Maria E. Fuentes

Embryonic Lethality, Liver Degeneration, and Impaired NF-κB Activation in IKK-β-Deficient Mice

IkappaB kinase-alpha and -beta (IKK-alpha and IKK-beta), the catalytic subunits of the IKK complex, phosphorylate IkappaB proteins on specific serine residues, thus targeting IkappaB for degradation and activating the transcription factor NF-kappaB. To elucidate the in vivo function of IKK-beta, we generated IKK-beta-deficient mice. The homozygous mouse embryo dies at approximately 14.5 days of gestation due to liver degeneration and apoptosis. IKK-beta-deficient embryonic fibroblasts have both reduced basal NF-kappaB activity and impaired cytokine-induced NF-kappaB activation. Similarly, basal and cytokine-inducible kinase activities of the IKK complex are greatly reduced in IKK-beta-deficient cells. These results indicate that IKK-beta is crucial for liver development and regulation of NF-kappaB activity and that IKK-alpha can only partially compensate for the loss of IKK-beta.

In vivo blockade of OX40 ligand inhibits thymic stromal lymphopoietin driven atopic inflammation

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) potently induces deregulation of Th2 responses, a hallmark feature of allergic inflammatory diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis. However, direct downstream in vivo mediators in the TSLP-induced atopic immune cascade have not been identified. In our current study, we have shown that OX40 ligand (OX40L) is a critical in vivo mediator of TSLP-mediated Th2 responses. Treating mice with OX40L-blocking antibodies substantially inhibited immune responses induced by TSLP in the lung and skin, including Th2 inflammatory cell infiltration, cytokine secretion, and IgE production. OX40L-blocking antibodies also inhibited antigen-driven Th2 inflammation in mouse and nonhuman primate models of asthma. This treatment resulted in both blockade of the OX40-OX40L receptor-ligand interaction and depletion of OX40L-positive cells. The use of a blocking, OX40L-specific mAb thus presents a promising strategy for the treatment of allergic diseases associated with pathologic Th2 immune responses.

Sulfation of L-Selectin Ligands by an HEV-Restricted Sulfotransferase Regulates Lymphocyte Homing to Lymph Nodes

Lymphocytes home to lymph nodes, using L-selectin to bind specific ligands on high endothelial venules (HEV). In vitro studies implicate GlcNAc-6-sulfate as an essential posttranslational modification for ligand activity. Here, we show that genetic deletion of HEC-GlcNAc6ST, a sulfotransferase that is highly restricted to HEV, results in the loss of the binding of recombinant L-selectin to the luminal aspect of HEV, elimination of lymphocyte binding in vitro, and markedly reduced in vivo homing. Reactivity with MECA 79, an adhesion-blocking mAb that stains HEV in lymph nodes and vessels in chronic inflammatory sites, is also lost from the luminal aspects of HEV. These results establish a critical role for HEC-GlcNAc6ST in lymphocyte trafficking and suggest it as an important therapeutic target.

Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors Suppress Airway Inflammation in Mice Through Down-Regulation of Chemokine Expression

Growing evidence demonstrates that inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is induced in the airways of asthmatic patients. However, the precise role of NO in the lung inflammation is unknown. This study investigated the effect of both selective and nonselective iNOS inhibitors in an allergen-driven murine lung inflammation model. OVA challenge resulted in an accumulation of eosinophils and neutrophils in the airways. Expression of iNOS immunostaining in lung sections together with an increase in calcium-independent NOS activity in lung homogenates was also observed after OVA challenge. Treatment with iNOS inhibitors from the day of challenge to the day of sacrifice resulted in an inhibition of the inflammatory cell influx together with a down-regulation of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production. In contrast, eosinophilic and neutrophilic inhibition was not observed with treatment during the sensitization. Both treatments induced an increased production of Th2-type cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) with a concomitant decrease in production of Th1-type cytokine (IFN-γ). In vitro exposure of primary cultures of murine lung fibroblasts to a NO donor, hydroxylamine, induced a dose-dependent release of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Our results suggest that lung inflammation after allergen challenge in mice is partially dependent on NO produced mainly by iNOS. NO appears to increase lung chemokine expression and, thereby, to facilitate influx of inflammatory cells into the airways.

BET Bromodomain Proteins Mediate Downstream Signaling Events following Growth Factor Stimulation in Human Lung Fibroblasts and Are Involved in Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

Epigenetic alterations, such as histone acetylation, regulate the signaling outcomes and phenotypic responses of fibroblasts after growth factor stimulation. The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain–containing proteins (Brd) bind to acetylated histone residues, resulting in recruitment of components of the transcriptional machinery and subsequent gene transcription. Given the central importance of fibroblasts in tissue fibrosis, this study sought to determine the role of Brd proteins in human lung fibroblasts (LFs) after growth factor stimulation and in the murine bleomycin model of lung fibrosis. Using small interfering RNA against human Brd2 and Brd4 and pharmacologic Brd inhibitors, this study found that Brd2 and Brd4 are essential in mediating the phenotypic responses of LFs downstream of multiple growth factor pathways. Growth factor stimulation of LFs causes increased histone acetylation, association of Brd4 with growth factor–responsive genes, and enhanced transcription of these genes that could be attenuated with pharmacologic Brd inhibitors. Of note, lung fibrosis induced after intratracheal bleomycin challenge in mice could be prevented by pretreatment of animals with pharmacologic inhibitors of Brd proteins. This study is the first demonstration of a role for Brd2 and Brd4 proteins in mediating the responses of LFs after growth factor stimulation and in driving the induction of lung fibrosis in mice in response to bleomycin challenge.

Discovery of Highly Selective and Orally Active Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor-1 Antagonists with Potent Activity on Human Lung Fibroblasts

Lysophosphatidic acid is a class of bioactive phospholipid that mediates most of its biological effects through LPA receptors, of which six isoforms have been identified. The recent results from LPA1 knockout mice suggested that blocking LPA1 signaling could provide a potential novel approach for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we report the design and synthesis of pyrazole- and triazole-derived carbamates as LPA1-selective and LPA1/3 dual antagonists. In particular, compound 2, the most selective LPA1 antagonist reported, inhibited proliferation and contraction of normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF) following LPA stimulation. Oral dosing of compound 2 to mice resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of plasma histamine levels in a murine LPA challenge model. Furthermore, we applied our novel antagonists as chemistry probes and investigated the contribution of LPA1/2/3 in mediating the pro-fibrotic responses. Our results suggest LPA1 as the major receptor subtype mediating LPA-induced proliferation and contraction of NHLF.

Rapid Up-Regulation of CXC Chemokines in the Airways after Ag-Specific CD4+ T Cell Activation

Ag-specific activation of CD4+ T cells is known to be causative for the cytokine production associated with lung allergy. Chemokine-induced leukocyte recruitment potentially represents a critical early event in Ag-induced lung inflammation. Whether Ag-specific, lung CD4+ T cell activation is important in lung chemokine production is currently not clear. Using αβ-TCR transgenic BALB/c DO11.10 mice, we investigated the ability of Ag-specific CD4+ T cell activation to induce lung chemokine production and leukocyte recruitment. Within 1 h of exposure of DO11.10 mice to OVA aerosol, lung mRNA and protein for the neutrophil chemokines KC and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 were greatly increased. Accordingly, neutrophils in the airways increased by >50-fold, and KC and MIP-2 proved to be functional because their neutralization significantly reduced airway neutrophilia. CD4+ T cell activation was critical because CD4+ but not CD8+ T cell depletion reduced KC production, which correlated well with the previously observed inhibition of neutrophil influx after CD4+ T cell depletion. In vitro studies confirmed that OVA-induced KC and MIP-2 production was conditional upon the interaction of CD4+ T cells with APCs. A likely secondary mediator was TNF-α, and a probable source of these chemokines in the lung was alveolar macrophages. Thus, Ag-specific CD4+ T cell activation in the lung leads to rapid up-regulation of neutrophil chemokines and the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of Ag exposure. This may be a key early event in the pathogenesis of Ag-induced lung inflammation.

Comparing the differential effects of LPA on the barrier function of human pulmonary endothelial cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a class of bioactive lyso-phospholipid that mediates most of its biological effects through a family of G protein-coupled receptors of which six have been identified. The role of the LPA pathway in driving chronic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has gained considerable academic and industry attention. Modulation of the pulmonary artery endothelial barrier function by the LPA1 receptor has been shown to drive pulmonary fibrosis in murine models of disease. The purpose of this study was (i) to assess the effect of LPA on the barrier function of human pulmonary arterial (HPAEC) and microvascular (HMVEC) endothelial cells and (ii) to identify the LPA receptor subtype(s) responsible for changes in human pulmonary endothelial cell permeability using LPA receptor antagonists and siRNA technology. Analysis of the LPA receptor subtype expression demonstrated predominant expression of LPA2 and LPA6 receptor subtypes in both HPAECs and HMVECs. HPAECs also exhibit low expression of LPA1, LPA3, and LPA4 receptor subtypes. Treatment of cells with increasing concentrations of LPA caused loss of barrier function in HPAECs but not HMVECs, despite both cell types exhibiting very similar LPA receptor expression profiles. The LPA-mediated loss of barrier function in HPAECs appears to be independent of the LPA1 receptor and likely to be mediated via the LPA6 receptor although we cannot exclude an additional role for the LPA2 and LPA4 receptors in mediating these effects. These results suggest cell-specific mechanisms exist in human pulmonary endothelial cells to permit regulation of barrier function downstream of LPA receptors. More importantly, our data indicate that selective LPA1 receptor antagonism may be insufficient for therapeutic use in pulmonary diseases where impaired endothelial barrier function is related to disease initiation and progression.

A Novel CCR5-Specific Pharmacodynamic Assay in Whole Blood Using Phosphoflow Cytometry Highlights Different Ligand-Dependent Responses but Similar Properties of Antagonists in CD8 + and CD4 + T Lymphocytes

Chemokine CC motif receptor (CCR) 5 is a major drug target for both inflammation and virology indications. The primary function of CCR5 is to mediate the trafficking of CCR5-expressing lymphocytes to any of the CCR5 ligands, which are often increased during inflammatory responses. In addition, CCR5 is a coreceptor for HIV, mediating R5 tropic HIV infection of CCR5-expressing CD4 T cells. We report the use of a novel method to assay the pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of small-molecule and antibody inhibitors of CCR5 ligand-induced activation by measuring phosphorylation of serine residue 349 in the cytoplasmic tail of human CCR5 using phosphoflow cytometry in whole blood. This assay is highly specific and measures CCR5 phosphorylation in both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and allows the calculation of inhibitor IC50 values from both lymphocyte subsets in the presence of CCR5 antagonists. In addition, this assay is cross-reactive to nonhuman primates and allows PD analysis in whole blood from rhesus and cynomolgus macaque. Using this assay, we identified different ligand-dependent response properties between CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, although CCR5 antagonists behave with similar properties against both cell types. The use of this assay may be of particular benefit to monitor PD effects of CCR5 inhibitors during drug development, preclinical in vivo studies, and in patients currently being treated for HIV or CCR5-mediated inflammatory diseases with CCR5 inhibitors. Similar phosphoflow approaches to other GPCR targets on circulating lymphocytes may prove to be the most reliable PD assay for preclinical and potentially clinical development.

Discovery of novel non-carboxylic acid 5-amino-4-cyanopyrazole derivatives as potent and highly selective LPA1R antagonists

High throughput screening (HTS) of our chemical library identified 3-alkylamino-2-aryl-5H-imidazo[1,2,b]pyrazol-7-carbonitrile 1 as a potent antagonist of the LPA1 receptor (LPA1R). Further evaluation of this class of compounds indicated that LPA1R antagonist activity originated from the degradation of the parent molecule in DMSO during the assay conditions. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of the degradation products and their LPA1R antagonist activity. We further profiled these novel non-carboxylic acid LPA1R antagonists and demonstrated their inhibition of LPA-induced proliferation and contraction of normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF).