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Beck TC, Springs K, Morningstar JE, Mills C, Stoddard A, Guo L, Moore K, Gensemer C, Biggs R, Petrucci T, Kwon J, Stayer K, Koren N, Dunne J, Fulmer D, Vohra A, Mai L, Dooley S, Weninger J, Peterson Y, Woster P, Dix TA, Norris RA. Application of Pharmacokinetic Prediction Platforms in the Design of Optimized Anti-Cancer Drugs. Molecules 2022; 27:3678. [PMID: 35744803 PMCID: PMC9227314 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123678] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, accounting for 602,350 deaths in 2020. Cancer-related death rates have declined by 27% over the past two decades, partially due to the identification of novel anti-cancer drugs. Despite improvements in cancer treatment, newly approved oncology drugs are associated with increased toxicity risk. These toxicities may be mitigated by pharmacokinetic optimization and reductions in off-target interactions. As such, there is a need for early-stage implementation of pharmacokinetic (PK) prediction tools. Several PK prediction platforms exist, including pkCSM, SuperCypsPred, Pred-hERG, Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA), and SwissADME. These tools can be used in screening hits, allowing for the selection of compounds were reduced toxicity and/or risk of attrition. In this short commentary, we used PK prediction tools in the optimization of mitogen activated extracellular signal-related kinase kinase 1 (MEK1) inhibitors. In doing so, we identified MEK1 inhibitors with retained activity and optimized predictive PK properties, devoid of hERG inhibition. These data support the use of publicly available PK prediction platforms in early-stage drug discovery to design safer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler C. Beck
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (T.C.B.); (J.E.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (C.M.); (Y.P.); (P.W.); (T.A.D.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Kendra Springs
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Jordan E. Morningstar
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (T.C.B.); (J.E.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Catherine Mills
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (C.M.); (Y.P.); (P.W.); (T.A.D.)
| | - Andrew Stoddard
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (T.C.B.); (J.E.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Lilong Guo
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Kelsey Moore
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Cortney Gensemer
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Rachel Biggs
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Taylor Petrucci
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Jennie Kwon
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Kristina Stayer
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Natalie Koren
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Jaclyn Dunne
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Diana Fulmer
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Ayesha Vohra
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Le Mai
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Sarah Dooley
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Julianna Weninger
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
| | - Yuri Peterson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (C.M.); (Y.P.); (P.W.); (T.A.D.)
| | - Patrick Woster
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (C.M.); (Y.P.); (P.W.); (T.A.D.)
| | - Thomas A. Dix
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (C.M.); (Y.P.); (P.W.); (T.A.D.)
| | - Russell A. Norris
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (T.C.B.); (J.E.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.S.); (L.G.); (K.M.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (T.P.); (J.K.); (K.S.); (N.K.); (J.D.); (D.F.); (A.V.); (L.M.); (S.D.); (J.W.)
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler C Beck
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA; Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
| | - Thomas A Dix
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Russell A Norris
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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Beck TC, Beck KR, Holloway CB, Hemings RA, Dix TA, Norris RA. The C-C Chemokine Receptor Type 4 Is an Immunomodulatory Target of Hydroxychloroquine. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1253. [PMID: 32973504 PMCID: PMC7482581 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19) in China, reported to the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019, has led to a large global pandemic and is a major public health issue. As a result, there are more than 200 clinical trials of COVID-19 treatments or vaccines that are either ongoing or recruiting patients. One potential therapy that has garnered international attention is hydroxychloroquine; a potent immunomodulatory agent FDA-approved for the treatment of numerous inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Hydroxychloroquine has demonstrated promise in vitro and is currently under investigation in clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19. Despite an abundance of empirical data, the mechanism(s) involved in the immunomodulatory activity of hydroxychloroquine have not been characterized. Using the unbiased chemical similarity ensemble approach (SEA), we identified C-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4) as an immunomodulatory target of hydroxychloroquine. The crystal structure of CCR4 was selected for molecular docking studies using the SwissDock modeling software. In silico, hydroxychloroquine interacts with Thr-189 within the CCR4 active site, presumably blocking endogenous ligand binding. However, the CCR4 antagonists compound 18a and K777 outperformed hydroxychloroquine in silico, demonstrating energetically favorable binding characteristics. Hydroxychloroquine may subject COVID-19 patients to QT-prolongation, increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death. The FDA-approved CCR4 antagonist mogalizumab is not known to increase the risk of QT prolongation and may serve as a viable alternative to hydroxychloroquine. Results from this report introduce additional FDA-approved drugs that warrant investigation for therapeutic use in the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler C. Beck
- Dix Laboratory, Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States,Norris Laboratory, Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States,College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States,*Correspondence: Tyler C. Beck, ; Russell A. Norris,
| | - Kyle R. Beck
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Calvin B. Holloway
- Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Richard A. Hemings
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Thomas A. Dix
- Dix Laboratory, Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Russell A. Norris
- Norris Laboratory, Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States,*Correspondence: Tyler C. Beck, ; Russell A. Norris,
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Zhong W, Yuan Y, Gu X, Kim SIY, Chin R, Loye M, Dix TA, Wei L, Yu SP. Neuropsychological Deficits Chronically Developed after Focal Ischemic Stroke and Beneficial Effects of Pharmacological Hypothermia in the Mouse. Aging Dis 2020; 11:1-16. [PMID: 32010477 PMCID: PMC6961763 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of human death and disability, with around 30% of stroke patients develop neuropsychological/neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as post-stroke depression (PSD). Basic and translational research on post-stroke psychological disorders is limited. In a focal ischemic stroke mouse model with selective damage to the sensorimotor cortex, sensorimotor deficits develop soon after stroke and spontaneous recovery is observed in 2-4 weeks. We identified that mice subjected to a focal ischemic insult gradually developed depression/anxiety like behaviors 4 to 8 weeks after stroke. Psychological/psychiatric disorders were revealed in multiple behavioral examinations, including the forced swim, tail suspension, sucrose preference, and open field tests. Altered neuronal plasticity such as suppressed long-term potentiation (LTP), reduced BDNF and oxytocin signaling, and disturbed dopamine synthesis/uptake were detected in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during the chronic phase after stroke. Pharmacological hypothermia induced by the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) agonist HPI-363 was applied as an acute treatment after stroke. A six-hr hypothermia treatment applied 45 min after stroke prevented depression and anxiety like behaviors examined at 6 weeks after stroke, as well as restored BDNF expression and oxytocin signaling. Additionally, hypothermia induced by physical cooling also showed an anti-depression and anti-anxiety effect. The data suggested a delayed beneficial effect of acute hypothermia treatment on chronically developed post-stroke neuropsychological disorders, associated with regulation of synaptic plasticity, neurotrophic factors, dopaminergic activity, and oxytocin signaling in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zhong
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,2Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Yan Yuan
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,3College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Xiaohuan Gu
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,2Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Samuel In-Young Kim
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ryan Chin
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Modupe Loye
- 2Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Thomas A Dix
- 4Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
| | - Ling Wei
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shan Ping Yu
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,2Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
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Zhao Y, Wei ZZ, Lee JH, Gu X, Sun J, Dix TA, Wei L, Yu SP. Pharmacological hypothermia induced neurovascular protection after severe stroke of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Exp Neurol 2019; 325:113133. [PMID: 31770520 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic hypothermia is a potential protective strategy after stroke. The present study evaluated the neurovascular protective potential of pharmacological hypothermia induced by the neurotensin receptor 1 agonist HPI-201 after severe ischemic stroke. Adult C57BL/6 mice were subjected to filament insertion-induced occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (60 min MCAO). HPI-201 was i.p. injected 120 min after the onset of MCAO to initiate and maintain the body temperature at 32-33°C for 6 hrs. The infarct volume, cell death, integrity of the blood brain barrier (BBB) and neurovascular unit (NVU), inflammation, and functional outcomes were evaluated. The hypothermic treatment significantly suppressed the infarct volume and neuronal cell death, accompanied with reduced caspase-3 activation and BAX expression while Bcl-2 increased in the peri-infarct region. The cellular integrity of the BBB and NVU was significantly improved and brain edema was attenuated in HPI-201-treated mice compared to stroke controls. The hypothermic treatment decreased the expression of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), MMP-9, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), the M1 microglia markers IL-12 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), while increased the M2 marker arginase-1 (Arg-1). Stroke mice received the hypothermic treatment showed lower neurological severity score (NSS), performed significantly better in functional tests, the mortality rate in the hypothermic group was noticeably lower compared with stroke controls. Taken together, HPI-201 induced pharmacological hypothermia is protective for different neurovascular cells after a severely injured brain, mediated by multiple mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zheng Zachory Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Jin Hwan Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xiaohuan Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jinmei Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Thomas A Dix
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Shan P Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA.
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Beck TC, Reichel CM, Helke KL, Bhadsavle SS, Dix TA. Non-addictive orally-active kappa opioid agonists for the treatment of peripheral pain in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 856:172396. [PMID: 31103632 PMCID: PMC6696947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [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: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Addiction to conventional opioid pain analgesics is a major societal problem that is increasing at an alarming rate. New drugs to combat the effects of opioid abuse are desperately needed. Kappa-opioid agonists are efficacious in peripheral pain models but suffer from centrally-mediated effects. In this article, we discuss our efforts in developing peripheral kappa-based opioid receptor agonists that have the potential analgesic activity of opioids but do not manifest the negative side-effects of opioid use and abuse. Further, derivatives of the tetra-peptide D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-NH2, such as CR665, exhibit high peripheral to central selectivity in analgesic models when administered intravenously (i.v.); however, they are inactive when administered orally. Application of our laboratory's proprietary non-natural amino acid technology to CR665 produced derivatives that exhibit peripheral analgesic activity when dosed orally but do not promote CNS-based effects. Lead compound JT09 activates the kappa-opioid receptor with EC50s in the low nM range, while agonist selectivity for kappa over other peripheral opioid receptors was >33,400 fold. Results indicate that JT09 is approximately as efficacious as morphine in alleviating peripheral pain, while failing to produce undesired CNS-mediated activity. Additionally, JT09 did not promote other CNS-mediated effects associated with morphine (addiction, sedation, dysphoria, tolerance, addiction). Thus, we propose that JT09 has potential for development as a novel analgesic. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents data supporting the analgesic properties of an orally available, peripherally-restricted, kappa-opioid agonist for peripheral pain. A potential out-patient pharmaceutical that acts as efficacious as morphine in alleviating peripheral pain, while failing to produce undesired CNS-mediated effects, could help reduce the current health care burden associated with prescription opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler C. Beck
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina Campus, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, SC 29424-2303
| | - Carmela M. Reichel
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., Room 416A BSB, Charleston, SC 29424-2303
| | - Kristi L. Helke
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 11 Doughty St., Room 640, Charleston, SC 29424-2303
| | - Sanat S. Bhadsavle
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina Campus, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, SC 29424-2303
| | - Thomas A. Dix
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina Campus, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, SC 29424-2303
- JT Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 300 West Coleman Blvd., Suite 203, Mount Pleasant, SC 29,,,,464-2303
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Beck TC, Hapstack MA, Beck KR, Dix TA. Therapeutic Potential of Kappa Opioid Agonists. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12020095. [PMID: 31226764 PMCID: PMC6631266 DOI: 10.3390/ph12020095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many original research articles have been published that describe findings and outline areas for the development of kappa-opioid agonists (KOAs) as novel drugs; however, a single review article that summarizes the broad potential for KOAs in drug development does not exist. It is well-established that KOAs demonstrate efficacy in pain attenuation; however, KOAs also have proven to be beneficial in treating a variety of novel but often overlapping conditions including cardiovascular disease, pruritus, nausea, inflammatory diseases, spinal anesthesia, stroke, hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, multiple sclerosis, addiction, and post-traumatic cartilage degeneration. This article summarizes key findings of KOAs and discusses the untapped therapeutic potential of KOAs in the treatment of many human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler C Beck
- Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, QF204, Charleston, SC 29424-2303, USA.
- College of Medicine, 173 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29424-2303, USA.
| | | | - Kyle R Beck
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, 500 W 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210-9998, USA.
| | - Thomas A Dix
- Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, QF204, Charleston, SC 29424-2303, USA.
- JT Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 300 West Coleman Blvd., Suite 203, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464-2303, USA.
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Beck TC, Dix TA, Reichel CM. Targeting Peripheral Kappa Opioid Receptors for the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Review Article. Adv Nanomed Nanotechnol Res 2019; 1:16-19. [PMID: 35494408 PMCID: PMC9049752] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Addiction to conventional opioid pain analgesics is a major societal problem that is increasing at an alarming rate. New drugs to combat the effects of opioid abuse are desperately needed. Kappa-opioid agonists are efficacious in peripheral pain models but suffer from centrally-mediated effects. In this review, we discuss our efforts, as well as other's efforts in developing peripheral kappa-based opioid receptor agonists that have the potential analgesic activity of opioids but do not manifest the negative side-effects of opioid use and abuse. Further, derivatives of the tetra peptide D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Nle-D-Arg-NH2, such as CR665, exhibit high peripheral to central selectivity in analgesic models when administered intravenously (IV); however, they are inactive when administered orally. Application of the JT Pharmaceuticals non-natural amino acid technology to CR665 produced derivatives that exhibit peripheral analgesic activity when dosed orally but do not promote CNS-based effects. Lead compound JT09 activates the kappa-opioid receptor with EC50s in the low nM range, while agonist selectivity for kappa over other peripheral opioid receptors was >33,400 fold. Results indicate that JT09 acts as efficacious as morphine in alleviating peripheral pain, while failing to produce undesired CNS-mediated activity. Additionally, JT09 did not promote other CNS-mediated effects associated with morphine (addiction, sedation, dysphoria, tolerance). Thus, we propose that JT09 has potential for development as a novel analgesic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler C Beck
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina Campus, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Thomas A Dix
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina Campus, Charleston, SC, USA,JT Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 300 West Coleman Blvd., Suite 203, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
| | - Carmela M Reichel
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Wang S, Gu X, Paudyal R, Wei L, Dix TA, Yu SP, Zhang X. Longitudinal MRI evaluation of neuroprotective effects of pharmacologically induced hypothermia in experimental ischemic stroke. Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 40:24-30. [PMID: 28377304 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacologically induced hypothermia (PIH) shows promising neuroprotective effects after stroke insult. However, the dynamic evolution of stroke infarct during the hypothermic therapy has not been understood very well. In the present study, MRI was utilized to longitudinally characterize the infarct evolution in a mouse model of ischemic stroke treated by PIH using the neurotensin agonist HPI201. Adult male C57BL/6 mice underwent permanent occlusion of the right middle cerebra artery (MCA). Each animal received a vehicle or HPI201 intraperitoneal injection. The temporal changes of stroke lesion were examined using T2-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the acute phase (1-3h) and 24h post stroke. Significantly reduced infarct and edema volumes were observed in PIH treated stroke mice, in agreement with TTC staining findings. Also, the TUNEL staining results indicated apoptotic cells were widely distributed among the ischemic cortex in control group but limited in PIH treated mice. Dramatically reduced growth rate of infarction was seen in PIH treated stroke mice. These results demonstrate HPI201 has strong neuroprotection effects during acute stroke. In particular, MRI with the numerical modelling of temporal infarct evolution could provide a unique means to examine and predict the dynamic response of the PIH treatment on infarct evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silun Wang
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Xiaohuan Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Ramesh Paudyal
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States; Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Thomas A Dix
- Department of Drug Discovery Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; JT Pharmaceuticals Inc., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, United States
| | - Shan P Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, United States.
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States; Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States.
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Lee JH, Wei L, Gu X, Won S, Wei ZZ, Dix TA, Yu SP. Improved Therapeutic Benefits by Combining Physical Cooling With Pharmacological Hypothermia After Severe Stroke in Rats. Stroke 2016; 47:1907-13. [PMID: 27301934 PMCID: PMC4927220 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.116.013061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background and Purpose— Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising strategy for treatment of acute stroke. Clinical translation of therapeutic hypothermia, however, has been hindered because of the lack of efficiency and adverse effects. We sought to enhance the clinical potential of therapeutic hypothermia by combining physical cooling (PC) with pharmacologically induced hypothermia after ischemic stroke. Methods— Wistar rats were subjected to 90-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion by insertion of an intraluminal filament. Mild-to-moderate hypothermia was induced 120 minutes after the onset of stroke by PC alone, a neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) agonist HPI-201 (formally ABS-201) alone or the combination of both. The outcomes of stroke were evaluated at 3 and 21 days after stroke. Results— PC or HPI-201 each showed hypothermic effect and neuroprotection in stroke rats. The combination of PC and HPI-201 exhibited synergistic effects in cooling process, reduced infarct formation, cell death, and blood-brain barrier damages and improved functional recovery after stroke. Importantly, coapplied HPI-201 completely inhibited PC-associated shivering and tachycardia. Conclusions— The centrally acting hypothermic drug HPI-201 greatly enhanced the efficiency and efficacy of conventional PC; this combined cooling therapy may facilitate clinical translation of hypothermic treatment for stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hwan Lee
- From the Departments of Anesthesiology (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., S.W., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.) and Neurology (L.W.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.); JT Pharmaceuticals, Mt. Pleasant, SC (T.A.D.); and Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (T.A.D.)
| | - Ling Wei
- From the Departments of Anesthesiology (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., S.W., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.) and Neurology (L.W.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.); JT Pharmaceuticals, Mt. Pleasant, SC (T.A.D.); and Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (T.A.D.)
| | - Xiaohuan Gu
- From the Departments of Anesthesiology (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., S.W., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.) and Neurology (L.W.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.); JT Pharmaceuticals, Mt. Pleasant, SC (T.A.D.); and Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (T.A.D.)
| | - Soonmi Won
- From the Departments of Anesthesiology (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., S.W., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.) and Neurology (L.W.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.); JT Pharmaceuticals, Mt. Pleasant, SC (T.A.D.); and Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (T.A.D.)
| | - Zheng Zachory Wei
- From the Departments of Anesthesiology (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., S.W., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.) and Neurology (L.W.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.); JT Pharmaceuticals, Mt. Pleasant, SC (T.A.D.); and Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (T.A.D.)
| | - Thomas A Dix
- From the Departments of Anesthesiology (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., S.W., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.) and Neurology (L.W.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.); JT Pharmaceuticals, Mt. Pleasant, SC (T.A.D.); and Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (T.A.D.)
| | - Shan Ping Yu
- From the Departments of Anesthesiology (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., S.W., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.) and Neurology (L.W.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA (J.H.L., L.W., X.G., Z.Z.W., S.P.Y.); JT Pharmaceuticals, Mt. Pleasant, SC (T.A.D.); and Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (T.A.D.).
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Gu X, Wei ZZ, Espinera A, Lee JH, Ji X, Wei L, Dix TA, Yu SP. Pharmacologically induced hypothermia attenuates traumatic brain injury in neonatal rats. Exp Neurol 2015; 267:135-142. [PMID: 25725354 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [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: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal brain trauma is linked to higher risks of mortality and neurological disability. The use of mild to moderate hypothermia has shown promising potential against brain injuries induced by stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in various experimental models and in clinical trials. Conventional methods of physical cooling, however, are difficult to use in acute treatments and in induction of regulated hypothermia. In addition, general anesthesia is usually required to mitigate the negative effects of shivering during physical cooling. Our recent investigations demonstrate the potential therapeutic benefits of pharmacologically induced hypothermia (PIH) using the neurotensin receptor (NTR) agonist HPI201 (formerly known as ABS201) in stroke and TBI models of adult rodents. The present investigation explored the brain protective effects of HPI201 in a P14 rat pediatric model of TBI induced by controlled cortical impact. When administered via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, HPI201 induced dose-dependent reduction of body and brain temperature. A 6-h hypothermic treatment, providing an overall 2-3°C reduction of brain and body temperature, showed significant effect of attenuating the contusion volume versus TBI controls. Attenuation occurs whether hypothermia is initiated 15min or 2h after TBI. No shivering response was seen in HPI201-treated animals. HPI201 treatment also reduced TUNEL-positive and TUNEL/NeuN-colabeled cells in the contusion area and peri-injury regions. TBI-induced blood-brain barrier damage was attenuated by HPI201 treatment, evaluated using the Evans Blue assay. HPI201 significantly decreased MMP-9 levels and caspase-3 activation, both of which are pro-apototic, while it increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression in the peri-contusion region. In addition, HPI201 prevented the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6. In sensorimotor activity assessments, rats in the HPI201 treated group exhibited improved functional recovery after TBI versus controls. These data support that PIH therapy using our NTR agonist is effective in reducing neuronal and BBB damage, attenuating inflammatory response and detrimental cellular signaling, and promoting functional recovery after TBI in the developing brain, supporting its potential for further evaluation towards clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohuan Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zheng Zachory Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Alyssa Espinera
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jin Hwan Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xiaoya Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Thomas A Dix
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,JT Pharmaceuticals Inc, Mt. Pleasant, SC, 29464
| | - Shan Ping Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
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12
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Lee JH, Wei L, Gu X, Wei Z, Dix TA, Yu SP. Therapeutic effects of pharmacologically induced hypothermia against traumatic brain injury in mice. J Neurotrauma 2014; 31:1417-30. [PMID: 24731132 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2013.3251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies have shown therapeutic potential of mild-to-moderate hypothermia for treatments of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Physical cooling in humans, however, is usually slow, cumbersome, and necessitates sedation that prevents early application in clinical settings and causes several side effects. Our recent study showed that pharmacologically induced hypothermia (PIH) using a novel neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) agonist, HPI-201 (also known as ABS-201), is efficient and effective in inducing therapeutic hypothermia and protecting the brain from ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in mice. The present investigation tested another second-generation NTR1 agonist, HPI-363, for its hypothermic and protective effect against TBI. Adult male mice were subjected to controlled cortical impact (CCI) (velocity=3 m/sec, depth=1.0 mm, contact time=150 msec) to the exposed cortex. Intraperitoneal administration of HPI-363 (0.3 mg/kg) reduced body temperature by 3-5°C within 30-60 min without triggering a shivering defensive reaction. An additional two injections sustained the hypothermic effect in conscious mice for up to 6 h. This PIH treatment was initiated 15, 60, or 120 min after the onset of TBI, and significantly reduced the contusion volume measured 3 days after TBI. HPI-363 attenuated caspase-3 activation, Bax expression, and TUNEL-positive cells in the pericontusion region. In blood-brain barrier assessments, HPI-363 ameliorated extravasation of Evans blue dye and immunoglobulin G, attenuated the MMP-9 expression, and decreased the number of microglia cells in the post-TBI brain. HPI-363 decreased the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), but increased IL-6 and IL-10 levels. Compared with TBI control mice, HPI-363 treatments improved sensorimotor functional recovery after TBI. These findings suggest that the second generation NTR-1 agonists, such as HPI-363, are efficient hypothermic-inducing compounds that have a strong potential in the management of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hwan Lee
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, Georgia
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13
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Hughes FM, Shaner BE, Brower JO, Woods RJ, Dix TA. Development of a Peptide-derived orally-active kappa-opioid receptor agonist targeting peripheral pain. Open Med Chem J 2013; 7:16-22. [PMID: 24222801 PMCID: PMC3821081 DOI: 10.2174/1874104501307010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Kappa-opioid agonists are particularly efficacious in the treatment of peripheral pain but suffer from central nervous system (CNS)-mediated effects that limit their development. One promising kappa-agonist is the peptidic compound CR665. Although not orally available, CR665 given i.v. exhibits high peripheral to CNS selectivity and benefits patients with visceral and neuropathic pain. In this study we have generated a series of derivatives of CR665 and screened them for oral activity in the acetic acid-induced rat writhing assay for peripheral pain. Five compounds were further screened for specificity of activation of kappa receptors as well as agonism and antagonism at mu and delta receptors, which can lead to off-target effects. All active derivatives engaged the kappa receptor with EC50s in the low nM range while agonist selectivity for kappa over mu or delta was >11,000-200,000-fold. No antagonist activity was detected. One compound was chosen for further analysis (Compound 9). An oral dose response of 9 in rats yielded an EC50 of 4.7 mg/kg, approaching a druggable level for an oral analgesic. To assess the peripheral selectivity of this compound an i.v. dose response in rats was assessed in the writhing assay and hotplate assay (an assay of CNS-mediated pain). The EC50 in the writhing assay was 0.032 mg/kg while no activity was detectable in the hotplate assay at doses as high as 30 mg/kg, indicating a peripheral selectivity of >900-fold. We propose that compound 9 is a candidate for development as an orally-available peripherally-restricted kappa agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis M Hughes
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina Campus, 280 Calhoun Street, P. O. Box 250140, Charleston, SC 29425-2303, USA; ; Argolyn Bioscience, Inc. 2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27713, USA; ; Halimed Pharmaceuticals Inc.,300 West Coleman Blvd. Suite 203, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
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14
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Wei S, Sun J, Li J, Wang L, Hall CL, Dix TA, Mohamad O, Wei L, Yu SP. Acute and delayed protective effects of pharmacologically induced hypothermia in an intracerebral hemorrhage stroke model of mice. Neuroscience 2013; 252:489-500. [PMID: 23912033 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.07.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hemorrhagic stroke, including intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), is a devastating subtype of stroke; yet, effective clinical treatment is very limited. Accumulating evidence has shown that mild to moderate hypothermia is a promising intervention for ischemic stroke and ICH. Current physical cooling methods, however, are less efficient and often impractical for acute ICH patients. The present investigation tested pharmacologically induced hypothermia (PIH) using the second-generation neurotensin receptor (NTR) agonist HPI-201 (formerly known as ABS-201) in an adult mouse model with ICH. Acute or delayed administrations of HPI-201 (2mg/kg bolus injection followed by 2 injections of 1mg/kg, i.p.) were initiated at 1 or 24h after ICH. HPI-201 induced mild hypothermia within 30 min and body and brain temperatures were maintained at 32.7 ± 0.4°C for at least 6h without causing observable shivering. With the 1-h delayed treatment, HPI-201-induced PIH significantly reduced ICH-induced cell death and brain edema compared to saline-treated ICH animals. When HPI-201-induced hypothermia was initiated 24h after the onset of ICH, it still significantly attenuated brain edema, cell death and blood-brain barrier breakdown. HPI-201 significantly decreased the expression of matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), reduced caspase-3 activation, and increased Bcl-2 expression in the ICH brain. Moreover, ICH mice received 1-h delayed HPI-201 treatment performed significantly better in the neurological behavior test 48 h after ICH. All together, these data suggest that systemic injection of HPI-201 is an effective hypothermic strategy that protects the brain from ICH injury with a wide therapeutic window. The protective effect of this PIH therapy is partially mediated through the alleviation of apoptosis and neurovascular damage. We suggest that pharmacological hypothermia using the newly developed neurotensin analogs is a promising therapeutic treatment for ICH.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
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Choi KE, Hall CL, Sun JM, Wei L, Mohamad O, Dix TA, Yu SP. A novel stroke therapy of pharmacologically induced hypothermia after focal cerebral ischemia in mice. FASEB J 2012; 26:2799-810. [PMID: 22459147 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-201822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Compelling evidence from preclinical and clinical studies has shown that mild to moderate hypothermia is neuroprotective against ischemic stroke. Clinical applications of hypothermia therapy, however, have been hindered by current methods of physical cooling, which is generally inefficient and impractical in clinical situations. In this report, we demonstrate the potential of pharmacologically induced hypothermia (PIH) by the novel neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) agonist ABS-201 in a focal ischemic model of adult mice. ABS-201 (1.5-2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) reduces body and brain temperature by 2-5°C in 15-30 min in a dose-dependent manner without causing shivering or altering physiological parameters. Infarct volumes at 24 h after stroke are reduced by ∼30-40% when PIH therapy is initiated either immediately after stroke induction or after 30-60 min delay. ABS-201 treatment increases bcl-2 expression, decreases caspase-3 activation, and TUNEL-positive cells in the peri-infarct region, and suppresses autophagic cell death compared to stroke controls. The PIH therapy using ABS-201 improves recovery of sensorimotor function as tested 21 d after stroke. These results suggest that PIH induced by neurotensin analogs represented by ABS-201 are promising candidates for treatment of ischemic stroke and possibly for other ischemic or traumatic injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko-Eun Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School ofMedicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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Hughes FM, Shaner BE, May LA, Zotian L, Brower JO, Woods RJ, Cash M, Morrow D, Massa F, Mazella J, Dix TA. Identification and functional characterization of a stable, centrally active derivative of the neurotensin (8-13) fragment as a potential first-in-class analgesic. J Med Chem 2010; 53:4623-32. [PMID: 20481538 DOI: 10.1021/jm100092s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The neurotensin hexapapetide fragment NT(8-13) is a potent analgesic when administered directly to the central nervous system but does not cross the blood-brain barrier. A total of 43 novel derivatives of NT(8-13) were evaluated, with one, ABS212 (1), being most active in four rat models of pain when administered peripherally. Compound 1 binds to human neurotensin receptors 1 and 2 with IC(50) of 10.6 and 54.2 nM, respectively, and tolerance to the compound in a rat pain model did not develop after 12 days of daily administration. When it was administered peripherally, serum levels and neurotensin receptor binding potency of 1 peaked within 5 min and returned to baseline within 90-120 min; however, analgesic activity remained near maximum for >240 min. This could be due to its metabolism into an active fragment; however, all 4- and 5-mer hydrolysis products were inactive. This pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic dichotomy is discussed. Compound 1 is a candidate for development as a first-in-class analgesic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis M Hughes
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina Campus, 280 Calhoun Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29425-2303, USA
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Orwig KS, Lassetter MR, Hadden MK, Dix TA. Comparison of N-Terminal Modifications on Neurotensin(8−13) Analogues Correlates Peptide Stability but Not Binding Affinity with in Vivo Efficacy. J Med Chem 2009; 52:1803-13. [DOI: 10.1021/jm801072v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S. Orwig
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, Argolyn Bioscience Inc., 530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina 27713
| | - McKensie R. Lassetter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, Argolyn Bioscience Inc., 530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina 27713
| | - M. Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, Argolyn Bioscience Inc., 530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina 27713
| | - Thomas A. Dix
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, Argolyn Bioscience Inc., 530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina 27713
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Hadden MK, Kokko KP, Dix TA. Asymmetric Synthesis of ω‐Bromo‐2(S)‐Methyl Acids as Precursors for Novel Arginine, Lysine, and Mercapto Residues. SYNTHETIC COMMUN 2006. [DOI: 10.1081/scc-200061668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Kyle Hadden
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kyle P. Kokko
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas A. Dix
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- b Argolyn Biosciences Inc. , North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Orwig KS, Dix TA. Synthesis of Cα methylated carboxylic acids: isosteres of arginine and lysine for use as N-terminal capping residues in polypeptides. Tetrahedron Lett 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2005.08.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Hadden MK, Orwig KS, Kokko KP, Mazella J, Dix TA. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of the antipsychotic potential of orally bioavailable neurotensin (8-13) analogues containing non-natural arginine and lysine residues. Neuropharmacology 2005; 49:1149-59. [PMID: 16095636 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2005.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2005] [Revised: 06/14/2005] [Accepted: 06/21/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) and its active fragment NT(8-13) elicit behavioral responses typical of clinically used antipsychotic drugs when administered directly to the brain. However, limited peptide stability and oral bioavailability have prevented these compounds from being developed as relevant pharmaceuticals. Recently, our laboratory designed and studied a first-generation NT(8-13) derivative, KK13, that elicited key pharmacokinetic and behavioral responses typical of clinically used antipsychotic drugs when administered to rats parenterally. This compound was the basis for the rational design of a series of second-generation NT(8-13) analogues (KH1-KH30) studied in this paper. Initial screening of these analogues for CNS activity by monitoring hypothermia induction after peripheral administration defined several compounds (KH11, KH24, KH26, and KH28-KH30) that warranted further investigation. Each compound maintained binding affinity for NTR(1), however, only KH24, KH26, and KH28 (as well as KK13) elicited significant hypothermic responses after oral administration. Of these, KH28 demonstrated an oral activity 3-fold greater than any other analogue; hence it was further characterized in a series of rat behavioral assays. KH28 attenuated d-amphetamine induced hyperlocomotion, a hallmark of current clinically effective antipsychotic drugs, after both IP and oral administration. In addition, tolerance to the compound did not develop after repeated daily dosing, as measured by hypothermic induction as well as attenuation of d-amphetamine induced hyperlocomotion. Finally, KH28 did not produce catalepsy, a deleterious side-effect elicited by classical antipsychotic drugs. KH28 is considered to be an ideal compound for further development as a potential novel antipsychotic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, PO Box 250140, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Abstract
Neurotensin is a linear tridecapeptide that elicits a variety of physiological responses in the brain, including hypothermia and antinociception, and reduced levels have been linked to schizophrenia. Previously in our laboratory we developed a truncated neurotensin derivative, KK13. This hexapeptide exhibited key pharmacokinetic and behavioural characteristics of an antipsychotic and elicited central effects after oral administration. To examine the potential mechanism(s) of uptake, a radioactive analogue of KK13 (*KK13) was synthesized, characterized, and evaluated in the Caco-2 cell model of the human intestinal epithelium. Results suggested that uptake of *KK13 was a time-dependent passive process. A general linear trend in uptake was demonstrated over the concentration range (10 microM-1 m M) tested, and uptake was neither pH- nor sodium-dependent. Finally, after 60 min, intact *KK13 was identified associated with the cell components, providing further evidence for uptake and stability of the peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
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Kokko KP, Hadden MK, Price KL, Orwig KS, See RE, Dix TA. In vivo behavioral effects of stable, receptor-selective neurotensin[8-13] analogues that cross the blood-brain barrier. Neuropharmacology 2005; 48:417-25. [PMID: 15721174 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2004.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2003] [Revised: 09/28/2004] [Accepted: 10/28/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A set of neurotensin[8-13] (NT[8-13]) analogues (KK1-19) has been evaluated in various pre-clinical assays relevant for further development of these compounds as potential antipsychotics. Initial screening of these compounds for induction of hypothermia following systemic (I.V.) injection in rats, an indirect method commonly utilized to measure the central nervous system (CNS) activity of NT[8-13] analogues, identified three peptides, KK1, KK13 and KK14, capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). KK1 features 2(S)-azido-7-aminoheptanoic acid (AAHA) in the Arg(8) position and represents the first monosubstituted NT[8-13] analogue that crosses the BBB. KK13 and KK14 both feature AAHA in the Arg(8) position and tert-Leu in the Ile(12) position while KK14 includes a Trp substituted for Tyr(11). When I.P. administered, only the latter two analogues induced a significant hypothermic response. KK13 (1mg/kg) inhibited amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion after I.P. injection; this assay is highly predictive for potential antipsychotics. Chronic dosing (5mg/kg) of this compound over 5 consecutive days failed to induce hypothermic tolerance while the same dose failed to induce measurable catalepsy. KK13 is thus the first NT[8-13] analogue described to date that demonstrates inhibition of amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion without inducing catalepsy while maintaining day-to-day hypothermic potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle P Kokko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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May LA, Tourkina E, Hoffman SR, Dix TA. Detection and quantitation of curcumin in mouse lung cell cultures by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Anal Biochem 2005; 337:62-9. [PMID: 15649376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2004.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2004] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A method to detect and quantify curcumin and two curcuminoid metabolites in biological matrices, including mouse serum and mouse lung cell cultures, was developed. Standard curves between 0.04 and 10.00 nmol curcumin were prepared in serum, giving correlation coefficients of 0.94-0.99. Alcoholic extraction, concentration, and addition of dilute hydrochloric acid to stabilize the curcumin were essential to the reproducibility of the protocol. Untreated and curcumin-treated mouse lung fibrotic and nonfibrotic cell cultures were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry utilizing this method. Curcumin uptake was calculated to be 7.0-11.6% for the saline-treated cells and 7.4-11.9% for the bleomycin-treated cultures. Curcumin was not detected in untreated cells. Two additional peaks (m/z=399 and 429) were observed in the curcumin-treated cells. These may be curcumin-derived products resulting from HCl treatment of the tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A May
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, SC 29425-2303, USA
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Abstract
A set of neurotensin[8-13] (NT[8-13]) analogues featuring substitution of non-natural cationic amino acids in the Arg(8) position have been synthesized and tested for binding potencies against the three cloned human NT receptors (hNTR-1, hNTR-2, hNTR-3), functional agonism of the hNTR1 and for rat serum stability. Three distinct classes of peptides have been identified: Class 1 features alkyl-Arg analogues at Arg(8), Class 2 features alpha-azido-cationic amino acids at Arg(8), and Class 3 feature modified Arg(8) and Tyr(11) residues. Most of the peptides maintain or exceed the binding potency of NT[8-13] to hNTR-1. Class 2 analogues exceed the binding potency of NT[8-13] to hNTR-2 with KK19 binding with higher affinity to hNTR-2 than hNTR-1. Peptides with enhanced binding potencies for hNTR-3 were not found. All analogues are functional agonists of the hNTR1 receptor as indicated by phosphoinositide (PI) determination. Serum stability increased with peptide classification where the half-life of Class 1 < Class 2 < Class 3 which are stable to rat serum for > 24 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle P Kokko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, South Carolina 29425-2303, USA
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Kokko KP, Dix TA. Monitoring neurotensin[8-13] degradation in human and rat serum utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Anal Biochem 2002; 308:34-41. [PMID: 12234461 DOI: 10.1016/s0003-2697(02)00235-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A method was developed to quantify neurotensin (NT) fragment [8-13] and a novel NT[8-13] derivative, KK1, in human and rat serum utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The method allows for simultaneous quantification of the major NT[8-13] metabolite, NT[9-13] (according to molecular mass), and detection of the major KK1 metabolite, KK1M (according to molecular mass). The degradation rates of NT[8-13] and KK1 were calculated to be 24.1+/-1.0 and 193+/-8min in human serum and 5.90+/-0.22 and 153+/-4min in rat serum, respectively. The method utilizes a novel sample drying technique and spectrum acquisition protocol. In addition, an internal standard dissimilar in structure to the analytes was used. This method may be broadly applicable to the quantification of NT[8-13] and other peptide analogues of varying structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle P Kokko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston 29425-2303, USA
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Bain JD, Diala ES, Glabe CG, Dix TA, Chamberlin AR. Biosynthetic site-specific incorporation of a non-natural amino acid into a polypeptide. J Am Chem Soc 2002. [DOI: 10.1021/ja00202a052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Beeson C, Dix TA. Thermodynamic description of a contact and solvent-separated ion pair as a function of solvation: a model for salt bridges and proton-transfer reactions in biology. J Am Chem Soc 2002. [DOI: 10.1021/ja00075a049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Beeson C, Dix TA. Design and synthesis of intramolecular ion-pairing cis-bicyclo[4.4.0]decane (cis-decalin) amino acids: conformation-based probes of electrostatic interactions in water. J Org Chem 2002. [DOI: 10.1021/jo00042a015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Beeson C, Pham N, Shipps G, Dix TA. A comprehensive description of the free energy of an intramolecular hydrogen bond as a function of solvation: NMR study. J Am Chem Soc 2002. [DOI: 10.1021/ja00068a043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Dix TA, Marnett LJ. Free radical epoxidation of 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene by hematin and polyunsaturated fatty acid hydroperoxides. J Am Chem Soc 2002. [DOI: 10.1021/ja00412a037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Kennedy KJ, Orwig KS, Dix TA, Christopher J, Jaffa AA. Synthesis and analysis of potent, more lipophilic derivatives of the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist peptide Hoe 140. J Pept Res 2002; 59:139-48. [PMID: 11972749 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-3011.2002.1o987.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Bradykinin (BK) is an endogenous peptide that has been implicated in several pathological conditions, hence antagonists of its activity have therapeutic potential. The decapeptide Hoe 140 is currently one of the best BK antagonists, but interest remains in finding even more potent compounds. A library of Hoe 140 derivatives was synthesized that incorporated non-natural analogs of the cationic, naturally occurring amino acids arginine (Arg) and lysine (Lys). The modified amino acids were designed to form enhanced ionic interactions due to an increase in local hydrophobicity, which promotes desolvation of the cation in water. The potencies of the resulting peptides were determined by competitive binding assays in human A431 cells expressing the BK B2 receptor. Two of the peptides synthesized were equipotent to Hoe 140 (IC(50s) 2.99 and 3.36 nM) and the most potent was demonstrated as a functional antagonist in vitro by blocking BK-mediated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. The new derivatives are more hydrophobic than Hoe 140 and thus may exhibit changes in pharmacokinetic properties when evaluated in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Kennedy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA
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Lundquist JT, Büllesbach EE, Golden PL, Dix TA. Topography of the neurotensin (NT)(8-9) binding site of human NT receptor-1 probed with NT(8-13) analogs. J Pept Res 2002; 59:55-61. [PMID: 11906607 DOI: 10.1046/j.1397-002x.2001.10946.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A series of neurotensin (NT)(8-13) analogs featuring substitution of the Arg8 and/or Arg9 residues with non-natural cationic amino acids was synthesized and evaluated for binding to the human NT receptor-1 (hNTR-1). The modifications were designed to probe specific steric and electrostatic requirements in the N-terminal cationic region of NT(8-13) for receptor binding as a general evaluation of the feasibility of incorporating minor structural changes into a peptide at a crucial polar receptor binding site. Many of the non-natural amino acids are more or less isosteric to Arg but more lipophilic as a result of addition of alkyl groups or through removal or replacement of NH character with methylene or methyl substituents, whereas others vary the distance between the cation and the alpha-amino acid carbon. Substitution of Arg8 with N(G)-alkylated Arg derivatives or homolysine (Hlys) maintained the subnanomolar affinity of NT(8-13) to the hNTR-1. Position 8 incorporation of Hlys produced the most favorable primary amine side-chain substitution to date. Moderate losses in affinity observed with position 9 substitutions were attributed to adverse steric effects. Doubly substituted [Hlys8, DAB9]NT(8-13), in which DAB is 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, was also prepared and tested as the shorter side-chain of DAB is known to be favored in position 9 of NT(8-13). This analog maintained 60% of NT(8-13) binding affinity making it the most favored des-guanidinium-containing analog known. These results demonstrate that adequate receptor binding affinity can be maintained over a structural range of Arg analogs, thus providing a range of peptides expected to exhibit altered pharmacokinetic properties. From the standpoint of the hNTR-1 cationic binding sites, these results help to map out the structural stringency inherent in the formation of a tight binding complex with NT(8-13) and related analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Lundquist
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2303, USA
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Kokko KP, Arrigoni CE, Dix TA. Selectivity enhancement induced by substitution of non-natural analogues of arginine and lysine in arginine-based thrombin inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2001; 11:1947-50. [PMID: 11459667 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(01)00328-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Seven non-natural analogues of arginine and lysine have been substituted in an established arginine-based thrombin inhibitor. Four of the new compounds exhibited significant thrombin inhibition (K(i)'s 0.53-3.95 microM) and were subsequently tested for selectivity against trypsin. The two best compounds gave selectivity ratios of 962 and 525 (trypsin/thrombin), improving upon the parent compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- K P Kokko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, PO Box 250140, 29425, Charleston, SC, USA
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Kennedy KJ, Lundquist JT, Simandan TL, Kokko KP, Beeson CC, Dix TA. Design rationale, synthesis, and characterization of non-natural analogs of the cationic amino acids arginine and lysine. J Pept Res 2000; 55:348-58. [PMID: 10798380 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-3011.2000.00688.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A series of non-natural isosteric analogs of the cationic, ion-pairing, natural amino acids arginine and lysine have been synthesized, characterized with regard to relevant physical parameters, and protected for routine inclusion in Merrifield solid-phase synthesis. The design of these molecules is based on the concept of steric inhibition of solvation, in that judicious placement of alkyl groups can destabilize aqueous ion solvation and favor ion-pairing [see Beeson & Dix (1993) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115, 10275]. When the residues are substituted for the natural amino acids in biologically active peptides, enhanced ion-pairing of the peptides to their receptors to increase the peptides' biological activities can result. The increased lipophilicity of the non-natural residues can also improve pharmacokinetic parameters and agonist/antagonist behaviors of peptides. While the synthesis of the L-series is described, the D-isomers were also prepared using identical chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Kennedy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2303, USA
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Abstract
Recent evidence is consistent with neurotensin (NT)(8-13) adopting a Type I beta-turn conformation while binding the NT receptor, which would place the cationic side-chains of Arg(8) and Arg(9) in close proximity. This was the basis for the design, synthesis and analysis of truncated NT(9-13) analogues 1-5 with dicationic position 9 side-chains to emulate the functions of the 8 and 9 side-chains of NT(8-13).
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Lundquist
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2303, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Lundquist
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Kevin S. Orwig
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Thomas A. Dix
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 280 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 250140, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
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Lundquist JT, Dix TA. Synthesis and human neurotensin receptor binding activities of neurotensin(8-13) analogues containing position 8 alpha-azido-N-alkylated derivatives of ornithine, lysine, and homolysine. J Med Chem 1999; 42:4914-8. [PMID: 10579853 DOI: 10.1021/jm9903444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A series of neurotensin(8-13) (NT) analogues were synthesized through intermediates in which the N-terminal Arg(8) was replaced by various omega-bromo-2(S)-azido residues spanning 3-5 methylene units in side-chain length. Subsequent nucleophilic substitution of the omega-bromo groups with ammonia, methylamine, dimethylamine, or trimethylamine provided peptides containing N-terminal 2(S)-azido residues containing primary through quaternary N-alkylated side chains corresponding in length to ornithine, Lys, and homolysine. The synthetic procedure appears applicable for incorporation of a wide variety of amine-containing nonnatural amino acids into peptides. The particular modifications were intended to enhance physiochemical properties of NT(8-13) responsible for human NT 1 receptor (hNTR) binding, overall lipophilicity, and stability that may influence the potency of the peptides in vivo. When the peptides were tested for hNTR binding, the affinities in each series followed the order primary > secondary > tertiary > quaternary amine with the homolysine side-chain length being favored. All analogues possess binding affinities between acetyl-NT(8-13) and NT(8-13) indicating that the sterically less bulky alpha-azido may be inherently preferable to the acetyl group for N-terminal protection. This study extends the strategy of modifying amine-containing drugs through alkylations to peptide modification. The set of alkylated side chains also offers a new method of steric selection between receptor subtypes and could be used to modify the properties and biological effects of any peptide that contains cationic residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Lundquist
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2303, USA
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Abstract
Cyclic analogues of neurotensin (NT) C-terminal fragments NT(8-13) and NT(9-13) were produced via intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of the Tyr(11) phenoxide anion on a 6-bromohexanoyl side chain substituted at position 8 or 9 and tested for NT receptor binding affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Lundquist
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA
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Abstract
DNA base oxidation is considered to be a key event associated with disease initiation and progression in humans. Peroxyl radicals (ROO. ) are important oxidants found in cells whose ability to react with the DNA bases has not been characterized extensively. In this paper, the products resulting from ROO. oxidation of the DNA bases are determined by gas chromatography/MS in comparison with authentic standards. ROO. radicals oxidize adenine and guanine to their 8-hydroxy derivatives, which are considered biomarkers of hydroxyl radical (HO.) oxidations in cells. ROO. radicals also oxidize adenine to its hydroxylamine, a previously unidentified product. ROO. radicals oxidize cytosine and thymine to the monohydroxy and dihydroxy derivatives that are formed by oxidative damage in cells. Identical ROO. oxidation profiles are observed for each base when exposed as deoxyribonucleosides, monohomopolymers and base-paired dihomopolymers. These results have significance for the development, utilization and interpretation of DNA base-derived biomarkers of oxidative damage associated with disease initiation and propagation, and support the idea that the mutagenic potential of N-oxidized bases, when generated in cellular DNA, will require careful evaluation. Adenine hydroxylamine is proposed as a specific molecular probe for the activity of ROO. in cellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Simandan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425-2303, USA
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta) is a multifunctional cytokine that orchestrates response to injury via ubiquitous cell surface receptors. The biological activity of TGF beta is restrained by its secretion as a latent complex (LTGF beta) such that activation determines the extent of TGF beta activity during physiological and pathological events. TGF beta action has been implicated in a variety of reactive oxygen-mediated tissue processes, particularly inflammation, and in pathologies such as reperfusion injury, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis. It was recently shown to be rapidly activated after in vivo radiation exposure, which also generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present studies, the potential for redox-mediated LTGF beta activation was investigated using a cell-free system in which ROS were generated in solution by ionizing radiation or metal ion-catalyzed ascorbate reaction. Irradiation (100 Gray) of recombinant human LTGF beta in solution induced 26% activation compared with that elicited by standard thermal activation. Metal-catalyzed ascorbate oxidation elicited extremely efficient recombinant LTGF beta activation that matched or exceeded thermal activation. The efficiency of ascorbate activation depended on ascorbate concentrations and the presence of transition metal ions. We postulate that oxidation of specific amino acids in the latency-conferring peptide leads to a conformation change in the latent complex that allows release of TGF beta. Oxidative activation offers a novel route for the involvement of TGF beta in tissue processes in which ROS are implicated and endows LTGF beta with the ability to act as a sensor of oxidative stress and, by releasing TGF beta, to function as a signal for orchestrating the response of multiple cell types. LTGF beta redox sensitivity is presumably directed toward recovery of homeostasis; however, oxidation may also be a mechanism of LTGF beta activation that can be deleterious during disease mechanisms involving chronic ROS production.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Barcellos-Hoff
- Life Sciences Division, Ernest O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA
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Abstract
In previous studies, the ability of the hydrodioxyl (perhydroxyl) radical [HOO., the conjugate acid of superoxide (O2.-] to "nick" DNA under biomimetic conditions was demonstrated, and a sequence selectivity was observed. A background level of nonspecific nicking also was noted. This paper provides support for 5'-hydrogen atom abstraction from the deoxyribose ring as the initial event in the sequence-selective nicking by 02.-/HOO.. Two experiments support the proposed mechanism. First, using a defined sequence 5'-32P-labeled restriction fragment as the DNA substrate, only free (unalkylated) 3'-phosphate is produced at the site of nicking. Second, using poly (dA).poly (T) as the substrate, furfural is formed in the reaction from deoxyribose ring breakdown. Both results are consistent with 5'-hydrogen atom abstraction for initiation of the site-selective nicking. Hydrogen atom abstraction at other sites of the deoxyribose ring and/or base oxidation and loss followed by strand scission likely are responsible for the nonspecific nicking. The 5'-abstraction mechanism contrasts to those elicited by other 02-derived and metal-associated oxidants, which may provide a biomarker for the reactivity of HOO. in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Dix
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2303, USA
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Aikens J, Dix TA. Hydrodioxyl (perhydroxyl), peroxyl, and hydroxyl radical-initiated lipid peroxidation of large unilamellar vesicles (liposomes): comparative and mechanistic studies. Arch Biochem Biophys 1993; 305:516-25. [PMID: 8373189 DOI: 10.1006/abbi.1993.1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms and relative efficiencies of lipid peroxidation initiation by biological O2-derived oxidants were studied using large unilammellar vesicle (LUV) liposomes, structural models for biological membranes, as targets for oxidation. LUVs, when prepared from dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC) containing either 0 or 5 mol% hydroperoxide (LOOH, added either as a linoleic acid or DLPC hydroperoxide), maintained structural integrity, which enabled evaluation of the relative ability of oxidants to initiate lipid peroxidation when generated outside of the bilayer. LUVs were more oxidazable than multilamellar vesicles or lipids dispersed in solution, supporting their appropriateness as biological membrane models. In parallel to previous results using lipid dispersions (J. Aikens and T. A. Dix, 1991, J. Biol. Chem. 266, 15091-15098), both perhydroxyl (HOO.) and peroxyl (ROO.) radicals initiated lipid peroxidation in LUVs. Oxidants that did not initiate included H2O2, organic hydroperoxides, and, most notably, superoxide (O2-). HOO. and ROO. initiated by different mechanisms: HOO. required the presence of the preexisting LOOHs for efficient initiation, indicating the direct reaction of HOO. with LOOH, whereas ROO. initiated by hydrogen atom abstraction at the bisallylic site of unsaturation on the fatty acid side chain of the PCs. Hydroxyl radicals (HO.s) were poor initiators in comparison to ROO.s (and, indirectly, HOO.s), which might be considered surprising as the latter species are chemically weaker oxidants. The decreased activity of HO. was not due to decreased access to the LUVs; rather, this oxidant appears to react to generate less viable lipid peroxidation propagating species. It was also demonstrated that the fluidity of the LUV membrane had little effect on the relative initiating activity of each oxidant. It is argued that HO. may initiate lipid peroxidation only indirectly in vivo (through the generation of carbon-based peroxyl radicals, ROO.s) and that greater effort should be made to understand the roles of HOO. and ROO. at lipid peroxidation initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Aikens
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine 92717
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Shuman B, Dix TA. Cloning, nucleotide sequence, and expression of a p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase isozyme gene from Pseudomonas fluorescens. J Biol Chem 1993; 268:17057-62. [PMID: 8349594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A gene encoding for a putative isozyme of p-hydroxy-benzoate hydroxylase (PHBH) has been isolated from Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC 13525). A comparison of the translated amino acid sequence with that of the known PHBH from P. fluorescens revealed that the new enzyme contains 3 additional amino acids and has 73% absolute homology to the previously known enzyme; conservation of secondary and active-site structures implied that the isozyme and known enzyme share the same general tertiary structure. Subsequent expression of the isozyme in Escherichia coli produced an enzyme with a specific activity about half that of the previously characterized PHBHs from P. fluorescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; in addition, somewhat weaker binding affinities for both NADPH and p-hydroxybenzoate were observed. Speculations are made on the reason for the existence of the isozyme, which does not appear to be expressed routinely in P. fluorescens.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Shuman
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine 92717
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Dix
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine 92717
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50
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Abstract
N-hydroxy-2-thiopyridone (1), an established source of the hydroxyl radical (HO., Boivin, J., Crepon, E., and Zard, S. Z. (1990) Tetrahedron Lett. 31, 6869-6872), produced HO. under conditions directly applicable to biological studies. Generation of HO. by subjecting 1 to irradiation with visible light was monitored in the following "HO." assays: deoxyribose degradation, addition to dimethyl sulfoxide, and hydroxylation of salicylate and phenol. All four assays demonstrated the production of HO. from 1 (added as a sodium salt) under mild conditions in aqueous buffer systems. An improved analysis method was developed for the phenol assay. A time course analysis demonstrated that a flux of HO. is generated from 1 throughout the irradiation period, in contrast to the classical Fenton reaction of H2O2 with a transition metal in which a burst of HO. is generated in a short time period. While a thiyl radical is generated from 1 concurrent with HO. generation, this species does not contribute to, or interfere with, any of the HO. assays, suggesting that it is weakly reactive in aqueous buffers. Thus, irradiation of 1 can be used as an alternative, complementary, approach for the unequivocal generation of the biologically significant and reactive HO..
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Hess
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine 92717
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