Karl-Norbert Klotz

8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX)-a selective high affinity antagonist radioligand for A1 adenosine receptors

SummaryThe properties of 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) as an antagonist ligand for A1 adenosine receptors were examined and compared with other radioligands for this receptor. DPCPX competitively antagonized both the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity via A1 adenosine receptors and the stimulation via A2 adenosine receptors. The K1-values of this antagonism were 0.45 nM at the A1 receptor of rat fat cells, and 330 nM at the A2 receptor of human platelets, giving a more than 700-fold A1-selectivity. A similar Al-selectivity was determined in radioligand binding studies. Even at high concentrations, DPCPX did not significantly inhibit the soluble cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity of human platelets. [3H]DPCPX (105 Ci/mmol) bound in a saturable manner with high affinity to A1 receptors in membranes of bovine brain and heart, and rat brain and fat cells (KD-values 50–190 pM). Its nonspecific binding was about 1 % of total at KD, except in bovine myocardial membranes (about 10%). Binding studies with bovine myocardial membranes allowed the analysis of both the high and low agonist affinity states of this receptor in a tissue with low receptor density. The binding properties of [3H]DPCPX appear superior to those of other agonist and antagonist radioligands for the A1 receptor.

Adenosine receptors and their ligands

The regulatory actions of adenosine are mediated via four subtypes of G protein-coupled receptors distinguished as A1, A2A, A2B and A3 receptors. Their presence on basically every cell makes them an interesting target for the pharmacological intervention in many pathophysiological situations. A large number of ligands have been synthesized over the last two decades and provide agonists and antagonists that are more or less selective for the known receptor subtypes. In addition, many radioligands are available in tritiated or radioiodinated form. The comparative pharmacological characterization of all four human adenosine receptor subtypes revealed that some of the compounds thought to be selective from data in other species have unexpected potencies at human receptors. As a result, compounds that exhibit high affinity to only one subtype are an exception. Although the selection of ligands is immense, it is less than satisfying for most subtypes of adenosine receptors.

Analysis of receptor oligomerization by FRAP microscopy

Here we describe an approach to investigate di- or oligomerization of transmembrane receptors in living cells with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). We immobilized a defined fraction of receptors with antibodies and then measured lateral mobility of the nonimmobilized fraction by FRAP. We validated this approach with CD86 and CD28 as monomeric and dimeric reference proteins, respectively. Di- or oligomerization of G protein–coupled receptors is strongly debated. We studied human β-adrenergic receptors as prototypical G protein–coupled receptors and found that β1-AR shows transient interactions whereas β2-AR can form stable oligomers. We propose that this FRAP method can be widely applied to study di- or oligomerization of cell-surface proteins.

2-Chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine: a highly selective agonist at A1 adenosine receptors

Summary2-Chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) was synthesized as a potential high affinity ligand for A1 adenosine receptors. Binding of [3H]PIA to A1 receptors of rat brain membranes was inhibited by CCPA with a Ki-value of 0.4 nM, compared to a Ki-value of 0.8 nM for the parent compound N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA). Binding of [3H]NECA to A2 receptors of rat striatal membranes was inhibited with a Ki-value of 3900 nM, demonstrating an almost 10,000-fold A1-selectivity of CCPA.CCPA inhibited the activity of rat fat cell membrane adenylate cyclase, a model for the A1 receptor, with an IC50-value of 33 nM, and it stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity of human platelet membranes with an EC50-value of 3500 nM. The more than 100-fold A1-selectivity compares favourably with a 38-fold selectivity of CPA. Thus, CCPA is an agonist at A1 adenosine receptors with a 4-fold higher selectivity and 2-fold higher affinity than CPA, and a considerably higher selectivity than the standard A1 receptor agonist R-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA). CCPA represents the agonist with the highest selectivity for A1 receptors reported so far.

Ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 on OvCA cells are potent adenosine-generating enzymes responsible for adenosine receptor 2A-dependent suppression of T cell function and NK cell cytotoxicity

The ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 degrade immune stimulatory ATP to adenosine that inhibits T and NK cell responses via the A2A adenosine receptor (ADORA2A). This mechanism is used by regulatory T cells (Treg) that are associated with increased mortality in OvCA. Immunohistochemical staining of human OvCA tissue specimens revealed further aberrant expression of CD39 in 29/36 OvCA samples, whereas only 1/9 benign ovaries showed weak stromal CD39 expression. CD73 could be detected on 31/34 OvCA samples. While 8/9 benign ovaries also showed CD73 immunoreactivity, expression levels were lower than in tumour specimens. Infiltration by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was enhanced in tumour specimens and significantly correlated with CD39 and CD73 levels on stromal, but not on tumour cells. In vitro, human OvCA cell lines SK-OV-3 and OaW42 as well as 11/15 ascites-derived primary OvCA cell cultures expressed both functional CD39 and CD73 leading to more efficient depletion of extracellular ATP and enhanced generation of adenosine as compared to activated Treg. Functional assays using siRNAs against CD39 and CD73 or pharmacological inhibitors of CD39, CD73 and ADORA2A revealed that tumour-derived adenosine inhibits the proliferation of allogeneic human CD4+ T cells in co-culture with OvCA cells as well as cytotoxic T cell priming and NK cell cytotoxicity against SK-OV3 or OAW42 cells. Thus, both the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 and ADORA2A appear as possible targets for novel treatments in OvCA, which may not only affect the function of Treg but also relieve intrinsic immunosuppressive properties of tumour and stromal cells.

Adenosine Receptors and Cancer

The A(1), A(2A), A(2B) and A(3) G-protein-coupled cell surface adenosine receptors (ARs) are found to be upregulated in various tumor cells. Activation of the receptors by specific ligands, agonists or antagonists, modulates tumor growth via a range of signaling pathways. The A(1)AR was found to play a role in preventing the development of glioblastomas. This antitumor effect of the A(1)AR is mediated via tumor-associated microglial cells. Activation of the A(2A)AR results in inhibition of the immune response to tumors via suppression of T regulatory cell function and inhibition of natural killer cell cytotoxicity and tumor-specific CD4+/CD8+ activity. Therefore, it is suggested that pharmacological inhibition of A(2A)AR activation by specific antagonists may enhance immunotherapeutics in cancer therapy. Activation of the A(2B)AR plays a role in the development of tumors via upregulation of the expression levels of angiogenic factors in microvascular endothelial cells. In contrast, it was evident that activation of A(2B)AR results in inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and MAP kinase activity, which are involved in tumor cell growth signals. Finally, A(3)AR was found to be highly expressed in tumor cells and tissues while low expression levels were noted in normal cells or adjacent tissue. Receptor expression in the tumor tissues was directly correlated to disease severity. The high receptor expression in the tumors was attributed to overexpression of NF-kappaB, known to act as an A(3)AR transcription factor. Interestingly, high A(3)AR expression levels were found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from tumor-bearing animals and cancer patients, reflecting receptor status in the tumors. A(3)AR agonists were found to induce tumor growth inhibition, both in vitro and in vivo, via modulation of the Wnt and the NF-kappaB signaling pathways. Taken together, A(3)ARs that are abundantly expressed in tumor cells may be targeted by specific A(3)AR agonists, leading to tumor growth inhibition. The unique characteristics of these A(3)AR agonists make them attractive as drug candidates.

New substituted 9-alkylpurines as adenosine receptor ligands

In the present study an investigation of the structure-activity relationships in 9-ethylpurine derivatives, aimed at preparing A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 selective adenosine receptor antagonists, was undertaken. Our synthetic approach was to introduce various substituents (amino, alkoxy and alkynyl groups) into the 2-, 6-, or 8-positions of the purine ring. The starting compounds for each series of derivatives were respectively: 2-iodo-9-ethyladenine (9), obtained from 2-amino-6-chloropurine (5); 9-ethyl-6-iodo-9H-purine (11), 8-bromo-9-ethyl-adenine (3) and 8-bromo-9-ethyl-6-iodo-9H-purine (13), obtained from 9-ethyl-adenine (2). The synthesized compounds were tested in in vitro radioligand binding assays at A1, A2A, and A3 human adenosine receptor subtypes. Due to the lack of a suitable radioligand the affinity of the 9-ethyladenine derivatives at A2B adenosine receptors was determined in adenylyl cyclase experiments. In general, the series of 9-ethylpurine derivatives exhibited a similar pharmacological profile at A1 and A2A receptors whereas some differences were found for the A3 and the A2B subtypes. 8-Bromo-9-ethyladenine (3) showed higher affinity for all receptors in comparison to the parent compound 2, and the highest affinity in the series for the A2A and A2B subtypes (Ki = 0.052 and 0.84 microM, respectively). Analyzing the different substituents, a phenethoxy group in 2-position (10a) gave the highest A2A versus A2B selectivity (near 400-fold), whereas a phenethylamino group in 2- and 6-position (10b and 12b, respectively) improved the affinity at A2B receptors, compared to the parent compound 2. The presence of a hexynyl substituent in 8-position led to a compound with good affinity at the A3 receptor (4d, Ki = 0.62 microM), whereas (ar)alkynyl groups are detrimental for the potency at the A2B subtype. These differences give raise to the hope that further modifications will result in the development of currently unavailable leads with good affinity and selectivity for A2B adenosine receptors.

synthesis of new Δ2-isoxazoline derivatives and their pharmacological characterization as β-adrenergic receptor antagonists

Abstract A series of Δ 2 -isoxazoline derivatives structurally related to Broxaterol 1 and Falintolol 3 has been prepared and evaluated for their binding affinity to β 1 - and β 2 -adrenergic receptors. Among the tested compounds only the 3-isopropenyl anti derivative 4d is as active as the reference compounds. An electron-releasing group, probably operating through a π – π interaction, in the 3-position of the isoxazoline nucleus greatly enhances the affinity of the compounds. Conversely, the closest analogs of Broxaterol (3-bromo Δ 2 -isoxazolines 4a and 5a ) are at least one order of magnitude less active than the model compound 1 . Throughout the series of derivatives the anti stereoisomers are invariably more active than their syn counterparts.

Separation of solubilized A2 adenosine receptors of human platelets from non-receptor [3H]NECA binding sites by gel filtration.

SummaryHuman platelet membranes were solubilized with the zwitterionic detergent CHAPS (3-[3-(cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate) and the solubilized extract subjected to gel filtration. Binding of the adenosine receptor agonist [3H]NECA (5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadeno-sine) was measured to the eluted fractions. Two [3H]NECA binding peaks were eluted, the first of them with the void volume. This first peak represented between 10% and 25% of the [3H]NECA binding activity eluted from the column. It bound [3H]NECA in a reversible, saturable and GTP-dependent manner with an affinity of 46 nmol/1 and a binding capacity of 510 fmol/mg protein. Various adenosine receptor ligands competed for the binding of [3H]NECA to the first peak with a pharmacological profile characteristic for the A2 adenosine receptor as determined from adenylate cyclase experiments. In contrast, most adenosine receptor ligands did not compete for [3H]NECA binding to the second, major peak. These results suggest that a solubilized A2 receptor-GS protein complex of human platelets can be separated from other [3H]NECA binding sites by gel filtration. This allows reliable radioligand binding studies of the A2 adenosine receptor of human platelets.

Reduction of postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction by adenosine via A2 receptor

SummaryThe adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium of postcapillary venules hallmarks a key event in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Adenosine has been shown to protect from postischemic reperfusion injury, presumably through inhibition of postischemic leukocyte-endothelial interaction. This study was performed to investigate in vivo by which receptors the effect of adenosine on postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction is mediated.The hamster dorsal skinfold model and fluorescence microscopy were used for intravital investigation of red cell velocity, vessel diameter, and leukocyte-endothelium interaction in postcapillary venules of a thin striated skin muscle. Leukocytes were stained in vivo with acridine orange (0.5 mg kg−1 min−1 i.v.). Parameters were assessed prior to induction of 4 h ischemia to the muscle tissue and 0.5 h, 2 h, and 24 h after reperfusion. Adenosine, the adenosine A1-selective agonist 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA), the A2-selective agonist CGS 21,680, the non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist xanthine amine congener (XAC), and the adenosine uptake blocker S-(p-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBTI) were infused via jugular vein starting 15 min prior to release of ischemia until 0.5 h after reperfusion.Adenosine and CGS 21,689 significantly reduced postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction 0.5 h after reperfusion (p<0.01), while no inhibitory effect was observed with CCPA. Coadministration of XAC blocked the inhibitory effects of adenosine. Infusion of NBTI alone effectively decreased postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction.These findings indicate that adenosine reduces postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction via A2 receptor and suggest a protective role of endogenous adenosine during ischemia-reperfusion.