Yoshitada Notsu

Isolation and characterization of lipocortin (lipomodulin)

SummaryLipocortin is a phospholipase inhibitory protein whose synthesis is induced in various cells by glucocorticoids. At least three species with molecular weights of 40,000, 30,000, and 15,000 are presently known. This protein mimics the anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoidsin vitro as well asin vivo. The synthesis of the protein appears to be associated with the MHC genes.

FRM146687, a novel steroid 5α‐reductase inhibitor: In vitro and in vivo effects on prostates

Steroid 5α‐reductase is implicated in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We studied the in vitro and in vivo effects of FR146687, a new inhibitor of 5α‐reductase.

Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of FR134043, a novel elastase inhibitor

FR134043, disodium(Z,1S,15S,8S,24S,27R,29S,34S,37R)-29-ben zyl-21-ethylidene-27-hydroxy-15-isobutyrylamino-34-isopropyl-31,37 -dimethyl-10,16,19,22,30,32,35,38-octaoxo-36-oxa-9,11,17,20,23,28, 31,33-octaazatetracyclo[16.13.6.1(24),(28).0(3),(8)]octatricont a-3,5,7-trien-5,6-diyl disulfate, is a water-soluble inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase with a molecular mass of 1166.15 Da. FR134043 demonstrated a characteristic competitive inhibition of human neutrophil elastase with a Ki of 8 nM. In studies using synthetic substrates, FR134043 inhibited both neutrophil elastase activity and porcine pancreatic elastase activity with IC50 values of 35 nM and 49 nM respectively. FR134043 also inhibited hydrolysis of bovine neck ligament elastin by human neutrophil elastase with an IC50 value of 210 nM. In in vivo experiments, FR134043 protected animals against human neutrophil elastase (50 microg/animal)-induced lung hemorrhage in hamsters with an ED50 value of 3.1 microg/animal for intratracheal administration and 5.0 mg/kg for intravenous administration. Subcutaneous treatment with FR134043 significantly suppressed human neutrophil elastase (20 microg/paw)-induced paw edema in mice with an ED50 value of 3.3 mg/kg when evaluated 4 h after elastase injection. The potency of FR134043 given intratracheally to protect against porcine pancreatic elastase (100 microg/animal)-induced emphysema in hamsters was relatively low (Quasi-static lung compliance; ED50 = 1590 microg/animal) compared to that in acute animal models. FR134043 (10 mg/kg per h i.v. infusion) significantly improved lipopolysaccharide (0.25 mg/kg per h i.v. infusion)-induced thrombocytopenia and some coagulation parameters in rats. These results suggest that systemic administration of FR134043 would be advantageous over intratracheal administration of FR134043 for the treatment of adult respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock and pulmonary emphysema and other pathophysiologic conditions in which elastases are thought to be involved.

Inhibition of leukocyte chemotaxis by Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Tyr-Pro-Met-Glu and Leu-Ile-Glu-Asp-Asn-Glu-Tyr-Thr-Ala-Arg-Gln-Gly

Chemotaxis of rabbit peritoneal leucocytes stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe, a synthetic chemoattractant, was inhibited by Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Tyr-Pro-Met-Glu (MT peptide) and Leu-Ile-Glu-Asp-Asn-Glu-Tyr-Thr-Ala-Arg-Glu-Gly (Src peptide). Both peptides did not inhibit the binding of [3H] formyl-NLe-Leu-Phe, a chemoattractant, to neutrophils, suggesting that the peptides inhibit the events distal to the chemotactic receptors. These peptides blocked the release of arachidonic acid from phospholipids in neutrophils stimulated with chemoattractants, whereas they had no effect on phospholipase A2 activity itself. The peptides markedly reduced the phosphorylation of lipomodulin, a phospholipase inhibitory protein, in either intact cells or isolated plasma membranes. Lipomodulin immunoprecipitated by monoclonal anti-lipomodulin antibody had phosphorylserine and phosphoryltyrosine as analyzed upon electrophoresis. The MT peptide which does not contain threonine or serine was phosphorylated by isolated plasma membranes. These results, taken together, suggest that a tyrosine phosphorylating kinase is involved in biochemical events of chemotactic receptors, and that lipomodulin is a substrate for this kinase.

Effects of FR145237, an Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor, on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in diabetic rats

Recent studies have shown that acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) plays an important role in the initiation of diabetes-associated hypercholesterolemia. To confirm this hypothesis, effects of a potent ACAT inhibitor, FR145237, on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia were examined in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. One-week feeding of 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid to normal rats and STZ-induced diabetic rats increased plasma cholesterol levels in both groups, and the response was more remarkable in the STZ rats than in the normal ones (1266 +/- 476 mg/dl and 146 +/- 7 mg/dl, respectively). FR145237 dose-dependently reduced the rise in plasma cholesterol levels in the STZ rats and the levels were almost normalized by treatment with 1 mg/kg/day of the compound. These results suggest that hyperresponse to dietary cholesterol was induced in the STZ rats and that ACAT is involved in the hyperresponse. The effects of FR145237 on other plasma lipids such as high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels were also examined.

A 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, FR110302, inhibits ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs and dogs

Airway hyperresponsiveness is a key feature of asthma, and attenuating airway hyperresponsiveness is an important part of asthma therapy. In the present study we examined the inhibitory effect of a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, FR 110302, on airway hyperresponsiveness induced by ozone exposure in guinea pigs and dogs. Respiratory resistance (Rrs) was measured by a forced oscillation method. Airway responsiveness was determined from the dose-response curve ofRrs to acetylcholine. Guinea pigs were exposed to 2.5 ppm ozone for 1 h. In a control group of guinea pigs, Δlog PC100 (the index of the ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness) was 0.58±0.04 (log mg/ml). Treatment with FR110302 (10 or 100 mg/kg p.o.) significantly diminished Δlog PC100 (10 mg/kg; 0.22±0.10; 100 mg/kg; 0.11±0.06). Dogs were exposed to 3 ppm ozone for 2 h. In a control group of dogs, ΔlogDmin (another index of the ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness) was 1.24±0.15 (log unit). Treatment with FR110302 (1 or 3.2 mg/kg p.o.) significantly diminished ΔlogDmin (1 mg/kg: 0.60±0.18; 3.2 mg/kg: 0.27±0.12). These results suggest that FR110302 may be a useful drug for attenuating airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients.

Inhibition of phospholipases by Met-Leu-Phe-Ile-Leu-Ile-Lys-Arg-Ser-Arg-His-Phe, C terminus of middle-sized tumor antigen

The N and C terminals and tyrosine-phosphorylating site of the middle-sized tumor antigen of polyoma virus were chemically synthesized. The sequences of these peptides were Met-Asp-Arg-Val-Leu-Ser-Arg-Ala-Asp-Lys (N-MT), Met-Leu-Phe-Ile-Leu-Ile-Lys-Arg-Ser-Arg-His-Phe (C-MT), and Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Tyr-Met-Pro-Met-Glu (MT-Tyr), respectively. Among these peptides, the C-MT peptide inhibited phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4), phospholipase C (EC 3.1.4.3), and phospholipase D (EC 3.1.4.4). In addition, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (EC 3.1.4.10) was also inhibited by this peptide. To study the mechanism of the inhibition, kinetic analysis was performed using phospholipase A2 from porcine pancreas. The degree of inhibition of phospholipase was dose dependent, and maximal inhibition was observed at pH 8.8. This peptide inhibited phospholipase A2 in a competitive manner for low-affinity sites of Ca2+, and in a noncompetitive manner for phospholipid substrates. When a fatty acid in the 2 position of the glycerol moiety of phosphatidylcholine was replaced by palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3), or arachidonic acid (C20:4), the degree of inhibition of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by the C-MT peptide decreased. Inhibition of phospholipase A2 by the C-MT peptide was reversed by low concentrations of sodium deoxycholate but not by Triton X-100 or Nonidet P40, nonionic detergents. These detergents and the modification of acyl groups altered the micellar state of phospholipids. These results, taken together, suggest that the binding of the C-MT peptide near the low-affinity Ca2+ binding sites modifies the interaction of phospholipid substrates with the active center of phospholipase A2.

Effect of FR128998, a novel PAF receptor antagonist, on endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of FR128998, (1s,6s)-1-benzyl-10-(3-pyridyl-methyl)-7-thia-10-azaspiro [5,6]-dodecan-11-one 7,7-dioxide hydrochloride, a novel platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist, on endotoxin lipopolysaccharide-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in rats. Experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation was induced by an infusion of lipopolysaccharide at 0.25 mg/kg/h for 4 h. Simultaneous infusion of FR128998 (0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg/h) with lipopolysaccharide dose dependently inhibited thrombocytopenia, but not leukopenia. The changes in coagulation parameters of disseminated intravascular coagulation, i.e., prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time and elevated levels of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products, were also prevented by the treatment with FR128998. In addition, FR128998 attenuated the increase in serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) which appeared during the initial stage of disseminated intravascular coagulation. FR128998 (10 microM) also inhibited the TNF production by peripheral blood leukocytes or alveolar macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide in vitro. Furthermore, TNF production induced by PAF itself in vitro was also inhibited in the presence of FR128998. These data indicate that PAF plays a pivotal role in the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation via TNF production.

Nonpeptide mimic of bradykinin with long-acting properties.

Kinins, members of a family of peptides released from kininogens by the action of kallikreins, have been implicated in a variety of biological activities including vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, contraction of smooth muscle cells and activation of sensory neurons. However, investigation of the physiological actions of kinins have been greatly hampered because its effects are curtailed by rapid proteolytic degradation. We examined the pharmacological characteristics of the first nonpeptide bradykinin receptor agonist 8-[2,6-dichloro-3-[N-[(E)-4-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cinnamidoacetyl+ ++]-N-methylamino]benzyloxy]-2-methyl-4-(2-pyridylmethoxy)quinolin e (FR190997). FR190997, whose structure is quite different from the natural peptide ligand, but is similar to the nonpeptide antagonists FR165649, FR167344 and FR173657, potently and selectively interacts with the human B2 receptor and markedly stimulates inositol phosphate formation in transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. FR190997 induces concentration-dependent contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum. In vivo, FR190997 mimics the biological action of bradykinin and induces hypotensive responses in rats with prolonged duration, presumably as a consequence of its resistance to proteolytic degradation. Therefore, FR190997 is a highly potent and subtype-selective nonpeptide agonist which displays high intrinsic activity at the bradykinin B2 receptor. This compound represents a powerful tool for further investigation of the physiology and pathophysiology of bradykinin receptors.

Roles of Lipases in the Development of Autonomic Neurons

Glucocorticoids are widely used as therapeutics for immunological and inflammatory diseases (Sayers and Travis, 1970). This anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids is now proposed to be associated with the inhibition of the release of arachidonic acid, a precursor of inflammatory agents such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes (Blackwell et al., 1978). Arachidonic acid is mostly present in an esterified form rather than as a free fatty acid. Thus, the rate limiting step of the arachidonate release from intact cells is the activation of phospholipase A2 or phospholipase C. Furthermore, this anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids can be blocked by the previous treatment with cycloheximide and actinomycin D, inhibitors of protein and RNA syntheses, respectively (Hirata et al., 1985b). From these observations, one can assume that glucocorticoids induce the synthesis of a protein(s) which inhibits cellular phospholipases. Recently, the four groups (Flower’s group in England, Russo-Marie’s group in France, and Goldberg’s group and our group in USA) have partially purified and characterized such a factor(s) and named this protein as lipocortin (DiRosa et al., 1984). Isolated lipocortin can suppress the carageenin-induced paw edema, an animal model of acute inflammation, and can inhibit the release of arachidonic acid from various intact cells. Thus, it has been proposed that the inhibition of phospholipases A2 by lipocortin might be the main mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids (Hirata et al., 1985b).