Parvaneh Katoli

Cabergoline: Pharmacology, ocular hypotensive studies in multiple species, and aqueous humor dynamic modulation in the Cynomolgus monkey eyes.

The aims of the current studies were to determine the in vitro and in vivo ocular and non-ocular pharmacological properties of cabergoline using well documented receptor binding, cell-based functional assays, and in vivo models. Cabergoline bound to native and/or human cloned serotonin-2A/B/C (5HT(2A/B/C)), 5HT(1A), 5HT(7), alpha(2B), and dopamine-2/3 (D(2/3)) receptor subtypes with nanomolar affinity. Cabergoline was an agonist at human recombinant 5HT(2), 5HT(1A) and D(2/3) receptors but an antagonist at 5HT(7) and alpha(2) receptors. In primary human ciliary muscle (h-CM) and trabecular meshwork (h-TM) cells, cabergoline stimulated phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis (EC(50)=19+/-7 nM in TM; 76 nM in h-CM) and intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) mobilization (EC(50)=570+/-83 nM in h-TM; EC(50)=900+/-320 nM in h-CM). Cabergoline-induced [Ca(2+)](i) mobilization in h-TM and h-CM cells was potently antagonized by a 5HT(2A)-selective antagonist (M-100907, K(i)=0.29-0.53 nM). Cabergoline also stimulated [Ca(2+)](i) mobilization more potently via human cloned 5HT(2A) (EC(50)=63.4+/-10.3 nM) than via 5HT(2B) and 5HT(2C) receptors. In h-CM cells, cabergoline (1 microM) stimulated production of pro-matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -3 and synergized with forskolin to enhance cAMP production. Cabergoline (1 microM) perfused through anterior segments of porcine eyes caused a significant (27%) increase in outflow facility. Topically administered cabergoline (300-500 microg) in Dutch-belted rabbit eyes yielded 4.5 microMM and 1.97 microM levels in the aqueous humor 30 min and 90 min post-dose but failed to modulate intraocular pressure (IOP). However, cabergoline was an efficacious IOP-lowering agent in normotensive Brown Norway rats (25% IOP decrease with 6 microg at 4h post-dose) and in conscious ocular hypertensive cynomolgus monkeys (peak reduction of 30.6+/-3.6% with 50 microg at 3h post-dose; 30.4+/-4.5% with 500 microg at 7h post-dose). In ketamine-sedated monkeys, IOP was significantly lowered at 2.5h after the second topical ocular dose (300 microg) of cabergoline by 23% (p<0.02) and 35% (p<0.004) in normotensive and ocular hypertensive eyes, respectively. In normotensive eyes, cabergoline increased uveoscleral outflow (0.69+/-0.7 microL/min-1.61+/-0.97 microL/min, n=13; p<0.01). However, only seven of the eleven ocular hypertensive monkeys showed significantly increased uveoscleral outflow. These data indicate that cabergolines most prominent agonist activity involves activation of 5HT(2), 5HT(1A), and D(2/3) receptors. Since 5HT(1A) agonists, 5HT(7) antagonists, and alpha(2) antagonists do not lower IOP in conscious ocular hypertensive monkeys, the 5HT(2) and dopaminergic agonist activities of cabergoline probably mediated the IOP reduction observed with this compound in this species.

Human Non-Pigmented Ciliary Epithelium Bradykinin B2-Receptors: Receptor Localization, Pharmacological Characterization of Intracellular Ca2+ Mobilization, and Prostaglandin Secretion

Abstract Purpose: To characterize the bradykinin (BK) receptor system in human non-pigmented ciliary epithelium (NPCE) using immunohistochemistry and functional cell-based techniques. Methods: B2-receptor protein expression was studied in sections of human donor eyes and in Cynomolgus monkey eyes using immunohistochemical methods. The pharmacological characteristics of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) mobilization in response to BK and related peptides, and blockade by two antagonists, was studied in primary human (p-h-NPCE) and in immortalized human NPCE (imh-NPCE) cells. Prostaglandins (PGs) release induced by BK was also studied in both cell-types using ELISA assays. Limited studies on primary human ciliary muscle (h-CM) cells and human trabecular meshwork (h-TM) cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human cloned B2-receptors (CHO-B2) were performed to compare with responses in both the NPCE cell-types. Results: B2-receptor immunoreactivity was observed on human and Cynomolgus monkey NPCE cells on eye sections from both species. BK and related analog peptides differentially activated signaling mechanisms in NPCE cells by mobilizing [Ca2+]i, and the BK-evoked responses were blocked by B2-receptor-selective antagonists, HOE-140 and (S)-WIN-64338. Relative agonist potencies (EC50, nM) in p-h-NPCE cells [and in imh-NPCE cells] were: BK = 3.4 ± 0.4 [6.3 nM]; Hyp3-BK EC50 = 1.7 ± 0.2 [6.0 nM], Lys-BK EC50 = 7.0 ± 0.3 [19.8 nM]; Met-Lys-BK EC50 = 106 ± 57.8 [125 nM]; Des-Arg9-BK EC50 = >10,000 [16 µM]. The antagonist potencies for attenuating BK-induced mobilization of [Ca2+]i in these cells were: HOE-140 (Ki = 7.9 ± 1.8 nM, n = 4) and (S)-WIN-64338 (Ki = 451 ± 44 nM, n = 4). These NPCE cell data correlated well with those obtained for h-CM and h-TM cells, and with B2-receptor binding (r = 0.99, p < 0.0001). However, BK failed to stimulate total PGs production in both NPCE cell-types even though 10% bovine serum increased PG release (by 4.9-fold above baseline), and even though BK stimulated PG release from h-CM, h-TM and in CHO-B2 cells. BK (1 µM) also failed to increase nitric oxide (NO) levels in NPCE cells even though sodium nitropruside increased NO production by 3-fold. Conclusions: Human and monkey NPCE express immunoreactive B2-receptor proteins. These proteins were functionally active, since BK and related peptides potently stimulated mobilization of [Ca2+]i in p-h-NPCE and imNPCE cells that was blocked by two B2-selective antagonists. Down-stream signaling from B2-receptor activation did not appear to involve PG synthesis/release (or NO production) in NPCE cell-types under the present conditions, even though h-CM, h-TM and CHO-B2 cells exhibited robust PG synthesis and release in response to BK.

Preclinical pharmacology, ocular tolerability and ocular hypotensive efficacy of a novel non-peptide bradykinin mimetic small molecule

We sought to characterize the ocular pharmacology, tolerability and intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy of FR-190997, a non-peptidic bradykinin (BK) B2-receptor agonist. FR-190997 possessed a relatively high receptor binding affinity (Ki = 27 nM) and a high in vitro potency (EC50 = 18.3 ± 4.4 nM) for inositol-1-phosphate generation via human cloned B2-receptors expressed in host cells with mimimal activity at B1-receptors. It also mobilized intracellular Ca2+ in isolated human trabecular meshwork (h-TM), ciliary muscle (h-CM), and in immortalized non-pigmented ciliary epithelial (h-iNPE) cells (EC50s = 167-384 nM; Emax = 32-86% of BK-induced response). HOE-140, a selective B2-receptor antagonist, potently blocked the latter effects of FR-190997 (e.g., IC50 = 7.3 ± 0.6 nM in h-CM cells). FR-190997 also stimulated the release of prostaglandins (PGs) from h-TM and h-CM cells (EC50s = 60-84 nM; Emax = 29-44% relative to max. BK-induced effects). FR-190997 (0.3-300 μg t.o.) did not activate cat corneal polymodal nociceptors and did not cause ocular discomfort in Dutch-Belted rabbits, but it was not well tolerated in New Zealand albino rabbits and Hartley guinea pigs. A single topical ocular (t.o.) dose of 1% FR-190997 in Dutch-Belted rabbits and mixed breed cats did not lower IOP. However, FR-190997 efficaciously lowered IOP of conscious ocular hypertensive cynomolgus monkey eyes (e.g., 34.5 ± 7.5% decrease; 6 h post-dose of 30 μg t.o.; n = 8). Thus, FR-190997 is an unexampled efficacious ocular hypotensive B2-receptor non-peptide BK agonist that activates multiple signaling pathways to cause IOP reduction.

FR-190997, a nonpeptide bradykinin B2-receptor partial agonist, is a potent and efficacious intraocular pressure lowering agent in ocular hypertensive cynomolgus monkeys.

Preclinical Research

Full-length myocilin protein is purified from mammalian cells as a dimer

Myocilin (MYOC) is a secreted protein found in human aqueous humor (AH) and mutations in the MYOC gene are the most common mutation observed in glaucoma patients. Human AH analyzed under non-reducing conditions suggests that MYOC is not normally found in a monomeric form, but rather is predominantly dimeric. Although MYOC was first reported almost 20 years ago, a technical challenge still faced by researchers is an inability to isolate full-length MYOC protein for experimental purposes. Herein we describe two methods by which to isolate sufficient quantities of human full-length MYOC protein from mammalian cells. One method involved identification of a cell line (HeLa S3) that would secrete full-length protein (15 mg/L) while the second method involved a purification approach from 293 cells requiring identification and modification of an internal MYOC cleavage site (Glu214/Leu215). MYOC protein yield from 293 cells was improved by mutation of two MYOC N-terminal cysteines (C47 and C61) to serines. Analytical size exclusion chromatography of our full-length MYOC protein purified from 293 cells indicated that it is predominantly dimeric and we propose a structure for the MYOC dimer. We hope that by providing methods to obtain MYOC protein, researchers will be able to utilize the protein to obtain new insights into MYOC biology. The ultimate goal of MYOC research is to better understand this target so we can help the patient that carries a MYOC mutation retain vision and maintain quality of life.