Emmelie Björklund

A Reversible and Selective Inhibitor of Monoacylglycerol Lipase Ameliorates Multiple Sclerosis

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the enzyme responsible for the inactivation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). MAGL inhibitors show analgesic and tissue-protecting effects in several disease models. However, the few efficient and selective MAGL inhibitors described to date block the enzyme irreversibly, and this can lead to pharmacological tolerance. Hence, additional classes of MAGL inhibitors are needed to validate this enzyme as a therapeutic target. Here we report a potent, selective, and reversible MAGL inhibitor (IC50=0.18 μM) which is active in vivo and ameliorates the clinical progression of a multiple sclerosis (MS) mouse model without inducing undesirable CB1 -mediated side effects. These results support the interest in MAGL as a target for the treatment of MS.

Inhibitory properties of ibuprofen and its amide analogues towards the hydrolysis and cyclooxygenation of the endocannabinoid anandamide

A dual-action cyclooxygenase (COX)–fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor may have therapeutic usefulness as an analgesic, but a key issue is finding the right balance of inhibitory effects. This can be done by the design of compounds exhibiting different FAAH/COX-inhibitory potencies. In the present study, eight ibuprofen analogues were investigated. Ibuprofen (1), 2-(4-Isobutylphenyl)-N-(2-(3-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)-2-oxoethyl)propanamide (9) and N-(3-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2-(4′-isobutylphenyl)propionamide (2) inhibited FAAH with IC50 values of 134, 3.6 and 0.52 µM respectively. The corresponding values for COX-1 were ~29, ~50 and ~60 µM, respectively. Using arachidonic acid as substrate, the compounds were weak inhibitors of COX-2. However, when anandamide was used as COX-2 substrate, potency increased, with approximate IC50 values of ~6, ~10 and ~19 µM, respectively. Compound 2 was confirmed to be active in vivo in a murine model of visceral nociception, but the effects of the compound were not blocked by CB receptor antagonists.

Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase and cyclooxygenase by the N-(3-methylpyridin-2-yl)amide derivatives of flurbiprofen and naproxen.

Inhibitors of the metabolism of the endogenous cannabinoid ligand anandamide by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) reduce the gastric damage produced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and synergise with them in experimental pain models. This motivates the design of compounds with joint FAAH/cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activity. Here we present data on the N-(3-methylpyridin-2-yl)amide derivatives of flurbiprofen and naproxen (Flu-AM1 and Nap-AM1, respectively) with respect to their properties towards these two enzymes. Flu-AM1 and Nap-AM1 inhibited FAAH-catalysed hydrolysis of [(3)H]anandamide by rat brain homogenates with IC50 values of 0.44 and 0.74 µM. The corresponding values for flurbiprofen and naproxen were 29 and >100 µM, respectively. The inhibition by Flu-AM1 was reversible, mixed-type, with K(i)slope and K(i)intercept values of 0.21 and 1.4 µM, respectively. Flurbiprofen and Flu-AM1 both inhibited COX in the same manner with the order of potencies COX-2 vs. 2-arachidonoylglycerol>COX-1 vs. arachidonic acid>COX-2 vs. arachidonic acid with flurbiprofen being approximately 2-3 fold more potent than Flu-AM1 in the assays. Nap-AM1 was a less potent inhibitor of COX. Flu-AM1 at low micromolar concentrations inhibited the FAAH-driven uptake of [(3)H]anandamide into RBL2H3 basophilic leukaemia cells in vitro, but did not penetrate the brain in vivo sufficiently to block the binding of [(18)F]DOPP to brain FAAH. It is concluded that Flu-AM1 is a dual-action inhibitor of FAAH and COX that may be useful in exploring the optimal balance of effects on these two enzyme systems in producing peripheral alleviation of pain and inflammation in experimental models.

Synthesis and evaluation of paracetamol esters as novel fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is the key hydrolytic enzyme for the endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand anandamide. The synthesis and evaluation for their FAAH inhibitory activities of a series of 18 paracetamol esters are described. Structure-activity relationship studies indicated that the ester (33) with a 2-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-4-ylamino)phenyl)acetic acid substituent was the most potent analogue in this series. The compound inhibited FAAH activity in a competitive manner with a K(i) value of 0.16 microM. The compound was also able to inhibit the FAAH activity in rat basophilic leukemia cells as assessed by measuring either the hydrolysis of anandamide, the FAAH-dependent cellular accumulation of anandamide, or the FAAH-dependent recycling of tritium to the cell membranes. The compound also inhibited the activity of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of the endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand 2-arachidonoylglycerol, with an IC(50) value of 1.9 microM. It is concluded that the compound may be a useful template for the design of potent novel inhibitors of FAAH.

Inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase by troglitazone, N-arachidonoyl dopamine and the irreversible inhibitor JZL184: comparison of two different assays

Drugs used clinically usually have a primary mechanism of action, but additional effects on other biological targets can contribute to their effects. A potentially useful additional target is the endocannabinoid metabolizing enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL). We have screened a range of drugs for inhibition of MGL and compared the observed potencies using different MGL enzyme assays.

Involvement of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Fatty Acid Binding Protein 5 in the Uptake of Anandamide by Cell Lines with Different Levels of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Expression: A Pharmacological Study

Background The endocannabinoid ligand anandamide (AEA) is removed from the extracellular space by a process of cellular uptake followed by metabolism. In many cells, such as the RBL-2H3 cell line, inhibition of FAAH activity reduces the observed uptake, indicating that the enzyme regulates uptake by controlling the intra- : extracellular AEA concentration gradient. However, in other FAAH-expressing cells, no such effect is seen. It is not clear, however, whether these differences are methodological in nature or due to properties of the cells themselves. In consequence, we have reinvestigated the role of FAAH in gating the uptake of AEA. Methodology/Principal Findings The effects of FAAH inhibition upon AEA uptake were investigated in four cell lines: AT1 rat prostate cancer, RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukaemia, rat C6 glioma and mouse P19 embryonic carcinoma cells. Semi-quantitative PCR for the cells and for a rat brain lysate confirmed the expression of FAAH. No obvious expression of a transcript with the expected molecular weight of FLAT was seen. FAAH expression differed between cells, but all four could accumulate AEA in a manner inhibitable by the selective FAAH inhibitor URB597. However, there was a difference in the sensitivities seen in the reduction of uptake for a given degree of FAAH inhibition produced by a reversible FAAH inhibitor, with C6 cells being more sensitive than RBL-2H3 cells, despite rather similar expression levels and activities of FAAH. The four cell lines all expressed FABP5, and AEA uptake was reduced in the presence of the FABP5 inhibitor SB-FI-26, suggesting that the different sensitivities to FAAH inhibition for C6 and RBL2H3 cells is not due to differences at the level of FABP-5. Conclusions/Significance When assayed using the same methodology, different FAAH-expressing cells display different sensitivities of uptake to FAAH inhibition.

Ketoconazole Inhibits the Cellular Uptake of Anandamide via Inhibition of FAAH at Pharmacologically Relevant Concentrations

Background The antifungal compound ketoconazole has, in addition to its ability to interfere with fungal ergosterol synthesis, effects upon other enzymes including human CYP3A4, CYP17, lipoxygenase and thromboxane synthetase. In the present study, we have investigated whether ketoconazole affects the cellular uptake and hydrolysis of the endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand anandamide (AEA). Methodology/Principal Findings The effects of ketoconazole upon endocannabinoid uptake were investigated using HepG2, CaCo2, PC-3 and C6 cell lines. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity was measured in HepG2 cell lysates and in intact C6 cells. Ketoconazole inhibited the uptake of AEA by HepG2 cells and CaCo2 cells with IC50 values of 17 and 18 µM, respectively. In contrast, it had modest effects upon AEA uptake in PC-3 cells, which have a low expression of FAAH. In cell-free HepG2 lysates, ketoconazole inhibited FAAH activity with an IC50 value (for the inhibitable component) of 34 µM. Conclusions/Significance The present study indicates that ketoconazole can inhibit the cellular uptake of AEA at pharmacologically relevant concentrations, primarily due to its effects upon FAAH. Ketoconazole may be useful as a template for the design of dual-action FAAH/CYP17 inhibitors as a novel strategy for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Increased Expression of Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors in Achilles Tendinosis

Background The endogenous cannabinoid system is involved in the control of pain. However, little is known as to the integrity of the cannabinoid system in human pain syndromes. Here we investigate the expression of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) in human Achilles tendons from healthy volunteers and from patients with Achilles tendinosis. Methodology Cannabinoid CB1 receptor immunoreactivity (CB1IR) was evaluated in formalin-fixed biopsies from individuals suffering from painful Achilles tendinosis in comparison with healthy human Achilles tendons. Principal Findings CB1IR was seen as a granular pattern in the tenocytes. CB1IR was also observed in the blood vessel wall and in the perineurium of the nerve. Quantification of the immunoreactivity in tenocytes showed an increase of CB1 receptor expression in tendinosis tissue compared to control tissue. Conclusion Expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 is increased in human Achilles tendinosis suggesting that the cannabinoid system may be dysregulated in this disorder.

Novel propanamides as fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has a key role in the control of the cannabinoid signaling, through the hydrolysis of the endocannabinoids anandamide and in some tissues 2-arachidonoylglycerol. FAAH inhibition represents a promising strategy to activate the cannabinoid system, since it does not result in the psychotropic and peripheral side effects characterizing the agonists of the cannabinoid receptors. Here we present the discovery of a novel class of profen derivatives, the N-(heteroaryl)-2-(4-((2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-4-yl)amino)phenyl)propanamides, as FAAH inhibitors. Enzymatic assays showed potencies toward FAAH ranging from nanomolar to micromolar range, and the most compounds lack activity toward the two isoforms of cyclooxygenase. Extensive structure-activity studies and the definition of the binding mode for the lead compound of the series are also presented. Kinetic assays in rat and mouse FAAH on selected compounds of the series demonstrated that slight modifications of the chemical structure could influence the binding mode and give rise to competitive (TPA1) or non-competitive (TPA14) inhibition modes.