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Bao C, Abraham SN. Reply. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 154:1077. [PMID: 39066770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Chunjing Bao
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC
| | - Soman N Abraham
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC; Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC; Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Jo M, Brännström M, Akins JW, Curry TE. New insights into the ovulatory process in the human ovary. Hum Reprod Update 2024:dmae027. [PMID: 39331957 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful ovulation is essential for natural conception and fertility. Defects in the ovulatory process are associated with various conditions of infertility or subfertility in women. However, our understanding of the intra-ovarian biochemical mechanisms underlying this process in women has lagged compared to our understanding of animal models. This has been largely due to the limited availability of human ovarian samples that can be used to examine changes across the ovulatory period and delineate the underlying cellular/molecular mechanisms in women. Despite this challenge, steady progress has been made to improve our knowledge of the ovulatory process in women by: (i) collecting granulosa cells across the IVF interval, (ii) creating a novel approach to collecting follicular cells and tissues across the periovulatory period from normally cycling women, and (iii) developing unique in vitro models to examine the LH surge or hCG administration-induced ovulatory changes in gene expression, the regulatory mechanisms underlying the ovulatory changes, and the specific functions of the ovulatory factors. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The objective of this review is to summarize findings generated using in vivo and in vitro models of human ovulation, with the goal of providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying the ovulatory process in women. SEARCH METHODS This review is based on the authors' own studies and a search of the relevant literature on human ovulation to date using PubMed search terms such as 'human ovulation EGF-signaling', 'human ovulation steroidogenesis', 'human ovulation transcription factor', 'human ovulation prostaglandin', 'human ovulation proteinase', 'human ovulation angiogenesis' 'human ovulation chemokine', 'human ovulatory disorder', 'human granulosa cell culture'. Our approach includes comparing the data from the authors' studies with the existing microarray or RNA-seq datasets generated using ovarian cells obtained throughout the ovulatory period from humans, monkeys, and mice. OUTCOMES Current findings from studies using in vivo and in vitro models demonstrate that the LH surge or hCG administration increases the expression of ovulatory mediators, including EGF-like factors, steroids, transcription factors, prostaglandins, proteolytic systems, and other autocrine and paracrine factors, similar to those observed in other animal models such as rodents, ruminants, and monkeys. However, the specific ovulatory factors induced, their expression pattern, and their regulatory mechanisms vary among different species. These species-specific differences stress the necessity of utilizing human samples to delineate the mechanisms underlying the ovulatory process in women. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The data from human ovulation in vivo and in vitro models have begun to fill the gaps in our understanding of the ovulatory process in women. Further efforts are needed to discover novel ovulatory factors. One approach to address these gaps is to improve existing in vitro models to more closely mimic in vivo ovulatory conditions in humans. This is critically important as the knowledge obtained from these human studies can be translated directly to aid in the diagnosis of ovulation-associated pathological conditions, for the development of more effective treatment to help women with anovulatory infertility or, conversely, to better manage ovulation for contraceptive purposes. REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misung Jo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Mats Brännström
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Stockholm IVF-EUGIN, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Thomas E Curry
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
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3
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Breault É, Desgagné M, Neve JD, Côté J, Barlow TMA, Ballet S, Sarret P. Multitarget ligands that comprise opioid/nonopioid pharmacophores for pain management: Current state of the science. Pharmacol Res 2024; 209:107408. [PMID: 39307212 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pain, which affects more than one-third of the world's population, represents one of the greatest medical challenges of the 21st century, yet its effective management remains sub-optimal. The 'gold standard' for the treatment of moderate to severe pain consists of opioid ligands, such as morphine and fentanyl, that target the µ-opioid receptor (MOP). Paradoxically, these opioids also cause serious side effects, including constipation, respiratory depression, tolerance, and addiction. In addition, the development of opioid-use disorders, such as opioid diversion, misuse, and abuse, has led to the current opioid crisis, with dramatic increases in addiction, overdoses, and ultimately deaths. As pain is a complex, multidimensional experience involving a variety of pathways and mediators, dual or multitarget ligands that can bind to more than one receptor and exert complementary analgesic effects, represent a promising avenue for pain relief. Indeed, unlike monomodal therapeutic approaches, the modulation of several endogenous nociceptive systems can often result in an additive or even synergistic effect, thereby improving the analgesic-to-side-effect ratio. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of research efforts towards the development of dual- or multi-targeting opioid/nonopioid hybrid ligands for effective and safer pain management. We reflect on the underpinning discovery rationale by discussing the design, medicinal chemistry, and in vivo pharmacological effects of multitarget antinociceptive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Émile Breault
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Michael Desgagné
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Jolien De Neve
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Côté
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Thomas M A Barlow
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada.
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Wang SY, Zhang YZ, Liu XH, Guo XC, Wang XF, Wang JR, Liu BJ, Han FT, Zhang Y, Wang CL. BNT12, a novel hybrid peptide of opioid and neurotensin pharmacophores, produces potent central antinociception with limited side effects. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 978:176775. [PMID: 38925288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176775] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of multitarget opioid drugs has emerged as an attractive approach for innovative pain management with reduced side effects. In the present study, a novel hybrid peptide BNT12 containing the opioid and neurotensin (NT)-like fragments was synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. In acute radiant heat paw withdrawal test, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of BNT12 produced potent antinociception in mice. The central antinociceptive activity of BNT12 was mainly mediated by μ-, δ-opioid receptor, neurotensin receptor type 1 (NTSR1) and 2 (NTSR2), supporting a multifunctional agonism of BNT12 in the functional assays. BNT12 also exhibited significant antinociceptive effects in spared nerve injury (SNI)-neuropathic pain, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain, acetic acid-induced visceral and formalin-induced pain after i.c.v. administration. Furthermore, BNT12 exhibited substantial reduction of acute antinociceptive tolerance, shifted the dose-response curve to the right by only 1.3-fold. It is noteworthy that BNT12 showed insignificant chronic antinociceptive tolerance at the supraspinal level. In addition, BNT12 exhibited reduced or no opioid-like side effects on conditioned place preference (CPP) response, naloxone-precipitated withdrawal response, acute hyperlocomotion, motor coordination, gastrointestinal transit, and cardiovascular responses. The present investigation demonstrated that the novel hybrid peptide BNT12 might serve as a promising analgesic candidate with limited opioid-like side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yu Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Yu-Zhe Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xiao-Han Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xue-Ci Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | | | - Jia-Ran Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Bing-Jie Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Feng-Tong Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Chang-Lin Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150001, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China; State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China.
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5
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Khan R, Laumet G, Leinninger GM. Hungry for relief: Potential for neurotensin to address comorbid obesity and pain. Appetite 2024; 200:107540. [PMID: 38852785 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107540] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pain and obesity frequently occur together. An ideal therapy would alleviate pain without weight gain, and most optimally, could promote weight loss. The neuropeptide neurotensin (Nts) has been separately implicated in reducing weight and pain but could it be a common actionable target for both pain and obesity? Here we review the current knowledge of Nts signaling via its receptors in modulating body weight and pain processing. Evaluating the mechanism by which Nts impacts ingestive behavior, body weight, and analgesia has potential to identify common physiologic mechanisms underlying weight and pain comorbidities, and whether Nts may be common actionable targets for both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabail Khan
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Geoffroy Laumet
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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Park G, Park Y, Yang S, Cho Y, Serikov A, Jung D, Seo DC, Lee SE, Nam MH, Kim D, Kim J. Neurotensin-specific corticothalamic circuit regulates innate response conflict. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3473-3487.e6. [PMID: 39067450 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.068] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Animals must simultaneously select and balance multiple action contingencies in ambiguous situations: for instance, evading danger during feeding. This has rarely been examined in the context of information selection; despite corticothalamic pathways that mediate sensory attention being relatively well characterized, neural mechanisms filtering conflicting actions remain unclear. Here, we develop a new loom/feed test to observe conflict between naturally induced fear and feeding and identify a novel anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) output to the ventral anterior and ventral lateral thalamus (VA/VL) that adjusts selectivity between these innate actions. Using micro-endoscopy and fiber photometry, we reveal that activity in corticofugal outputs was lowered during unbalanced/singularly occupied periods, as were the resulting decreased thalamic initiation-related signals for less-favored actions, suggesting that the integration of ACC-thalamic firing may directly regulate the output of behavior choices. Accordingly, the optoinhibition of ACC-VA/VL circuits induced high bias toward feeding at the expense of defense. To identify upstream "commander" cortical cells gating this output, we established dual-order tracing (DOT)-translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP)-a scheme to label upstream neurons with transcriptome analysis-and found a novel population of neurotensin-positive interneurons (ACCNts). The photoexcitation of ACCNts cells indeed caused similarly hyper-selective behaviors. Collectively, this new "corticofugal action filter" scheme suggests that communication in multi-step cingulate circuits may critically influence the summation of motor signals in thalamic outputs, regulating bias between innate action types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geunhong Park
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjun Park
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seulkee Yang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonjeong Cho
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Almas Serikov
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Dajung Jung
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Chan Seo
- Research Animal Resources Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Eun Lee
- Research Animal Resources Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ho Nam
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Daesoo Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongjin Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Kupcova I, Danisovic L, Bernatova S, Harsanyi S. Analysis of Salivary Neuropeptides in Anxiety and Depression Using the Luminex MAGPIX® System. Cureus 2024; 16:e67984. [PMID: 39347144 PMCID: PMC11433651 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.67984] [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] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety and depressive disorders are highly prevalent mental health conditions, affecting millions worldwide. Advancements in neurobiology have identified the effects of various neuropeptides in modulating mood and stress responses. Some of the well-researched neuropeptides in plasma are oxytocin (OXT), alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), beta-endorphin, neurotensin, and substance P. In this study, we used methods of liquid biopsy to acquire saliva samples to analyze the concentrations of neuropeptides associated with depression. METHODS The study was conducted in Bratislava, Slovakia, from January to June 2022. Participants were 20 subjects treated for depression and anxiety without medication; the control group consisted of 20 healthy individuals with no personal history of depression or anxiety. Salivary samples were collected using buccal swabs to measure the concentrations of the examined neuropeptides. Laboratory analysis was based on detecting fluorescent signals performed on the Luminex MAGPIX® System (Luminex Corporation, Austin, Texas). Means and standard deviations were calculated for individual neuropeptide levels. To determine if there are statistically significant differences in neuropeptide levels between individuals with and without depression, independent t-tests and a one-way ANOVA were conducted. RESULTS Our findings indicate a significant decrease in all studied neuropeptides in subjects compared to healthy controls. Reductions in mean levels were observed for OXT (7.3), alpha-MSH (3.9), beta-endorphin (2.9), neurotensin (15.1), and a 6.9-fold decrease for substance P. Alpha-MSH and beta-endorphin showed higher variability in measured levels within both groups. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that the levels of the studied salivary neuropeptides, OXT, alpha-MSH, beta-endorphin, neurotensin, and substance P, are statistically significantly reduced in individuals with depression compared to healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Kupcova
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics, and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, SVK
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Clinic, The University Hospital Brno, Brno, CZE
| | - Lubos Danisovic
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics, and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, SVK
| | - Sona Bernatova
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics, and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, SVK
| | - Stefan Harsanyi
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics, and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, SVK
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Ryznar R, Andrews N, Emery K, Snow M, Payton M, Towne F, Gubler D. Specific Salivary Neuropeptides Shift Synchronously during Acute Stress in Fire Recruits. Brain Sci 2024; 14:492. [PMID: 38790470 PMCID: PMC11119501 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Once thought of as an immune-privileged site, we now know that the nervous system communicates in a bidirectional manner with the immune system via the neuroimmune axis. Neuropeptides constitute a component of this axis, playing critical roles in the brain and periphery. The function of salivary neuropeptides in the acute stress response is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate salivary neuropeptide levels during acute stress. Salivary samples were collected from fire recruits engaged in a stress training exercise previously shown to induce acute stress, at three separate timepoints during the exercise and levels of oxytocin, neurotensin, Substance P, α-MSH, and β-Endorphin were measured using the Human Neuropeptide 5-Plex Custom Assay Eve Technologies. All neuropeptides increased throughout the acute stress simulation and during the recovery phase. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified one factor contributing to baseline values across five neuropeptides and Pairwise Pearson Correlation Coefficient analysis showed positive correlations >0.9 for almost all neuropeptide combinations at the pre-stress timepoint. Further analysis identified negative and positive correlations between past-life trauma and self-assessed hardiness, respectively. Calculated neuropeptide scores showed an overall positive correlation to self-assessed hardiness. Altogether, our results suggest that salivary neuropeptides increase synchronously during acute stress and higher levels correlate with an increase in self-assessed hardiness. Further study is required to determine if interventions designed to enhance neuropeptide activity can increase stress resilience, especially in high-stress occupations such as firefighting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Ryznar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University, Centennial, CO 80112, USA; (M.P.)
| | - Nathan Andrews
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Centennial, CO 80112, USA; (N.A.); (K.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Kyle Emery
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Centennial, CO 80112, USA; (N.A.); (K.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Michaela Snow
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Centennial, CO 80112, USA; (N.A.); (K.E.); (M.S.)
| | - Mark Payton
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University, Centennial, CO 80112, USA; (M.P.)
| | - Francina Towne
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University, Centennial, CO 80112, USA; (M.P.)
| | - Dean Gubler
- Department of Military Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA;
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Kyriatzis G, Khrestchatisky M, Ferhat L, Chatzaki EA. Neurotensin and Neurotensin Receptors in Stress-related Disorders: Pathophysiology & Novel Drug Targets. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:916-934. [PMID: 37534788 PMCID: PMC10845085 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230803101629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is a 13-amino acid neuropeptide widely distributed in the CNS that has been involved in the pathophysiology of many neural and psychiatric disorders. There are three known neurotensin receptors (NTSRs), which mediate multiple actions, and form the neurotensinergic system in conjunction with NT. NTSR1 is the main mediator of NT, displaying effects in both the CNS and the periphery, while NTSR2 is mainly expressed in the brain and NTSR3 has a broader expression pattern. In this review, we bring together up-to-date studies showing an involvement of the neurotensinergic system in different aspects of the stress response and the main stress-related disorders, such as depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its associated symptoms, such as fear memory and maternal separation, ethanol addiction, and substance abuse. Emphasis is put on gene, mRNA, and protein alterations of NT and NTSRs, as well as behavioral and pharmacological studies, leading to evidence-based suggestions on the implicated regulating mechanisms as well as their therapeutic exploitation. Stress responses and anxiety involve mainly NTSR1, but also NTSR2 and NTSR3. NTSR1 and NTSR3 are primarily implicated in depression, while NTSR2 and secondarily NTSR1 in PTSD. NTSR1 is interrelated with substance and drug abuse and NTSR2 with fear memory, while all NTSRs seem to be implicated in ethanol consumption. Some of the actions of NT and NTSRs in these pathological settings may be driven through interactions between NT and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) in their regulatory contribution, as well as by NT's pro-inflammatory mediating actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigorios Kyriatzis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Institute of Neurophysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Michel Khrestchatisky
- Institute of Neurophysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Lotfi Ferhat
- Institute of Neurophysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Ekaterini Alexiou Chatzaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Institute of Agri-Food and Life Sciences, University Research Centre, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
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Lu D, Choi S, Park J, Kim J, Zhao S, Uldry Lavergne CG, Desimone Q, Chen B, Han BX, Wang F, Goldstein N. General Anesthesia Activates a Central Anxiolytic Center in the BNST. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.20.572586. [PMID: 38187782 PMCID: PMC10769264 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.20.572586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Low doses of general anesthetics like ketamine and dexmedetomidine have anxiolytic properties independent of their sedative effects. How these different drugs exert these anxiolytic effects is not well understood. We discovered a population of GABAergic neurons in the oval division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis that is activated by multiple anesthetics and the anxiolytic drug diazepam (ovBNST GA ). A majority of ovBNST GA neurons express neurotensin receptor 1 (Ntsr1) and innervate brain regions known to regulate anxiety and stress responses. Optogenetic activation ovBNST GA or ovBNST Ntsr1 neurons significantly attenuated anxiety-like behaviors in both naïve animals and mice with inflammatory pain, while inhibition of these cells increased anxiety. Notably, activation of these neurons decreased heart rate and increased heart rate variability, suggesting that they reduce anxiety through modulation of the autonomic nervous system. Our study identifies ovBNST GA /ovBNST Ntsr1 neurons as one of the brain's endogenous anxiolytic centers and a potential therapeutic target for treating anxiety-related disorders. HIGHLIGHTS General anesthetics and anxiolytics activate a population of neurons in the ovBNSTAnesthesia-activated ovBNST neurons bidirectionally modulate anxiety-like behaviorMost anesthesia-activated ovBNST neurons express neurotensin receptor 1 ovBNST Ntsr1 neuron activation shifts autonomic responses to an anxiolytic state.
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Asadollahi K, Rajput S, Jameson GNL, Scott DJ, Gooley PR. Encounter Complexes Between the N-terminal of Neurotensin with the Extracellular Loop 2 of the Neurotensin Receptor 1 Steer Neurotensin to the Orthosteric Binding Pocket. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168244. [PMID: 37625583 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is a linear disordered peptide that activates two different class A GPCRs, neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) and NTS2. Resolved structures of the complex of the C-terminal fragment of NT, NT8-13, with NTS1 shows the peptide takes a well-defined structure in the bound state. However, the mechanisms underlying NT recognition of NTS1, and the conformational transition of NT upon binding NTS1 is an open question that if answered may aid discovery of highly selective drugs and reveal potential secondary binding sites on the surface of the receptor. Herein we investigated the interactions guiding NT to the orthosteric binding pocket of NTS1 by combining NMR experiments with kinetic analysis of the binding pathway using stopped-flow fluorescence and mutagenesis on both NT and NTS1. We show the presence of transient structures in the middle part of NT that kinetically regulate the binding of NT to NTS1. Moreover, our results indicate that the binding pathway of NT onto NTS1 is mediated via electrostatic interactions between the N-terminal region of NT with the extracellular loop 2 of NTS1. These interactions induce backbone conformational changes in neurotensin similar to the bound-state neurotensin, suggesting that the N-terminal region of NT and these interactions should be considered for development of selective drugs against NTS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Asadollahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. https://twitter.com/@KazemAsadollahi
| | - Sunnia Rajput
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Guy N L Jameson
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
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12
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Lee Y, Nguyen TL, Roh H, Kim A, Park J, Lee JY, Kang YR, Kang H, Sohn MY, Park CI, Kim DH. Mechanisms underlying probiotic effects on neurotransmission and stress resilience in fish via transcriptomic profiling. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 141:109063. [PMID: 37678478 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.109063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, studies have highlighted the significant impact of probiotic treatment on the central nervous system (brain) and stress regulation through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, yet there have been limited knowledge on this axis in fish. Therefore, this study aimed to enhance the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying probiotic effects on neurotransmission and stress alleviation in fish through transcriptomic profiling. In this study, olive flounders (Paralichthys olivaceus) were subjected to two trial setups: a 1-month lab-scale trial and a 6-month field-scale trial, with and without the probiotic strain Lactococcus lactis WFLU12. RNA-Seq analysis was performed using liver samples collected from fish at one-month post-feeding (mpf) in both trials. Additionally, fish growth was monitored monthly, and serological parameters were measured at one mpf in the field-scale experiment. The results of the lab-scale trial showed that probiotic administration significantly upregulated genes related to neurotransmission, such as htr3a, mao, ddc, ntsr1, and gfra2. These findings highlight the impact of probiotics on modulating neurotransmission via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In the field-scale experiment, fish growth was significantly promoted and the sera levels of AST, LDH, and cortisol were significantly higher in the control group compared to the probiotics group. Furthermore, genes involved in stress responses (e.g. hsp70, hsp90B1, hspE1, prdx1, and gss) and transcriptional regulators (e.g. fos, dusp1, and dusp2) exhibited significant upregulation in the control group compared to the probiotics group, indicating that probiotic administration can alleviate stress levels in fish. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of probiotics in fish, specifically regarding their impact on neurotransmission and stress alleviation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonhang Lee
- Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Thanh Luan Nguyen
- Department of Science and Technology, HUTECH University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - HyeongJin Roh
- Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Ahran Kim
- Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Jiyeon Park
- Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Ju-Yeop Lee
- Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Yu-Ra Kang
- Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Hyoyeong Kang
- Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Min-Young Sohn
- Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, South Korea
| | - Chan-Il Park
- Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, South Korea
| | - Do-Hyung Kim
- Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea.
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13
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Singhal SM, Zell V, Faget L, Slosky LM, Barak LS, Caron MG, Pinkerton AB, Hnasko TS. Neurotensin receptor 1-biased ligand attenuates neurotensin-mediated excitation of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Neuropharmacology 2023; 234:109544. [PMID: 37055008 PMCID: PMC10192038 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109544] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Strong expression of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons and terminals makes it an attractive target to modulate DA neuron activity and normalize DA-related pathologies. Recent studies have identified a novel class of NTR1 ligand that shows promising effects in preclinical models of addiction. A lead molecule, SBI-0654553 (SBI-553), can act as a positive allosteric modulator of NTR1 β-arrestin recruitment while simultaneously antagonizing NTR1 Gq protein signaling. Using cell-attached recordings from mouse VTA DA neurons we discovered that, unlike neurotensin (NT), SBI-553 did not independently increase spontaneous firing. Instead, SBI-553 blocked the NT-mediated increase in firing. SBI-553 also antagonized the effects of NT on dopamine D2 auto-receptor signaling, potentially through its inhibitory effects on G-protein signaling. We also measured DA release directly, using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in the nucleus accumbens and observed antagonist effects of SBI-553 on an NT-induced increase in DA release. Further, in vivo administration of SBI-553 did not notably change basal or cocaine-evoked DA release measured in NAc using fiber photometry. Overall, these results indicate that SBI-553 blunts NT's effects on spontaneous DA neuron firing, D2 auto-receptor function, and DA release, without independently affecting these measures. In the presence of NT, SBI-553 has an inhibitory effect on mesolimbic DA activity, which could contribute to its efficacy in animal models of psychostimulant use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak M Singhal
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vivien Zell
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Faget
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren M Slosky
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Marc G Caron
- Departments of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anthony B Pinkerton
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thomas S Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
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14
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Żakowski W, Zawistowski P. Neurochemistry of the mammillary body. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:1379-1398. [PMID: 37378855 PMCID: PMC10335970 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02673-4] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The mammillary body (MB) is a component of the extended hippocampal system and many studies have shown that its functions are vital for mnemonic processes. Together with other subcortical structures, such as the anterior thalamic nuclei and tegmental nuclei of Gudden, the MB plays a crucial role in the processing of spatial and working memory, as well as navigation in rats. The aim of this paper is to review the distribution of various substances in the MB of the rat, with a description of their possible physiological roles. The following groups of substances are reviewed: (1) classical neurotransmitters (glutamate and other excitatory transmitters, gamma-aminobutyric acid, acetylcholine, serotonin, and dopamine), (2) neuropeptides (enkephalins, substance P, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript, neurotensin, neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, orexins, and galanin), and (3) other substances (calcium-binding proteins and calcium sensor proteins). This detailed description of the chemical parcellation may facilitate a better understanding of the MB functions and its complex relations with other structures of the extended hippocampal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Witold Żakowski
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Piotr Zawistowski
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
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15
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LeDuke DO, Borio M, Miranda R, Tye KM. Anxiety and depression: A top-down, bottom-up model of circuit function. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1525:70-87. [PMID: 37129246 PMCID: PMC10695657 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14997] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A functional interplay of bottom-up and top-down processing allows an individual to appropriately respond to the dynamic environment around them. These processing modalities can be represented as attractor states using a dynamical systems model of the brain. The transition probability to move from one attractor state to another is dependent on the stability, depth, neuromodulatory tone, and tonic changes in plasticity. However, how does the relationship between these states change in disease states, such as anxiety or depression? We describe bottom-up and top-down processing from Marr's computational-algorithmic-implementation perspective to understand depressive and anxious disease states. We illustrate examples of bottom-up processing as basolateral amygdala signaling and projections and top-down processing as medial prefrontal cortex internal signaling and projections. Understanding these internal processing dynamics can help us better model the multifaceted elements of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deryn O. LeDuke
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Matilde Borio
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Raymundo Miranda
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kay M. Tye
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Kavli Institute for the Brain and Mind, La Jolla, California, USA
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16
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Llido JP, Fioriti E, Pascut D, Giuffrè M, Bottin C, Zanconati F, Tiribelli C, Gazzin S. Bilirubin-Induced Transcriptomic Imprinting in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:834. [PMID: 37372119 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings indicated aberrant epigenetic control of the central nervous system (CNS) development in hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats as an additional cause of cerebellar hypoplasia, the landmark of bilirubin neurotoxicity in rodents. Because the symptoms in severely hyperbilirubinemic human neonates suggest other regions as privileged targets of bilirubin neurotoxicity, we expanded the study of the potential impact of bilirubin on the control of postnatal brain development to regions correlating with human symptoms. Histology, transcriptomic, gene correlation, and behavioral studies were performed. The histology revealed widespread perturbation 9 days after birth, restoring in adulthood. At the genetic level, regional differences were noticed. Bilirubin affected synaptogenesis, repair, differentiation, energy, extracellular matrix development, etc., with transient alterations in the hippocampus (memory, learning, and cognition) and inferior colliculi (auditory functions) but permanent changes in the parietal cortex. Behavioral tests confirmed the presence of a permanent motor disability. The data correlate well both with the clinic description of neonatal bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity, as well as with the neurologic syndromes reported in adults that suffered neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The results pave the way for better deciphering the neurotoxic features of bilirubin and evaluating deeply the efficacy of new therapeutic approaches against the acute and long-lasting sequels of bilirubin neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Paul Llido
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
- Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Bicutan, Taguig City 1631, Philippines
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuela Fioriti
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Devis Pascut
- Liver Cancer Unit, Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Mauro Giuffrè
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Cristina Bottin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Silvia Gazzin
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
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17
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Szaryńska M, Olejniczak-Kęder A, Podpłońska K, Prahl A, Iłowska E. Bradykinin and Neurotensin Analogues as Potential Compounds in Colon Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119644. [PMID: 37298595 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, so the attempts to find novel therapeutic approaches are necessary. The aim of our study was to analyze how chemical modifications influence physical, chemical, and biological properties of the two peptides, namely, bradykinin (BK) and neurotensin (NT). For this purpose, we used fourteen modified peptides, and their anti-cancers features were analyzed on the HCT116 CRC cell line. Our results confirmed that the spherical mode of a CRC cell line culture better reflects the natural tumour microenvironment. We observed that the size of the colonospheres was markedly reduced following treatment with some BK and NT analogues. The proportion of CD133+ cancer stem cells (CSCs) in colonospheres decreased following incubation with the aforementioned peptides. In our research, we found two groups of these peptides. The first group influenced all the analyzed cellular features, while the second seemed to include the most promising peptides that lowered the count of CD133+ CSCs with parallel substantial reduction in CRC cells viability. These analogues need further analysis to uncover their overall anti-cancer potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Szaryńska
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Agata Olejniczak-Kęder
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Kamila Podpłońska
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Adam Prahl
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Emilia Iłowska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
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18
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Kühl T, Georgieva MG, Hübner H, Lazarova M, Vogel M, Haas B, Peeva MI, Balacheva AA, Bogdanov IP, Milella L, Ponticelli M, Garev T, Faraone I, Detcheva R, Minchev B, Petkova-Kirova P, Tancheva L, Kalfin R, Atanasov AG, Antonov L, Pajpanova TI, Kirilov K, Gastreich M, Gmeiner P, Imhof D, Tzvetkov NT. Neurotensin(8-13) analogs as dual NTS1 and NTS2 receptor ligands with enhanced effects on a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115386. [PMID: 37094450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
The modulatory interactions between neurotensin (NT) and the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system in the brain suggest that NT may be associated with the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). NT exerts its neurophysiological effects by interactions with the human NT receptors type 1 (hNTS1) and 2 (hNTS2). Therefore, both receptor subtypes are promising targets for the development of novel NT-based analogs for the treatment of PD. In this study, we used a virtually guided molecular modeling approach to predict the activity of NT(8-13) analogs by investigating the docking models of ligands designed for binding to the human NTS1 and NTS2 receptors. The importance of the residues at positions 8 and/or 9 for hNTS1 and hNTS2 receptor binding affinity was experimentally confirmed by radioligand binding assays. Further in vitro ADME profiling and in vivo studies revealed that, compared to the parent peptide NT(8-13), compound 10 exhibited improved stability and BBB permeability combined with a significant enhancement of the motor function and memory in a mouse model of PD. The herein reported NTS1/NTS2 dual-specific NT(8-13) analogs represent an attractive tool for the development of therapeutic strategies against PD and potentially other CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Kühl
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Maya G Georgieva
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander- Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, D-91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maria Lazarova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 23, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Matthias Vogel
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Allee 3, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bodo Haas
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Allee 3, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martina I Peeva
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Aneliya A Balacheva
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Ivan P Bogdanov
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Luigi Milella
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, V.le dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Maria Ponticelli
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, V.le dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Tsvetomir Garev
- UMBALSM "N. I. Pirogov"-Hospital, 1606 Pette Kyosheta, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Immacolata Faraone
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, V.le dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy; Innovative Startup Farmis s.r.l., Via Nicola Vaccaro 40, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Roumyana Detcheva
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Borislav Minchev
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 23, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Polina Petkova-Kirova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 23, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Lyubka Tancheva
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 23, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria; Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl St., Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Reni Kalfin
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 23, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Atanas G Atanasov
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, 05-552, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Liudmil Antonov
- Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Blvd. Tsarigradsko Chaussee 72, 1784, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Tamara I Pajpanova
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Kiril Kirilov
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria; Department of Natural Sciences, New Bulgarian University, 21 Montevideo Str., Sofia, 1618, Bulgaria
| | - Marcus Gastreich
- BioSolveIT GmbH, An der Ziegelei 79, 53757 St. Augustin, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander- Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, D-91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Diana Imhof
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nikolay T Tzvetkov
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria.
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19
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Chen L, Liu C, Xue Y, Chen XY. Several neuropeptides involved in parkinsonian neuroprotection modulate the firing properties of nigral dopaminergic neurons. Neuropeptides 2023; 99:102337. [PMID: 37087783 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2023.102337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The surviving nigral dopaminergic neurons display altered spontaneous firing activity in Parkinson's disease. The firing rate of nigral dopaminergic neurons decreases long before complete neuronal death and the appearance of parkinsonian symptoms. A mild stimulation could rescue dopaminergic neurons from death and in turn play neuroprotective effects. Several neuropeptides, including cholecystokinin (CCK), ghrelin, neurotensin, orexin, tachykinins and apelin, within the substantia nigra pars compacta play important roles in the modulation of spontaneous firing activity of dopaminergic neurons and therefore involve motor control and motor disorders. Here, we review neuropeptide-induced modulation of the firing properties of nigral dopaminergic neurons. This review may provide a background to guide further investigations into the involvement of neuropeptides in movement control by modulating firing activity of nigral dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Cui Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yan Xue
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xin-Yi Chen
- Department of International Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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20
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Lauritano D, Mastrangelo F, D’Ovidio C, Ronconi G, Caraffa A, Gallenga CE, Frydas I, Kritas SK, Trimarchi M, Carinci F, Conti P. Activation of Mast Cells by Neuropeptides: The Role of Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054811. [PMID: 36902240 PMCID: PMC10002992 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are tissue cells that are derived from bone marrow stem cells that contribute to allergic reactions, inflammatory diseases, innate and adaptive immunity, autoimmunity, and mental disorders. MCs located near the meninges communicate with microglia through the production of mediators such as histamine and tryptase, but also through the secretion of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF, which can create pathological effects in the brain. Preformed chemical mediators of inflammation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are rapidly released from the granules of MCs, the only immune cells capable of storing the cytokine TNF, although it can also be produced later through mRNA. The role of MCs in nervous system diseases has been extensively studied and reported in the scientific literature; it is of great clinical interest. However, many of the published articles concern studies on animals (mainly rats or mice) and not on humans. MCs are known to interact with neuropeptides that mediate endothelial cell activation, resulting in central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory disorders. In the brain, MCs interact with neurons causing neuronal excitation with the production of neuropeptides and the release of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines. This article explores the current understanding of MC activation by neuropeptide substance P (SP), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and neurotensin, and the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a therapeutic effect of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-37 and IL-38.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Lauritano
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Filiberto Mastrangelo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Cristian D’Ovidio
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Ronconi
- Clinica dei Pazienti del Territorio, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carla E. Gallenga
- Section of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Specialist Surgery, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ilias Frydas
- Department of Parasitology, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Spyros K. Kritas
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Macedonia, Greece
| | - Matteo Trimarchi
- Centre of Neuroscience of Milan, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Carinci
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pio Conti
- Immunology Division, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Chieti, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Correspondence:
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21
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Previti S, Desgagné M, Tourwé D, Cavelier F, Sarret P, Ballet S. Opening the amino acid toolbox for peptide-based NTS2-selective ligands as promising lead compounds for pain management. J Pept Sci 2022; 29:e3471. [PMID: 36539999 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is one of the most critical health issues worldwide. Despite considerable efforts to find therapeutic alternatives, opioid drugs remain the gold standard for pain management. The administration of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists is associated with detrimental and limiting adverse effects. Overall, these adverse effects strongly overshadow the effectiveness of opioid therapy. In this context, the development of neurotensin (NT) ligands has shown to be a promising approach for the management of chronic and acute pain. NT exerts its opioid-independent analgesic effects through the binding of two G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), NTS1 and NTS2. In the last decades, modified NT analogues have been proven to provide potent analgesia in vivo. However, selective NTS1 and nonselective NTS1/NTS2 ligands cause antinociception associated with hypothermia and hypotension, whereas selective NTS2 ligands induce analgesia without altering the body temperature and blood pressure. In light of this, various structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies provided findings addressing the binding affinity of ligands towards NTS2. Herein, we comprehensively review peptide-based NTS2-selective ligands as a robust alternative for future pain management. Particular emphasis is placed on SAR studies governing the desired selectivity and associated in vivo results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santo Previti
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Michael Desgagné
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Florine Cavelier
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, IBMM, UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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22
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Martin L, Ibrahim M, Gomez K, Yu J, Cai S, Chew LA, Bellampalli SS, Moutal A, Largent-Milnes T, Porreca F, Khanna R, Olivera BM, Patwardhan A. Conotoxin contulakin-G engages a neurotensin receptor 2/R-type calcium channel (Cav2.3) pathway to mediate spinal antinociception. Pain 2022; 163:1751-1762. [PMID: 35050960 PMCID: PMC9198109 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Intrathecal application of contulakin-G (CGX), a conotoxin peptide and a neurotensin analogue, has been demonstrated to be safe and potentially analgesic in humans. However, the mechanism of action for CGX analgesia is unknown. We hypothesized that spinal application of CGX produces antinociception through activation of the presynaptic neurotensin receptor (NTSR)2. In this study, we assessed the mechanisms of CGX antinociception in rodent models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Intrathecal administration of CGX, dose dependently, inhibited thermal and mechanical hypersensitivities in rodents of both sexes. Pharmacological and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 editing of NTSR2 reversed CGX-induced antinociception without affecting morphine analgesia. Electrophysiological and gene editing approaches demonstrated that CGX inhibition was dependent on the R-type voltage-gated calcium channel (Cav2.3) in sensory neurons. Anatomical studies demonstrated coexpression of NTSR2 and Cav2.3 in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Finally, synaptic fractionation and slice electrophysiology recordings confirmed a predominantly presynaptic effect. Together, these data reveal a nonopioid pathway engaged by a human-tested drug to produce antinociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Martin
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Mohab Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85742, USA
| | - Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Jie Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Song Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Lindsey A. Chew
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Shreya Sai Bellampalli
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Aubin Moutal
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Tally Largent-Milnes
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85742, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85742, USA
- The Center for Innovation in Brain Sciences, The University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA
| | | | - Amol Patwardhan
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
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23
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Puri S, Kenyon BM, Hamrah P. Immunomodulatory Role of Neuropeptides in the Cornea. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1985. [PMID: 36009532 PMCID: PMC9406019 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transparency of the cornea along with its dense sensory innervation and resident leukocyte populations make it an ideal tissue to study interactions between the nervous and immune systems. The cornea is the most densely innervated tissue of the body and possesses both immune and vascular privilege, in part due to its unique repertoire of resident immune cells. Corneal nerves produce various neuropeptides that have a wide range of functions on immune cells. As research in this area expands, further insights are made into the role of neuropeptides and their immunomodulatory functions in the healthy and diseased cornea. Much remains to be known regarding the details of neuropeptide signaling and how it contributes to pathophysiology, which is likely due to complex interactions among neuropeptides, receptor isoform-specific signaling events, and the inflammatory microenvironment in disease. However, progress in this area has led to an increase in studies that have begun modulating neuropeptide activity for the treatment of corneal diseases with promising results, necessitating the need for a comprehensive review of the literature. This review focuses on the role of neuropeptides in maintaining the homeostasis of the ocular surface, alterations in disease settings, and the possible therapeutic potential of targeting these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudan Puri
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Brendan M. Kenyon
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Pedram Hamrah
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Departments of Immunology and Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Cornea Service, Tufts New England Eye Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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24
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Kupcova I, Danisovic L, Grgac I, Harsanyi S. Anxiety and Depression: What Do We Know of Neuropeptides? Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:262. [PMID: 36004833 PMCID: PMC9405013 DOI: 10.3390/bs12080262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In modern society, there has been a rising trend of depression and anxiety. This trend heavily impacts the population's mental health and thus contributes significantly to morbidity and, in the worst case, to suicides. Modern medicine, with many antidepressants and anxiolytics at hand, is still unable to achieve remission in many patients. The pathophysiology of depression and anxiety is still only marginally understood, which encouraged researchers to focus on neuropeptides, as they are a vast group of signaling molecules in the nervous system. Neuropeptides are involved in the regulation of many physiological functions. Some act as neuromodulators and are often co-released with neurotransmitters that allow for reciprocal communication between the brain and the body. Most studied in the past were the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of oxytocin, vasopressin or neuropeptide Y and S, or Substance P. However, in recent years, more and more novel neuropeptides have been added to the list, with implications for the research and development of new targets, diagnostic elements, and even therapies to treat anxiety and depressive disorders. In this review, we take a close look at all currently studied neuropeptides, their related pathways, their roles in stress adaptation, and the etiology of anxiety and depression in humans and animal models. We will focus on the latest research and information regarding these associated neuropeptides and thus picture their potential uses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Kupcova
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (I.K.); (L.D.)
| | - Lubos Danisovic
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (I.K.); (L.D.)
| | - Ivan Grgac
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Stefan Harsanyi
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (I.K.); (L.D.)
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25
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Brain Delivery of IGF1R5, a Single-Domain Antibody Targeting Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071452. [PMID: 35890347 PMCID: PMC9316817 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of drugs and therapeutic antibodies to reach central nervous system (CNS) targets is greatly diminished by the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT), which is responsible for the transport of natural protein ligands across the BBB, was identified as a way to increase drug delivery to the brain. In this study, we characterized IGF1R5, which is a single-domain antibody (sdAb) that binds to insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) at the BBB, as a ligand that triggers RMT and could deliver cargo molecules that otherwise do not cross the BBB. Surface plasmon resonance binding analyses demonstrated the species cross-reactivity of IGF1R5 toward IGF1R from multiple species. To overcome the short serum half-life of sdAbs, we fused IGF1R5 to the human (hFc) or mouse Fc domain (mFc). IGF1R5 in both N- and C-terminal mFc fusion showed enhanced transmigration across a rat BBB model (SV-ARBEC) in vitro. Increased levels of hFc-IGF1R5 in the cerebrospinal fluid and vessel-depleted brain parenchyma fractions further confirmed the ability of IGF1R5 to cross the BBB in vivo. We next tested whether this carrier was able to ferry a pharmacologically active payload across the BBB by measuring the hypothermic and analgesic properties of neurotensin and galanin, respectively. The fusion of IGF1R5-hFc to neurotensin induced a dose-dependent reduction in the core temperature. The reversal of hyperalgesia by galanin that was chemically linked to IGF1R5-mFc was demonstrated using the Hargreaves model of inflammatory pain. Taken together, our results provided a proof of concept that appropriate antibodies, such as IGF1R5 against IGF1R, are suitable as RMT carriers for the delivery of therapeutic cargos for CNS applications.
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26
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Dixon AD, Inoue A, Robson SA, Culhane KJ, Trinidad JC, Sivaramakrishnan S, Bumbak F, Ziarek JJ. Effect of Ligands and Transducers on the Neurotensin Receptor 1 Conformational Ensemble. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:10241-10250. [PMID: 35647863 PMCID: PMC9936889 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Using a discrete, intracellular 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe on transmembrane helix 6 of the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1), we aim to understand how ligands and transducers modulate the receptor's structural ensemble in a solution. For apo NTS1, 19F NMR spectra reveal an ensemble of at least three conformational substates (one inactive and two active-like) in equilibrium that exchange on the millisecond to second timescale. Dynamic NMR experiments reveal that these substates follow a linear three-site exchange process that is both thermodynamically and kinetically remodeled by orthosteric ligands. As previously observed in other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the full agonist is insufficient to completely stabilize the active-like state. The inactive substate is abolished upon coupling to β-arrestin-1 (βArr1) or the C-terminal helix of Gαq, which comprises ≳60% of the GPCR/G protein interface surface area. Whereas βArr1 exclusively selects for pre-existing active-like substates, the Gαq peptide induces a new substate. Both transducer molecules promote substantial line broadening of active-like states, suggesting contributions from additional microsecond to millisecond exchange processes. Together, our study suggests that (i) the NTS1 allosteric activation mechanism may be alternatively dominated by induced fit or conformational selection depending on the coupled transducer, and (ii) the available static structures do not represent the entire conformational ensemble observed in a solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin D. Dixon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578 Miyagi, Japan
| | - Scott A. Robson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Kelly J. Culhane
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States,Present Address: Department of Chemistry, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, 54911, United States
| | - Jonathan C. Trinidad
- Laboratory for Biological Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Sivaraj Sivaramakrishnan
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Fabian Bumbak
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States,Present Address: Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Joshua J. Ziarek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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27
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Grinevich VP, Zakirov AN, Berseneva UV, Gerasimova EV, Gainetdinov RR, Budygin EA. Applying a Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry to Explore Dopamine Dynamics in Animal Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091533. [PMID: 35563838 PMCID: PMC9100021 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Progress in the development of technologies for the real-time monitoring of neurotransmitter dynamics has provided researchers with effective tools for the exploration of etiology and molecular mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders. One of these powerful tools is fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), a technique which has progressively been used in animal models of diverse pathological conditions associated with alterations in dopamine transmission. Indeed, for several decades FSCV studies have provided substantial insights into our understanding of the role of abnormal dopaminergic transmission in pathogenetic mechanisms of drug and alcohol addiction, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, etc. Here we review the applications of FSCV to research neuropsychiatric disorders with particular attention to recent technological advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir P. Grinevich
- Department of Neurobiology, Sirius University, 1 Olympic Ave., Sirius, Sochi 353340, Russia; (V.P.G.); (A.N.Z.); (U.V.B.); (E.V.G.); (R.R.G.)
| | - Amir N. Zakirov
- Department of Neurobiology, Sirius University, 1 Olympic Ave., Sirius, Sochi 353340, Russia; (V.P.G.); (A.N.Z.); (U.V.B.); (E.V.G.); (R.R.G.)
| | - Uliana V. Berseneva
- Department of Neurobiology, Sirius University, 1 Olympic Ave., Sirius, Sochi 353340, Russia; (V.P.G.); (A.N.Z.); (U.V.B.); (E.V.G.); (R.R.G.)
| | - Elena V. Gerasimova
- Department of Neurobiology, Sirius University, 1 Olympic Ave., Sirius, Sochi 353340, Russia; (V.P.G.); (A.N.Z.); (U.V.B.); (E.V.G.); (R.R.G.)
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Department of Neurobiology, Sirius University, 1 Olympic Ave., Sirius, Sochi 353340, Russia; (V.P.G.); (A.N.Z.); (U.V.B.); (E.V.G.); (R.R.G.)
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine and St. Petersburg State University Hospital, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7-9, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Evgeny A. Budygin
- Department of Neurobiology, Sirius University, 1 Olympic Ave., Sirius, Sochi 353340, Russia; (V.P.G.); (A.N.Z.); (U.V.B.); (E.V.G.); (R.R.G.)
- Correspondence:
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28
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Prediction of GPCR activity using Machine Learning. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2564-2573. [PMID: 35685352 PMCID: PMC9163700 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
GPCRs are the target for one-third of the FDA-approved drugs, however; the development of new drug molecules targeting GPCRs is limited by the lack of mechanistic understanding of the GPCR structure–activity-function relationship. To modulate the GPCR activity with highly specific drugs and minimal side-effects, it is necessary to quantitatively describe the important structural features in the GPCR and correlate them to the activation state of GPCR. In this study, we developed 3 ML approaches to predict the conformation state of GPCR proteins. Additionally, we predict the activity level of GPCRs based on their structure. We leverage the unique advantages of each of the 3 ML approaches, interpretability of XGBoost, minimal feature engineering for 3D convolutional neural network, and graph representation of protein structure for graph neural network. By using these ML approaches, we are able to predict the activation state of GPCRs with high accuracy (91%–95%) and also predict the activation state of GPCRs with low error (MAE of 7.15–10.58). Furthermore, the interpretation of the ML approaches allows us to determine the importance of each of the features in distinguishing between the GPCRs conformations.
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29
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Yadav P, Barati Farimani A. Activation Pathways of Neurotensin Receptor 1 Elucidated Using Statistical Machine Learning. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1333-1341. [PMID: 35380784 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that mediates many biological processes through its interaction with the neurotensin (NTS) peptide. The NTSR1 protein is a clinically significant target as it is involved in the proliferation of cancer cells. Understanding the activation mechanism of NTSR1 is an important prerequisite for exploring the therapeutic potential of targeting NTSR1 and the development of drug molecules specific to NTSR1. Previous studies have been aimed at elucidating the structure of NTSR1 in the active and inactive conformations; however, the intermediate molecular pathway for NTSR1 activation dynamics is largely unknown. In this study, we performed extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the NTSR1 protein and analyzed its kinetic conformational changes to determine the microswitches that drive NTSR1 activation. To biophysically interpret the high-dimensional simulation trajectories, we used Markov state models and machine learning to elucidate the important and detailed conformational changes in NTSR1. Through the analysis of identified microswitches, we propose a mechanistic pathway for NTSR1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakarsh Yadav
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Amir Barati Farimani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Machine Learning Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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30
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New Insights in the Control of Fat Homeostasis: The Role of Neurotensin. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042209. [PMID: 35216326 PMCID: PMC8876516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is a small peptide with pleiotropic functions, exerting its primary actions by controlling food intake and energy balance. The first evidence of an involvement of NT in metabolism came from studies on the central nervous system and brain circuits, where NT acts as a neurotransmitter, producing different effects in relation to the specific region involved. Moreover, newer interesting chapters on peripheral NT and metabolism have emerged since the first studies on the NT-mediated regulation of gut lipid absorption and fat homeostasis. Intriguingly, NT enhances fat absorption from the gut lumen in the presence of food with a high fat content, and this action may explain the strong association between high circulating levels of pro-NT, the NT stable precursor, and the increased incidence of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer observed in large population studies. This review aims to provide a synthetic overview of the main regulatory effects of NT on several biological pathways, particularly those involving energy balance, and will focus on new evidence on the role of NT in controlling fat homeostasis, thus influencing the risk of unfavorable cardio–metabolic outcomes and overall mortality in humans.
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31
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Mishra A, Singh KP. Neurotensin agonist PD 149163 modulates the neuroinflammation induced by bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide in mice model. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2022; 44:216-226. [PMID: 35166614 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2022.2037628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The disruption of bidirectional communication between neuroendocrine and immune components by stressors leads to mental problems. The immunomodulation therapy of neuroinflammation-led psychiatric illness is an emerging area of research. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate immune modulation efficacy of PD 149163 (PD) against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Swiss albino mice (female/12 weeks) were divided into six groups (6 mice/group): (I) Control: 0.9% NaCl; (II) LPS: 1 mg/kg BW, for 5 days; (III) LPS + PD Low: LPS 1 mg/kg BW (for 5 days) after that PD 100 µg/kg BW (for 21 days); (IV) LPS + PD High: LPS 1 mg/kg BW (for 5 days) after that PD 300 µg/kg BW (for 21 days); (V) PD Low: PD 100 µg/kg BW (for 21 days); (VI) PD High: PD 300 µg/kg BW (for 21 days). All treatments were given intraperitoneal. RESULTS The LPS-induced weight loss (body and brain) was normalized to control after PD treatment. The PD enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity while decreased lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) level altered in LPS-exposed mice. The significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in LPS exposure were also decreased by PD. Likewise, the LPS-induced HPA axis activation was stabilized by PD. In the hippocampus, the pyramidal cell layer thickness, pyramidal neurons number and size of CA1 and CA3 regions were reduced along with misalignment, shrinkage, and impairment of cytoarchitecture. In the co-treated group, the LPS-induced hippocampus disruption was reversed after PD exposure. CONCLUSION We suggested that the PD modulates the LPS-induced neuroinflammation and psychiatric illness in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Mishra
- Neurobiology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - K P Singh
- Neurobiology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
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32
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Arman T, Nelson PS. Endocrine and paracrine characteristics of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1012005. [PMID: 36440195 PMCID: PMC9691667 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1012005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a common malignancy affecting men worldwide. While the vast majority of newly diagnosed prostate cancers are categorized as adenocarcinomas, a spectrum of uncommon tumor types occur including those with small cell and neuroendocrine cell features. Benign neuroendocrine cells exist in the normal prostate microenvironment, and these cells may give rise to primary neuroendocrine carcinomas. However, the more common development of neuroendocrine prostate cancer is observed after therapeutics designed to repress the signaling program regulated by the androgen receptor which is active in the majority of localized and metastatic adenocarcinomas. Neuroendocrine tumors are identified through immunohistochemical staining for common markers including chromogranin A/B, synaptophysin and neuron specific enolase (NSE). These markers are also common to neuroendocrine tumors that arise in other tissues and organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, lung and skin. Notably, neuroendocrine prostate cancer shares biochemical features with nerve cells, particularly functions involving the secretion of a variety of peptides and proteins. These secreted factors have the potential to exert local paracrine effects, and distant endocrine effects that may modulate tumor progression, invasion, and resistance to therapy. This review discusses the spectrum of factors derived from neuroendocrine prostate cancers and their potential to influence the pathophysiology of localized and metastatic prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarana Arman
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Peter S. Nelson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- *Correspondence: Peter S. Nelson,
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Neurotensin Regulates Proliferation and Stem Cell Function in the Small Intestine in a Nutrient-Dependent Manner. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 13:501-516. [PMID: 34560309 PMCID: PMC8688554 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are sensitive to dietary alterations and nutrient availability. Neurotensin (NT), a gut peptide localized predominantly to the small bowel and released by fat ingestion, stimulates the growth of intestinal mucosa under basal conditions and during periods of nutrient deprivation, suggesting a possible role for NT on ISC function. METHODS Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5-Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (Lgr5-EGFP) NT wild type (Nt+/+) and Lgr5-EGFP NT knockout (Nt-/-) mice were fed ad libitum or fasted for 48 hours. Small intestine tissue and crypts were examined by gene expression analyses, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and crypt-derived organoid culture. Drosophila expressing NT in midgut enteroendocrine cells were fed a standard diet or low-energy diet and esg-green fluorescent protein+ ISCs were quantified via immunofluorescence. RESULTS Loss of NT impaired crypt cell proliferation and ISC function in a manner dependent on nutrient status. Under nutrient-rich conditions, NT stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 signaling and the expression of genes that promote cell-cycle progression, leading to crypt cell proliferation. Under conditions of nutrient depletion, NT stimulated WNT/β-catenin signaling and promoted an ISC gene signature, leading to enhanced ISC function. NT was required for the induction of WNT/β-catenin signaling and ISC-specific gene expression during nutrient depletion, and loss of NT reduced crypt cell proliferation and impaired ISC function and Lgr5 expression in the intestine during fasting. Conversely, the expression of NT in midgut enteroendocrine cells of Drosophila prevented loss of ISCs during nutrient depletion. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings establish an evolutionarily conserved role for NT in ISC maintenance during nutritional stress. GSE182828.
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Kaneko T, Hara R, Amano T, Minami M. Diverse intracellular signaling pathways mediate the effects of neurotensin on the excitability of type II neurons in the rat dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. J Pharmacol Sci 2021; 147:86-94. [PMID: 34294377 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2021.05.013] [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: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the effects of neurotensin (NTS) on the excitability of type II neurons in the rat dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dlBNST) using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. Bath-application of NTS depolarized type II dlBNST neurons. Analyses of the steady-state I-V relationships implied that the depolarizing effect of NTS is due to potassium conductance blocking. The depolarizing effect of NTS was abolished in the presence of a PLC inhibitor, but not affected by a protein kinase C inhibitor. In the presence of a CaMKII inhibitor, NTS showed depolarizing effects via the increase in non-selective cation conductance in addition to the decrease in potassium conductance. Unexpectedly, in the presence of a PKA inhibitor, NTS hyperpolarized type II dlBNST neurons. These results reveal that diverse signaling pathways mediate the effects of NTS on the excitability of type II dlBNST neurons. The elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels via the inositol phosphate-mediated signaling activates both Ca2+-dependent adenylate cyclase (AC) and CaMKII. Activation of the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway exerts depolarizing effects on type II dlBNST neurons by decreasing potassium conductance and increasing non-selective cation conductance, whereas activation of the CaMKII pathway exerts hyperpolarizing effects on dlBNST neurons by decreasing non-selective cation conductance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Kaneko
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Ryuto Hara
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Taiju Amano
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Masabumi Minami
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan.
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Mishra A, Singh KP. Protective effect of neurotensin receptor-1 agonist PD 149163 against lipopolysaccharide-induced gut toxicity in mice. Drug Chem Toxicol 2021; 45:2399-2410. [PMID: 34334065 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2021.1954698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between neuroendocrine and immune components of the gut maintains the organism's physical and psychological health. Its disruption may reflect in disease conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and mental illness. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) disrupts the endocrine-immune homeostasis resulting in gut toxicity. The Neurotensin receptor-1 (NTR-1) agonist PD 149163 (PD) acts as an atypical antipsychotic drug in psychiatric illness, but its role in modulating gut pathophysiology remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of PD against LPS-induced gut toxicity. Swiss albino female mice (12 weeks) were divided into six groups (n = 6/group): (I) Control, (II) LPS (1 mg/kg, for 5 days), (III) LPS (1 mg/kg, for 5 days)+PD low (100 µg/kg, for 21 days), (IV) LPS (1 mg/kg, for 5 days)+PD high (300 µg/kg, for 21 days), (V) PD low (100 µg/kg, for 21 days), and (VI) PD high (300 µg/kg, for 21 days). Drugs were given intraperitoneal in the morning. PD administration prevented the LPS-induced gut inflammation observed in damage of epithelial barrier, disruption of goblet cells, and condensation of lamina propria (LP). The LPS-induced oxidative stress characterized by decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) (p < 0.001 for both), and enhanced interleukine-6 (IL-6) & tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (p < 0.001 for both) as well as immunointensity of NT (p < 0.01) and NTR-1 (p < 0.05) were reversed and normalized to control after PD treatment. Thus, the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and cell proliferation properties of PD modulate the gut toxicity in LPS-challenged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Mishra
- Neurobiology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - K P Singh
- Neurobiology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
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Lei S, Hu B. Ionic and signaling mechanisms involved in neurotensin-mediated excitation of central amygdala neurons. Neuropharmacology 2021; 196:108714. [PMID: 34271017 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) serves as a neuromodulator in the brain where it regulates a variety of physiological functions. Whereas the central amygdala (CeA) expresses NT peptide and NTS1 receptors and application of NT has been shown to excite CeA neurons, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms have not been determined. We found that activation of NTS1 receptors increased the neuronal excitability of the lateral nucleus (CeL) of CeA. Both phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) depletion were required, whereas intracellular Ca2+ release and PKC were unnecessary for NT-elicited excitation of CeL neurons. NT increased the input resistance and time constants of CeL neurons, suggesting that NT excites CeL neurons by decreasing a membrane conductance. Depressions of the inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channels including both the Kir2 subfamily and the GIRK channels were required for NT-elicited excitation of CeL neurons. Activation of NTS1 receptors in the CeL led to GABAergic inhibition of medial nucleus of CeA neurons, suggesting that NT modulates the network activity in the amygdala. Our results may provide a cellular and molecular mechanism to explain the physiological functions of NT in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saobo Lei
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND58203, USA.
| | - Binqi Hu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND58203, USA
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Chartier M, Desgagné M, Sousbie M, Rumsby C, Chevillard L, Théroux L, Haroune L, Côté J, Longpré JM, Boudreault PL, Marsault É, Sarret P. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles of a neurotensin receptor type 2 (NTS2) analgesic macrocyclic analog. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111861. [PMID: 34229249 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111861] [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: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The current opioid crisis highlights the urgent need to develop safe and effective pain medications. Thus, neurotensin (NT) compounds represent a promising approach, as the antinociceptive effects of NT are mediated by activation of the two G protein-coupled receptor subtypes (i.e., NTS1 and NTS2) and produce potent opioid-independent analgesia. Here, we describe the synthesis and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of the first constrained NTS2 macrocyclic NT(8-13) analog. The Tyr11 residue of NT(8-13) was replaced with a Trp residue to achieve NTS2 selectivity, and a rationally designed side-chain to side-chain macrocyclization reaction was applied between Lys8 and Trp11 to constrain the peptide in an active binding conformation and limit its recognition by proteolytic enzymes. The resulting macrocyclic peptide, CR-01-64, exhibited high-affinity for NTS2 (Ki 7.0 nM), with a more than 125-fold selectivity over NTS1, as well as an improved plasma stability profile (t1/2 > 24 h) compared with NT (t1/2 ~ 2 min). Following intrathecal administration, CR-01-64 exerted dose-dependent and long-lasting analgesic effects in acute (ED50 = 4.6 µg/kg) and tonic (ED50 = 7.1 µg/kg) pain models as well as strong mechanical anti-allodynic effects in the CFA-induced chronic inflammatory pain model. Of particular importance, this constrained NTS2 analog exerted potent nonopioid antinociceptive effects and potentiated opioid-induced analgesia when combined with morphine. At high doses, CR-01-64 did not cause hypothermia or ileum relaxation, although it did induce mild and short-term hypotension, all of which are physiological effects associated with NTS1 activation. Overall, these results demonstrate the strong therapeutic potential of NTS2-selective analogs for the management of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Chartier
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Michael Desgagné
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Marc Sousbie
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Charles Rumsby
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | | | - Léa Théroux
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Lounès Haroune
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Jérôme Côté
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Jean-Michel Longpré
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Pierre-Luc Boudreault
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Éric Marsault
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
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Differential Regulation of Gonadotropins as Revealed by Transcriptomes of Distinct LH and FSH Cells of Fish Pituitary. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126478. [PMID: 34204216 PMCID: PMC8234412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
From mammals to fish, reproduction is driven by luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) temporally secreted from the pituitary gland. Teleost fish are an excellent model for addressing the unique regulation and function of each gonadotropin cell since, unlike mammals, they synthesize and secrete LH and FSH from distinct cells. Only very distant vertebrate classes (such as fish and birds) demonstrate the mono-hormonal strategy, suggesting a potential convergent evolution. Cell-specific transcriptome analysis of double-labeled transgenic tilapia expressing GFP and RFP in LH or FSH cells, respectively, yielded genes specifically enriched in each cell type, revealing differences in hormone regulation, receptor expression, cell signaling, and electrical properties. Each cell type expresses a unique GPCR signature that reveals the direct regulation of metabolic and homeostatic hormones. Comparing these novel transcriptomes to that of rat gonadotrophs revealed conserved genes that might specifically contribute to each gonadotropin activity in mammals, suggesting conserved mechanisms controlling the differential regulation of gonadotropins in vertebrates.
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Perez-Bonilla P, Santiago-Colon K, Matasovsky J, Ramirez-Virella J, Khan R, Garver H, Fink G, Dorrance AM, Leinninger GM. Activation of ventral tegmental area neurotensin Receptor-1 neurons promotes weight loss. Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108639. [PMID: 34116109 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) modulate physical activity and feeding behaviors that are disrupted in obesity. Yet, the heterogeneity of VTA DA neurons has hindered determination of which ones might be leveraged to support weight loss. We hypothesized that increased activity in the subset of VTA DA neurons expressing neurotensin receptor-1 (NtsR1) might promote weight loss behaviors. To test this, we used Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to activate VTA NtsR1 neurons in normal weight and diet-induced obese mice. Acute activation of VTA NtsR1 neurons (24hr) significantly decreased body weight in normal weight and obese mice by reducing food intake and increasing physical activity. Moreover, daily activation of VTA NtsR1 neurons in obese mice sustained weight loss over 7 days. Activating VTA NtsR1 neurons also suppressed how much mice worked to obtain sucrose rewards, even when there was high motivation to consume. However, VTA NtsR1 neural activation was not reinforcing, nor did it invoke liabilities associated with whole-body NtsR1 agonism such as anxiety, vasodepressor response or hypothermia. Activating VTA NtsR1 neurons therefore promotes dual behaviors that support weight loss without causing adverse effects, and is worth further exploration for managing obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Perez-Bonilla
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | | | - Jillian Matasovsky
- Department of Physiology and College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Jariel Ramirez-Virella
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Rabail Khan
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Hannah Garver
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Gregory Fink
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Anne M Dorrance
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology and College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA.
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Kuburas A, Mason BN, Hing B, Wattiez AS, Reis AS, Sowers LP, Moldovan Loomis C, Garcia-Martinez LF, Russo AF. PACAP Induces Light Aversion in Mice by an Inheritable Mechanism Independent of CGRP. J Neurosci 2021; 41:4697-4715. [PMID: 33846231 PMCID: PMC8260237 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2200-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptides CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) and PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide) have emerged as mediators of migraine, yet the potential overlap of their mechanisms remains unknown. Infusion of PACAP, like CGRP, can cause migraine in people, and both peptides share similar vasodilatory and nociceptive functions. In this study, we have used light aversion in mice as a surrogate for migraine-like photophobia to compare CGRP and PACAP and ask whether CGRP or PACAP actions were dependent on each other. Similar to CGRP, PACAP induced light aversion in outbred CD-1 mice. The light aversion was accompanied by increased resting in the dark, but not anxiety in a light-independent open field assay. Unexpectedly, about one-third of the CD-1 mice did not respond to PACAP, which was not seen with CGRP. The responder and nonresponder phenotypes were stable, inheritable, and not sex linked, although there was a trend for greater responses among male mice. RNA-sequencing analysis of trigeminal ganglia yielded hierarchical clustering of responder and nonresponder mice and revealed a number of candidate genes, including greater expression of the Trpc5 and Kcnk12 ion channels and glycoprotein hormones and receptors in a subset of male responder mice. Importantly, an anti-PACAP monoclonal antibody could block PACAP-induced light aversion but not CGRP-induced light aversion. Conversely, an anti-CGRP antibody could not block PACAP-induced light aversion. Thus, we propose that CGRP and PACAP act by independent convergent pathways that cause a migraine-like symptom in mice.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The relationship between the neuropeptides CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) and PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide) in migraine is relevant given that both peptides can induce migraine in people, yet to date only drugs that target CGRP are available. Using an outbred strain of mice, we were able to show that most, but not all, mice respond to PACAP in a preclinical photophobia assay. Our finding that CGRP and PACAP monoclonal antibodies do not cross-inhibit the other peptide indicates that CGRP and PACAP actions are independent and suggests that PACAP-targeted drugs may be effective in patients who do not respond to CGRP-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adisa Kuburas
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Bianca N Mason
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Benjamin Hing
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Anne-Sophie Wattiez
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Alyssa S Reis
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Levi P Sowers
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
| | | | | | - Andrew F Russo
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
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Ramirez-Virella J, Leinninger GM. The Role of Central Neurotensin in Regulating Feeding and Body Weight. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6144574. [PMID: 33599716 PMCID: PMC7951050 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The small peptide neurotensin (Nts) is implicated in myriad processes including analgesia, thermoregulation, reward, arousal, blood pressure, and modulation of feeding and body weight. Alterations in Nts have recently been described in individuals with obesity or eating disorders, suggesting that disrupted Nts signaling may contribute to body weight disturbance. Curiously, Nts mediates seemingly opposing regulation of body weight via different tissues. Peripherally acting Nts promotes fat absorption and weight gain, whereas central Nts signaling suppresses feeding and weight gain. Thus, because Nts is pleiotropic, a location-based approach must be used to understand its contributions to disordered body weight and whether the Nts system might be leveraged to improve metabolic health. Here we review the role of Nts signaling in the brain to understand the sites, receptors, and mechanisms by which Nts can promote behaviors that modify body weight. New techniques permitting site-specific modulation of Nts and Nts receptor-expressing cells suggest that, even in the brain, not all Nts circuitry exerts the same function. Intriguingly, there may be dedicated brain regions and circuits via which Nts specifically suppresses feeding behavior and weight gain vs other Nts-attributed physiology. Defining the central mechanisms by which Nts signaling modifies body weight may suggest strategies to correct disrupted energy balance, as needed to address overweight, obesity, and eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jariel Ramirez-Virella
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Correspondence: Gina M. Leinninger, PhD, Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, 5400 ISTB, 766 Service Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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Nerve impulse transmission pathway-focused genes expression analysis in patients with primary hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis. Endocr Regul 2021; 54:109-118. [PMID: 32597152 DOI: 10.2478/enr-2020-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thyroid hormones have important actions in the adult brain. They regulate genes expression in myelination, differentiation of neuronal and glial cells, and neuronal viability and function. METHODS We used the pathway-specific real-time PCR array (Neurotrophins and Receptors RT2 Profiler PCR Array, QIAGEN, Germany) to identify and verify nerve impulse transmission pathway-focused genes expression in peripheral white blood cells of patients with postoperative hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism as a result of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and AIT with elevated serum an anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies. RESULTS It was shown that patients with postoperative hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism resulting from AIT had significantly lower expression of BDNF and CBLN1. In patients with AIT with elevated serum anti-Tg and anti-TPO antibodies, the expression of GDNF was significantly down-regulated and the expression of PNOC was up-regulated. The expression levels of MEF2C and NTSR1 were decreased in the group of patients with postoperative hypothyroidism and AIT, correspondingly. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate that AIT and hypothyroidism can affect the expression of mRNA nerve impulse transmission genes in gene specific manner and that these changes in gene expressions can be playing a role in the development of neurological complications associated with thyroid pathology. Detection of the transcriptional activity of nerve impulse transmission genes in peripheral white blood cells can be used as an important minimally invasive prognostic marker of the risk for developing neurological complications comorbid with thyroid pathology.
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Grill S, Yahiaoui-Doktor M, Basrai M, Struck J, Schulte J, Berling-Ernst A, Engel C, Ullrich M, Lammert J, Bischoff SC, Schmidt T, Niederberger U, Chronas D, Rhiem K, Schmutzler R, Halle M, Kiechle M. Precursor fractions of neurotensin and enkephalin might point to molecular mechanisms of cancer risk modulation during a lifestyle-intervention in germline BRCA1/2 gene mutation carriers. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2021; 186:741-752. [PMID: 33543354 PMCID: PMC8019429 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-06070-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germline BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (gBMC) face increased cancer risks that are modulated via non-genetic lifestyle factors whose underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. The peptides Neurotensin (NT) and Enkephalin (ENK)-involved in tumorigenesis and obesity-related diseases-are of interest. We wanted to know whether these biomarkers differ between gBMC and women from the general population and what effect a 1-year lifestyle-intervention has in gBMC. METHODS The stable precursor fragments pro-NT and pro-ENK were measured at study entry (SE), after 3 and 12 months for 68 women from LIBRE-1 (a controlled lifestyle-intervention feasibility trial for gBMC involving structured endurance training and the Mediterranean Diet). The SE values were compared with a cohort of the general population including female subjects with and without previous cancer disease, non-suggestive for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (OMA-reference). For LIBRE-1, we analysed the association between the intervention-related change in the two biomarkers and certain lifestyle factors. RESULTS At SE, gBMC had a higher median pro-NT than OMA-reference (in the subgroups with previous cancer 117 vs. 91 pmol/L, p = 0.002). Non-diseased gBMC had lower median pro-ENK levels when compared to the non-diseased reference group. VO2peak and pro-NT 1-year change in LIBRE-1 were inversely correlated (r = - 0.435; CI - 0.653 to - 0.151; p = 0.004). Pro-ENK correlated positively with VO2peak at SE (r = 0.323; CI 0.061-0.544; p = 0.017). Regression analyses showed an inverse association of 1-year changes for pro-NT and Omega-6/Omega-3 (Estimate: - 37.9, p = 0.097/0.080) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION Our results give first indications for lifestyle-related modification particularly of pro-NT in gBMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Grill
- Department of Gynecology and Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.
| | - Maryam Yahiaoui-Doktor
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology (IMISE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maryam Basrai
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | | | - Anika Berling-Ernst
- Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Engel
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology (IMISE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mirjam Ullrich
- Department of Gynecology and Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Lammert
- Department of Gynecology and Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan C Bischoff
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thorsten Schmidt
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Uwe Niederberger
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Chronas
- Department of Gynecology and Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Kerstin Rhiem
- Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rita Schmutzler
- Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Martin Halle
- Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Kiechle
- Department of Gynecology and Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
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Campbell GE, Bender HR, Parker GA, Curry TE, Duffy DM. Neurotensin: A novel mediator of ovulation? FASEB J 2021; 35:e21481. [PMID: 33710668 PMCID: PMC8314182 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002547rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The midcycle luteinizing hormone (LH) surge initiates a cascade of events within the ovarian follicle which culminates in ovulation. Only mural granulosa cells and theca cells express large numbers of LH receptors, and LH-stimulated paracrine mediators communicate the ovulatory signal within the follicle. Recent reports identified the neuropeptide neurotensin (NTS) as a product of granulosa cells. Here, we demonstrate that granulosa cells were the primary site of NTS expression in macaque ovulatory follicles. Granulosa cell NTS mRNA and protein increased after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, which substitutes for the LH surge. To identify ovulatory actions of NTS, a NTS-neutralizing antibody was injected into preovulatory macaque follicles. hCG administration immediately followed, and ovaries were removed 48 hours later to evaluate ovulatory events. Follicles injected with control IgG ovulated normally. In contrast, 75% of NTS antibody-injected follicles failed to ovulate, containing oocytes trapped within unruptured, hemorrhagic follicles. Serum progesterone was unchanged. Of the three NTS receptors, SORT1 was highly expressed in follicular granulosa, theca, and endothelial cells; NTSR1 and NTSR2 were expressed at lower levels. Excessive blood cells in NTS antibody-injected follicles indicated vascular anomalies, so the response of monkey ovarian endothelial cells to NTS was evaluated in vitro. NTS stimulated endothelial cell migration and capillary sprout formation, consistent with a role for NTS in vascular remodeling associated with ovulation. In summary, we identified NTS as a possible paracrine mediator of ovulation. Further investigation of the NTS synthesis/response pathway may lead to improved treatments for infertility and novel targets for contraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve E. Campbell
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Hannah R. Bender
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Grace A. Parker
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Thomas E. Curry
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Diane M. Duffy
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
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Coulter-Parkhill A, McClean S, Gault VA, Irwin N. Therapeutic Potential of Peptides Derived from Animal Venoms: Current Views and Emerging Drugs for Diabetes. Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes 2021; 14:11795514211006071. [PMID: 34621137 PMCID: PMC8491154 DOI: 10.1177/11795514211006071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of venom-derived drugs is evident today. Currently, several significant drugs are FDA approved for human use that descend directly from animal venom products, with others having undergone, or progressing through, clinical trials. In addition, there is growing awareness of the important cosmeceutical application of venom-derived products. The success of venom-derived compounds is linked to their increased bioactivity, specificity and stability when compared to synthetically engineered compounds. This review highlights advancements in venom-derived compounds for the treatment of diabetes and related disorders. Exendin-4, originating from the saliva of Gila monster lizard, represents proof-of-concept for this drug discovery pathway in diabetes. More recent evidence emphasises the potential of venom-derived compounds from bees, cone snails, sea anemones, scorpions, snakes and spiders to effectively manage glycaemic control. Such compounds could represent exciting exploitable scaffolds for future drug discovery in diabetes, as well as providing tools to allow for a better understanding of cell signalling pathways linked to insulin secretion and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor A Gault
- Diabetes Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Nigel Irwin
- Diabetes Research Group, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
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Vivancos M, Fanelli R, Besserer-Offroy É, Beaulieu S, Chartier M, Resua-Rojas M, Mona CE, Previti S, Rémond E, Longpré JM, Cavelier F, Sarret P. Metabolically stable neurotensin analogs exert potent and long-acting analgesia without hypothermia. Behav Brain Res 2021; 405:113189. [PMID: 33607165 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous tridecapeptide neurotensin (NT) has emerged as an important inhibitory modulator of pain transmission, exerting its analgesic action through the activation of the G protein-coupled receptors, NTS1 and NTS2. Whereas both NT receptors mediate the analgesic effects of NT, NTS1 activation also produces hypotension and hypothermia, which may represent obstacles for the development of new pain medications. In the present study, we implemented various chemical strategies to improve the metabolic stability of the biologically active fragment NT(8-13) and assessed their NTS1/NTS2 relative binding affinities. We then determined their ability to reduce the nociceptive behaviors in acute, tonic, and chronic pain models and to modulate blood pressure and body temperature. To this end, we synthesized a series of NT(8-13) analogs carrying a reduced amide bond at Lys8-Lys9 and harboring site-selective modifications with unnatural amino acids, such as silaproline (Sip) and trimethylsilylalanine (TMSAla). Incorporation of Sip and TMSAla respectively in positions 10 and 13 of NT(8-13) combined with the Lys8-Lys9 reduced amine bond (JMV5296) greatly prolonged the plasma half-life time over 20 h. These modifications also led to a 25-fold peptide selectivity toward NTS2. More importantly, central delivery of JMV5296 was able to induce a strong antinociceptive effect in acute (tail-flick), tonic (formalin), and chronic inflammatory (CFA) pain models without inducing hypothermia. Altogether, these results demonstrate that the chemically-modified NT(8-13) analog JMV5296 exhibits a better therapeutic profile and may thus represent a promising avenue to guide the development of new stable NT agonists and improve pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Vivancos
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Roberto Fanelli
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR-CNRS 5247, Université Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Élie Besserer-Offroy
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Sabrina Beaulieu
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Magali Chartier
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Martin Resua-Rojas
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Christine E Mona
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Santo Previti
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR-CNRS 5247, Université Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Emmanuelle Rémond
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR-CNRS 5247, Université Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Jean-Michel Longpré
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Florine Cavelier
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR-CNRS 5247, Université Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
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Abstract
Introduction: Neurotensin is a gut-brain peptide hormone, a 13 amino acid neuropeptide found in the central nervous system and in the GI tract. The neurotensinergic system is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes related to neuropsychiatric and metabolic machineries, cancer growth, food, and drug intake. NT mediates its functions through its two G protein-coupled receptors: neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1/NTSR1) and neurotensin receptor 2 (NTS2/NTSR2). Over the past decade, the role of NTS3/NTSR3/sortilin has also gained importance in human pathologies. Several approaches have appeared dealing with the discovery of compounds able to modulate the functions of this neuropeptide through its receptors for therapeutic gain.Areas covered: The article provides an overview of over four decades of research and details the drug discovery approaches and patented strategies targeting NTSR in the past decade.Expert opinion: Neurotensin is an important neurotransmitter that enables crosstalk with various neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine systems. While significant efforts have been made that have led to selective agonists and antagonists with promising in vitro and in vivo activities, the therapeutic potential of compounds targeting the neurotensinergic system is still to be fully harnessed for successful clinical translation of compounds for the treatment of several pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malliga R Iyer
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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Deluigi M, Klipp A, Klenk C, Merklinger L, Eberle SA, Morstein L, Heine P, Mittl PRE, Ernst P, Kamenecka TM, He Y, Vacca S, Egloff P, Honegger A, Plückthun A. Complexes of the neurotensin receptor 1 with small-molecule ligands reveal structural determinants of full, partial, and inverse agonism. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/5/eabe5504. [PMID: 33571132 PMCID: PMC7840143 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe5504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) and related G protein-coupled receptors of the ghrelin family are clinically unexploited, and several mechanistic aspects of their activation and inactivation have remained unclear. Enabled by a new crystallization design, we present five new structures: apo-state NTSR1 as well as complexes with nonpeptide inverse agonists SR48692 and SR142948A, partial agonist RTI-3a, and the novel full agonist SRI-9829, providing structural rationales on how ligands modulate NTSR1. The inverse agonists favor a large extracellular opening of helices VI and VII, undescribed so far for NTSR1, causing a constriction of the intracellular portion. In contrast, the full and partial agonists induce a binding site contraction, and their efficacy correlates with the ability to mimic the binding mode of the endogenous agonist neurotensin. Providing evidence of helical and side-chain rearrangements modulating receptor activation, our structural and functional data expand the mechanistic understanding of NTSR1 and potentially other peptidergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Deluigi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Klipp
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Klenk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Merklinger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie A Eberle
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lena Morstein
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Heine
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peer R E Mittl
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Ernst
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Theodore M Kamenecka
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way #A2A, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Yuanjun He
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way #A2A, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Santiago Vacca
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Egloff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annemarie Honegger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Li Y, Kang DH, Kim WM, Lee HG, Kim SH, You HE, Choi JI, Yoon MH. Systemically administered neurotensin receptor agonist produces antinociception through activation of spinally projecting serotonergic neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla. Korean J Pain 2021; 34:58-65. [PMID: 33380568 PMCID: PMC7783846 DOI: 10.3344/kjp.2021.34.1.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Supraspinal delivery of neurotensin (NTS), which may contribute to the effect of a systemically administered agonist, has been reported to be either pronociceptive or antinociceptive. Here, we evaluated the effects of systemically administered NTSR1 agonist in a rat model of neuropathic pain and elucidated the underlying supraspinal mechanism. Methods Neuropathic pain was induced by L5 and L6 spinal nerve ligation in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of intraperitoneally administered NTSR1 agonist PD 149163 was assessed using von Frey filaments. To examine the role of 5-HT neurotransmission, a serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonist dihydroergocristine was pretreated intrathecally, and spinal microdialysis studies were performed to measure the change in extracellular level of 5-HT in response to PD 149163 administration. To investigate the supraspinal mechanism, NTSR1 antagonist 48692 was microinjected into the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) prior to systemic PD 149163. Additionally, the effect of intrathecal DHE on intra-RVM PD 149163 was assessed. Results Intraperitoneally administered PD 149163 exhibited a dose-dependent attenuation of mechanical allodynia. This effect was partially reversed by intrathecal pretreatment with dihydroergocristine and was accompanied by an increased extracellular level of 5-HT in the spinal cord. The PD 149163-produced antinociception was also blocked by intra-RVM SB 48692. Direct injection of PD 149163 into the RVM mimicked the maximum effect of the same drug delivered intraperitoneally, which was reversed by intrathecal dihydroergocristine. Conclusions These observations indicate that systemically administered NTSR1 agonist produces antinociception through the NTSR1 in the RVM, activating descending serotonergic projection to release 5-HT into the spinal dorsal horn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqun Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Dong Ho Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Woong Mo Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Hyung Gon Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.,Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Seung Hoon Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hyun Eung You
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Jeong Il Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.,Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Myung Ha Yoon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.,Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
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50
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Wouters Y, Jaspers T, De Strooper B, Dewilde M. Identification and in vivo characterization of a brain-penetrating nanobody. Fluids Barriers CNS 2020; 17:62. [PMID: 33054787 PMCID: PMC7556960 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-020-00226-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preclinical models to determine blood to brain transport ability of therapeutics are often ambiguous. In this study a method is developed that relies on CNS target-engagement and is able to rank brain-penetrating capacities. This method led to the discovery of an anti-transferrin receptor nanobody that is able to deliver a biologically active peptide to the brain via receptor-mediated transcytosis. Methods Various nanobodies against the mouse transferrin receptor were fused to neurotensin and injected peripherally in mice. Neurotensin is a neuropeptide that causes hypothermia when present in the brain but is unable to reach the brain from the periphery. Continuous body temperature measurements were used as a readout for brain penetration of nanobody-neurotensin fusions after its peripheral administration. Full temperature curves were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with Dunnett multiple comparisons tests. Results One anti-transferrin receptor nanobody coupled to neurotensin elicited a drop in body temperature following intravenous injection. Epitope binning indicated that this nanobody bound a distinct transferrin receptor epitope compared to the non-crossing nanobodies. This brain-penetrating nanobody was used to characterize the in vivo hypothermia model. The hypothermic effect caused by neurotensin is dose-dependent and could be used to directly compare peripheral administration routes and various nanobodies in terms of brain exposure. Conclusion This method led to the discovery of an anti-transferrin receptor nanobody that can reach the brain via receptor-mediated transcytosis after peripheral administration. This method could be used to assess novel proteins for brain-penetrating capabilities using a target-engaging readout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wouters
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - T Jaspers
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - B De Strooper
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.
| | - M Dewilde
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,VIB Discovery Sciences, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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