Pierre Casellas

A Selective Inverse Agonist for Central Cannabinoid Receptor Inhibits Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Activation Stimulated by Insulin or Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 EVIDENCE FOR A NEW MODEL OF RECEPTOR/LIGAND INTERACTIONS

In the present study, we showed that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with human central cannabinoid receptor (CB1) exhibit high constitutive activity at both levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and adenylyl cyclase. These activities could be blocked by the CB1-selective ligand, SR 141716A, that functions as an inverse agonist. Moreover, binding studies showed that guanine nucleotides decreased the binding of the agonist CP-55,940, an effect usually observed with agonists, whereas it enhanced the binding of SR 141716A, a property of inverse agonists. Unexpectedly, we found that CB1-mediated effects of SR 141716A included inhibition of MAPK activation by pertussis toxin-sensitive receptor-tyrosine kinase such as insulin or insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors but not by pertussis toxin-insensitive receptor-tyrosine kinase such as the fibroblast growth factor receptor. We also observed similar results when cells were stimulated with Mas-7, a mastoparan analog, that directly activates the Gi protein. Furthermore, SR 141716A inhibited guanosine 5′-0-(thiotriphosphate) uptake induced by CP-55,940 or Mas-7 in CHO-CB1 cell membranes. This indicates that, in addition to the inhibition of autoactivated CB1, SR 141716A can deliver a biological signal that blocks the Gi protein and consequently abrogates most of the Gi-mediated responses. By contrast, SR 141716A had no effect on MAPK activation by insulin or IGF1 in CHO cells lacking CB1 receptors, ruling out the possibility of a direct interaction of SR 141716A with the Gi protein. This supports the notion that the Gi protein may act as a negative intracellular signaling cross-talk molecule. From these original results, which considerably enlarge the biological properties of the inverse agonist, we propose a novel model for receptor/ligand interactions.

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors and mitochondrial function.

For over 20 years, numerous investigations have focused on elucidating the function of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). This relatively small protein (18kDa) arouses great interest because of its association with numerous biological functions, including the regulation of cellular proliferation, immunomodulation, porphyrin transport and heme biosynthesis, anion transport, regulation of steroidogenesis and apoptosis. Although the receptor was first identified as a binding site for the benzodiazepine, diazepam, in peripheral organ systems, the PBR was subsequently found to be distinct from the central benzodiazepine receptor (CBR) in terms of its pharmacological profile, structure, subcellular localization, tissue distribution and physiological functions. The PBR is widely expressed throughout the body, with high densities found in steroid-producing tissues. In contrast, its expression in the CNS is restricted to ependymal cells and glia. The benzodiazepine Ro5-4864 and the isoquinoline carboxamide PK11195 exhibit nanomolar affinity for the PBR, and are the archtypic pharmacological tools for characterizing the receptor and its function. Primary among these functions are its regulation of steroidogenesis and apoptosis, which reflect its mitochondrial localization and involvement in oxidative processes. This review will evaluate the basic pharmacology and molecular biology of the PBR, and highlight its role in regulating mitochondrial function, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and its sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS), and neurosteroid synthesis, processes relevant to the pathogenesis of a number of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.

The CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant reverses the diet-induced obesity phenotype through the regulation of lipolysis and energy balance

We investigated the molecular events involved in the long‐lasting reduction of adipose mass by the selective CB1 antagonist, SR141716. Its effects were assessed at the transcriptional level both in white (WAT) and brown (BAT) adipose tissues in a diet‐induced obesity model in mice. Our data clearly indicated that SR141716 reversed the phenotype of obese adipocytes at both macroscopic and genomic levels. First, oral treatment with SR141716 at 10 mg/kg/d for 40 days induced a robust reduction of obesity, as shown by the 50% decrease in adipose mass together with a major restoration of white adipocyte morphology similar to lean animals. Second, we found that the major alterations in gene expression levels induced by obesity in WAT and BAT were mostly reversed in SR141716‐treated obese mice. Importantly, the transcriptional patterns of treated obese mice were similar to those obtained in the CB1 receptor knockout mice fed a high‐fat regimen and which are resistant to obesity, supporting a CB1 receptor‐mediated process. Functional analysis of these modulations indicated that the reduction of adipose mass by the molecule resulted from an enhanced lipolysis through the induction of enzymes of the β‐oxidation and TCA cycle, increased energy expenditure, mainly through futile cycling (calcium and substrate), and a tight regulation of glucose homeostasis. These changes accompanied a significant cellular remodeling and contributed to a reduction of the obesity‐related inflammatory status. In addition to a transient reduction of food consumption, increases of both fatty acid oxidation and energy expenditure induced by the molecule summate leading to a sustained weight loss. Altogether, these data strongly indicate that the endocannabinoid system has a major role in the regulation of energy metabolism.

Immunotoxins: hybrid molecules combining high specificity and potent cytotoxicity.

Biological activities of enzymes, hormones or antibodies are induced only after recognition of their specific targets. This selective activity is obtained in Nature with molecules which possess at least two different functions, recognition and biological activity, in general performed by different domains of the same molecule. Specificity of antibody activity is obtained by the sequential involvement, first of the binding unit, which then activates the effector function, i.e. complement-binding antibodies only activate the complement system and destroy target cells if they are first bound to their specific antigen. The idea of applying specific cell lysis by antibodies to passive immunotherapy of tumors has been very attractive for many years. However, the capacity of antibodies to destroy tumors in animals or man has always been limited, and it has often been observed that specific antibodies can enhance tumor growth (enhancement phenomenon). As a result, a series of attempts have been made to render the effector function of antibodies more potent by attaching either anticancer agents to these antibodies, a tentative step first described by Mathe et al. (1958), or toxins, as initiated by Moolten & Cooperband (1970). Higher potency, however, will only be beneficial for tumor therapy if it is specific for the target tissue, in the sense that the effector function

Hypersensitization of the Orexin 1 receptor by the CB1 receptor: evidence for cross-talk blocked by the specific CB1 antagonist, SR141716.

In the present study, we observed evidence of cross-talk between the cannabinoid receptor CB1 and the orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) using a heterologous system. When the two receptors are co-expressed, we observed a major CB1-dependent enhancement of the orexin A potency to activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway; dose-responses curves indicated a 100-fold increase in the potency of orexin-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. This effect required a functional CB1 receptor as evidenced by the blockade of the orexin response by the specific CB1 antagonist, N-(piperidino-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR141716), but also by pertussis toxin, suggesting that this potentiation is Gi-mediated. In contrast to OX1R, the potency of direct activation of CB1 was not affected by co-expression with OX1R. In addition, electron microscopy experiments revealed that CB1 and OX1R are closely apposed at the plasma membrane level; they are close enough to form hetero-oligomers. Altogether, for the first time our data provide evidence that CB1 is able to potentiate an orexigenic receptor. Considering the antiobesity effect of SR141716, these results open new avenues to understand the mechanism by which the molecule may prevent weight gain through functional interaction between CB1 and other receptors involved in the control of appetite.

CANNABINOIDS ENHANCE HUMAN B-CELL GROWTH AT LOW NANOMOLAR CONCENTRATIONS

This study examined the effect of cannabinoid ligands on human tonsillar B‐cells activated either through cross‐linking of surface immunoglobulins or ligation of the CD40 antigen. The two synthetic cannabinoids, CP55,940 and WIN55212‐2, as well as Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, caused a dose‐dependent increase of B‐cell proliferation and displayed EC50 at low nanomolar concentrations. This cannabinoid‐induced enhancing activity was inhibited by pertussis toxin which suggested a G‐protein‐coupled receptor process. In addition, the absence of antagonistic effect of SR141716A, a specific CB1 receptor antagonist, together with the demonstration that human B‐cells displayed large amount of CB2 receptor mRNAs, led us to assume that the growth enhancing activity observed on B‐cells at very low concentrations of cannabinoids could be mediated through the CB2 receptor.

The Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor: A Promising Therapeutic Drug Target

The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is a critical component of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), a multiprotein complex located at the contact site between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, which is intimately involved in the initiation and regulation of apoptosis. PBR is a small evolutionary conserved protein, located at the surface of the mitochondria where it is physically associated with the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and adenosine nucleotide translocase (ANT) that form the backbone of MPTP. PBR is widely distributed throughout the body and has been associated with numerous biological functions. Consistent with its localization in the MPTP, PBR is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, but also in the regulation of cell proliferation, stimulation of steroidogenesis, immunomodulation, porphyrin transport, heme biosynthesis, anion transport and regulation of mitochondrial functions. The recent literature on PBR is reviewed here. Specifically, we highlight numerous results suggesting that the use of specific PBR ligands to modulate PBR activity may have potential therapeutic applications and might be of significant clinical benefit in the management of a large spectrum of different indications including cancer, auto-immune, infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, we present the proposed mechanisms by which the molecules exerted these effects, particularly oriented on the modulation of the MPTP activities.

Distribution profile and properties of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors on human hemopoietic cells

The cellular localization of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) was characterized in several human blood cell subpopulations including erythrocytes, platelets, monocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), B, NK, T8 and T4-cells. Pharmacological properties of the PBR were established by binding studies and PBR mRNA expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction based method. These data clearly indicate 1) the PBR is pharmacologically homogeneous in the various types of blood cells, 2) the rank order of PBR cell density is monocytes = PMN > lymphocytes >> platelets > erythrocytes, 3) the PBR appears to be transcriptionally regulated since mRNA levels are roughly correlated with PBR density.

Neurotensin is an antagonist of the human neurotensin NT2 receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The human levocabastine-sensitive neurotensin NT2 receptor was cloned from a cortex cDNA library and stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in order to study its binding and signalling characteristics. The receptor binds neurotensin as well as several other ligands already described for neurotensin NT1 receptor. It also binds levocabastine, a histamine H1 receptor antagonist that is not recognised by neurotensin NT1 receptor. Neurotensin binding to recombinant neurotensin NT2 receptor expressed in CHO cells does not elicit a biological response as determined by second messenger measurements. Levocabastine, and the peptides neuromedin N and xenin were also ineffective on neurotensin NT2 receptor activation. Experiments with the neurotensin NT1 receptor antagonists SR48692 and SR142948A, resulted in the unanticipated discovery that both molecules are potent agonists on neurotensin NT2 receptor. Both compounds, following binding to neurotensin NT2 receptor, enhance inositol phosphates (IP) formation with a subsequent [Ca2+]i mobilisation; induce arachidonic acid release; and stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity. Interestingly, these activities are antagonised by neurotensin and levocabastine in a concentration-dependent manner. These activities suggest that the human neurotensin NT2 receptor may be of physiological importance and that a natural agonist for the receptor may exist.

Regulation of Peripheral Cannabinoid Receptor CB2Phosphorylation by the Inverse Agonist SR 144528 IMPLICATIONS FOR RECEPTOR BIOLOGICAL RESPONSES

We recently demonstrated that the selective cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 144528 acts as an inverse agonist that blocks constitutive mitogen-activated protein kinase activity coupled to the spontaneous autoactivated peripheral cannabinoid receptor (CB2) in the Chinese hamster ovary cell line stably transfected with human CB2. In the present report, we studied the effect of SR 144528 on CB2 phosphorylation. The CB2 phosphorylation status was monitored by immunodetection using an antibody specific to the COOH-terminal CB2 which can discriminate between phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated CB2 isoforms at serine 352. We first showed that CB2 is constitutively active, phosphorylated, and internalized at the basal level. By blocking autoactivated receptors, inverse agonist SR 144528 treatment completely inhibited this phosphorylation state, leading to an up-regulated CB2receptor level at the cell surface, and enhanced cannabinoid agonist sensitivity for mitogen-activated protein kinase activation of Chinese hamster ovary-CB2 cells. After acute agonist treatment, serine 352 was extensively phosphorylated and maintained in this phosphorylated state for more than 8 h after agonist treatment. The cellular responses to CP-55,940 were concomitantly abolished. Surprisingly, CP-55,940-induced CB2 phosphorylation was reversed by SR 144528, paradoxically leading to a non-phosphorylated CB2 which could then be fully activated by CP-55,940. The process of CP-55,940-induced receptor phosphorylation followed by SR 144528-induced receptor dephosphorylation kept recurring many times on the same cells, indicating that the agonist switches the system off but the inverse agonist switches the system back on. Finally, we showed that autophosphorylation and CP-55,940-induced serine 352 CB2 phosphorylation involve an acidotropic GRK kinase, which does not use Giβγ. In contrast, SR 144528-induced CB2 dephosphorylation was found to involve an okadaic acid and calyculin A-sensitive type 2A phosphatase.