1
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Bogaert B, Debisschop A, Ehouarne T, Van Eeckhoutte HP, De Volder J, Jacobs A, Pottie E, De Rycke R, Crabbé A, Mestdagh P, Lentacker I, Brusselle GG, Stove C, Verstraelen S, Maes T, Bracke KR, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K. Selective Replacement of Cholesterol with Cationic Amphiphilic Drugs Enables the Design of Lipid Nanoparticles with Improved RNA Delivery. Nano Lett 2024; 24:2961-2971. [PMID: 38477058 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The delivery of RNA across biological barriers can be achieved by encapsulation in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Cationic amphiphilic drugs (CADs) are pharmacologically diverse compounds with ionizable lipid-like features. In this work, we applied CADs as a fifth component of state-of-the-art LNPs via microfluidic mixing. Improved cytosolic delivery of both siRNA and mRNA was achieved by partly replacing the cholesterol fraction of LNPs with CADs. The LNPs could cross the mucus layer in a mucus-producing air-liquid interface model of human primary bronchial epithelial cells following nebulization. Moreover, CAD-LNPs demonstrated improved epithelial and endothelial targeting following intranasal administration in mice, without a marked pro-inflammatory signature. Importantly, quantification of the CAD-LNP molar composition, as demonstrated for nortriptyline, revealed a gradual leakage of the CAD from the formulation during LNP dialysis. Altogether, these data suggest that the addition of a CAD prior to the rapid mixing process might have an impact on the composition, structure, and performance of LNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Bogaert
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Aliona Debisschop
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas Ehouarne
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hannelore P Van Eeckhoutte
- Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joyceline De Volder
- Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - An Jacobs
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Riet De Rycke
- Ghent University Expertise Center for Transmission Electron Microscopy and VIB BioImaging Core, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Aurélie Crabbé
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Mestdagh
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, OncoRNAlab, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy G Brusselle
- Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandra Verstraelen
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Tania Maes
- Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ken R Bracke
- Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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2
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Poulie CM, Chan CB, Parka A, Lettorp M, Vos J, Raaschou A, Pottie E, Bundgaard MS, Sørensen LME, Cecchi CR, Märcher-Rørsted E, Bach A, Herth MM, Decker A, Jensen AA, Elfving B, Kretschmann AC, Stove CP, Kohlmeier KA, Cornett C, Janfelt C, Kornum BR, Kristensen JL. In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Pellotine: A Hypnotic Lophophora Alkaloid. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1492-1507. [PMID: 37854625 PMCID: PMC10580395 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Quality of life is often reduced in patients with sleep-wake disorders. Insomnia is commonly treated with benzodiazepines, despite their well-known side effects. Pellotine (1), a Lophophora alkaloid, has been reported to have short-acting sleep-inducing properties in humans. In this study, we set out to evaluate various in vitro and in vivo properties of 1. We demonstrate that 1 undergoes slow metabolism; e.g. in mouse liver microsomes 65% remained, and in human liver microsomes virtually no metabolism was observed after 4 h. In mouse liver microsomes, two phase I metabolites were identified: 7-desmethylpellotine and pellotine-N-oxide. In mice, the two diastereomers of pellotine-O-glucuronide were additionally identified as phase II metabolites. Furthermore, we demonstrated by DESI-MSI that 1 readily enters the central nervous system of rodents. Furthermore, radioligand-displacement assays showed that 1 is selective for the serotonergic system and in particular the serotonin (5-HT)1D, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors, where it binds with affinities in the nanomolar range (117, 170, and 394 nM, respectively). Additionally, 1 was functionally characterized at 5-HT6 and 5-HT7, where it was found to be an agonist at the former (EC50 = 94 nM, Emax = 32%) and an inverse agonist at the latter (EC50 = 291 nM, Emax = -98.6). Finally, we demonstrated that 1 dose-dependently decreases locomotion in mice, inhibits REM sleep, and promotes sleep fragmentation. Thus, we suggest that pellotine itself, and not an active metabolite, is responsible for the hypnotic effects and that these effects are possibly mediated through modulation of serotonergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian
B. M. Poulie
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Camilla B. Chan
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aleksandra Parka
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, C Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Magnus Lettorp
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, C Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Josephine Vos
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, C Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amanda Raaschou
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, C Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mikkel S. Bundgaard
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louis M. E. Sørensen
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claudia R. Cecchi
- Translational
Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Emil Märcher-Rørsted
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Bach
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matthias M. Herth
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department
of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine
& PET, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ann Decker
- Center for
Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Anders A. Jensen
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Betina Elfving
- Translational
Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andreas C. Kretschmann
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, C Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristi A. Kohlmeier
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Cornett
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, C Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Janfelt
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, C Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte R. Kornum
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, C Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper L. Kristensen
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Pottie E, Suresh RR, Jacobson KA, Stove CP. Assay-Dependent Inverse Agonism at the A 3 Adenosine Receptor: When Neutral Is Not Neutral. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1266-1274. [PMID: 37705594 PMCID: PMC10496142 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) is implicated in a variety of (patho)physiological conditions. While most research has focused on agonists and antagonists, inverse agonism at A3AR has been scarcely studied. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring inverse agonism, using two previously engineered cell lines (hA3ARLgBiT-SmBiTβarr2 and hA3ARLgBiT-SmBiTminiGαi), both employing the NanoBiT technology. The previously established inverse agonist PSB-10 showed a decrease in basal signal in the β-arrestin 2 (βarr2) but not the miniGαi recruitment assay, indicative of inverse agonism in the former assay. Control experiments confirmed the specificity and reversibility of this observation. Evaluation of a set of presumed neutral antagonists (MRS7907, MRS7799, XAC, and MRS1220) revealed that all displayed concentration-dependent signal decreases when tested in the A3AR-βarr2 recruitment assay, yielding EC50 and Emax values for inverse agonism. Conversely, in the miniGαi recruitment assay, no signal decreases were observed. To assess whether this observation was caused by the inability of the ligands to induce inverse agonism in the G protein pathway, or rather by a limitation inherent to the employed A3AR-miniGαi recruitment assay, a GloSensor cAMP assay was performed. The outcome of the latter also suggests inverse agonism by the presumed neutral antagonists in this latter assay. These findings emphasize the importance of prior characterization of ligands in the relevant test system. Moreover, it showed the suitability of the NanoBiT βarr2 recruitment and the GloSensor cAMP assays to capture inverse agonism at the A3AR, as opposed to the NanoBiT miniGαi recruitment assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - R. Rama Suresh
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute
of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes
of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20802, United States
| | - Kenneth A. Jacobson
- Laboratory
of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute
of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes
of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20802, United States
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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4
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Pottie E, Poulie CBM, Simon IA, Harpsøe K, D’Andrea L, Komarov IV, Gloriam DE, Jensen AA, Kristensen JL, Stove CP. Structure-Activity Assessment and In-Depth Analysis of Biased Agonism in a Set of Phenylalkylamine 5-HT 2A Receptor Agonists. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:2727-2742. [PMID: 37474114 PMCID: PMC10401645 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics are described to have activation of the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A) as their main pharmacological action. Despite their relevance, the molecular mechanisms underlying the psychedelic effects induced by certain 5-HT2A agonists remain elusive. One of the proposed hypotheses is the occurrence of biased agonism, defined as the preferential activation of certain signaling pathways over others. This study comparatively monitored the efficiency of a diverse panel of 4-position-substituted (and N-benzyl-derived) phenylalkylamines to induce recruitment of β-arrestin2 (βarr2) or miniGαq to the 5-HT2A, allowing us to assess structure-activity relationships and biased agonism. All test compounds exhibited agonist properties with a relatively large range of both EC50 and Emax values. Interestingly, the lipophilicity of the 2C-X phenethylamines was correlated with their efficacy in both assays but yielded a stronger correlation in the miniGαq- than in the βarr2-assay. Molecular docking suggested that accommodation of the 4-substituent of the 2C-X analogues in a hydrophobic pocket between transmembrane helices 4 and 5 of 5-HT2A may contribute to this differential effect. Aside from previously used standard conditions (lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) as a reference agonist and a 2 h activation profile to assess a compound's activity), serotonin was included as a second reference agonist, and the compounds' activities were also assessed using the first 30 min of the activation profile. Under all assessed circumstances, the qualitative structure-activity relationships remained unchanged. Furthermore, the use of two reference agonists allowed for the estimation of both "benchmark bias" (relative to LSD) and "physiology bias" (relative to serotonin).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian B. M. Poulie
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Icaro A. Simon
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Harpsøe
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Laura D’Andrea
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - David E. Gloriam
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders A. Jensen
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper L. Kristensen
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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5
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Deventer MH, Persson M, Laus A, Pottie E, Cannaert A, Tocco G, Gréen H, Stove CP. Off-target activity of NBOMes and NBOMe analogs at the µ opioid receptor. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:1367-1384. [PMID: 36853332 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03465-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are introduced on the illicit drug market at a rapid pace. Their molecular targets are often inadequately elucidated, which contributes to the delayed characterization of their pharmacological effects. Inspired by earlier findings, this study set out to investigate the µ opioid receptor (MOR) activation potential of a large set of psychedelics, substances which typically activate the serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor as their target receptor. We observed that some substances carrying the N-benzyl phenethylamine (NBOMe) structure activated MOR, as confirmed by both the NanoBiT® βarr2 recruitment assay and the G protein-based AequoScreen® Ca2+ release assay. The use of two orthogonal systems proved beneficial as some aspecific, receptor independent effects were found for various analogs when using the Ca2+ release assay. The specific 'off-target' effects at MOR could be blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone, suggesting that these NBOMes occupy the same common opioid binding pocket as conventional opioids. This was corroborated by molecular docking, which revealed the plausibility of multiple interactions of 25I-NBOMe with MOR, similar to those observed for opioids. Additionally, structure-activity relationship findings seen in vitro were rationalized in silico for two 25I-NBOMe isomers. Overall, as MOR activity of these psychedelics was only noticed at high concentrations, we consider it unlikely that for the tested compounds there will be a relevant opioid toxicity in vivo at physiologically relevant concentrations. However, small modifications to the original NBOMe structure may result in a panel of more efficacious and potent MOR agonists, potentially exhibiting a dual MOR/5-HT2A activation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie H Deventer
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mattias Persson
- Department of Forensic Genetic and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Antonio Laus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Henrik Gréen
- Department of Forensic Genetic and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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6
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Glatfelter GC, Pottie E, Partilla JS, Sherwood AM, Kaylo K, Pham DNK, Naeem M, Sammeta VR, DeBoer S, Golen JA, Hulley EB, Stove CP, Chadeayne AR, Manke DR, Baumann MH. Structure-Activity Relationships for Psilocybin, Baeocystin, Aeruginascin, and Related Analogues to Produce Pharmacological Effects in Mice. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:1181-1196. [PMID: 36407948 PMCID: PMC9667540 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
4-Phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocybin) is a naturally occurring tertiary amine found in many mushroom species. Psilocybin is a prodrug for 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocin), which induces psychedelic effects via agonist activity at the serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptor (5-HT2A). Several other 4-position ring-substituted tryptamines are present in psilocybin-containing mushrooms, including the secondary amine 4-phosphoryloxy-N-methyltryptamine (baeocystin) and the quaternary ammonium 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine (aeruginascin), but these compounds are not well studied. Here, we investigated the structure-activity relationships for psilocybin, baeocystin, and aeruginascin, as compared to their 4-acetoxy and 4-hydroxy analogues, using in vitro and in vivo methods. Broad receptor screening using radioligand binding assays in transfected cells revealed that secondary and tertiary tryptamines with either 4-acetoxy or 4-hydroxy substitutions display nanomolar affinity for most human 5-HT receptor subtypes tested, including the 5-HT2A and the serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1A). The same compounds displayed affinity for 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A in mouse brain tissue in vitro and exhibited agonist efficacy in assays examining 5-HT2A-mediated calcium mobilization and β-arrestin 2 recruitment. In mouse experiments, only the tertiary amines psilocin, psilocybin, and 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilacetin) induced head twitch responses (ED50 0.11-0.29 mg/kg) indicative of psychedelic-like activity. Head twitches were blocked by 5-HT2A antagonist pretreatment, supporting 5-HT2A involvement. Both secondary and tertiary amines decreased body temperature and locomotor activity at higher doses, the effects of which were blocked by 5-HT1A antagonist pretreatment. Across all assays, the pharmacological effects of 4-acetoxy and 4-hydroxy compounds were similar, and these compounds were more potent than their 4-phosphoryloxy counterparts. Importantly, psilacetin appears to be a prodrug for psilocin that displays substantial serotonin receptor activities of its own.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant C. Glatfelter
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - John S. Partilla
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | | | - Kristi Kaylo
- Usona
Institute, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States
| | - Duyen N. K. Pham
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Marilyn Naeem
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Vamshikrishna Reddy Sammeta
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Stacie DeBoer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - James A. Golen
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Elliott B. Hulley
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - David R. Manke
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Michael H. Baumann
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
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7
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Bogaert B, Sauvage F, Guagliardo R, Muntean C, Nguyen VP, Pottie E, Wels M, Minnaert AK, De Rycke R, Yang Q, Peer D, Sanders N, Remaut K, Paulus YM, Stove C, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K. A lipid nanoparticle platform for mRNA delivery through repurposing of cationic amphiphilic drugs. J Control Release 2022; 350:256-270. [PMID: 35963467 PMCID: PMC9401634 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Since the recent clinical approval of siRNA-based drugs and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, the potential of RNA therapeutics for patient healthcare has become widely accepted. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently the most advanced nanocarriers for RNA packaging and delivery. Nevertheless, the intracellular delivery efficiency of state-of-the-art LNPs remains relatively low and safety and immunogenicity concerns with synthetic lipid components persist, altogether rationalizing the exploration of alternative LNP compositions. In addition, there is an interest in exploiting LNP technology for simultaneous encapsulation of small molecule drugs and RNA in a single nanocarrier. Here, we describe how well-known tricyclic cationic amphiphilic drugs (CADs) can be repurposed as both structural and functional components of lipid-based NPs for mRNA formulation, further referred to as CADosomes. We demonstrate that selected CADs, such as tricyclic antidepressants and antihistamines, self-assemble with the widely-used helper lipid DOPE to form cationic lipid vesicles for subsequent mRNA complexation and delivery, without the need for prior lipophilic derivatization. Selected CADosomes enabled efficient mRNA delivery in various in vitro cell models, including easy-to-transfect cancer cells (e.g. human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell line) as well as hard-to-transfect primary cells (e.g. primary bovine corneal epithelial cells), outperforming commercially available cationic liposomes and state-of-the-art LNPs. In addition, using the antidepressant nortriptyline as a model compound, we show that CADs can maintain their pharmacological activity upon CADosome incorporation. Furthermore, in vivo proof-of-concept was obtained, demonstrating CADosome-mediated mRNA delivery in the corneal epithelial cells of rabbit eyes, which could pave the way for future applications in ophthalmology. Based on our results, the co-formulation of CADs, helper lipids and mRNA into lipid-based nanocarriers is proposed as a versatile and straightforward approach for the rational development of drug combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Bogaert
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Félix Sauvage
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Roberta Guagliardo
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Cristina Muntean
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Van Phuc Nguyen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Mike Wels
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - An-Katrien Minnaert
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Riet De Rycke
- Ghent University Expertise Center for Transmission Electron Microscopy and VIB BioImaging Core, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Qiangbing Yang
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht and Circulatory Health Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Dan Peer
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Niek Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Katrien Remaut
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Yannis M Paulus
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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8
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Poulie CBM, Pottie E, Simon IA, Harpsøe K, D'Andrea L, Komarov IV, Gloriam DE, Jensen AA, Stove CP, Kristensen JL. Discovery of β-Arrestin-Biased 25CN-NBOH-Derived 5-HT 2A Receptor Agonists. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12031-12043. [PMID: 36099411 PMCID: PMC9511481 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) is the mediator of the psychedelic effects of serotonergic psychedelics, which have shown promising results in clinical studies for several neuropsychiatric indications. The 5-HT2AR is able to signal through the Gαq and β-arrestin effector proteins, but it is currently not known how the different signaling pathways contribute to the therapeutic effects mediated by serotonergic psychedelics. In the present work, we have evaluated the subtype-selective 5-HT2AR agonist 25CN-NBOH and a series of close analogues for biased signaling at this receptor. These ligands were designed to evaluate the role of interactions with Ser1593×36. The lack of interaction between this hydroxyl moiety and Ser1593×36 resulted in detrimental effects on potency and efficacy in both βarr2 and miniGαq recruitment assays. Remarkably, Gαq-mediated signaling was considerably more affected. This led to the development of the first efficacious βarr2-biased 5-HT2AR agonists 4a-b and 6e-f, βarr2 preferring, relative to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian B M Poulie
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK─2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Icaro A Simon
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK─2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Harpsøe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK─2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Laura D'Andrea
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK─2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - David E Gloriam
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK─2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders A Jensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK─2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jesper L Kristensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK─2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Gerwe H, He F, Pottie E, Stove C, Decker M. Frontispiece: Enlightening the “Spirit Molecule”: Photomodulation of the 5‐HT
2A
Receptor by a Light‐Controllable
N
,
N
‐Dimethyltryptamine Derivative. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202282661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Gerwe
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Feng He
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology Department of Bioanalysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ghent University Ottergemsesteenweg 460 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology Department of Bioanalysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ghent University Ottergemsesteenweg 460 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
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10
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Gerwe H, He F, Pottie E, Stove C, Decker M. Enlightening the “Spirit Molecule”: Photomodulation of the 5‐HT
2A
Receptor by a Light‐Controllable
N
,
N
‐Dimethyltryptamine Derivative. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202203034. [PMID: 35349196 PMCID: PMC9324199 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202203034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Gerwe
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Feng He
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology Department of Bioanalysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ghent University Ottergemsesteenweg 460 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology Department of Bioanalysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ghent University Ottergemsesteenweg 460 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Germany
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11
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Gerwe H, He F, Pottie E, Stove C, Decker M. Frontispiz: Die Erhellung des “Bewusstseinsmoleküls”: Photomodulation des 5‐HT
2A
Rezeptors durch ein licht‐steuerbares N,N‐Dimethyltryptamin‐Derivat. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202282661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Gerwe
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie Institut für Pharmazie Lebensmittelchemie Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Deutschland
| | - Feng He
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie Institut für Pharmazie Lebensmittelchemie Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Deutschland
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology Department of Bioanalysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ghent University Ottergemsesteenweg 460 9000 Ghent Belgien
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology Department of Bioanalysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ghent University Ottergemsesteenweg 460 9000 Ghent Belgien
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie Institut für Pharmazie Lebensmittelchemie Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Am Hubland 97074 Würzburg Deutschland
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12
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Tosh DK, Salmaso V, Campbell RG, Rao H, Bitant A, Pottie E, Stove CP, Liu N, Gavrilova O, Gao ZG, Auchampach JA, Jacobson KA. A 3 adenosine receptor agonists containing dopamine moieties for enhanced interspecies affinity. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 228:113983. [PMID: 34844790 PMCID: PMC8865922 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Following our study of 4'-truncated (N)-methanocarba-adenosine derivatives that displayed unusually high mouse (m) A3AR affinity, we incorporated dopamine-related N6 substituents in the full agonist 5'-methylamide series. N6-(2-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)ethyl) derivative MRS7618 11 displayed Ki (nM) 0.563 at hA3AR (∼20,000-fold selective) and 1.54 at mA3AR. 2-Alkyl ethers maintained A3 affinity, but with less selectivity than 2-alkynes. Parallel functional assays of G protein-dependent and β-arrestin 2 (βarr2)-dependent pathways indicate these are full agonists but not biased. Through use of computational modeling, we hypothesized that phenyl OH/OMe groups interact with polar residues, particularly Gln261, on the mA3AR extracellular loops as the basis for the affinity enhancement. Although the pharmacokinetics indicated facile clearance of parent O-methyl catechol nucleosides 21 and 31, prolonged mA3AR activation in vivo was observed in a hypothermia model, suggested potential formation of active metabolites through demethylation. Selected analogues induced mouse hypothermia following i.p. injection, indicative of peripheral A3AR agonism in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilip K. Tosh
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Veronica Salmaso
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ryan G. Campbell
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Harsha Rao
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Amelia Bitant
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Naili Liu
- Mouse Metabolism Core, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Oksana Gavrilova
- Mouse Metabolism Core, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Zhan-Guo Gao
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - John A. Auchampach
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Kenneth A. Jacobson
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA,Corresponding author. Address correspondence to: Dr. Kenneth A. Jacobson, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-0810 USA; Molecular Recognition Section, Bldg. 8A, Rm. B1A-19, NIH, NIDDK, LBC, Bethesda, MD, USA. Phone: 301-496-9024. Fax: 301-496-8422. (K.A. Jacobson)
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13
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Pottie E, Stove CP. In vitro assays for the functional characterization of (psychedelic) substances at the serotonin receptor 5-HT 2A R. J Neurochem 2022; 162:39-59. [PMID: 34978711 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics are substances that induce alterations in mood, perception, and thought, and have the activation of serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptors (5-HT2A Rs) as a main pharmacological mechanism. Besides their appearance on the (illicit) drug market, e.g. as new psychoactive substances, their potential therapeutic application is increasingly explored. This group of substances demonstrates a broad structural variety, leading to insufficiently described structure-activity relationships, hence illustrating the need for better functional characterization. This review therefore elaborates on the in vitro molecular techniques that have been used the most abundantly for the characterization of (psychedelic) 5-HT2A R agonists. More specifically, this review covers assays to monitor the canonical G protein signaling pathway (e.g. measuring G protein recruitment/activation, inositol phosphate accumulation, or Ca2+ mobilization), assays to monitor non-canonical G protein signaling (such as arachidonic acid release), assays to monitor β-arrestin recruitment or signaling, and assays to monitor receptor conformational changes. In particular, focus lies on the mechanism behind the techniques, and the specific advantages and challenges that are associated with these. Additionally, several variables are discussed that one should consider when attempting to compare functional outcomes from different studies, both linked to the specific assay mechanism and linked to its specific execution, as these may heavily impact the assay outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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14
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Pottie E, Kupriyanova OV, Shevyrin VA, Stove CP. Synthesis and Functional Characterization of 2-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)- N-(2-fluorobenzyl)ethanamine (25H-NBF) Positional Isomers. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1667-1673. [PMID: 33906351 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics, substances exerting their pharmacological action through activation of the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR), have continuously comprised a substantial fraction of the over 1000 reported New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) so far. Within this category, N-benzyl derived phenethylamines, such as NBOMes and NBFs, have shown to be of particular relevance. As these substances remain incompletely characterized, this study aimed at synthesizing positional isomers of 25H-NBF, with two methoxy groups placed on different positions of the phenyl group of the phenethylamine moiety. These isomers were then functionally characterized in an in vitro bioassay monitoring the recruitment of β-arrestin 2 to the 5-HT2AR through luminescent readout via the NanoBiT technology. The obtained results provide insight into the optimal substitution pattern of the phenyl group of the phenethylamine moiety of N-benzyl derived substances, a feature so far mostly explored in the phenethylamines underived at the N-position. In the employed bioassay, the most potent substances were 24H-NBF (EC50 value of 158 nM), 26H-NBF (397 nM), and 25H-NBF (448 nM), with 23H-NBF, 35H-NBF, and 34H-NBF yielding μM EC50 values. A similar ranking was obtained for the compounds' efficacy: taking as a reference LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), 24H-, 26H-, and 25H-NBF had an efficacy of 106-107%, followed by 23H-NBF (96.1%), 34H-NBF (75.2%), and 35H-NBF (58.9%). The stronger activity of 24H-, 25H-, and 26H-NBF emphasizes the important role of the methoxy group at position 2 of the phenethylamine moiety for the in vitro functionality of NBF substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olga V. Kupriyanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya Str., 420008 Kazan, Russian Federation
- Kazan State Medical University, 49 Butlerova Str., 420012 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Vadim A. Shevyrin
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology, Ural Federal University, 19 Mira Str., 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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15
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Pottie E, Kupriyanova OV, Brandt AL, Laprairie RB, Shevyrin VA, Stove CP. Serotonin 2A Receptor (5-HT 2AR) Activation by 25H-NBOMe Positional Isomers: In Vitro Functional Evaluation and Molecular Docking. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:479-487. [PMID: 33860178 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics are defined as compounds having serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) activation as an important pharmacological mechanism. These compounds include the phenylalkylamine class, containing substances with e.g. 2C-X structures (phenethylamines) or their N-methoxybenzyl analogues (NBOMes). Besides their abuse potential, psychedelics are increasingly recognized for having therapeutic benefits. However, many psychedelics remain incompletely characterized, even concerning their structure-activity relationships. Here, five positional isomers of 25H-NBOMe, with two methoxy groups on the different positions of the phenyl ring of the phenethylamine moiety, were subjected to split-nanoluciferase assays assessing the in vitro recruitment of cytosolic proteins to the 5-HT2AR. Furthermore, molecular docking at the 5-HT2AR allowed estimation of which residues interact with the specific isomers' methoxy groups. Although the optimal substitution pattern of N-unsubstituted phenylalkylamines has been extensively studied, this is the first comparative evaluation of the functional effects of the positioning of the methoxy groups in the phenethylamine moiety of NBOMes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olga V Kupriyanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russian Federation.,Kazan State Medical University, Kazan 420012, Russian Federation
| | - Asher L Brandt
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Robert B Laprairie
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Vadim A Shevyrin
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russian Federation
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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16
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Pottie E, Dedecker P, Stove CP. Identification of psychedelic new psychoactive substances (NPS) showing biased agonism at the 5-HT2AR through simultaneous use of β-arrestin 2 and miniGαq bioassays. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 182:114251. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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17
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Pottie E, Cannaert A, Stove CP. In vitro structure-activity relationship determination of 30 psychedelic new psychoactive substances by means of β-arrestin 2 recruitment to the serotonin 2A receptor. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:3449-3460. [PMID: 32627074 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02836-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics, substances exerting their effects primarily through the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR), continue to comprise a substantial portion of reported new psychoactive substances (NPS). The exact mechanisms of action of psychedelics still remain to be elucidated further, and certain pathways remain largely unexplored on a molecular level for this group of compounds. A systematic comparison of substances belonging to different subclasses, monitoring the receptor-proximal β-arrestin 2 recruitment, is lacking. Based on a previously reported in vitro bioassay employing functional complementation of a split nanoluciferase to monitor β-arrestin 2 recruitment to the 5-HT2AR, we here report on the setup of a stable HEK 293 T cell-based bioassay. Following verification of the performance of this new stable cell system as compared to a system based on transient transfection, the stable expression system was deemed suitable for the pharmacological characterization of psychedelic NPS. Subsequently, it was applied for the in vitro assessment of the structure-activity relationship of a set of 30 substances, representing different subclasses of phenylalkylamine psychedelics, among which 12 phenethylamine derivatives (2C-X), 7 phenylisopropylamines (DOx) and 11 N-benzylderivatives (25X-NB). The resulting potency and efficacy values provide insights into the structure-activity relationship of the tested compounds, overall confirm findings observed with other reported in vitro assays, and even show a significant correlation with estimated common doses. This approach, in which a large series of psychedelic NPS belonging to different subclasses is comparatively tested, using a same assay setup, monitoring a receptor-proximal event, not only gives pharmacological insights, but may also allow prioritization of legal actions related to the most potent -and potentially dangerous- compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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18
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Pottie E, Tosh DK, Gao ZG, Jacobson KA, Stove CP. Assessment of biased agonism at the A 3 adenosine receptor using β-arrestin and miniGα i recruitment assays. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113934. [PMID: 32224136 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is involved in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes, such as cancer. However, the use of compounds pharmacologically targeting this receptor remains limited in clinical practice, despite extensive efforts for compound synthesis. Moreover, the possible occurrence of biased agonism further complicates the interpretation of the functional characteristics of compounds. Hence the need for simple assays, which are comparable in terms of the used cell lines and read-out technique. We previously established a stable β-arrestin 2 (βarr2) bioassay, employing a simple, luminescent read-out via functional complementation of a split nanoluciferase enzyme. Here, we developed a complementary, new bioassay in which coupling of an engineered miniGαi protein to activated A3AR is monitored using a similar approach. Application of both bioassays for the concurrent determination of the potencies and efficacies of a set of 19 N6-substituted adenosine analogues not only allowed for the characterization of structure-activity relationships, but also for the quantification of biased agonism. Although a broad distribution in potency and efficacy values was obtained within the test panel, no significant bias was observed toward either the βarr2 or miniGαi pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dilip K Tosh
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20802, USA
| | - Zhan-Guo Gao
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20802, USA
| | - Kenneth A Jacobson
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20802, USA
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Pottie E, Cannaert A, Van Uytfanghe K, Stove CP. Setup of a Serotonin 2A Receptor (5-HT2AR) Bioassay: Demonstration of Its Applicability To Functionally Characterize Hallucinogenic New Psychoactive Substances and an Explanation Why 5-HT2AR Bioassays Are Not Suited for Universal Activity-Based Screening of Biofluids for New Psychoactive Substances. Anal Chem 2019; 91:15444-15452. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katleen Van Uytfanghe
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Bochicchio S, Dapas B, Russo I, Ciacci C, Piazza O, De Smedt S, Pottie E, Barba AA, Grassi G. In vitro and ex vivo delivery of tailored siRNA-nanoliposomes for E2F1 silencing as a potential therapy for colorectal cancer. Int J Pharm 2017; 525:377-387. [PMID: 28189855 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Tailored developed nanoliposomes loaded with a siRNA against the transcription factor E2F1 (siE2F1), were produced and delivered to human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines and to intestinal human biopsies. siE2F1 loaded nanoliposomes were produced through a dedicated ultrasound assisted technique producing particles with about 40nm size (Small Unilamellar Vesicles, SUVs) and 100% siRNA encapsulation efficiency. Compared to other production methods, the one proposed here can easily produce particles in the nanometric scale by suitable ultrasonic duty cycle treatments. Furthermore, SUVs have a high degree of size homogeneity, a relevant feature for uniform delivery behaviour. siE2F1-loaded SUVs demonstrated a very low cytotoxicity in cells when compared to a commercial transfection agent. Moreover, SUVs loaded with siE2F1 were effective in the down regulation of the target in cultured colon carcinoma cells and in the consequent reduction of cell growth. Finally, a remarkable uptake and target silencing efficiencies were observed in cultured human biopsy of colonic mucosa. In conclusion, whereas further studies in more complex models are required, the siE2F1-SUVs generated have the potential to contribute to the development of novel effective inflammatory bowel diseases-associated colorectal cancer therapies for a future personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Bochicchio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy; Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - Ilaria Russo
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Carolina Ciacci
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Ornella Piazza
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | | | - Eline Pottie
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Gent, Belgium
| | - Anna Angela Barba
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, University of Trieste, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e della Salute, Ospedale di Cattinara, University of Trieste, Italy
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