Dicer1-miR-328-Bace1 signalling controls brown adipose tissue differentiation and function

Activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) controls energy homeostasis in rodents and humans and has emerged as an innovative strategy for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here we show that ageing- and obesity-associated dysfunction of brown fat coincides with global microRNA downregulation due to reduced expression of the microRNA-processing node Dicer1. Consequently, heterozygosity of Dicer1 in BAT aggravated diet-induced-obesity (DIO)-evoked deterioration of glucose metabolism. Analyses of differential microRNA expression during preadipocyte commitment and mouse models of progeria, longevity and DIO identified miR-328 as a regulator of BAT differentiation. Reducing miR-328 blocked preadipocyte commitment, whereas miR-328 overexpression instigated BAT differentiation and impaired muscle progenitor commitment-partly through silencing of the β-secretase Bace1. Loss of Bace1 enhanced brown preadipocyte specification in vitro and was overexpressed in BAT of obese and progeroid mice. In vivo Bace1 inhibition delayed DIO-induced weight gain and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. These experiments reveal Dicer1-miR-328-Bace1 signalling as a determinant of BAT function, and highlight the potential of Bace1 inhibition as a therapeutic approach to improve not only neurodegenerative diseases but also ageing- and obesity-associated impairments of BAT function.

β-Secretase (BACE1) inhibitors with high in vivo efficacy suitable for clinical evaluation in Alzheimer's disease

An extensive fluorine scan of 1,3-oxazines revealed the power of fluorine(s) to lower the pKa and thereby dramatically change the pharmacological profile of this class of BACE1 inhibitors. The CF3 substituted oxazine 89, a potent and highly brain penetrant BACE1 inhibitor, was able to reduce significantly CSF Aβ40 and 42 in rats at oral doses as low as 1 mg/kg. The effect was long lasting, showing a significant reduction of Aβ40 and 42 even after 24 h. In contrast to 89, compound 1b lacking the CF3 group was virtually inactive in vivo.

Mast cell chymase inhibition reduces atherosclerotic plaque progression and improves plaque stability in ApoE-/- mice

AIMS

mast cells have been shown to accumulate in the adventitia of human atherosclerotic plaques and were recently demonstrated by us to contribute to plaque progression and instability. In this study, we investigated whether selective inhibition of mast cell chymases would affect the lesion development and stability.

METHODS AND RESULTS

the protease inhibitor RO5066852 appeared to be a potent inhibitor of chymase activity in vitro and ex vivo. With this inhibitor, we provide three lines of evidence that chymase inhibition can prevent many pro-atherogenic activities. First, oral administration of RO5066852 reduced spontaneous atherosclerosis in the thoracic aorta of apoE(-/-) mice. Second, chymase inhibition prevented the accelerated plaque progression observed in apoE(-/-) mice that were exposed to repetitive episodes of systemic mast cell activation. Furthermore, RO5066852 enhanced lesional collagen content and reduced necrotic core size. Third, RO5066852 treatment almost completely normalized the increased frequency and size of intraplaque haemorrhages observed in apoE(-/-) mice after acute perivascular mast cell activation in advanced atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSION

our data indicate that chymase inhibition can inhibit pro-atherogenic and plaque destabilizing effects which are associated with perivascular mast cell activation. Our study thus identifies pharmacological chymase inhibition as a potential therapeutic modality for atherosclerotic plaque stabilization.

Discovery of a factor Xa inhibitor (3R,4R)-1-(2,2-difluoro-ethyl)-pyrrolidine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid 3-[(5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-amide] 4-[[2-fluoro-4-(2-oxo-2H-pyridin-1-yl)-phenyl]-amide] as a clinical candidate

A series of (3R,4R)-pyrrolidine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid amides was investigated with respect to their factor Xa inhibitory activity, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, and ex vivo antithrombotic activity. The clinical candidate from this series, R1663, exhibits excellent selectivity against a panel of serine proteases and good pharmacokinetic properties in rats and monkeys. A Phase I clinical study with R1663 has been finalized.

Structure-based design of indole propionic acids as novel PPARα/γ co-agonists

In the quest for novel PPARalpha/gamma co-agonists as putative drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, we have used a structure-based design approach to identify propionic acids with a 1,5-disubstituted indole scaffold as potent PPARalpha/gamma activators. Compounds 13, 24, and 28 are examples of submicromolar dual agonists with different alpha/gamma EC50 ratios that are selective against the delta-isoform. Analysis of the X-ray complex structure of PPARgamma with the indole propionic acid 13 provides a rationalization for some of the observed SAR.

Efficient Synthesis of Novel NK1Receptor Antagonists: Selective 1,4-Addition of Grignard Reagents to 6-Chloronicotinic Acid Derivatives

A new efficient synthesis of two novel classes of NK1 receptor antagonists, among them befetupitant and netupitant, starting from 6-chloronicotinic acid is described. The introduction of the o-tolyl substituent at C4 of the pyridine ring was achieved by a one-pot selective 1,4-Grignard addition/oxidation sequence to 6-chloronicotinic acid or a derivative of it. The scope of this addition/oxidation sequence was examined. It was also shown that the carboxylic function can be converted to a methyl amino group by a Hofmann rearrangement followed by reduction. Furthermore, a new high-yielding synthesis of 2-(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)-2-methyl propionic acid based on the carbonylation of the tertiary alcohol obtained by Grignard addition of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)bromobenzene to acetone was established.

Field trial of an infant formula containing anti-rotavirus and anti-Escherichia coli milk antibodies from hyperimmunized cows

Two groups of 124 and 108 children, respectively, living in urban Santiago, Chile in low socioeconomic conditions were prospectively followed for 6 months for their incidence of diarrhea. Each cohort was divided into two subgroups receiving either a commercial milk formula or the same formula containing 1% (wt/wt) bovine milk immunoglobulin concentrate from cows hyperimmunized with human rotaviruses and the major enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) serogroups. Neither group differed with respect to incidence of diarrhea (98 episodes in 117 treated children versus 95 episodes in 115 control children), duration and clinical symptoms of diarrhea, and weight gain. Furthermore, neither group differed with respect to isolation of rotavirus (14 and 13 isolates in treatment and control groups, respectively) and isolation of enteropathogenic E. coli (14 and 15 isolates in treatment and control groups, respectively). The treatment but not the control formula contained neutralizing antibody against all human rotavirus serotypes. Titers were comparable to human breast milk samples. All isolated EPEC serogroups were included in the vaccine used for the immunization of the cows. The treatment, but not the control formula, protected mice against a lethal challenge with an EPEC strain. In conclusion, feeding an antibody-supplemented formula had no positive effect on diarrheal diseases under the conditions of a fairly well-controlled small-scale field trial.

Protection by milk immunoglobulin concentrate against oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is a common cause of traveler's diarrhea. Prophylaxis against traveler's diarrhea has been associated with side effects from bismuth subsalicylate and the development of resistance to antimicrobial agents. We undertook a double-blind controlled trial in which a bovine milk immunoglobulin concentrate with high titers of antibodies against enterotoxigenic E. coli was used as prophylaxis against E. coli challenge in volunteers. Lyophilized milk immunoglobulins were prepared from the colostrum of cows immunized with several enterotoxigenic E. coli serotypes and fimbria types, E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin, and cholera toxin. As a control, an immunoglobulin concentrate with no anti-E. coli activity was prepared. Ten volunteers received buffered immunoglobulin concentrate against enterotoxigenic E. coli, and 10 received the control immunoglobulin concentrate, dissolved in water, three times a day. No side effects were observed. On the third day of immunoglobulin prophylaxis, the volunteers were given 10(9) colony-forming units of enterotoxigenic E. coli H10407 (O78:H11). This strain produces colonization factor antigen I and heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins. None of the 10 volunteers receiving the immunoglobulin concentrate against E. coli had diarrhea, but 9 of the 10 controls did (P less than 0.0001). All volunteers excreted E. coli H10407. We conclude from these preliminary results that milk immunoglobulin concentrate may be an effective prophylaxis against traveler's diarrhea.

Use of bovine milk concentrate containing antibody to rotavirus to treat rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants

The use of a concentrate containing milk immunoglobulins prepared from rotavirus-hyperimmunized cows (neutralization titer, 1:6,000 for a 10% solution) to treat infants hospitalized for acute rotavirus gastroenteritis resulted in a significant (P = .008) reduction in the duration of excretion of virus. Stool samples from treated infants showed the presence of bovine milk immunoglobulins in 47% of cases and of neutralizing activity in 43% (mean neutralization titer, 1:48); stool samples from control infants showed neutralizing activities in only 3% of cases (neutralization titers, less than 1:20). Immunoelectrophoresis of stool extracts revealed fragment A, a bovine analogue of F(ab')2 or Fab, as the major product of in vitro and in vivo digestion of the immunoglobulins. Cessation of excretion of virus correlated with the appearance of neutralizing activities in 19 of 25 infants. Only concentrate-treated infants with high neutralizing activity in stools showed a statistically significant reduction in duration of excretion of virus; this duration in concentrate-treated infants with low neutralizing activity was comparable with controls.

Bovine milk immunoglobulins for passive immunity to infantile rotavirus gastroenteritis

Pregnant cows were successfully hyperimmunized with all four human rotavirus serotypes, resulting in a 100-fold increase in neutralizing milk antibody titers over those of controls. Milk antibodies were isolated batchwise from 1,000 kg of pooled milk for the first 10 lactation days, yielding 10 kg of freeze-dried milk immunoglobulin concentrate consisting of 50% bovine milk immunoglobulins. Milk immunoglobulin concentrate showed neutralizing activities against all four human rotavirus serotypes that were 100 times higher than those in pooled human milk samples and 10 times higher than those in a commercial pooled immunoglobulin preparation from pooled human blood serum. In vitro neutralization tests showed that milk immunoglobulin concentrate had powerful antiviral activity, even against very high doses of infectious rotaviruses. Because the technology of the milk immunoglobulin concentrate ensures that it is innocuous and can be used for oral application, it is proposed that milk immunoglobulin concentrate be used to induce passive immunity to infantile rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Epidemiology of rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants from the area of Bochum as revealed by electrophoresis of genome RNA

Rotaviruses were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in stool samples from 504 infants admitted with gastroenteritis to the children's hospital of the University Bochum in the period from 1979 to 1984. In most infants rotaviruses persisted in the stools for 6-8 days. Rotavirus RNA was extracted from stool samples from 203 infants. By acrylamide gel electrophoresis, bands characteristic of rotavirus double-stranded RNA were detected in 172 (85%) of these 203 samples in which the presence of rotavirus had been demonstrated by ELISA. Of the RNA-positive samples 87% had a "long" RNA pattern. Six different electropherotypes co-circulated and one electropherotype predominated for more than 4 years. In stool samples of one infant 12 genome segments were found, suggesting the possibility of simultaneous infection by more than one electropherotype or the occurrence of modification in the length of RNA segments during infection. In another infant the sequential infection by two different electropherotypes was observed.

[The Mannheim Cohort Project--prevalence of psychogenic diseases in cities]

For the purpose of our research project the term 'psychogenetic disorders' covers psychoneuroses , character neuroses in a broader sense, and functional-vegetative as well as psychosomatic affections. So far information concerning basic descriptive-epidemiological data, especially the frequency of occurrence and the dependence upon demographic variables of the above mentioned disorders, is insufficient and controversial. Even less satisfactory is our information on the progress of these disorders. The specific difficulty with the diagnostic apperception of these disorders in particular requires field research within the entire population. Only by means of such a very expensive procedure can valid information on the true prevalence or incidence of the above mentioned disorders be obtained. Moreover, for a follow-up design each test subject must be examined several times by highly qualified experts, each examination requiring his personal presence. The "Mannheimer Kohortenprojekt" involves six hundred test subjects, two hundred each born in 1935, 1945, and 1955, selected at random from the 'normal' general population. They were examined with the aid of a structured interview schedule oriented on psychoanalytic principles and with other instruments (lists of complaints, inventories of life events, FPI-tests, etc.). Results from the first three-year investigation period include: Out of the total of six hundred test subjects twenty-five per cent are "cases". Women are significantly in the majority. Apparent is an obvious connection between different types of complaints and the social class of the test subject. Identified disorders show correlations with life events on the one hand and with early childhood disturbances on the other.

Treatment of infantile E. coli gastroenteritis with specific bovine anti-E. coli milk immunoglobulins

A milk immunoglobulin concentrate (MIC) containing antibodies to enteropathogenic E. coli strains was prepared by hyperimmunisation of pregnant cows and using the milk obtained during the first 6 to 8 days of lactation. The sterile concentrate contained 70 to 80% protein and 35 to 40% immunoglobulin. The antibacterial activity was measured by bacterial passive agglutination, bacteriostatic activity in vitro, phagocytic clearance in vivo, and a protection test in mice. Though differences in titers were observed, adequate immunologic activity was demonstrated by these tests. Clinical studies were performed with 60 patients (aged 10 days to 18 months) suffering from diarrhoea with isolation of enteropathogenic E. coli. They were treated for 10 days with MIC and stool cultures were done prior to, during, and 2, 3 and 4 days after termination of treatment. Among 51 patients infected with E. coli strains incorporated in the vaccine, stool cultures became negative in 43 (84.3%) after treatment with MIC and 8 remained positive. Nine patients infected with strains O 78:K80(B-) and O 114:K--(B-)--which were not included in the vaccine used for immunisation--served as controls. Only one patient in this group became negative. If all patients receiving antibiotics for non intestinal infections during the treatment period are omitted the results remained unaltered: MIC was effective in 32 out of 38 patients (84.2%). These differences were highly significant. These results provide evidence that treatment with specific MIC is effective in eliminating enteropathogenic E. coli from the intestine.

Adhérence de <i>E. coli </i>pathogènes aux cellules épithéliales de la muqueuse intestinale du lapin

Inhibiting effect of hyperimmune bovine colostrum and of various carbohydrates. In order to study the mode of action of a bovine <i>anti-Escherichia coli </i>lactoserum (BLS), we have used a new test measuring the adherence of pathogenic <i>E. coli </i>on epithelial cells isolated from the small intestine of rabbit. A mixed suspension of <i>E. coli </i>and of epithelial cells is incubated for 15 min and the number of bacteria adhering to the cells counted under the microscope. The BLS at a concentration of 3.5 mg/ml IgG is able to reduce this number by a factor of 3–5. After absorption of the BLS with formaldehyde-treated bacteria, this factor is smaller than 2. At a concentration of 5 mg/ml, D-mannose and α-methylmannoside are as efficient inhibitors of adherence as BLS; at the same concentration, L-mannose is ineffective. The cultures of <i>E. coli </i>strongly agglutinating guinea pig erythrocytes, adhere to a larger extent to the epithelial cells. The last two observations confirm the important role played by fimbriae for the adhesive properties of <i>E. coli. </i>The presence of fimbrial antibodies would partially explain the inhibiting effect of BLS on adherence.