1
|
Santinelli L, Rossi G, Gioacchini G, Verin R, Maddaloni L, Cavallari EN, Lombardi F, Piccirilli A, Fiorucci S, Carino A, Marchianò S, Lofaro CM, Caiazzo S, Ciccozzi M, Scagnolari C, Mastroianni CM, Ceccarelli G, d'Ettorre G. The crosstalk between gut barrier impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, and microbiota alterations in people living with HIV. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28402. [PMID: 36515414 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Functional and structural damage of the intestinal mucosal barrier significantly contribute to translocation of gut microbial products into the bloodstream and are largely involved in HIV-1 associated chronic immune activation. This microbial translocation is largely due to a progressive exhaustion of intestinal macrophage phagocytic function, which leads to extracellular accumulation of microbial derived components and results in HIV-1 disease progression. This study aims to better understand whether the modulation of gut microbiota promotes an intestinal immune restoration in people living with HIV (PLWH). Long-term virologically suppressed PLWH underwent blood, colonic, and fecal sampling before (T0) and after 6 months (T6) of oral bacteriotherapy. Age- and gender-matched uninfected controls (UC) were also included. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was applied to all participants' fecal microbiota. Apoptosis machinery, mitochondria, and apical junctional complex (AJC) morphology and physiological functions were analyzed in gut biopsies. At T0, PLWH showed a different pattern of gut microbial flora composition, lower levels of occludin (p = 0.002) and zonulin (p = 0.01), higher claudin-2 levels (p = 0.002), a reduction of mitochondria number (p = 0.002), and diameter (p = 0.002), as well as increased levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (p = 0.018) and cCK18 (p = 0.011), compared to UC. At T6, an increase in size (p = 0.005) and number (p = 0.008) of mitochondria, as well as amelioration in AJC structures (p < 0.0001) were observed. Restoration of bacterial richness (Simpson index) and biodiversity (Shannon index) was observed in all PLWH receiving oral bacteriotherapy (p < 0.05). Increased mitochondria size (p = 0.005) and number (p = 0.008) and amelioration of AJC structure (p < 0.0001) were found at T6 compared to T0. Moreover, increased occludin and zonulin concentration were observed in PLWH intestinal tracts and decreased levels of claudin-2, LPS, and cCK18 were found after oral bacteriotherapy (T0 vs. T6, p < 0.05 for all these measures). Oral bacteriotherapy supplementation might restore the balance of intestinal flora and support the structural and functional recovery of the gut mucosa in antiretroviral therapy treated PLWH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Santinelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Rossi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
| | - Giorgia Gioacchini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, DiSVA-Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Ranieri Verin
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, BCA-University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Maddaloni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio N Cavallari
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Lombardi
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Piccirilli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Medicine and Surgery Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Medicine and Surgery Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Medicine and Surgery Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara M Lofaro
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Caiazzo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carolina Scagnolari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio M Mastroianni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella d'Ettorre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fiorillo B, Marchianò S, Moraca F, Sepe V, Carino A, Rapacciuolo P, Biagioli M, Limongelli V, Zampella A, Catalanotti B, Fiorucci S. Discovery of Bile Acid Derivatives as Potent ACE2 Activators by Virtual Screening and Essential Dynamics. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:196-209. [PMID: 34914393 PMCID: PMC8691454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) is a key molecular player in the regulation of vessel contraction, inflammation, and reduction of oxidative stress. In addition, ACE2 has assumed a prominent role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic-causing virus SARS-CoV-2, as it is the very first receptor in the host of the viral spike protein. The binding of the spike protein to ACE2 triggers a cascade of events that eventually leads the virus to enter the host cell and initiate its life cycle. At the same time, SARS-CoV-2 infection downregulates ACE2 expression especially in the lung, altering the biochemical signals regulated by the enzyme and contributing to the poor clinical prognosis characterizing the late stage of the COVID-19 disease. Despite its important biological role, a very limited number of ACE2 activators are known. Here, using a combined in silico and experimental approach, we show that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) derivatives work as ACE2 activators. In detail, we have identified two potent ACE2 ligands, BAR107 and BAR708, through a docking virtual screening campaign and elucidated their mechanism of action from essential dynamics of the enzyme observed during microsecond molecular dynamics calculations. The in silico results were confirmed by in vitro pharmacological assays with the newly identified compounds showing ACE2 activity comparable to that of DIZE, the most potent ACE2 activator known so far. Our work provides structural insight into ACE2/ligand-binding interaction useful for the design of compounds with therapeutic potential against SARS-CoV-2 infection, inflammation, and other ACE2-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Fiorillo
- Department
of Pharmacy, Università di Napoli
“Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department
of Medicine and Surgery, Università
di Perugia School of Medicine, Piazza L. Severi, I-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Federica Moraca
- Department
of Pharmacy, Università di Napoli
“Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
- Net4Science
S.r.l., University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario “S.
Venuta”, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Sepe
- Department
of Pharmacy, Università di Napoli
“Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department
of Medicine and Surgery, Università
di Perugia School of Medicine, Piazza L. Severi, I-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Pasquale Rapacciuolo
- Department
of Pharmacy, Università di Napoli
“Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Department
of Medicine and Surgery, Università
di Perugia School of Medicine, Piazza L. Severi, I-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Department
of Pharmacy, Università di Napoli
“Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
- Faculty
of Biomedical Sciences, Euler Institute, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), via G. Buffi 13, CH-6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department
of Pharmacy, Università di Napoli
“Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Bruno Catalanotti
- Department
of Pharmacy, Università di Napoli
“Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department
of Medicine and Surgery, Università
di Perugia School of Medicine, Piazza L. Severi, I-06132 Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Biagioli M, Marchianò S, Roselli R, Di Giorgio C, Bellini R, Bordoni M, Gidari A, Sabbatini S, Francisci D, Fiorillo B, Catalanotti B, Distrutti E, Carino A, Zampella A, Costantino G, Fiorucci S. Discovery of a AHR pelargonidin agonist that counter-regulates Ace2 expression and attenuates ACE2-SARS-CoV-2 interaction. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 188:114564. [PMID: 33872570 PMCID: PMC8052506 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 is the pathogenetic agent of Corona Virus Induced Disease (COVID)19. The virus enters the human cells after binding to the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)2 receptor in target tissues. ACE2 expression is induced in response to inflammation. The colon expression of ACE2 is upregulated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), highlighting a potential risk of intestinal inflammation in promoting viral entry in the human body. Because mechanisms that regulate ACE2 expression in the intestine are poorly understood and there is a need of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapies, we have settled to investigate whether natural flavonoids might regulate the expression of Ace2 in intestinal models of inflammation. The results of these studies demonstrated that pelargonidin activates the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) in vitro and reverses intestinal inflammation caused by chronic exposure to high fat diet or to the intestinal braking-barrier agent TNBS in a AhR-dependent manner. In these two models, development of colon inflammation associated with upregulation of Ace2 mRNA expression. Colon levels of Ace2 mRNA were directly correlated with Tnf-α mRNA levels. Molecular docking studies suggested that pelargonidin binds a fatty acid binding pocket on the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. In vitro studies demonstrated that pelargonidin significantly reduces the binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein to ACE2 and reduces the SARS-CoV-2 replication in a concentration-dependent manner. In summary, we have provided evidence that a natural flavonoid might hold potential in reducing intestinal inflammation and ACE2 induction in the inflamed colon in a AhR-dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Biagioli
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Pharmacy, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Rachele Bellini
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Anna Gidari
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Samuele Sabbatini
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniela Francisci
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Bianca Fiorillo
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Pharmacy, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Catalanotti
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Pharmacy, Naples, Italy
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- SC di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Pharmacy, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Carino A, Graziosi L, Marchianò S, Biagioli M, Marino E, Sepe V, Zampella A, Distrutti E, Donini A, Fiorucci S. Analysis of Gastric Cancer Transcriptome Allows the Identification of Histotype Specific Molecular Signatures With Prognostic Potential. Front Oncol 2021; 11:663771. [PMID: 34012923 PMCID: PMC8126708 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.663771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy but the third leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Therapy for gastric cancer remain largely suboptimal making the identification of novel therapeutic targets an urgent medical need. In the present study we have carried out a high-throughput sequencing of transcriptome expression in patients with gastric cancers. Twenty-four patients, among a series of 53, who underwent an attempt of curative surgery for gastric cancers in a single center, were enrolled. Patients were sub-grouped according to their histopathology into diffuse and intestinal types, and the transcriptome of the two subgroups assessed by RNAseq analysis and compared to the normal gastric mucosa. The results of this investigation demonstrated that the two histopathology phenotypes express two different patterns of gene expression. A total of 2,064 transcripts were differentially expressed between neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues: 772 were specific for the intestinal type and 407 for the diffuse type. Only 885 transcripts were simultaneously differentially expressed by both tumors. The per pathway analysis demonstrated an enrichment of extracellular matrix and immune dysfunction in the intestinal type including CXCR2, CXCR1, FPR2, CARD14, EFNA2, AQ9, TRIP13, KLK11 and GHRL. At the univariate analysis reduced levels AQP9 was found to be a negative predictor of 4 years survival. In the diffuse type low levels CXCR2 and high levels of CARD14 mRNA were negative predictors of 4 years survival. In summary, we have identified a group of genes differentially regulated in the intestinal and diffuse histotypes of gastric cancers with AQP9, CARD14 and CXCR2 impacting on patients' prognosis, although CXCR2 is the only factor independently impacting overall survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luigina Graziosi
- S.C.Gastroenterologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Marino
- S.C.Gastroenterologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Annibale Donini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Potenza M, Cavalluzzi MM, Milani G, Lauro G, Carino A, Roselli R, Fiorucci S, Zampella A, Pierri CL, Lentini G, Bifulco G. Inverse Virtual Screening for the rapid re-evaluation of the presumed biological safe profile of natural products. The case of steviol from Stevia rebaudiana glycosides on farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Bioorg Chem 2021; 111:104897. [PMID: 33901797 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNSs) are widely employed as dietary substitutes for classical sugars thanks to their safety profile and low toxicity. In this study, a re-evaluation of the biological effects of steviol (1), the main metabolite from Stevia rebaudiana glycosides, was performed using the Inverse Virtual Screening (IVS) target fishing computational approach. Starting from well-known pharmacological properties of Stevia rebaudiana glycosides, this computational tool was employed for predicting the putative interacting targets of 1 and, afterwards, of its five synthetic ester derivatives 2-6, accounting a large panel of proteins involved in cancer and inflammation events. Applying this methodology, the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) was identified as the putative target partner of 1-6. The predicted ligand-protein interactions were corroborated by transactivation assays, specifically disclosing the agonistic activity of 1 and the antagonistic activities of 2-6 on FXR. The reported results highlight the feasibility of IVS as a fast and potent tool for predicting the interacting targets of query compounds, addressing the re-evaluation of their bioactivity. In light of the obtained results, the presumably safe profile of known compounds, such as the case of steviol (1), is critically discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Potenza
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, Fisciano 84084, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Cavalluzzi
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 4, Bari 70126, Italy
| | - Gualtiero Milani
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 4, Bari 70126, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Lauro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, Fisciano 84084, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova facoltà di Medicina, Perugia, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples, Via Domenico Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova facoltà di Medicina, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples, Via Domenico Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ciro Leonardo Pierri
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 4, Bari 70126, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 4, Bari 70126, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bifulco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, Fisciano 84084, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fiorucci S, Distrutti E, Carino A, Zampella A, Biagioli M. Bile acids and their receptors in metabolic disorders. Prog Lipid Res 2021; 82:101094. [PMID: 33636214 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2021.101094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bile acids are a large family of atypical steroids which exert their functions by binding to a family of ubiquitous cell membrane and nuclear receptors. There are two main bile acid activated receptors, FXR and GPBAR1, that are exclusively activated by bile acids, while other receptors CAR, LXRs, PXR, RORγT, S1PR2and VDR are activated by bile acids in addition to other more selective endogenous ligands. In the intestine, activation of FXR and GPBAR1 promotes the release of FGF15/19 and GLP1 which integrate their signaling with direct effects exerted by theother receptors in target tissues. This network is tuned in a time ordered manner by circadian rhythm and is critical for the regulation of metabolic process including autophagy, fast-to-feed transition, lipid and glucose metabolism, energy balance and immune responses. In the last decade FXR ligands have entered clinical trials but development of systemic FXR agonists has been proven challenging because their side effects including increased levels of cholesterol and Low Density Lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-c) and reduced High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). In addition, pruritus has emerged as a common, dose related, side effect of FXR ligands. Intestinal-restricted FXR and GPBAR1 agonists and dual FXR/GPBAR1 agonists have been developed. Here we review the last decade in bile acids physiology and pharmacology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- SC di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli, Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Carino A, Marchianò S, Biagioli M, Scarpelli P, Bordoni M, Di Giorgio C, Roselli R, Fiorucci C, Monti MC, Distrutti E, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. The bile acid activated receptors GPBAR1 and FXR exert antagonistic effects on autophagy. FASEB J 2020; 35:e21271. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001386r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | | | - Martina Bordoni
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Cristina Di Giorgio
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- Department of Pharmacy University of Naples Federico II Naples Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Distrutti
- SC di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia Perugia Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy University of Naples Federico II Naples Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences University of Perugia Perugia Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Carino A, Moraca F, Fiorillo B, Marchianò S, Sepe V, Biagioli M, Finamore C, Bozza S, Francisci D, Distrutti E, Catalanotti B, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. Hijacking SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 Receptor Interaction by Natural and Semi-synthetic Steroidal Agents Acting on Functional Pockets on the Receptor Binding Domain. Front Chem 2020; 8:572885. [PMID: 33195060 PMCID: PMC7645072 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.572885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [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: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory tract infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS)-CoV-2. In light of the urgent need to identify novel approaches to be used in the emergency phase, we have embarked on an exploratory campaign aimed at repurposing natural substances and clinically available drugs as potential anti-SARS-CoV2-2 agents by targeting viral proteins. Here we report on a strategy based on the virtual screening of druggable pockets located in the central β-sheet core of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike's protein receptor binding domain (RBD). By combining an in silico approach and molecular in vitro testing we have been able to identify several triterpenoid/steroidal agents that inhibit interaction of the Spike RBD with the carboxypeptidase domain of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE2). In detail, we provide evidence that potential binding sites exist in the RBD of the SARS CoV-2 Spike protein and that occupancy of these pockets reduces the ability of the RBD to bind to the ACE2 consensus in vitro. Naturally occurring and clinically available triterpenoids such as glycyrrhetinic and oleanolic acids, as well as primary and secondary bile acids and their amidated derivatives such as glyco-ursodeoxycholic acid and semi-synthetic derivatives such as obeticholic acid reduces the RBD/ACE2 binding. In aggregate, these results might help to define novel approaches to COVID-19 based on SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Federica Moraca
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Net4Science S.r.l., University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario “S. Venuta”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Bianca Fiorillo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Bozza
- Microbiology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniela Francisci
- Microbiology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- SC di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Bruno Catalanotti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Marino SD, Finamore C, Biagioli M, Carino A, Marchianò S, Roselli R, Giorgio CD, Bordoni M, Di Leva FS, Novellino E, Cassiano C, Limongelli V, Zampella A, Festa C, Fiorucci S. GPBAR1 Activation by C6-Substituted Hyodeoxycholane Analogues Protect against Colitis. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:818-824. [PMID: 32435390 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
GPBAR1 agonists have been identified as potential leads for the treatment of diseases related to colon inflammation such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. In this paper, we report the discovery of a small library of hyodeoxycholane analogues, decorated at C-6 with different substituents, as potent and selective GPBAR1 agonists. In vitro pharmacological assays showed that compound 6 selectively activates GPBAR1 (EC50 = 0.3 μM) and reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in THP1 cells. The binding mode of compound 6 in GPBAR1 was elucidated by docking calculations. Moreover, compound 6 protects against TNBS-induced colitis in Gpbar1+/+ rodent model, representing an intriguing lead for the treatment of these inflammatory disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona De Marino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia CH-6900, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia CH-6900, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia CH-6900, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Giorgio
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia CH-6900, Italy
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia CH-6900, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Di Leva
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Cassiano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Computational Science, Center for Computational Medicine in Cardiology, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Via G. Buffi 13, CH-6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Festa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia CH-6900, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Carino A, Biagioli M, Marchianò S, Fiorucci C, Bordoni M, Roselli R, Di Giorgio C, Baldoni M, Ricci P, Monti MC, Morretta E, Zampella A, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S. Opposite effects of the FXR agonist obeticholic acid on Mafg and Nrf2 mediate the development of acute liver injury in rodent models of cholestasis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2020; 1865:158733. [PMID: 32371093 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) is validated target in the cholestatic disorders treatment. Obeticholic acid (OCA), the first in class of FXR agonist approved for clinical use, causes side effects including acute liver decompensation when administered to cirrhotic patients with primary biliary cholangitis at higher than recommended doses. The V-Maf avian-musculoaponeurotic-fibrosarcoma-oncogene-homolog-G (Mafg) and nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related-factor-2 (Nrf2) mediates some of the downstream effects of FXR. In the present study we have investigated the role of FXR/MafG/NRF2 pathway in the development of liver toxicity caused by OCA in rodent models of cholestasis. Cholestasis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) or administration of α-naphtyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT) to male Wistar rats and FXR-/- and FXR+/+ mice. Treating BDL and ANIT rats with OCA exacerbated the severity of cholestasis, hepatocytes injury and severely downregulated the expression of basolateral transporters. In mice, genetic ablation FXR or its pharmacological inhibition by 3-(naphthalen-2-yl)-5-(piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole rescued from negative regulation of MRP4 and protected against liver injury caused by ANIT. By RNAseq analysis we found that FXR antagonism effectively reversed the transcription of over 2100 genes modulated by OCA/ANIT treatment, including Mafg and Nrf2 and their target genes Cyp7a1, Cyp8b1, Mat1a, Mat2a, Gss. Genetic and pharmacological Mafg inhibition by liver delivery of siRNA antisense or S-adenosylmethionine effectively rescued from damage caused by ANIT/OCA. In contrast, Nrf2 induction by sulforaphane was protective. CONCLUSIONS: Liver injury caused by FXR agonism in cholestasis is FXR-dependent and is reversed by FXR and Mafg antagonism or Nrf2 induction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli ' Federico II', Napoli, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Monia Baldoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ricci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Elva Morretta
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli ' Federico II', Napoli, Italy
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- SC di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Biagioli M, Carino A, Fiorucci C, Marchianò S, Di Giorgio C, Bordoni M, Roselli R, Baldoni M, Distrutti E, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. The Bile Acid Receptor GPBAR1 Modulates CCL2/CCR2 Signaling at the Liver Sinusoidal/Macrophage Interface and Reverses Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Toxicity. J Immunol 2020; 204:2535-2551. [PMID: 32213564 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury caused by acetaminophen (acetyl-para-aminophenol [APAP]) is the main cause of acute liver failure and liver transplantation in several Western countries. Whereas direct toxicity exerted by APAP metabolites is a key determinant for early hepatocytes injury, the recruitment of cells of innate immunity exerts a mechanistic role in disease progression, determining the clinical outcomes. GPBAR1 is a G protein-coupled receptor for secondary bile acids placed at the interface between liver sinusoidal cells and innate immunity. In this report, using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we demonstrate that whereas Gpbar1 gene deletion worsens the severity of liver injury, its pharmacological activation by 6β-ethyl-3a,7b-dihydroxy-5b-cholan-24-ol rescues mice from liver injury caused by APAP. This protective effect was supported by a robust attenuation of liver recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages and their repolarization toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Macrophage depletion by gadolinium chloride pretreatment abrogated disease development, whereas their reconstitution by spleen-derived macrophage transplantation restored the sensitivity to APAP in a GPBAR1-dependent manner. RNA sequencing analyses demonstrated that GPBAR1 agonism modulated the expression of multiple pathways, including the chemokine CCL2 and its receptor, CCR2. Treating wild-type mice with an anti-CCL2 mAb attenuated the severity of liver injury. We demonstrated that negative regulation of CCL2 production by GPBAR1 agonism was promoter dependent and involved FOXO1. In conclusion, we have shown that GPBAR1 is an upstream modulator of CCL2/CCR2 axis at the sinusoidal cell/macrophage interface, providing a novel target in the treatment of liver damage caused by APAP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Biagioli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Monia Baldoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy; and
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Biagioli M, Carino A, Fiorucci C, Annunziato G, Marchianò S, Bordoni M, Roselli R, Giorgio CD, Castiglione F, Ricci P, Bruno A, Faccini A, Distrutti E, Baldoni M, Costantino G, Fiorucci S. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Mediates the Counter-Regulatory Effects of Pelargonidins in Models of Inflammation and Metabolic Dysfunctions. Nutrients 2019; 11:E1820. [PMID: 31394746 PMCID: PMC6723439 DOI: 10.3390/nu11081820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pelargonidins are anthocyanidins thought to be beneficial for the human health, although controversies exist over the doses needed and the unclear mechanism of action, along with poor systemic bioavailability. One putative target of pelargonidins is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). A synthetic pelargonidin (Mt-P) was synthesized by the methylation of the pelargonidin (the natural compound indicated as P). Mt-P transactivated the AhR with an EC50 of 1.97 µM and was ~2-fold more potent than the natural compound. In vitro Mt-P attenuated pro-inflammatory activities of Raw264.7 macrophage cells in an AhR-dependent manner. In vivo, administration of the Mt-P in Balb/c mice resulted in a dose-dependent attenuation of signs and symptoms of colitis induced by TNBS. A dose of 5 mg/kg Mt-P, but not the natural compound P, reversed intestinal inflammation and increased expression of Tnf-α, Ifn-ƴ, and Il-6, while promoted the expansion of regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages. In C57BL/6J mice fed a high fat diet (HFD), Mt-P attenuated body weight gain, intestinal and liver inflammation, and ameliorated insulin sensitivity, while worsened liver steatosis by up-regulating the liver expression of Cd36 and Apo100b. These effects were abrogated by AhR gene ablation. Mt-P is a synthetic pelargonidin endowed with robust AhR agonist activity that exerts beneficial effects in murine models of inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Biagioli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Marchianò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Federica Castiglione
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ricci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Agostino Bruno
- Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Faccini
- Centro Interdipartimentale Misure 'G. Casnati'-University of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Monia Baldoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Carino A, Biagioli M, Marchianò S, Fiorucci C, Zampella A, Monti MC, Scarpelli P, Ricci P, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S. Ursodeoxycholic acid is a GPBAR1 agonist and resets liver/intestinal FXR signaling in a model of diet-induced dysbiosis and NASH. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2019; 1864:1422-1437. [PMID: 31325638 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [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: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Obeticholic acid (OCA) is a farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) ligand, shown effective in reducing steatosis and fibrosis in NASH patients. However, OCA causes major side effects including pruritus, while increases the risk for liver decompensation in cirrhotic patients. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), is a safe and unexpensive bile acid used in the treatment of liver disorders whose mechanism of action is poorly defined. Here we have compared the effects of OCA and UDCA in a mouse model of NASH. In mice exposed to a diet rich in fat/cholesterol and fructose (HFD-F), treatment with OCA or UDCA effectively prevented body weight gain, insulin resistance, as demonstrated by OGTT, and AST plasma levels. After 12 weeks HFD-F mice developed liver microvesicular steatosis, inflammation and mild fibrosis, increased expression of inflammatory (TNFα, IL6, F4/80) and fibrosis (αSma, Col1α1, Tgfβ) markers, reduced liver expression of FXR, dysregulated liver FXR signaling and elevated levels of Tauro-α and β-muricholic acid (T-α and βMCA), two FXR antagonists in mice. Both compounds prevented these changes and improved liver histopathology. OCA reduced primary bile acid synthesis worsening the T-CA/T-βMCA ratio. UDCA effectively transactivated GPBAR1 in vitro. By RNAseq analysis we found that among over 2400 genes modulated by the HFD-F, only 32 and 60 genes were modulated by OCA and UDCA, with only 3 genes (Dbp, Adh7, Osgin1) being modulated by both agents. Both agents partially prevented the intestinal dysbiosis. CONCLUSIONS: UDCA is a GPBAR1 ligand and exerts beneficial effects in a rodent model of NASH by activating non-overlapping pathway with OCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carino
- University of Perugia, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- University of Perugia, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- University of Perugia, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorucci
- University of Perugia, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Pharmacy, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Scarpelli
- University of Perugia, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Perugia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ricci
- University of Perugia, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Fiorucci
- University of Perugia, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Perugia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Biagioli M, Carino A, Fiorucci C, Marchianò S, Di Giorgio C, Roselli R, Magro M, Distrutti E, Bereshchenko O, Scarpelli P, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. GPBAR1 Functions as Gatekeeper for Liver NKT Cells and provides Counterregulatory Signals in Mouse Models of Immune-Mediated Hepatitis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 8:447-473. [PMID: 31226434 PMCID: PMC6718949 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS GPBAR1, also known as TGR5, is a G protein-coupled receptor activated by bile acids. Hepatic innate immune cells are involved in the immunopathogenesis of human liver diseases and in several murine hepatitis models. Here, by using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we provide evidence that GPBAR1 ligation attenuates the inflammation in rodent models of hepatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Hepatitis was induced by concanavalin A (Con A) or α-galactosyl-ceramide (α-GalCer). 6b-Ethyl-3a,7b-dihydroxy-5b-cholan-24-ol (BAR501), a selective agonist of GPBAR1, was administrated by o.s. RESULTS In the mouse models of hepatitis, the genetic ablation of Gpabar1 worsened the severity of liver injury and resulted in a type I NKT cells phenotype that was biased toward a NKT1, a proinflammatory, IFN-γ producing, NKT cells subtype. Further on, NKT cells from GPBAR1-/- mice were sufficient to cause a severe hepatitis when transferred to naïve mice. In contrast, GPBAR1 agonism rescued wild-type mice from acute liver damage and redirects the NKT cells polarization toward a NKT10, a regulatory, IL-10 secreting, type I NKT cell subset. In addition, GPBAR1 agonism significantly expanded the subset of IL-10 secreting type II NKT cells. RNAseq analysis of both NKT cells type confirmed that IL-10 is a major target for GPABR1. Accordingly, IL-10 gene ablation abrogated protection afforded by GPBAR1 agonism in the Con A model. CONCLUSION Present results illustrate a role for GPBAR1 in regulating liver NKT ecology. Because NKT cells are an essential component of liver immune system, our data provide a compelling evidence for a GPBAR1-IL-10 axis in regulating of liver immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Biagioli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Margherita Magro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- SC di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Oxana Bereshchenko
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy,Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Scarpelli
- University of Perugia, Department of Experimental Medicine, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Stefano Fiorucci, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Science, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132, S. Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy. fax: (+39) 075 5858405.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Carino A, Marchianò S, Biagioli M, Fiorucci C, Zampella A, Monti MC, Morretta E, Bordoni M, Di Giorgio C, Roselli R, Ricci P, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S. Transcriptome Analysis of Dual FXR and GPBAR1 Agonism in Rodent Model of NASH Reveals Modulation of Lipid Droplets Formation. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11051132. [PMID: 31117231 PMCID: PMC6567134 DOI: 10.3390/nu11051132] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive, chronic, liver disease whose prevalence is growing worldwide. Despite several agents being under development for treating NASH, there are no drugs currently approved. The Farnesoid-x-receptor (FXR) and the G-protein coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1), two bile acid activated receptors, have been investigated for their potential in treating NASH. Here we report that BAR502, a steroidal dual ligand for FXR/GPBAR1, attenuates development of clinical and liver histopathology features of NASH in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) and fructose (F). By RNAseq analysis of liver transcriptome we found that BAR502 restores FXR signaling in the liver of mice feed HFD-F, and negatively regulates a cluster of genes including Srebf1 (Srepb1c) and its target genes-fatty acid synthase (Fasn) and Cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector (CIDE) genes, Cidea and Cidec-involved in lipid droplets formation and triglycerides storage in hepatocytes. Additionally, BAR502 increased the intestinal expression of Fgf15 and Glp1 and energy expenditure by white adipose tissues. Finally, exposure to BAR502 reshaped the intestinal microbiota by increasing the amount of Bacteroidaceae. In conclusion, we have shown that dual FXR/GPBAR1 agonism might have utility in treatment of NASH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Chiara Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Elva Morretta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy.
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Cristina Di Giorgio
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Ricci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | | | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Festa C, Finamore C, Marchianò S, Di Leva FS, Carino A, Monti MC, del Gaudio F, Ceccacci S, Limongelli V, Zampella A, Fiorucci S, De Marino S. Investigation around the Oxadiazole Core in the Discovery of a New Chemotype of Potent and Selective FXR Antagonists. ACS Med Chem Lett 2019; 10:504-510. [PMID: 30996787 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent findings have shown that Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) antagonists might be useful in the treatment of cholestasis and related metabolic disorders. In this paper, we report the discovery of a new chemotype of FXR antagonists featured by a 3,5-disubstituted oxadiazole core. In total, 35 new derivatives were designed and synthesized, and notably, compounds 3f and 13, containing a piperidine ring, displayed the best antagonistic activity against FXR with promising cellular potency (IC50 = 0.58 ± 0.27 and 0.127 ± 0.02 μM, respectively). The excellent pharmacokinetic properties make compound 3f the most promising lead identified in this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Festa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Di Leva
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, Salerno 84084, Italy
| | - Federica del Gaudio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, Salerno 84084, Italy
| | - Sara Ceccacci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, Salerno 84084, Italy
| | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Computational Science - Center for Computational Medicine in Cardiology, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Via G. Buffi 13, Lugano CH-6900, Switzerland
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Simona De Marino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Sepe V, Marchianò S, Finamore C, Baronissi G, Di Leva FS, Carino A, Biagioli M, Fiorucci C, Cassiano C, Monti MC, del Gaudio F, Novellino E, Limongelli V, Fiorucci S, Zampella A. Novel Isoxazole Derivatives with Potent FXR Agonistic Activity Prevent Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury. ACS Med Chem Lett 2019; 10:407-412. [PMID: 30996771 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetaminophen misuse is a leading cause of acute liver failure and liver transplantation for which therapy is poorly effective. FXR ligands have shown effective in reducing liver injury in several experimental and clinical settings. In this Letter, we have elaborated on the structure of GW4064, the first nonsteroidal agonist for FXR, to identify novel isoxazoles endowed with FXR agonistic activity and improved ADME properties. The pharmacological characterization and molecular docking studies for the structure-activity rationalization allowed the identification of several FXR agonists with nanomolar potency in transactivation and SRC-1 recruitment assays. This characterization resulted in the identification of a potent FXR agonist, compound 20 that was orally active, and rescued mice from acute liver failure caused by acetaminophen overdose in a FXR-dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana Baronissi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Di Leva
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Cassiano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Federica del Gaudio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Computational Science - Center for Computational Medicine in Cardiology, Via G. Buffi 13, CH-6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Finamore C, Baronissi G, Marchianò S, Di Leva FS, Carino A, Monti MC, Limongelli V, Zampella A, Fiorucci S, Sepe V. Introduction of Nonacidic Side Chains on 6-Ethylcholane Scaffolds in the Identification of Potent Bile Acid Receptor Agonists with Improved Pharmacokinetic Properties. Molecules 2019; 24:E1043. [PMID: 30884797 PMCID: PMC6470523 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
As a cellular bile acid sensor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and the membrane G-coupled receptor (GPBAR1) participate in maintaining bile acid, lipid, and glucose homeostasis. To date, several selective and dual agonists have been developed as promising pharmacological approach to metabolic disorders, with most of them possessing an acidic conjugable function that might compromise their pharmacokinetic distribution. Here, guided by docking calculations, nonacidic 6-ethyl cholane derivatives have been prepared. In vitro pharmacological characterization resulted in the identification of bile acid receptor modulators with improved pharmacokinetic properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuliana Baronissi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Piazza Lucio Severi, 1 - 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Francesco Saverio Di Leva
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Piazza Lucio Severi, 1 - 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Computational Science - Center for Computational Medicine in Cardiology, Via G. Buffi 13, CH-6900 Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Piazza Lucio Severi, 1 - 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Skledar DG, Carino A, Trontelj J, Troberg J, Distrutti E, Marchianò S, Tomašič T, Zega A, Finel M, Fiorucci S, Mašič LP. Endocrine activities and adipogenic effects of bisphenol AF and its main metabolite. Chemosphere 2019; 215:870-880. [PMID: 30408883 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol AF (BPAF) is a fluorinated analog of bisphenol A (BPA), and it is a more potent estrogen receptor (ER) agonist. BPAF is mainly metabolized to BPAF-glucuronide (BPAF-G), which has been reported to lack ER agonist activity and is believed to be biologically inactive. The main goal of the current study was to examine the influence of the metabolism of BPAF via glucuronidation on its ER activity and adipogenesis. Also, as metabolites can have different biological activities, the effects of BPAF-G on other nuclear receptors were evaluated. First, in-vitro BPAF glucuronidation was investigated using recombinant human enzymes. Specific reporter-gene assays were used to determine BPAF and BPAF-G effects on estrogen, androgen, glucocorticoid, and thyroid receptor pathways, and on PXR, FXR, and PPARγ pathways. Their effects on lipid accumulation and differentiation were determined in murine 3T3L1 preadipocytes using Nile Red, with mRNA expression analysis of the adipogenic markers adiponectin, Fabp4, Cebpα, and PPARγ. BPAF showed strong agonistic activity for hERα and moderate antagonistic activities for androgen and thyroid receptors, and for PXR. BPAF-G was antagonistic for PXR and PPARγ. BPAF (0.1 μM) and BPAF-G (1.0 μM) induced lipid accumulation and increased expression of key adipogenic markers in murine preadipocytes. BPAF-G is therefore not an inactive metabolite of BPAF. Further toxicological and epidemiological investigations of BPAF effects on human health are warranted, to provide better understanding of the metabolic end-elimination of BPAF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darja Gramec Skledar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Nuova Facultà di Medicina e Chirurgia, University of Perugia, S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Jurij Trontelj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Johanna Troberg
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Nuova Facultà di Medicina e Chirurgia, University of Perugia, S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Nuova Facultà di Medicina e Chirurgia, University of Perugia, S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Tihomir Tomašič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anamarija Zega
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Moshe Finel
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Nuova Facultà di Medicina e Chirurgia, University of Perugia, S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Lucija Peterlin Mašič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
Primary bile acids (BAs) are generated in the liver as the end products of cholesterol catabolism; they are then conjugated and accumulated in the gallbladder. After a meal ingestion, BAs are reversed into the duodenum to facilitate the lipid absorption. At the intestinal level, the 95% of BAs are reabsorbed and redirected into enterohepatic circulation; indeed only a small amount of them are then subjected to chemical modifications by the intestinal microbiota, which plays a very important role in the generation of secondary bile acids and in regulating host's metabolism and activity of the immune system. Behind their role in nutrients absorption, bile acids act as signaling molecules, activating several receptors, known as bile acid-activated receptors (BARs), including the farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) and the G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1 or Takeda G-protein receptor 5). Both receptors appear to contribute to maintain the tolerogenic state of the liver and intestine immunity. In particular, FXR and GPBAR1 are highly expressed in cells of innate immunity including intestinal and liver macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer T cells. In this chapter, we provide an overview on mechanisms through which FXR and GPBAR1 modulate the signaling between microbiota and intestinal and liver innate immune system. This overview could help to explain beneficial effects exerted by GPBAR1 and FXR agonists in the treatment of metabolic and immuno-mediated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Carino A, Marchianò S, Biagioli M, Bucci M, Vellecco V, Brancaleone V, Fiorucci C, Zampella A, Monti MC, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S. Agonism for the bile acid receptor GPBAR1 reverses liver and vascular damage in a mouse model of steatohepatitis. FASEB J 2018; 33:2809-2822. [PMID: 30303744 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801373rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications and mortality, suggesting that treatment of NASH might benefit from combined approaches that target the liver and the cardiovascular components of NASH. Using genetic and pharmacologic approaches, we show that G protein-coupled bile acid-activated receptor 1 (GPBAR1) agonism reverses liver and vascular damage in mouse models of NASH. NASH is associated with accelerated vascular inflammation representing an independent risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular-related mortality. GPBAR1, also known as TGR5, is a G protein-coupled receptor for secondary bile acids that reduces inflammation and promotes energy expenditure. Using genetic and pharmacologic approaches, we investigated whether GPBAR1 agonism by 6β-ethyl-3α,7β-dihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-ol (BAR501) reverses liver and vascular damage induced by exposure to a diet enriched in fat and fructose (HFD-F). Treating HFD-F mice with BAR501 reversed liver injury and promoted the browning of white adipose tissue in a Gpbar1-dependent manner. Feeding HFD-F resulted in vascular damage, as shown by the increased aorta intima-media thickness and increased expression of inflammatory genes (IL-6,TNF-α, iNOS, and F4/80) and adhesion molecules (VCAM, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and endothelial selectin) in the aorta, while reducing the expression of genes involved in NO and hydrogen sulfide generation, severely altering vasomotor activities of aortic rings in an ex vivo assay. BAR501 reversed this pattern in a Gpbar1-dependent manner, highlighting a potential role for GPBAR1 agonism in treating the liver and vascular component of NASH.-Carino, A., Marchianò, S., Biagioli, M., Bucci, M., Vellecco, V., Brancaleone, V., Fiorucci, C., Zampella, A., Monti, M. C., Distrutti, E., Fiorucci, S. Agonism for the bile acid receptor GPBAR1 reverses liver and vascular damage in a mouse model of steatohepatitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Chiara Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy; and
| | | | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Carino A, Biagioli M, Marchianò S, Scarpelli P, Zampella A, Limongelli V, Fiorucci S. Disruption of TFGβ-SMAD3 pathway by the nuclear receptor SHP mediates the antifibrotic activities of BAR704, a novel highly selective FXR ligand. Pharmacol Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
23
|
Carino A, Graziosi L, D'Amore C, Cipriani S, Marchianò S, Marino E, Zampella A, Rende M, Mosci P, Distrutti E, Donini A, Fiorucci S. The bile acid receptor GPBAR1 (TGR5) is expressed in human gastric cancers and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cell lines. Oncotarget 2018; 7:61021-61035. [PMID: 27409173 PMCID: PMC5308633 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
GPBAR1 (also known as TGR5) is a bile acid activated receptor expressed in several adenocarcinomas and its activation by secondary bile acids increases intestinal cell proliferation. Here, we have examined the expression of GPBAR1 in human gastric adenocarcinomas and investigated whether its activation promotes the acquisition of a pro-metastatic phenotype. By immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis we found that expression of GPBAR1 associates with advanced gastric cancers (Stage III-IV). GPBAR1 expression in tumors correlates with the expression of N-cadherin, a markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (r=0.52; P<0.01). Expression of GPBAR1, mRNA and protein, was detected in cancer cell lines, with MKN 45 having the higher expression. Exposure of MKN45 cells to GPBAR1 ligands, TLCA, oleanolic acid or 6-ECDCA (a dual FXR and GPBAR1 ligand) increased the expression of genes associated with EMT including KDKN2A, HRAS, IGB3, MMP10 and MMP13 and downregulated the expression of CD44 and FAT1 (P<0.01 versus control cells). GPBAR1 activation in MKN45 cells associated with EGF-R and ERK1 phosphorylation. These effects were inhibited by DFN406, a GPBAR1 antagonist, and cetuximab. GPBAR1 ligands increase MKN45 migration, adhesion to peritoneum and wound healing. Pretreating MKN45 cells with TLCA increased propensity toward peritoneal dissemination in vivo. These effects were abrogated by cetuximab. In summary, we report that GPBAR1 is expressed in advanced gastric cancers and its expression correlates with markers of EMT. GPBAR1 activation in MKN45 cells promotes EMT. These data suggest that GPBAR1 antagonist might have utility in the treatment of gastric cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Claudio D'Amore
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Angela Zampella
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mario Rende
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Mosci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Annibale Donini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Biagioli M, Mencarelli A, Carino A, Cipriani S, Marchianò S, Fiorucci C, Donini A, Graziosi L, Baldelli F, Distrutti E, Costantino G, Fiorucci S. Genetic and Pharmacological Dissection of the Role of Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (Syk) in Intestinal Inflammation and Immune Dysfunction in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2017; 24:123-135. [PMID: 29272492 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izx031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The DNAX adaptor protein 12 (DAP12) is a transmembrane adaptor molecule that signals through the activation of Syk (Spleen Tyrosine Kinase) in myeloid cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of DAP12 and Syk pathways in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). METHODS DAP12 deficient and DAP12 transgenic, overexpressing an increased amount of DAP12, mice and Syk deficient mice in the C57/BL6 background were used for these studies. Colitis was induced by administering mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), in drinking water, or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), by intrarectal enema. RESULTS Abundant expression of DAP12 and Syk was detected in colon samples obtained from Crohn's disease patients with expression restricted to immune cells infiltrating the colonic wall. In rodents development of DSS colitis as measured by assessing severity of wasting diseases, global colitis score,and macroscopic and histology scores was robustly attenuated in DAP12-/- and Syk-/- mice. In contrast, DAP12 overexpression resulted in a striking exacerbation of colon damage caused by DSS. Induction of colon expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in response to DSS administration was attenuated in DAP12-/- and Syk-/- mice, whereas opposite results were observed in DAP12 transgenic mice. Treating wild-type mice with a DAP-12 inhibitor or a Syk inhibitor caused a robust attenuation of colitis induced by DSS and TNBS. CONCLUSIONS DAP12 and Syk are essential mediators in inflammation-driven immune dysfunction in murine colitides. Because DAP12 and Syk expression is upregulated in patients with active disease, present findings suggest a beneficial role for DAP12 and Syk inhibitors in IBD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Mencarelli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Annibale Donini
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luigina Graziosi
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Franco Baldelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy; ‡Perugia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- SC di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Skledar DG, Carino A, Trontelj J, Finel M, Troberg J, Fiorucci S, Mašič LP. Bisphenol AF: Does bisphenol AF glucuronide have endocrine activity? Toxicol Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.07.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
26
|
Biagioli M, Laghi L, Carino A, Cipriani S, Distrutti E, Marchianò S, Parolin C, Scarpelli P, Vitali B, Fiorucci S. Metabolic Variability of a Multispecies Probiotic Preparation Impacts on the Anti-inflammatory Activity. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:505. [PMID: 28804459 PMCID: PMC5532379 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [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: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In addition to strain taxonomy, the ability of probiotics to confer beneficial effects on the host rely on a number of additional factors including epigenetic modulation of bacterial genes leading to metabolic variability and might impact on probiotic functionality. Aims: To investigate metabolism and functionality of two different batches of a probiotic blend commercialized under the same name in Europe in models of intestinal inflammation. Methods: Boxes of VSL#3, a probiotic mixture used in the treatment of pouchitis, were obtained from pharmacies in UK subjected to metabolomic analysis and their functionality tested in mice rendered colitis by treatment with DSS or TNBS. Results: VSL#3-A (lot DM538), but not VSL#3-B (lot 507132), attenuated “clinical” signs of colitis in the DSS and TNBS models. In both models, VSL#3-A, but not VSL#3-B, reduced macroscopic scores, intestinal permeability, and expression of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNAs, while increased the expression of TGFβ and IL-10, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) mRNAs and shifted colonic macrophages from a M1 to M2 phenotype (P < 0.05 vs. TNBS). In contrast, VSL#3-B failed to reduce inflammation, and worsened intestinal permeability in the DSS model (P < 0.001 vs. VSL#3-A). A metabolomic analysis of the two formulations allowed the identification of two specific patterns, with at least three-folds enrichment in the concentrations of four metabolites, including 1–3 dihydroxyacetone (DHA), an intermediate in the fructose metabolism, in VSL#3-B supernatants. Feeding mice with DHA, increased intestinal permeability. Conclusions: Two batches of a commercially available probiotic show divergent metabolic activities. DHA, a product of probiotic metabolism, increases intestinal permeability, highlighting the complex interactions between food, microbiota, probiotics, and intestinal inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
| | - Luca Laghi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Interdepartmental Centre for Agri-Food Industrial Research, University of BolognaCesena, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Distrutti
- SC di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di PerugiaPerugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
| | - Carola Parolin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of BolognaBologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Scarpelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory of Biotechnology, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
| | - Beatrice Vitali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of BolognaBologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Biagioli M, Carino A, Cipriani S, Francisci D, Marchianò S, Scarpelli P, Sorcini D, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. The Bile Acid Receptor GPBAR1 Regulates the M1/M2 Phenotype of Intestinal Macrophages and Activation of GPBAR1 Rescues Mice from Murine Colitis. J Immunol 2017; 199:718-733. [PMID: 28607110 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
GPBAR1 (TGR5 or M-BAR) is a G protein-coupled receptor for secondary bile acids that is highly expressed in monocytes/macrophages. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of GPBAR1 in mediating leukocyte trafficking in chemically induced models of colitis and investigate the therapeutic potential of BAR501, a small molecule agonist for GPBAR1. These studies demonstrated that GPBAR1 gene ablation enhanced the recruitment of classically activated macrophages in the colonic lamina propria and worsened the severity of inflammation. In contrast, GPBAR1 activation by BAR501 reversed intestinal inflammation in the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid and oxazolone models by reducing the trafficking of Ly6C+ monocytes from blood to intestinal mucosa. Exposure to BAR501 shifted intestinal macrophages from a classically activated (CD11b+, CCR7+, F4/80-) to an alternatively activated (CD11b+, CCR7-, F4/80+) phenotype, reduced the expression of inflammatory genes (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, and CCL2 mRNAs), and attenuated the wasting syndrome and severity of colitis (≈70% reduction in the Colitis Disease Activity Index). The protective effect was lost in Gpbar1-/- mice. Exposure to BAR501 increased the colonic expression of IL-10 and TGF-β mRNAs and the percentage of CD4+/Foxp3+ cells. The beneficial effects of BAR501 were lost in Il-10-/- mice. In a macrophage cell line, regulation of IL-10 by BAR501 was GPBAR1 dependent and was mediated by the recruitment of CREB to its responsive element in the IL-10 promoter. In conclusion, GPBAR1 is expressed in circulating monocytes and colonic macrophages, and its activation promotes a IL-10-dependent shift toward an alternatively activated phenotype. The targeting of GPBAR1 may offer therapeutic options in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Paolo Scarpelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory of Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Daniele Sorcini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples 80181, Italy; and
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Festa C, De Marino S, Carino A, Sepe V, Marchianò S, Cipriani S, Di Leva FS, Limongelli V, Monti MC, Capolupo A, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S, Zampella A. Targeting Bile Acid Receptors: Discovery of a Potent and Selective Farnesoid X Receptor Agonist as a New Lead in the Pharmacological Approach to Liver Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:162. [PMID: 28424617 PMCID: PMC5371667 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [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: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bile acid (BA) receptors represent well-defined targets for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to metabolic and inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we report the generation of novel C-3 modified 6-ethylcholane derivatives. The pharmacological characterization and molecular docking studies for the structure-activity rationalization, allowed the identification of 3β-azido-6α-ethyl-7α-hydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid (compound 2), a potent and selective FXR agonist with a nanomolar potency in transactivation assay and high efficacy in the recruitment of SRC-1 co-activator peptide in Alfa Screen assay. In vitro, compound 2 was completely inactive towards common off-targets such as the nuclear receptors PPARα, PPARγ, LXRα, and LXRβ and the membrane G-coupled BA receptor, GPBAR1. This compound when administered in vivo exerts a robust FXR agonistic activity increasing the liver expression of FXR-target genes including SHP, BSEP, OSTα, and FGF21, while represses the expression of CYP7A1 gene that is negatively regulated by FXR. Collectively these effects result in a significant reshaping of BA pool in mouse. In summary, compound 2 represents a promising candidate for drug development in liver and metabolic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Festa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II"Naples, Italy
| | - Simona De Marino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II"Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di MedicinaPerugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II"Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di MedicinaPerugia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di MedicinaPerugia, Italy
| | | | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II"Naples, Italy.,Institute of Computational Science - Center for Computational Medicine in Cardiology, Faculty of Informatics, Università della Svizzera ItalianaLugano, Switzerland
| | - Maria C Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of SalernoFisciano, Italy
| | - Angela Capolupo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of SalernoFisciano, Italy
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- Ospedale S. Maria della Misericordia, Azienda Ospedaliera di PerugiaPerugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di MedicinaPerugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II"Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
De Marino S, Carino A, Masullo D, Finamore C, Sepe V, Marchianò S, Di Leva FS, Limongelli V, Fiorucci S, Zampella A. Epoxide functionalization on cholane side chains in the identification of G-protein coupled bile acid receptor (GPBAR1) selective agonists. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra04922f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Decoration of the bile acid side chain with an epoxide ring afforded potent and selective GPBAR1 agonists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona De Marino
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples “Federico II”
- Naples
- Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences
- Nuova Facoltà di Medicina
- Perugia
- Italy
| | - Dario Masullo
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples “Federico II”
- Naples
- Italy
| | - Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples “Federico II”
- Naples
- Italy
| | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples “Federico II”
- Naples
- Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences
- Nuova Facoltà di Medicina
- Perugia
- Italy
| | | | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples “Federico II”
- Naples
- Italy
- Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI)
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences
- Nuova Facoltà di Medicina
- Perugia
- Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples “Federico II”
- Naples
- Italy
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gramec Skledar D, Tomašič T, Carino A, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S, Peterlin Mašič L. New brominated flame retardants and their metabolites as activators of the pregnane X receptor. Toxicol Lett 2016; 259:116-123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
|
31
|
Finamore C, Festa C, Renga B, Sepe V, Carino A, Masullo D, Biagioli M, Marchianò S, Capolupo A, Monti MC, Fiorucci S, Zampella A. Navigation in bile acid chemical space: discovery of novel FXR and GPBAR1 ligands. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29320. [PMID: 27381677 PMCID: PMC4933954 DOI: 10.1038/srep29320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bile acids are signaling molecules interacting with nuclear receptors and membrane G-protein-coupled receptors. Among these receptors, the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and the membrane G-coupled receptor (GPBAR1) have gained increasing consideration as druggable receptors and their exogenous dual regulation represents an attractive strategy in the treatment of enterohepatic and metabolic disorders. However, the therapeutic use of dual modulators could be associated to severe side effects and therefore the discovery of selective GPBAR1 and FXR agonists is an essential step in the medicinal chemistry optimization of bile acid scaffold. In this study, a new series of 6-ethylcholane derivatives modified on the tetracyclic core and on the side chain has been designed and synthesized and their in vitro activities on FXR and GPBAR1 were assayed. This speculation resulted in the identification of compound 7 as a potent and selective GPBAR1 agonist and of several derivatives showing potent dual agonistic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Festa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Renga
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Dario Masullo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Capolupo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sepe V, Festa C, Renga B, Carino A, Cipriani S, Finamore C, Masullo D, Del Gaudio F, Monti MC, Fiorucci S, Zampella A. Insights on FXR selective modulation. Speculation on bile acid chemical space in the discovery of potent and selective agonists. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19008. [PMID: 26740187 PMCID: PMC4704022 DOI: 10.1038/srep19008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bile acids are the endogenous modulators of the nuclear receptor FXR and the membrane receptor GPBAR1. FXR represents a promising pharmacological target for the treatment of cholestatic liver disorders. Currently available semisynthetic bile acid derivatives cover the same chemical space of bile acids and therefore they are poorly selective toward BA receptors, increasing patient risk for adverse side effects. In this report, we have investigated around the structure of CDCA describing the synthesis and the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of a novel family of compounds modified on the steroidal tetracyclic core and on the side chain. Pharmacological characterization resulted in the identification of several potent and selective FXR agonists. These novel agents might add utility in the treatment of cholestatic disorders by potentially mitigating side effects linked to unwanted activation of GPBAR1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Festa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Renga
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Masullo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Del Gaudio
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sepe V, Renga B, Festa C, Finamore C, Masullo D, Carino A, Cipriani S, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S, Zampella A. Investigation on bile acid receptor regulators. Discovery of cholanoic acid derivatives with dual G-protein coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1) antagonistic and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) modulatory activity. Steroids 2016; 105:59-67. [PMID: 26607331 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bile acids, the end products of cholesterol metabolism, activate multiple mechanisms through the interaction with membrane G-protein coupled receptors including the bile acid receptor GPBAR1 and nuclear receptors such as the bile acid sensor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Even if dual FXR/GPBAR1 agonists are largely considered a novel opportunity in the treatment of several liver and metabolic diseases, selective targeting of one of these receptors represents an attractive therapeutic approach for a wide range of disorders in which dual modulation is associated to severe side effects. In the present study we have investigated around the structure of LCA generating a small library of cholane derivatives, endowed with dual FXR agonism/GPBAR1 antagonism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of bile acid derivatives able to antagonize GPBAR1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Renga
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi, 1-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Carmen Festa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Masullo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi, 1-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi, 1-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- Hospital S. Maria della Misericordia, S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi, 1-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Renga B, Cipriani S, Carino A, Simonetti M, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. Reversal of Endothelial Dysfunction by GPBAR1 Agonism in Portal Hypertension Involves a AKT/FOXOA1 Dependent Regulation of H2S Generation and Endothelin-1. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141082. [PMID: 26539823 PMCID: PMC4634759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background GPBAR1 is a bile acids activated receptor expressed in entero-hepatic tissues. In the liver expression of GPBAR1 is restricted to sinusoidal and Kuppfer cells. In the systemic circulation vasodilation caused by GPBAR1 agonists is abrogated by inhibition of cystathione-γ-liase (CSE), an enzyme essential to the generation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a vasodilatory agent. Portal BAR501 is a semisynthetic bile acid derivative endowed with a potent and selective agonistic activity toward GPBAR1. Methods Cirrhosis was induced in mice by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) administration for 9 weeks. Liver endothelial dysfunction was induced by feeding wild type and Gpbar1-/- mice with methionine for 4 weeks. In both models, mice were administered BAR501, 15 mg/kg/day. Results By transactivation assay we demonstrate that BAR501 is a selective GPBAR1 agonist devoid of any FXR agonistic activity. In naïve rats, BAR501 effectively reduced hepatic perfusion pressure and counteracted the vasoconstriction activity of norepinephrine. In the CCl4 model, 9 weeks treatment with BAR501 effectively protected against development of endothelial dysfunction by increasing liver CSE expression and activity and by reducing endothelin (ET)-1 gene expression. In mice feed methionine, treatment with BAR501 attenuated endothelial dysfunction and caused a GPBAR1-dependent regulation of CSE. Using human liver sinusoidal cells, we found that modulation of CSE expression/activity is mediated by both genomic (recruitment of CREB to CRE in the CSE promoter) and non-genomic effects, involving a Akt-dependent phosporylation of CSE and endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS). BAR501, phosphorylates FOXO1 and inhibits ET-1 transcription in liver sinusoidal cells. Conclusions BAR501, a UDCA-like GPBAR1 agonist, rescues from endothelial dysfunction in rodent models of portal hypertension by exerting genomic and non-genomic effects on CSE, eNOS and ET-1 in liver sinusoidal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Renga
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Simonetti
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Renga B, Francisci D, Carino A, Marchianò S, Cipriani S, Chiara Monti M, Del Sordo R, Schiaroli E, Distrutti E, Baldelli F, Fiorucci S. The HIV matrix protein p17 induces hepatic lipid accumulation via modulation of nuclear receptor transcriptoma. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15403. [PMID: 26469385 PMCID: PMC4606811 DOI: 10.1038/srep15403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver disease is the second most common cause of mortality in HIV-infected persons. Exactly how HIV infection per se affects liver disease progression is unknown. Here we have investigated mRNA expression of 49 nuclear hormone receptors (NRs) and 35 transcriptional coregulators in HepG2 cells upon stimulation with the HIV matrix protein p17. This viral protein regulated mRNA expression of some NRs among which LXRα and its transcriptional co-activator MED1 were highly induced at mRNA level. Dissection of p17 downstream intracellular pathway demonstrated that p17 mediated activation of Jak/STAT signaling is responsible for the promoter dependent activation of LXR. The treatment of both HepG2 as well as primary hepatocytes with HIV p17 results in the transcriptional activation of LXR target genes (SREBP1c and FAS) and lipid accumulation. These effects are lost in HepG2 cells pre-incubated with a serum from HIV positive person who underwent a vaccination with a p17 peptide as well as in HepG2 cells pre-incubated with the natural LXR antagonist gymnestrogenin. These results suggest that HIV p17 affects NRs and their related signal transduction thus contributing to the progression of liver disease in HIV infected patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Renga
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Section of gastroenterology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniela Francisci
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious diseases, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Section of gastroenterology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Section of gastroenterology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious diseases, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Rachele Del Sordo
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiaroli
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious diseases, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Franco Baldelli
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious diseases, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Section of gastroenterology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Cipriani S, Renga B, D’Amore C, Simonetti M, De Tursi AA, Carino A, Monti MC, Sepe V, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. Impaired Itching Perception in Murine Models of Cholestasis Is Supported by Dysregulation of GPBAR1 Signaling. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129866. [PMID: 26177448 PMCID: PMC4503431 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims In cholestatic syndromes, body accumulation of bile acids is thought to cause itching. However, the mechanisms supporting this effect remain elusive. Recently, GPBAR1 (TGR5) a G-protein coupled receptor has been shown to mediate itching caused by intradermal administration of DCA and LCA. 6α-ethyl-3α, 7α-dihydroxy-24-nor-5β-cholan-23-ol (BAR502) is a non-bile acid dual ligand for FXR and GPBAR1. Methods Cholestasis was induced in wild type and GPBAR1-/- mice by administration of α-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT) or 17α-ethynylestradiol. Results. In naïve mice skin application of DCA, TLCA, 6-ECDCA, oleanolic and betulinic acid induces a GPBAR1 dependent pruritogenic response that could be desensitized by re-challenging the mice with the same GPBAR1 agonist. In wild type and GPBAR1-/- mice cholestasis induced by ANIT fails to induce spontaneous itching and abrogates scratching behavior caused by intradermal administration of DCA. In this model, co-treatment with BAR502 increases survival, attenuates serum alkaline phosphatase levels and robustly modulates the liver expression of canonical FXR target genes including OSTα, BSEP, SHP and MDR1, without inducing pruritus. Betulinic acid, a selective GPBAR1 ligand, failed to rescue wild type and GPBAR1-/- mice from ANIT cholestasis but did not induced itching. In the 17α-ethynylestradiol model BAR502 attenuates cholestasis and reshapes bile acid pool without inducing itching. Conclusions The itching response to intradermal injection of GPBAR1 agonists desensitizes rapidly and is deactivated in models of cholestasis, explain the lack of correlation between bile acids levels and itching severity in cholestatic syndromes. In models of non-obstructive cholestasis, BAR502 attenuates liver injury without causing itching.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Renga
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudio D’Amore
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Simonetti
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Renga B, Bucci M, Cipriani S, Carino A, Monti MC, Zampella A, Gargiulo A, d'Emmanuele di Villa Bianca R, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S. Cystathionine γ-lyase, a H2S-generating enzyme, is a GPBAR1-regulated gene and contributes to vasodilation caused by secondary bile acids. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2015; 309:H114-26. [PMID: 25934094 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00087.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
GPBAR1 is a bile acid-activated receptor (BAR) for secondary bile acids, lithocholic (LCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA), expressed in the enterohepatic tissues and in the vasculature by endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Despite that bile acids cause vasodilation, it is unclear why these effects involve GPBAR1, and the vascular phenotype of GPBAR1 deficient mice remains poorly defined. Previous studies have suggested a role for nitric oxide (NO) in regulatory activity exerted by GPBAR1 in liver endothelial cells. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a vasodilatory agent generated in endothelial cells by cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE). Here we demonstrate that GPBAR1 null mice had increased levels of primary and secondary bile acids and impaired vasoconstriction to phenylephrine. In aortic ring preparations, vasodilation caused by chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), a weak GPBAR1 ligand and farnesoid-x-receptor agonist (FXR), was iberiotoxin-dependent and GPBAR1-independent. In contrast, vasodilation caused by LCA was GPBAR1 dependent and abrogated by propargyl-glycine, a CSE inhibitor, and by 5β-cholanic acid, a GPBAR1 antagonist, but not by N(5)-(1-iminoethyl)-l-ornithine (l-NIO), an endothelial NO synthase inhibitor, or iberiotoxin, a large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BKCa) channels antagonist. In venular and aortic endothelial (HUVEC and HAEC) cells GPBAR1 activation increases CSE expression/activity and H2S production. Two cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) sites (CREs) were identified in the CSE promoter. In addition, TLCA stimulates CSE phosphorylation on serine residues. In conclusion we demonstrate that GPBAR1 mediates the vasodilatory activity of LCA and regulates the expression/activity of CSE. Vasodilation caused by CDCA involves BKCa channels. The GPBAR1/CSE pathway might contribute to endothelial dysfunction and hyperdynamic circulation in liver cirrhosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Renga
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Bucci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Gargiulo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Festa C, Renga B, D’Amore C, Sepe V, Finamore C, De Marino S, Carino A, Cipriani S, Monti MC, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. Exploitation of Cholane Scaffold for the Discovery of Potent and Selective Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) and G-Protein Coupled Bile Acid Receptor 1 (GP-BAR1) Ligands. J Med Chem 2014; 57:8477-95. [DOI: 10.1021/jm501273r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Festa
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano
49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Renga
- Department
of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi, I-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudio D’Amore
- Department
of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi, I-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Sepe
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano
49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Finamore
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano
49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona De Marino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano
49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department
of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi, I-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Department
of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi, I-06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano
49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department
of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, P.zza L. Severi, I-06132 Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Renga B, Francisci D, Schiaroli E, Carino A, Cipriani S, D'Amore C, Sidoni A, Sordo RD, Ferri I, Lucattelli M, Lunghi B, Baldelli F, Fiorucci S. The HIV matrix protein p17 promotes the activation of human hepatic stellate cells through interactions with CXCR2 and Syndecan-2. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94798. [PMID: 24736615 PMCID: PMC3988079 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) p17 is a matrix protein involved in virus life's cycle. CXCR2 and Syndecan-2, the two major coreceptors for the p17 protein, are expressed in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a key cell type involved in matrix deposition in liver fibrotic disorders. AIM In this report we have investigated the in vitro impact of p17 on HSCs transdifferentiation and function and underlying signaling pathways involved in these processes. METHODS LX-2 cells, a human HSC line, and primary HSC were challenged with p17 and expressions of fibrogenic markers and of p17 receptors were assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Downstream intracellular signaling pathways were evaluated with qRT-PCR and Western blot as well as after pre-treatment with specific pathway inhibitors. RESULTS Exposure of LX2 cells to p17 increases their contractile force, reshapes the cytoskeleton fibers and upregulates the expression of transdifferentiation markers including αSMA, COL1α1 and endothelin-1 through the activation of Jak/STAT and Rho signaling pathways. These effects are lost in HSCs pre-incubated with a serum from HIV positive person who underwent a vaccination with a p17 peptide. Confocal laser microscopy studies demonstrates that CXCR2 and syndecan-2 co-associate at the plasma membrane after exposure to p17. Immunostaining of HIV/HCV liver biopsies from co-infected patients reveals that the progression of liver fibrosis correlates with a reduced expression of CXCR2. CONCLUSIONS The HIV matrix protein p17 is pro-fibrogenic through its interactions both with CXCR2 and syndecan-2 on activated HSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Renga
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniela Francisci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiaroli
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudio D'Amore
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angelo Sidoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Rachele Del Sordo
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ivana Ferri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | - Franco Baldelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Di Micco S, Renga B, Carino A, D'Auria MV, Zampella A, Riccio R, Fiorucci S, Bifulco G. Structural insights into Estrogen Related Receptor-β modulation: 4-methylenesterols from Theonella swinhoei sponge as the first example of marine natural antagonists. Steroids 2014; 80:51-63. [PMID: 24315836 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2013.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we report the first evidence of 4-methylenesterols, isolated from the marine sponge Theonella swinhoei, as antagonists of Estrogen Related Receptors (ERRs). The interactions of 4-methylenesterols with ERRs were investigated through a multi-parametric approach involving biological assays and molecular modelling. Here the first homology model of active and inactive conformations of the Estrogen Related Receptor β (ERRβ) is also reported, benchmarked with the well known agonists gsk4716 and genistein, and the antagonists 4-hydroxytamoxifen and diethylstilbestrol. Our proposed model could contribute to the clarification of small molecule interaction mode in the ERRβ and, notably, to the rational design of new potential and selective modulators of this emerging therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Di Micco
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Barbara Renga
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Perugia, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Via Gerardo Dottori 1 S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Perugia, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Via Gerardo Dottori 1 S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria D'Auria
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Raffaele Riccio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Perugia, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Via Gerardo Dottori 1 S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bifulco
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Renga B, D’Amore C, Cipriani S, Mencarelli A, Carino A, Sepe V, Zampella A, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S. FXR mediates a chromatin looping in the GR promoter thus promoting the resolution of colitis in rodents. Pharmacol Res 2013; 77:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2013.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
|
42
|
Renga B, Mencarelli A, Cipriani S, D'Amore C, Carino A, Bruno A, Francisci D, Zampella A, Distrutti E, Fiorucci S. The bile acid sensor FXR is required for immune-regulatory activities of TLR-9 in intestinal inflammation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54472. [PMID: 23372731 PMCID: PMC3555871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toll like receptors (TLRs) sense the intestinal microbiota and regulate the innate immune response. A dysregulation of TLRs function participates into intestinal inflammation. Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor and bile acid sensor highly expressed in entero-hepatic tissues. FXR regulates lipid metabolism and innate immunity. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this study we have investigated whether FXR gene expression/function in the intestine is modulated by TLRs. We found that in human monocytes activation of membrane TLRs (i.e. TLR2, 4, 5 and 6) downregulates, while activation of intracellular TLRs (i.e. TLR3, 7, 8 and 9) upregulates the expression of FXR and its target gene SHP, small heterodimer partner. This effect was TLR9-dependent and TNFα independent. Intestinal inflammation induced in mice by TNBS downregulates the intestinal expression of FXR in a TLR9-dependent manner. Protection against TNBS colitis by CpG, a TLR-9 ligand, was lost in FXR(-/-) mice. In contrast, activation of FXR rescued TLR9(-/-) and MyD88(-/-) mice from colitis. A putative IRF7 response element was detected in the FXR promoter and its functional characterization revealed that IRF7 is recruited on the FXR promoter under TLR9 stimulation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Intestinal expression of FXR is selectively modulated by TLR9. In addition to its role in regulating type-I interferons and innate antiviral immunity, IRF-7 a TLR9-dependent factor, regulates the expression of FXR, linking microbiota-sensing receptors to host's immune and metabolic signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Renga
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Mencarelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Cipriani
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Scienze Biochimiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudio D'Amore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Bruno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniela Francisci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Scienze Biochimiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università di Napoli “Federico II”, Napoli, Italy
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Renga B, Francisci D, D'Amore C, Schiaroli E, Carino A, Baldelli F, Fiorucci S. HIV-1 infection is associated with changes in nuclear receptor transcriptome, pro-inflammatory and lipid profile of monocytes. BMC Infect Dis 2012; 12:274. [PMID: 23106848 PMCID: PMC3528633 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-12-274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent residual immune activation and lipid dysmetabolism are characteristics of HIV positive patients receiving an highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Nuclear Receptors are transcription factors involved in the regulation of immune and metabolic functions through the modulation of gene transcription. The objective of the present study was to investigate for the relative abundance of members of the nuclear receptor family in monocytic cells isolated from HIV positive patients treated or not treated with HAART. METHODS Monocytes isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were used for analysis of the relative mRNA expressions of FXR, PXR, LXR, VDR, RARα, RXR, PPARα, PPARβ, PPARγ and GR by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The expression of a selected subset of inflammatory and metabolic genes MCP-1, ICAM-1, CD36 and ABCA1 was also measured. RESULTS Monocytes isolated from HIV infected patients expressed an altered pattern of nuclear receptors characterized by a profound reduction in the expressions of FXR, PXR, PPARα, GR, RARα and RXR. Of interest, the deregulated expression of nuclear receptors was not restored under HAART and was linked to an altered expression of genes which supports both an immune activation and altered lipid metabolism in monocytes. CONCLUSIONS Altered expression of genes mediating reciprocal regulation of lipid metabolism and immune function in monocytes occurs in HIV. The present findings provide a mechanistic explanation for immune activation and lipid dysmetabolism occurring in HIV infected patients and could lead to the identification of novel potential therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Renga
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|