Activating SRC/MAPK signaling via 5-HT1A receptor contributes to the effect of vilazodone on improving thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia caused by long-term radiotherapy and chemotherapy exists in cancer treatment. Previous research demonstrates that 5-Hydroxtrayptamine (5-HT) and its receptors induce the formation of megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets. However, the relationships between 5-HT1A receptor (5-HTR1A) and MKs is unclear so far. We screened and investigated the mechanism of vilazodone as a 5-HTR1A partial agonist in promoting MK differentiation and evaluated its therapeutic effect in thrombocytopenia. We employed a drug screening model based on machine learning (ML) to screen the megakaryocytopoiesis activity of Vilazodone (VLZ). The effects of VLZ on megakaryocytopoiesis were verified in HEL and Meg-01 cells. Tg (itga2b: eGFP) zebrafish was performed to analyze the alterations in thrombopoiesis. Moreover, we established a thrombocytopenia mice model to investigate how VLZ administration accelerates platelet recovery and function. We carried out network pharmacology, Western blot, and immunofluorescence to demonstrate the potential targets and pathway of VLZ. VLZ has been predicted to have a potential biological action. Meanwhile, VLZ administration promotes MK differentiation and thrombopoiesis in cells and zebrafish models. Progressive experiments showed that VLZ has a potential therapeutic effect on radiation-induced thrombocytopenia in vivo. The network pharmacology and associated mechanism study indicated that SRC and MAPK signaling are both involved in the processes of megakaryopoiesis facilitated by VLZ. Furthermore, the expression of 5-HTR1A during megakaryocyte differentiation is closely related to the activation of SRC and MAPK. Our findings demonstrated that the expression of 5-HTR1A on MK, VLZ could bind to the 5-HTR1A receptor and further regulate the SRC/MAPK signaling pathway to facilitate megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production, which provides new insights into the alternative therapeutic options for thrombocytopenia.

Identification and characterization of vilazodone metabolites in rats and microsomes by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Vilazodone is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). An extensive literature search found few reports on the in vivo and in vitro metabolism of vilazodone. Therefore, we report a comprehensive in vivo and in vitro metabolic identification and structural characterization of vilazodone using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF/MS/MS) and in silico toxicity study of the metabolites.

METHODS

To identify in vivo metabolites of vilazodone, blood, urine and faeces samples were collected at different time intervals starting from 0 h to 48 h after oral administration of vilazodone to Sprague-Dawley rats. The in vitro metabolism study was conducted with human liver microsomes (HLM) and rat liver microsomes (RLM). The samples were prepared using an optimized sample preparation approach involving protein precipitation followed by solid-phase extraction. The metabolites have been identified and characterized by using LC/ESI-MS/MS.

RESULTS

A total of 12 metabolites (M1-M12) were identified in in vivo and in vitro matrices and characterized by LC/ESI-MS/MS. The majority of the metabolites were observed in urine, while a few metabolites were present in faeces and plasma. Two metabolites were observed in the in vitro study. A semi-quantitative study based on percentage counts shows that metabolites M11, M6 and M8 were observed in higher amounts in urine, faeces and plasma, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The structures of all the 12 metabolites were elucidated by using LC/ESI-MS/MS. The study suggests that vilazodone was metabolized via hydroxylation, dihydroxylation, glucuronidation, oxidative deamination, dealkylation, dehydrogenation and dioxidation. All the metabolites were screened for toxicity using an in silico tool.