Rose-Marie Catalioto

MEN 11420 (Nepadutant), a novel glycosylated bicyclic peptide tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist

The pharmacological profile was studied of MEN 11420, or cyclo{[Asn(β‐D‐GlcNAc)‐Asp‐Trp‐Phe‐Dap‐Leu]cyclo(2β‐5β)}, a glycosylated derivative of the potent, selective, conformationally‐constrained tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist MEN 10627 (cyclo(Met‐Asp‐Trp‐Phe‐Dap‐Leu)cyclo(2β‐5β)). MEN 11420 competitively bound with high affinity to the human NK2 receptor stably transfected in CHO cells, displacing radiolabelled [125I]‐neurokinin A and [3H]‐SR 48968 with Ki values of 2.5±0.7 nM (n=6) and 2.6±0.4 nM (n=3), respectively. MEN 11420 showed negligible binding affinity (pIC50<6) at 50 different receptors (including tachykinin NK1 and NK3 receptors) and ion channels. In the rabbit isolated pulmonary artery and rat urinary bladder MEN 11420 potently and competitively antagonized tachykinin NK2 receptor‐mediated contractions (pKB=8.6±0.07, n=10, and 9.0±0.04, n=12; Schild plot slope=−1.06 (95% c.l.=−1.3; −0.8) and −1.17 (95% c.l.=−1.3; −1.0), respectively). MEN 11420 produced an insurmountable antagonism at NK2 receptors in the hamster trachea and mouse urinary bladder. However, in both preparations, the effect of MEN 11420 was reverted by washout and an apparent pKB of 10.2±0.14, n= 9, and 9.8±0.15, n=9, was calculated in the hamster trachea and mouse urinary bladder, respectively. MEN 11420 showed low affinity (pKB<6) at guinea‐pig and rat tachykinin NK1 (guinea‐pig ileum and rat urinary bladder) and NK3 (guinea‐pig ileum and rat portal vein) receptors. On the whole, the affinities (potency and selectivity) showed by MEN 11420 for different tachykinin receptors, measured either in binding or in functional bioassays, were similar to those shown by the parent compound, MEN 10627. The in vivo antagonism of the contractions produced by [βAla8]neurokinin A(4–10) (1 nmol kg−1) was observed after intravenous (dose range: 1–10 nmol kg−1), intranasal (3–10 nmol kg−1), intrarectal (30–100 nmol kg−1) and intraduodenal (100–300 nmol kg−1) administration of MEN 11420. MEN 11420 was more potent (about 10 fold) and longer lasting than its parent compound MEN 10627, possibly due to a greater metabolic stability. A dose of MEN 11420 (100 nmol kg−1, i.v.), that produced potent and long lasting inhibition of the contraction of the rat urinary bladder induced by challenge with the NK2 selective receptor agonist [βAla8]neurokinin A(4–10) (10–300 nmol kg−1), was without effect on the responses produced by the NK1 receptor selective agonist [Sar9]substance P sulphone (1–10 nmol kg−1). These findings indicate that MEN 11420 is a potent and selective tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist. The introduction of a sugar moiety did not produce major changes in the affinity profile of this antagonist as compared to MEN 10627, but markedly improved its in vivo potency and duration of action. With these characteristics, MEN 11420 is a suitable candidate for studying the pathophysiological significance of tachykinin NK2 receptors in humans.

Pharmacological evaluation of the role of cyclooxygenase isoenzymes on the micturition reflex following experimental cystitis in rats

Prostanoids, generated from cyclooxygenase (COX) isoenzymes, play a role in the physiological function of the lower urinary tract and are important mediators of inflammatory hyperalgesia. The present work evaluates the effects of the COX‐1/COX‐2 inhibitor dexketoprofen as well as of a selective COX‐2 inhibitor, NS‐398, on urodynamic function following endotoxin (LPS) or cyclophosphamide (CYP)‐induced inflammation of the urinary bladder. The application of arachidonic acid (330 μg rat−1) onto the serosal surface of the urinary bladder in control rats elicited bladder contractions which could be blocked in a dose‐dependent manner by dexketoprofen (0.1–3 mg kg−1, i.v.) but not by NS‐398 (0.2–6 mg kg−1, i.v.). Dexketoprofen (3 mg kg−1, i.v.) decreased the micturition frequency and increased the pressure threshold for triggering the micturition either when administered within 15 min or 3 h following surgery in control animals. NS‐398 (6 mg kg−1, i.v.) decreased the micturition frequency and increased the pressure threshold when administered 3 h but not 15 min following surgery. Administration of LPS (2 mg kg−1, i.v., 90–120 min) increased both the micturition frequency and the pressure threshold for triggering the micturition reflex. Changes in urodynamic parameters induced by LPS were prevented by doses of either dexketoprofen (1 mg kg−1, i.v.) or NS‐398 (2 mg kg−1, i.v.) which were ineffective in control animals. Pretreatment with CYP (150 mg kg−1, i.p., 48 h) increased the micturition frequency, pressure threshold, and the minimal intravesical pressure but decreased the mean amplitude of micturition contractions. In CYP‐treated rats, dexketoprofen (1 mg kg−1, i.v.) or NS‐398 (2 mg kg−1, i.v.) blocked the CYP‐induced urodynamic changes with exception of the micturition contraction amplitude. These results indicate that COX‐1 may be involved in modulating the threshold for activating the micturition reflex in the normal rats and also demonstrates that inhibition of COX‐2 prevents or reverses the urodynamic changes associated with bladder inflammation induced either by surgery, LPS or CYP treatments.

Chemically distinct HDAC inhibitors prevent adipose conversion of subcutaneous human white preadipocytes at an early stage of the differentiation program

The present study investigated the effect of HDAC inhibitors on the differentiation of human subcutaneous white adipocytes. Results showed that trichostatin A, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, valproic acid and MS-275 inhibited triglyceride accumulation, GPDH activity and FABP4 protein expression in adipocytes, as well as leptin and VEGF release, while cells retained a fibroblast-like morphology. HDAC inhibitors exerted their antiadipogenic effect without inducing apoptosis or affecting cell viability and number, while 1-2 log unit higher concentrations were mostly required to exert an antiproliferative effect or to reduce LDH activity. A brief exposure to HDAC inhibitors at the beginning of the differentiation program was sufficient to observe the antiadipogenic effect while differentiation restarted after compound withdrawal and further exposure to inducers of differentiation demonstrating reversibility of the events. HDAC inhibitors hyperacetylated histone H4, but only hydroxamate-based compounds produced a massive acetylation of alpha-tubulin, indicating that this latter event is not required to prevent adipose conversion. HDAC inhibitors induced a significant reduction of the expression of the transcription factor C/EBPalpha, an early marker of differentiation, and a diminution of fibronectin immunoreactivity was also observed. In conclusion, HDAC inhibitors from different chemical classes potently inhibited human adipose conversion at an early stage of the differentiation program.

Role of calcium in angiotensin II-induced prostaglandin release and DNA synthesis in rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

Cellular calcium modulates enzyme activity, cell proliferation, and differentiation. In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), calcium may contribute to increased vascular contractility and structural alterations in both hypertension and atherosclerosis. We investigated the role of calcium in angiotensin II (AII)-induced prostaglandin release and DNA synthesis in VSMC. Prostaglandin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay, and DNA synthesis was determined by the incorporation of [3H]thymidine. AII dose-dependently stimulated the release of prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin I2, and this effect was synergistically enhanced by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Conversely, the AII response was inhibited by EGTA, a chelator of Ca2+ ions and by verapamil and nifedipine, two Ca2+ channel blockers or by incubation of the cells without exogenous Ca2+. TMB-8, an inhibitor of calcium mobilization, also strongly reduced angiotensin response. Similar results were obtained for angiotensin III (AIII) and vasopressin, two other agonists of prostaglandin production. AII- or serum-stimulated DNA synthesis was almost abolished by EGTA, whereas TMB-8, verapamil, and nifedipine had little or no effect. The production of prostaglandins triggered by angiotensins and vasopressin in VSMC is dependent on both intracellular and extracellular calcium, with calcium entering through L-type Ca2+ channels. Extracellular calcium is important for AII and serum mitogenic activity, but L-type Ca2+ channels do not appear to be implicated.

Independent coupling of the human tachykinin NK2 receptor to phospholipases C and A2 in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells.

The human tachykinin NK2 receptor stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-hNK2R cells) was characterized by studying the effect of neurokinin A (NKA), the preferred natural ligand, and that of other agonists and antagonists in both binding experiments and functional assays. Competition experiments using [125I]NKA showed that CHO-hNK2R cells express binding sites which have high affinity for NKA (Ki=3.4±0.9 nM), GR 64349 (Ki=12±3 nM) and [βAla8]NKA(4–10) (Ki=21±8 nM) and for the antagonists MEN 10627 (Ki=0.55±0.2 nM), and MEN 11420 (Ki=2.4±0.8 nM). In contrast, the tachykinin NK1 and NK3 receptor agonists [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP and senktide, respectively, were recognized with low affinity (Ki>10 μM). NKA (EC50=68±18 nM) induced a rapid and concentration-dependent increase in the intracellular level of inositoltrisphosphate (IP3). The concentration-response curve to GR 64349 (EC50=155±14 nM) was close to that of NKA, whereas [βAla8]NKA(4–10) (EC50=445±78 nM) and SP (EC50=3197±669 nM) were 7- and 50-fold less potent, respectively. In addition, NKA stimulated the release of arachidonic acid and the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a concentration-dependent manner. Also in this assay, NKA was found to be more potent than the other agonists tested (the EC50 values were 3±0.3, 9±3, 7.8±0.9 and 217±37 nM for NKA, GR 64349, [βAla8]NKA(4–10) and SP, respectively). MEN 10627 and MEN 11420 were potent and competitive antagonists in blocking NKA-induced IP3 formation and PGE2 release: MEN 10627 and MEN 11420 displayed comparable potencies in blocking the two functional responses initiated by occupancy of the NK2 receptor by NKA. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (500 ng/ml for 18 h) did not significantly modify the basal or stimulated phosphatidylinositol turnover but reduced the basal and NKA-induced PGE2 release by about 35%. The phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 (10 μM) prevented the NKA-induced formation of IP3 but did not affect PGE2 release. Conversely, the phospholipase A2 inhibitor quinacrine (100 μM) blocked the release of arachidonic acid and PGE2 without affecting the NKA-stimulated formation of IP3. Chelation of extracellular calcium with 3 mM EGTA inhibited the NKA-induced PGE2 release by 81% but was without effect on basal and NKA-stimulated IP3 production. The calcium channel blockers verapamil (10 μM) and ω-conotoxin GVIA (0.1 μM) did not modify the basal PGE2 production and had no significant effect on the response to tachykinins while the blocker of non-selective cation channels, SKF-96365 (10 μM), inhibited the response to NKA by about 74%. SKF-96365 did not affect the basal or the NKA-induced IP3 formation. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the human tachykinin NK2 receptor expressed in CHO cells displays binding affinity and functional properties which are those of a native NK2 receptor. No pharmacological evidence for heterogeneity of the human NK2 receptor was obtained in this study. Our findings indicate that the human tachykinin NK2 receptor is independently coupled to both PLC and PLA2 signaling pathways. Activation of the PLA2 pathway may be linked to the opening of a voltage-independent cation channel which activates a Ca2+-dependent PLA2.

Role of tachykinins in sephadex-induced airway hyperreactivity and inflammation in guinea pigs.

We have studied the effect of selective tachykinin NK(1) and NK(2) receptor antagonists on airway hyperreactivity to acetylcholine and increase of inflammatory cells on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid induced by sephadex beads (20 mg/kg, i.v.) in guinea pigs. Airway hyperreactivity was assessed by measuring the increase of bronchial insufflation pressure to acetylcholine (0.01-30 micromol/kg, i.v.) at 3 h (early phase) and 24 h (late phase) after sephadex administration. An increase in inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (eosinophils and macrophages) was detected at 24 h (from 11.6 x 10(6) to 49.3 x 10(6) cells) but not at 3 h from sephadex administration. Neurokinin A and substance P levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed a significant increase at 24 h (from 31.7+/-11.6 to 561+/-231 pg/ml and from 5.9+/-2.6 to 29.3+/-4.1 pg/ml for neurokinin A and substance P, respectively). At this time point, the tachykinin in bronchoalveolar lavage cellular content was depleted from 232+/-43 to 21+/-20 pg/sample and from 56.6+/-6.7 to 2+/-2 pg/sample for neurokinin A and substance P, respectively. Capsaicin pretreatment abolished the early but not the late phase of airway hyperreactivity induced by sephadex without modifying bronchoalveolar lavage total cells number and bronchoalveolar lavage levels of neurokinin A and substance P. Administration of the tachykinin NK(2) (nepadutant) and/or the NK(1) receptor antagonist (MEN 11467 or (1R,2S)-2-N[1(H)indol-3-yl-carbonyl]-1-N[N-(p-tolylacetyl)-N-(methyl)-D-3(2-naphthyl)alanyl)diaminocyclohexane)), 5 min before sephadex, prevented the early phase of airway hyperreactivity to acetylcholine but only nepadutant prevented the late phase. Nepadutant was able to abolish the early phase of airway hyperreactivity if given after sephadex administration and reduced by about 50% the increase of cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid during the late phase, without affecting the levels of neurokinin A and substance P. These findings indicate an involvement of endogenous tachykinins in the genesis of airway hyperreactivity in a guinea-pig model of non-allergic asthma. Early airway hyperreactivity apparently involves release of tachykinins from capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves acting via tachykinin NK(1)/NK(2) receptors. Late airway hyperreactivity involves tachykinins acting via tachykinin NK(2) receptors: inflammatory cells activated/recruited in response to sephadex challenge appear a likely source of tachykinins involved in the late phase of the response.

Angiotensins induce the release of prostacyclin from rabbit vas deferens: evidence for receptor heterogeneity.

Angiotensin II and angiotensin III stimulated prostacyclin release in a time- and dose-dependent manner in both the prostatic and the non-prostatic part of the rabbit vas deferens. Also, angiotensin I enhanced the production of prostacyclin and its effect was blocked by captopril. Losartan, a type 1 (angiotensin AT1)-selective receptor antagonist, prevented the angiotensin II-induced prostacyclin release. The agonist peptide, p-aminophenylalanine angiotensin II, and the type 2 (angiotensin AT2)-selective receptor antagonist, PD123319, were found active only in the prostatic portion, suggesting heterogeneity of the receptor population. In conclusion, an angiotensin AT1 receptor mostly mediates the angiotensin-induced release of prostacyclin in the rabbit vas deferens.

Differential effect of ethanol and hydrogen peroxide on barrier function and prostaglandin E2 release in differentiated Caco‐2 cells: Selective prevention by growth factors

The present study investigates the effects of ethanol and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on the barrier function and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) release in differentiated Caco-2 cells. Epithelial barrier integrity was estimated by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), the transport of reference compounds and lactate dehydrogenase leakage, the PGE(2) release by enzyme immunoassay. Ethanol and H(2)O(2) decreased TEER and increased the transport of lucifer yellow without affecting that of propranolol and phenylalanine. Only the effects of ethanol were accompanied by PGE(2) production and were reversible without causing long-term cytotoxicity. The cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, NS-398, prevented the effect of ethanol on both PGE(2) release and TEER, while inhibition of both cyclooxygenase-2 and tyrosine kinase drastically compromised cell viability and TEER recovery. Hepatocyte growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor or insulin prevented the effect of ethanol on cell permeability, but not on PGE(2) release. Their combination prevented the effect of H(2)O(2). In conclusion, ethanol and H(2)O(2) increased paracellular permeability in differentiated Caco-2 cells without affecting transcellular and active transport. Cyclooxygenase-2 stimulated PGE(2) release mediated the reversible effect of ethanol on tight junctions and, meanwhile, contributed to cell survival. Growth factors, normally present in the intestine, exerted a selective protective effect toward paracellular permeability increase induced by irritants.

Increased Paracellular Absorption by Bile Salts and P-Glycoprotein Stimulated Efflux of Otilonium Bromide in Caco-2 Cells Monolayers as a Model of Intestinal Barrier

The present study investigates the intestinal permeability of otilonium bromide, a spasmolytic drug used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, across Caco-2 cell monolayers. The amount of otilonium bromide transported was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Epithelial barrier integrity was estimated by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance and the transport of reference compounds, P-glycoprotein activity by measuring rhodamine 123 efflux. Results showed that the apparent permeability of otilonium bromide was comparable to that of our zero permeability marker, inulin, in the apical-to-basal direction and similar to that of rhodamine 123 in the basal-to-apical direction. The P-glycoprotein substrate, verapamil, prevented otilonium bromide efflux and, conversely, otilonium bromide inhibited P-glycoprotein activity. Bile salts induced a transient opening of tight junctions, as measured by selective increase of paracellular transport, and significantly enhanced the absorption of otilonium bromide. In turn otilonium bromide potentiates the effect of bile salts on tight junctions without modifying their critical micellar concentration or altering cell viability. In conclusion, otilonium bromide is a paracellularly transported drug whose absorption, in amounts sufficient to exert a spasmolytic effect, is favoured by bile salts. P-glycoprotein, by stimulating efflux, contributes to remove excess compound, restraining its distribution and site of action to the intestinal wall.

Structure-activity relationships of 6-methyl-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (1-[(S)-1-benzyl-4-[4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)piperazin-1-yl]butylcarbamoyl]cyclopentyl)amide, potent antagonist of the neurokinin-2 receptor.

As part of a project aimed at the identification of a series of small, orally available antagonists for the hNK(2) receptor, starting from one of our capped dipeptide libraries, we succeeded in the chemical optimization of the first identified leads, finally producing a class of molecules with significant activity in our animal model after iv administration. We herein report the results of further chemical modifications made to reduce the overall peptide character of this series and the consequent improvement of their in vivo antagonist activity. The present work identified 6-methylbenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (1-[(S)-1-benzyl-4-[4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)piperazin-1-yl]butylcarbamoyl]cyclopentyl)amide (10i), endowed with subnanomolar potency in all the in vitro tests and being highly potent and of long duration upon in vivo testing after both iv and id dosing.