, and they could theoretically open new research frontiers on the effect between adrenergic and muscarinic interaction in the same cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josuel Ora
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Coppola
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Cazzola
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigino Calzetta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Paola Rogliani
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Lo Bello F, Hansbro PM, Donovan C, Coppolino I, Mumby S, Adcock IM, Caramori G. New drugs under development for COPD. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2020; 25:419-431. [DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2020.1819982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Lo Bello
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e Delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Philip M. Hansbro
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Chantal Donovan
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Irene Coppolino
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e Delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sharon Mumby
- Airways Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Ian M. Adcock
- Airways Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Gaetano Caramori
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e Delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
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Tavares LP, Peh HY, Tan WSD, Pahima H, Maffia P, Tiligada E, Levi-Schaffer F. Granulocyte-targeted therapies for airway diseases. Pharmacol Res 2020; 157:104881. [PMID: 32380052 PMCID: PMC7198161 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The average respiration rate for an adult is 12-20 breaths per minute, which constantly exposes the lungs to allergens and harmful particles. As a result, respiratory diseases, which includes asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute lower respiratory tract infections (LTRI), are a major cause of death worldwide. Although asthma, COPD and LTRI are distinctly different diseases with separate mechanisms of disease progression, they do share a common feature - airway inflammation with intense recruitment and activation of granulocytes and mast cells. Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells are crucial players in host defense against pathogens and maintenance of lung homeostasis. Upon contact with harmful particles, part of the pulmonary defense mechanism is to recruit these cells into the airways. Despite their protective nature, overactivation or accumulation of granulocytes and mast cells in the lungs results in unwanted chronic airway inflammation and damage. As such, understanding the bright and the dark side of these leukocytes in lung physiology paves the way for the development of therapies targeting this important mechanism of disease. Here we discuss the role of granulocytes in respiratory diseases and summarize therapeutic strategies focused on granulocyte recruitment and activation in the lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana P Tavares
- ImmuPhar - Immunopharmacology Section Committee of International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR); Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hong Yong Peh
- ImmuPhar - Immunopharmacology Section Committee of International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR); Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, 16 Medical Drive, 117600, Singapore
| | - Wan Shun Daniel Tan
- ImmuPhar - Immunopharmacology Section Committee of International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR); Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, 16 Medical Drive, 117600, Singapore
| | - Hadas Pahima
- ImmuPhar - Immunopharmacology Section Committee of International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR); Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Unit, School of Pharmacy, Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Pasquale Maffia
- ImmuPhar - Immunopharmacology Section Committee of International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR); Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ekaterini Tiligada
- ImmuPhar - Immunopharmacology Section Committee of International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR); Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Francesca Levi-Schaffer
- ImmuPhar - Immunopharmacology Section Committee of International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR); Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Unit, School of Pharmacy, Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Mueller FS, Richetto J, Hayes LN, Zambon A, Pollak DD, Sawa A, Meyer U, Weber-Stadlbauer U. Influence of poly(I:C) variability on thermoregulation, immune responses and pregnancy outcomes in mouse models of maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 80:406-418. [PMID: 30980948 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) models that are based on administration of the viral mimetic, poly(I:C), are widely used as experimental tools to study neuronal and behavioral dysfunctions in relation to immune-mediated neurodevelopmental disorders and mental illnesses. Evidence from investigations in non-pregnant rodents suggests that different poly(I:C) products can vary in terms of their immunogenicity, even if they are obtained from the same vendor. The present study aimed at extending these findings to pregnant mice, while also controlling various poly(I:C) products for potential contamination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found significant variability between different batches of poly(I:C) potassium salt obtained from the same vendor (Sigma-Aldrich) in terms of the relative amount of dsRNA fragments in the high molecular weight range (1000-6000 nucleotides long) and with regards to their effects on maternal thermoregulation and immune responses in maternal plasma, placenta and fetal brain. Batches of poly(I:C) potassium salt containing larger amounts of high molecular weight fragments induced more extensive effects on thermoregulation and immune responses compared to batches with minimal amounts of high molecular weight fragments. Consistent with these findings, poly(I:C) enriched for high molecular weight dsRNA (HMW) caused larger maternal and placental immune responses compared to low molecular weight (LMW) poly(I:C). These variable effects were unrelated to possible LPS contamination. Finally, we found marked variability between different batches of the poly(I:C) potassium salt in terms of their effects on spontaneous abortion rates. This batch-to-batch variability was confirmed by three independent research groups using distinct poly(I:C) administration protocols in mice. Taken together, the present data confirm that different poly(I:C) products can induce varying immune responses and can differentially affect maternal physiology and pregnancy outcomes. It is therefore pivotal that researchers working with poly(I:C)-based MIA models ascertain and consider the precise molecular composition and immunogenicity of the product in use. We recommend the establishment of reference databases that combine phenotype data with empirically acquired quality information, which can aid the design, implementation and interpretation of poly(I:C)-based MIA models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia S Mueller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich - Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juliet Richetto
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich - Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lindsay N Hayes
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Alice Zambon
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela D Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Akira Sawa
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA; Bloomberg School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Medical Institutions, Baltimore, USA
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich - Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich - Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
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