Malcolm Norman Palfreyman

Evidence that cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors suppress TNFα generation from human monocytes by interacting with a ‘low‐affinity’ phosphodiesterase 4 conformer

1 We have investigated the inhibitory effects of RP 73401 (piclamilast) and rolipram against human monocyte cyclic AMP‐specific phosphodiesterase (PDE4) in relation to their effects on prostaglandin (PG)E2‐induced cyclic AMP accumulation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced TNFα production and TNFα mRNA expression. 2 PDE4 was found to be the predominant PDE isoenzyme in the cytosolic fraction of human monocytes. Cyclic GMP‐inhibited PDE (PDE3) was also detected in the cytosolic and particulate fractions. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of human monocyte poly (A+) mRNA revealed amplified products corresponding to PDE4 subtypes A and B of which the former was most highly expressed. A faint band corresponding in size to PDE4D was also observed. 3 RP 73401 was a potent inhibitor of cytosolic PDE4 (IC50: 1.5 ± 0.6 nM, n = 3). (±)‐Rolipram (IC50: 313 ± 6.7 nM, n = 3) was at least 200 fold less potent than RP 73401. R‐(−)−rolipram was approximately 3 fold more potent than S‐(+)‐rolipram against cytosolic PDE4. 4 RP 73401 (IC50: 9.2 ± 2.1 nM, n = 6) was over 50 fold more potent than (±)‐rolipram (IC50: 503 ± 134 nM, n = 6)) in potentiating PGE2‐induced cyclic AMP accumulation. R‐(−)−rolipram (IC50: 289 ± 121 nM, n = 5) was 4.7 fold more potent than its S‐(+)‐enantiomer (IC50: 1356 ± 314 nM, n = 5). A strong and highly‐significant, linear correlation (r = 0.95, P < 0.01, n = 13) was observed between the inhibitory potencies of a range of structurally distinct PDE4 inhibitors against monocyte PDE4 and their ED50 values in enhancing monocyte cyclic AMP accumulation. A poorer, though still significant, linear correlation (r = 0.67, P < 0.01, n = 13) was observed between the potencies of the same compounds in potentiating PGE2‐induced monocyte cyclic AMP accumulation and their abilities to displace [3H]‐rolipram binding to brain membranes. 5 RP 73401 (IC50: 6.9 ± 3.3 nM, n = 5) was 71 fold more potent than (±)‐rolipram (IC50: 490 ± 260 nM, n = 4) in inhibiting LPS‐induced TNFα release from monocytes. R‐(−)−rolipram (IC50: 397 ± 178 nM, n = 3) was 5.2‐fold more potent than its S‐(+)‐ enantiomer (IC50: 2067 ± 659 nM, n = 3). As with cyclic AMP, accumulation a closer, linear correlation existed between the potency of structurally distinct compounds in suppressing TNFα with PDE4 inhibition (r = 0.93, P < 0.01, n = 13) than with displacement of [3H]‐rolipram binding (r = 0.65, P < 0.01, n = 13). 6 RP 73401 (IC50: 2 nM) was 180 fold more potent than rolipram (IC50: 360 nM) in suppressing LPS (10 ng ml−1)‐induced TNFα mRNA. 7 The results demonstrate that RP 73401 is a very potent inhibitor of TNFα release from human monocytes suggesting that it may have therapeutic potential in the many pathological conditions associated with over‐production of this pro‐inflammatory cytokine. Furthermore, PDE inhibitor actions on functional responses are better correlated with inhibition of PDE4 catalytic activity than displacement of [3H]‐rolipram from its high‐affinity binding site, suggesting that the native PDE4 in human monocytes exists predominantly in a ‘low‐affinity’ state.

Suppression of eosinophil function by RP 73401, a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclic AMP‐specific phosphodiesterase: comparison with rolipram

1 We have investigated the inhibitory potency of RP 73401, a novel, highly selective and potent inhibitor of cyclic AMP‐specific phosphodiesterase (PDE IV), against partially‐purified PDE isoenzymes from smooth muscle and the particulate PDE IV from guinea‐pig eosinophils. The inhibitory effects of RP 73401 on the generation of superoxide (.O2−), major basic protein (MBP) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) from guinea‐pig eosinophils have also been studied. 2 RP 73401 potently inhibited partially‐purified cyclic AMP‐specific phosphodiesterase (PDE IV) from pig aortic smooth muscle (IC50 = 1.2 nM); it was similarly potent against the particulate PDE IV from guinea‐pig peritoneal eosinophils (IC50 = 0.7 nM). It displayed at least a 19000 fold selectivity for PDE IV compared to its potencies against other PDE isoenzymes. Rolipram was approximately 2600 fold less potent than RP 73401 against pig aortic smooth muscle PDE IV (IC50 = 3162 nM) and about 250 times less potent against eosinophil PDE IV (IC50 = 186 nM). 3 Solubilization of the eosinophil particulate PDE IV increased the potency of rolipram 10 fold but did not markedly affect the potency of RP 73401. A similar (10 fold) increase in the PDE IV inhibitory potency of rolipram, but not RP 73401, was observed when eosinophil membranes were exposed to vanadate/glutathione complex (V/GSH). 4 Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), using primer pairs designed against specific sequences in four distinct rat PDE IV subtype cDNA clones (PDE IVA‐D), showed only mRNA for PDE IVD in guinea‐pig eosinophils. PDE IVD was also the predominant subtype expressed in pig aortic smooth muscle cells. 5 RP 73401 (Kiapp = 0.4 nM) was 4 fold more potent than (±)‐rolipram (Kiapp =1.7 nM) in displacing [3H]‐(±)‐rolipram from guinea‐pig brain membranes. 6 In intact eosinophils, RP 73401 potentiated isoprenaline‐induced cyclic AMP accumulation (EC50 = 79 nM). RP 73401 also inhibited leukotriene B4‐induced generation of O2− (IC50 = 25 nM), and the release of major basic protein (IC50‐ 115 nM) and eosinophil cationic protein (IC50 = 7nM). Rolipram was 3–14 times less potent than RP 73401. 7 Thus RP 73401 is a very potent and selective PDE IV inhibitor which suppresses eosinophil function suggesting that it may be a useful agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as asthma. The greatly different inhibitory potencies of rolipram against PDE IV from smooth muscle and eosinophils (in contrast to the invariable effects of RP 73401) are unlikely to be attributable to diverse PDE IV subtypes but suggest distinct interactions of the two inhibitors with the enzyme.

Phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitors.

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the biochemistry, molecular biology, regulation, and pharmacology of phosphodiesterase IV (PDE IV). The structure–activity relationships (SARs) of known groups of compounds against PDE IV are discussed in detail, as are the in vitro and in vivo actions of PDE IV inhibitors, which have led to the current guarded optimism of their therapeutic potential. Finally, the side effects of these compounds, which may have an important impact on the eventual clinical utility of PDE IV inhibitors, are critically assessed. The next few months will reveal whether the current, guarded optimism in the therapeutic potential of PDE IV inhibitors will be fulfilled. Only a limited amount of information on the clinical efficacy of relatively weak PDE IV inhibitors in asthma and skin disorders (psoriasis) has been published. Several companies currently have, or will have, compounds undergoing clinical evaluation in asthma patients. Although a large body of information from acute animal studies suggests that PDE IV inhibitors will be effective in the treatment of asthma, and bronchodilating activity has been demonstrated in the clinic with weak PDE IV inhibitors and mixed PDE III/IV inhibitors, long-term studies with the newer, highly potent compounds will be required to determine whether they suppress the mucosal inflammation associated with this chronic disease. This will ultimately determine whether they will assume a position of importance in prophylactic asthma therapy.