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- ItemSynthesis, in Vitro Profiling, and in Vivo Evaluation of Benzohomoadamantane-Based Ureas for Visceral Pain: A New Indication for Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors(Washington, DC : ACS, 2022) Codony, Sandra; Entrena, José M.; Calvó-Tusell, Carla; Jora, Beatrice; González-Cano, Rafael; Osuna, Sílvia; Corpas, Rubén; Morisseau, Christophe; Pérez, Belén; Barniol-Xicota, Marta; Griñán-Ferré, Christian; Pérez, Concepción; Rodríguez-Franco, María Isabel; Martínez, Antón L.; Loza, M. Isabel; Pallàs, Mercè; Verhelst, Steven H. L.; Sanfeliu, Coral; Feixas, Ferran; Hammock, Bruce D.; Brea, José; Cobos, Enrique J.; Vázquez, SantiagoThe soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) has been suggested as a pharmacological target for the treatment of several diseases, including pain-related disorders. Herein, we report further medicinal chemistry around new benzohomoadamantane-based sEH inhibitors (sEHI) in order to improve the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics properties of a previous hit. After an extensive in vitro screening cascade, molecular modeling, and in vivo pharmacokinetics studies, two candidates were evaluated in vivo in a murine model of capsaicin-induced allodynia. The two compounds showed an anti-allodynic effect in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the most potent compound presented robust analgesic efficacy in the cyclophosphamide-induced murine model of cystitis, a well-established model of visceral pain. Overall, these results suggest painful bladder syndrome as a new possible indication for sEHI, opening a new range of applications for them in the visceral pain field.
- ItemIn vitro effect of Withania somnifera, AYUSH-64, and remdesivir on the activity of CYP-450 enzymes: Implications for possible herb−drug interactions in the management of COVID-19(Lausanne : Frontiers Media, 2022) Kasarla, Siva Swapna; Borse, Swapnil P.; Kumar, Yashwant; Sharma, Neha; Dikshit, MadhuAyurvedic medicines Withania somnifera Dunal (ashwagandha) and AYUSH-64 have been used for the prevention and management of COVID-19 in India. The present study explores the effect of Ashwagandha and AYUSH-64 on important human CYP enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and CYP2D6) to assess their interaction with remdesivir, a drug used for COVID-19 management during the second wave. The study also implies possible herb−drug interactions as ashwagandha and AYUSH-64 are being used for managing various pathological conditions. Aqueous extracts of ashwagandha and AYUSH-64 were characterized using LC-MS/MS. A total of 11 and 24 phytoconstituents were identified putatively from ashwagandha and AYUSH-64 extracts, respectively. In addition, in silico studies revealed good ADME properties of most of the phytoconstituents of these herbal drugs and suggested that some of these might possess CYP-450 inhibitory activity. In vitro CYP-450 studies with human liver microsomes showed moderate inhibition of CYP3A4, 2C8, and 2D6 by remdesivir, while ashwagandha had no inhibitory effect alone or in combination with remdesivir. AYUSH-64 also exhibited a similar trend; however, a moderate inhibitory effect on CYP2C8 was noticed. Thus, ashwagandha seems to be safe to co-administer with the substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and CYP2D6. However, caution is warranted in prescribing AYUSH-64 along with CYP2C8 substrate drugs. Furthermore, preclinical and clinical PK studies would be helpful for their effective and safer use in the management of various ailments along with other drugs.
- ItemThe human TRPA1 intrinsic cold and heat sensitivity involves separate channel structures beyond the N-ARD domain([London] : Nature Publishing Group UK, 2022) Moparthi, Lavanya; Sinica, Viktor; Moparthi, Vamsi K.; Kreir, Mohamed; Vignane, Thibaut; Filipovic, Milos R.; Vlachova, Viktorie; Zygmunt, Peter M.TRP channels sense temperatures ranging from noxious cold to noxious heat. Whether specialized TRP thermosensor modules exist and how they control channel pore gating is unknown. We studied purified human TRPA1 (hTRPA1) truncated proteins to gain insight into the temperature gating of hTRPA1. In patch-clamp bilayer recordings, ∆1–688 hTRPA1, without the N-terminal ankyrin repeat domain (N-ARD), was more sensitive to cold and heat, whereas ∆1–854 hTRPA1, also lacking the S1–S4 voltage sensing-like domain (VSLD), gained sensitivity to cold but lost its heat sensitivity. In hTRPA1 intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence studies, cold and heat evoked rearrangement of VSLD and the C-terminus domain distal to the transmembrane pore domain S5–S6 (CTD). In whole-cell electrophysiology experiments, replacement of the CTD located cysteines 1021 and 1025 with alanine modulated hTRPA1 cold responses. It is proposed that hTRPA1 CTD harbors cold and heat sensitive domains allosterically coupled to the S5–S6 pore region and the VSLD, respectively.
- ItemInhibiting the glycerophosphodiesterase EDI3 in ER-HER2+ breast cancer cells resistant to HER2-targeted therapy reduces viability and tumour growth(Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer, 2023) Keller, Magdalena; Rohlf, Katharina; Glotzbach, Annika; Leonhardt, Gregor; Lüke, Simon; Derksen, Katharina; Demirci, Özlem; Göçener, Defne; AlWahsh, Mohammad; Lambert, Jörg; Lindskog, Cecilia; Schmidt, Marcus; Brenner, Walburgis; Baumann, Matthias; Zent, Eldar; Zischinsky, Mia-Lisa; Hellwig, Birte; Madjar, Katrin; Rahnenführer, Jörg; Overbeck, Nina; Reinders, Jörg; Cadenas, Cristina; Hengstler, Jan G.; Edlund, Karolina; Marchan, RosemarieBackground: Intrinsic or acquired resistance to HER2-targeted therapy is often a problem when small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors or antibodies are used to treat patients with HER2 positive breast cancer. Therefore, the identification of new targets and therapies for this patient group is warranted. Activated choline metabolism, characterized by elevated levels of choline-containing compounds, has been previously reported in breast cancer. The glycerophosphodiesterase EDI3 (GPCPD1), which hydrolyses glycerophosphocholine to choline and glycerol-3-phosphate, directly influences choline and phospholipid metabolism, and has been linked to cancer-relevant phenotypes in vitro. While the importance of choline metabolism has been addressed in breast cancer, the role of EDI3 in this cancer type has not been explored. Methods: EDI3 mRNA and protein expression in human breast cancer tissue were investigated using publicly-available Affymetrix gene expression microarray datasets (n = 540) and with immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray (n = 265), respectively. A panel of breast cancer cell lines of different molecular subtypes were used to investigate expression and activity of EDI3 in vitro. To determine whether EDI3 expression is regulated by HER2 signalling, the effect of pharmacological inhibition and siRNA silencing of HER2, as well as the influence of inhibiting key components of signalling cascades downstream of HER2 were studied. Finally, the influence of silencing and pharmacologically inhibiting EDI3 on viability was investigated in vitro and on tumour growth in vivo. Results: In the present study, we show that EDI3 expression is highest in ER-HER2 + human breast tumours, and both expression and activity were also highest in ER-HER2 + breast cancer cell lines. Silencing HER2 using siRNA, as well as inhibiting HER2 signalling with lapatinib decreased EDI3 expression. Pathways downstream of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and GSK3β, and transcription factors, including HIF1α, CREB and STAT3 were identified as relevant in regulating EDI3 expression. Silencing EDI3 preferentially decreased cell viability in the ER-HER2 + cells. Furthermore, silencing or pharmacologically inhibiting EDI3 using dipyridamole in ER-HER2 + cells resistant to HER2-targeted therapy decreased cell viability in vitro and tumour growth in vivo. Conclusions: Our results indicate that EDI3 may be a potential novel therapeutic target in patients with HER2-targeted therapy-resistant ER-HER2 + breast cancer that should be further explored.
- ItemGlycolytic flux control by drugging phosphoglycolate phosphatase([London] : Nature Publishing Group UK, 2022) Jeanclos, Elisabeth; Schlötzer, Jan; Hadamek, Kerstin; Yuan-Chen, Natalia; Alwahsh, Mohammad; Hollmann, Robert; Fratz, Stefanie; Yesilyurt-Gerhards, Dilan; Frankenbach, Tina; Engelmann, Daria; Keller, Angelika; Kaestner, Alexandra; Schmitz, Werner; Neuenschwander, Martin; Hergenröder, Roland; Sotriffer, Christoph; von Kries, Jens Peter; Schindelin, Hermann; Gohla, AntjeTargeting the intrinsic metabolism of immune or tumor cells is a therapeutic strategy in autoimmunity, chronic inflammation or cancer. Metabolite repair enzymes may represent an alternative target class for selective metabolic inhibition, but pharmacological tools to test this concept are needed. Here, we demonstrate that phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP), a prototypical metabolite repair enzyme in glycolysis, is a pharmacologically actionable target. Using a combination of small molecule screening, protein crystallography, molecular dynamics simulations and NMR metabolomics, we discover and analyze a compound (CP1) that inhibits PGP with high selectivity and submicromolar potency. CP1 locks the phosphatase in a catalytically inactive conformation, dampens glycolytic flux, and phenocopies effects of cellular PGP-deficiency. This study provides key insights into effective and precise PGP targeting, at the same time validating an allosteric approach to control glycolysis that could advance discoveries of innovative therapeutic candidates.
- ItemA Homozygous PPP1R21 Splice Variant Associated with Severe Developmental Delay, Absence of Speech, and Muscle Weakness Leads to Activated Proteasome Function(Totowa, NJ : Humana Press, 2023) Hentschel, Andreas; Meyer, Nancy; Kohlschmidt, Nicolai; Groß, Claudia; Sickmann, Albert; Schara-Schmidt, Ulrike; Förster, Fabian; Töpf, Ana; Christiansen, Jon; Horvath, Rita; Vorgerd, Matthias; Thompson, Rachel; Polaparapu, Kiran; Lochmüller, Hanns; Preusse, Corinna; Hannappel, Luis; Schänzer, Anne; Grüneboom, Anika; Gangfuß, Andrea; Roos, AndreasPPP1R21 acts as a co-factor for protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), an important serine/threonine phosphatase known to be essential for cell division, control of glycogen metabolism, protein synthesis, and muscle contractility. Bi-allelic pathogenic variants in PPP1R21 were linked to a neurodevelopmental disorder with hypotonia, facial dysmorphism, and brain abnormalities (NEDHFBA) with pediatric onset. Functional studies unraveled impaired vesicular transport as being part of PPP1R21-related pathomechanism. To decipher further the pathophysiological processes leading to the clinical manifestation of NEDHFBA, we investigated the proteomic signature of fibroblasts derived from the first NEDHFBA patient harboring a splice-site mutation in PPP1R21 and presenting with a milder phenotype. Proteomic findings and further functional studies demonstrate a profound activation of the ubiquitin–proteasome system with presence of protein aggregates and impact on cellular fitness and moreover suggest a cross-link between activation of the proteolytic system and cytoskeletal architecture (including filopodia) as exemplified on paradigmatic proteins including actin, thus extending the pathophysiological spectrum of the disease. In addition, the proteomic signature of PPP1R21-mutant fibroblasts displayed a dysregulation of a variety of proteins of neurological relevance. This includes increase proteins which might act toward antagonization of cellular stress burden in terms of pro-survival, a molecular finding which might accord with the presentation of a milder phenotype of our NEDHFBA patient.
- ItemIschemic stroke and concomitant gastrointestinal complications- a fatal combination for patient recovery(Lausanne : Frontiers Media, 2022) Tuz, Ali A.; Hasenberg, Anja; Hermann, Dirk M.; Gunzer, Matthias; Singh, VikramjeetStroke is primarily a neurodegenerative disease but can also severely impact the functions of other vital organs and deteriorate disease outcomes. A malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), commonly observed in stroke patients, is often characterized by severe bowel obstruction, intestinal microbiota changes and inflammation. Over-activated immune cells after stroke are the major contributors to endorse intestinal inflammation and may induce damage to single-layer epithelial cell barriers. The post-stroke leakage of intestinal barriers may allow the translocation and dissemination of resident microflora to systemic organs and cause sepsis. This overshooting systemic immune reaction fuels ongoing inflammation in the degenerating brain and slows recovery. Currently, the therapeutic options to treat these GIT-associated anomalies are very limited and further research is required to develop novel treatments. In this mini-review, we first discuss the current knowledge from clinical studies and experimental stroke models that provide strong evidence of the existence of post-stroke GIT complications. Then, we review the literature regarding novel therapeutic approaches that might help to maintain GIT homeostasis and improve neurological outcomes in stroke patients.
- ItemTargeting cardiomyocyte ADAM10 ectodomain shedding promotes survival early after myocardial infarction([London] : Nature Publishing Group UK, 2022) Klapproth, Erik; Witt, Anke; Klose, Pauline; Wiedemann, Johanna; Vavilthota, Nikitha; Künzel, Stephan R.; Kämmerer, Susanne; Günscht, Mario; Sprott, David; Lesche, Mathias; Rost, Fabian; Dahl, Andreas; Rauch, Erik; Kattner, Lars; Weber, Silvio; Mirtschink, Peter; Kopaliani, Irakli; Guan, Kaomei; Lorenz, Kristina; Saftig, Paul; Wagner, Michael; El-Armouche, AliAfter myocardial infarction the innate immune response is pivotal in clearing of tissue debris as well as scar formation, but exaggerated cytokine and chemokine secretion with subsequent leukocyte infiltration also leads to further tissue damage. Here, we address the value of targeting a previously unknown a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10)/CX3CL1 axis in the regulation of neutrophil recruitment early after MI. We show that myocardial ADAM10 is distinctly upregulated in myocardial biopsies from patients with ischemia-driven cardiomyopathy. Intriguingly, upon MI in mice, pharmacological ADAM10 inhibition as well as genetic cardiomycyte-specific ADAM10 deletion improves survival with markedly enhanced heart function and reduced scar size. Mechanistically, abolished ADAM10-mediated CX3CL1 ectodomain shedding leads to diminished IL-1β-dependent inflammation, reduced neutrophil bone marrow egress as well as myocardial tissue infiltration. Thus, our data shows a conceptual insight into how acute MI induces chemotactic signaling via ectodomain shedding in cardiomyocytes.
- ItemThe alarmin interleukin-1α triggers secondary degeneration through reactive astrocytes and endothelium after spinal cord injury([London] : Nature Publishing Group UK, 2022) Bretheau, Floriane; Castellanos-Molina, Adrian; Bélanger, Dominic; Kusik, Maxime; Mailhot, Benoit; Boisvert, Ana; Vallières, Nicolas; Lessard, Martine; Gunzer, Matthias; Liu, Xiaoyu; Boilard, Éric; Quan, Ning; Lacroix, SteveSpinal cord injury (SCI) triggers neuroinflammation, and subsequently secondary degeneration and oligodendrocyte (OL) death. We report that the alarmin interleukin (IL)−1α is produced by damaged microglia after SCI. Intra-cisterna magna injection of IL-1α in mice rapidly induces neutrophil infiltration and OL death throughout the spinal cord, mimicking the injury cascade seen in SCI sites. These effects are abolished through co-treatment with the IL-1R1 antagonist anakinra, as well as in IL-1R1-knockout mice which demonstrate enhanced locomotor recovery after SCI. Conditional restoration of IL-1R1 expression in astrocytes or endothelial cells (ECs), but not in OLs or microglia, restores IL-1α-induced effects, while astrocyte- or EC-specific Il1r1 deletion reduces OL loss. Conditioned medium derived from IL-1α-stimulated astrocytes results in toxicity for OLs; further, IL-1α-stimulated astrocytes generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), and blocking ROS production in IL-1α-treated or SCI mice prevented OL loss. Thus, after SCI, microglia release IL-1α, inducing astrocyte- and EC-mediated OL degeneration.
- ItemExperimental validation of computerised models of clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors that signal via tandem SH2 domain proteins(San Francisco, Calif. : Public Library of Science, 2022) Maqsood, Zahra; Clark, Joanne C.; Martin, Eleyna M.; Cheung, Yam Fung Hilaire; Morán, Luis A.; Watson, Sean E. T.; Pike, Jeremy A.; Di, Ying; Poulter, Natalie S.; Slater, Alexandre; Lange, Bodo M. H.; Nieswandt, Bernhard; Eble, Johannes A.; Tomlinson, Mike G.; Owen, Dylan M.; Stegner, David; Bridge, Lloyd J.; Wierling, Christoph; Watson, Steve P.The clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors with cytosolic YxxL and YxxM motifs, including GPVI, CLEC-2 and PEAR1, triggers activation via phosphorylation of the conserved tyrosine residues and recruitment of the tandem SH2 (Src homology 2) domain effector proteins, Syk and PI 3-kinase. We have modelled the clustering of these receptors with monovalent, divalent and tetravalent soluble ligands and with transmembrane ligands based on the law of mass action using ordinary differential equations and agent-based modelling. The models were experimentally evaluated in platelets and transfected cell lines using monovalent and multivalent ligands, including novel nanobody-based divalent and tetravalent ligands, by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Ligand valency, receptor number, receptor dimerisation, receptor phosphorylation and a cytosolic tandem SH2 domain protein act in synergy to drive receptor clustering. Threshold concentrations of a CLEC-2-blocking antibody and Syk inhibitor act in synergy to block platelet aggregation. This offers a strategy for countering the effect of avidity of multivalent ligands and in limiting off-target effects.