G. Enrico Rovati

The Lipoxin Receptor ALX: Potent Ligand-Specific and Stereoselective Actions in Vivo

Lipoxins (LXs) and aspirin-triggered LX (ATL) are trihydroxytetraene-containing eicosanoids generated from arachidonic acid that are distinct in structure, formation, and function from the many other proinflammatory lipid-derived mediators. These endogenous eicosanoids have now emerged as founding members of the first class of lipid/chemical mediators involved in the resolution of the inflammatory response. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4), ATL, and their metabolic stable analogs elicit cellular responses and regulate leukocyte trafficking in vivo by activating the specific receptor, ALX. ALX was the first receptor cloned and identified as a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids with demonstrated cell type-specific signaling pathways. ALX at the level of DNA has sequence homology to the N-formylpeptide receptor and as an orphan GPCR was initially referred to as the N-formylpeptide receptor-like 1. Although LXA4 is the endogenous potent ligand for ALX activation, a number of peptides can also activate this receptor to stimulate calcium mobilization and chemotaxis in vitro. In contrast with LXA4, the counterparts of many of these peptides in vivo remain to be established. The purpose of this review is to highlight the molecular characterization of the ALX receptor and provide an overview of the ALX-LXA4 axis responsible for anti-inflammatory and proresolving signals in vivo. The information in this review provides further support for the initial nomenclature proposition for this GPCR as ALX.

The orphan receptor GPR17 identified as a new dual uracil nucleotides/cysteinyl-leukotrienes receptor

Nucleotides and cysteinyl‐leukotrienes (CysLTs) are unrelated signaling molecules inducing multiple effects through separate G‐protein‐coupled receptors: the P2Y and the CysLT receptors. Here we show that GPR17, a Gi‐coupled orphan receptor at intermediate phylogenetic position between P2Y and CysLT receptors, is specifically activated by both families of endogenous ligands, leading to both adenylyl cyclase inhibition and intracellular calcium increases. Agonist‐response profile, as determined by [35S]GTPγS binding, was different from that of already known CysLT and P2Y receptors, with EC50 values in the nanomolar and micromolar range, for CysLTs and uracil nucleotides, respectively. Both rat and human receptors are highly expressed in the organs typically undergoing ischemic damage, that is, brain, heart and kidney. In vivo inhibition of GPR17 by either CysLT/P2Y receptor antagonists or antisense technology dramatically reduced ischemic damage in a rat focal ischemia model, suggesting GPR17 as the common molecular target mediating brain damage by nucleotides and CysLTs. In conclusion, the deorphanization of GPR17 revealed a dualistic receptor for two endogenous unrelated ligand families. These findings may lead to dualistic drugs of previously unexplored therapeutic potential.

Update on leukotriene, lipoxin and oxoeicosanoid receptors: IUPHAR Review 7

The endogenous ligands for the LT, lipoxin (LX) and oxoeicosanoid receptors are bioactive products produced by the action of the lipoxygenase family of enzymes. The LT receptors BLT1 and BLT2, are activated by LTB4 and the CysLT1 and CysLT2 receptors are activated by the cysteinyl‐LTs, whereas oxoeicosanoids exert their action through the OXE receptor. In contrast to these pro‐inflammatory mediators, LXA4 transduces responses associated with the resolution of inflammation through the receptor FPR2/ALX (ALX/FPR2). The aim of the present review is to give a state of the field on these receptors, with focus on recent important findings. For example, BLT1 receptor signalling in cancer and the dual role of the BLT2 receptor in pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory actions have added more complexity to lipid mediator signalling. Furthermore, a cross‐talk between the CysLT and P2Y receptor systems has been described, and also the presence of novel receptors for cysteinyl‐LTs, such as GPR17 and GPR99. Finally, lipoxygenase metabolites derived from ω‐3 essential polyunsaturated acids, the resolvins, activate the receptors GPR32 and ChemR23. In conclusion, the receptors for the lipoxygenase products make up a sophisticated and tightly controlled system of endogenous pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory signalling in physiology and pathology.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXXIV: Leukotriene Receptor Nomenclature, Distribution, and Pathophysiological Functions

The seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors activated by leukotrienes are divided into two subclasses based on their ligand specificity for either leukotriene B4 or the cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4). These receptors have been designated BLT and CysLT receptors, respectively, and a subdivision into BLT1 and BLT2 receptors and CysLT1 and CysLT2 receptors has been established. However, recent findings have also indicated the existence of putative additional leukotriene receptor subtypes. Furthermore, other ligands interact with the leukotriene receptors. Finally, leukotrienes may also activate other receptor classes, such as purinergic receptors. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the pharmacology, expression patterns, and pathophysiological roles of the leukotriene receptors as well as the therapeutic developments in this area of research.

CysLT1 receptor-induced human airway smooth muscle cells proliferation requires ROS generation, EGF receptor transactivation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation

BackgroundCysteine-containing leukotrienes (cysteinyl-LTs) are pivotal inflammatory mediators that play important roles in the pathophysiology of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and other inflammatory conditions. In particular, cysteinyl-LTs exert a variety of effects with relevance to the aetiology of asthma such as smooth muscle contraction, eosinophil recruitment, increased microvascular permeability, enhanced mucus secretion and decreased mucus transport and, finally, airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) proliferation. We used human ASMC (HASMC) to identify the signal transduction pathway(s) of the leukotriene D4 (LTD4)-induced DNA synthesis.MethodsProliferation of primary HASMC was measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Phosphorylation of EGF receptor (EGF-R) and ERK1/2 was assessed with a polyclonal anti-EGF-R or anti-phosphoERKl/2 monoclonal antibody. A Ras pull-down assay kit was used to evaluate Ras activation. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was estimated by measuring dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF) oxidation.ResultsWe demonstrate that in HASMC LTD4-stimulated thymidine incorporation and potentiation of EGF-induced mitogenic signaling mostly depends upon EGF-R transactivation through the stimulation of CysLT1-R. Accordingly, we found that LTD4 stimulation was able to trigger the increase of Ras-GTP and, in turn, to activate ERK1/2. We show here that EGF-R transactivation was sensitive to pertussis toxin (PTX) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors and that it occurred independently from Src activity, despite the observation of a strong impairment of LTD4-induced DNA synthesis following Src inhibition. More interestingly, CysLT1-R stimulation increased the production of ROS and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) abolished LTD4-induced EGF-R phosphorylation and thymidine incorporation.ConclusionCollectively, our data demonstrate that in HASMC LTD4 stimulation of a Gi/o coupled CysLT1-R triggers the transactivation of the EGF-R through the intervention of PI3K and ROS. While PI3K and ROS involvement is an early event, the activation of Src occurs downstream of EGF-R activation and is followed by the classical Ras-ERK1/2 signaling pathway to control G1 progression and cell proliferation.

CysLT1 receptor is a target for extracellular nucleotide-induced heterologous desensitization: a possible feedback mechanism in inflammation.

Both cysteinyl-leukotrienes and extracellular nucleotides mediate inflammatory responses via specific G-protein-coupled receptors, the CysLT and the P2Y receptors, respectively. Since these mediators accumulate at sites of inflammation, and inflammatory cells express both classes of receptors, their responses are likely to be crossregulated. We investigated the molecular basis of desensitization and trafficking of the CysLT1 receptor constitutively and transiently expressed in the human monocyte/macrophage-like U937 or COS-7 cells in response to LTD4 or nucleotides. Exposure to agonist induced a rapid homologous desensitization of the CysLT1 receptor [as measured by the reduction in the maximal agonist-induced intracellular cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) transient], followed by receptor internalization (as assessed by equilibrium binding and confocal microscopy). Activation of P2Y receptors with ATP or UDP induced heterologous desensitization of the CysLT1 receptor. Conversely, LTD4-induced CysLT1 receptor activation had no effect on P2Y receptor responses, which suggests that the latter have a hierarchy in producing desensitizing signals. Furthermore, ATP/UDP-induced CysLT1 receptor desensitization was unable to cause receptor internalization, induced a faster recovery of CysLT1 functionality and was dependent upon protein kinase C. By contrast, homologous desensitization, which is probably dependent upon G-protein-receptor kinase 2 activation, induced a fast receptor downregulation and, accordingly, a slower recovery of CysLT1 functionality. Hence, CysLT1 receptor desensitization and trafficking are differentially regulated by the CysLT1 cognate ligand or by extracellular nucleotides. This crosstalk may have a profound physiological implication in the regulation of responses at sites of inflammation, and may represent just an example of a feedback mechanism used by cells to fine-tune their responses.

Eicosanoids and Their Drugs in Cardiovascular Diseases: Focus on Atherosclerosis and Stroke

Eicosanoids are biologically active lipids in both physiologic and pathophysiologic situations. These mediators rapidly generate at sites of inflammation and act through specific receptors that following the generation of a signal transduction cascade, lead to coordinated cellular responses to specific stimuli. Prostanoids, that is, prostaglandins and thromboxane A2, are active products of the cyclooxygenase pathway, while leukotrienes and lipoxins derive from the lipoxygenase pathway. In addition, a complex family of prostaglandin isomers called isoprostanes is derived as free‐radical products of oxidative metabolism. While there is a wide consensus on the importance of the balance between proaggregating (thromboxane A2) and antiaggregating (prostacyclin) cyclooxygenase products in cardiovascular homeostasis, an increasing body of evidence suggests a key role also for other eicosanoids generated by lipoxygenases, epoxygenases, and nonenzymatic pathways in cardiovascular diseases. This intricate network of lipid mediators is unique considering that from a single precursor, arachidonic acid, may derive an array of bioproducts that interact within each other synergizing or, more often, behaving as functional antagonists.

Cysteinyl-Leukotriene Receptors and Cellular Signals

Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cysteinyl-LTs) exert a range of proinflammatory effects, such as constriction of airways and vascular smooth muscle, increase of endothelial cell permeability leading to plasma exudation and edema, and enhanced mucus secretion. They have proved to be important mediators in asthma, allergic rhinitis, and other inflammatory conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria. The classification into subtypes of the cysteinyl-LT receptors (CysLTRs) was based initially on binding and functional data, obtained using the natural agonists and a wide range of antagonists. CysLTRs have proved remarkably resistant to cloning. However, in 1999 and 2000, the CysLT1R and CysLT2R were successfully cloned and both shown to be members of the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) superfamily. Molecular cloning has confirmed most of the previous pharmacological characterization and identified distinct expression patterns only partially overlapping. Recombinant CysLTRs couple to the Gq/11 pathway that modulates inositol phospholipids hydrolysis and calcium mobilization, whereas in native systems, they often activate a pertussis toxin-insensitive Gi/o-protein, or are coupled promiscuously to both G-proteins. Interestingly, recent data provide evidence for the existence of an additional receptor subtype that seems to respond to both cysteinyl-LTs and uracil nucleosides, and of an intracellular pool of CysLTRs that may have roles different from those of plasma membrane receptors. Finally, a cross-talk between the cysteinyl-LT and the purine systems is being delineated. This review will summarize recent data derived from studies on the molecular and cellular pharmacology of CysLTRs.

International Union of Pharmacology XLIV. Nomenclature for the Oxoeicosanoid Receptor

Oxoeicosanoids are a family of biologically active arachidonic acid derivatives that have been intimately linked with cellular migration. These metabolites are not only potent chemotaxins but also elicit oxygen radical production as well as induce secretory events in different cells. The most potent native ligand reported is 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE), and the cell membrane receptor activated has now been cloned. This receptor is distinct from those receptors activated by either the prostaglandins or the leukotrienes. The purpose of this review is to briefly summarize the molecular evidence and highlight the significance of this receptor. In addition, an official nomenclature for this oxoeicosanoid receptor is proposed.

Thromboxane prostanoid receptor in human airway smooth muscle cells: a relevant role in proliferation

Thromboxane A(2) has been implicated as a mediator of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthma. Modulating agents are currently marketed in Japan and under clinical evaluation in the US, but full characterization of the thromboxane A(2) receptor and the signaling pathways that link it to the proliferative events taking place during airways structural remodeling has not been achieved. Here, we report that the presence of mRNA for both alpha and beta isoforms of the thromboxane A(2) receptor in smooth muscle cells from human bronchi correlates with protein expression evaluated by radioligand binding of the antagonist, SQ29,548 ([1S-[1alpha,2alpha(Z),3alpha,4alpha]]-7-[3-[[2-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]hydrazino]methyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic-acid) (K(d)=3.4 nM+/-44%CV, coefficient of variation, B(max)=41 fmol/mg prot+/-38%CV). The receptor is functional, as the agonist, U46619 (9,11-dideoxy-9alpha,11alpha-methanoepoxy-prosta-5Z,13E-dien-1-oic-acid), induced a concentration-dependent Ca(2+) transient (EC(50)=0.12 microM+/-27%CV). Furthermore, U46619 concentration dependently increased DNA synthesis and markedly potentiated the epidermal growth factor mitogenic effect. Both events were specifically inhibited by SQ29,548, independently from transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor and partially sensitive to pertussis toxin.