Martina Targa

A2A and A3 adenosine receptor expression in rheumatoid arthritis: upregulation, inverse correlation with disease activity score and suppression of inflammatory cytokine and metalloproteinase release

IntroductionThe reduction of the inflammatory status represents one of the most important targets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A central role of A2A and A3 adenosine receptors (ARs) in mechanisms of inflammation has been reported in different pathologies. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the A2A and A3ARs and their involvement in RA progression measured by Disease Activity Score in 28 or 44 joints (DAS28 or DAS).MethodsARs were analyzed by saturation binding assays, mRNA and Western blotting analysis in lymphocytes from early and established RA patients. The effect of A2A and A3AR agonists in nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) pathway was evaluated. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release was carried out by A2A and A3AR activation. AR pharmacological regulation in matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) release was also studied.ResultsIn lymphocytes obtained from RA patients, A2A and A3ARs were up-regulated if compared with healthy controls. A2A and A3AR activation inhibited the NF-kB pathway and diminished inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. A2A and A3AR agonists mediated a reduction of MMP-1 and MMP-3 release. A2A and A3AR density inversely correlated with DAS28 and DAS suggesting a direct role of the endogenous activation of these receptors in the control of RA joint inflammation.ConclusionsTaken together these data demonstrate that the inflammatory and clinical responses in RA are regulated by A2A and A3ARs and support the use of A2A and/or A3AR agonists as novel and effective pharmacological treatment in RA patients.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Increased the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of A2A and A3 Adenosine Receptors in Human T/C-28a2 Chondrocytes and hFOB 1.19 Osteoblasts

Adenosine receptors (ARs) have an important role in the regulation of inflammation and their activation is involved in the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine release. The effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on inflammation have been reported and we have demonstrated that PEMFs increased A2A and A3AR density and functionality in different cell lines. Chondrocytes and osteoblasts are two key cell types in the skeletal system that play important role in cartilage and bone metabolism representing an interesting target to study the effect of PEMFs. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate if PEMF exposure potentiated the anti-inflammatory effect of A2A and/or A3ARs in T/C-28a2 chondrocytes and hFOB 1.19 osteoblasts. Immunofluorescence, mRNA analysis and saturation binding assays revealed that PEMF exposure up-regulated A2A and A3AR expression. A2A and A3ARs were able to modulate cAMP production and cell proliferation. The activation of A2A and A3ARs resulted in the decrease of some of the most relevant pro-inflammatory cytokine release such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, following the treatment with IL-1β as an inflammatory stimuli. In human chondrocyte and osteoblast cell lines, the inhibitory effect of A2A and A3AR stimulation on the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an important lipid inflammatory mediator, was observed. In addition, in T/C-28a2 cells, the activation of A2A or A3ARs elicited an inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion. In hFOB 1.19 osteoblasts, PEMF exposure determined an increase of osteoprotegerin (OPG) production. The effect of the A2A or A3AR agonists in the examined cells was enhanced in the presence of PEMFs and completely blocked by using well-known selective antagonists. These results demonstrated that PEMF exposure significantly increase the anti-inflammatory effect of A2A or A3ARs suggesting their potential therapeutic use in the therapy of inflammatory bone and joint disorders.

Expression and functional role of adenosine receptors in regulating inflammatory responses in human synoviocytes

Background and purpose:  Adenosine is an endogenous modulator, interacting with four G‐protein coupled receptors (A1, A2A, A2B and A3) and acts as a potent inhibitor of inflammatory processes in several tissues. So far, the functional effects modulated by adenosine receptors on human synoviocytes have not been investigated in detail. We evaluated mRNA, the protein levels, the functional role of adenosine receptors and their pharmacological modulation in human synoviocytes.

Antinociceptive effects of the selective CB2 agonist MT178 in inflammatory and chronic rodent pain models

&NA; The selective CB2 agonist MT178 is effective in inflammatory and chronic pain models and reduces d‐aspartate and substance P release as well as NF‐κB activation. &NA; Cannabinoid CB2 receptor activation by selective agonists has been shown to produce analgesic effects in preclinical models of inflammatory, neuropathic, and bone cancer pain. In this study the effect of a novel CB2 agonist (MT178) was evaluated in different animal models of pain. First of all, in vitro competition binding experiments performed on rat, mouse, or human CB receptors revealed a high affinity, selectivity, and potency of MT178. The analgesic properties of the novel CB2 agonist were evaluated in various in vivo experiments, such as writhing and formalin assays, showing a good efficacy comparable with that produced by the nonselective CB agonist WIN 55,212‐2. A dose‐dependent antiallodynic effect of the novel CB2 compound in the streptozotocin‐induced diabetic neuropathy was found. In a bone cancer pain model and in the acid‐induced muscle pain model, MT178 was able to significantly reduce mechanical hyperalgesia in a dose‐related manner. Notably, MT178 failed to provoke locomotor disturbance and catalepsy, which were observed following the administration of WIN 55,212‐2. CB2 receptor mechanism of action was investigated in dorsal root ganglia where MT178 mediated a reduction of [3H]‐d‐aspartate release. MT178 was also able to inhibit capsaicin‐induced substance P release and NF‐κB activation. These results demonstrate that systemic administration of MT178 produced a robust analgesia in different pain models via CB2 receptors, providing an interesting approach to analgesic therapy in inflammatory and chronic pain without CB1‐mediated central side effects.

A3 Receptors Are Overexpressed in Pleura from Patients with Mesothelioma and Reduce Cell Growth via Akt/Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway

RATIONALE A strong link has been established between exposure to asbestos and increased risk for pleural malignant mesothelioma (MM). Adenosine plays a key role in inflammatory processes and cancer, where it is involved in the regulation of cell death and proliferation. OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this study was to investigate the presence of adenosine receptors (ARs) in human MM pleura (MMP) and healthy mesothelial pleura (HMP). To shed some light on the interaction between adenosine and MM, the presence and functionality of ARs were explored in human healthy mesothelial cells (HMC) and in malignant mesothelioma cells (MMC). METHODS ARs were analyzed by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and saturation binding assays. HMC were treated with crocidolite asbestos, which is the principal risk factor for MM. The role of A₃ ARs on these cellular models, evaluating cAMP production, Akt phosphorylation, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, was investigated. The dual effect of A₃AR stimulation on healthy and cancer cell growth was studied by means of proliferation, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity assays. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A₃AR was up-regulated by 2.5-fold (P < 0.01) in MMP when compared with HMP. Stimulation of A₃ARs decreased proliferation and exerted a cytotoxic and proapoptotic effect on MMC and on HMC exposed to asbestos and tumor necrosis factor-α, but not on HMC with an involvement of the deregulation of Akt/NF-κB cell survival pathway. CONCLUSIONS These new findings suggest that A₃AR could represent a pharmacological target to prevent tumor development after asbestos exposure and to treat full-blown MM.

7-Oxo-[1,4]oxazino[2,3,4-ij]quinoline-6-carboxamides as selective CB(2) cannabinoid receptor ligands: structural investigations around a novel class of full agonists.

Cannabinoid receptor agonists have gained attention as potential therapeutic targets of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Here, we report the identification and optimization of a series of 7-oxo-[1,4]oxazino[2,3,4-ij]quinoline-6-carboxamide derivatives as a novel chemotype of selective cannabinoid CB(2) receptor agonists. Structural modifications led to the identification of several compounds as potent and selective cannabinoid receptor agonists (20, hCB(2)K(i) = 2.5 nM, SI = 166; 21, hCB(2)K(i) = 0.81 nM, SI = 383; 38, hCB(2)K(i) = 15.8 nM, SI > 633; 56, hCB(2)K(i) = 8.12 nM, SI > 1231; (R)-58, hCB(2)K(i) = 9.24 nM, SI > 1082). The effect of a chiral center on the biological activity was also investigated, and it was found that the (R)-enantiomers exhibited greater affinity at the CB(2) receptor than the (S)-enantiomers. In 3,5-cyclic adenosine monophosphate assays, the novel series behaved as agonists, exhibiting functional activity at the human CB(2) receptor.

TRR469, a potent A1 adenosine receptor allosteric modulator, exhibits anti-nociceptive properties in acute and neuropathic pain models in mice

A(1) adenosine receptors (ARs) have been identified as a potential target for the development of anti-nociceptive compounds. The present study explores the analgesic effects of a novel A(1)AR positive allosteric modulator, TRR469, in different models of acute and chronic pain in mice. To evaluate the allosteric enhancement, in vitro binding experiments were performed. The anti-nociceptive properties were investigated in formalin and writhing tests, and in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic pain model. Rotarod and catalepsy tests were used to identify potential side effects, while the functional effect of TRR469 was studied using [(3)H]-d-aspartate release from synaptosomes. TRR469 effectively inhibited nociceptive responses in the formalin and writhing tests, with effects comparable to those of the reference analgesic morphine. Isobolographic analysis of the combination of TRR469 and morphine revealed an additive interaction. TRR469 was anti-allodynic in the neuropathic pain model and did not display locomotor or cataleptic side effects. TRR469 enhanced the binding of the agonist radioligand [(3)H]-CCPA and induced a 33-fold increase of adenosine affinity in spinal cord membranes. In mouse spinal cord synaptosomes, TRR469 enhanced the inhibitory effect of A(1)AR activation on [(3)H]-d-aspartate release, a non-metabolizable analogue of glutamate. In conclusion, this research demonstrates the anti-nociceptive effect of the novel compound TRR469, one of the most potent and effective A(1)AR positive allosteric modulators so far synthesized. The use of TRR469 allows for the possibility of exploiting analgesic properties of endogenous adenosine, with a minor potential to develop the various side effects often associated with the use of direct receptor agonists.

A2A Adenosine Receptors Are Differentially Modulated by Pharmacological Treatments in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Their Stimulation Ameliorates Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rats

A2A adenosine receptors (ARs) play a key role in the inhibition of the inflammatory process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the modulation of A2AARs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients after different pharmacological treatments and to investigate the effect of A2AAR stimulation in a rat model of arthritis. We investigated A2AAR density and functionality in RA progression by using a longitudinal study in RA patients before and after methotrexate (MTX), anti-TNFα agents or rituximab treatments. A2AARs were analyzed by saturation binding assays in lymphocytes from RA patients throughout the 24-month study timeframe. In an adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats we showed the efficacy of the A2AAR agonist, CGS 21680 in comparison with standard therapies by means of paw volume assessment, radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging. Arthritic-associated pain was investigated in mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia tests. IL-10 release following A2AAR stimulation in lymphocytes from RA patients and in serum from arthritic rats was measured. In lymphocytes obtained from RA patients, the A2AAR up-regulation was gradually reduced in function of the treatment time and the stimulation of these receptors mediated a significant increase of IL-10 production. In the same cells, CGS 21680 did not affected cell viability and did not produced cytotoxic effects. The A2AAR agonist CGS 21680 was highly effective, as suggested by the marked reduction of clinical signs, in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis and associated pain. This study highlighted that A2AAR agonists represent a physiological-like therapeutic alternative for RA treatment as suggested by the anti-inflammatory role of A2AARs in lymphocytes from RA patients. The effectiveness of A2AAR stimulation in a rat model of arthritis supported the role of A2AAR agonists as potential pharmacological treatment for RA.

Multiple sclerosis lymphocytes upregulate A2A adenosine receptors that are antiinflammatory when stimulated.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune‐mediated inflammatory disease characterized by multifocal areas of demyelination. Experimental evidence indicates that A2A adenosine receptors (ARs) play a pivotal role in the inhibition of inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of A2AARs in the inhibition of key pro‐inflammatory mediators for the pathogenesis of MS. In lymphocytes from MS patients, A1, A2A, A2B, and A3ARs were analyzed by using RT‐PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and binding assays. Moreover the effect of A2AAR stimulation on proinflammatory cytokine release such as TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐17, and on lymphocyte proliferation was evaluated. The capability of an A2AAR agonist on the modulation of very late antigen (VLA)‐4 expression and NF‐κB was also explored. A2AAR upregulation was observed in lymphocytes from MS patients in comparison with healthy subjects. The stimulation of these receptors mediated a significant inhibition of TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐17, and cell proliferation as well as VLA‐4 expression and NF‐κB activation. This new evidence highlights that A2AAR agonists could represent a novel therapeutic tool for MS treatment as suggested by the antiinflammatory role of A2AARs in lymphocytes from MS patients.

The Anti-Tumor Effect of A3 Adenosine Receptors Is Potentiated by Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Cultured Neural Cancer Cells

A3 adenosine receptors (ARs) play a pivotal role in the development of cancer and their activation is involved in the inhibition of tumor growth. The effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on cancer have been controversially discussed and the detailed mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In the past we have demonstrated that PEMFs increased A2A and A3AR density and functionality in human neutrophils, human and bovine synoviocytes, and bovine chondrocytes. In the same cells, PEMF exposure increased the anti-inflammatory effect mediated by A2A and/or A3ARs. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate if PEMF exposure potentiated the anti-tumor effect of A3ARs in PC12 rat adrenal pheochromocytoma and U87MG human glioblastoma cell lines in comparison with rat cortical neurons. Saturation binding assays and mRNA analysis revealed that PEMF exposure up-regulated A2A and A3ARs that are well coupled to adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP production. The activation of A2A and A3ARs resulted in the decrease of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) levels in tumor cells, whilst only A3ARs are involved in the increase of p53 expression. A3AR stimulation mediated an inhibition of tumor cell proliferation evaluated by thymidine incorporation. An increase of cytotoxicity by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and apoptosis by caspase-3 activation in PC12 and U87MG cells, but not in cortical neurons, was observed following A3AR activation. The effect of the A3AR agonist in tumor cells was enhanced in the presence of PEMFs and blocked by using a well-known selective antagonist. Together these results demonstrated that PEMF exposure significantly increases the anti-tumor effect modulated by A3ARs.