Sample records for inhibitor canertinib induces

  1. The pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor canertinib induces caspase-mediated cell death in human T-cell leukemia (Jurkat) cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Trinks, Cecilia, E-mail: Cecilia.trinks@liu.se; Severinsson, Emelie A., E-mail: Emelie.severinsson@liu.se; Holmlund, Birgitta, E-mail: Birgitta.holmlund@lio.se

    2011-07-08

    Highlights: {yields} Canertinib induces caspase-mediated apoptosis in T-cell leukemia cells in vitro. {yields} Canertinib mediates activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. {yields} Canertinib induces apoptosis in an ErbB receptor independent manner. {yields} Lymphocyte specific proteins as well as survival kinases are inhibited. {yields} Canertinib may act as a multi-kinase inhibiting drug in human T-cell malignancies. -- Abstract: Canertinib is a novel ErbB-receptor inhibitor currently in clinical development for the treatment of solid tumors overexpressing ErbB-receptors. We have recently demonstrated that canertinib displays anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in human myeloid leukemia cells devoid of ErbB-receptors. The mechanism mediating these effects aremore » however unknown. In this study, we show that canertinib is able to act as a multi-kinase inhibitor by inhibition of several intracellular kinases involved in T-cell signaling such as Akt, Erk1/2 and Zap-70, and reduced Lck protein expression in the human T-cell leukemia cell line Jurkat. Treatment with canertinib at a concentration of 2 {mu}M caused accumulation of Jurkat cells in the G{sub 1} cell cycle phase and increased doses induced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. Apoptotic signs of treated cells were detected by Annexin V staining and cleavage of PARP, caspase-3, -8, -9, -10 and Bid. A subset of the pro-apoptotic signals mediated by canertinib could be significantly reduced by specific caspase inhibitors. Taken together, these results demonstrate the dual ability of canertinib to downregulate important signaling pathways and to activate caspase-mediated intrinsic apoptosis pathway in human T-cell leukemia cells.« less

  2. Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Induced Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Agarwal, Megha; Thareja, Nidhi; Benjamin, Melody; Akhondi, Andre; Mitchell, George D

    2018-06-21

    The purpose of this paper is to identify commonly used tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that are associated with hypertension, primarily, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway (VSP) inhibitors. We review the incidence, mechanism, and strategies for management of TKI-induced HTN. We hope to provide clinicians with guidance on how to manage similar clinical scenarios. Many of the newer VSP inhibitors are reviewed here, including cediranib, axitinib, pazopanib, and ponatinib. Trials utilizing prophylactic treatment with angiotensin system inhibitors (ASIs) are discussed as well as recent data showing an improvement in overall survival and progression-free survival in patients on ASIs and TKI-induced hypertension. The incidence of TKI-induced HTN among the VEGF inhibitors ranges from 5 to 80% and is dose dependent. Newer generation small-molecule TKIs has a lower incidence. The mechanism of action involves VSP inhibition, leading to decreased nitric oxide and increased endothelin production, which causes vasoconstriction, capillary rarefaction, and hypertension. ASIs and calcium channel blockers are first-line therapy for treatment and are associated with improved overall survival. Nitrates and beta-blockers are associated with in vitro cancer regression; however, there is a paucity of trials regarding their use as an anti-hypertensive agent in the TKI-induced HTN patient population.

  3. Targeting EGF-receptor(s) - STAT1 axis attenuates tumor growth and metastasis through downregulation of MUC4 mucin in human pancreatic cancer

    PubMed Central

    Seshacharyulu, Parthasarathy; Ponnusamy, Moorthy P.; Rachagani, Satyanarayana; Lakshmanan, Imayavaramban; Haridas, Dhanya; Yan, Ying; Ganti, Apar K.; Batra, Surinder K.

    2015-01-01

    Transmembrane proteins MUC4, EGFR and HER2 are shown to be critical in invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Besides, we and others have demonstrated de novo expression of MUC4 in ~70-90% of pancreatic cancer patients and its stabilizing effects on HER2 downstream signaling in pancreatic cancer. Here, we found that use of canertinib or afatinib resulted in reduction of MUC4 and abrogation of in vitro and in vivo oncogenic functions of MUC4 in pancreatic cancer cells. Notably, silencing of EGFR family member in pancreatic cancer cells decreased MUC4 expression through reduced phospho-STAT1. Furthermore, canertinib and afatinib treatment also inhibited proliferation, migration and survival of pancreatic cancer cells by attenuation of signaling events including pERK1/2 (T202/Y204), cyclin D1, cyclin A, pFAK (Y925) and pAKT (Ser473). Using in vivo bioluminescent imaging, we demonstrated that canertinib treatment significantly reduced tumor burden (P=0.0164) and metastasis to various organs. Further, reduced expression of MUC4 and EGFR family members were confirmed in xenografts. Our results for the first time demonstrated the targeting of EGFR family members along with MUC4 by using pan-EGFR inhibitors. In conclusion, our studies will enhance the translational acquaintance of pan-EGFR inhibitors for combinational therapies to combat against lethal pancreatic cancer. PMID:25686822

  4. Targeting EGF-receptor(s) - STAT1 axis attenuates tumor growth and metastasis through downregulation of MUC4 mucin in human pancreatic cancer.

    PubMed

    Seshacharyulu, Parthasarathy; Ponnusamy, Moorthy P; Rachagani, Satyanarayana; Lakshmanan, Imayavaramban; Haridas, Dhanya; Yan, Ying; Ganti, Apar K; Batra, Surinder K

    2015-03-10

    Transmembrane proteins MUC4, EGFR and HER2 are shown to be critical in invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Besides, we and others have demonstrated de novo expression of MUC4 in ~70-90% of pancreatic cancer patients and its stabilizing effects on HER2 downstream signaling in pancreatic cancer. Here, we found that use of canertinib or afatinib resulted in reduction of MUC4 and abrogation of in vitro and in vivo oncogenic functions of MUC4 in pancreatic cancer cells. Notably, silencing of EGFR family member in pancreatic cancer cells decreased MUC4 expression through reduced phospho-STAT1. Furthermore, canertinib and afatinib treatment also inhibited proliferation, migration and survival of pancreatic cancer cells by attenuation of signaling events including pERK1/2 (T202/Y204), cyclin D1, cyclin A, pFAK (Y925) and pAKT (Ser473). Using in vivo bioluminescent imaging, we demonstrated that canertinib treatment significantly reduced tumor burden (P=0.0164) and metastasis to various organs. Further, reduced expression of MUC4 and EGFR family members were confirmed in xenografts. Our results for the first time demonstrated the targeting of EGFR family members along with MUC4 by using pan-EGFR inhibitors. In conclusion, our studies will enhance the translational acquaintance of pan-EGFR inhibitors for combinational therapies to combat against lethal pancreatic cancer.

  5. Differential action of small molecule HER kinase inhibitors on receptor heterodimerization: therapeutic implications.

    PubMed

    Sánchez-Martín, M; Pandiella, A

    2012-07-01

    Deregulation of ErbB/HER receptor tyrosine kinases has been linked to several types of cancer. The mechanism of activation of these receptors includes establishment of receptor dimers. Here, we have analyzed the action of different small molecule HER tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on HER receptor dimerization. Breast cancer cell lines were treated with distinct TKIs and the formation of HER2-HER3 dimers was analyzed by coimmunoprecipitation and western blot or by Förster resonance energy transfer assays. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity was analyzed by measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase and cell viability. Lapatinib and neratinib interfered with ligand-induced dimerization of HER receptors; while pelitinib, gefitinib, canertinib or erlotinib did not. Moreover, lapatinib and neratinib were able to disrupt previously formed receptor dimers. Structural analyses allowed the elucidation of the mechanism by which some TKIs prevent the formation of HER receptor dimers, while others do not. Experiments aimed at defining the functional importance of dimerization indicated that TKIs that impeded dimerization prevented down-regulation of HER2 receptors, and favored the action of trastuzumab. We postulate that TKIs that prevent dimerization and down-regulation of HER2 may augment the antitumoral action of trastuzumab, and this mechanism of action should be considered in the treatment of HER2 positive tumors which combine TKIs with antireceptor antibodies. Copyright © 2011 UICC.

  6. Histone deacetylase inhibitors augment doxorubicin-induced DNA damage in cardiomyocytes.

    PubMed

    Ververis, Katherine; Rodd, Annabelle L; Tang, Michelle M; El-Osta, Assam; Karagiannis, Tom C

    2011-12-01

    Histone deacetylase inhibitors have emerged as a new class of anticancer therapeutics with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (Vorinostat) and depsipeptide (Romidepsin) already being approved for clinical use. Numerous studies have identified that histone deacetylase inhibitors will be most effective in the clinic when used in combination with conventional cancer therapies such as ionizing radiation and chemotherapeutic agents. One promising combination, particularly for hematologic malignancies, involves the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors with the anthracycline, doxorubicin. However, we previously identified that trichostatin A can potentiate doxorubicin-induced hypertrophy, the dose-limiting side-effect of the anthracycline, in cardiac myocytes. Here we have the extended the earlier studies and evaluated the effects of combinations of the histone deacetylase inhibitors, trichostatin A, valproic acid and sodium butyrate on doxorubicin-induced DNA double-strand breaks in cardiomyocytes. Using γH2AX as a molecular marker for the DNA lesions, we identified that all of the broad-spectrum histone deacetylase inhibitors tested augment doxorubicin-induced DNA damage. Furthermore, it is evident from the fluorescence photomicrographs of stained nuclei that the histone deacetylase inhibitors also augment doxorubicin-induced hypertrophy. These observations highlight the importance of investigating potential side-effects, in relevant model systems, which may be associated with emerging combination therapies for cancer.

  7. Effect of neutral endopeptidase inhibitor on bradykinin-induced bronchoconstriction.

    PubMed

    Kamijo, Y; Hayashi, I; Soma, K; Ohwada, T; Majima, M

    2001-11-21

    To evaluate whether neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors have adverse respiratory effects, the influence of a NEP inhibitor on bradykinin (BK)-induced bronchoconstriction was investigated. In anesthetized and artificially ventilated guinea pigs, changes in airway opening pressure (Pao) were measured as an index of bronchoconstriction. An infusion of phosphoramidon (3 mg kg(-1) h(-1)), a NEP inhibitor, significantly enhanced the bronchoconstriction induced by high-dose BK (30 nmol kg(-1), i.v.). Capsaicin (0.1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) and SR48968 (0.3 mg kg(-1), i.v.), an NK2 receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the phosphoramidon-induced enhancement of BK-induced bronchoconstriction, although FK888 (3 mg kg(-1), i.v.), an NK1 receptor antagonist, did not. Both neurokinin A (NKA) (0.1-3 nmol kg(-1), i.v.) and substance P (SP) (0.1-3 nmol kg(-1), i.v.) induced dose-dependent bronchoconstriction which was enhanced by phosphoramidon infusion, although these enhancements were more prominent in the NKA series. Phosphoramidon partially inhibited BK degradation in lung homogenate, and both NKA and SP degradation in the lung homogenate were significantly suppressed by phosphoramidon. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), levels of NKA and SP were significantly elevated after a bolus of BK with a phosphoramidon infusion. These results suggest that NEP inhibitors may have adverse respiratory effects resulting from inhibition of the degradation of neurokinins, but mainly of NKA, when a large amount of BK is generated.

  8. Arsenic toxicity induced endothelial dysfunction and dementia: Pharmacological interdiction by histone deacetylase and inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sharma, Bhupesh, E-mail: drbhupeshresearch@gmail.com; Sharma, P.M.

    Arsenic toxicity has been reported to damage all the major organs including the brain and vasculature. Dementia including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are posing greater risk to the world population as it is now increasing at a faster rate. We have investigated the role of sodium butyrate, a selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and aminoguanidine, a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor in pharmacological interdiction of arsenic toxicity induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and dementia in rats. Arsenic toxicity was done by administering arsenic drinking water to rats. Morris water-maze (MWM) test was used for assessment ofmore » learning and memory. Endothelial function was assessed using student physiograph. Oxidative stress (aortic superoxide anion, serum and brain thiobarbituric acid reactive species, brain glutathione) and nitric oxide levels (serum nitrite/nitrate) were also measured. Arsenic treated rats have shown impairment of endothelial function, learning and memory, reduction in serum nitrite/nitrate and brain GSH levels along with increase in serum and brain TBARS. Sodium butyrate as well as aminoguanidine significantly convalesce arsenic induced impairment of learning, memory, endothelial function, and alterations in various biochemical parameters. It may be concluded that arsenic induces endothelial dysfunction and dementia, whereas, sodium butyrate, a HDAC inhibitor as well as aminoguanidine, a selective iNOS inhibitor may be considered as potential agents for the management of arsenic induced endothelial dysfunction and dementia. - Highlights: • As has induced endothelial dysfunction (Edf) and vascular dementia (VaD). • As has increased oxidative stress, AChE activity and decreased serum NO. • Inhibitors of HDAC and iNOS have attenuated As induced Edf and VaD. • Both the inhibitors have attenuated As induced biochemical changes. • Inhibitor of HDAC and iNOS has shown good

  9. Ketones prevent synaptic dysfunction induced by mitochondrial respiratory complex inhibitors

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Do Young; Vallejo, Johana; Rho, Jong M

    2010-01-01

    Abstract Ketones have previously shown beneficial effects in models of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly against associated mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive impairment. However, evidence of a synaptic protective effect of ketones remains lacking. We tested the effects of ketones on synaptic impairment induced by mitochondrial respiratory complex (MRC) inhibitors using electrophysiological, reactive oxygen species (ROS) imaging and biochemical techniques. MRC inhibitors dose-dependently suppressed both population spike (PS) and field potential amplitudes in the CA1 hippocampus. Pre-treatment with ketones strongly prevented changes in the PS, whereas partial protection was seen in the field potential. Rotenone (Rot; 100 nmol/L), a MRC I inhibitor, suppressed synaptic function without altering ROS levels and PS depression by Rot was unaffected by antioxidants. In contrast, antioxidant-induced PS recovery against the MRC II inhibitor 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP; 1 mmol/L) was similar to the synaptic protective effects of ketones. Ketones also suppressed ROS generation induced by 3-NP. Finally, ketones reversed the decreases in ATP levels caused by Rot and 3-NP. In summary, our data demonstrate that ketones can preserve synaptic function in CA1 hippocampus induced by MRC dysfunction, likely through an antioxidant action and enhanced ATP generation. PMID:20374433

  10. Activating PTEN by COX-2 inhibitors antagonizes radiation-induced AKT activation contributing to radiosensitization

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Meng, Zhen; Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, 22 Zhongguancun Avenue South, Haidian District, Beijing 100081; Gan, Ye-Hua, E-mail: kqyehuagan@bjmu.edu.cn

    2015-05-01

    Radiotherapy is still one of the most effective nonsurgical treatments for many tumors. However, radioresistance remains a major impediment to radiotherapy. Although COX-2 inhibitors can induce radiosensitization, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we showed that COX-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib enhanced the radiation-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis in HeLa and SACC-83 cells. Treatment with celecoxib alone dephosphorylated phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), promoted PTEN membrane translocation or activation, and correspondingly dephosphorylated or inactivated protein kinase B (AKT). By contrast, treatment with radiation alone increased PTEN phosphorylation, inhibited PTEN membrane translocationmore » and correspondingly activated AKT in the two cell lines. However, treatment with celecoxib or another COX-2 selective inhibitor (valdecoxib) completely blocked radiation-induced increase of PTEN phosphorylation, rescued radiation-induced decrease in PTEN membrane translocation, and correspondingly inactivated AKT. Moreover, celecoxib could also upregulate PTEN protein expression by downregulating Sp1 expression, thereby leading to the activation of PTEN transcription. Our results suggested that COX-2 inhibitors could enhance radiosensitization at least partially by activating PTEN to antagonize radiation-induced AKT activation. - Highlights: • COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, could enhance radiosensitization. • Radiation induced PTEN inactivation (phosphorylation) and AKT activation. • COX-2 inhibitor induced PTEN expression and activation, and inactivated AKT. • COX-2 inhibitor enhanced radiosensitization through activating PTEN.« less

  11. Differential protein acetylation induced by novel histone deacetylase inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Glaser, K B; Li, J; Pease, L J; Staver, M J; Marcotte, P A; Guo, J; Frey, R R; Garland, R B; Heyman, H R; Wada, C K; Vasudevan, A; Michaelides, M R; Davidsen, S K; Curtin, M L

    2004-12-17

    Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors induce the hyperacetylation of nucleosomal histones in carcinoma cells resulting in the expression of repressed genes that cause growth arrest, terminal differentiation, and/or apoptosis. In vitro selectivity of several novel hydroxamate HDAC inhibitors including succinimide macrocyclic hydroxamates and the non-hydroxamate alpha-ketoamide inhibitors was investigated using isolated enzyme preparations and cellular assays. In vitro selectivity for the HDAC isozymes (HDAC1/2, 3, 4/3, and 6) was not observed for these HDAC inhibitors or the reference HDAC inhibitors, MS-275 and SAHA. In T24 and HCT116 cells these compounds caused the accumulation of acetylated histones H3 and H4; however, the succinimide macrocyclic hydroxamates and the alpha-ketoamides did not cause the accumulation of acetylated alpha-tubulin. These data suggest "selectivity" can be observed at the cellular level with HDAC inhibitors and that the nature of the zinc-chelating moiety is an important determinant of activity against tubulin deacetylase.

  12. nNOS inhibitors attenuate methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity but not hyperthermia in mice.

    PubMed

    Itzhak, Y; Martin, J L; Ail, S F

    2000-09-11

    Methamphetamine (METH)-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity is associated with hyperthermia. We investigated the effect of several neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitors on METH-induced hyperthermia and striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Administration of METH (5 mg/kg; q. 3 h x 3) to Swiss Webster mice produced marked hyperthermia and 50-60% depletion of striatal dopaminergic markers 72 h after METH administration. Pretreatment with the nNOS inhibitors S-methylthiocitrulline (SMTC; 10 mg/kg) or 3-bromo-7-nitroindazole (3-Br-7-NI; 20 mg/kg) before each METH injection did not affect the persistent hyperthermia produced by METH, but afforded protection against the depletion of dopaminergic markers. A low dose (25 mg/kg) of the nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) did not affect METH-induced hyperthermia, but a high dose (50 mg/kg) produced significant hypothermia. These findings indicate that low dose of selective nNOS inhibitors protect against METH-induced neurotoxicity with no effect on body temperature and support the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite have a major role in METH-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity.

  13. Combination of proteasome and class I HDAC inhibitors induces apoptosis of NPC cells through an HDAC6-independent ER stress-induced mechanism.

    PubMed

    Hui, Kwai Fung; Chiang, Alan K S

    2014-12-15

    The current paradigm stipulates that inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) 6 is essential for the combinatorial effect of proteasome and HDAC inhibitors for the treatment of cancers. Our study aims to investigate the effect of combining different class I HDAC inhibitors (without HDAC6 action) with a proteasome inhibitor on apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We found that combination of a proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, and several class I HDAC inhibitors, including MS-275, apicidin and romidepsin, potently induced killing of NPC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Among the drug pairs, combination of bortezomib and romidepsin (bort/romidepsin) was the most potent and could induce apoptosis at low nanomolar concentrations. The apoptosis of NPC cells was reactive oxygen species (ROS)- and caspase-dependent but was independent of HDAC6 inhibition. Of note, bort/romidepsin might directly suppress the formation of aggresome through the downregulation of c-myc. In addition, two markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis, ATF-4 and CHOP/GADD153, were upregulated, whereas a specific inhibitor of caspase-4 (an initiator of ER stress-induced apoptosis) could suppress the apoptosis. When ROS level in the NPC cells was reduced to the untreated level, ER stress-induced caspase activation was abrogated. Collectively, our data demonstrate a model of synergism between proteasome and class I HDAC inhibitors in the induction of ROS-dependent ER stress-induced apoptosis of NPC cells, independent of HDAC6 inhibition, and provide the rationale to combine the more specific and potent class I HDAC inhibitors with proteasome inhibitors for the treatment of cancers. © 2014 UICC.

  14. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Adolescents: A Review.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Scharko, Alexander M.

    2004-01-01

    Objective: To review the existing literature on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-induced sexual dysfunction in adolescents. Method: A literature review of SSRI-induced adverse effects in adolescents focusing on sexual dysfunction was done. Nonsexual SSRI-induced adverse effects were compared in adult and pediatric populations.…

  15. Epithelial tissue hyperplasia induced by the RAF inhibitor PF-04880594 is attenuated by a clinically well-tolerated dose of the MEK inhibitor PD-0325901.

    PubMed

    Torti, Vince R; Wojciechowicz, Donald; Hu, Wenyue; John-Baptiste, Annette; Evering, Winston; Troche, Gabriel; Marroquin, Lisa D; Smeal, Tod; Yamazaki, Shinji; Palmer, Cynthia L; Burns-Naas, Leigh Ann; Bagrodia, Shubha

    2012-10-01

    Clinical trials of selective RAF inhibitors in patients with melanoma tumors harboring activated BRAFV600E have produced very promising results, and a RAF inhibitor has been approved for treatment of advanced melanoma. However, about a third of patients developed resectable skin tumors during the course of trials. This is likely related to observations that RAF inhibitors activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, stimulate proliferation, and induce epithelial hyperplasia in preclinical models. Because these findings raise safety concerns about RAF inhibitor development, we further investigated the underlying mechanisms. We showed that the RAF inhibitor PF-04880594 induces ERK phosphorylation and RAF dimerization in those epithelial tissues that undergo hyperplasia. Hyperplasia and ERK hyperphosphorylation are prevented by treatment with the mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD-0325901 at exposures that extrapolate to clinically well-tolerated doses. To facilitate mechanistic and toxicologic studies, we developed a three-dimensional cell culture model of epithelial layering that recapitulated the RAF inhibitor-induced hyperplasia and reversal by MEK inhibitor in vitro. We also showed that PF-04880594 stimulates production of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 in HL-60 cells, suggesting a possible mechanism for the skin flushing observed in dogs. The complete inhibition of hyperplasia by MEK inhibitor in epithelial tissues does not seem to reduce RAF inhibitor efficacy and, in fact, allows doubling of the PF-04880594 dose without toxicity usually associated with such doses. These findings indicated that combination treatment with MEK inhibitors might greatly increase the safety and therapeutic index of RAF inhibitors for the treatment of melanoma and other cancers. ©2012 AACR.

  16. Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A determines bortezomib-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Chun-Yu; Shiau, Chung-Wai; Kuo, Hsin-Yu; Huang, Hsiang-Po; Chen, Ming-Huang; Tzeng, Cheng-Hwai; Chen, Kuen-Feng

    2013-01-01

    The multiple cellular targets affected by proteasome inhibition implicate a potential role for bortezomib, a first-in-class proteasome inhibitor, in enhancing antitumor activities in hematologic malignancies. Here, we examined the antitumor activity and drug targets of bortezomib in leukemia cells. Human leukemia cell lines were used for in vitro studies. Drug efficacy was evaluated by apoptosis assays and associated molecular events assessed by Western Blot. Gene silencing was performed by small interference RNA. Drug was tested in vivo in xenograft models of human leukemia cell lines and in primary leukemia cells. Clinical samples were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Bortezomib differentially induced apoptosis in leukemia cells that was independent of its proteasome inhibition. Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A, a cellular inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A, mediated the apoptotic effect of bortezomib. Bortezomib increased protein phosphatase 2A activity in sensitive leukemia cells (HL-60 and KG-1), but not in resistant cells (MOLT-3 and K562). Bortezomib’s downregulation of cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A and phospho-Akt correlated with its drug sensitivity. Furthermore, cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A negatively regulated protein phosphatase 2A activity. Ectopic expression of CIP2A up-regulated phospho-Akt and protected HL-60 cells from bortezomib-induced apoptosis, whereas silencing CIP2A overcame the resistance to bortezomib-induced apoptosis in MOLT3 and K562 cells. Importantly, bortezomib exerted in vivo antitumor activity in HL-60 xenografted tumors and induced cell death in some primary leukemic cells. Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A was expressed in leukemic blasts from bone marrow samples. Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A plays a major role in mediating bortezomib-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells. PMID:22983581

  17. Impact of the putative cancer stem cell markers and growth factor receptor expression on the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to treatment with various forms of small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors and cytotoxic drugs.

    PubMed

    Puvanenthiran, Soozana; Essapen, Sharadah; Seddon, Alan M; Modjtahedi, Helmout

    2016-11-01

    Increased expression and activation of human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER-2 have been reported in numerous cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of a large panel of human ovarian cancer cell lines (OCCLs) to treatment with various forms of small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and cytotoxic drugs. The aim was to see if there was any association between the protein expression of various biomarkers including three putative ovarian cancer stem cell (CSC) markers (CD24, CD44, CD117/c-Kit), P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and HER family members and response to treatment with these agents. The sensitivity of 10 ovarian tumour cell lines to the treatment with various forms of HER TKIs (gefitinib, erlotinib, lapatinib, sapitinib, afatinib, canertinib, neratinib), as well as other TKIs (dasatinib, imatinib, NVP-AEW541, crizotinib) and cytotoxic agents (paclitaxel, cisplatin and doxorubicin), as single agents or in combination, was determined by SRB assay. The effect on these agents on the cell cycle distribution, and downstream signaling molecules and tumour migration were determined using flow cytometry, western blotting, and the IncuCyte Clear View cell migration assay respectively. Of the HER inhibitors, the irreversible pan-TKIs (canertinib, neratinib and afatinib) were the most effective TKIs for inhibiting the growth of all ovarian cancer cells, and for blocking the phosphorylation of EGFR, HER-2, AKT and MAPK in SKOV3 cells. Interestingly, while the majority of cancer cells were highly sensitive to treatment with dasatinib, they were relatively resistant to treatment with imatinib (i.e., IC50 >10 µM). Of the cytotoxic agents, paclitaxel was the most effective for inhibiting the growth of OCCLs, and of various combinations of these drugs, only treatment with a combination of NVP-AEW541 and paclitaxel produced a synergistic or additive anti-proliferative effect in all three cell lines examined (i.e., SKOV3, Caov3, ES2

  18. Small molecule inhibitors block Gas6-inducible TAM activation and tumorigenicity.

    PubMed

    Kimani, Stanley G; Kumar, Sushil; Bansal, Nitu; Singh, Kamalendra; Kholodovych, Vladyslav; Comollo, Thomas; Peng, Youyi; Kotenko, Sergei V; Sarafianos, Stefan G; Bertino, Joseph R; Welsh, William J; Birge, Raymond B

    2017-03-08

    TAM receptors (Tyro-3, Axl, and Mertk) are a family of three homologous type I receptor tyrosine kinases that are implicated in several human malignancies. Overexpression of TAMs and their major ligand Growth arrest-specific factor 6 (Gas6) is associated with more aggressive staging of cancers, poorer predicted patient survival, acquired drug resistance and metastasis. Here we describe small molecule inhibitors (RU-301 and RU-302) that target the extracellular domain of Axl at the interface of the Ig-1 ectodomain of Axl and the Lg-1 of Gas6. These inhibitors effectively block Gas6-inducible Axl receptor activation with low micromolar IC 50s in cell-based reporter assays, inhibit Gas6-inducible motility in Axl-expressing cell lines, and suppress H1299 lung cancer tumor growth in a mouse xenograft NOD-SCIDγ model. Furthermore, using homology models and biochemical verifications, we show that RU301 and 302 also inhibit Gas6 inducible activation of Mertk and Tyro3 suggesting they can act as pan-TAM inhibitors that block the interface between the TAM Ig1 ectodomain and the Gas6 Lg domain. Together, these observations establish that small molecules that bind to the interface between TAM Ig1 domain and Gas6 Lg1 domain can inhibit TAM activation, and support the further development of small molecule Gas6-TAM interaction inhibitors as a novel class of cancer therapeutics.

  19. Novel multi-targeted ErbB family inhibitor afatinib blocks EGF-induced signaling and induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma.

    PubMed

    Mao, Xinfang; Chen, Zhenghu; Zhao, Yanling; Yu, Yang; Guan, Shan; Woodfield, Sarah E; Vasudevan, Sanjeev A; Tao, Ling; Pang, Jonathan C; Lu, Jiaxiong; Zhang, Huiyuan; Zhang, Fuchun; Yang, Jianhua

    2017-01-03

    Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. The ErbB family of proteins is a group of receptor tyrosine kinases that promote the progression of various malignant cancers including neuroblastoma. Thus, targeting them with small molecule inhibitors is a promising strategy for neuroblastoma therapy. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of afatinib, an irreversible inhibitor of members of the ErbB family, on neuroblastoma. We found that afatinib suppressed the proliferation and colony formation ability of neuroblastoma cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Afatinib also induced apoptosis and blocked EGF-induced activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in all neuroblastoma cell lines tested. In addition, afatinib enhanced doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells, including the chemoresistant LA-N-6 cell line. Finally, afatinib exhibited antitumor efficacy in vivo by inducing apoptosis in an orthotopic xenograft neuroblastoma mouse model. Taken together, these results show that afatinib inhibits neuroblastoma growth both in vitro and in vivo by suppressing EGFR-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Our study supports the idea that EGFR is a potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma. And targeting ErbB family protein kinases with small molecule inhibitors like afatinib alone or in combination with doxorubicin is a viable option for treating neuroblastoma.

  20. The PDE4 inhibitor CHF-6001 and LAMAs inhibit bronchoconstriction-induced remodeling in lung slices.

    PubMed

    Kistemaker, Loes E M; Oenema, Tjitske A; Baarsma, Hoeke A; Bos, I Sophie T; Schmidt, Martina; Facchinetti, Fabrizio; Civelli, Maurizio; Villetti, Gino; Gosens, Reinoud

    2017-09-01

    Combination therapy of PDE4 inhibitors and anticholinergics induces bronchoprotection in COPD. Mechanical forces that arise during bronchoconstriction may contribute to airway remodeling. Therefore, we investigated the impact of PDE4 inhibitors and anticholinergics on bronchoconstriction-induced remodeling. Because of the different mechanism of action of PDE4 inhibitors and anticholinergics, we hypothesized functional interactions of these two drug classes. Guinea pig precision-cut lung slices were preincubated with the PDE4 inhibitors CHF-6001 or roflumilast and/or the anticholinergics tiotropium or glycopyorrolate, followed by stimulation with methacholine (10 μM) or TGF-β 1 (2 ng/ml) for 48 h. The inhibitory effects on airway smooth muscle remodeling, airway contraction, and TGF-β release were investigated. Methacholine-induced protein expression of smooth muscle-myosin was fully inhibited by CHF-6001 (0.3-100 nM), whereas roflumilast (1 µM) had smaller effects. Tiotropium and glycopyrrolate fully inhibited methacholine-induced airway remodeling (0.1-30 nM). The combination of CHF-6001 and tiotropium or glycopyrrolate, in concentrations partially effective by themselves, fully inhibited methacholine-induced remodeling in combination. CHF-6001 did not affect airway closure and had limited effects on TGF-β 1 -induced remodeling, but rather, it inhibited methacholine-induced TGF-β release. The PDE4 inhibitor CHF-6001, and to a lesser extent roflumilast, and the LAMAs tiotropium and glycopyrrolate inhibit bronchoconstriction-induced remodeling. The combination of CHF-6001 and anticholinergics was more effective than the individual compounds. This cooperativity might be explained by the distinct mechanisms of action inhibiting TGF-β release and bronchoconstriction. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

  1. Musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors: a review of the literature.

    PubMed

    Benfaremo, Devis; Manfredi, Lucia; Luchetti, Michele Maria; Gabrielli, Armando

    2018-05-08

    Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a new promising class of antitumor drugs that have been associated to a number of immune-related adverse events (AEs), including musculoskeletal and rheumatic disease. We searched Medline reviewing reports of musculoskeletal and rheumatic AEs induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors. Several musculoskeletal and rheumatic AEs associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors treatment are reported in literature. In particular, arthralgia and myalgia were the most common reported AEs, whereas the prevalence of arthritis, myositis and vasculitis is less characterized and mainly reported in case series and case reports. Other occasionally described AEs are sicca syndrome, polymyalgia rheumatica, systemic lupus erythematosus and sarcoidosis. Newly induced musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases are a frequent adverse event associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors treatment. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

  2. Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor attenuates cochlear lateral wall damage induced by intratympanic instillation of endotoxin.

    PubMed

    Choi, Cheol Hee; Jang, Chul Ho; Cho, Yong Bum; Jo, Si Young; Kim, Min Young; Park, Byung Young

    2012-04-01

    Oxytetracycline and ilomastat are inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Their efficacy in protecting against cochlear damage induced by the intratympanic instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as a means of inducing labyrinthitis, was investigated. Experiments were performed in 21 young male guinea pigs. Intratympanic instillation of LPS was done in the control group (n=7). Intratympanic instillation of oxytetracycline or ilomastat was done after LPS instillation in the experimental group. Measurements of auditory brainstem response (ABR) and cochlear blood flow (CBF) were performed. The organ of Corti was evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB) integrity was evaluated with Evans blue uptake. Gelatin zymography was used to assess the expression of active MMP-2 and MMP-9. Ears treated with MMP inhibitors were significantly protected from hearing loss compared to the LPS group. In LPS group, there was a significant decrease of CBF. However, experimental group displayed a statistically significant recovery of CBF. FE-SEM revealed hair cell damage in the LPS-treated group, but hair cells presented a normal appearance in MMP inhibitors. The LPS group showed a marked increase of Evans blue extravasation in the cochlea. However, MMP inhibitors significantly reduced the BLB opening. Active MMP-9 was expressed in the LPS group. Treatment with MMP inhibitors attenuated active MMP-9 expression. The MMP inhibitors oxytetracycline and ilomastat protect from cochlear lateral wall damage caused by LPS-induced labyrinthitis. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Enhancement of ATRA-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells with LOX/COX inhibitors: an expression profiling study.

    PubMed

    Chlapek, Petr; Redova, Martina; Zitterbart, Karel; Hermanova, Marketa; Sterba, Jaroslav; Veselska, Renata

    2010-05-11

    We performed expression profiling of two neuroblastoma cell lines, SK-N-BE(2) and SH-SY5Y, after combined treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and inhibitors of lipoxygenases (LOX) and cyclooxygenases (COX). This study is a continuation of our previous work confirming the possibility of enhancing ATRA-induced cell differentiation in these cell lines by the application of LOX/COX inhibitors and brings more detailed information concerning the mechanisms of the enhancement of ATRA-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. Caffeic acid, as an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, and celecoxib, as an inhibitor on cyclooxygenase-2, were used in this study. Expression profiling was performed using Human Cancer Oligo GEArray membranes that cover 440 cancer-related genes. Cluster analyses of the changes in gene expression showed the concentration-dependent increase in genes known to be involved in the process of retinoid-induced neuronal differentiation, especially in cytoskeleton remodeling. These changes were detected in both cell lines, and they were independent of the type of specific inhibitors, suggesting a common mechanism of ATRA-induced differentiation enhancement. Furthermore, we also found overexpression of some genes in the same cell line (SK-N-BE(2) or SH-SY5Y) after combined treatment with both ATRA and CA, or ATRA and CX. Finally, we also detected that gene expression was changed after treatment with the same inhibitor (CA or CX) in combination with ATRA in both cell lines. Obtained results confirmed our initial hypothesis of the common mechanism of enhancement in ATRA-induced cell differentiation via inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolic pathway.

  4. BaxΔ2 sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to proteasome inhibitor-induced cell death

    PubMed Central

    Mañas, Adriana; Chen, Wenjing; Nelson, Adam; Yao, Qi; Xiang, Jialing

    2018-01-01

    Proteasome inhibitors, such as bortezomib and carfilzomib, are FDA approved for the treatment of hemopoietic cancers, but recent studies have shown their great potential for treatment of solid tumors. BaxΔ2, a unique proapoptotic Bax isoform, promotes non-mitochondrial cell death and sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy. However, endogenous BaxΔ2 proteins are unstable and susceptible to proteasomal degradation. Here, we screened a panel of proteasome inhibitors in colorectal cancer cells with different Bax statuses. We found that all proteasome inhibitors tested were able to block BaxΔ2 degradation without affecting the level of Baxα or Bcl-2 proteins. Among the inhibitors tested, only bortezomib and carfilzomib were able to induce differential cell death corresponding to the distinct Bax statuses. BaxΔ2-positive cells had a significantly higher level of cell death at low nanomolar concentrations than Baxα-positive or Bax-negative cells. Furthermore, bortezomib-induced cell death in BaxΔ2-positive cells was predominantly dependent on the caspase 8/3 pathway, consistent with our previous studies. These results imply that BaxΔ2 can selectively sensitize cancer cells to proteasome inhibitors, enhancing their potential to treat colon cancer and other solid tumors. PMID:29291406

  5. A novel role for the apoptosis inhibitor ARC in suppressing TNFα-induced regulated necrosis

    PubMed Central

    Kung, G; Dai, P; Deng, L; Kitsis, R N

    2014-01-01

    TNFα signaling can promote apoptosis or a regulated form of necrosis. ARC (apoptosis repressor with CARD (caspase recruitment domain)) is an endogenous inhibitor of apoptosis that antagonizes both the extrinsic (death receptor) and intrinsic (mitochondrial/ER) apoptosis pathways. We discovered that ARC blocks not only apoptosis but also necrosis. TNFα-induced necrosis was abrogated by overexpression of wild-type ARC but not by a CARD mutant that is also defective for inhibition of apoptosis. Conversely, knockdown of ARC exacerbated TNFα-induced necrosis, an effect that was rescued by reconstitution with wild-type, but not CARD-defective, ARC. Similarly, depletion of ARC in vivo exacerbated necrosis caused by infection with vaccinia virus, which elicits severe tissue damage through this pathway, and sensitized mice to TNFα-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The mechanism underlying these effects is an interaction of ARC with TNF receptor 1 that interferes with recruitment of RIP1, a critical mediator of TNFα-induced regulated necrosis. These findings extend the role of ARC from an apoptosis inhibitor to a regulator of the TNFα pathway and an inhibitor of TNFα-mediated regulated necrosis. PMID:24440909

  6. Stress inducible proteinase inhibitor diversity in Capsicum annuum

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Wound-inducible Pin-II Proteinase inhibitors (PIs) are one of the important plant serine PIs which have been studied extensively for their structural and functional diversity and relevance in plant defense against insect pests. To explore the functional specialization of an array of Capsicum annuum (L.) proteinase inhibitor (CanPIs) genes, we studied their expression, processing and tissue-specific distribution under steady-state and induced conditions. Inductions were performed by subjecting C. annuum leaves to various treatments, namely aphid infestation or mechanical wounding followed by treatment with either oral secretion (OS) of Helicoverpa armigera or water. Results The elicitation treatments regulated the accumulation of CanPIs corresponding to 4-, 3-, and 2-inhibitory repeat domains (IRDs). Fourty seven different CanPI genes composed of 28 unique IRDs were identified in total along with those reported earlier. The CanPI gene pool either from uninduced or induced leaves was dominated by 3-IRD PIs and trypsin inhibitory domains. Also a major contribution by 4-IRD CanPI genes possessing trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor domains was specifically revealed in wounded leaves treated with OS. Wounding displayed the highest number of unique CanPIs while wounding with OS treatment resulted in the high accumulation of specifically CanPI-4, -7 and −10. Characterization of the PI protein activity through two dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed tissue and induction specific patterns. Consistent with transcript abundance, wound plus OS or water treated C. annuum leaves exhibited significantly higher PI activity and isoform diversity contributed by 3- and 4-IRD CanPIs. CanPI accumulation and activity was weakly elicited by aphid infestation yet resulted in the higher expression of CanPI-26, -41 and −43. Conclusions Plants can differentially perceive various kinds of insect attacks and respond appropriately through activating plant defenses including

  7. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril maleate) accelerates recovery of mouse skin from UVB-induced wrinkles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Matsuura-Hachiya, Yuko; Arai, Koji Y.; Ozeki, Rieko

    Highlights: •Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) increases in UVB-irradiated skin. •Administration of an ACE inhibitor improved UVB-induced skin wrinkle. •ACE inhibitor improved UVB-induced epidermal hypertrophy. •ACE inhibitor improved transepidermal water loss in the UVB-irradiated skin. -- Abstract: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and angiotensin II signaling regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue remodeling, as well as blood pressure, while in skin, angiotensin II signaling is involved in wound healing, inflammation, and pathological scar formation. Therefore, we hypothesized that angiotensin II is also involved in photoaging of skin. In this study, we examined the effect of enalapril maleate, an ACE inhibitor, on recoverymore » of wrinkled skin of hairless mice exposed to long-term UVB irradiation. Immunohistochemical observation revealed that expression of ACE, angiotensin II, and angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors in the skin was increased after UVB irradiation (3 times/week at increasing intensities for 8 weeks). Administration of enalapril maleate (5 times/week for 6 weeks, starting 1 week after 10-week irradiation) accelerated recovery from UVB-induced wrinkles, epidermal hyperplasia and epidermal barrier dysfunction, as compared with the vehicle control. Our results indicate that ACE and angiotensin II activity are involved in skin photoaging, and suggest that ACE inhibitor such as enalapril maleate may have potential for improvement of photoaged skin.« less

  8. Histone deacetylase inhibitor treatment induces ‘BRCAness’ and synergistic lethality with PARP inhibitor and cisplatin against human triple negative breast cancer cells

    PubMed Central

    Ha, Kyungsoo; Bhaskara, Srividya; Cerchietti, Leandro; Devaraj, Santhana G. T.; Shah, Bhavin; Sharma, Sunil; Chang, Jenny C.; Melnick, Ari M.; Hiebert, Scott; Bhalla, Kapil N.

    2014-01-01

    There is an unmet need to develop new, more effective and safe therapies for the aggressive forms of triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs). While up to 20% of women under 50 years of age with TNBC harbor germline mutations in BRCA1, and these tumors are sensitive to treatment with poly(ADP) ribose polymerase inhibitors, a majority of TNBCs lack BRCA1 mutations or loss of expression. Findings presented here demonstrate that by attenuating the levels of DNA damage response and homologous recombination proteins, pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDI) treatment induces ‘BRCAness’ and sensitizes TNBC cells lacking BRCA1 to lethal effects of PARP inhibitor or cisplatin. Treatment with HDI also induced hyperacetylation of nuclear hsp90. Similar effects were observed following shRNA-mediated depletion of HDAC3, confirming its role as the deacetylase for nuclear HSP90. Furthermore, cotreatment with HDI and ABT-888 induced significantly more DNA strand breaks than either agent alone, and synergistically induced apoptosis of TNBC cells. Notably, co-treatment with HDI and ABT-888 significantly reduced in vivo tumor growth and markedly improved the survival of mice bearing TNBC cell xenografts. These findings support the rationale to interrogate the clinical activity of this novel combination against human TNBC, irrespective of its expression of mutant BRCA1. PMID:25026298

  9. Butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors ameliorate cognitive dysfunction induced by amyloid-β peptide in mice

    PubMed Central

    Furukawa-Hibi, Yoko; Alkam, Tursun; Nitta, Atsumi; Matsuyama, Akihiro; Mizoguchi, Hiroyuki; Suzuki, Kazuhiko; Moussaoui, Saliha; Yu, Qian-Sheng; Greig, Nigel H.; Nagai, Taku; Yamada, Kiyofumi

    2016-01-01

    The cholinesterase inhibitor, rivastigmine, ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and is approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Rivastigmine is a dual inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE); however, the impact of BuChE inhibition on cognitive dysfunction remains to be determined. We compared the effects of a selective BuChE inhibitor, N1-phenethylnorcymserine (PEC), rivastigmine and donepezil (an AChE-selective inhibitor) on cognitive dysfunction induced by amyloid-β peptide (Aβ1–40) in mice. Five-week-old imprinting control region (ICR) mice were injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) with either Aβ1–40 or the control peptide Aβ40–1 on Day 0, and their recognition memory was analyzed by a novel object recognition test. Treatment with donepezil (1.0 mg/kg), rivastigmine (0.03, 0.1, 0.3 mg/kg) or PEC (1.0, 3.0 mg/kg) 20 min prior to, or immediately after the acquisition session (Day 4) ameliorated the Aβ1–40 induced memory impairment, indicating a beneficial effect on memory acquisition and consolidation. In contrast, none of the investigated drugs proved effective when administrated before the retention session (Day 5). Repeated daily administration of donepezil, rivastigmine or PEC, on Days 0–3 inclusively, ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction in Aβ1–40 challenged mice. Consistent with the reversal of memory impairments, donepezil, rivastigmine or PEC treatment significantly reduced Aβ1–40 induced tyrosine nitration of hippocampal proteins, a marker of oxidative damage. These results indicate that BuChE inhibition, as well as AChE inhibition, is a viable therapeutic strategy for cognitive dysfunction in AD. PMID:21820013

  10. A novel and selective poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor ameliorates chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy.

    PubMed

    Ta, Lauren E; Schmelzer, James D; Bieber, Allan J; Loprinzi, Charles L; Sieck, Gary C; Brederson, Jill D; Low, Philip A; Windebank, Anthony J

    2013-01-01

    Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is the principle dose limiting factor requiring discontinuation of many chemotherapeutic agents, including cisplatin and oxaliplatin. About 30 to 40% of patients receiving chemotherapy develop pain and sensory changes. Given that poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition has been shown to provide neuroprotection, the current study was developed to test whether the novel PARP inhibitor compound 4a (analog of ABT-888) would attenuate pain in cisplatin and oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy in mice. An established chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy model of two weekly cycles of 10 intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections separated by 5 days rest was used to examine the therapeutic potential of the PARP inhibitor compound 4a. Behavioral testing using von Frey, paw radiant heat, cold plate, and exploratory behaviors were taken at baseline, and followed by testing at 3, 6, and 8 weeks from the beginning of drug treatment. Cisplatin-treated mice developed heat hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia while oxaliplatin-treated mice exhibited cold hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Co-administration of 50 mg/kg or 25 mg/kg compound 4a with platinum regimen, attenuated cisplatin-induced heat hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in a dose dependent manner. Similarly, co-administration of 50 mg/kg compound 4a attenuated oxaliplatin-induced cold hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. These data indicate that administration of a novel PARP inhibitor may have important applications as a therapeutic agent for human chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy.

  11. Zac1 is a histone acetylation-regulated NF-κB suppressor that mediates histone deacetylase inhibitor-induced apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Shu, G; Tang, Y; Zhou, Y; Wang, C; Song, J-G

    2011-12-01

    Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a class of promising anticancer reagents. They are able to induce apoptosis in embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we show that increased expression of zinc-finger protein regulator of apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest (Zac1) is implicated in HDAC inhibitor-induced apoptosis in F9 and P19 EC cells. By chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis we identified that increased Zac1 expression is mediated by histone acetylation of the Zac1 promoter region. Knockdown of Zac1 inhibited HDAC inhibitor-induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, HDAC inhibitors repressed nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity, and this effect is abrogated by Zac1 knockdown. Consistently, Zac1 overexpression suppressed cellular NF-κB activity. Further investigation showed that Zac1 inhibits NF-κB activity by interacting with the C-terminus of the p65 subunit, which suppresses the phosphorylation of p65 at Ser468 and Ser536 residues. These results indicate that Zac1 is a histone acetylation-regulated suppressor of NF-κB, which is induced and implicated in HDAC inhibitor-mediated EC cell apoptosis.

  12. Imaging findings in a child with calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome after bone marrow transplant for beta thalassemia major.

    PubMed

    Ayyala, Rama S; Arnold, Staci D; Bhatia, Monica; Dastgir, Jahannaz

    2016-10-01

    Calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome is an entity recognized in patients on immunosuppressive therapy after transplantation. Diagnosis is characterized by onset of pain beginning in the setting of an elevated calcineurin-inhibitor trough level. Reducing the medication dose relieves symptoms. Imaging findings can be nonspecific, including bone marrow edema and periosteal reaction. We present the unique case of calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome in a child and review the imaging findings.

  13. Development of Inhibitors Targeting Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 and 2 for Cancer Therapy

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Tianchi

    2017-01-01

    Hypoxia is frequently observed in solid tumors and also one of the major obstacles for effective cancer therapies. Cancer cells take advantage of their ability to adapt hypoxia to initiate a special transcriptional program that renders them more aggressive biological behaviors. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are the key factors that control hypoxia-inducible pathways by regulating the expression of a vast array of genes involved in cancer progression and treatment resistance. HIFs, mainly HIF-1 and -2, have become potential targets for developing novel cancer therapeutics. This article reviews the updated information in tumor HIF pathways, particularly recent advances in the development of HIF inhibitors. These inhibitors interfere with mRNA expression, protein synthesis, protein degradation and dimerization, DNA binding and transcriptional activity of HIF-1 and -2, or both. Despite efforts in the past two decades, no agents directly inhibiting HIFs have been approved for treating cancer patients. By analyzing results of the published reports, we put the perspectives at the end of the article. The therapeutic efficacy of HIF inhibitors may be improved if more efforts are devoted on developing agents that are able to simultaneously target HIF-1 and -2, increasing the penetrating capacity of HIF inhibitors, and selecting suitable patient subpopulations for clinical trials. PMID:28332352

  14. Acquisition and reinstatement of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference in rats: Effects of the cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil and rivastigmine.

    PubMed

    Gawel, Kinga; Labuz, Krzysztof; Gibula-Bruzda, Ewa; Jenda, Malgorzata; Marszalek-Grabska, Marta; Silberring, Jerzy; Kotlinska, Jolanta H

    2016-07-01

    The present study examined the influence of the cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil (a selective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase) and rivastigmine (also an inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase) on the acquisition and reinstatement of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats. Before the CPP procedure, animals received a single injection of ethanol (0.5 g/kg, 10% w/v, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) for 15 days. The ethanol-induced CPP (biased method) was developed by four injections of ethanol (0.5 g/kg, 10% w/v, i.p.) every second day. Control rats received saline instead of ethanol. Donepezil (0.5, 1 or 3 mg/kg, i.p.) or rivastigmine (0.03, 0.5 or 1 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered before ethanol during conditioning or before the reinstatement of ethanol-induced CPP. The cholinesterase inhibitors were equally effective in increasing (dose dependently) the acquisition of ethanol-induced CPP. Furthermore, priming injections of both inhibitors reinstated (cross-reinstatement) the ethanol-induced CPP with similar efficacy. These effects of both cholinesterase inhibitors were reversed by mecamylamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.), a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, but not by scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Thus, our results show that the cholinergic system is involved in the reinforcing properties of ethanol, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors play an important role in the relapse to ethanol-seeking behaviour. © The Author(s) 2016.

  15. Epigenetic Manipulation of a Filamentous Fungus by the Proteasome-Inhibitor Bortezomib Induces the Production of an Additional Secondary Metabolite.

    PubMed

    VanderMolen, Karen M; Darveaux, Blaise A; Chen, Wei-Lun; Swanson, Steven M; Pearce, Cedric J; Oberlies, Nicholas H

    2014-01-01

    The use of epigenetic modifiers, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, has been explored increasingly as a technique to induce the production of additional microbial secondary metabolites. The application of such molecules to microbial cultures has been shown to upregulate otherwise suppressed genes, and in several cases has led to the production of new molecular structures. In this study, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib was used to induce the production of an additional metabolite from a filamentous fungus (Pleosporales). The induced metabolite was previously isolated from a plant, but the configuration was not assigned until now; in addition, an analogue was isolated from a degraded sample, yielding a new compound. Proteasome inhibitors have not previously been used in this application and offer an additional tool for microbial genome mining.

  16. [Apoptosis of human leukemic cells induced by topoisomerase I and II inhibitors].

    PubMed

    Solary, E; Dubrez, L; Eymin, B; Bertrand, R; Pommier, Y

    1996-03-01

    Comparison between five human leukemic lines (BV173, HL60, U937, K562, KCL22) suggest that the main determinant of their sensitivity to topoisomerase I (camptothecin) and II (VP-16) inhibitors is their ability to regulate cell cycle progression in response to specific DNA damage, then to die through apoptosis: the more the cells inhibit cell cycle progression, the less sensitive they are. The final pathway of apoptosis induction involves a cytoplasmic signal, active at neutral pH, needing magnesium, sensitive to various protease inhibitors and activated directly by staurosporine. Modulators of intracellular signaling (calcium chelators, calmodulin inhibitors, PKC modulators, kinase and phosphatase inhibitors) have no significant influence upon apoptosis induction. Conversely, apoptosis induction pathway is modified during monocytic differentiation of HL60 cells induced by phorbol esters. Lastly, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and chromatine structure should regulate apoptotic DNA fragmentation that is prevented by 3-aminobenzamide and spermine, respectively.

  17. MET inhibitor PHA-665752 suppresses the hepatocyte growth factor-induced cell proliferation and radioresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liu, Tongxin; Li, Qi; Sun, Quanquan

    2014-06-20

    Highlights: • We demonstrated that irradiation induced MET overexpression and activation. • The aberrant MET signal mediated by HGF induced proliferation and radioresistance of NPC cells. • MET inhibitor PHA-665752 effectively suppressed HGF induced cell proliferation and radioresistance in NPC cells. • PHA-665752 suppressed the three downstream pathway of HGF/MET signal in a dose-dependent manner. - Abstract: Although ionizing radiation (IR) has provided considerable improvements in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), in subsets of patients, radioresistance is still a major problem in the treatment. In this study, we demonstrated that irradiation induced MET overexpression and activation, and the aberrant MET signal mediatedmore » by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induced radioresistance. We also found that MET inhibitor PHA-665752 effectively suppressed HGF induced cell proliferation and radioresistance in NPC cells. Further investigation indicated that PHA-665752 suppressed the phosphorylation of the Akt, ERK1/2, and STAT3 proteins in a dose-dependent manner. Our data indicated that the combination of IR with a MET inhibitor, such as PHA-665752, might be a promising therapeutic strategy for NPC.« less

  18. Neutral endopeptidase inhibitors potentiate substance P- and capsaicin-induced cough in awake guinea pigs.

    PubMed

    Kohrogi, H; Graf, P D; Sekizawa, K; Borson, D B; Nadel, J A

    1988-12-01

    To study the roles of substance P and endogenous neutral endopeptidase in mediating cough, we measured cough responses in awake guinea pigs in response to exogenous substance P and capsaicin aerosols in the presence and absence of the neutral endopeptidase inhibitors leucine-thiorphan and phosphoramidon. Substance P stimulated cough in very low concentrations (10(-17)-10(-16) M). In a second study where the investigator did not know whether substance P or diluent alone was aerosolized, substance P (10(-16) M) caused cough. Leucine-thiorphan (10(-5) M) and phosphoramidon (10(-5) M) potentiated substance P-induced cough; NEP inhibitors also potentiated capsaicin-induced cough significantly. These findings suggest that substance P is a potent stimulator of cough responses, that capsaicin-induced cough is mediated by substance P or another similar neuropeptide, and that cough responses are modulated by endogenous neutral endopeptidase.

  19. Effects of inhibitors on 1-methyladenine induced maturation of starfish oocytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Harold H.; Xu, Quanhan

    1986-12-01

    1-methladenine (1-MA) induces starfish oocytes maturation via surface reaction followed by the appearance of a cytoplasmic maturation factor which in turn induces germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) to resume meiosis. Cellular mechanisms involved in GVBD were investigated by microinjection of metabolic inhibitors. Colchicine (Co) inhibited maturation, cytochalasin-B (CB) delayed GVBD and actinomycin-D-(Act-D) and puromycin (Pu) had no effect. It appears that the microtubule and the microfilament systems are associated with the nuclear membrane dissolution during the process of oocyte maturation of starfish.

  20. Therapeutic effects of connexin inhibitors on detrusor overactivity induced by bladder outlet obstruction in rats.

    PubMed

    Kim, Su Jin; Park, Eun Young; Hwang, Tae-Kon; Kim, Joon Chul

    2011-08-01

    To investigate the alterations in Connexin 43 (Cx43) and connexin 26 (Cx26) levels in the bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)-induced detrusor overactivity and examine the effect of connexin inhibitors on this condition. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: sham-operated control group (n = 10), BOO group (n = 10), and 2 groups that were administered connexin inhibitors. The first of these 2 groups was administered 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (BOO-18β-GA group, n = 15) and the second group was given oleamide (BOO-oleamide group, n = 15). Cystometrogram was performed in all groups after 2 weeks of obstruction. The expression levels of Cx26 and Cx43 were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. The intercontraction interval was markedly shorter in the BOO group compared with the control group (P <.05). Intercontraction intervals in the BOO-18β-GA and BOO-oleamide groups at 2 weeks were significantly longer than that observed for the BOO group (P <.05). The expression of Cx43 and Cx26 were increased in the BOO group. After administration of connexin inhibitors, downregulation of Cx43 and Cx26 was noted. These results suggest that upregulation of Cx43 and Cx26 induce detrusor overactivity after BOO, and connexin inhibitors may have some role in relieving BOO-induced detrusor overactivity in rats. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Synergistic effect of apoptosis and necroptosis inhibitors in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

    PubMed

    Tristão, Vivian Regina; Pessoa, Edson A; Nakamichi, Renata; Reis, Luciana A; Batista, Marcelo Costa; Durão Junior, Marcelino de Souza; Monte, Júlio Cesar Martins

    2016-01-01

    Necroptosis is a nonapoptotic cell death pathway. We aim to study the effect of necrostatin-1 (a specific necroptosis inhibitor) in cisplatin-induced injury. We analyzed the effect of the combined use of inhibitors of apoptosis (z-vad) and necroptosis (necrostatin-1) in acute kidney injury by cisplatin in human proximal tubule cells. Our results showed moderate effectiveness in cytoprotection after treatment with z-vad. But the concomitant use of inhibitors (z-vad and necrostatin-1) presented synergistic and additive protection. The present study analyzed the caspase-3 activity and we observed a significant decrease in the group treated with z-vad and cisplatin. However we did not observe changes in the group treated with both inhibitors (z-vad and necrostatin-1) and cisplatin. Thus, demonstrating that necroptosis is a caspase-independent mechanism. We also analyzed the effect of necrostatin-1 in vivo model. C57BL/6 mice were treated with cisplatin and/or inhibitors. The concomitant use of inhibitors (z-vad and necrostatin-1) recovered renal function and decreased levels of urinary Ngal. Additionally, we analyzed the expression of RIP-1, a specific marker for necroptosis. In animals treated with cisplatin and z-VAD levels of RIP-1 were higher. This result reinforces that necroptosis occurs only in conditions where apoptosis was blocked. However, the use of both inhibitors (z-vad and necrostatin-1) provided additional protection. In conclusion, our study has a significant potential to show in vitro and in vivo protection obtained by necrostatin-1. Therefore, our results suggest that necroptosis may be an important mechanism of cell death after kidney injury.

  2. Inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase minimize ischemia-reperfusion-induced cardiac damage in normal, hypertensive, and diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Islam, Oliul; Patil, Prashanth; Goswami, Sumanta K; Razdan, Rema; Inamdar, Mohammed N; Rizwan, Mohammed; Mathew, Jubin; Inceoglu, Bora; Stephen Lee, Kin S; Hwang, Sung H; Hammock, Bruce D

    2017-06-01

    We designed a study to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of two soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors, 1-(1-propanoylpiperidin-4-yl)-3-(4-trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)urea (TPPU) and trans-4-{4-[3-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-ureido]cyclohexyloxy}benzoic acid (t-TUCB), in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) model. Cardioprotective effects of the sEH inhibitors were evaluated against IR-induced myocardial damage in hearts from normal, hypertensive, and diabetic rats using Langendorff's apparatus. In addition, the effect of sEH inhibitors on endothelial function was evaluated in vitro and ex vivo using isolated rat thoracic aorta. Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) increased the myocardial damage in hearts from normal rats. IR-induced myocardial damage was augmented in hearts isolated from hypertensive and diabetic rats. Myocardial damage as evident from increase in the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in heart perfusate was associated with significant decrease in the heart rate and developed tension, and increase in the resting tension in isolated heart. Both sEH inhibitors protected the heart in normal, hypertensive, and diabetic rats subjected to IR injury. The sEH inhibitor t-TUCB relaxed phenylephrine precontracted aorta from normal rats. Relaxant effect of acetylcholine (ACh) was reduced in aortas from diabetic and hypertensive rats compared to normal rats. Pretreatment of sEH inhibitors to diabetic and hypertensive rats increased relaxant effect of ACh on aortas isolated from these rats. Prophylactic treatment with sEH inhibitors decreased myocardial damage due to IR, hypertension and diabetes, and decreased endothelial dysfunction created by diabetes and hypertension. Therefore, inhibitors of sEH are useful probes to study cardiovascular pathology, and inhibition of the sEH is a potential approach in the management of IR-induced cardiac damage and endothelial dysfunction-related cardiovascular disorders. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  3. TNF α is involved in neuropathic pain induced by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor in rats

    PubMed Central

    Zheng, Xuexing; Ouyang, Handong; Liu, Shue; Mata, Marina; Fink, David J.; Hao, Shuanglin

    2011-01-01

    In patients with HIV/AIDS, neuropathic pain is a common neurological complication. Infection with the HIV itself may lead to neuropathic pain, and painful symptoms are enhanced when patients are treated with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI). The mechanisms by which NRTIs contribute to the development of neuropathic pain are not known. In the current studies, we tested the role of TNFα in antiretroviral drug-induced neuropathic pain. We administered 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (ddC, one of the NRTIs) systemically to induce mechanical allodynia. We found that ddC induced overexpression of both mRNA and proteins of GFAP and TNFα in the spinal dorsal horn. TNFα was colocalized with GFAP in the spinal dorsal horn and with NeuN in the DRG. Knockdown of TNFα with siRNA blocked the mechanical allodynia induced by ddC. Intrathecal administration of glial inhibitor or recombinant TNF soluble receptor, reversed mechanical allodynia induced by ddC. These results suggest that TNFα is involved in NRTI-induced neuropathic pain. PMID:21741472

  4. Inhibitor-induced oxidation of the nucleus and cytosol in Arabidopsis thaliana: implications for organelle to nucleus retrograde signalling

    PubMed Central

    Karpinska, Barbara; Alomrani, Sarah Owdah

    2017-01-01

    Concepts of organelle-to-nucleus signalling pathways are largely based on genetic screens involving inhibitors of chloroplast and mitochondrial functions such as norflurazon, lincomycin (LINC), antimycin A (ANT) and salicylhydroxamic acid. These inhibitors favour enhanced cellular oxidation, but their precise effects on the cellular redox state are unknown. Using the in vivo reduction–oxidation (redox) reporter, roGFP2, inhibitor-induced changes in the glutathione redox potentials of the nuclei and cytosol were measured in Arabidopsis thaliana root, epidermal and stomatal guard cells, together with the expression of nuclear-encoded chloroplast and mitochondrial marker genes. All the chloroplast and mitochondrial inhibitors increased the degree of oxidation in the nuclei and cytosol. However, inhibitor-induced oxidation was less marked in stomatal guard cells than in epidermal or root cells. Moreover, LINC and ANT caused a greater oxidation of guard cell nuclei than the cytosol. Chloroplast and mitochondrial inhibitors significantly decreased the abundance of LHCA1 and LHCB1 transcripts. The levels of WHY1, WHY3 and LEA5 transcripts were increased in the presence of inhibitors. Chloroplast inhibitors decreased AOXA1 mRNA levels, while mitochondrial inhibitors had the opposite effect. Inhibitors that are used to characterize retrograde signalling pathways therefore have similar general effects on cellular redox state and gene expression. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Enhancing photosynthesis in crop plants: targets for improvement’. PMID:28808105

  5. A small-molecule inhibitor of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) protects liver from toxin-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and injury.

    PubMed

    Ren, Xiaomeng; Li, Xinzhi; Jia, Linna; Chen, Deheng; Hou, Hai; Rui, Liangyou; Zhao, Yujun; Chen, Zheng

    2017-02-01

    Potent and selective chemical probes are valuable tools for discovery of novel treatments for human diseases. NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) is a key trigger in the development of liver injury and fibrosis. Whether inhibition of NIK activity by chemical probes ameliorates liver inflammation and injury is largely unknown. In this study, a small-molecule inhibitor of NIK, B022, was found to be a potent and selective chemical probe for liver inflammation and injury. B022 inhibited the NIK signaling pathway, including NIK-induced p100-to-p52 processing and inflammatory gene expression, both in vitro and in vivo Furthermore, in vivo administration of B022 protected against not only NIK but also CCl 4 -induced liver inflammation and injury. Our data suggest that inhibition of NIK is a novel strategy for treatment of liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and injury.-Ren, X., Li, X., Jia, L., Chen, D., Hou, H., Rui, L., Zhao, Y., Chen, Z. A small-molecule inhibitor of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) protects liver from toxin-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and injury. © FASEB.

  6. Inhibitors of the 5-lipoxygenase arachidonic acid pathway induce ATP release and ATP-dependent organic cation transport in macrophages.

    PubMed

    da Silva-Souza, Hercules Antônio; Lira, Maria Nathalia de; Costa-Junior, Helio Miranda; da Cruz, Cristiane Monteiro; Vasconcellos, Jorge Silvio Silva; Mendes, Anderson Nogueira; Pimenta-Reis, Gabriela; Alvarez, Cora Lilia; Faccioli, Lucia Helena; Serezani, Carlos Henrique; Schachter, Julieta; Persechini, Pedro Muanis

    2014-07-01

    We have previously described that arachidonic acid (AA)-5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) metabolism inhibitors such as NDGA and MK886, inhibit cell death by apoptosis, but not by necrosis, induced by extracellular ATP (ATPe) binding to P2X7 receptors in macrophages. ATPe binding to P2X7 also induces large cationic and anionic organic molecules uptake in these cells, a process that involves at least two distinct transport mechanisms: one for cations and another for anions. Here we show that inhibitors of the AA-5-LO pathway do not inhibit P2X7 receptors, as judged by the maintenance of the ATPe-induced uptake of fluorescent anionic dyes. In addition, we describe two new transport phenomena induced by these inhibitors in macrophages: a cation-selective uptake of fluorescent dyes and the release of ATP. The cation uptake requires secreted ATPe, but, differently from the P2X7/ATPe-induced phenomena, it is also present in macrophages derived from mice deficient in the P2X7 gene. Inhibitors of phospholipase A2 and of the AA-cyclooxygenase pathway did not induce the cation uptake. The uptake of non-organic cations was investigated by measuring the free intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) by Fura-2 fluorescence. NDGA, but not MK886, induced an increase in [Ca(2+)]i. Chelating Ca(2+) ions in the extracellular medium suppressed the intracellular Ca(2+) signal without interfering in the uptake of cationic dyes. We conclude that inhibitors of the AA-5-LO pathway do not block P2X7 receptors, trigger the release of ATP, and induce an ATP-dependent uptake of organic cations by a Ca(2+)- and P2X7-independent transport mechanism in macrophages. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. The ectodomain of cadherin-11 binds to erbB2 and stimulates Akt phosphorylation to promote cranial neural crest cell migration

    PubMed Central

    Mathavan, Ketan; Khedgikar, Vikram; Bartolo, Vanessa

    2017-01-01

    During development, a multi-potent group of cells known as the cranial neural crest (CNC) migrate to form craniofacial structures. Proper migration of these cells requires proteolysis of cell adhesion molecules, such as cadherins. In Xenopus laevis, preventing extracellular cleavage of cadherin-11 impairs CNC migration. However, overexpression of the soluble cleavage product (EC1-3) is capable of rescuing this phenotype. The mechanism by which EC1-3 promotes CNC migration has not been investigated until now. Here we show that EC1-3 stimulates phosphorylation of Akt, a target of PI3K, in X.laevis CNC. Through immunoprecipitation experiments, we determined that EC1-3 interacts with all ErbB receptors, PDGFRα, and FGFR1. Of these receptors, only ErbB2 was able to produce an increase in Akt phosphorylation upon treatment with a recombinant EC1-3. This increase was abrogated by mubritinib, an inhibitor of ErbB2. We were able to recapitulate this decrease in Akt phosphorylation in vivo by knocking down ErbB2 in CNC cells. Knockdown of the receptor also significantly reduced CNC migration in vivo. We confirmed the importance of ErbB2 and ErbB receptor signaling in CNC migration using mubritinib and canertinib, respectively. Mubritinib and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 significantly decreased cell migration while canertinib nearly prevented it altogether. These data show that ErbB2 and Akt are important for CNC migration and implicate other ErbB receptors and Akt-independent signaling pathways. Our findings provide the first example of a functional interaction between the extracellular domain of a type II classical cadherin and growth factor receptors. PMID:29190819

  8. Antagonism between granulocytic maturation and deacetylase inhibitor-induced apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells.

    PubMed

    Hennig, D; Müller, S; Wichmann, C; Drube, S; Pietschmann, K; Pelzl, L; Grez, M; Bug, G; Heinzel, T; Krämer, O H

    2015-01-20

    Transcriptional repression is a key mechanism driving leukaemogenesis. In acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), the fusion protein promyelocytic leukaemia-retinoic acid receptor-α fusion (PML-RARα) recruits transcriptional repressors to myeloid differentiation genes. All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) induces the proteasomal degradation of PML-RARα and granulocytic differentiation. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) fall into four classes (I-IV) and contribute to the transcription block caused by PML-RARα. Immunoblot, flow cytometry, and May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining were used to analyze differentiation and induction of apoptosis. A PML-RARα- and ATRA-dependent differentiation programme induces granulocytic maturation associated with an accumulation of the myeloid transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)ɛ and of the surface protein CD11b. While this process protects APL cells from inhibitors of class I HDAC activity, inhibition of all Zinc-dependent HDACs (classes I, II, and IV) with the pan-HDACi (histone deacetylase inhibitor(s)) LBH589 induces apoptosis of immature and differentiated APL cells. LBH589 can eliminate C/EBPɛ and the mitochondrial apoptosis regulator B-cell lymphoma (BCL)-xL in immature and differentiated NB4 cells. Thus, BCL-xL and C/EBPɛ are newly identified molecular markers for the efficacy of HDACi against APL cells. Our results could explain the therapeutic limitations occurring with ATRA and class I HDACi combinations. Pro-apoptotic effects caused by pan-HDAC inhibition are not blunted by ATRA-induced differentiation and may provide a clinically interesting alternative.

  9. Neutral endopeptidase inhibitors potentiate substance P- and capsaicin-induced cough in awake guinea pigs.

    PubMed Central

    Kohrogi, H; Graf, P D; Sekizawa, K; Borson, D B; Nadel, J A

    1988-01-01

    To study the roles of substance P and endogenous neutral endopeptidase in mediating cough, we measured cough responses in awake guinea pigs in response to exogenous substance P and capsaicin aerosols in the presence and absence of the neutral endopeptidase inhibitors leucine-thiorphan and phosphoramidon. Substance P stimulated cough in very low concentrations (10(-17)-10(-16) M). In a second study where the investigator did not know whether substance P or diluent alone was aerosolized, substance P (10(-16) M) caused cough. Leucine-thiorphan (10(-5) M) and phosphoramidon (10(-5) M) potentiated substance P-induced cough; NEP inhibitors also potentiated capsaicin-induced cough significantly. These findings suggest that substance P is a potent stimulator of cough responses, that capsaicin-induced cough is mediated by substance P or another similar neuropeptide, and that cough responses are modulated by endogenous neutral endopeptidase. PMID:2461967

  10. Successful treatment of arthritis induced by checkpoint inhibitors with tocilizumab: a case series.

    PubMed

    Kim, Sang Taek; Tayar, Jean; Trinh, Van Anh; Suarez-Almazor, Maria; Garcia, Salvador; Hwu, Patrick; Johnson, Daniel Hartman; Uemura, Marc; Diab, Adi

    2017-12-01

    Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved outcomes for patients with numerous cancers. However, these therapies are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which are inflammatory side effects potentially affecting any organ. Cases of ICI-induced inflammatory arthritis have also been reported. In general, mild irAEs are treated with corticosteroids, while tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) inhibitors are reserved for refractory cases. However, prolonged use of TNFα inhibitor (TNFαi) can induce widespread, significant immunosuppression, which can negatively impact the antitumour efficacy of ICI therapy. Therefore, in clinical scenarios where patients develop severe immunotherapy-induced irAEs, an unmet need exists for alternative therapeutic strategies that are effective and without immune dampening effects. The anti-interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab, is a biological agent Food and Drug Administration approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Here, we report on three patients who developed severe polyarthritis while receiving ICI therapy and were treated with tocilizumab. All three patients demonstrated significant clinical improvement; one patient maintained a durable antitumour response derived from checkpoint inhibition. These three cases suggest that anti-IL-6 receptor antibody may be an effective alternative to corticosteroids or TNFαi for the treatment of arthritis irAEs. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

  11. The effect of pharmacological PI3Kγ inhibitor on eotaxin-induced human eosinophil functions.

    PubMed

    Saito, Yukiko; Takeda, Masahide; Nishikawa, Junko; Konno, Yasunori; Tamaki, Mami; Itoga, Masamichi; Kobayashi, Yoshiki; Moritoki, Yuki; Ito, Wataru; Chihara, Junichi; Ueki, Shigeharu

    2014-04-01

    Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation caused by activation of immune cells including Th2 lymphocytes and eosinophils. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) γ deficient asthmatic mice did not develop lung eosinophilia, although the detailed mechanisms are not well known. A CC chemokine eotaxin (CCL11) plays a prominent role in developing eosinophilic inflammation through CCR3. In this study, we tested the roles of PI3Kγ in eotaxin-induced eosinophil functions using a pharmacological inhibitor. Human peripheral blood eosinophils were isolated by CD16-negative selection method. The effect of AS605240, synthetic PI3Kγ inhibitor on eotaxin-induced adhesion, chemotaxis, and degranulation were studied using intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)-coated plates, Boyden chamber system, ELISA for eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) levels in the culture supernatant, respectively. CCR3 expression levels and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation were assessed by flowcytometry. Involvement of PI3Kγ in spontaneous apoptosis was studied using flowcytometry. Although AS605240 did not affect the eosinophil spontaneous apoptosis, eotaxin-induced chemotaxis, adhesion to ICAM-1 coated plate, and EDN release were inhibited by AS605240. AS605240 also inhibited the eotaxin-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation without down-regulation of surface CCR3 expression. These results indicate that PI3Kγ inhibitor attenuates eotaxin-induced eosinophil functions by suppressing the downstream signaling of CCR3 without significant cytotoxicity. PI3Kγ plays an important role in the development of eosinophilic inflammation and blockade of PI3Kγ might be a therapeutic strategy for treatment of eosinophil-related diseases including asthma. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitors prevent ethanol-induced neuronal death in mice.

    PubMed

    Lamarche, Frederic; Carcenac, Carole; Gonthier, Brigitte; Cottet-Rousselle, Cecile; Chauvin, Christiane; Barret, Luc; Leverve, Xavier; Savasta, Marc; Fontaine, Eric

    2013-01-18

    Ethanol induces brain injury by a mechanism that remains partly unknown. Mitochondria play a key role in cell death processes, notably through the opening of the permeability transition pore (PTP). Here, we tested the effect of ethanol and PTP inhibitors on mitochondrial physiology and cell viability both in vitro and in vivo. Direct addition of ethanol up to 100 mM on isolated mouse brain mitochondria slightly decreased oxygen consumption but did not affect PTP regulation. In comparison, when isolated from ethanol-treated (two doses of 2 g/kg, 2 h apart) 7-day-old mouse pups, brain mitochondria displayed a transient decrease in oxygen consumption but no change in PTP regulation or H2O2 production. Conversely, exposure of primary cultured astrocytes and neurons to 20 mM ethanol for 3 days led to a transient PTP opening in astrocytes without affecting cell viability and to a permanent PTP opening in 10 to 20% neurons with the same percentage of cell death. Ethanol-treated mouse pups displayed a widespread caspase-3 activation in neurons but not in astrocytes and dramatic behavioral alterations. Interestingly, two different PTP inhibitors (namely, cyclosporin A and nortriptyline) prevented both ethanol-induced neuronal death in vivo and ethanol-induced behavioral modifications. We conclude that PTP opening is involved in ethanol-induced neurotoxicity in the mouse.

  13. Quantitative Prediction of the Effect of CYP3A Inhibitors and Inducers on Venetoclax Pharmacokinetics Using a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model.

    PubMed

    Freise, Kevin J; Shebley, Mohamad; Salem, Ahmed Hamed

    2017-06-01

    The objectives of the analysis were to develop and verify a venetoclax physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to predict the effects of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inhibitors and inducers on the PK of venetoclax and inform dosing recommendations. A minimal PBPK model was developed based on prior in vitro and in vivo clinical data using a "middle-out" approach. The PBPK model was independently verified against clinical studies of the strong CYP3A inhibitor ketoconazole, the strong CYP3A inducer, multiple-dose rifampin, and the steady-state venetoclax PK in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) subjects by comparing predicted to observed ratios of the venetoclax maximum concentration (C max R) and area under the curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC ∞ R) from these studies. The verified PBPK model was then used to simulate the effects of different CYP3A inhibitors and inducers on the venetoclax PK. Comparison of the PBPK model predicted to the observed PK parameters indicated good agreement. Verification of the PBPK model demonstrated that the ratios of the predicted:observed C max R and AUC ∞ R of venetoclax were within 0.8- to 1.25-fold range for strong CYP3A inhibitors and inducers. Model simulations indicated no effect of weak CYP3A inhibitors or inducers on C max or AUC ∞ , while both moderate and strong CYP3A inducers were estimated to decrease venetoclax exposure. Moderate and strong CYP3A inhibitors were estimated to increase venetoclax AUC ∞ , by 100% to 390% and 480% to 680%, respectively. The recommended venetoclax dose reductions of at least 50% and 75% when coadministered with moderate and strong CYP3A inhibitors, respectively, maintain venetoclax exposures between therapeutic and maximally administered safe doses. © 2017, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

  14. BET inhibitors induce apoptosis through a MYC independent mechanism and synergise with CDK inhibitors to kill osteosarcoma cells

    PubMed Central

    Baker, Emma K; Taylor, Scott; Gupte, Ankita; Sharp, Phillip P; Walia, Mannu; Walsh, Nicole C; Zannettino, Andrew CW; Chalk, Alistair M; Burns, Christopher J; Walkley, Carl R

    2015-01-01

    Osteosarcoma (OS) survival rates have plateaued in part due to a lack of new therapeutic options. Here we demonstrate that bromodomain inhibitors (BETi), JQ1, I-BET151, I-BET762, exert potent anti-tumour activity against primary and established OS cell lines, mediated by inhibition of BRD4. Strikingly, unlike previous observations in long-term established human OS cell lines, the antiproliferative activity of JQ1 in primary OS cells was driven by the induction of apoptosis, not cell cycle arrest. In further contrast, JQ1 activity in OS was mediated independently of MYC downregulation. We identified that JQ1 suppresses the transcription factor FOSL1 by displacement of BRD4 from its locus. Loss of FOSL1 phenocopied the antiproliferative effects of JQ1, identifying FOSL1 suppression as a potential novel therapeutic approach for OS. As a monotherapy JQ1 demonstrated significant anti-tumour activity in vivo in an OS graft model. Further, combinatorial treatment approaches showed that JQ1 increased the sensitivity of OS cells to doxorubicin and induced potent synergistic activity when rationally combined with CDK inhibitors. The greater level of activity achieved with the combination of BETi with CDK inhibitors demonstrates the efficacy of this combination therapy. Taken together, our studies show that BET inhibitors are a promising new therapeutic for OS. PMID:25944566

  15. [Effects of Pim-1 inhibitor on mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease induced by TNBS].

    PubMed

    Ou, Rong; Shen, Yueming; Zeng, Ya; Zou, Lingzhi; Jiang, Na; Xu, Meihua

    2018-05-28

    To explore the role of Pim-1 in the pathology of inflammatory bowel disease and the potential effect of Pim-1 inhibitor on treating such disease.
 Methods: Forty-five BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=9): A normal control group, a inflammatory bowel disease group, two different dose of Pim-1 inhibitor treatment groups, and steroidhormone treatment group. The model of inflammatory bowel disease was induced by intracolonic administration of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenestdfonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol mixture. Mice were treated with Pim-1 inhibitor [intraperitoneal inject, 5 or 10 mg/(kg.d)] for 5 days and prednisone (intragastric administration, 0.1 mg/d) for 5 days. The DAI, colon length, gross score and pathological grade were evaluated. The expressions of T cell master transcription factors T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet), GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3), RA orphan receptorγ (RORγt) and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) were measured by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively.
 Results: Pim-1 inhibitor and prednisone showed therapeutic effect on acute TNBS colitis in vivo. GATA3 and RORγt were significantly up-regulated in acute TNBS colitis (P<0.05). In contrast, the expression of Foxp3 was suppressed in the inflammatory bowel disease group, whereas it did not cause any significant change in T-bet expression (P>0.05). Administration of Pim-1 inhibitor and prednisone resulted in suppression of GATA3, RORγt expression, and the increase of Foxp3 expression (P<0.05). Administration of Pim-1 inhibitor and prednisone resulted in inhibition of T-bet mRNA expression (P<0.05), but only prednisone could inhibit T-bet protein expression (P>0.05).
 Conclusion: Pim-1 inhibitor significantly suppresses Th2- and Th17-type immune responses. Furthermore, Pim-1 inhibitor could induce T-cell differentiation towards a Treg phenotype. Pim-1 inhibitor has therapeutic effect on acute TNBS colitis.

  16. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Trichostatin A and MCP30 Relieve Benzene-Induced Hematotoxicity via Restoring Topoisomerase IIα.

    PubMed

    Chen, Jingjing; Zheng, Zhouyi; Chen, Yi; Li, Jiaqi; Qian, Shanhu; Shi, Yifen; Sun, Lan; Han, Yixiang; Zhang, Shenghui; Yu, Kang

    2016-01-01

    Dysfunction of histone acetylation inhibits topoisomerase IIα (Topo IIα), which is implicated in benzene-induced hematotoxicity in patients with chronic benzene exposure. Whether histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can relieve benzene-induced hematotoxicity remains unclear. Here we showed that hydroquinone, a main metabolite of benzene, increased the HDAC activity, decreased the Topo IIα expression and induced apoptosis in human bone marrow mononuclear cells in vitro, and treatment with two HDAC inhibitors, namely trichostatin A (TSA) or a mixture of ribosome-inactivating proteins MCP30, almost completely reversed these effects. We further established a benzene poisoning murine model by inhaling benzene vapor in a container and found that benzene poisoning decreased the expression and activity of Topo IIα, and impaired acetylation of histone H4 and H3. The analysis of regulatory factors of Topo IIα promoter found that benzene poisoning decreased the mRNA levels of SP1 and C-MYB, and increased the mRNA level of SP3. Both TSA and MCP30 significantly enhanced the acetylation of histone H3 and H4 in Topo IIα promoter and increased the expression and activity of Topo IIα in benzene poisoning mice, which contributed to relieve the symptoms of hematotoxicity. Thus, treatment with HDAC inhibitors represents an attractive approach to reduce benzene-induced hematotoxicity.

  17. Comparison of Clinical Factors Between Patients With Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema and Cough.

    PubMed

    Hallberg, Pär; Nagy, Julia; Karawajczyk, Malgorzata; Nordang, Leif; Islander, Gunilla; Norling, Pia; Johansson, Hans-Erik; Kämpe, Mary; Hugosson, Svante; Yue, Qun-Ying; Wadelius, Mia

    2017-04-01

    Angioedema is a rare and serious adverse drug reaction (ADR) to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor treatment. Dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors and has been identified as a possible risk factor for angioedema. We compared characteristics between patients with ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema and cough with the aim of identifying risk factors that differ between these adverse events. Data on patients with angioedema or cough induced by ACE inhibitors were collected from the Swedish database of spontaneously reported ADRs or from collaborating clinicians. Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher's exact test, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were used to test for between-group differences. The significance threshold was set to P <0.00128 to correct for multiple comparisons. Clinical characteristics were compared between 168 patients with angioedema and 121 with cough only. Smoking and concomitant selective calcium channel blocker treatment were more frequent among patients with angioedema than cough: OR = 4.3, 95% CI = 2.1-8.9, P = 2.2 × 10 -5 , and OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 2.0-7.0, P = 1.7 × 10 -5 . Angioedema cases were seen more often in male patients (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.4-3.6, P = 1.3 × 10 -4 ) and had longer time to onset and higher doses than those with cough ( P = 3.2 × 10 -10 and P = 2.6 × 10 -4 ). A multiple model containing the variables smoking, concurrent calcium channel blocker treatment, male sex, and time to onset accounted for 26% of the variance between the groups. Smoking, comedication with selective calcium channel blockers, male sex, and longer treatment time were associated with ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema rather than cough.

  18. The novel HDAC inhibitor AR-42-induced anti-colon cancer cell activity is associated with ceramide production

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Xu, Weihong; Xu, Bin; Yao, Yiting

    In the current study, we investigated the potential activity of AR-42, a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, against colon cancer cells. Our in vitro results showed that AR-42 induced ceramide production, exerted potent anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in established (SW-620 and HCT-116 lines) and primary human colon cancer cells. Exogenously-added sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) suppressed AR-42-induced activity, yet a cell-permeable ceramide (C4) facilitated AR-42-induced cytotoxicity against colon cancer cells. In addition, AR-42-induced ceramide production and anti-colon cancer cell activity were inhibited by the ceramide synthase inhibitor fumonisin B1, but were exacerbated by PDMP, which is a ceramide glucosylation inhibitor. In vivo, oral administrationmore » of a single dose of AR-42 dramatically inhibited SW-620 xenograft growth in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, without inducing overt toxicities. Together, these results show that AR-42 dramatically inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and ceramide production might be the key mechanism responsible for its actions. - Highlights: • AR-42 is anti-proliferative against primary/established colon cancer cells. • AR-42 induces significant apoptotic death in primary/established colon cancer cells. • Ceramide production mediates AR-42-induced cytotoxicity in colon cancer cells. • AR-42 oral administration potently inhibits SW-620 xenograft growth in SCID mice.« less

  19. Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor: A Regulator of Ancrod-Induced Fibrin Deposition in Rabbits

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-03-01

    Acad Sci Invest 51:2841. 1972 82:8710. 1985 15. Alving BM, Evait BI., Bell WR: Stimulation of librinogen 4. Colucci M, Paramo JA. Collen D: Generation in... Paramo IA. Stassen .1M. Collen ): Influence of 1986 the fast-acting inhibitor on in vivo thrombolysis induced b, tissue- 7. Wiman B. Ljungberg B

  20. In vitro effects of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin and of the phospholipase-C inhibitor U-73122 on carbachol-induced contractions of porcine detrusor muscle.

    PubMed

    Badawi, Jasmin Katrin; Seja, Tobias; Bross, Stephan

    2008-12-01

    Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors belong to one substance class additionally used in the treatment of bladder dysfunctions associated with involuntary bladder contractions. However, the mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the detrusor muscle is not clear. In this study, it was examined in vitro whether the NSAID indomethacin exhibited an inhibitory effect on carbachol-induced contractions of the porcine detrusor muscle. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of the phospholipase-C inhibitor U-73122 on carbachol-induced contractions of the porcine detrusor muscle was investigated. Experiments were performed on the muscle strips of the porcine detrusor muscle suspended in a tissue bath. Effects of indomethacin at 10(-6) and 10(-5) M on the maximum carbachol-induced contraction and on the carbachol-response curve were investigated. Additionally, the inhibitory influence of U-73122 at a concentration of 10(-5.5) M on the carbachol-response curve was investigated. Pretreatment with indomethacin at both concentrations did not result in a significant reduction in the maximum contraction compared with the control. In the experiments in which carbachol concentration-response curves were generated, indomethacin exhibited at both concentrations a very small but significant change at carbachol concentrations of 10(-8) and 10(-7.5) M. In the experiments with U-73122, a significant change was found in the concentration-response curve of carbachol at all concentrations of carbachol from 10(-6.5) to 10(-4) M. The mean maximum carbachol-induced contraction was 141.8 +/- 6.8% after incubation with U-73122 and 166.0 +/- 6.4% in the control group (P < 0.05). Indomethacin did not inhibit the carbachol-induced contractions of the porcine detrusor muscle. The cyclooxygenase does not play a significant role in the carbachol-induced bladder contraction of the porcine detrusor muscle. The inhibitory action of the phospholipase-C inhibitor U-73122 on the

  1. A Plant Proteinase Inhibitor from Enterolobium contortisiliquum Attenuates Pulmonary Mechanics, Inflammation and Remodeling Induced by Elastase in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Theodoro-Júnior, Osmar Aparecido; Righetti, Renato Fraga; Almeida-Reis, Rafael; Martins-Oliveira, Bruno Tadeu; Oliva, Leandro Vilela; Prado, Carla Máximo; Saraiva-Romanholo, Beatriz Mangueira; Leick, Edna Aparecida; Pinheiro, Nathalia Montouro; Lobo, Yara Aparecida; Martins, Mílton de Arruda; Oliva, Maria Luiza Vilela; Tibério, Iolanda de Fátima Lopes Calvo

    2017-01-01

    Proteinase inhibitors have been associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and may represent a potential therapeutic treatment for emphysema. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of a plant Kunitz proteinase inhibitor, Enterolobium contortisiliquum trypsin inhibitor (EcTI), on several aspects of experimental elastase-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice. C57/Bl6 mice were intratracheally administered elastase (ELA) or saline (SAL) and were treated intraperitoneally with EcTI (ELA-EcTI, SAL-EcTI) on days 1, 14 and 21. On day 28, pulmonary mechanics, exhaled nitric oxide (ENO) and number leucocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were evaluated. Subsequently, lung immunohistochemical staining was submitted to morphometry. EcTI treatment reduced responses of the mechanical respiratory system, number of cells in the BALF, and reduced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-positive cells and volume proportion of isoprostane, collagen and elastic fibers in the airways and alveolar walls compared with the ELA group. EcTI treatment reduced elastase induced pulmonary inflammation, remodeling, oxidative stress and mechanical alterations, suggesting that this inhibitor may be a potential therapeutic tool for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. PMID:28216579

  2. A selective plasmin inhibitor, trans-aminomethylcyclohexanecarbonyl-L-(O-picolyl)tyrosine-octylamide (YO-2), induces thymocyte apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Lee, Eibai; Enomoto, Riyo; Takemura, Kazu; Tsuda, Yuko; Okada, Yoshio

    2002-04-01

    The treatment of rat thymocytes with YO-2, a novel inhibitor of plasmin, resulted in an increase in DNA fragmentation. DNA fragmentation was also induced by another YO compounds such as YO-0, -3, -4 and -5. These YO compounds are the inhibitor of plasmin activity. On the other hand, YO-1, -6 and -8 that hardly inhibit plasmin activity had no effect on DNA fragmentation. Analysis of fragmented DNA from thymocytes treated with YO-2 by agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that the compound caused internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. In addition, judging from a laser scanning microscopy, annexin V-positive and propidium iodide-negative cells were increased by the treatment of the cells with the compound. Moreover, chromatin condensation was observed in thymocytes treated with the compound. These results demonstrated that YO-2 induces thymocyte apoptosis. There seemed to be some correlation between the apoptosis induced by YO compounds and their plasmin inhibitory effect. However, because the other protease inhibitors including pepstatin A, leupeptin, AEBSF, DFP and E-64-d did not affect DNA fragmentation, YO compounds are likely to have unique mechanism on plasmin or to show the effect on the other plasmin-like proteases. The plasmin inhibitory activity may have an important role in YO-2-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the stimulations of caspase-8, -9 and -3-like activities were observed in thymocytes treated with YO-2. These results suggest that YO-2 induces thymocyte apoptosis via activation of caspase cascade.

  3. MAP KINASE ERK 1/2 INHIBITORS INDUCE DYSMORPHOLOGY IN MOUSE WHOLE EMBRYO CULTURE

    EPA Science Inventory

    ROSEN, M.B. and E. S. HUNTER. Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. MAP kinase Erk1/2 inhibitors induce dysmorphology in mouse whole embryo culture.

    MAP Kinase signal transduction is associated with a variety ...

  4. Combined effects of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and vATPase inhibitors in NSCLC cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jin, Hyeon-Ok; Hong, Sung-Eun; Kim, Chang Soon

    2015-08-15

    Despite excellent initial clinical responses of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), many patients eventually develop resistance. According to a recent report, vacuolar H + ATPase (vATPase) is overexpressed and is associated with chemotherapy drug resistance in NSCLC. We investigated the combined effects of EGFR TKIs and vATPase inhibitors and their underlying mechanisms in the regulation of NSCLC cell death. We found that combined treatment with EGFR TKIs (erlotinib, gefitinib, or lapatinib) and vATPase inhibitors (bafilomycin A1 or concanamycin A) enhanced synergistic cell death compared to treatments with each drugmore » alone. Treatment with bafilomycin A1 or concanamycin A led to the induction of Bnip3 expression in an Hif-1α dependent manner. Knock-down of Hif-1α or Bnip3 by siRNA further enhanced cell death induced by bafilomycin A1, suggesting that Hif-1α/Bnip3 induction promoted resistance to cell death induced by the vATPase inhibitors. EGFR TKIs suppressed Hif-1α and Bnip3 expression induced by the vATPase inhibitors, suggesting that they enhanced the sensitivity of the cells to these inhibitors by decreasing Hif-1α/Bnip3 expression. Taken together, we conclude that EGFR TKIs enhance the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to vATPase inhibitors by decreasing Hif-1α/Bnip3 expression. We suggest that combined treatment with EGFR TKIs and vATPase inhibitors is potentially effective for the treatment of NSCLC. - Highlights: • Co-treatment with EGFR TKIs and vATPase inhibitors induces synergistic cell death • EGFR TKIs enhance cell sensitivity to vATPase inhibitors via Hif-1α downregulation • Co-treatment of these inhibitors is potentially effective for the treatment of NSCLC.« less

  5. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced gastrointestinal and hepatic injury: pathologists' perspective.

    PubMed

    Karamchandani, Dipti M; Chetty, Runjan

    2018-04-27

    Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) are a relatively new class of 'miracle' dugs that have revolutionised the treatment and prognosis of some advanced-stage malignancies, and have increased the survival rates significantly. This class of drugs includes cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 inhibitors such as ipilimumab; programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitors such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab and avelumab; and programmed cell death protein ligand-1 inhibitors such as atezolizumab. These drugs stimulate the immune system by blocking the coinhibitory receptors on the T cells and lead to antitumoural response. However, a flip side of these novel drugs is immune-related adverse events (irAEs), secondary to immune-mediated process due to disrupted self-tolerance. The irAEs in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract/liver may result in diarrhoea, colitis or hepatitis. An accurate diagnosis of CPI-induced colitis and/or hepatitis is essential for optimal patient management. As we anticipate greater use of these drugs in the future given the significant clinical response, pathologists need to be aware of the spectrum of histological findings that may be encountered in GI and/or liver biopsies received from these patients, as well as differentiate them from its histopathological mimics. This present review discusses the clinical features, detailed histopathological features, management and the differential diagnosis of the luminal GI and hepatic irAEs that may be encountered secondary to CPI therapy. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

  6. Prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in rats by CDK inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Davis, S T; Benson, B G; Bramson, H N; Chapman, D E; Dickerson, S H; Dold, K M; Eberwein, D J; Edelstein, M; Frye, S V; Gampe, R T; Griffin, R J; Harris, P A; Hassell, A M; Holmes, W D; Hunter, R N; Knick, V B; Lackey, K; Lovejoy, B; Luzzio, M J; Murray, D; Parker, P; Rocque, W J; Shewchuk, L; Veal, J M; Walker, D H; Kuyper, L F

    2001-01-05

    Most traditional cytotoxic anticancer agents ablate the rapidly dividing epithelium of the hair follicle and induce alopecia (hair loss). Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), a positive regulator of eukaryotic cell cycle progression, may represent a therapeutic strategy for prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) by arresting the cell cycle and reducing the sensitivity of the epithelium to many cell cycle-active antitumor agents. Potent small-molecule inhibitors of CDK2 were developed using structure-based methods. Topical application of these compounds in a neonatal rat model of CIA reduced hair loss at the site of application in 33 to 50% of the animals. Thus, inhibition of CDK2 represents a potentially useful approach for the prevention of CIA in cancer patients.

  7. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Trichostatin A and MCP30 Relieve Benzene-Induced Hematotoxicity via Restoring Topoisomerase IIα

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Yi; Li, Jiaqi; Qian, Shanhu; Shi, Yifen; Sun, Lan; Han, Yixiang; Zhang, Shenghui; Yu, Kang

    2016-01-01

    Dysfunction of histone acetylation inhibits topoisomerase IIα (Topo IIα), which is implicated in benzene-induced hematotoxicity in patients with chronic benzene exposure. Whether histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can relieve benzene-induced hematotoxicity remains unclear. Here we showed that hydroquinone, a main metabolite of benzene, increased the HDAC activity, decreased the Topo IIα expression and induced apoptosis in human bone marrow mononuclear cells in vitro, and treatment with two HDAC inhibitors, namely trichostatin A (TSA) or a mixture of ribosome-inactivating proteins MCP30, almost completely reversed these effects. We further established a benzene poisoning murine model by inhaling benzene vapor in a container and found that benzene poisoning decreased the expression and activity of Topo IIα, and impaired acetylation of histone H4 and H3. The analysis of regulatory factors of Topo IIα promoter found that benzene poisoning decreased the mRNA levels of SP1 and C-MYB, and increased the mRNA level of SP3. Both TSA and MCP30 significantly enhanced the acetylation of histone H3 and H4 in Topo IIα promoter and increased the expression and activity of Topo IIα in benzene poisoning mice, which contributed to relieve the symptoms of hematotoxicity. Thus, treatment with HDAC inhibitors represents an attractive approach to reduce benzene-induced hematotoxicity. PMID:27058040

  8. Inga laurina trypsin inhibitor (ILTI) obstructs Spodoptera frugiperda trypsins expressed during adaptive mechanisms against plant protease inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Machado, Suzy Wider; de Oliveira, Caio Fernando Ramalho; Zério, Neide Graciano; Parra, José Roberto Postali; Macedo, Maria Lígia Rodrigues

    2017-08-01

    Plant protease inhibitors (PIs) are elements of a common plant defense mechanism induced in response to herbivores. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a highly polyphagous lepidopteran pest, responds to various PIs in its diet by expressing genes encoding trypsins. This raises the question of whether the PI-induced trypsins are also inhibited by other PIs, which we posed as the hypothesis that Inga laurina trypsin inhibitor (ILTI) inhibits PI-induced trypsins in S. frugiperda. In the process of testing our hypothesis, we compared its properties with those of selected PIs, soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (SKTI), Inga vera trypsin inhibitor (IVTI), Adenanthera pavonina trypsin inhibitor (ApTI), and Entada acaciifolia trypsin inhibitor (EATI). We report that ILTI is more effective in inhibiting the induced S. frugiperda trypsins than SKTI and the other PIs, which supports our hypothesis. ILTI may be more appropriate than SKTI for studies regarding adaptive mechanisms to dietary PIs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  9. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin (acetovanillone) induces oxidative stress

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Riganti, Chiara; Costamagna, Costanzo; Bosia, Amalia

    Apocynin (acetovanillone) is often used as a specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. In N11 glial cells, apocynin induced, in a dose-dependent way, a significant increase of both malonyldialdehyde level (index of lipid peroxidation) and lactate dehydrogenase release (index of a cytotoxic effect). Apocynin evoked also, in a significant way, an increase of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} concentration and a decrease of the intracellular glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio, accompanied by augmented efflux of glutathione and glutathione disulfide. Apocynin induced the activation of both pentose phosphate pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle, which was blocked when the cells were incubated with glutathione together with apocynin.more » The cell incubation with glutathione prevented also the apocynin-induced increase of malonyldialdehyde generation and lactate dehydrogenase leakage. Apocynin exerted an oxidant effect also in a cell-free system: indeed, in aqueous solution, it evoked a faster oxidation of the thiols glutathione and dithiothreitol, and elicited the generation of reactive oxygen species, mainly superoxide anions. Our results suggest that apocynin per se can induce an oxidative stress and exert a cytotoxic effect in N11 cells and other cell types, and that some effects of apocynin in in vitro and in vivo experimental models should be interpreted with caution.« less

  10. Influence of cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil and rivastigmine on the acquisition, expression, and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in rats.

    PubMed

    Gawel, Kinga; Labuz, Krzysztof; Jenda, Malgorzata; Silberring, Jerzy; Kotlinska, Jolanta H

    2014-07-15

    The influence of systemic administration of cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil and rivastigmine on the acquisition, expression, and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) was examined in rats. Additionally, this study aimed to compare the effects of donepezil, which selectively inhibits acetylcholinesterase, and rivastigmine, which inhibits both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase on morphine reward. Morphine-induced CPP (unbiased method) was induced by four injections of morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Donepezil (0.5, 1, and 3 mg/kg, i.p.) or rivastigmine (0.03, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) were given 20 min before morphine during conditioning phase and 20 min before the expression or reinstatement of morphine-induced CPP. Our results indicated that both inhibitors of cholinesterase attenuated the acquisition and expression of morphine CPP. The results were more significant after rivastigmine due to a broader inhibitory spectrum of this drug. Moreover, donepezil (1 mg/kg) and rivastigmine (0.5 mg/kg) attenuated the morphine CPP reinstated by priming injection of 5mg/kg morphine. These properties of both cholinesterase inhibitors were reversed by mecamylamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.), a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist but not scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. All effects of cholinesterase inhibitors were observed at the doses that had no effects on locomotor activity of animals. Our results suggest beneficial role of cholinesterase inhibitors in reduction of morphine reward and morphine-induced seeking behavior. Finally, we found that the efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors in attenuating reinstatement of morphine CPP provoked by priming injection may be due to stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Dabigatran and rivaroxaban do not affect AA- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation in patients receiving concomitant platelet inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Olivier, Christoph B; Weik, Patrick; Meyer, Melanie; Weber, Susanne; Diehl, Philipp; Bode, Christoph; Moser, Martin; Zhou, Qian

    2016-08-01

    Dabigatran and rivaroxaban are novel, vitamin K-independent oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and act via antagonism of the coagulation factor (F) IIa (dabigatran) or FXa (rivaroxaban), respectively. Compared to vitamin-K-antagonists, NOACs have shown non-inferiority of risk and benefit in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). In clinical practice there is increasing use of NOACs combined with platelet inhibitors in patients with AF and coronary artery disease. However, whether NOACs affect the function of platelet inhibitors remains incompletely known. This observational study aimed to assess the platelet function in patients receiving dabigatran or rivaroxaban and concomitant platelet inhibitors. A single centre observational study was performed analysing the platelet aggregation of patients treated with dabigatran or rivaroxaban with or without concomitant platelet inhibitors. Measurements before the initiation of NOAC therapy served as the respective control group. Platelet aggregation was measured by multiple electrode aggregometry and was induced with adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 6.5 µM) and arachidonic acid (AA, 0.5 mM), respectively. In order to evaluate whether NOACs interact with platelet inhibition by ASA or the P2Y12-antagonist clopidogrel, 87 patients were grouped according to their concomitant antiplatelet medication. Comparing the ADP- and AA-induced platelet aggregation in patients without concomitant platelet inhibitors (n = 45) no significant differences under therapy with dabigatran (d) or rivaroxaban (r) compared to the control group (c) were observed. In patients taking clopidogrel as a concomitant platelet inhibitor (n = 21), neither dabigatran nor rivaroxaban affected the ADP-induced platelet aggregation (c 20 ± 11, d 21 ± 14, r 18 ± 8 AU*min, p = 0.200). Patients receiving dabigatran or rivaroxaban in combination with ASA (n = 42; 21 ASA only, 21 ASA + clopidogrel) showed no significant differences of the AA-induced

  12. A selective phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitor reduces l-dopa-induced dyskinesias in parkinsonian monkeys.

    PubMed

    Beck, Goichi; Maehara, Shunsuke; Chang, Phat Ly; Papa, Stella M

    2018-03-06

    Phosphodiesterase 10A is a member of the phosphodiesterase family whose brain expression is restricted to the striatum. Phosphodiesterase 10A regulates cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which mediate responses to dopamine receptor activation, and the levels of these cyclic nucleotides are decreased in experimental models of l-dopa-induced dyskinesia. The elevation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels by phosphodiesterase 10A inhibition may thus be targeted to reduce l-dopa-induced dyskinesia. The present study was aimed at determining the potential antidyskinetic effects of phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitors in a primate model of Parkinson's disease (PD). The experiments performed in this model were also intended to provide translational data for the design of future clinical trials. Five MPTP-treated macaques with advanced parkinsonism and reproducible l-dopa-induced dyskinesia were used. MR1916, a selective phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitor, at doses 0.0015 to 0.05 mg/kg, subcutaneously, or its vehicle (control test) was coadministered with l-dopa methyl ester acutely (predetermined optimal and suboptimal subcutaneous doses) and oral l-dopa chronically as daily treatment for 5 weeks. Standardized scales were used to assess motor disability and l-dopa-induced dyskinesia by blinded examiners. Pharmacokinetics was also examined. MR1916 consistently reduced l-dopa-induced dyskinesia in acute tests of l-dopa optimal and suboptimal doses. Significant effects were present with every MR1916 dose tested, but the most effective was 0.015 mg/kg. None of the MR1916 doses tested affected the antiparkinsonian action of l-dopa at the optimal dose. The anti-l-dopa-induced dyskinesia effect of MR1916 (0.015 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was sustained with chronic administration, indicating that tolerance did not develop over the 5-week treatment. No adverse effects were observed after MR1916 administration acutely or

  13. Wound and methyl jasmonate induced pigeon pea defensive proteinase inhibitor has potency to inhibit insect digestive proteinases.

    PubMed

    Lomate, Purushottam R; Hivrale, Vandana K

    2012-08-01

    Wounding of plants by chewing insects or other damage induces the synthesis of defensive proteinase inhibitors (PI) in both wounded and distal unwounded leaves. In the present paper we report the characterization of inducible defensive PI from pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and its in vitro interaction with Helicoverpa armigera gut proteinases (HGP). We found that PI activity was induced in local as well as systemic leaves of pigeon pea by the wounding and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) application. Consistent induction of PI was observed in two wild cultivars of pigeon pea at various growth stages. The estimated molecular weight of inducible PI was ~16.5 kDa. Electrophoretic analysis and enzyme assays revealed that the induced PI significantly inhibited total gut proteinase as well as trypsin-like activity from the midgut of H. armigera. The induced PI was found to be inhibitor of trypsin as well as chymotrypsin. Study could be important to know the further roles of defensive PIs. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  14. Influence of LOX/COX inhibitors on cell differentiation induced by all-trans retinoic acid in neuroblastoma cell lines.

    PubMed

    Redova, Martina; Chlapek, Petr; Loja, Tomas; Zitterbart, Karel; Hermanova, Marketa; Sterba, Jaroslav; Veselska, Renata

    2010-02-01

    We investigated the possible modulation by LOX/ COX inhibitors of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced cell differentiation in two established neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-BE(2). Caffeic acid, as an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, and celecoxib, as an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, were chosen for this study. The effects of the combined treatment with ATRA and LOX/COX inhibitors on neuroblastoma cells were studied using cell morphology assessment, detection of differentiation markers by immunoblotting, measurement of proliferation activity, and cell cycle analysis and apoptosis detection by flow cytometry. The results clearly demonstrated the potential of caffeic acid to enhance ATRA-induced cell differentiation, especially in the SK-N-BE(2) cell line, whereas application of celecoxib alone or with ATRA led predominantly to cytotoxic effects in both cell lines. Moreover, the higher sensitivity of the SK-N-BE(2) cell line to combined treatment with ATRA and LOX/COX inhibitors suggests that cancer stem cells are a main target for this therapeutic approach. Nevertheless, further detailed study of the phenomenon of enhanced cell differentiation by expression profiling is needed.

  15. Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce growth arrest and differentiation in uveal melanoma

    PubMed Central

    Landreville, Solange; Agapova, Olga A.; Matatall, Katie A.; Kneass, Zachary T.; Onken, Michael D.; Lee, Ryan S.; Bowcock, Anne M.; Harbour, J. William

    2011-01-01

    Purpose Metastasis is responsible for the death of most cancer patients, yet few therapeutic agents are available which specifically target the molecular events that lead to metastasis. We recently showed that inactivating mutations in the tumor suppressor gene BAP1 are closely associated with loss of melanocytic differentiation in uveal melanoma and metastasis (UM). The purpose of this study was to identify therapeutic agents that reverse the phenotypic effects of BAP1 loss in UM. Experimental Design In silico screens were performed to identify therapeutic compounds predicted to differentiate UM cells using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and Connectivity Map databases. Valproic acid, trichostatin A, LBH-589 and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid were evaluated for their effects on UM cells using morphologic evaluation, MTS viability assays, BrdU incorporation, flow cytometry, clonogenic assays, gene expression profiling, histone acetylation and ubiquitination assays, and a murine xenograft tumorigenicity model. Results HDAC inhibitors induced morphologic differentiation, cell cycle exit, and a shift to a differentiated, melanocytic gene expression profile in cultured UM cells. Valproic acid inhibited the growth of UM tumors in vivo. Conclusions These findings suggest that HDAC inhibitors may have therapeutic potential for inducing differentiation and prolonged dormancy of micrometastatic disease in UM. PMID:22038994

  16. Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice.

    PubMed

    Neelakantan, Harshini; Vance, Virginia; Wetzel, Michael D; Wang, Hua-Yu Leo; McHardy, Stanton F; Finnerty, Celeste C; Hommel, Jonathan D; Watowich, Stanley J

    2018-01-01

    There is a critical need for new mechanism-of-action drugs that reduce the burden of obesity and associated chronic metabolic comorbidities. A potentially novel target to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes is nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase (NNMT), a cytosolic enzyme with newly identified roles in cellular metabolism and energy homeostasis. To validate NNMT as an anti-obesity drug target, we investigated the permeability, selectivity, mechanistic, and physiological properties of a series of small molecule NNMT inhibitors. Membrane permeability of NNMT inhibitors was characterized using parallel artificial membrane permeability and Caco-2 cell assays. Selectivity was tested against structurally-related methyltransferases and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + ) salvage pathway enzymes. Effects of NNMT inhibitors on lipogenesis and intracellular levels of metabolites, including NNMT reaction product 1-methylnicotianamide (1-MNA) were evaluated in cultured adipocytes. Effects of a potent NNMT inhibitor on obesity measures and plasma lipid were assessed in diet-induced obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Methylquinolinium scaffolds with primary amine substitutions displayed high permeability from passive and active transport across membranes. Importantly, methylquinolinium analogues displayed high selectivity, not inhibiting related SAM-dependent methyltransferases or enzymes in the NAD + salvage pathway. NNMT inhibitors reduced intracellular 1-MNA, increased intracellular NAD + and S-(5'-adenosyl)-l-methionine (SAM), and suppressed lipogenesis in adipocytes. Treatment of diet-induced obese mice systemically with a potent NNMT inhibitor significantly reduced body weight and white adipose mass, decreased adipocyte size, and lowered plasma total cholesterol levels. Notably, administration of NNMT inhibitors did not impact total food intake nor produce any observable adverse effects. These results support development of small molecule NNMT inhibitors as therapeutics to

  17. Prevention of salt induced hypertension and fibrosis by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in Dahl S rats

    PubMed Central

    Liang, B; Leenen, F H H

    2007-01-01

    Background and purpose: In Dahl S rats, high salt increases activity of the tissue renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the CNS, heart and kidneys. Here, we assessed the effects of chronic angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on salt-induced hypertension and cardiovascular and renal hypertrophy and fibrosis, relative to the extent of ACE blockade. Experimental approach: From 4.5 weeks of age, Dahl S rats received either the lipophilic ACE inhibitor trandolapril (1 or 5 mg kg-1 day-1) or the hydrophilic ACE inhibitor lisinopril (10 or 50 mg kg-1 day-1) and a high salt diet was started 0.5 week later. Treatments ended at 9 weeks of age. Key results: High salt diet markedly increased blood pressure (BP), decreased plasma angiotensin II and increased ACE binding densities in brain, heart, aorta and kidneys. Trandolapril and lisinopril prevented 50% of the increase in BP in light and dark period of the day. After the last doses, trandolapril decreased ACE densities by ∼80% in brain nuclei and heart and lisinopril by ∼60% in the brain and by ∼70% in the heart. The two ACE inhibitors prevented right ventricular hypertrophy and attenuated left ventricular hypertrophy but did not affect renal hypertrophy caused by high salt. Both drugs prevented high salt-induced fibrosis in heart, kidney and aorta. Conclusion and implication: As the ACE inhibitors could completely prevent tissue fibrosis and partially prevent tissue hypertrophy and hypertension, the tissue RAAS may play a critical role in salt-induced fibrosis, but a lesser role in the hypertrophy. PMID:17906684

  18. Mitochondrial division/mitophagy inhibitor (Mdivi) Ameliorates Pressure Overload Induced Heart Failure

    PubMed Central

    Givvimani, Srikanth; Munjal, Charu; Tyagi, Neetu; Sen, Utpal; Metreveli, Naira; Tyagi, Suresh C.

    2012-01-01

    Background We have previously reported the role of anti-angiogenic factors in inducing the transition from compensatory cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure and the significance of MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in promoting this process during pressure overload hemodynamic stress. Several studies reported the evidence of cardiac autophagy, involving removal of cellular organelles like mitochondria (mitophagy), peroxisomes etc., in the pathogenesis of heart failure. However, little is known regarding the therapeutic role of mitochondrial division inhibitor (Mdivi) in the pressure overload induced heart failure. We hypothesize that treatment with mitochondrial division inhibitor (Mdivi) inhibits abnormal mitophagy in a pressure overload heart and thus ameliorates heart failure condition. Materials and Methods To verify this, ascending aortic banding was done in wild type mice to create pressure overload induced heart failure and then treated with Mdivi and compared with vehicle treated controls. Results Expression of MMP-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, CD31, was increased, while expression of anti angiogenic factors like endostatin and angiostatin along with MMP-9, TIMP-3 was reduced in Mdivi treated AB 8 weeks mice compared to vehicle treated controls. Expression of mitophagy markers like LC3 and p62 was decreased in Mdivi treated mice compared to controls. Cardiac functional status assessed by echocardiography showed improvement and there is also a decrease in the deposition of fibrosis in Mdivi treated mice compared to controls. Conclusion Above results suggest that Mdivi inhibits the abnormal cardiac mitophagy response during sustained pressure overload stress and propose the novel therapeutic role of Mdivi in ameliorating heart failure. PMID:22479323

  19. Modulation of curcumin-induced Akt phosphorylation and apoptosis by PI3K inhibitor in MCF-7 cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kizhakkayil, Jaleel; Thayyullathil, Faisal; Chathoth, Shahanas

    2010-04-09

    Curcumin has been shown to induce apoptosis in various malignant cancer cell lines. One mechanism of curcumin-induced apoptosis is through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Akt, also known as protein kinase B (PKB), is a member of the family of phosphatidylinositol 3-OH-kinase regulated Ser/Thr kinases. The active Akt regulates cell survival and proliferation; and inhibits apoptosis. In this study we found that curcumin induces apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells, as assessed by MTT assay, DNA ladder formation, PARP cleavage, p53 and Bax induction. At apoptotic inducing concentration, curcumin induces a dramatic Akt phosphorylation, accompanied by an increased phosphorylation of glycogenmore » synthase kinase 3{beta} (GSK3{beta}), which has been considered to be a pro-growth signaling molecule. Combining curcumin with PI3K inhibitor, LY290042, synergizes the apoptotic effect of curcumin. The inhibitor LY290042 was capable of attenuating curcumin-induced Akt phosphorylation and activation of GSK3{beta}. All together, our data suggest that blocking the PI3K/Akt survival pathway sensitizes the curcumin-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.« less

  20. Attenuation of MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity by TV3326, a cholinesterase-monoamine oxidase inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Sagi, Yotam; Weinstock, Marta; Youdim, Moussa B H

    2003-07-01

    (R)-[(N-propargyl-(3R) aminoindan-5-yl) ethyl methyl carbamate] (TV3326) is a novel cholinesterase and brain-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A/-B inhibitor. It was developed for the treatment of dementia co-morbid with extra pyramidal disorders (parkinsonism), and depression. On chronic treatment in mice it attenuated striatal dopamine depletion induced by MPTP and prevented the reduction in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity, like selective B and non-selective MAO inhibitors. TV3326 preferentially inhibits MAO-B in the striatum and hippocampus, and the degree of MAO-B inhibition correlates with the prevention of MPTP-induced dopamine depletion. Complete inhibition of MAO-B is not necessary for full protection from MPTP neurotoxicity. Unlike that seen after treatment with other MAO-A and -B inhibitors, recovery of striatal and hippocampal MAO-A and -B activities from inhibition by TV3326 did not show first-order kinetics. This has been attributed to the generation of a number of metabolites by TV3326 that cause differential inhibition of these enzymes. Inhibition of brain MAO-A and -B by TV3326 resulted in significant elevations of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin in the striatum and hippocampus. This may explain its antidepressant-like activity, resembling that of moclobemide in the forced-swim test in rats.

  1. A non-toxic Hsp90 inhibitor protects neurons from Abeta-induced toxicity.

    PubMed

    Ansar, Sabah; Burlison, Joseph A; Hadden, M Kyle; Yu, Xiao Ming; Desino, Kelly E; Bean, Jennifer; Neckers, Len; Audus, Ken L; Michaelis, Mary L; Blagg, Brian S J

    2007-04-01

    The molecular chaperones have been implicated in numerous neurodegenerative disorders in which the defining pathology is misfolded proteins and the accumulation of protein aggregates. In Alzheimer's disease, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein results in its dissociation from microtubules and the formation of pathogenic aggregates. An inverse relationship was demonstrated between Hsp90/Hsp70 levels and aggregated tau, suggesting that Hsp90 inhibitors that upregulate these chaperones could provide neuroprotection. We recently identified a small molecule novobiocin analogue, A4 that induces Hsp90 overexpression at low nanomolar concentrations and sought to test its neuroprotective properties. A4 protected neurons against Abeta-induced toxicity at low nanomolar concentrations that paralleled its ability to upregulate Hsp70 expression. A4 exhibited no cytotoxicity in neuronal cells at the highest concentration tested, 10 microM, thus providing a large therapeutic window for neuroprotection. In addition, A4 was transported across BMECs in vitro, suggesting the compound may permeate the blood-brain barrier in vivo. Taken together, these data establish A4, a C-terminal inhibitor of Hsp90, as a potent lead for the development of a novel class of compounds to treat Alzheimer's disease.

  2. Autophagy Induced by CX-4945, a Casein Kinase 2 Inhibitor, Enhances Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines.

    PubMed

    Hwang, Dae Wook; So, Kwang Sup; Kim, Song Cheol; Park, Kwang-Min; Lee, Young-Joo; Kim, Sun-Whe; Choi, Chang-Min; Rho, Jin Kyung; Choi, Yun Jung; Lee, Jae Cheol

    2017-04-01

    Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal malignancy with only a few effective chemotherapeutic drugs. Because the inhibition of casein kinase 2 (CK2) has been reported as a novel therapeutic strategy for many cancers, we investigated the effects of CK2 inhibitors in pancreatic cancer cell lines. The BxPC3, 8902, MIA PaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cell lines, and CX-4945, a novel CK2 inhibitor, were used. Autophagy was analyzed by acridine orange staining, fluorescence microscope detection of punctuate patterns of GFP-tagged LC3 and immunoblotting for LC3. Cell survival, cell cycle, and apoptosis analysis was performed. CX-4945 induced significant inhibition of proliferation and triggered autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells. This suppression of proliferation was caused by the direct inhibition of CK2α, which was required for autophagy and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. CX-4945 suppressed cell cycle progression in G2/M and induced apoptosis. The inhibition of CX-4945-induced autophagy was rescued by 3-methyladenine or small interfering RNA against Atg7, which attenuated apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. CX-4945, a potent and selective inhibitor of CK2, effectively induces autophagy and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells, indicating that the induction of autophagy by CX-4945 may have an important role in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

  3. ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine antagonizes the activity of proteasome inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Halasi, Marianna; Wang, Ming; Chavan, Tanmay S; Gaponenko, Vadim; Hay, Nissim; Gartel, Andrei L

    2013-09-01

    NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) is commonly used to identify and test ROS (reactive oxygen species) inducers, and to inhibit ROS. In the present study, we identified inhibition of proteasome inhibitors as a novel activity of NAC. Both NAC and catalase, another known scavenger of ROS, similarly inhibited ROS levels and apoptosis associated with H₂O₂. However, only NAC, and not catalase or another ROS scavenger Trolox, was able to prevent effects linked to proteasome inhibition, such as protein stabilization, apoptosis and accumulation of ubiquitin conjugates. These observations suggest that NAC has a dual activity as an inhibitor of ROS and proteasome inhibitors. Recently, NAC was used as a ROS inhibitor to functionally characterize a novel anticancer compound, piperlongumine, leading to its description as a ROS inducer. In contrast, our own experiments showed that this compound depicts features of proteasome inhibitors including suppression of FOXM1 (Forkhead box protein M1), stabilization of cellular proteins, induction of ROS-independent apoptosis and enhanced accumulation of ubiquitin conjugates. In addition, NAC, but not catalase or Trolox, interfered with the activity of piperlongumine, further supporting that piperlongumine is a proteasome inhibitor. Most importantly, we showed that NAC, but not other ROS scavengers, directly binds to proteasome inhibitors. To our knowledge, NAC is the first known compound that directly interacts with and antagonizes the activity of proteasome inhibitors. Taken together, the findings of the present study suggest that, as a result of the dual nature of NAC, data interpretation might not be straightforward when NAC is utilized as an antioxidant to demonstrate ROS involvement in drug-induced apoptosis.

  4. Intracellular Serine Protease Inhibitor SERPINB4 Inhibits Granzyme M-Induced Cell Death

    PubMed Central

    de Koning, Pieter J. A.; Kummer, J. Alain; de Poot, Stefanie A. H.; Quadir, Razi; Broekhuizen, Roel; McGettrick, Anne F.; Higgins, Wayne J.; Devreese, Bart; Worrall, D. Margaret; Bovenschen, Niels

    2011-01-01

    Granzyme-mediated cell death is the major pathway for cytotoxic lymphocytes to kill virus-infected and tumor cells. In humans, five different granzymes (i.e. GrA, GrB, GrH, GrK, and GrM) are known that all induce cell death. Expression of intracellular serine protease inhibitors (serpins) is one of the mechanisms by which tumor cells evade cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated killing. Intracellular expression of SERPINB9 by tumor cells renders them resistant to GrB-induced apoptosis. In contrast to GrB, however, no physiological intracellular inhibitors are known for the other four human granzymes. In the present study, we show that SERPINB4 formed a typical serpin-protease SDS-stable complex with both recombinant and native human GrM. Mutation of the P2-P1-P1′ triplet in the SERPINB4 reactive center loop completely abolished complex formation with GrM and N-terminal sequencing revealed that GrM cleaves SERPINB4 after P1-Leu. SERPINB4 inhibited GrM activity with a stoichiometry of inhibition of 1.6 and an apparent second order rate constant of 1.3×104 M−1s−1. SERPINB4 abolished cleavage of the macromolecular GrM substrates α-tubulin and nucleophosmin. Overexpression of SERPINB4 in tumor cells inhibited recombinant GrM-induced as well as NK cell-mediated cell death and this inhibition depended on the reactive center loop of the serpin. As SERPINB4 is highly expressed by squamous cell carcinomas, our results may represent a novel mechanism by which these tumor cells evade cytotoxic lymphocyte-induced GrM-mediated cell death. PMID:21857942

  5. Sorafenib induces cathepsin B-mediated apoptosis of bladder cancer cells by regulating the Akt/PTEN pathway. The Akt inhibitor, perifosine, enhances the sorafenib-induced cytotoxicity against bladder cancer cells

    PubMed Central

    Amantini, Consuelo; Morelli, Maria Beatrice; Santoni, Matteo; Soriani, Alessandra; Cardinali, Claudio; Farfariello, Valerio; Eleuteri, Anna Maria; Bonfili, Laura; Mozzicafreddo, Matteo; Nabissi, Massimo; Cascinu, Stefano; Santoni, Giorgio

    2015-01-01

    Sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been demonstrated to exert anti-tumor effects. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects on bladder cancer remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the mechanisms responsible for the sorafenib-induced anti-tumor effects on 5637 and T24 bladder cancer cells. We demonstrated that sorafenib reduces cell viability, stimulates lysosome permeabilization and induces apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. These effects are dependent by the activation of cathepsin B released from lysosomes. The sorafenib-increased cathepsin B activity induced the proteolysis of Bid into tBid that stimulates the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis characterized by mitochondrial membrane depolarization, oxygen radical generation and cytochrome c release. Moreover, we found that cathepsin B enzymatic activity, induced by sorafenib, is dependent on its dephosphorylation via PTEN activation and Akt inactivation. Pretreatment with orthovanadate rescued bladder cancer cells from apoptosis. In addition, the Akt inhibitor perifosine increased the sensitivity of bladder cancer cells to sorafenib-induced cytotoxicity. Overall, our results show that apoptotic cell death induced by sorafenib in bladder cancer cells is dependent on cathepsin B activity and involved PTEN and Akt signaling pathways. The Akt inhibitor perifosine increased the cytotoxic effects of sorafenib in bladder cancer cells. PMID:26097873

  6. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Facilitate Dihydroartemisinin-Induced Apoptosis in Liver Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Chris Zhiyi; Pan, Yinghua; Cao, Yun; Lai, Paul B. S.; Liu, Lili; Chen, George Gong; Yun, Jingping

    2012-01-01

    Liver cancer ranks in prevalence and mortality among top five cancers worldwide. Accumulating interests have been focused in developing new strategies for liver cancer treatment. We have previously showed that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) exhibited antitumor activity towards liver cancer. In this study, we demonstrated that histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) significantly augmented the antineoplastic effect of DHA via increasing apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of ERK phosphorylation contributed to DHA-induced apoptosis, due to the fact that inhibitor of ERK phosphorylation (PD98059) increased DHA-induced apoptosis. Compared with DHA alone, the combined treatment with DHA and HDACi reduced mitochondria membrane potential, released cytochrome c into cytoplasm, increased p53 and Bak, decreased Mcl-1 and p-ERK, activated caspase 3 and PARP, and induced apoptotic cells. Furthermore, we showed that HDACi pretreatment facilitated DHA-induced apoptosis. In Hep G2-xenograft carrying nude mice, the intraperitoneal injection of DHA and SAHA resulted in significant inhibition of xenograft tumors. Results of TUNEL and H&E staining showed more apoptosis induced by combined treatment. Immunohistochemistry data revealed the activation of PARP, and the decrease of Ki-67, p-ERK and Mcl-1. Taken together, our data suggest that the combination of HDACi and DHA offers an antitumor effect on liver cancer, and this combination treatment should be considered as a promising strategy for chemotherapy. PMID:22761917

  7. The novel Akt inhibitor API-1 induces c-FLIP degradation and synergizes with TRAIL to augment apoptosis independent of Akt inhibition

    PubMed Central

    Li, Bo; Ren, Hui; Yue, Ping; Chen, Mingwei; Khuri, Fadlo R.; Sun, Shi-Yong

    2012-01-01

    API-1 is a novel small molecule inhibitor of Akt, which acts by binding to Akt and preventing its membrane translocation, and has promising preclinical antitumor activity. In this study, we reveal a novel function of API-1 in regulation of c-FLIP levels and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis, independent of Akt inhibition. API-1 effectively induced apoptosis in tested cancer cell lines including activation of caspase-8 and caspase-9. It reduced the levels of c-FLIP without increasing the expression of DR4 or DR5. Accordingly, it synergized with TRAIL to induce apoptosis. Enforced expression of ectopic c-FLIP did not attenuate API-1-induced apoptosis, but inhibited its ability to enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis. These data indicate that downregulation of c-FLIP mediates enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis by API-1, but is not sufficient for API-1-induced apoptosis. API-1-induced reduction of c-FLIP could be blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Moreover, API-1 increased c-FLIP ubiquitination and decreased c-FLIP stability. These data together suggest that API-1 downregulates c-FLIP by facilitating its ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation. Since other Akt inhibitors including API-2 and MK2206 had minimal effects on reducing c-FLIP and enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis, it is likely that API-1 reduces c-FLIP and enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis independent of its Akt-inhibitory activity. PMID:22345097

  8. Differential effects of selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibitors on anorexic response and prostaglandin generation in various tissues induced by zymosan.

    PubMed

    Naoi, Kazuhisa; Kogure, Suguru; Saito, Masataka; Hamazaki, Tomohito; Watanabe, Shiro

    2006-07-01

    We have shown that anorexic response is induced by intraperitoneal injection of zymosan in mice, although the role of prostaglandins in this response is relatively unknown as compared with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced anorexic response. Indomethacin (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg), a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, as well as meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg), a selective COX-2 inhibitor, but not FR122047 (2.0 mg/kg), a selective COX-1 inhibitor, attenuated zymosan-induced anorexia. Zymosan injection elevated COX-2 expression in brain and liver but not in small intestine and colon. Meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg) and FR122047 treatment (2.0 mg/kg) similarly suppressed the generation of brain prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and peritoneal prostacyclin (PGI(2)) upon zymosan injection. PGE(2) generation in liver upon zymosan injection was suppressed by meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg) but not by FR122047 treatment (2.0 mg/kg). Our observations suggest that COX-2 plays an important role in zymosan-induced anorexia, which is a similar feature in LPS-induced anorexic response. However, non-selective inhibition by selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors of brain PGE(2) generation upon zymosan injection does not support the role of COX-2 expressed in brain in zymosan-induced anorexic response. PGE(2) generation in liver may account for peripheral role of COX-2 in zymosan-induced anorexic response.

  9. [Tranexamic acid as first-line emergency treatment for episodes of bradykinin-mediated angioedema induced by ACE inhibitors].

    PubMed

    Beauchêne, C; Martins-Héricher, J; Denis, D; Martin, L; Maillard, H

    2018-05-04

    Episodes of acquired bradykinin-mediated angioedema due to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may result in fatal outcomes. There is no consensus regarding emergency pharmacological management of these episodes. Treatment options include icatibant and C1INH concentrate. Tranexamic acid is administered for moderate episodes. Its efficacy in the treatment of ACE inhibitor-induced episodes of angioedema is not established. The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the benefits of emergency tranexamic acid administration in the management of ACE inhibitor-induced episodes of angioedema. Retrospective analysis of the medical files of patients who consulted between 2010 and 2016 in two French tertiary care hospitals for a bradykinic angioedema attributed to an ACE treatment. All of them had received tranexamic acid as a first line treatment. Thirty three patients who had experienced severe episode of angioedema were included. Twenty seven patients showed significant improvement when treated with tranexamic acid alone. The six remaining patients were treated with icatibant (5/33) or C1INH concentrate (1/33), due to partial improvement after tranexamic acid therapy. None of the patients were intubated, no fatalities were recorded and no side effects were reported. Tranexamic acid is an easily accessible and affordable therapy that may provide effective treatment for ACE inhibitor-induced episodes of angioedema. It may help while waiting for a more specific treatment (icatibant and C1INH concentrate) that is at times unavailable in emergency departments. Copyright © 2018 Société Nationale Française de Médecine Interne (SNFMI). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

  10. Discovery of a novel orally active PDE-4 inhibitor effective in an ovalbumin-induced asthma murine model.

    PubMed

    Kwak, Hyun Jeong; Nam, Ji Yeon; Song, Jin Sook; No, Zaesung; Yang, Sung Don; Cheon, Hyae Gyeong

    2012-06-15

    Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) is responsible for metabolizing adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate that reduces the activation of a wide range of inflammatory cells including eosinophils. PDE-4 inhibitors are under development for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Herein, we report a novel PDE-4 inhibitor, PDE-423 (3-[1-(3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]-benzoic acid), which shows good in vitro and in vivo oral activities. PDE-423 exhibited in vitro IC(50)s of 140 nM and 550 nM in enzyme assay and cell-based assay, respectively. In vivo study using ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice revealed that PDE-423 reduced methacholine-stimulated airway hyperreactivity in a dose-dependent manner by once daily oral administration (ED(50)=18.3 mg/kg), in parallel with decreased eosinophil peroxidase activity and improved lung histology. In addition, PDE-423 was effective in diminishing lipopolysaccharide-induced neutrophilia in vivo as well as in vitro. Oral administration of PDE-423 (100 mg/kg) had no effect on the duration of xylazine/ketamine-induced anesthesia and did not induce vomiting incidence in ferrets up to the dose of 1000 mg/kg. The present study indicates that a novel PDE-4 inhibitor, PDE-423, has good pharmacological profiles implicating this as a potential candidate for the development of a new anti-asthmatic drug. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. The novel Akt inhibitor API-1 induces c-FLIP degradation and synergizes with TRAIL to augment apoptosis independent of Akt inhibition.

    PubMed

    Li, Bo; Ren, Hui; Yue, Ping; Chen, Mingwei; Khuri, Fadlo R; Sun, Shi-Yong

    2012-04-01

    API-1 (pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines) is a novel small-molecule inhibitor of Akt, which acts by binding to Akt and preventing its membrane translocation and has promising preclinical antitumor activity. In this study, we reveal a novel function of API-1 in regulation of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) levels and TRAIL-induced apoptosis, independent of Akt inhibition. API-1 effectively induced apoptosis in tested cancer cell lines including activation of caspase-8 and caspase-9. It reduced the levels of c-FLIP without increasing the expression of death receptor 4 (DR4) or DR5. Accordingly, it synergized with TRAIL to induce apoptosis. Enforced expression of ectopic c-FLIP did not attenuate API-1-induced apoptosis but inhibited its ability to enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis. These data indicate that downregulation of c-FLIP mediates enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis by API-1 but is not sufficient for API-1-induced apoptosis. API-1-induced reduction of c-FLIP could be blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Moreover, API-1 increased c-FLIP ubiquitination and decreased c-FLIP stability. These data together suggest that API-1 downregulates c-FLIP by facilitating its ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation. Because other Akt inhibitors including API-2 and MK2206 had minimal effects on reducing c-FLIP and enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis, it is likely that API-1 reduces c-FLIP and enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis independent of its Akt-inhibitory activity. 2012 AACR

  12. hCLCA2 is a p53-inducible inhibitor of breast cancer cell proliferation

    PubMed Central

    Walia, Vijay; Ding, Ming; Kumar, Sumit; Nie, Daotai; Premkumar, Louis; Elble, Randolph C.

    2009-01-01

    hCLCA2 is frequently downregulated in breast cancer and is a candidate tumor suppressor gene. We show here that the hCLCA2 gene is strongly induced by p53 in response to DNA damage. Adenoviral expression of p53 induces hCLCA2 in a variety of breast cell lines. Further, we find that p53 binds to consensus elements in the hCLCA2 promoter and mutation of these sites abolishes p53-responsiveness and induction by DNA damage. Adenoviral transduction of hCLCA2 into immortalized cells induces p53, CDK inhibitors p21 and p27, and cell cycle arrest by 24 hours, and caspase induction and apoptosis by 40 hours post-infection. Transduction of the malignant tumor cell line BT549 on the other hand does not induce p53, p21, or p27 but instead induces apoptosis directly and more rapidly. Knockout and knockdown studies indicate that growth inhibition and apoptosis are signaled via multiple pathways. Conversely, suppression of hCLCA2 by RNA interference enhances proliferation of MCF10A and reduces sensitivity to doxorubicin. Gene expression profiles indicate that hCLCA2 levels are strongly predictive of tumor cell sensitivity to doxorubicin and other chemotherapeutics. Because certain Cl- channels are proposed to promote apoptosis by reducing intracellular pH, we tested whether, and established that, hCLCA2 enhances Cl- current in breast cancer cells and reduces pH to ∼6.7. These results reveal hCLCA2 as a novel p53-inducible growth inhibitor, explain how its downregulation confers a survival advantage to tumor cells, and suggest both prognostic and therapeutic applications. PMID:19654313

  13. Inhibitors of ceramide de novo biosynthesis rescue damages induced by cigarette smoke in airways epithelia.

    PubMed

    Zulueta, Aida; Caretti, Anna; Campisi, Giuseppe Matteo; Brizzolari, Andrea; Abad, Jose Luis; Paroni, Rita; Signorelli, Paola; Ghidoni, Riccardo

    2017-07-01

    Exposure to cigarette smoke represents the most important risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, imbalance of proteolytic activity resulting in the destruction of lung parenchyma, alveolar hypoxia, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Sphingolipids are structural membrane components whose metabolism is altered during stress. Known as apoptosis and inflammation inducer, the sphingolipid ceramide was found to accumulate in COPD airways and its plasma concentration increased as well. The present study investigates the role of sphingolipids in the cigarette smoke-induced damage of human airway epithelial cells. Lung epithelial cells were pre-treated with sphingolipid synthesis inhibitors (myriocin or XM462) and then exposed to a mixture of nicotine, acrolein, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde, the major toxic cigarette smoke components. The inflammatory and proteolytic responses were investigated by analysis of the mRNA expression (RT-PCR) of cytokines IL-1β and IL-8, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and of the protein expression (ELISA) of IL-8. Ceramide intracellular amounts were measured by LC-MS technique. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power test and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity assay were used to assess the antioxidant power of the inhibitors of ceramide synthesis. We here show that ceramide synthesis is enhanced under treatment with a cigarette smoke mixture correlating with increased expression of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase 9. The use of inhibitors of ceramide synthesis protected from smoke induced damages such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and proteolytic imbalance in airways epithelia.

  14. Critical role of PI3-kinase/Akt activation in the PARP inhibitor induced heart function recovery during ischemia-reperfusion.

    PubMed

    Kovacs, Krisztina; Toth, Ambrus; Deres, Peter; Kalai, Tamas; Hideg, Kalman; Gallyas, Ferenc; Sumegi, Balazs

    2006-02-14

    Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors protect hearts from ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced damages by limiting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and ATP depletion, and by other, not yet elucidated mechanisms. Our preliminary data suggested that PARP catalyzed ADP-ribosylations may affect signaling pathways in cardiomyocytes. To clarify this possibility, we studied the effect of a well-characterized (4-hydroxyquinazoline) and a novel (carboxaminobenzimidazol-derivative) PARP inhibitor on the activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/Akt pathway in Langendorff-perfused hearts. PARP inhibitors promoted the restoration of myocardial energy metabolism (assessed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and cardiac function compared to untreated hearts. PARP inhibitors also attenuated the infarct size and reduced the IR-induced lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and total peroxide concentration. Moreover, PARP inhibitors facilitated Akt phosphorylation and activation, as well as the phosphorylation of its downstream target glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) in normoxia and, more robustly, during IR. Blocking PI3-kinase by wortmannin or LY294002 reduced the PARP inhibitor-elicited robust Akt and GSK-3beta phosphorylation upon ischemia-reperfusion, and significantly diminished the recovery of ATP and creatine phosphate showing the importance of Akt activation in the recovery of energy metabolism. In addition, inhibition of PI3-kinase/Akt pathway decreased the protective effect of PARP inhibitors on infarct size and the recovery of heart functions. All these data suggest that contrary to the original view, which considered preservation of NAD+ and consequently ATP pools as the exclusive underlying mechanism for the cytoprotective effect of PARP inhibitors, the activation of PI3-kinase/Akt pathway and related processes are at least equally important in the cardioprotective effects of PARP inhibitors during ischemia-reperfusion.

  15. Differentiation and upregulation of heat shock protein 70 induced by a subset of histone deacetylase inhibitors in mouse and human embryonic stem cells.

    PubMed

    Park, Jeong-A; Kim, Young-Eun; Seok, Hyun-Jeong; Park, Woo-Youn; Kwon, Hyung-Joo; Lee, Younghee

    2011-03-01

    Inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity modulates the epigenetic status of cells, resulting in an alteration of gene expression and cellular function. Here, we investigated the effects of HDAC inhibitors on mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. The HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, sodium butyrate, and valproic acid induced early differentiation of mouse ES cells and triggered induction of heatshock protein (HSP)70. In contrast, class III HDAC inhibitors failed to induce differentiation or HSP70 expression. Transcriptional upregulation of HSP70 was confirmed by mRNA expression analysis, an inhibitor study, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. HSP70 induction was dependent on the SAPK/ JNK, p38, and PI3K/Akt pathways. Differentiation and induction of HSP70 by a subset of HDAC inhibitors was also examined in human ES cells, which suggests that the phenomenon generally occurs in ES cells. A better understanding of the effects of HDAC inhibitors may give more insight into their application in stem cell biology.

  16. Regulatory T-Cell Augmentation or Interleukin-17 Inhibition Prevents Calcineurin Inhibitor-Induced Hypertension in Mice.

    PubMed

    Chiasson, Valorie L; Pakanati, Abhinandan R; Hernandez, Marcos; Young, Kristina J; Bounds, Kelsey R; Mitchell, Brett M

    2017-07-01

    The immunosuppressive calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine A and tacrolimus alter T-cell subsets and can cause hypertension, vascular dysfunction, and renal toxicity. We and others have reported that cyclosporine A and tacrolimus decrease anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells and increase proinflammatory interleukin-17-producing T cells; therefore, we hypothesized that inhibition of these effects using noncellular therapies would prevent the hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and renal glomerular injury induced by calcineurin inhibitor therapy. Daily treatment of mice with cyclosporine A or tacrolimus for 1 week significantly decreased CD4 + /FoxP3 + regulatory T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes, as well as induced hypertension, vascular injury and dysfunction, and glomerular mesangial expansion in mice. Daily cotreatment with all-trans retinoic acid reported to increase regulatory T cells and decrease interleukin-17-producing T cells, prevented all of the detrimental effects of cyclosporine A and tacrolimus. All-trans retinoic acid also increased regulatory T cells and prevented the hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and glomerular injury in genetically modified mice that phenocopy calcineurin inhibitor-treated mice (FKBP12-Tie2 knockout). Treatment with an interleukin-17-neutralizing antibody also increased regulatory T-cell levels and prevented the hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and glomerular injury in cyclosporine A-treated and tacrolimus-treated mice and FKBP12-Tie2 knockout mice, whereas an isotype control had no effect. Augmenting regulatory T cells and inhibiting interleukin-17 signaling using noncellular therapies prevents the cardiovascular and renal toxicity of calcineurin inhibitors in mice. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  17. Mechanisms of G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in myeloma cells induced by hybrid-compound histone deacetylase inhibitor

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fujii, Seiko; Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyushu Dental University; Okinaga, Toshinori

    2013-05-10

    Highlights: •Novel histone deacetylase inhibitor Ky-2, remarkably inhibits myeloma cell growth. •Ky-2 demonstrates no cytotoxicity against normal lymphocytic cells. •Ky-2 induces cell cycle arrest through the cell cycle-associated proteins. •Ky-2 induces Bcl-2-inhibitable apoptosis through a caspase-dependent cascade. -- Abstract: Objectives: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are new therapeutic agents, used to treat various types of malignant cancers. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Ky-2, a hybrid-compound HDAC inhibitor, on the growth of mouse myeloma cells. Materials and methods: Myeloma cells, HS-72, P3U1, and mouse normal cells were used in this study. Effect of HDAC inhibitors on cell viabilitymore » was determined by WST-assay and trypan blue assay. Cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometer. The expression of cell cycle regulatory and the apoptosis associated proteins were examined by Western blot analysis. Hoechst’s staining was used to detect apoptotic cells. Results: Our findings showed that Ky-2 decreased the levels of HDACs, while it enhanced acetylation of histone H3. Myeloma cell proliferation was inhibited by Ky-2 treatment. Interestingly, Ky-2 had no cytotoxic effects on mouse normal cells. Ky-2 treatment induced G1-phase cell cycle arrest and accumulation of a sub-G1 phase population, while Western blotting analysis revealed that expressions of the cell cycle-associated proteins were up-regulated. Also, Ky-2 enhanced the cleavage of caspase-9 and -3 in myeloma cells, followed by DNA fragmentation. In addition, Ky-2 was not found to induce apoptosis in bcl-2 overexpressing myeloma cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Ky-2 induces apoptosis via a caspase-dependent cascade and Bcl-2-inhibitable mechanism in myeloma cells.« less

  18. PARP Inhibitors Sensitize Ewing Sarcoma Cells to Temozolomide-Induced Apoptosis via the Mitochondrial Pathway.

    PubMed

    Engert, Florian; Schneider, Cornelius; Weiβ, Lilly Magdalena; Probst, Marie; Fulda, Simone

    2015-12-01

    Ewing sarcoma has recently been reported to be sensitive to poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Searching for synergistic drug combinations, we tested several PARP inhibitors (talazoparib, niraparib, olaparib, veliparib) together with chemotherapeutics. Here, we report that PARP inhibitors synergize with temozolomide (TMZ) or SN-38 to induce apoptosis and also somewhat enhance the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin, etoposide, or ifosfamide, whereas actinomycin D and vincristine show little synergism. Furthermore, triple therapy of olaparib, TMZ, and SN-38 is significantly more effective compared with double or monotherapy. Mechanistic studies revealed that the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis plays a critical role in mediating the synergy of PARP inhibition and TMZ. We show that subsequent to DNA damage-imposed checkpoint activation and G2 cell-cycle arrest, olaparib/TMZ cotreatment causes downregulation of the antiapoptotic protein MCL-1, followed by activation of the proapoptotic proteins BAX and BAK, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), activation of caspases, and caspase-dependent cell death. Overexpression of a nondegradable MCL-1 mutant or BCL-2, knockdown of NOXA or BAX and BAK, or the caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zVAD.fmk) all significantly reduce olaparib/TMZ-mediated apoptosis. These findings emphasize the role of PARP inhibitors for chemosensitization of Ewing sarcoma with important implications for further (pre)clinical studies. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

  19. Free fatty acids block glucose-induced β-cell proliferation in mice by inducing cell cycle inhibitors p16 and p18.

    PubMed

    Pascoe, Jordan; Hollern, Douglas; Stamateris, Rachel; Abbasi, Munira; Romano, Lia C; Zou, Baobo; O'Donnell, Christopher P; Garcia-Ocana, Adolfo; Alonso, Laura C

    2012-03-01

    Pancreatic β-cell proliferation is infrequent in adult humans and is not increased in type 2 diabetes despite obesity and insulin resistance, suggesting the existence of inhibitory factors. Free fatty acids (FFAs) may influence proliferation. In order to test whether FFAs restrict β-cell proliferation in vivo, mice were intravenously infused with saline, Liposyn II, glucose, or both, continuously for 4 days. Lipid infusion did not alter basal β-cell proliferation, but blocked glucose-stimulated proliferation, without inducing excess β-cell death. In vitro exposure to FFAs inhibited proliferation in both primary mouse β-cells and in rat insulinoma (INS-1) cells, indicating a direct effect on β-cells. Two of the fatty acids present in Liposyn II, linoleic acid and palmitic acid, both reduced proliferation. FFAs did not interfere with cyclin D2 induction or nuclear localization by glucose, but increased expression of inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinase 4 (INK4) family cell cycle inhibitors p16 and p18. Knockdown of either p16 or p18 rescued the antiproliferative effect of FFAs. These data provide evidence for a novel antiproliferative form of β-cell glucolipotoxicity: FFAs restrain glucose-stimulated β-cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro through cell cycle inhibitors p16 and p18. If FFAs reduce proliferation induced by obesity and insulin resistance, targeting this pathway may lead to new treatment approaches to prevent diabetes.

  20. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors potentiate the bronchoconstriction induced by substance P in the guinea-pig.

    PubMed Central

    Subissi, A.; Guelfi, M.; Criscuoli, M.

    1990-01-01

    1. The effects of intravenous captopril and enalaprilic acid on the increase in pulmonary inflation pressure induced by different bronchoconstrictor agents were evaluated in the anaesthetized guinea-pig. 2. Captopril and enalaprilic acid (1.6-200 micrograms kg-1) enhanced dose-dependently the bronchoconstriction (BC) induced by substance P. The threshold effective dose was 1.6 micrograms kg-1 and maximal potentiation over the control response was more than 400% for both agents. Enalaprilic acid was also assayed for serum and lung angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition in anaesthetized guinea-pigs. This drug produced a dose-dependent inhibition of ACE in both tissues, with ED50 s of 7.6 and 9.4 micrograms kg-1, respectively: this inhibitory activity was positively correlated to substance P potentiation. 3. Captopril (8-1000 micrograms kg-1) enhanced dose-dependently the BC induced by capsaicin. The threshold effective dose was 40 micrograms kg-1 and maximal potentiation about 90%. 4. Captopril (200-1000 micrograms kg-1) did not affect BC induced by bradykinin. However, this response was markedly enhanced (about 200%) by captopril 200 micrograms kg-1 in propranolol-pretreated animals. 5. Captopril and enalaprilic acid (200-1000 micrograms kg-1) slightly (20-40%) but significantly enhanced the BC induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine. However, this response was potentiated to the same extent by a dose of prazosin, which produced a degree of hypotension similar to that observed after administration of the ACE inhibitors. 6. In conclusion, ACE inhibitors potentiate the BC induced by substance P and, to a minor extent, that induced by capsaicin in the anaesthetized guinea-pig.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:1697196

  1. Predictive blood plasma biomarkers for EGFR inhibitor-induced skin rash.

    PubMed

    Hichert, Vivien; Scholl, Catharina; Steffens, Michael; Paul, Tanusree; Schumann, Christian; Rüdiger, Stefan; Boeck, Stefan; Heinemann, Volker; Kächele, Volker; Seufferlein, Thomas; Stingl, Julia

    2017-05-23

    Epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression in human cancer can be effectively targeted by drugs acting as specific inhibitors of the receptor, like erlotinib, gefitinib, cetuximab and panitumumab. A common adverse effect is a typical papulopustular acneiform rash, whose occurrence and severity are positively correlated with overall survival in several cancer types. We studied molecules involved in epidermal growth factor receptor signaling which are quantifiable in plasma, with the aim of identifying biomarkers for the severity of rash. With a predictive value for the rash these biomarkers may also have a prognostic value for survival and disease outcome.The concentrations of amphiregulin, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and calcidiol were determined by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in plasma samples from 211 patients.We observed a significant inverse correlation between the plasma concentration of HGF and overall survival in patients with an inhibitor-induced rash (p-value = 0.0075; mean overall survival low HGF: 299 days, high HGF: 240 days) but not in patients without rash. The concentration of HGF was also significantly inversely correlated with severity of rash (p-value = 0.00124).High levels of HGF lead to increased signaling via its receptor MET, which can activate numerous pathways which are normally also activated by epidermal growth factor receptor. Increased HGF/MET signaling might compensate the inhibitory effect of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in skin as well as tumor cells, leading to less severe skin rash and decreased efficacy of the anti-tumor therapy, rendering the plasma concentration of HGF a candidate for predictive biomarkers.

  2. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase aggregation inhibitor peptide: A potential therapeutic strategy against oxidative stress-induced cell death.

    PubMed

    Itakura, Masanori; Nakajima, Hidemitsu; Semi, Yuko; Higashida, Shusaku; Azuma, Yasu-Taka; Takeuchi, Tadayoshi

    2015-11-13

    The glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) has multiple functions, including mediating oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death. This process is associated with disulfide-bonded GAPDH aggregation. Some reports suggest a link between GAPDH and the pathogenesis of several oxidative stress-related diseases. However, the pathological significance of GAPDH aggregation in disease pathogenesis remains unclear due to the lack of an effective GAPDH aggregation inhibitor. In this study, we identified a GAPDH aggregation inhibitor (GAI) peptide and evaluated its biological profile. The decapeptide GAI specifically inhibited GAPDH aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, the GAI peptide did not affect GAPDH glycolytic activity or cell viability. The GAI peptide also exerted a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells. This peptide could potentially serve as a tool to investigate GAPDH aggregation-related neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders and as a possible therapy for diseases associated with oxidative stress-induced cell death. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Insect and wound induced GUS gene expression from a Beta vulgaris proteinase inhibitor gene promoter

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Inducible gene promoters that are specifically activated by pathogen invasion or insect pest attack are needed for effective expression of resistance genes to control plant diseases. In the present study, a promoter from a serine proteinase inhibitor gene (BvSTI) shown to be up-regulated in resist...

  4. Selective Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor Reversed Zinc Chloride-Induced Spatial Memory Impairment via Increasing Cholinergic Marker Expression.

    PubMed

    Tabrizian, Kaveh; Azami, Kian; Belaran, Maryam; Soodi, Maliheh; Abdi, Khosrou; Fanoudi, Sahar; Sanati, Mehdi; Mottaghi Dastjerdi, Negar; Soltany Rezaee-Rad, Mohammad; Sharifzadeh, Mohammad

    2016-10-01

    Zinc, an essential micronutrient and biochemical element of the human body, plays structural, catalytic, and regulatory roles in numerous physiological functions. In the current study, the effects of a pretraining oral administration of zinc chloride (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days and post-training bilateral intra-hippocampal infusion of 1400W as a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor (10, 50, and 100 μM/side), alone and in combination, on the spatial memory retention in Morris water maze (MWM) were investigated. Animals were trained for 4 days and tested 48 h after completion of training. Also, the molecular effects of these compounds on the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), as a cholinergic marker in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and medial septal area (MSA), were evaluated. Behavioral and molecular findings of this study showed that a 2-week oral administration of zinc chloride (50 mg/kg) impaired spatial memory retention in MWM and decreased ChAT expression. Immunohistochemical analysis of post-training bilateral intra-hippocampal infusion of 1400W revealed a significant increase in ChAT immunoreactivity. Furthermore, post-training bilateral intra-hippocampal infusion of 1400W into the CA1 region of the hippocampus reversed zinc chloride-induced spatial memory impairment in MWM and significantly increased ChAT expression in comparison with zinc chloride-treated animals. Taken together, these results emphasize the role of selective iNOS inhibitors in reversing zinc chloride-induced spatial memory deficits via modulation of cholinergic marker expression.

  5. Largazole, a class I histone deacetylase inhibitor, enhances TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ahmed, Salahuddin, E-mail: Salah.Ahmed@utoledo.edu; Riegsecker, Sharayah; Beamer, Maria

    In the present study, we evaluated the effect of largazole (LAR), a marine-derived class I HDAC inhibitor, on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity. LAR (1–5 μM) had no adverse effect on the viability of RA synovial fibroblasts. Among the different class I HDACs screened, LAR (0.5–5 μM) inhibited the constitutive expression of HDAC1 (0–30%). Surprisingly, LAR increased class II HDAC [HDAC6] by ∼ 220% with a concomitant decrease in HDAC5 [30–58%] expression in RA synovial fibroblasts. SAHA (5 μM), a pan-HDAC inhibitor, also inducedmore » HDAC6 expression in RA synovial fibroblasts. Pretreatment of RA synovial fibroblasts with LAR further enhanced TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. However, LAR inhibited TNF-α-induced MMP-2 activity in RA synovial fibroblasts by 35% when compared to the TNF-α-treated group. Further, the addition of HDAC6 specific inhibitor Tubastatin A with LAR suppressed TNF-α + LAR-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression and completely blocked MMP-2 activity, suggesting a role of HDAC6 in LAR-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. LAR also enhanced TNF-α-induced phospho-p38 and phospho-AKT expression, but inhibited the expression of phospho-JNK and nuclear translocation of NF-κBp65 in RA synovial fibroblasts. These results suggest that LAR activates p38 and Akt pathways and influences class II HDACs, in particular HDAC6, to enhance some of the detrimental effects of TNF-α in RA synovial fibroblasts. Understanding the exact role of different HDAC isoenzymes in RA pathogenesis is extremely important in order to develop highly effective HDAC inhibitors for the treatment of RA. - Highlights: • Largazole enhances TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. • Largazole upregulates class II HDAC (HDAC6) in RA synovial fibroblasts. • Largazole also induces the expression of

  6. mTOR inhibitor-induced interstitial lung disease in cancer patients: Comprehensive review and a practical management algorithm.

    PubMed

    Willemsen, Annelieke E C A B; Grutters, Jan C; Gerritsen, Winald R; van Erp, Nielka P; van Herpen, Carla M L; Tol, Jolien

    2016-05-15

    Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) have clinically significant activity against various malignancies, such as renal cell carcinoma and breast cancer, but their use can be complicated by several toxicities. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is an adverse event of particular importance. Mostly, mTORi-induced ILD remains asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, but it can also lead to severe morbidity and even mortality. Therefore, careful diagnosis and management of ILD is warranted. The reported incidence of mTORi-induced ILD varies widely because of a lack of uniform diagnostic criteria and active surveillance. Because of the nonspecific clinical features, a broad differential diagnosis that includes (opportunistic) infections should be considered in case of suspicion of mTORi-induced ILD. The exact mechanism or interplay of mechanisms leading to the development of ILD remains to be defined. Suggested mechanisms are either a direct toxic effect or immune-mediated mechanisms, considering mTOR inhibitors have several effects on the immune system. The clinical course of ILD varies widely and is difficult to predict. Consequently, the discrimination between when mTOR inhibitors can be continued safely and when discontinuation is indicated is challenging. In this review, we give a comprehensive review of the incidence, clinical presentation and pathophysiology of mTORi-induced ILD in cancer patients. We present newly developed diagnostic criteria for ILD, which include clinical symptoms as well as basic pulmonary function tests and radiological abnormalities. In conjunction with these diagnostic criteria, we provide a detailed and easily applicable clinical management algorithm. © 2015 UICC.

  7. A novel histone deacetylase inhibitor prevents IL‐1β induced metabolic dysfunction in pancreatic β‐cells

    PubMed Central

    Susick, Laura; Senanayake, Thulani; Veluthakal, Rajakrishnan; Woster, Patrick M.

    2009-01-01

    Abstract The histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) has recently been shown to inhibit deleterious effects of cytokines on β‐cells, but it is unable to protect β‐cells from death due to its own cytotoxicity. Herein, we investigated novel HDAC inhibitors for their cytoprotective effects against IL‐1β‐induced damage to isolated β‐cells. We report that three novel compounds (THS‐73–44, THS‐72–5 and THS‐78–5) significantly inhibited HDAC activity and increased the acetylation of histone H4 in isolated β‐cells. Further, these compounds exerted no toxic effects on metabolic cell viability in these cells. However, among the three compounds tested, only THS‐78–5 protected against IL‐1β‐mediated loss in β‐cell viability. THS‐78–5 was also able to attenuate IL‐1β‐induced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and subsequent NO release. Our data also indicate that the cytoprotective properties of THS‐78–5 against IL‐1β‐mediated effects may, in part, be due to inhibition of IL‐1β‐induced transactivation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) in these cells. Together, we provide evidence for a novel HDAC inhibitor with a significant potential to prevent IL‐1β‐mediated effects on isolated β‐cells. Potential implications of these findings in the development of novel therapeutics to prevent deleterious effects of cytokines and the onset of autoimmune diabetes are discussed. PMID:20141611

  8. Phosphatidyl-Inositol-3 Kinase Inhibitors Regulate Peptidoglycan-Induced Myeloid Leukocyte Recruitment, Inflammation, and Neurotoxicity in Mouse Brain.

    PubMed

    Arroyo, Daniela S; Gaviglio, Emilia A; Peralta Ramos, Javier M; Bussi, Claudio; Avalos, Maria P; Cancela, Liliana M; Iribarren, Pablo

    2018-01-01

    Acute brain injury leads to the recruitment and activation of immune cells including resident microglia and infiltrating peripheral myeloid cells (MC), which contribute to the inflammatory response involved in neuronal damage. We previously reported that TLR2 stimulation by peptidoglycan (PGN) from Staphylococcus aureus, in vitro and in vivo , induced microglial cell activation followed by autophagy induction. In this report, we evaluated if phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase (PI3K) pharmacological inhibitors LY294200 and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) can modulate the innate immune response to PGN in the central nervous system. We found that injection of PGN into the mouse brain parenchyma (caudate putamen) triggered an inflammatory reaction, which involved activation of microglial cells, recruitment of infiltrating MC to injection site, production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and neuronal injury. In addition, we observed the accumulation of LC3B + CD45 + cells and colocalization of LC3B and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 in brain cells. Besides, we found that pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K, including the classical autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, reduced the recruitment of MC, microglial cell activation, and neurotoxicity induced by brain PGN injection. Collectively, our results suggest that PI3K pathways and autophagic response may participate in the PGN-induced microglial activation and MC recruitment to the brain. Thus, inhibition of these pathways could be therapeutically targeted to control acute brain inflammatory conditions.

  9. EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors diminish transforming growth factor-alpha-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

    PubMed

    Hardie, William D; Davidson, Cynthia; Ikegami, Machiko; Leikauf, George D; Le Cras, Timothy D; Prestridge, Adrienne; Whitsett, Jeffrey A; Korfhagen, Thomas R

    2008-06-01

    Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is a ligand for the EGF receptor (EGFR). EGFR activation is associated with fibroproliferative processes in human lung disease and animal models of pulmonary fibrosis. We determined the effects of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib (Iressa) and erlotinib (Tarceva) on the development and progression of TGF-alpha-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Using a doxycycline-regulatable transgenic mouse model of lung-specific TGF-alpha expression, we determined effects of treatment with gefitinib and erlotinib on changes in lung histology, total lung collagen, pulmonary mechanics, pulmonary hypertension, and expression of genes associated with synthesis of ECM and vascular remodeling. Induction in the lung of TGF-alpha caused progressive pulmonary fibrosis over an 8-wk period. Daily administration of gefitinib or erlotinib prevented development of fibrosis, reduced accumulation of total lung collagen, prevented weight loss, and prevented changes in pulmonary mechanics. Treatment of mice with gefitinib 4 wk after the induction of TGF-alpha prevented further increases in and partially reversed total collagen levels and changes in pulmonary mechanics and pulmonary hypertension. Increases in expression of genes associated with synthesis of ECM as well as decreases of genes associated with vascular remodeling were also prevented or partially reversed. Administration of gefitinib or erlotinib did not cause interstitial fibrosis or increases in lavage cell counts. Administration of small molecule EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors prevented further increases in and partially reversed pulmonary fibrosis induced directly by EGFR activation without inducing inflammatory cell influx or additional lung injury.

  10. Histone deacetylase inhibitors improve learning consolidation in young and in KA-induced-neurodegeneration and SAMP-8-mutant mice.

    PubMed

    Fontán-Lozano, Angela; Romero-Granados, Rocío; Troncoso, Julieta; Múnera, Alejandro; Delgado-García, José María; Carrión, Angel M

    2008-10-01

    Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are enzymes that maintain chromatin in a condensate state, related with absence of transcription. We have studied the role of HDAC on learning and memory processes. Both eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC) and object recognition memory (ORM) induced an increase in histone H3 acetylation (Ac-H3). Systemic treatment with HDAC inhibitors improved cognitive processes in EBCC and in ORM tests. Immunohistochemistry and gene expression analyses indicated that administration of HDAC inhibitors decreased the stimulation threshold for Ac-H3, and gene expression to reach the levels required for learning and memory. Finally, we evaluated the effect of systemic administration of HDAC inhibitors to mice models of neurodegeneration and aging. HDAC inhibitors reversed learning and consolidation deficits in ORM in these models. These results point out HDAC inhibitors as candidate agents for the palliative treatment of learning and memory impairments in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders.

  11. Inhibitor of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 protects against acetaminophen-induced liver injury

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Xie, Yuchao; Ramachandran, Anup; Breckenridge, David G.

    Metabolic activation and oxidant stress are key events in the pathophysiology of acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity. The initial mitochondrial oxidative stress triggered by protein adduct formation is amplified by c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction and ultimately cell necrosis. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is considered the link between oxidant stress and JNK activation. The objective of the current study was to assess the efficacy and mechanism of action of the small-molecule ASK1 inhibitor GS-459679 in a murine model of APAP hepatotoxicity. APAP (300 mg/kg) caused extensive glutathione depletion, JNK activation and translocation to the mitochondria, oxidant stress and livermore » injury as indicated by plasma ALT activities and area of necrosis over a 24 h observation period. Pretreatment with 30 mg/kg of GS-459679 almost completely prevented JNK activation, oxidant stress and injury without affecting the metabolic activation of APAP. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of GS-459679, mice were treated with APAP and then with the inhibitor. Given 1.5 h after APAP, GS-459679 was still protective, which was paralleled by reduced JNK activation and p-JNK translocation to mitochondria. However, GS-459679 treatment was not more effective than N-acetylcysteine, and the combination of GS-459679 and N-acetylcysteine exhibited similar efficacy as N-acetylcysteine monotherapy, suggesting that GS-459769 and N-acetylcysteine affect the same pathway. Importantly, inhibition of ASK1 did not impair liver regeneration as indicated by PCNA staining. In conclusion, the ASK1 inhibitor GS-459679 protected against APAP toxicity by attenuating JNK activation and oxidant stress in mice and may have therapeutic potential for APAP overdose patients. - Highlights: • Two ASK1 inhibitors protected against acetaminophen-induced liver injury. • The ASK1 inhibitors protect when used as pre- or post-treatment. • Protection by ASK1

  12. A Comparative Study of the Aneugenic and Polyploidy-inducing Effects of Fisetin and Two Model Aurora Kinase Inhibitors

    PubMed Central

    Gollapudi, P.; Hasegawa, L.S.; Eastmond, D.A.

    2014-01-01

    Fisetin, a plant flavonol commonly found in fruits, nuts and vegetables, is frequently added to nutritional supplements due to its reported cardioprotective, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties. Earlier reports from our laboratory and others have indicated that fisetin has both aneugenic and clastogenic properties in cultured cells. More recently, fisetin has also been reported to target Aurora B kinase, a Ser/Thr kinase involved in ensuring proper microtubule attachment at the spindle assembly checkpoint, and an enzyme that is overexpressed in several types of cancer. Here we have further characterized the chromosome damage caused by fisetin and compared it with that induced by two known Aurora kinase inhibitors, VX-680 and ZM-447439, in cultured TK6 cells using the micronucleus assay with CREST staining as well as a flow cytometry-based assay that measures multiple types of numerical chromosomal aberrations. The three compounds were highly effective in inducing aneuploidy and polyploidy as evidenced by increases in kinetochore-positive micronuclei, hyperdiploidy, and polyploidy. With fisetin, however, the latter two effects were most significantly observed only after cells were allowed to overcome a cell cycle delay, and occurred at higher concentrations than those induced by the other Aurora kinase inhibitors. Modest increases in kinetochore-negative micronuclei were also seen with the model Aurora kinase inhibitors. These results indicate that fisetin induces multiple types of chromosome abnormalities in human cells, and indicate a need for a thorough investigation of fisetin-augmented dietary supplements. PMID:24680981

  13. An improved isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase inhibitor induces cancer cell death and attenuates tumor growth in vivo

    PubMed Central

    Lau, Hiu Yeung; Ramanujulu, Pondy M; Guo, Dianyan; Yang, Tianming; Wirawan, Melissa; Casey, Patrick J; Go, Mei-Lin; Wang, Mei

    2014-01-01

    Inhibitors of isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase (Icmt) are promising anti-cancer agents, as modification by Icmt is an essential component of the protein prenylation pathway for a group of proteins that includes Ras GTPases. Cysmethynil, a prototypical indole-based inhibitor of Icmt, effectively inhibits tumor cell growth. However, the physical properties of cysmethynil, such as its low aqueous solubility, make it a poor candidate for clinical development. A novel amino-derivative of cysmethynil with superior physical properties and marked improvement in efficacy, termed compound 8.12, has recently been reported. We report here that Icmt −/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are much more resistant to compound 8.12-induced cell death than their wild-type counterparts, providing evidence that the anti-proliferative effects of this compound are mediated through an Icmt specific mechanism. Treatment of PC3 prostate and HepG2 liver cancer cells with compound 8.12 resulted in pre-lamin A accumulation and Ras delocalization from the plasma membrane, both expected outcomes from inhibition of the Icmt-catalyzed carboxylmethylation. Treatment with compound 8.12 induced cell cycle arrest, autophagy and cell death, and abolished anchorage-independent colony formation. Consistent with its greater in vitro efficacy, compound 8.12 inhibited tumor growth with greater potency than cysmethynil in a xenograft mouse model. Further, a drug combination study identified synergistic antitumor efficacy of compound 8.12 and the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-inhibitor gefitinib, possibly through enhancement of autophagy. This study establishes compound 8.12 as a pharmacological inhibitor of Icmt that is an attractive candidate for further preclinical and clinical development. PMID:24971579

  14. Synthetic gelatinases inhibitor attenuates electromagnetic pulse-induced blood-brain barrier disruption by inhibiting gelatinases-mediated ZO-1 degradation in rats.

    PubMed

    Qiu, Lian-Bo; Zhou, Yan; Wang, Qi; Yang, Long-Long; Liu, Hai-Qiang; Xu, Sheng-Long; Qi, Yu-Hong; Ding, Gui-Rong; Guo, Guo-Zhen

    2011-07-11

    Previously we found that exposure to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) induced an increase in blood-brain-barrier (BBB) permeability and the degradation of tight junction protein ZO-1 in rats. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), in particular gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), play a key role in degradation of tight junction proteins, are known mediators of BBB compromise. We hypothesized that the degradation of ZO-1 by gelatinases contributed to EMP-induced BBB opening. To test this hypothesis, the mRNA level of ZO-1, protein levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) were detected in rat cerebral cortex after exposing rats to EMP at 200 kV/m for 200 pulses. It was found that the mRNA level of ZO-1 was unaltered at different time points after EMP exposure. The protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 significantly increased at 3 h and 0.5 h, respectively. However, TIMP-1 (inhibitor of MMP-9) and TIMP-2 (inhibitor of MMP-2) only moderately increased after EMP exposure. In addition, in situ zymography results showed that the gelatinase activity increased in cerebral microvessels at 3 h after EMP exposure. When rats were treated with gelatinases inhibitor (SB-3CT) before EMP exposure, the EMP-induced BBB opening was attenuated and the ZO-1 degradation was reversed. Our results suggested that EMP-induced BBB opening was related to gelatinase mediated ZO-1 degradation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Recombinant Buckwheat Trypsin Inhibitor Induces Mitophagy by Directly Targeting Mitochondria and Causes Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Hep G2 Cells.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zhuanhua; Li, Shanshan; Ren, Rong; Li, Jiao; Cui, Xiaodong

    2015-09-09

    Mitochondria are essential targets for cancer chemotherapy and other disease treatments. Recombinant buckwheat trypsin inhibitor (rBTI), a member of the potato type I proteinase inhibitor family, was derived from tartary buckwheat extracts. Our results showed that rBTI directly targeted mitochondria and induced mitochondrial fragmentation and mitophagy. This occurs through enhanced depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation associated with the rise of the superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) content, and changes in the GSH/oxidized glutathione ratio. Mild and transient ROS induced by rBTI were shown to be important signaling molecules required to induce Hep G2 mitophagy to remove dysfunctional mitochondria. Furthermore, rBTI could directly induce mitochondrial fragmentation. It was also noted that rBTI highly increased colocalization of mitochondria in treated cells compared to nontreated cells. Tom 20, a subunit of the translocase of the mitochondrial outer membrane complex responsible for recognizing mitochondrial presequences, may be the direct target of rBTI.

  16. Valproic acid defines a novel class of HDAC inhibitors inducing differentiation of transformed cells

    PubMed Central

    Göttlicher, Martin; Minucci, Saverio; Zhu, Ping; Krämer, Oliver H.; Schimpf, Annemarie; Giavara, Sabrina; Sleeman, Jonathan P.; Lo Coco, Francesco; Nervi, Clara; Pelicci, Pier Giuseppe; Heinzel, Thorsten

    2001-01-01

    Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play important roles in transcriptional regulation and pathogenesis of cancer. Thus, HDAC inhibitors are candidate drugs for differentiation therapy of cancer. Here, we show that the well-tolerated antiepileptic drug valproic acid is a powerful HDAC inhibitor. Valproic acid relieves HDAC-dependent transcriptional repression and causes hyperacetylation of histones in cultured cells and in vivo. Valproic acid inhibits HDAC activity in vitro, most probably by binding to the catalytic center of HDACs. Most importantly, valproic acid induces differentiation of carcinoma cells, transformed hematopoietic progenitor cells and leukemic blasts from acute myeloid leukemia patients. More over, tumor growth and metastasis formation are significantly reduced in animal experiments. Therefore, valproic acid might serve as an effective drug for cancer therapy. PMID:11742974

  17. Neutral endopeptidase inhibitor potentiates the tachykinin-induced increase in ciliary beat frequency in rabbit trachea.

    PubMed

    Kondo, M; Tamaoki, J; Takizawa, T

    1990-08-01

    We used cultured rabbit tracheal epithelium to determine the effect of mammalian-derived tachykinin on airway ciliary activity and its modulation by neutral endopeptidase EC 3.4.24.11 (NEP). Neurokinin A (NKA) caused dose-dependent increases in ciliary beat frequency (CBF), as measured by a photoelectric method, with the maximal increase from the baseline 15.7 +/- 1.7% (mean +/- SEM, p less than 0.01), whereas substance P (SP) had no effect. The NKA-induced increase in CBF was not inhibited by phentolamine, propranolol, or atropine, but it was abolished by the tachykinin antagonist [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP. Pretreatment of tissue with thiorphan (10(-5) M), a NEP inhibitor, had little effect on CBF responses to NKA; however, it significantly potentiated the responses to SP (14.9 +/- 3.0%, p less than 0.01). Other peptidase inhibitors, including captopril, bestatin, and leupeptin, did not alter the tachykinin-induced CBF response, suggesting that angiotensin converting enzyme, aminopeptidases, and serine proteinases do not modulate ciliary activity in response to tachykinins. These results suggest that NKA increases CBF by acting directly on tachykinin receptors and that NEP may play a role in modulating the tachykinin-induced stimulatory effects on CBF.

  18. Synthesis and biological evaluation of kresoxim-methyl analogues as novel inhibitors of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 accumulation in cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Lee, Sanghyuck; Kwon, Oh Seok; Lee, Chang-Soo; Won, Misun; Ban, Hyun Seung; Ra, Choon Sup

    2017-07-01

    We designed and synthesized strobilurin analogues as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) inhibitors based on the molecular structure of kresoxim-methyl. Biological evaluation in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells showed that most of the synthesized kresoxim-methyl analogues possessed moderate to potent inhibitory activity against hypoxia-induced HIF-1 transcriptional activation. Three candidates, compounds 11b, 11c, and 11d were identified as potent inhibitors against HIF-1 activation with IC 50 values of 0.60-0.94µM. Under hypoxic condition, compounds 11b, 11c, and 11d increased the intracellular oxygen contents, thereby attenuating the hypoxia-induced accumulation of HIF-1α protein. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Involvement of the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor in the anxiolytic effects of GlyT1 inhibitors on maternal separation-induced ultrasonic vocalization in rat pups.

    PubMed

    Komatsu, Hiroko; Furuya, Yoshiaki; Sawada, Kohei; Asada, Takashi

    2015-01-05

    Several studies have shown that glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitors have anxiolytic actions. There are two types of glycine receptor: the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor (GlyA) and the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor (GlyB); however, which receptor is the main contributor to the anxiolytic actions of GlyT1 inhibitors is yet to be determined. Here, we clarified which glycine receptor is the main contributor to the anxiolytic effects of GlyT1 inhibitors by using maternal separation-induced ultrasonic vocalization (USV) by rat pups as an index of anxiety. We confirmed that administration of the benzodiazepine diazepam or the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitaloplam, which are both clinically proven anxiolytics, or the GlyT1 inhibitor SSR504734 (2-chloro-N-[(S)-phenyl[(2S)-piperidin-2-yl] methyl]-3-trifluoromethyl benzamide), decreases USV in rat pups. In addition, we showed that another GlyT1 inhibitor, ALX5407 ((R)-N-[3-(4'-fluorophenyl)-3(4'-phenylphenoxy)propyl]sarcosine) also decreases USV in rat pups. SSR504734- or ALX5407-induced decreases in USV were dose-dependently reversed by administration of the GlyA antagonist strychnine, whereas the diazepam- or escitalopram-induced decreases in USV were not. Furthermore, GlyT1-induced decreases in USV were not reversed by administration of the GlyB antagonist L-687,414. Together, these results suggest that GlyA activation is the main contributor to the anxiolytic actions of GlyT1 inhibitors and that the anxiolytic actions of diazepam and escitalopram cannot be attributed to GlyA activation. Our findings provide new insights into the importance of the activation of GlyA in the anxiolytic effects of GlyT1 inhibitors. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Phosphatidyl-Inositol-3 Kinase Inhibitors Regulate Peptidoglycan-Induced Myeloid Leukocyte Recruitment, Inflammation, and Neurotoxicity in Mouse Brain

    PubMed Central

    Arroyo, Daniela S.; Gaviglio, Emilia A.; Peralta Ramos, Javier M.; Bussi, Claudio; Avalos, Maria P.; Cancela, Liliana M.; Iribarren, Pablo

    2018-01-01

    Acute brain injury leads to the recruitment and activation of immune cells including resident microglia and infiltrating peripheral myeloid cells (MC), which contribute to the inflammatory response involved in neuronal damage. We previously reported that TLR2 stimulation by peptidoglycan (PGN) from Staphylococcus aureus, in vitro and in vivo, induced microglial cell activation followed by autophagy induction. In this report, we evaluated if phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase (PI3K) pharmacological inhibitors LY294200 and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) can modulate the innate immune response to PGN in the central nervous system. We found that injection of PGN into the mouse brain parenchyma (caudate putamen) triggered an inflammatory reaction, which involved activation of microglial cells, recruitment of infiltrating MC to injection site, production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and neuronal injury. In addition, we observed the accumulation of LC3B+ CD45+ cells and colocalization of LC3B and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 in brain cells. Besides, we found that pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K, including the classical autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, reduced the recruitment of MC, microglial cell activation, and neurotoxicity induced by brain PGN injection. Collectively, our results suggest that PI3K pathways and autophagic response may participate in the PGN-induced microglial activation and MC recruitment to the brain. Thus, inhibition of these pathways could be therapeutically targeted to control acute brain inflammatory conditions. PMID:29719536

  1. Rho-associated kinase inhibitors promote the cardiac differentiation of embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Ya-Ting; Yeih, Dong-Feng; Liang, Shu-Man; Chien, Chia-Ying; Yu, Yen-Ling; Ko, Bor-Sheng; Jan, Yee-Jee; Kuo, Cheng-Chin; Sung, Li-Ying; Shyue, Song-Kun; Chen, Ming-Fong; Yet, Shaw-Fang; Wu, Kenneth K; Liou, Jun-Yang

    2015-12-15

    Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) plays an important role in maintaining embryonic stem (ES) cell pluripotency. To determine whether ROCK is involved in ES cell differentiation into cardiac and hematopoietic lineages, we evaluated the effect of ROCK inhibitors, Y-27632 and fasudil on murine ES and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell differentiation. Gene expression levels were determined by real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent confocal microscopy. Cell transplantation of induced differentiated cells were assessed in vivo in a mouse model (three groups, n=8/group) of acute myocardial infarction (MI). The cell engraftment was examined by immunohistochemical staining and the outcome was analyzed by echocardiography. Cells were cultured in hematopoietic differentiation medium in the presence or absence of ROCK inhibitor and colony formation as well as markers of ES, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and cells of cardiac lineages were analyzed. ROCK inhibition resulted in a drastic change in colony morphology accompanied by loss of hematopoietic markers (GATA-1, CD41 and β-Major) and expressed markers of cardiac lineages (GATA-4, Isl-1, Tbx-5, Tbx-20, MLC-2a, MLC-2v, α-MHC, cTnI and cTnT) in murine ES and iPS cells. Fasudil-induced cardiac progenitor (Mesp-1 expressing) cells were infused into a murine MI model. They engrafted into the peri-infarct and infarct regions and preserved left ventricular function. These findings provide new insights into the signaling required for ES cell differentiation into hematopoietic as well as cardiac lineages and suggest that ROCK inhibitors are useful in directing iPS cell differentiation into cardiac progenitor cells for cell therapy of cardiovascular diseases. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Pharmacologic Profiling of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Inhibitors as Mitigators of Ionizing Radiation–Induced Cell Death

    PubMed Central

    Sharlow, Elizabeth R.; Epperly, Michael W.; Lira, Ana; Leimgruber, Stephanie; Skoda, Erin M.; Wipf, Peter; Greenberger, Joel S.

    2013-01-01

    Ionizing radiation (IR) induces genotoxic stress that triggers adaptive cellular responses, such as activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling cascade. Pluripotent cells are the most important population affected by IR because they are required for cellular replenishment. Despite the clear danger to large population centers, we still lack safe and effective therapies to abrogate the life-threatening effects of any accidental or intentional IR exposure. Therefore, we computationally analyzed the chemical structural similarity of previously published small molecules that, when given after IR, mitigate cell death and found a chemical cluster that was populated with PI3K inhibitors. Subsequently, we evaluated structurally diverse PI3K inhibitors. It is remarkable that 9 of 14 PI3K inhibitors mitigated γIR-induced death in pluripotent NCCIT cells as measured by caspase 3/7 activation. A single intraperitoneal dose of LY294002 [2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one], administered to mice at 4 or 24 hours, or PX-867 [(4S,4aR,5R,6aS,9aR,Z)-11-hydroxy-4-(methoxymethyl)-4a,6a-dimethyl-2,7,10-trioxo-1-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethylene)-1,2,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,8,9,9a,10-dodecahydroindeno[4,5-H]isochromen-5-yl acetate (CID24798773)], administered 4 hours after a lethal dose of γIR, statistically significantly (P < 0.02) enhanced in vivo survival. Because cell cycle checkpoints are important regulators of cell survival after IR, we examined cell cycle distribution in NCCIT cells after γIR and PI3K inhibitor treatment. LY294002 and PX-867 treatment of nonirradiated cells produced a marked decrease in S phase cells with a concomitant increase in the G1 population. In irradiated cells, LY294002 and PX-867 treatment also decreased S phase and increased the G1 and G2 populations. Treatment with LY294002 or PX-867 decreased γIR-induced DNA damage as measured by γH2AX, suggesting reduced DNA damage. These results indicate pharmacologic inhibition of PI3K after

  3. Studies of benzamide- and thiol-based histone deacetylase inhibitors in models of oxidative-stress-induced neuronal death: identification of some HDAC3-selective inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yufeng; He, Rong; Chen, Yihua; D'Annibale, Melissa A; Langley, Brett; Kozikowski, Alan P

    2009-05-01

    We compare three structurally different classes of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors that contain benzamide, hydroxamate, or thiol groups as the zinc binding group (ZBG) for their ability to protect cortical neurons in culture from cell death induced by oxidative stress. This study reveals that none of the benzamide-based HDAC inhibitors (HDACIs) provides any neuroprotection whatsoever, in distinct contrast to HDACIs that contain other ZBGs. Some of the sulfur-containing HDACIs, namely the thiols, thioesters, and disulfides present modest neuroprotective activity but show toxicity at higher concentrations. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the HDAC6-selective mercaptoacetamides that were reported previously provide the best protection in the homocysteic acid model of oxidative stress, thus further supporting their study in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases.

  4. NFκB inhibitors induce cell death in glioblastomas.

    PubMed

    Zanotto-Filho, Alfeu; Braganhol, Elizandra; Schröder, Rafael; de Souza, Luís Henrique T; Dalmolin, Rodrigo J S; Pasquali, Matheus A Bittencourt; Gelain, Daniel Pens; Battastini, Ana Maria Oliveira; Moreira, José Cláudio Fonseca

    2011-02-01

    Identification of novel target pathways in glioblastoma (GBM) remains critical due to poor prognosis, inefficient therapies and recurrence associated with these tumors. In this work, we evaluated the role of nuclear-factor-kappa-B (NFκB) in the growth of GBM cells, and the potential of NFκB inhibitors as antiglioma agents. NFκB pathway was found overstimulated in GBM cell lines and in tumor specimens compared to normal astrocytes and healthy brain tissues, respectively. Treatment of a panel of established GBM cell lines (U138MG, U87, U373 and C6) with pharmacological NFκB inhibitors (BAY117082, parthenolide, MG132, curcumin and arsenic trioxide) and NFκB-p65 siRNA markedly decreased the viability of GBMs as compared to inhibitors of other signaling pathways such as MAPKs (ERK, JNK and p38), PKC, EGFR and PI3K/Akt. In addition, NFκB inhibitors presented a low toxicity to normal astrocytes, indicating selectivity to cancerous cells. In GBMs, mitochondrial dysfunction (membrane depolarization, bcl-xL downregulation and cytochrome c release) and arrest in the G2/M phase were observed at the early steps of NFκB inhibitors treatment. These events preceded sub-G1 detection, apoptotic body formation and caspase-3 activation. Also, NFκB was found overstimulated in cisplatin-resistant C6 cells, and treatment of GBMs with NFκB inhibitors overcame cisplatin resistance besides potentiating the effects of the chemotherapeutics, cisplatin and doxorubicin. These findings support NFκB as a potential target to cell death induction in GBMs, and that the NFκB inhibitors may be considered for in vivo testing on animal models and possibly on GBM therapy. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Omeprazole increases the efficacy of a soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor in a PGE{sub 2} induced pain model

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Goswami, Sumanta Kumar; Inceoglu, Bora; Yang, Jun

    Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are potent endogenous analgesic metabolites produced from arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450s (P450s). Metabolism of EETs by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) reduces their activity, while their stabilization by sEH inhibition decreases both inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Here, we tested the complementary hypothesis that increasing the level of EETs through induction of P450s by omeprazole (OME), can influence pain related signaling by itself, and potentiate the anti-hyperalgesic effect of sEH inhibitor. Rats were treated with OME (100 mg/kg/day, p.o., 7 days), sEH inhibitor TPPU (3 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and OME (100 mg/kg/day, p.o., 7 days) + TPPU (3 mg/kg/day,more » p.o., last 3 days of OME dose) dissolved in vehicle PEG400, and their effect on hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain) induced by PGE{sub 2} was monitored. While OME treatment by itself exhibited variable effects on PGE{sub 2} induced hyperalgesia, it strongly potentiated the effect of TPPU in the same assay. The significant decrease in pain with OME + TPPU treatment correlated with the increased levels of EETs in plasma and increased activities of P450 1A1 and P450 1A2 in liver microsomes. The results show that reducing catabolism of EETs with a sEH inhibitor yielded a stronger analgesic effect than increasing generation of EETs by OME, and combination of both yielded the strongest pain reducing effect under the condition of this study. - Highlights: • The soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor TPPU is anti-hyperalgesic. • Omeprazole potentiates the anti-hyperalgesic actions of TPPU. • This potentiation is associated with increased P450 activity. • The potentiation is associated with an increase in fatty acid epoxide/diol ratio. • Joint use of sEH inhibitors and P450 inducers could result in drug–drug interactions.« less

  6. Lapatinib-induced NF-kappaB activation sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer cells to proteasome inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yun-Ju; Yeh, Ming-Hsin; Yu, Meng-Chieh; Wei, Ya-Ling; Chen, Wen-Shu; Chen, Jhen-Yu; Shih, Chih-Yu; Tu, Chih-Yen; Chen, Chia-Hung; Hsia, Te-Chun; Chien, Pei-Hsuan; Liu, Shu-Hui; Yu, Yung-Luen; Huang, Wei-Chien

    2013-11-12

    Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast cancer with negative expressions of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), is frequently diagnosed in younger women and has poor prognosis for disease-free and overall survival. Due to the lack of known oncogenic drivers for TNBC proliferation, clinical benefit from currently available targeted therapies is limited, and new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Triple-negative breast cancer cell lines were treated with proteasome inhibitors in combination with lapatinib (a dual epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor). Their in vitro and in vivo viability was examined by MTT assay, clonogenic analysis, and orthotopic xenograft mice model. Luciferase reporter gene, immunoblot, and RT-qPCR, immunoprecipitation assays were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of action. Our data showed that nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation was elicited by lapatinib, independent of EGFR/HER2 inhibition, in TNBCs. Lapatinib-induced constitutive activation of NF-κB involved Src family kinase (SFK)-dependent p65 and IκBα phosphorylations, and rendered these cells more vulnerable to NF-κB inhibition by p65 small hairpin RNA. Lapatinib but not other EGFR inhibitors synergized the anti-tumor activity of proteasome inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that treatment of TNBCs with lapatinib may enhance their oncogene addiction to NF-κB, and thus augment the anti-tumor activity of proteasome inhibitors. These findings suggest that combination therapy of a proteasome inhibitor with lapatinib may benefit TNBC patients.

  7. A novel PKC-ι inhibitor abrogates cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma.

    PubMed

    Pillai, Prajit; Desai, Shraddha; Patel, Rekha; Sajan, Mini; Farese, Robert; Ostrov, David; Acevedo-Duncan, Mildred

    2011-05-01

    Protein Kinase C-iota (PKC-ι), an atypical protein kinase C isoform manifests its potential as an oncogene by targeting various aspects of cancer cells such as growth, invasion and survival. PKC-ι confers resistance to drug-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. The acquisition of drug resistance is a major obstacle to good prognosis in neuroblastoma. The focus of this research was to identify the efficacy of [4-(5-amino-4-carbamoylimidazol-1-yl)-2,3-dihydroxycyclopentyl] methyl dihydrogen phosphate (ICA-1) as a novel PKC-ι inhibitor in neuroblastoma cell proliferation and apoptosis. ICA-1 specifically inhibits the activity of PKC-ι but not that of PKC-zeta (PKC-ζ), the closely related atypical PKC family member. The IC(50) for the kinase activity assay was approximately 0.1μM which is 1000 times less than that of aurothiomalate, a known PKC-ι inhibitor. Cyclin dependent kinase 7 (Cdk7) phosphorylates cyclin dependent kinases (cdks) and promotes cell proliferation. Our data shows that PKC-ι is an in vitro Cdk7 kinase and the phosphorylation of Cdk7 by PKC-ι was potently inhibited by ICA-1. Furthermore, our data shows that neuroblastoma cells proliferate via a PKC-ι/Cdk7/cdk2 cell signaling pathway and ICA-1 mediates its antiproliferative effects by inhibiting this pathway. ICA-1 (0.1μM) inhibited the in vitro proliferation of BE(2)-C neuroblastoma cells by 58% (P=0.01). Additionally, ICA-1 also induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. Interestingly, ICA-1 did not affect the proliferation of normal neuronal cells suggesting its potential as chemotherapeutic with low toxicity. Hence, our results emphasize the potential of ICA-1 as a novel PKC-ι inhibitor and chemotherapeutic agent for neuroblastoma. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  8. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV deficiency increases susceptibility to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced peritracheal edema.

    PubMed

    Byrd, James Brian; Shreevatsa, Ajai; Putlur, Pradeep; Foretia, Denis; McAlexander, Laurie; Sinha, Tuhin; Does, Mark D; Brown, Nancy J

    2007-08-01

    Serum dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) activity is decreased in some individuals with ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema. ACE and DPPIV degrade substance P, an edema-forming peptide. The contribution of impaired degradation of substance P by DPPIV to the pathogenesis of ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema is unknown. We sought to determine whether DPPIV deficiency results in increased edema formation during ACE inhibition. We also sought to develop an animal model using magnetic resonance imaging to quantify ACE inhibitor-induced edema. The effect of genetic DPPIV deficiency on peritracheal edema was assessed in F344 rats after treatment with saline, captopril (2.5 mg/kg), or captopril plus the neurokinin receptor antagonist spantide (100 mug/kg) by using serial T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Serum dipeptidyl peptidase activity was dramatically decreased in DPPIV-deficient rats (P < .001). The volume of peritracheal edema was significantly greater in captopril-treated DPPIV-deficient rats than in saline-treated DPPIV-deficient rats (P = .001), saline-treated rats of the normal substrain (P < .001), or captopril-treated rats of the normal substrain (P = .001). Cotreatment with spantide attenuated peritracheal edema in captopril-treated DPPIV-deficient rats (P = .005 vs captopril-treated DPPIV-deficient rats and P = .57 vs saline-treated DPPIV-deficient rats). DPPIV deficiency predisposes to peritracheal edema formation when ACE is inhibited through a neurokinin receptor-dependent mechanism. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful for modeling ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema in rats. Genetic or environmental factors that decrease DPPIV activity might increase the risk of ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema.

  9. 2-Hydroxyglutarate produced by neomorphic IDH mutations suppresses homologous recombination and induces PARP inhibitor sensitivity.

    PubMed

    Sulkowski, Parker L; Corso, Christopher D; Robinson, Nathaniel D; Scanlon, Susan E; Purshouse, Karin R; Bai, Hanwen; Liu, Yanfeng; Sundaram, Ranjini K; Hegan, Denise C; Fons, Nathan R; Breuer, Gregory A; Song, Yuanbin; Mishra-Gorur, Ketu; De Feyter, Henk M; de Graaf, Robin A; Surovtseva, Yulia V; Kachman, Maureen; Halene, Stephanie; Günel, Murat; Glazer, Peter M; Bindra, Ranjit S

    2017-02-01

    2-Hydroxyglutarate (2HG) exists as two enantiomers, (R)-2HG and (S)-2HG, and both are implicated in tumor progression via their inhibitory effects on α-ketoglutarate (αKG)-dependent dioxygenases. The former is an oncometabolite that is induced by the neomorphic activity conferred by isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and IDH2 mutations, whereas the latter is produced under pathologic processes such as hypoxia. We report that IDH1/2 mutations induce a homologous recombination (HR) defect that renders tumor cells exquisitely sensitive to poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. This "BRCAness" phenotype of IDH mutant cells can be completely reversed by treatment with small-molecule inhibitors of the mutant IDH1 enzyme, and conversely, it can be entirely recapitulated by treatment with either of the 2HG enantiomers in cells with intact IDH1/2 proteins. We demonstrate mutant IDH1-dependent PARP inhibitor sensitivity in a range of clinically relevant models, including primary patient-derived glioma cells in culture and genetically matched tumor xenografts in vivo. These findings provide the basis for a possible therapeutic strategy exploiting the biological consequences of mutant IDH, rather than attempting to block 2HG production, by targeting the 2HG-dependent HR deficiency with PARP inhibition. Furthermore, our results uncover an unexpected link between oncometabolites, altered DNA repair, and genetic instability. Copyright © 2017, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  10. Ectodomain shedding of TNF receptor 1 induced by protein synthesis inhibitors regulates TNF-{alpha}-mediated activation of NF-{kappa}B and caspase-8

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ogura, Hirotsugu; Tsukumo, Yoshinori; Department of Bioengineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501

    2008-04-01

    The transcription factor nuclear factor {kappa}B (NF-{kappa}B) plays a major role in the inducible resistance to death receptor-mediated apoptosis. It has been established that the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) sensitizes many types of cells to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-{alpha}-induced apoptosis, mainly due to its ability to block de novo synthesis of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). Nevertheless, we have surprisingly found that CHX, as well as its structural analogue acetoxycycloheximide (Ac-CHX), prevents TNF-{alpha}-mediated activation of NF-{kappa}B and caspase-8 in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Both CHX and Ac-CHX reduced the expression of cell surface TNF receptor 1 (TNF-R1) in amore » dose-dependent manner, while Ac-CHX was approximately 100-fold more effective than CHX. Consistent with this observation, Ac-CHX induced the proteolytic cleavage of TNF-R1 and its release into the culture medium. CHX and Ac-CHX profoundly decreased constitutive and inducible expression of c-FLIP, whereas these compounds potentiated TNF-{alpha}-induced caspase-8 activation only when metalloprotease inhibitors were present. Thus, our results indicate that ectodomain shedding of TNF-R1 induced by protein synthesis inhibitors regulates TNF-{alpha}-mediated activation of NF-{kappa}B and caspase-8.« less

  11. HDAC inhibitors mitigate ischemia-induced oligodendrocyte damage: potential roles of oligodendrogenesis, VEGF, and anti-inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Hyeon Ju; Chuang, De-Maw

    2014-01-01

    White matter injury is an important component of stroke pathology, but its pathophysiology and potential treatment remain relatively elusive and underexplored. We previously reported that after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO), sodium butyrate (SB) and trichostatin A (TSA) induced neurogenesis via histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition in multiple ischemic brain regions in rats; these effects-which depended on activation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-TrkB signaling-contributed to behavioral improvement. The present study found that SB or TSA robustly protected against ischemia-induced loss of oligodendrocytes detected by confocal microscopy of myelin basic protein (MBP) immunostaining in the ipsilateral subventricular zone (SVZ), striatum, corpus callosum, and frontal cortex seven days post-pMCAO. Co-localization of 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU)+ and MBP+ cells after SB treatment suggested the occurrence of oligodendrogenesis. SB also strongly upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which plays a major role in neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and functional recovery after stroke. These SB-induced effects were markedly suppressed by blocking the TrkB signaling pathway with K252a. pMCAO-induced activation of microglia (OX42+) and macrophages/monocytes (ED1+)-which has been linked to white matter injury-was robustly suppressed by SB in a K252a-sensitive manner. In addition, SB treatment largely blocked caspase-3+ and OX42+ cells in ipsilateral brain regions. Our results suggest that HDAC inhibitor-mediated protection against ischemia-induced oligodendrocyte loss may involve multiple mechanisms including oligodendrogenesis, VEGF upregulation, anti-inflammation, and caspase-3 downregulation. Taken together, the results suggest that post-insult treatment with HDAC inhibitors is a rational strategy to mitigate white matter injury following ischemic stroke. PMID:24936215

  12. Cytomegalovirus reactivation in patients with refractory checkpoint inhibitor-induced colitis.

    PubMed

    Franklin, Cindy; Rooms, Isabelle; Fiedler, Melanie; Reis, Henning; Milsch, Laura; Herz, Saskia; Livingstone, Elisabeth; Zimmer, Lisa; Schmid, Kurt Werner; Dittmer, Ulf; Schadendorf, Dirk; Schilling, Bastian

    2017-11-01

    Immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause severe immune-related adverse events, with immune-related diarrhea and colitis (irColitis) being among the most frequent ones. While the majority of patients with irColitis respond well to corticosteroid treatment ± other immunomodulatory drugs such as infliximab, some patients do not show resolution of their symptoms. In the present study, we analysed the frequency of therapy-refractory irColitis, the underlying cause, and useful diagnostic approaches. Between 2006 and 2016, 370 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma were treated with checkpoint inhibitors at the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital Essen. All patients were identified for whom diarrhea and/or colitis was documented in the digital patient records. Patients who did not respond to standard immunosuppressive therapy within 2 weeks were classified as refractory. Demographic and clinical data of all patients were collected. We identified 41 patients with irColitis, the majority occurring during treatment with ipilimumab. Amongst these, 5 (12.2%) were refractory to standard immunomodulatory treatment with corticosteroids and infliximab. Therapy-refractory cases tended to show more severe inflammation in colonic biopsies (p = 0.04). In all therapy-refractory cases cytomegalovirus (CMV) was detectable. CMV-DNA in colonic biopsies and in plasma was significantly more often detectable in therapy-refractory cases (in colonic biopsies p = 0.005, in plasma: p = 0.002). Presence of serum CMV IgM and positive immunohistochemical stainings of colon biopsies for CMV were also associated with refractory colitis (p=0.021; p = 0.053). This report on CMV reactivation during management of checkpoint inhibitor-induced colitis emphasises the need for repetitive diagnostic measures in treatment-refractory irColitis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. A receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Tyrphostin A9 induces cancer cell death through Drp1 dependent mitochondria fragmentation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Park, So Jung; Park, Young Jun; Shin, Ji Hyun

    2011-05-13

    Highlights: {yields} We screened and identified Tyrphostin A9, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor as a strong mitochondria fission inducer. {yields} Tyrphostin A9 treatment promotes mitochondria dysfunction and contributes to cytotoxicity in cancer cells. {yields} Tyrphostin A9 induces apoptotic cell death through a Drp1-mediated pathway. {yields} Our studies suggest that Tyrphostin A9 induces mitochondria fragmentation and apoptotic cell death via Drp1 dependently. -- Abstract: Mitochondria dynamics controls not only their morphology but also functions of mitochondria. Therefore, an imbalance of the dynamics eventually leads to mitochondria disruption and cell death. To identify specific regulators of mitochondria dynamics, we screened a bioactivemore » chemical compound library and selected Tyrphostin A9, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, as a potent inducer of mitochondrial fission. Tyrphostin A9 treatment resulted in the formation of fragmented mitochondria filament. In addition, cellular ATP level was decreased and the mitochondrial membrane potential was collapsed in Tyr A9-treated cells. Suppression of Drp1 activity by siRNA or over-expression of a dominant negative mutant of Drp1 inhibited both mitochondrial fragmentation and cell death induced by Tyrpohotin A9. Moreover, treatment of Tyrphostin A9 also evoked mitochondrial fragmentation in other cells including the neuroblastomas. Taken together, these results suggest that Tyrphostin A9 induces Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission and apoptotic cell death.« less

  14. MK2 inhibitor reduces alkali burn-induced inflammation in rat cornea

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Yanfeng; Yang, Wenzhao; Zhang, Xiaobo; Yang, Shu; Peng, Gao; Wu, Ting; Zhou, Yueping; Huang, Caihong; Reinach, Peter S.; Li, Wei; Liu, Zuguo

    2016-01-01

    MK2 activation by p38 MAPK selectively induces inflammation in various diseases. We determined if a MK2 inhibitor (MK2i), improves cornea wound healing by inhibiting inflammation caused by burning rat corneas with alkali. Our study, for the first time, demonstrated that MK2i inhibited alkali burn-induced MK2 activation as well as rises in inflammation based on: a) blunting rises in inflammatory index, inflammatory cell infiltration, ED1+ macrophage and PMN+ neutrophil infiltration; b) suppressing IL-6 and IL-1β gene expression along with those of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1); c) reducing angiogenic gene expression levels and neovascularization (NV) whereas anti-angiogenic PEDF levels increased. In addition, this study found that MK2i did not affect human corneal epithelial cell (HCEC) proliferation and migration and had no detectable side effects on ocular surface integrity. Taken together, MK2i selectively inhibited alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation by blocking MK2 activation, these effects have clinical relevance in the treatment of inflammation related ocular surface diseases. PMID:27329698

  15. NOX4 mediates cytoprotective autophagy induced by the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in head and neck cancer cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sobhakumari, Arya; Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; Schickling, Brandon M.

    2013-11-01

    Most head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and EGFR inhibitors are routinely used in the treatment of HNSCC. However, many HNSCC tumors do not respond or become refractory to EGFR inhibitors. Autophagy, which is a stress-induced cellular self-degradation process, has been reported to reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy in various disease models. The purpose of this study is to determine if the efficacy of the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib is reduced by activation of autophagy via NOX4-mediated oxidative stress in HNSCC cells. Erlotinib induced the expression of the autophagy marker LC3B-II and autophagosome formationmore » in FaDu and Cal-27 cells. Inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine and knockdown of autophagy pathway genes Beclin-1 and Atg5 sensitized both cell lines to erlotinib-induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that autophagy may serve as a protective mechanism. Treatment with catalase (CAT) and diphenylene iodonium (DPI) in the presence of erlotinib suppressed the increase in LC3B-II expression in FaDu and Cal-27 cells. Erlotinib increased NOX4 mRNA and protein expression by increasing its promoter activity and mRNA stability in FaDu cells. Knockdown of NOX4 using adenoviral siNOX4 partially suppressed erlotinib-induced LC3B-II expression, while overexpression of NOX4 increased expression of LC3B-II. These studies suggest that erlotinib may activate autophagy in HNSCC cells as a pro-survival mechanism, and NOX4 may play a role in mediating this effect. - Highlights: • Erlotinib increased LC3B-II and autophagosome formation in HNSCC cells. • Inhibition of autophagy sensitized HNSCC cells to erlotinib. • Erlotinib increased NOX4 promoter and 3′UTR luciferase activity. • Manipulating NOX4 decreases or increases autophagy.« less

  16. Z-FL-COCHO, a cathepsin S inhibitor, enhances oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis through upregulation of Bim expression.

    PubMed

    Seo, Seung Un; Woo, Seon Min; Min, Kyoung-Jin; Kwon, Taeg Kyu

    2018-04-15

    Inhibition of cathespsin S not only inhibits invasion and angiogenesis, but also induces apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells. In present study, we revealed that pharmacological inhibitor [Z-FL-COCHO (ZFL)] of cathepsin S up-regulates pro-apoptotic protein Bim expression at the posttranslational levels. These effects were not associated with MAPKs and AMPK signal pathways. Interestingly, pretreatment with the chemical chaperones (TUDCA and PBA) and knockdown of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) markedly inhibited ZFL-induced Bim upregulation. ZFL enhances oxaliplatin-mediated apoptosis through ER stress-induced Bim upregulation in cancer cells. Collectively, our results suggest that inhibition of cathepsin S-induced Bim upregulation contribute to anti-cancer drug-induced apoptotic cell death in renal carcinoma Caki cells. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Phenotypic Screening Identifies Protein Synthesis Inhibitors as H-Ras-Nanocluster-Increasing Tumor Growth Inducers.

    PubMed

    Najumudeen, Arafath K; Posada, Itziar M D; Lectez, Benoit; Zhou, Yong; Landor, Sebastian K-J; Fallarero, Adyary; Vuorela, Pia; Hancock, John; Abankwa, Daniel

    2015-12-15

    Ras isoforms H-, N-, and K-ras are each mutated in specific cancer types at varying frequencies and have different activities in cell fate control. On the plasma membrane, Ras proteins are laterally segregated into isoform-specific nanoscale signaling hubs, termed nanoclusters. As Ras nanoclusters are required for Ras signaling, chemical modulators of nanoclusters represent ideal candidates for the specific modulation of Ras activity in cancer drug development. We therefore conducted a chemical screen with commercial and in-house natural product libraries using a cell-based H-ras-nanoclustering FRET assay. Next to established Ras inhibitors, such as a statin and farnesyl-transferase inhibitor, we surprisingly identified five protein synthesis inhibitors as positive regulators. Using commonly employed cycloheximide as a representative compound, we show that protein synthesis inhibition increased nanoclustering and effector recruitment specifically of active H-ras but not of K-ras. Consistent with these data, cycloheximide treatment activated both Erk and Akt kinases and specifically promoted H-rasG12V-induced, but not K-rasG12V-induced, PC12 cell differentiation. Intriguingly, cycloheximide increased the number of mammospheres, which are enriched for cancer stem cells. Depletion of H-ras in combination with cycloheximide significantly reduced mammosphere formation, suggesting an exquisite synthetic lethality. The potential of cycloheximide to promote tumor cell growth was also reflected in its ability to increase breast cancer cell tumors grown in ovo. These results illustrate the possibility of identifying Ras-isoform-specific modulators using nanocluster-directed screening. They also suggest an unexpected feedback from protein synthesis inhibition to Ras signaling, which might present a vulnerability in certain tumor cell types.

  18. A nuclear factor kappa B-derived inhibitor tripeptide inhibits UVB-induced photoaging process.

    PubMed

    Oh, Jee Eun; Kim, Min Seo; Jeon, Woo-Kwang; Seo, Young Kwon; Kim, Byung-Chul; Hahn, Jang Hee; Park, Chang Seo

    2014-12-01

    Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the skin induces photoaging which is characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation, generation of coarse wrinkles, worse of laxity and roughness. Upon UV irradiation, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is activated which plays a key role in signaling pathway leading to inflammation cascade and this activation stimulates expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1α) and a stress response gene cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In addition, activation of NF-κB up-regulates the expression of matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1) and consequently collagen in dermis is degraded. In this study, the effects of a NF-κB-derived inhibitor tripeptide on the UVB-induced photoaging and inflammation were investigated in vitro and in vivo. A NF-κB-derived inhibitor tripeptide (NF-κB-DVH) was synthesized based on the sequence of dimerization region of the subunit p65 of NF-κB. Its inhibitory activity was confirmed using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and in situ proximate ligation assay. The effects of anti-photoaging and anti-inflammation were analyzed by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting and immunochemistry. NF-κB-DVH significantly decreased UV-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-1α, MMP-1 and COX-2 while increased production of type I procollagen. Results showed NF-κB-DVH had strong anti-inflammatory activity probably by inhibiting NF-κB activation pathway and suggested to be used as a novel agent for anti-photoaging. Copyright © 2014 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Lapatinib–induced NF-kappaB activation sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer cells to proteasome inhibitors

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Introduction Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast cancer with negative expressions of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), is frequently diagnosed in younger women and has poor prognosis for disease-free and overall survival. Due to the lack of known oncogenic drivers for TNBC proliferation, clinical benefit from currently available targeted therapies is limited, and new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Methods Triple-negative breast cancer cell lines were treated with proteasome inhibitors in combination with lapatinib (a dual epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor). Their in vitro and in vivo viability was examined by MTT assay, clonogenic analysis, and orthotopic xenograft mice model. Luciferase reporter gene, immunoblot, and RT-qPCR, immunoprecipitation assays were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of action. Results Our data showed that nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation was elicited by lapatinib, independent of EGFR/HER2 inhibition, in TNBCs. Lapatinib-induced constitutive activation of NF-κB involved Src family kinase (SFK)-dependent p65 and IκBα phosphorylations, and rendered these cells more vulnerable to NF-κB inhibition by p65 small hairpin RNA. Lapatinib but not other EGFR inhibitors synergized the anti-tumor activity of proteasome inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that treatment of TNBCs with lapatinib may enhance their oncogene addiction to NF-κB, and thus augment the anti-tumor activity of proteasome inhibitors. Conclusions These findings suggest that combination therapy of a proteasome inhibitor with lapatinib may benefit TNBC patients. PMID:24216290

  20. Protective effects of amifostine and cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor against normal human epidermal keratinocyte toxicity induced by methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil.

    PubMed

    Maiguma, Takayoshi; Kaji, Hiroaki; Makino, Kazutaka; Teshima, Daisuke

    2009-07-01

    Our study aimed to find more effective protective agents against mucosa toxicity induced by methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. We focused on the relationship between oral mucositis and keratinocyte injury and examined methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil-induced cytotoxicity in normal human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines. Cell viability and superoxide radical activity were measured based on converting WST-1 (4-[3-(4-indophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5-tetrazolio]-1,3-benzen disulfonate) to a water-soluble formazan dye. DNA synthesis by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation was measured as an indirect parameter of cell proliferation. Allopurinol and amifostine were used as the radical scavengers. l-glutamine was used as a mucosa-protective agent. A cyclooxygenase inhibitor interrupting the production of hydroxyl radicals in the arachidonic acid cascade was also examined. 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate caused cytotoxicity due to the activation of intracellular superoxide radicals specifically on normal human epidermal keratinocytes. From the electron spin resonance study, it was found that allopurinol was a superoxide radical scavenger, while amifostine was hydroxyl radical scavenger. Allopurinol showed no effect on the cytotoxicity due to 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate. The cell injury induced by methotrexate was restored by amifostine. However, the cell injury induced by 5-fluorouracil was markedly recovered by a selective cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor compared to amifostine. It was suggested that amifostine and cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor could be useful protective agents against methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapeutic toxicity. Additionally, this in vitro cell injury model using normal human epidermal keratinocytes may be useful for understanding the pathophysiology of oral mucositis induced by chemotherapeutic agents.

  1. The role of p44/42 activation in tributyltin- induced inhibition of human natural killer cells: Effects of MEK inhibitors

    PubMed Central

    Abraha, Abraham B.; Whalen, Margaret M.

    2008-01-01

    Destruction of tumor cells is a key function of NK cells. Previous studies have shown that tributyltin (TBT) can significantly reduce the lytic function of the human NK cells with accompanying increases in the phosphorylation (activation) states of the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), p44/42. The current studies examine the role of p44/42 activation in the TBT-induced reduction of NK-lytic function, by using MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126. A 1 h treatment with PD98059 or U0126 or both decreased the ability of NK cells to lyse K562 tumor cells. PD98059, U0126 or a combination of both inhibitors were able to completely block TBT-induced activation of p44/42. However, when p44/42 activation was blocked by the presence of PD98059, U0126, or the combination, subsequent exposure to TBT was still able to decrease the lytic function of NK cells. These results indicate that TBT-induced activation of p44/42 occurs via the activation of its upstream activator, MEK, and not by a TBT-induced inhibition of p44/42 phosphatase activity. Additionally, as lytic function was never completely blocked by MEK inhibitors, the results indicate that activation of p44/42 pathway is not solely responsible for the activation of lytic function of freshly isolated human NK cells. Finally, the results showed that TBT-induced activation of p44/42 is not solely responsible for the loss of lytic function. PMID:18989867

  2. HDAC inhibitors induce global changes in histone lysine and arginine methylation and alter expression of lysine demethylases.

    PubMed

    Lillico, Ryan; Sobral, Marina Gomez; Stesco, Nicholas; Lakowski, Ted M

    2016-02-05

    Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are cancer treatments that inhibit the removal of the epigenetic modification acetyllysine on histones, resulting in altered gene expression. Such changes in expression may influence other histone epigenetic modifications. We describe a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to quantify lysine acetylation and methylation and arginine methylation on histones extracted from cultured cells treated with HDAC inhibitors. The HDAC inhibitors vorinostat, mocetinostat and entinostat induced 400-600% hyperacetylation in HEK 293 and K562 cells. All HDAC inhibitors decreased histone methylarginines in HEK 293 cells but entinostat produced dose dependent reductions in asymmetric dimethylarginine, not observed in K562 cells. Vorinostat produced increases in histone lysine methylation and decreased expression of some lysine demethylases (KDM), measured by quantitative PCR. Entinostat had variable effects on lysine methylation and decreased expression of some KDM while increasing expression of others. Mocetinostat produced dose dependent increases in histone lysine methylation by LC-MS/MS. This was corroborated with a multiplex colorimetric assay showing increases in histone H3 lysine 4, 9, 27, 36 and 79 methylation. Increases in lysine methylation were correlated with dose dependent decreases in the expression of seven KDM. Mocetinostat functions as an HDAC inhibitor and a de facto KDM inhibitor. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Integrated analysis of drug-induced gene expression profiles predicts novel hERG inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Babcock, Joseph J; Du, Fang; Xu, Kaiping; Wheelan, Sarah J; Li, Min

    2013-01-01

    Growing evidence suggests that drugs interact with diverse molecular targets mediating both therapeutic and toxic effects. Prediction of these complex interactions from chemical structures alone remains challenging, as compounds with different structures may possess similar toxicity profiles. In contrast, predictions based on systems-level measurements of drug effect may reveal pharmacologic similarities not evident from structure or known therapeutic indications. Here we utilized drug-induced transcriptional responses in the Connectivity Map (CMap) to discover such similarities among diverse antagonists of the human ether-à-go-go related (hERG) potassium channel, a common target of promiscuous inhibition by small molecules. Analysis of transcriptional profiles generated in three independent cell lines revealed clusters enriched for hERG inhibitors annotated using a database of experimental measurements (hERGcentral) and clinical indications. As a validation, we experimentally identified novel hERG inhibitors among the unannotated drugs in these enriched clusters, suggesting transcriptional responses may serve as predictive surrogates of cardiotoxicity complementing existing functional assays.

  4. Integrated Analysis of Drug-Induced Gene Expression Profiles Predicts Novel hERG Inhibitors

    PubMed Central

    Babcock, Joseph J.; Du, Fang; Xu, Kaiping; Wheelan, Sarah J.; Li, Min

    2013-01-01

    Growing evidence suggests that drugs interact with diverse molecular targets mediating both therapeutic and toxic effects. Prediction of these complex interactions from chemical structures alone remains challenging, as compounds with different structures may possess similar toxicity profiles. In contrast, predictions based on systems-level measurements of drug effect may reveal pharmacologic similarities not evident from structure or known therapeutic indications. Here we utilized drug-induced transcriptional responses in the Connectivity Map (CMap) to discover such similarities among diverse antagonists of the human ether-à-go-go related (hERG) potassium channel, a common target of promiscuous inhibition by small molecules. Analysis of transcriptional profiles generated in three independent cell lines revealed clusters enriched for hERG inhibitors annotated using a database of experimental measurements (hERGcentral) and clinical indications. As a validation, we experimentally identified novel hERG inhibitors among the unannotated drugs in these enriched clusters, suggesting transcriptional responses may serve as predictive surrogates of cardiotoxicity complementing existing functional assays. PMID:23936032

  5. CDK2 inhibitors as candidate therapeutics for cisplatin- and noise-induced hearing loss

    PubMed Central

    Teitz, Tal; Fang, Jie; Goktug, Asli N.; Bonga, Justine D.; Diao, Shiyong; Iconaru, Luigi; Morfouace, Marie; Currier, Duane; Zhou, Yinmei; Umans, Robyn A.; Taylor, Michael R.; Cheng, Cheng; Peng, Junmin; Roussel, Martine F.; Kriwacki, Richard; Guy, R. Kiplin; Chen, Taosheng

    2018-01-01

    Hearing loss caused by aging, noise, cisplatin toxicity, or other insults affects 360 million people worldwide, but there are no Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs to prevent or treat it. We screened 4,385 small molecules in a cochlear cell line and identified 10 compounds that protected against cisplatin toxicity in mouse cochlear explants. Among them, kenpaullone, an inhibitor of multiple kinases, including cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), protected zebrafish lateral-line neuromasts from cisplatin toxicity and, when delivered locally, protected adult mice and rats against cisplatin- and noise-induced hearing loss. CDK2-deficient mice displayed enhanced resistance to cisplatin toxicity in cochlear explants and to cisplatin- and noise-induced hearing loss in vivo. Mechanistically, we showed that kenpaullone directly inhibits CDK2 kinase activity and reduces cisplatin-induced mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species, thereby enhancing cell survival. Our experiments have revealed the proapoptotic function of CDK2 in postmitotic cochlear cells and have identified promising therapeutics for preventing hearing loss. PMID:29514916

  6. KEAP1-dependent synthetic lethality induced by AKT and TXNRD1 inhibitors in lung cancer

    PubMed Central

    Dai, Bingbing; Yoo, Suk-Yuong; Bartholomeusz, Geoffrey; Graham, Ryan A.; Majidi, Mourad; Yan, Shaoyu; Meng, Jieru; Ji, Lin; Coombes, Kevin; Minna, John D.; Fang, Bingliang; Roth, Jack A.

    2013-01-01

    Intrinsic resistance to agents targeting phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway is one of the major challenges in cancer treatment with such agents. The objective of this study is to identify the genes or pathways that can be targeted to overcome the resistance of non-small cell lung cancer to the AKT inhibitor, MK2206, which is currently being evaluated in phase I and II clinical trials. Using a genome-wide small interfering RNA (siRNA) library screening and biological characterization we identified that inhibition of Thioredoxin Reductase-1 (TXNRD1), one of the key anti-oxidant enzymes, with siRNAs or its inhibitor, Auranofin, sensitized non-small cell lung cancer cells to MK2206 treatment in vitro and in vivo. We found that simultaneous inhibition of TXNRD1 and AKT pathways induced robust reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which was involved in c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK, MAPK8) activation and cell apoptosis. Furthermore we found that the synthetic lethality interaction between the TXNRD1 and AKT pathways occurred through the KEAP1/NRF2 cellular antioxidant pathway. Lastly, we found that synthetic lethality induced by TXNRD1 and AKT inhibitors relied on wild type KEAP1 function. Our study indicates that targeting the interaction between AKT and TXNRD1 antioxidant pathways with MK2206 and Auranofin, a FDA approved drug, is a rational strategy to treat lung cancer and that KEAP1 mutation status may offer a predicative biomarker for such combination approaches. PMID:23824739

  7. Ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, exhibits antitumoral activity and induces autophagy in glioblastoma.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jin; Liu, Xiaoyang; Hong, Yongzhi; Wang, Songtao; Chen, Pin; Gu, Aihua; Guo, Xiaoyuan; Zhao, Peng

    2017-07-17

    Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, is a novel anticancer drug used for treating several types of cancers. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of ibrutinib on GBM. Cell proliferation was determined by using cell viability, colony formation, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. Cell cycle and cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell migratory ability was evaluated by wound healing assays and trans-well migration assays. ATG7 expression was knocked-down by transfection with Atg7-specific small interfering RNA. Overexpression of active Akt protein was achieved by transfecting the cells with a plasmid expressing constitutively active Akt (CA-Akt). Transmission electron microscopy was performed to examine the formation of autophagosomes in cells. Immunofluorescence and western blot analyses were used to analyze protein expression. Tumor xenografts in nude mice and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the effect of ibrutinib on tumor growth in vivo. Ibrutinib inhibited cellular proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis and autophagy in LN229 and U87 cells. Overexpression of the active Akt protein decreased ibrutinib-induced autophagy, while inhibiting Akt by LY294002 treatment enhanced ibrutinib-induced autophagy. Specific inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3MA) or Atg7 targeting with small interfering RNA (si-Atg7) enhanced the anti-GBM effect of ibrutinib in vitro and in vivo. Our results indicate that ibrutinib exerts a profound antitumor effect and induces autophagy through Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in GBM cells. Autophagy inhibition promotes the antitumor activity of ibrutinib in GBM. Our findings provide important insights into the action of an anticancer agent combining with autophagy inhibitor for malignant glioma.

  8. Novel MDM2 inhibitor SAR405838 (MI-773) induces p53-mediated apoptosis in neuroblastoma

    PubMed Central

    Lu, Jiaxiong; Guan, Shan; Zhao, Yanling; Yu, Yang; Wang, Yongfeng; Shi, Yonghua; Mao, Xinfang; Yang, Kristine L.; Sun, Wenjing; Xu, Xin; Yi, Joanna S.; Yang, Tianshu; Yang, Jianhua; Nuchtern, Jed G.

    2016-01-01

    Neuroblastoma (NB), which accounts for about 15% of cancer-related mortality in children, is the most common childhood extracranial malignant tumor. In NB, somatic mutations of the tumor suppressor, p53, are exceedingly rare. Unlike in adult tumors, the majority of p53 downstream functions are still intact in NB cells with wild-type p53. Thus, restoring p53 function by blocking its interaction with p53 suppressors such as MDM2 is a viable therapeutic strategy for NB treatment. Herein, we show that MDM2 inhibitor SAR405838 is a potent therapeutic drug for NB. SAR405838 caused significantly decreased cell viability of p53 wild-type NB cells and induced p53-mediated apoptosis, as well as augmenting the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin (Dox). In an in vivo orthotopic NB mouse model, SAR405838 induced apoptosis in NB tumor cells. In summary, our data strongly suggest that MDM2-specific inhibitors like SAR405838 may serve not only as a stand-alone therapy, but also as an effective adjunct to current chemotherapeutic regimens for treating NB with an intact MDM2-p53 axis. PMID:27764791

  9. A dual inhibitor of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase protects against kainic acid-induced brain injury.

    PubMed

    Minutoli, Letteria; Marini, Herbert; Rinaldi, Mariagrazia; Bitto, Alessandra; Irrera, Natasha; Pizzino, Gabriele; Pallio, Giovanni; Calò, Margherita; Adamo, Elena Bianca; Trichilo, Vincenzo; Interdonato, Monica; Galfo, Federica; Squadrito, Francesco; Altavilla, Domenica

    2015-06-01

    Systemic administration of kainic acid causes inflammation and apoptosis in the brain, resulting in neuronal loss. Dual cyclooxygenase/5-lipoxygenase (COX/5-LOX) inhibitors could represent a possible neuroprotective approach in preventing glutamate excitotoxicity. Consequently, we investigated the effects of a dual inhibitor of COX/5-LOX following intraperitoneal administration of kainic acid (KA, 10 mg/kg) in rats. Animals were randomized to receive either the dual inhibitor of COX/5-LOX (flavocoxid, 20 mg/kg i.p.) or its vehicle (1 ml/kg i.p.) 30 min after KA administration. Sham brain injury rats were used as controls. We evaluated protein expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK1/2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as well as levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in the hippocampus. Animals were also observed for monitoring behavioral changes according to Racine Scale. Finally, histological analysis and brain edema evaluation were carried out. Treatment with the dual inhibitor of COX/5-LOX decreased protein expression of p-ERK1/2 and TNF-α in hippocampus, markedly reduced MDA, LTB4 and PGE2 hippocampal levels, and also ameliorated brain edema. Histological analysis showed a reduction in cell damage in rats treated with the dual inhibitor of COX/5-LOX, particularly in hippocampal subregion CA3c. Moreover, flavocoxid significantly improved behavioral signs following kainic acid administration. Our results suggest that dual inhibition of COX/5-LOX by flavocoxid has neuroprotective effects during kainic acid-induced excitotoxicity.

  10. Histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid promotes the induction of pluripotency in mouse fibroblasts by suppressing reprogramming-induced senescence stress

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhai, Yingying; Chen, Xi; Yu, Dehai

    2015-09-10

    Histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) has been used to increase the reprogramming efficiency of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) from somatic cells, yet the specific molecular mechanisms underlying this effect is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that reprogramming with lentiviruses carrying the iPSC-inducing factors (Oct4-Sox2-Klf4-cMyc, OSKM) caused senescence in mouse fibroblasts, establishing a stress barrier for cell reprogramming. Administration of VPA protected cells from reprogramming-induced senescent stress. Using an in vitro pre-mature senescence model, we found that VPA treatment increased cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis through the suppression of the p16/p21 pathway. In addition, VPA also inhibited the G2/M phasemore » blockage derived from the senescence stress. These findings highlight the role of VPA in breaking the cell senescence barrier required for the induction of pluripotency. - Highlights: • Histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid enhances iPSC induction. • Valproic acid suppresses reprogramming-induced senescence stress. • Valproic acid downregulates the p16/p21 pathway in reprogramming. • This study demonstrates a new mechanistic role of valproic acid in enhancing reprogramming.« less

  11. Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor roxadustat (FG-4592) protects against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yunwen; Yu, Xiaowen; Zhang, Yue; Ding, Guixia; Zhu, Chunhua; Huang, Songming; Jia, Zhanjun; Zhang, Aihua

    2018-04-16

    Renal hypoxia occurs in acute kidney injury (AKI) of various etiologies. Activation of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF) has been identified as an important mechanism of cellular adaptation to low oxygen. Preconditional HIF activation protects against AKI, suggesting a new approach in AKI treatment. HIF is degraded under normoxic conditions mediated by oxygen-dependent hydroxylation of specific prolyl residues of the regulative α-subunits by HIF prolyl hydroxylases (PHD). FG-4592 is a novel, orally active, small-molecule HIF PHD inhibitor for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of FG-4592 (Roxadustat) on cis -diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin)-induced kidney injury. In mice, pretreatment with FG-4592 markedly ameliorated cisplatin-induced kidney injury as shown by the improved renal function (blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), and cystatin C) and kidney morphology (periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining) in line with a robust blockade of renal tubular injury markers of kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Meanwhile, the renal apoptosis and inflammation induced by cisplatin were also strikingly attenuated in FG-4592-treated mice. Along with the protective effects shown above, FG-4592 pretreatment strongly enhanced HIF-1α in tubular cells, as well as the expressions of HIF target genes. FG-4592 alone did not affect the renal function and morphology in mice. In vitro , FG-4592 treatment significantly up-regulated HIF-1α and protected the tubular cells against cisplatin-induced apoptosis. In summary, FG-4592 treatment remarkably ameliorated the cisplatin-induced kidney injury possibly through the stabilization of HIF. Thus, besides the role in treating CKD anemia, the clinical use of FG-4592 also could be extended to AKI. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical

  12. Further studies of auxin and ACC induced feminization in the cucumber plant using ethylene inhibitors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Takahashi, H.; Jaffe, M. J.

    1984-01-01

    The present study was designed to establish the role of an essential hormone controlling sex expression in cucumber. A potent anti-ethylene agent, AgNO3, completely inhibited pistillate flower formation caused by IAA, ACC or ethephon. Inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis, AVG and CoCl2 also suppressed feminization due to exogenous IAA or ACC. Though AVG also suppressed ethephon-induced feminization, this may be due to the second effect of AVG rather than the effect on ACC biosynthesis. These results confirm that ethylene is a major factor regulating feminization and that exogenous auxin induces pistillate flower formation through its stimulation of ethylene production, rather than ACC production.

  13. The effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on the extinction of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in mice.

    PubMed

    Liddie, Shervin; Anderson, Karen L; Paz, Andres; Itzhak, Yossef

    2012-10-01

    Several phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEis) improve cognition, suggesting that an increase in brain cAMP and cGMP facilitates learning and memory. Since extinction of drug-seeking behavior requires associative learning, consolidation and formation of new memory, the present study investigated the efficacy of three different PDEis in the extinction of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in B6129S mice. Mice were conditioned by escalating doses of cocaine which was resistant to extinction by free exploration. Immediately following each extinction session mice received (a) saline/vehicle, (b) rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor), (c) BAY-73-6691 (PDE9 inhibitor) or (d) papaverine (PDE10A inhibitor). Mice that received saline/vehicle during extinction training showed no reduction in CPP for >10 days. BAY-73-6691 (a) dose-dependently increased cGMP in hippocampus and amygdala, (b) significantly facilitated extinction and (c) diminished the reinstatement of cocaine CPP. Rolipram, which selectively increased brain cAMP levels, and papaverine which caused increases in both cAMP and cGMP levels, had no significant effect on the extinction of cocaine CPP. The results suggest that increase in hippocampal and amygdalar cGMP levels via blockade of PDE9 has a prominent role in the consolidation of extinction learning.

  14. Retro-binding thrombin active site inhibitors: identification of an orally active inhibitor of thrombin catalytic activity.

    PubMed

    Iwanowicz, Edwin J; Kimball, S David; Lin, James; Lau, Wan; Han, W-C; Wang, Tammy C; Roberts, Daniel G M; Schumacher, W A; Ogletree, Martin L; Seiler, Steven M

    2002-11-04

    A series of retro-binding inhibitors of human alpha-thrombin was prepared to elucidate structure-activity relationships (SAR) and optimize in vivo performance. Compounds 9 and 11, orally active inhibitors of thrombin catalytic activity, were identified to be efficacious in a thrombin-induced lethality model in mice.

  15. Acute effects of aceclofenac, COX-2 inhibitor, on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity.

    PubMed

    Taşkıran, Mehmet; Taşdemir, Abdulkadir; Ayyıldız, Nusret

    2017-04-01

    The effects of COX-2 inhibitors on seizure activity are controversial. The aim of the current study was to determine the post-treatment effect of aceclofenac on penicillin-induced experimental epilepsy. Male Wistar rats were used in all experiments (n=18). The seizure activity was triggered by penicillin (i.c.). Aceclofenac was injected intraperitoneally at doses of 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg. Intraperitoneal administration of 10 and 20mg/kg aceclofenac doses, exhibited proconvulsant properties on seizure activity on rats. The mean spike frequency and amplitude of aceclofenac 10mg/kg were 41.89±2.12 spike/min and 0.619±0.094mV, respectively. The mean spike frequency and amplitude of aceclofenac 20mg/kg were 35.26±2.72 spike/min and 0.843±0.089mV, respectively. The results indicated that not all of the COX-2 inhibitors may have anticonvulsant or proconvulsant features on patients with epilepsy susceptibility and must be used with great care. It was also suggested that not only cyclooxygenase metabolic pathway but also lipoxygenase pathway should be considered together in further detailed studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Protective effects of a squalene synthase inhibitor, lapaquistat acetate (TAK-475), on statin-induced myotoxicity in guinea pigs

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nishimoto, Tomoyuki; Ishikawa, Eiichiro; Anayama, Hisashi

    2007-08-15

    High-dose statin treatment has been recommended as a primary strategy for aggressive reduction of LDL cholesterol levels and protection against coronary artery disease. The effectiveness of high-dose statins may be limited by their potential for myotoxic side effects. There is currently little known about the molecular mechanisms of statin-induced myotoxicity. Previously we showed that T-91485, an active metabolite of the squalene synthase inhibitor lapaquistat acetate (lapaquistat: a previous name is TAK-475), attenuated statin-induced cytotoxicity in human skeletal muscle cells [Nishimoto, T., Tozawa, R., Amano, Y., Wada, T., Imura, Y., Sugiyama, Y., 2003a. Comparing myotoxic effects of squalene synthase inhibitor, T-91485,more » and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A. Biochem. Pharmacol. 66, 2133-2139]. In the current study, we investigated the effects of lapaquistat administration on statin-induced myotoxicity in vivo. Guinea pigs were treated with either high-dose cerivastatin (1 mg/kg) or cerivastatin together with lapaquistat (30 mg/kg) for 14 days. Treatment with cerivastatin alone decreased plasma cholesterol levels by 45% and increased creatine kinase (CK) levels by more than 10-fold (a marker of myotoxicity). The plasma CK levels positively correlated with the severity of skeletal muscle lesions as assessed by histopathology. Co-administration of lapaquistat almost completely prevented the cerivastatin-induced myotoxicity. Administration of mevalonolactone (100 mg/kg b.i.d.) prevented the cerivastatin-induced myotoxicity, confirming that this effect is directly related to HMG-CoA reductase inhibition. These results strongly suggest that cerivastatin-induced myotoxicity is due to depletion of mevalonate derived isoprenoids. In addition, squalene synthase inhibition could potentially be used clinically to prevent statin-induced myopathy.« less

  17. Protective effects of a squalene synthase inhibitor, lapaquistat acetate (TAK-475), on statin-induced myotoxicity in guinea pigs.

    PubMed

    Nishimoto, Tomoyuki; Ishikawa, Eiichiro; Anayama, Hisashi; Hamajyo, Hitomi; Nagai, Hirofumi; Hirakata, Masao; Tozawa, Ryuichi

    2007-08-15

    High-dose statin treatment has been recommended as a primary strategy for aggressive reduction of LDL cholesterol levels and protection against coronary artery disease. The effectiveness of high-dose statins may be limited by their potential for myotoxic side effects. There is currently little known about the molecular mechanisms of statin-induced myotoxicity. Previously we showed that T-91485, an active metabolite of the squalene synthase inhibitor lapaquistat acetate (lapaquistat: a previous name is TAK-475), attenuated statin-induced cytotoxicity in human skeletal muscle cells [Nishimoto, T., Tozawa, R., Amano, Y., Wada, T., Imura, Y., Sugiyama, Y., 2003a. Comparing myotoxic effects of squalene synthase inhibitor, T-91485, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A. Biochem. Pharmacol. 66, 2133-2139]. In the current study, we investigated the effects of lapaquistat administration on statin-induced myotoxicity in vivo. Guinea pigs were treated with either high-dose cerivastatin (1 mg/kg) or cerivastatin together with lapaquistat (30 mg/kg) for 14 days. Treatment with cerivastatin alone decreased plasma cholesterol levels by 45% and increased creatine kinase (CK) levels by more than 10-fold (a marker of myotoxicity). The plasma CK levels positively correlated with the severity of skeletal muscle lesions as assessed by histopathology. Co-administration of lapaquistat almost completely prevented the cerivastatin-induced myotoxicity. Administration of mevalonolactone (100 mg/kg b.i.d.) prevented the cerivastatin-induced myotoxicity, confirming that this effect is directly related to HMG-CoA reductase inhibition. These results strongly suggest that cerivastatin-induced myotoxicity is due to depletion of mevalonate derived isoprenoids. In addition, squalene synthase inhibition could potentially be used clinically to prevent statin-induced myopathy.

  18. Small-molecule inhibitors at the PSD-95/nNOS interface protect against glutamate-induced neuronal atrophy in primary cortical neurons.

    PubMed

    Doucet, M V; O'Toole, E; Connor, T; Harkin, A

    2015-08-20

    Glutamate and nitric oxide (NO) are important regulators of dendrite and axon development in the central nervous system. Excess glutamatergic stimulation is a feature of many pathological conditions and manifests in neuronal atrophy and shrinkage with eventual neurodegeneration and cell death. Here we demonstrate that treatment of cultured primary cortical rat neurons for 24h with glutamate (500μM) or N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) (100-500μM) combined with glycine suppresses neurite outgrowth. A similar reduction of neurite outgrowth was observed with the NO precursor l-arginine and NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (100 and 300μM). The NMDA-receptor (NMDA-R) antagonists ketamine and MK-801 (10nM) counteracted the NMDA/glycine-induced reduction in neurite outgrowth and the neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) inhibitor 1-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] imidazole (TRIM) (100nM) counteracted both the NMDA/glycine and l-arginine-induced decreases in neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, targeting soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), a downstream target of NO, with the sGC inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (10μM) also protected against l-arginine-induced decreases in neurite outgrowth. Since the NMDA-R is functionally coupled to nNOS via the postsynaptic protein 95kDa (PSD-95), inhibitors of the PSD-95/nNOS interaction were tested for their ability to protect against glutamate-induced suppression in neurite outgrowth. Treatment with the small-molecule inhibitors of the PSD-95/nNOS interface 2-((1H-benzo[d] [1,2,3]triazol-5-ylamino) methyl)-4,6-dichlorophenol (IC87201) (10 and 100nM) and 4-(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxy-benzylamino)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (ZL-006) (10 and 100nM) attenuated NMDA/glycine-induced decreases in neurite outgrowth. These data support the hypothesis that targeting the NMDA-R/PSD-95/nNOS interaction downstream of NMDA-R promotes neurotrophic effects by preventing neurite shrinkage in response to excess glutamatergic stimulation. The PSD-95/n

  19. CDK2 inhibitors as candidate therapeutics for cisplatin- and noise-induced hearing loss.

    PubMed

    Teitz, Tal; Fang, Jie; Goktug, Asli N; Bonga, Justine D; Diao, Shiyong; Hazlitt, Robert A; Iconaru, Luigi; Morfouace, Marie; Currier, Duane; Zhou, Yinmei; Umans, Robyn A; Taylor, Michael R; Cheng, Cheng; Min, Jaeki; Freeman, Burgess; Peng, Junmin; Roussel, Martine F; Kriwacki, Richard; Guy, R Kiplin; Chen, Taosheng; Zuo, Jian

    2018-04-02

    Hearing loss caused by aging, noise, cisplatin toxicity, or other insults affects 360 million people worldwide, but there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs to prevent or treat it. We screened 4,385 small molecules in a cochlear cell line and identified 10 compounds that protected against cisplatin toxicity in mouse cochlear explants. Among them, kenpaullone, an inhibitor of multiple kinases, including cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), protected zebrafish lateral-line neuromasts from cisplatin toxicity and, when delivered locally, protected adult mice and rats against cisplatin- and noise-induced hearing loss. CDK2-deficient mice displayed enhanced resistance to cisplatin toxicity in cochlear explants and to cisplatin- and noise-induced hearing loss in vivo. Mechanistically, we showed that kenpaullone directly inhibits CDK2 kinase activity and reduces cisplatin-induced mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species, thereby enhancing cell survival. Our experiments have revealed the proapoptotic function of CDK2 in postmitotic cochlear cells and have identified promising therapeutics for preventing hearing loss. © 2018 Teitz et al.

  20. Differentiation of eosinophilic leukemia EoL-1 cells into eosinophils induced by histone deacetylase inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Ishihara, Kenji; Takahashi, Aki; Kaneko, Motoko; Sugeno, Hiroki; Hirasawa, Noriyasu; Hong, JangJa; Zee, OkPyo; Ohuchi, Kazuo

    2007-03-06

    EoL-1 cells differentiate into eosinophils in the presence of n-butyrate, but the mechanism has remained to be elucidated. Because n-butyrate can inhibit histone deacetylases, we hypothesized that the inhibition of histone deacetylases induces the differentiation of EoL-1 cells into eosinophils. In this study, using n-butyrate and two other histone deacetylase inhibitors, apicidin and trichostatin A, we have analyzed the relationship between the inhibition of histone deacetylases and the differentiation into eosinophils in EoL-1 cells. It was demonstrated that apicidin and n-butyrate induced a continuous acetylation of histones H4 and H3, inhibited the proliferation of EoL-1 cells without attenuating the level of FIP1L1-PDGFRA mRNA, and induced the expression of markers for mature eosinophils such as integrin beta7, CCR1, and CCR3 on EoL-1 cells, while trichostatin A evoked a transient acetylation of histones and induced no differentiation into eosinophils. These findings suggest that the continuous inhibition of histone deacetylases in EoL-1 cells induces the differentiation into mature eosinophils.

  1. Non-canonical Smads phosphorylation induced by the glutamate release inhibitor, riluzole, through GSK3 activation in melanoma.

    PubMed

    Abushahba, Walid; Olabisi, Oyenike O; Jeong, Byeong-Seon; Boregowda, Rajeev K; Wen, Yu; Liu, Fang; Goydos, James S; Lasfar, Ahmed; Cohen-Solal, Karine A

    2012-01-01

    Riluzole, an inhibitor of glutamate release, has shown the ability to inhibit melanoma cell xenograft growth. A phase 0 clinical trial of riluzole as a single agent in patients with melanoma resulted in involution of tumors associated with inhibition of both the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phophoinositide-3-kinase/AKT (PI3K/AKT) pathways in 34% of patients. In the present study, we demonstrate that riluzole inhibits AKT-mediated glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) phosphorylation in melanoma cell lines. Because we have demonstrated that GSK3 is involved in the phosphorylation of two downstream effectors of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), Smad2 and Smad3, at their linker domain, our aim was to determine whether riluzole could induce GSK3β-mediated linker phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. We present evidence that riluzole increases Smad2 and Smad3 linker phosphorylation at the cluster of serines 245/250/255 and serine 204 respectively. Using GSK3 inhibitors and siRNA knock-down, we demonstrate that the mechanism of riluzole-induced Smad phosphorylation involved GSK3β. In addition, GSK3β could phosphorylate the same linker sites in vitro. The riluzole-induced Smad linker phosphorylation is mechanistically different from the Smad linker phosphorylation induced by TGFβ. We also demonstrate that riluzole-induced Smad linker phosphorylation is independent of the expression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (GRM1), which is one of the glutamate receptors whose involvement in human melanoma has been documented. We further show that riluzole upregulates the expression of INHBB and PLAU, two genes associated with the TGFβ signaling pathway. The non-canonical increase in Smad linker phosphorylation induced by riluzole could contribute to the modulation of the pro-oncogenic functions of Smads in late stage melanomas.

  2. Non-Canonical Smads Phosphorylation Induced by the Glutamate Release Inhibitor, Riluzole, through GSK3 Activation in Melanoma

    PubMed Central

    Jeong, Byeong-Seon; Boregowda, Rajeev K.; Wen, Yu; Liu, Fang; Goydos, James S.; Lasfar, Ahmed; Cohen-Solal, Karine A.

    2012-01-01

    Riluzole, an inhibitor of glutamate release, has shown the ability to inhibit melanoma cell xenograft growth. A phase 0 clinical trial of riluzole as a single agent in patients with melanoma resulted in involution of tumors associated with inhibition of both the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phophoinositide-3-kinase/AKT (PI3K/AKT) pathways in 34% of patients. In the present study, we demonstrate that riluzole inhibits AKT-mediated glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) phosphorylation in melanoma cell lines. Because we have demonstrated that GSK3 is involved in the phosphorylation of two downstream effectors of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), Smad2 and Smad3, at their linker domain, our aim was to determine whether riluzole could induce GSK3β-mediated linker phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. We present evidence that riluzole increases Smad2 and Smad3 linker phosphorylation at the cluster of serines 245/250/255 and serine 204 respectively. Using GSK3 inhibitors and siRNA knock-down, we demonstrate that the mechanism of riluzole-induced Smad phosphorylation involved GSK3β. In addition, GSK3β could phosphorylate the same linker sites in vitro. The riluzole-induced Smad linker phosphorylation is mechanistically different from the Smad linker phosphorylation induced by TGFβ. We also demonstrate that riluzole-induced Smad linker phosphorylation is independent of the expression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (GRM1), which is one of the glutamate receptors whose involvement in human melanoma has been documented. We further show that riluzole upregulates the expression of INHBB and PLAU, two genes associated with the TGFβ signaling pathway. The non-canonical increase in Smad linker phosphorylation induced by riluzole could contribute to the modulation of the pro-oncogenic functions of Smads in late stage melanomas. PMID:23077590

  3. Effects of Pharmacological Inhibition and Genetic Deficiency of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 in Radiation-Induced Intestinal Injury

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Abderrahmani, Rym; Francois, Agnes; Buard, Valerie

    2009-07-01

    Purpose: To investigate effects of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) genetic deficiency and pharmacological PAI-1 inhibition with PAI-039 in a mouse model of radiation-induced enteropathy. Methods and Materials: Wild-type (Wt) and PAI-1{sup -/-} knockout mice received a single dose of 19 Gy to an exteriorized localized intestinal segment. Sham and irradiated Wt mice were treated orally with 1 mg/g of PAI-039. Histological modifications were quantified using a radiation injury score. Moreover, intestinal gene expression was monitored by real-time PCR. Results: At 3 days after irradiation, PAI-039 abolished the radiation-induced increase in the plasma active form of PAI-1 and limited themore » radiation-induced gene expression of transforming growth factor {beta}1 (TGF-{beta}1), CTGF, PAI-1, and COL1A2. Moreover, PAI-039 conferred temporary protection against early lethality. PAI-039 treatment limited the radiation-induced increase of CTGF and PAI-1 at 2 weeks after irradiation but had no effect at 6 weeks. Radiation injuries were less severe in PAI-1{sup -/-} mice than in Wt mice, and despite the beneficial effect, 3 days after irradiation, PAI-039 had no effects on microscopic radiation injuries compared to untreated Wt mice. Conclusions: A genetic deficiency of PAI-1 is associated with amelioration of late radiation enteropathy. Pharmacological inhibition of PAI-1 by PAI-039 positively impacts the early, acute phase increase in plasma PAI-1 and the associated radiation-induced gene expression of inflammatory/extracellular matrix proteins. Since PAI-039 has been shown to inhibit the active form of PAI-1, as opposed to the complete loss of PAI-1 in the knockout animals, these data suggest that a PAI-1 inhibitor could be beneficial in treating radiation-induced tissue injury in acute settings where PAI-1 is elevated.« less

  4. Molecular dynamics simulations and modelling of the residue interaction networks in the BRAF kinase complexes with small molecule inhibitors: probing the allosteric effects of ligand-induced kinase dimerization and paradoxical activation.

    PubMed

    Verkhivker, G M

    2016-10-20

    Protein kinases are central to proper functioning of cellular networks and are an integral part of many signal transduction pathways. The family of protein kinases represents by far the largest and most important class of therapeutic targets in oncology. Dimerization-induced activation has emerged as a common mechanism of allosteric regulation in BRAF kinases, which play an important role in growth factor signalling and human diseases. Recent studies have revealed that most of the BRAF inhibitors can induce dimerization and paradoxically stimulate enzyme transactivation by conferring an active conformation in the second monomer of the kinase dimer. The emerging connections between inhibitor binding and BRAF kinase domain dimerization have suggested a molecular basis of the activation mechanism in which BRAF inhibitors may allosterically modulate the stability of the dimerization interface and affect the organization of residue interaction networks in BRAF kinase dimers. In this work, we integrated structural bioinformatics analysis, molecular dynamics and binding free energy simulations with the protein structure network analysis of the BRAF crystal structures to determine dynamic signatures of BRAF conformations in complexes with different types of inhibitors and probe the mechanisms of the inhibitor-induced dimerization and paradoxical activation. The results of this study highlight previously unexplored relationships between types of BRAF inhibitors, inhibitor-induced changes in the residue interaction networks and allosteric modulation of the kinase activity. This study suggests a mechanism by which BRAF inhibitors could promote or interfere with the paradoxical activation of BRAF kinases, which may be useful in informing discovery efforts to minimize the unanticipated adverse biological consequences of these therapeutic agents.

  5. Enkephalinase inhibitor potentiates mammalian tachykinin-induced contraction in ferret trachea.

    PubMed

    Sekizawa, K; Tamaoki, J; Graf, P D; Basbaum, C B; Borson, D B; Nadel, J A

    1987-12-01

    To determine the roles of endogenous enkephalinase (EC.3.4.24.11) in regulating tachykinin-induced contraction of airway smooth muscle, the authors studied the effects of the enkephalinase inhibitor leucine-thiorphan on the contractile responses to substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB) in isolated ferret tracheal smooth muscle segments. Leucine-thiorphan shifted, in concentration-dependent fashions, the dose-response curves to all tachykinins to lower concentrations. Leucine-thiorphan changed the rank order of tachykinin potency from NKA greater than SP greater than NKB to NKA = NKB greater than SP. Removal of the epithelium slightly enhanced the contractile responses to SP and NKA but not to NKB. Atropine shifted the dose-response curves of all tachykinins to higher concentrations. Each tachykinin increased the contractile response to electrical field stimulation (5 Hz, 20 sec of duration, 20 V) in a dose-dependent fashion. This effect was not altered by hexamethonium, indomethacin, BW755C or naloxone but was potentiated by leucine-thiorphan and inhibited by the tachykinin receptor antagonist (D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9)-SP and by atropine. Because tachykinins did not affect contractile responses to acetylcholine significantly, their effects were probably on presynaptic postganglionic nerves. Captopril, bestatin and leupeptin did not alter contractile responses, suggesting that angiotensin converting enzyme, aminopeptidases and serine proteinases did not modulate tachykinin-induced effects. Enkephalinase immunofluorescence was found in the smooth muscle and epithelium and confirmed the authors' finding of enkephalinase-like activity in the muscle. The results suggest that tracheal enkephalinase is an important modulator of tachykinin-induced effects.

  6. Activation of the P2X₇ receptor induces migration of glial cells by inducing cathepsin B degradation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1.

    PubMed

    Murphy, Niamh; Lynch, Marina A

    2012-12-01

    The P2X(7) receptor is an ion-gated channel, which is activated by high extracellular concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Activation of P2X(7) receptors has been shown to induce neuroinflammatory changes associated with several neurological conditions. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endopeptidases that have several functions including degradation of the extracellular matrix, cell migration and modulation of bioactive molecules. The actions of MMPs are prevented by a family of protease inhibitors called tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In this study, we show that ATP-treated glial cultures from neonatal C57BL/6 mice release and increase MMP-9 activity, which is coupled with a decrease in release of TIMP-1 and an increase in activated cathepsin B within the extracellular space. This process occurs independently of NLRP3-inflammasome formation. Treatment with a P2X(7) receptor antagonist prevents ATP-induced MMP-9 activity, inhibition of active cathepsin B release and allows for TIMP-1 to be released from the cell. We have shown that cathepsin B degrades TIMP-1, and inhibition of cathepsin B allows for release of TIMP-1 and inhibits MMP-9 activity. We also present data that indicate that ATP or cell damage induces glial cell migration, which is inhibited by P2X(7) antagonism, depletion of MMP-9 or inhibition of cathepsin B. © 2012 International Society for Neurochemistry.

  7. Effect of perzinfotel and a proprietary phospholipase A(2) inhibitor on kinetic gait and subjective lameness scores in dogs with sodium urate-induced synovitis.

    PubMed

    Budsberg, Steven C; Torres, Bryan T; Zwijnenberg, Raphael J; Eppler, C Mark; Clark, James D; Cathcart, Curtis J; Reynolds, Lisa R; Al-Nadaf, Sami

    2011-06-01

    To investigate the ability of perzinfotel (an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist) and a proprietary phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) inhibitor to attenuate lameness in dogs with sodium urate (SU)-induced synovitis. 8 adult dogs. A blinded 4-way crossover study was performed. Dogs received perzinfotel (10 mg/kg), a proprietary PLA(2) inhibitor (10 mg/kg), carprofen (4.4 mg/kg; positive control treatment), or no treatment (negative control treatment). On the fourth day after initiation of treatment, synovitis was induced via intra-articular injection of SU 1 hour before administration of the last treatment dose. Ground reaction forces were measured and clinical lameness evaluations were performed before (baseline [time 0]) and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 25 hours after SU injection. There was a 21-day washout period between subsequent treatments. Data were analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVAs. Peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) values for negative control and perzinfotel treatments were significantly lower at 2 and 4 hours, compared with baseline values. Values for PVF and VI for the PLA(2) inhibitor and positive control treatments did not differ from baseline values at any time points. Between-treatment comparisons revealed significantly higher PVF and VI values for the positive control treatment than for the negative control and perzinfotel treatments at 2 and 4 hours. Values for VI were higher for PLA(2) inhibitor treatment than for negative control treatment at 2 hours. Perzinfotel did not significantly alter SU-induced lameness. The proprietary PLA(2) inhibitor attenuated lameness but not as completely as did carprofen.

  8. Derivatization of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) ligands yields improved inducers of estrogen receptor α degradation.

    PubMed

    Ohoka, Nobumichi; Morita, Yoko; Nagai, Katsunori; Shimokawa, Kenichiro; Ujikawa, Osamu; Fujimori, Ikuo; Ito, Masahiro; Hayase, Youji; Okuhira, Keiichiro; Shibata, Norihito; Hattori, Takayuki; Sameshima, Tomoya; Sano, Osamu; Koyama, Ryokichi; Imaeda, Yasuhiro; Nara, Hiroshi; Cho, Nobuo; Naito, Mikihiko

    2018-05-04

    Aberrant expression of proteins often underlies many diseases, including cancer. A recently developed approach in drug development is small molecule-mediated, selective degradation of dysregulated proteins. We have devised a protein-knockdown system that utilizes chimeric molecules termed specific and nongenetic IAP-dependent protein erasers (SNIPERs) to induce ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of various target proteins. SNIPER(ER)-87 consists of an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) ligand LCL161 derivative that is conjugated to the estrogen receptor α (ERα) ligand 4-hydroxytamoxifen by a PEG linker, and we have previously reported that this SNIPER efficiently degrades the ERα protein. Here, we report that derivatization of the IAP ligand module yields SNIPER(ER)s with superior protein-knockdown activity. These improved SNIPER(ER)s exhibited higher binding affinities to IAPs and induced more potent degradation of ERα than does SNIPER(ER)-87. Further, they induced simultaneous degradation of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (cIAP1) and delayed degradation of X-linked IAP (XIAP). Notably, these reengineered SNIPER(ER)s efficiently induced apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells that require IAPs for continued cellular survival. We found that one of these molecules, SNIPER(ER)-110, inhibits the growth of MCF-7 tumor xenografts in mice more potently than the previously characterized SNIPER(ER)-87. Mechanistic analysis revealed that our novel SNIPER(ER)s preferentially recruit XIAP, rather than cIAP1, to degrade ERα. Our results suggest that derivatized IAP ligands could facilitate further development of SNIPERs with potent protein-knockdown and cytocidal activities against cancer cells requiring IAPs for survival. © 2018 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  9. Inhibition of Chlorine-Induced Lung Injury by the Type 4 Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Rolipram

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Weiyuan; Chen, Jing; Schlueter, Connie F.; Rando, Roy J.; Pathak, Yashwant V.; Hoyle, Gary W.

    2012-01-01

    Chlorine is a highly toxic respiratory irritant that when inhaled causes epithelial cell injury, alveolar-capillary barrier disruption, airway hyperreactivity, inflammation, and pulmonary edema. Chlorine is considered a chemical threat agent, and its release through accidental or intentional means has the potential to result in mass casualties from acute lung injury. The type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram was investigated as a rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury. Rolipram inhibits degradation of the intracellular signaling molecule cyclic AMP. Potential beneficial effects of increased cyclic AMP levels include inhibition of pulmonary edema, inflammation, and airway hyperreactivity. Mice were exposed to chlorine (whole body exposure, 228–270 ppm for 1 h) and were treated with rolipram by intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intramuscular (either aqueous or nanoemulsion formulation) delivery starting 1 h after exposure. Rolipram administered intraperitoneally or intranasally inhibited chlorine-induced pulmonary edema. Minor or no effects were observed on lavage fluid IgM (indicative of plasma protein leakage), KC (Cxcl1, neutrophil chemoattractant), and neutrophils. All routes of administration inhibited chlorine-induced airway hyperreactivity assessed 1 day after exposure. The results of the study suggest that rolipram may be an effective rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury and that both systemic and targeted administration to the respiratory tract were effective routes of delivery. PMID:22763362

  10. Nephrotoxicity of Epigenetic Inhibitors Used for the Treatment of Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Scholpa, N.E.; Kolli, R.T.; Moore, M.; Arnold, R.D.; Glenn, T.C.; Cummings, B.S.

    2016-01-01

    This study determined the anti-neoplastic activity and nephrotoxicity of epigenetic inhibitors in vitro. The therapeutic efficacy of epigenetic inhibitors was determined in human prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and LNCaP) using the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-Aza) and the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). Cells were also treated with carbamazepine (CBZ), an anti-convulsant with histone deacetylase inhibitor-like properties. 5-Aza, TSA or CBZ alone did not decrease MTT staining in PC-3 or LNCaP cells after 48 hr. In contrast, docetaxel, a frontline chemotherapeutic induced concentration-dependent decreases in MTT staining. Pretreatment with 5-Aza or TSA increased docetaxel-induced cytotoxicity in LNCaP cells, but not PC-3 cells. TSA pretreatment also increased cisplatin-induced toxicity in LNCaP cells. Carfilzomib (CFZ), a protease inhibitor approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma had minimal effect on LNCaP cell viability, but reduced MTT staining 50% in PC-3 cells compared to control, and pretreatment with 5-Aza further enhanced toxicity. Treatment of normal rat kidney (NRK) and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells with the same concentrations of epigenetic inhibitors used in prostate cancer cells significantly decreased MTT staining in all cell lines after 48 hr. Interestingly, we found that the toxicity of epigenetic inhibitors to kidney cells was dependent on both the compound and the stage of cell growth. The effect of 5-Aza and TSA on DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase activity, respectively, was confirmed by assessing the methylation and acetylation of the CDK inhibitor p21. Collectively, these data show that combinatorial treatment with epigenetic inhibitors alters the efficacy of chemotherapeutics in cancer cells in a compound- and cell-specific manner; however, this treatment also has the potential to induce nephrotoxic cell injury. PMID:27543423

  11. Inhibition of untransformed prostaglandin H(2) production and stretch-induced contraction of rabbit pulmonary arteries by indoxam, a selective secretory phospholipase A(2) inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Tanabe, Yoshiyuki; Saito, Maki; Morikawa, Yuki; Kamataki, Akihisa; Sawai, Takashi; Hirose, Masamichi; Nakayama, Koichi

    2011-01-01

    Involvement of secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) in the stretch-induced production of untransformed prostaglandin H(2) (PGH(2)) in the endothelium of rabbit pulmonary arteries was investigated. The stretch-induced contraction was significantly inhibited by indoxam, a selective inhibitor for sPLA(2), and NS-398, a selective inhibitor for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Indoxam inhibited the RGD-sensitive-integrin-independent production of untransformed PGH(2), but did not affect the RGD-sensitive-integrin-dependent production of thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)). These results suggest that the stretch-induced contraction and untransformed PGH(2) production was mediated by sPLA(2)-COX-2 pathway, making it a new possible target for pharmacological intervention of pulmonary artery contractility.

  12. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for electroconvulsive therapy-induced cognitive side effects: a systematic review.

    PubMed

    Henstra, Marieke J; Jansma, Elise P; van der Velde, Nathalie; Swart, Eleonora L; Stek, Max L; Rhebergen, Didi

    2017-05-01

    Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe late-life depression; however, ECT-induced cognitive side effects frequently occur. The cholinergic system is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis. We systematically reviewed the evidence for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (Ache-I) to prevent or reduce ECT-induced cognitive side effects. A systematic search was performed in Pubmed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane database to identify clinical trials investigating the effect of Ache-I on ECT-induced cognitive side effects. Key search terms included all synonyms for ECT and Ache-I. Risk of bias assessment was conducted by using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Five clinical trials were eligible for inclusion. All studies focused on cognitive functioning as primary endpoint, but assessment of cognitive functioning varied widely in time point of assessment and in cognitive tests that were used. There was also great variety in study medication, route and time of administration and dosages, duration of drug administration, and ECT techniques. Finally, only two out of five studies were considered at low risk of bias. Despite the aforementioned shortcomings, without exception, all studies demonstrated significantly better cognitive performance in individuals treated with Ache-I. Despite large heterogeneity in studies, Ache-I appear to have beneficial effects on ECT-induced cognitive side effects, supporting an association with the cholinergic system in ECT-induced cognitive impairment. Methodological sound studies controlling for putative confounders are warranted. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  13. Inhibitors of oxidative and hydrolytic endocannabinoid degradation do not enhance depolarization-induced suppression of excitation on dorsal cochlear nucleus glycinergic neurons.

    PubMed

    Zugaib, João; Leão, Ricardo M

    2017-04-01

    Neurons from the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) present endocannabinoid (EC) dependent short-term synaptic plasticity in the form of depolarization-induced suppression of excitation (DSE). Postsynaptic calcium influx promotes EC synthesis and depression of neurotransmission. ECs can be degraded by a hydrolytic and an oxidative pathway, the latter via the enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Hyperactivity in the DCN is related to the development of tinnitus, which can be induced by high doses of salicylate, a COX-2 inhibitor. Since EC-dependent plasticity in the DCN can affect its excitation-inhibition balance, we investigated the impact of inhibitors of both oxidative and hydrolytic EC metabolism on the DSE from the synapses between the parallel fibers and cartwheel neurons (PF-CW) in the DCN. We found that inhibitors of COX-2 (ibuprofen and indomethacin) did not alter DSE at the PF-CW synapse. Salicylate also did not alter DSE. However, we found that inhibitors of the hydrolytic pathway did not affect DSE magnitude, but surprisingly speeded DSE decay. We conclude that oxidative EC degradation in the PF-CW synapse is not relevant for termination of DSE and are probably not important for controlling this form of synaptic plasticity in the DCN PF-CW synapse. The lack of effect on DSE of high doses of salicylate also suggests that it is not acting by increasing DSE in the PF-CWC synapse. However, the counter intuitive effect of the hydrolytic inhibitors shows that increasing EC on this synapse have more complex effects on DSE. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. C1 inhibitor-mediated myocardial protection from chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced injury

    PubMed Central

    Fu, Jinrong; Guo, Furong; Chen, Cheng; Yu, Xiaoman; Hu, Ke; Li, Mingjiang

    2016-01-01

    The optimal treatment for chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced cardiovascular injuries has yet to be determined. The aim of the current study was to explore the potential protective effect and mechanism of a C1 inhibitor in CIH in the myocardium. The present study used a rat model of CIH in which complement regulatory protein, known as C1 inhibitor (C1INH), was administered to the rats in the intervention groups. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. The expression of proteins associated with the apoptotic pathway, such as B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bax and caspase-3 were detected by western blot analysis. The expression of complement C3 protein and RNA were also analyzed. C1INH was observed to improve the cardiac function in rats with CIH. Myocardial myeloperoxidase activity, a marker of neutrophil infiltration, was significantly decreased in the C1INH intervention group compared with the CIH control group, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis was significantly attenuated (P<0.05). Western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were decreased and those of Bax were increased in the CIH group compared with the normal control group, but the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were increased and those of Bax were decreased in the C1INH intervention group, as compared with the CIH group. Furthermore, the CIH-induced expression and synthesis of complement C3 in the myocardium were also reduced in the C1INH intervention group. C1INH, in addition to inhibiting complement activation and inflammation, preserved cardiac function in CIH-mediated myocardial cell injury through an anti-apoptotic mechanism. PMID:27698713

  15. Model Based Targeting of IL-6-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Cultured Primary Hepatocytes to Improve Application of the JAK Inhibitor Ruxolitinib.

    PubMed

    Sobotta, Svantje; Raue, Andreas; Huang, Xiaoyun; Vanlier, Joep; Jünger, Anja; Bohl, Sebastian; Albrecht, Ute; Hahnel, Maximilian J; Wolf, Stephanie; Mueller, Nikola S; D'Alessandro, Lorenza A; Mueller-Bohl, Stephanie; Boehm, Martin E; Lucarelli, Philippe; Bonefas, Sandra; Damm, Georg; Seehofer, Daniel; Lehmann, Wolf D; Rose-John, Stefan; van der Hoeven, Frank; Gretz, Norbert; Theis, Fabian J; Ehlting, Christian; Bode, Johannes G; Timmer, Jens; Schilling, Marcel; Klingmüller, Ursula

    2017-01-01

    IL-6 is a central mediator of the immediate induction of hepatic acute phase proteins (APP) in the liver during infection and after injury, but increased IL-6 activity has been associated with multiple pathological conditions. In hepatocytes, IL-6 activates JAK1-STAT3 signaling that induces the negative feedback regulator SOCS3 and expression of APPs. While different inhibitors of IL-6-induced JAK1-STAT3-signaling have been developed, understanding their precise impact on signaling dynamics requires a systems biology approach. Here we present a mathematical model of IL-6-induced JAK1-STAT3 signaling that quantitatively links physiological IL-6 concentrations to the dynamics of IL-6-induced signal transduction and expression of target genes in hepatocytes. The mathematical model consists of coupled ordinary differential equations (ODE) and the model parameters were estimated by a maximum likelihood approach, whereas identifiability of the dynamic model parameters was ensured by the Profile Likelihood. Using model simulations coupled with experimental validation we could optimize the long-term impact of the JAK-inhibitor Ruxolitinib, a therapeutic compound that is quickly metabolized. Model-predicted doses and timing of treatments helps to improve the reduction of inflammatory APP gene expression in primary mouse hepatocytes close to levels observed during regenerative conditions. The concept of improved efficacy of the inhibitor through multiple treatments at optimized time intervals was confirmed in primary human hepatocytes. Thus, combining quantitative data generation with mathematical modeling suggests that repetitive treatment with Ruxolitinib is required to effectively target excessive inflammatory responses without exceeding doses recommended by the clinical guidelines.

  16. Dual p38/JNK Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Inhibitors Prevent Ozone-Induced Airway Hyperreactivity in Guinea Pigs

    PubMed Central

    Verhein, Kirsten C.; Salituro, Francesco G.; Ledeboer, Mark W.; Fryer, Allison D.; Jacoby, David B.

    2013-01-01

    Ozone exposure causes airway hyperreactivity and increases hospitalizations resulting from pulmonary complications. Ozone reacts with the epithelial lining fluid and airway epithelium to produce reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation products, which then activate cell signaling pathways, including the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Both p38 and c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) are MAPK family members that are activated by cellular stress and inflammation. To test the contribution of both p38 and JNK MAPK to ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity, guinea pigs were pretreated with dual p38 and JNK MAPK inhibitors (30 mg/kg, ip) 60 minutes before exposure to 2 ppm ozone or filtered air for 4 hours. One day later airway reactivity was measured in anesthetized animals. Ozone caused airway hyperreactivity one day post-exposure, and blocking p38 and JNK MAPK completely prevented ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity. Blocking p38 and JNK MAPK also suppressed parasympathetic nerve activity in air exposed animals, suggesting p38 and JNK MAPK contribute to acetylcholine release by airway parasympathetic nerves. Ozone inhibited neuronal M2 muscarinic receptors and blocking both p38 and JNK prevented M2 receptor dysfunction. Neutrophil influx into bronchoalveolar lavage was not affected by MAPK inhibitors. Thus p38 and JNK MAPK mediate ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity through multiple mechanisms including prevention of neuronal M2 receptor dysfunction. PMID:24058677

  17. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha inhibitor TOFA induces human cancer cell apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Wang, Chun; Xu, Canxin; Sun, Mingwei; Luo, Dixian; Liao, Duan-Fang; Cao, Deliang

    2009-07-31

    Acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha (ACCA) is a rate-limiting enzyme in long chain fatty acid synthesis, playing a critical role in cellular energy storage and lipid synthesis. ACCA is upregulated in multiple types of human cancers and small interfering RNA-mediated ACCA silencing in human breast and prostate cancer cells results in oxidative stress and apoptosis. This study reports for the first time that TOFA (5-tetradecyloxy-2-furoic acid), an allosteric inhibitor of ACCA, is cytotoxic to lung cancer cells NCI-H460 and colon carcinoma cells HCT-8 and HCT-15, with an IC(50) at approximately 5.0, 5.0, and 4.5 microg/ml, respectively. TOFA at 1.0-20.0 microg/ml effectively blocked fatty acid synthesis and induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. The cell death was characterized with PARP cleavage, DNA fragmentation, and annexin-V staining, all of which are the features of the apoptosis. Supplementing simultaneously the cells with palmitic acids (100 microM), the end-products of the fatty acid synthesis pathway, prevented the apoptosis induced by TOFA. Taken together, these data suggest that TOFA is a potent cytotoxic agent to lung and colon cancer cells, inducing apoptosis through disturbing their fatty acid synthesis.

  18. Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase-α Inhibitor TOFA Induces Human Cancer Cell Apoptosis

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Chun; Xu, Canxin; Sun, Mingwei; Luo, Dixian; Liao, Duan-fang; Cao, Deliang

    2009-01-01

    Acetyl-CoA carboxylase-α (ACCA) is a rate-limiting enzyme in long chain fatty acid synthesis, playing a critical role in cellular energy storage and lipid synthesis. ACCA is upregulated in multiple types of human cancers and small interfering RNA-mediated ACCA silencing in human breast and prostate cancer cells results in oxidative stress and apoptosis. This study reports for the first time that TOFA (5-tetradecyloxy-2-furoic acid), an allosteric inhibitor of ACCA, is cytotoxic to lung cancer cells NCI-H460 and colon carcinoma cells HCT-8 and HCT-15, with an IC50 at approximately 5.0, 5.0, and 4.5 μg/ml, respectively. TOFA at 1.0–20.0 μg/ml effectively blocked fatty acid synthesis and induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. The cell death was characterized with PARP cleavage, DNA fragmentation, and annexin-V staining, all of which are the features of the apoptosis. Supplementing simultaneously the cells with palmitic acids (100 μM), the end-products of the fatty acid synthesis pathway, prevented the apoptosis induced by TOFA. Taken together, these data suggest that TOFA is a potent cytotoxic agent to lung and colon cancer cells, inducing apoptosis through disturbing their fatty acid synthesis. PMID:19450551

  19. Designing of Protein Kinase C β-II Inhibitors against Diabetic complications: Structure Based Drug Design, Induced Fit docking and analysis of active site conformational changes

    PubMed Central

    Vijayakumar, Balakrishnan; Velmurugan, Devadasan

    2012-01-01

    Protein Kinase C β-II (PKC β-II) is an important enzyme in the development of diabetic complications like cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and angiopathy. PKC β-II is activated in vascular tissues during diabetic vascular abnormalities. Thus, PKC β-II is considered as a potent drug target and the crystal structure of the kinase domain of PKC β-II (PDB id: 2I0E) was used to design inhibitors using Structure-Based Drug Design (SBDD) approach. Sixty inhibitors structurally similar to Staurosporine were retrieved from PubChem Compound database and High Throughput Virtual screening (HTVs) was carried out with PKC β-II. Based on the HTVs results and the nature of active site residues of PKC β-II, Staurosporine inhibitors were designed using SBDD. Induced Fit Docking (IFD) studies were carried out between kinase domain of PKC β-II and the designed inhibitors. These IFD complexes showed favorable docking score, glide energy, glide emodel and hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions with the active site of PKC β-II. Binding free energy was calculated for IFD complexes using Prime MM-GBSA method. The conformational changes induced by the inhibitor at the active site of PKC β-II were observed for the back bone Cα atoms and side-chain chi angles. PASS prediction tool was used to analyze the biological activities for the designed inhibitors. The various physicochemical properties were calculated for the compounds. One of the designed inhibitors successively satisfied all the in silico parameters among the others and seems to be a potent inhibitor against PKC β-II. PMID:22829732

  20. Development of 1-aryl-3-furanyl/thienyl-imidazopyridine templates for inhibitors against hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 transcriptional activity.

    PubMed

    Fuse, Shinichiro; Ohuchi, Toshiaki; Asawa, Yasunobu; Sato, Shinichi; Nakamura, Hiroyuki

    2016-12-15

    1,3-Disubstituted-imidazopyridines were designed for developing inhibitors against HIF-1 transcriptional activity. Designed compounds were rapidly synthesized from a key aromatic scaffold via microwave-assisted Suzuki-Miyaura coupling/CH direct arylation sequence. Evaluation of ability to inhibit the hypoxia induced transcriptional activity of HIF-1 revealed that the compound 2i and 3a retained the same level of the inhibitory activity comparing with that of known inhibitor, YC-1 (1). Identified, readily accessible 1-aryl-3-furanyl/thienyl-imidazopyridine templates should be useful for future drug development. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors suppress prostaglandin F(2alpha)-induced myosin-light chain phosphorylation and contraction in iris sphincter smooth muscle.

    PubMed

    Yousufzai, S Y; Gao, G; Abdel-Latif, A A

    2000-10-27

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in contraction by monitoring MAP kinase phosphorylation (activation) and contraction during agonist stimulation of cat iris sphincter smooth muscle. Changes in tension in response to prostaglandin F(2alpha), latanoprost, a prostaglandin F(2alpha) analog used as an anti-glaucoma drug, and carbachol were recorded isometrically, and MAP kinase activation was monitored by Western blot using a phosphospecific p42/p44 MAP kinase antibody. We found that treatment of the muscle with 2'-Amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059) (10 microM), a specific inhibitor of MAP kinase kinase (MEK), inhibited significantly prostaglandin F(2alpha)- and latanoprost-induced phosphorylation and contraction, but had little effect on those evoked by carbachol. Prostaglandin F(2alpha) increased MAP kinase phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner with EC(50) value of 1.1 x 10(-8) M and increased contraction with EC(50) of 0.92 x 10(-9) M. The MAP kinase inhibitors PD98059, Apigenin and 1,4-Diamino-2,3-dicyano-1, 4bis(2-aminophenylthio)butadiene (UO126) inhibited prostaglandin F(2alpha)-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner with IC(50) values of 2.4, 3.0 and 4.8 microM, respectively. PD98059 had no effect on prostaglandin F(2alpha)- or on carbachol-stimulated inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) production. In contrast, the MAP kinase inhibitor inhibited prostaglandin F(2alpha)-induced myosin-light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, but had no effect on that of carbachol. N-[2-(N-(4-Chloro-cinnamyl)-N-methylaminomethyl)phenyl]-N-[2- hydroxyethyl]-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (KN-93) (10 microM), a Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, and Wortmannin (10 microM), an MLC kinase inhibitor, inhibited significantly (by 80%) prostaglandin F(2alpha)- and carbachol-induced contraction. It can be concluded that in this smooth muscle p42/p44 MAP kinases are involved in

  2. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors suppress prostaglandin F2alpha-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis, Ca2+ elevation and contraction in iris sphincter smooth muscle.

    PubMed

    Yousufzai, S Y; Abdel-Latif, A A

    1998-11-06

    We investigated the effects of the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein, tyrphostin 47, and herbimycin on prostaglandin F2alpha- and carbachol-induced inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) production, [Ca2+]i mobilization and contraction in cat iris sphincter smooth muscle. Prostaglandin F2alpha and carbachol induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner with EC50 values of 0.92 x 10(-9) and 1.75 x 10(-8) M, respectively. The protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors blocked the stimulatory effects of prostaglandin F2alpha, but not those evoked by carbachol, on IP3 accumulation, [Ca2+]i mobilization and contraction, suggesting involvement of protein tyrosine kinase activity in the physiological actions of the prostaglandin. Daidzein and tyrphostin A, inactive negative control compounds for genistein and tyrphostin 47, respectively, were without effect. Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2alpha analog used as an antiglaucoma drug, induced contraction and this effect was blocked by genistein. Genistein (10 microM) markedly reduced (by 67%) prostaglandin F2alpha-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i but had little effect on that of carbachol in cat iris sphincter smooth muscle cells. Vanadate, a potent inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase, induced a slow gradual muscle contraction in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 of 82 microM and increased IP3 generation in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 of 90 microM. The effects of vanadate were abolished by genistein (10 microM). Wortmannin, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, reduced prostaglandin F2alpha- and carbachol-induced contraction, suggesting that the involvement of protein tyrosine kinase activity may lie upstream of the increases in [Ca2+]i evoked by prostaglandin F2alpha. Further studies aimed at elucidating the role of protein tyrosine kinase activity in the coupling mechanism between prostaglandin F2alpha receptor activation and increases in intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and

  3. Chitin synthesis inhibitors promote liver cancer cell metastasis via interfering with hypoxia-inducible factor 1α.

    PubMed

    Ning, Xia; Wang, Yue; Yan, Wei; Li, Guangke; Sang, Nan

    2018-05-03

    Chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs), as alternatives to conventional insecticides, have been in worldwide demand in recent years. However, little attention has been paid to the potential ecological safety and health risks of CSIs, especially their abilities to interfere with nonsexual hormone receptors such as hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). In this work, we conducted a systematic study regarding the influence of CSIs on HIF-1α-related liver cancer cell metastasis. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that two of fourteen CSIs exhibited dose-response HIF-1α agonistic activities at noncytotoxic concentrations with relative luciferase activity (RLA) values of 25.6% for diflubenzuron (DFB) and 20.9% for triflumuron (TFM). Following this result, in vitro bioassays demonstrated that both DFB and TFM stimulated HepG2 cell migration and invasion. This action was associated with the varied expression levels of genes involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, such as the upregulation of fibronectin (FN1) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and the suppression of E-cadherin (E-cad) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2). Moreover, changes in these EMT and ECM phenotype markers were dramatically blocked by a HIF-1α inhibitor (KC7F2), which further verified the involvement of HIF-1α in CSI-induced HepG2 cell metastasis. For the first time, our findings reveal that CSIs play crucial roles in promoting the metastasis of human liver cancer cells and that HIF-1α is potentially responsible for these changes. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. A serine protease inhibitor attenuates aldosterone-induced kidney injuries via the suppression of plasmin activity.

    PubMed

    Kakizoe, Yutaka; Miyasato, Yoshikazu; Onoue, Tomoaki; Nakagawa, Terumasa; Hayata, Manabu; Uchimura, Kohei; Morinaga, Jun; Mizumoto, Teruhiko; Adachi, Masataka; Miyoshi, Taku; Sakai, Yoshiki; Tomita, Kimio; Mukoyama, Masashi; Kitamura, Kenichiro

    2016-10-01

    Emerging evidence has suggested that aldosterone has direct deleterious effects on the kidney independently of its hemodynamic effects. However, the detailed mechanisms of these direct effects remain to be elucidated. We have previously reported that camostat mesilate (CM), a synthetic serine protease inhibitor, attenuated kidney injuries in Dahl salt-sensitive rats, remnant kidney rats, and unilateral ureteral obstruction rats, suggesting that some serine proteases would be involved in the pathogenesis of kidney injuries. The current study was conducted to investigate the roles of serine proteases and the beneficial effects of CM in aldosterone-related kidney injuries. We observed a serine protease that was activated by aldosterone/salt in rat kidney lysate, and identified it as plasmin with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Plasmin increased pro-fibrotic and inflammatory gene expressions in rat renal fibroblast cells. CM inhibited the protease activity of plasmin and suppressed cell injury markers induced by plasmin in the fibroblast cells. Furthermore, CM ameliorated glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in the kidney of aldosterone/salt-treated rats. Our findings indicate that plasmin has important roles in kidney injuries that are induced by aldosterone/salt, and that serine protease inhibitor could provide a new strategy for the treatment of aldosterone-associated kidney diseases in humans. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Neutral endopeptidase inhibitors potentiate substance P-induced contraction in gut smooth muscle.

    PubMed

    Djokic, T D; Sekizawa, K; Borson, D B; Nadel, J A

    1989-01-01

    To determine the role of endogenous neutral endopeptidase (NEP), also called enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11), in regulating tachykinin-induced contraction of gut smooth muscle, we studied the effects of NEP inhibitors on the contractile responses to substance P (SP) in isolated longitudinal strips of ileum or duodenum in rats and ferrets. Leucine-thiorphan and phosphoramidon shifted the concentration-response curves of SP to lower concentrations in all tissues studied, but the sensitivity to SP was greater and the effect of leucine-thiorphan was less in the ferret, a finding that correlated with the observation that the ferret ileum contained substantially less NEP activity than rat ileum. Captopril, bestatin, MGTA, leupeptin, and physostigmine did not alter contractile responses to SP, suggesting that kininase II, aminopeptidases, carboxypeptidase N, serine proteinases, and acetylcholinesterase do not modulate the SP-induced effects. These studies suggest that, in the ileum and duodenum, NEP modulates the actions of SP and, furthermore, that the sensitivity of tissues may be determined, at least in part, by the amount of enzymatically active NEP present.

  6. A trypsin inhibitor from rambutan seeds with antitumor, anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, and nitric oxide-inducing properties.

    PubMed

    Fang, Evandro Fei; Ng, Tzi Bun

    2015-04-01

    Nephelium lappaceum L., commonly known as "rambutan," is a typical tropical tree and is well known for its juicy and sweet fruit which has an exotic flavor. Chemical studies on rambutan have led to the identification of various components such as monoterpene lactones and volatile compounds. Here, a 22.5-kDa trypsin inhibitor (N . lappaceum trypsin inhibitor (NLTI)) was isolated from fresh rambutan seeds using liquid chromatographical techniques. NLTI reduced the proteolytic activities of both trypsin and α-chymotrypsin. Dithiothreitol reduced the trypsin inhibitory activity of NLTI at a concentration of 1 mM, indicating that an intact disulfide bond is essential to the activity. NLTI inhibited HIV-1 reverse transcriptase with an IC50 of 0.73 μM. In addition, NLTI manifested a time- and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on growth in many tumor cells. NLTI is one of the few trypsin inhibitors with nitric oxide-inducing activity and may find application in tumor therapy.

  7. FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 decreases saturated-fatty-acid-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated inflammation in skeletal muscle by reducing p38 MAPK activation.

    PubMed

    Bosquet, Alba; Girona, Josefa; Guaita-Esteruelas, Sandra; Heras, Mercedes; Saavedra-García, Paula; Martínez-Micaelo, Neus; Masana, Lluís; Rodríguez-Calvo, Ricardo

    2018-06-01

    Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) inhibitors have been proposed as potential therapeutic approaches against insulin resistance-related inflammation and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which these molecules drive these effects in skeletal muscle remain unknown. Here, we assessed whether the FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 prevented lipid-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated inflammation in skeletal muscle. The BMS309403 treatment was assessed both in the skeletal muscle of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and in palmitate-stimulated C2C12 myotubes. HFD feeding promoted insulin resistance, which is characterized by increased plasma levels of glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, resistin, and leptin and reduced plasma levels of adiponectin compared with control mice fed a standard diet. Additionally, insulin-resistant animals showed increased FABP4 plasma levels. In line with this evidence, recombinant FABP4 attenuated the insulin-induced AKT phosphorylation in C2C12 myotubes. Treatment with BMS309403 reduced lipid-induced ER stress and inflammation in both mouse skeletal muscle and C2C12 myotubes. The effects of the FABP4 inhibitor reducing lipid-induced ER stress-associated inflammation were related to the reduction of fatty acid-induced intramyocellular lipid deposits, ROS and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation. Accordingly, BMS309403 reduced lipid-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation, which is upstream of NF-κB activation. Overall, these findings indicate that BMS309403 reduces fatty acid-induced ER stress-associated inflammation in skeletal muscle by reducing p38 MAPK activation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Discovery of novel benzopyranyl tetracycles that act as inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis induced by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Mingyan; Kim, Myung Hee; Lee, Sanghee; Bae, Su Jung; Kim, Seong Hwan; Park, Seung Bum

    2010-12-23

    A novel benzopyran-fused molecular framework 7ai was discovered as a specific inhibitor of RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis using a cell-based TRAP activity assay from drug-like small-molecule libraries constructed by diversity-oriented synthesis. Its inhibitory activity was confirmed by in vitro evaluations including specific inhibition of RANKL-induced ERK phosphorylation and NF-κB transcriptional activation. 7ai can serve as a specific small-molecule modulator for mechanistic studies of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation as well as a potential lead for the development of antiresorptive drugs.

  9. Omeprazole increases the efficacy of a soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor in a PGE2 induced pain model

    PubMed Central

    Goswami, Sumanta Kumar; Inceoglu, Bora; Yang, Jun; Wan, Debin; Kodani, Sean D.; da Silva, Carlos Antonio Trindade; Morisseau, Christophe; Hammock, Bruce D.

    2015-01-01

    Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are potent endogenous analgesic metabolites produced from arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450s (P450s). Metabolism of EETs by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) reduces their activity, while their stabilization by sEH inhibition decreases both inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Here, we tested the complementary hypothesis that increasing the level of EETs through induction of P450s by omeprazole (OME), can influence pain related signaling by itself, and potentiate the anti-hyperalgesic effect of sEH inhibitor. Rats were treated with OME (100 mg/kg/day, p.o., 7 days), sEH inhibitor TPPU (3 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and OME (100 mg/kg/day, p.o., 7 days) + TPPU (3 mg/kg/day, p.o., last 3 days of OME dose) dissolved in vehicle PEG400, and their effect on hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain) induced by PGE2 was monitored. While OME treatment by itself exhibited variable effects on PGE2 induced hyperalgesia, it strongly potentiated the effect of TPPU in the same assay. The significant decrease in pain with OME + TPPU treatment correlated with the increased levels of EETs in plasma and increased activities of P450 1A1 and P450 1A2 in liver microsomes. The results show that reducing catabolism of EETs with a sEH inhibitor yielded a stronger analgesic effect than increasing generation of EETs by OME, and combination of both yielded the strongest pain reducing effect under the condition of this study. PMID:26522832

  10. Heat shock protein inhibitors, 17-DMAG and KNK437, enhance arsenic trioxide-induced mitotic apoptosis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wu Yichen; Yen Wenyen; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan

    2009-04-15

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic agent in leukemia because of its ability to induce apoptosis. However, there is no sufficient evidence to support its therapeutic use for other types of cancers. In this study, we investigated if, and how, 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin (17-DMAG), an antagonist of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), and KNK437, a HSP synthesis inhibitor, potentiated the cytotoxic effect of ATO. Our results showed that cotreatment with ATO and either 17-DMAG or KNK437 significantly increased ATO-induced cell death and apoptosis. siRNA-mediated attenuation of the expression of the inducible isoform of HSP70 (HSP70i) or HSP90{alpha}/{beta} alsomore » enhanced ATO-induced apoptosis. In addition, cotreatment with ATO and 17-DMAG or KNK437 significantly increased ATO-induced mitotic arrest and ATO-induced BUBR1 phosphorylation and PDS1 accumulation. Cotreatment also significantly increased the percentage of mitotic cells with abnormal mitotic spindles and promoted metaphase arrest as compared to ATO treatment alone. These results indicated that 17-DMAG or KNK437 may enhance ATO cytotoxicity by potentiating mitotic arrest and mitotic apoptosis possibly through increased activation of the spindle checkpoint.« less

  11. Inhibition of RANKL- and LPS-induced osteoclast differentiations by novel NF-κB inhibitor DTCM-glutarimide.

    PubMed

    Koide, Naoki; Kaneda, Ayumi; Yokochi, Takashi; Umezawa, Kazuo

    2015-03-01

    We have isolated 9-methylstreptimidone from microorganism as a new NF-κB inhibitor. Later, we designed 3-[(dodecylthiocarbonyl) methyl]-glutarimide (DTCM-glutarimide) as an analog of this compound, which shows anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. In the present research, we found that DTCM-glutarimide inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and RANKL- or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoclast differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells without any toxicity. It also inhibited the RANKL-induced NFATc1 expression. Upstream signaling involving phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β was induced by RANKL, of which the signaling was inhibited by DTCM-glutarimide. Then DTCM-glutarimide was confirmed to inhibit RANKL-induced NF-κB activity, possibly by inhibiting the Akt-mediated activation of IKK. Thus, DTCM-glutarimide inhibited osteoclastogenesis by blocking both the Akt-GSK3β-NFATc1 and NF-κB-NFATc1 pathways. DTCM-glutarimide may be a candidate as a chemotherapeutic agent for severe bone resorption diseases. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Vedolizumab treatment for immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced enterocolitis.

    PubMed

    Bergqvist, Viktoria; Hertervig, Erik; Gedeon, Peter; Kopljar, Marija; Griph, Håkan; Kinhult, Sara; Carneiro, Ana; Marsal, Jan

    2017-05-01

    Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPI), such as ipilimumab [anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) antibody] and nivolumab or pembrolizumab [anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) antibodies], improve survival in several cancer types. Since inhibition of CTLA-4 or PD-1 leads to non-selective activation of the immune system, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are frequent. Enterocolitis is a common irAE, currently managed with corticosteroids and, if necessary, anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy. Such a regimen carries a risk of serious side-effects including infections, and may potentially imply impaired antitumor effects. Vedolizumab is an anti-integrin α4β7 antibody with gut-specific immunosuppressive effects, approved for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. We report a case series of seven patients with metastatic melanoma or lung cancer, treated with vedolizumab off-label for ipilimumab- or nivolumab-induced enterocolitis, from June 2014 through October 2016. Clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, and histologic data were analyzed. Patients initially received corticosteroids but were steroid-dependent and/or partially refractory. One patient was administered infliximab but was refractory. The median time from onset of enterocolitis to start of vedolizumab therapy was 79 days. Following vedolizumab therapy, all patients but one experienced steroid-free enterocolitis remission, with normalized fecal calprotectin. This was achieved after a median of 56 days from vedolizumab start, without any vedolizumab-related side-effects noted. The patient in whom vedolizumab was not successful, due to active ulcerative colitis, received vedolizumab prophylactically. This is the first case series to suggest that vedolizumab is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic for steroid-dependent or partially refractory ICPI-induced enterocolitis. A larger prospective study to evaluate vedolizumab in this indication is warranted.

  13. Plasminogen-induced aggregation of PANC-1 cells requires conversion to plasmin and is inhibited by endogenous plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

    PubMed

    Deshet, Naamit; Lupu-Meiri, Monica; Espinoza, Ingrid; Fili, Oded; Shapira, Yuval; Lupu, Ruth; Gershengorn, Marvin C; Oron, Yoram

    2008-09-01

    PANC-1 cells express proteinase-activated receptors (PARs)-1, -2, and respond to their activation by transient elevation of cytosolic [Ca(2+)] and accelerated aggregation (Wei et al., 2006, J Cell Physiol 206:322-328). We studied the effect of plasminogen (PGN), an inactive precursor of the PAR-1-activating protease, plasmin (PN) on aggregation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. A single dose of PGN time- and dose-dependently promoted PANC-1 cells aggregation in serum-free medium, while PN did not. PANC-1 cells express urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), which continuously converted PGN to PN. This activity and PGN-induced aggregation were inhibited by the uPA inhibitor amiloride. PGN-induced aggregation was also inhibited by alpha-antiplasmin and by the PN inhibitor epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA). Direct assay of uPA activity revealed very low rate, markedly enhanced in the presence of PGN. Moreover, in PGN activator inhibitor 1-deficient PANC-1 cells, uPA activity and PGN-induced aggregation were markedly potentiated. Two additional human PDAC cell lines, MiaPaCa and Colo347, were assayed for PGN-induced aggregation. Both cell lines responded by aggregation and exhibited PGN-enhanced uPA activity. We hypothesized that the continuous conversion of PGN to PN by endogenous uPA is limited by PN's degradation and negatively controlled by endogenously produced PAI-1. Indeed, we found that PANC-1 cells inactivate PN with t1/2 of approximately 7 h, while the continuous addition of PN promoted aggregation. Our data suggest that PANC-1 cells possess intrinsic, PAI-1-sensitive mechanism for promotion of aggregation and differentiation by prolonged exposure to PGN and, possibly, additional precursors of PARs agonists.

  14. Predictive factor and antihypertensive usage of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced hypertension in kidney cancer patients

    PubMed Central

    IZUMI, KOUJI; ITAI, SHINGO; TAKAHASHI, YOSHIKO; MAOLAKE, AERKEN; NAMIKI, MIKIO

    2014-01-01

    Hypertension (HT) is the common adverse event associated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKI). The present study was performed to identify the predictive factors of TKI-induced HT and to determine the classes of antihypertensive agents (AHTA) that demonstrate optimal efficacy against this type of HT. The charts of 50 cases of patients that had received VEGFR-TKI treatment were retrospectively examined. The association between patient background and TKI-induced HT, and the effect of administering AHTA were analyzed. High systolic blood pressure at baseline was identified to be a predictive factor for HT. In addition, there was no difference observed between calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin receptor II blockers (ARBs) as first-line AHTA for the control of HT. The findings of the present study may aid with predicting the onset of TKI-induced HT, as well as for its management via the primary use of either CCBs or ARBs. PMID:24959266

  15. 7-Nitroindazole, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, enhances the anticonvulsive action of ethosuximide and clonazepam against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions.

    PubMed

    Borowicz, K K; Luszczki, J; Kleinrok, Z; Czuczwar, S J

    2000-01-01

    The interaction of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, with the protective activity of conventional antiepileptics against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures was tested in mice. Alone, 7-nitroindazole (up to 50mg/kg) was ineffective in this model of experimental epilepsy. However, it potentiated the anticonvulsive activity of ethosuximide and clonazepam, significantly reducing their ED50S against PTZ-induced convulsions (from 144 to 76 mg/kg, and from 0.05 to 0.016 mg/kg, respectively). Conversely, the protective actions of valproate and phenobarbital were not affected by the NOS inhibitor. Since the nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine, did not reverse the action of 7-NI on ethosuximide or clonazepam, an involvement of central NO does not seem probable. Neither ethosuximide nor clonazepam, administered at their ED50S (144 and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively), produced significant adverse effects as regards motor coordination (chimney test) and long-term memory (passive avoidance task). Also 7-NI (50 mg/kg) and its combinations with ethosuximide and clonazepam (providing a 50% protection against PTZ-evoked seizures) did not disturb motor and mnemonic performance in mice. The interaction at the pharmacokinetic level does not seem probable, at least in the case of ethosuximide, because the NOS inhibitor did not interfere with its plasma or brain concentrations.

  16. Discovery of new MD2 inhibitor from chalcone derivatives with anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced acute lung injury

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Yali; Wu, Jianzhang; Ying, Shilong; Chen, Gaozhi; Wu, Beibei; Xu, Tingting; Liu, Zhiguo; Liu, Xing; Huang, Lehao; Shan, Xiaoou; Dai, Yuanrong; Liang, Guang

    2016-01-01

    Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening acute inflammatory disease with limited options available for therapy. Myeloid differentiation protein 2, a co-receptor of TLR4, is absolutely required for TLR4 sense LPS, and represents an attractive target for treating severe inflammatory diseases. In this study, we designed and synthesized 31 chalcone derivatives that contain the moiety of (E)-4-phenylbut-3-en-2-one, which we consider the core structure of current MD2 inhibitors. We first evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds in MPMs. For the most active compound 20, we confirmed that it is a specific MD2 inhibitor through a series of biochemical experiments and elucidated that it binds to the hydrophobic pocket of MD2 via hydrogen bonds with Arg90 and Tyr102 residues. Compound 20 also blocked the LPS-induced activation of TLR4/MD2 -downstream pro-inflammatory MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways. In a rat model with ALI induced by intracheal LPS instillation, administration with compound 20 exhibited significant protective effect against ALI, accompanied by the inhibition of TLR4/MD2 complex formation in lung tissues. Taken together, the results of this study suggest the specific MD2 inhibitor from chalcone derivatives we identified is a potential candidate for treating acute inflammatory diseases. PMID:27118147

  17. Intracerebroventricular injection of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors does not influence febrile response in rats during turpentine abscess.

    PubMed

    Soszynski, D; Chelminiak, M

    2007-12-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) in the brain during development of fever in response to localized tissue inflammation caused by injection of turpentine in freely moving biotelemetered rats. To determine the role of both NOSs in turpentineinduced fever, we injected vinyl-L-NIO (N(5) - (1-Imino-3-butenyl) - ornithine (vLNIO), a selective nNOS inhibitor, and aminoguanidine hydrochloride, a selective iNOS inhibitor, intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) 5 h after turpentine injection. Rats responded with fever to intramuscular injection of 20 mul of turpentine that commenced about 5 - 6 h after injection and reached peak value between 9 - 11 h post-turpentine. The inhibition of nNOS as well as iNOS in the brain did not affect fever induced by turpentine. Fevers in control rats (treated i.c.v. with pyrogen-free water) and iNOS or nNOS inhibitor-i.c.v. treated rats injected with turpentine were essentially the same. Furthermore, on the basis of these data, we concluded that iNOS and nNOS inside the brain do not participate in generation of fever to turpentine in rats.

  18. Model Based Targeting of IL-6-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Cultured Primary Hepatocytes to Improve Application of the JAK Inhibitor Ruxolitinib

    PubMed Central

    Sobotta, Svantje; Raue, Andreas; Huang, Xiaoyun; Vanlier, Joep; Jünger, Anja; Bohl, Sebastian; Albrecht, Ute; Hahnel, Maximilian J.; Wolf, Stephanie; Mueller, Nikola S.; D'Alessandro, Lorenza A.; Mueller-Bohl, Stephanie; Boehm, Martin E.; Lucarelli, Philippe; Bonefas, Sandra; Damm, Georg; Seehofer, Daniel; Lehmann, Wolf D.; Rose-John, Stefan; van der Hoeven, Frank; Gretz, Norbert; Theis, Fabian J.; Ehlting, Christian; Bode, Johannes G.; Timmer, Jens; Schilling, Marcel; Klingmüller, Ursula

    2017-01-01

    IL-6 is a central mediator of the immediate induction of hepatic acute phase proteins (APP) in the liver during infection and after injury, but increased IL-6 activity has been associated with multiple pathological conditions. In hepatocytes, IL-6 activates JAK1-STAT3 signaling that induces the negative feedback regulator SOCS3 and expression of APPs. While different inhibitors of IL-6-induced JAK1-STAT3-signaling have been developed, understanding their precise impact on signaling dynamics requires a systems biology approach. Here we present a mathematical model of IL-6-induced JAK1-STAT3 signaling that quantitatively links physiological IL-6 concentrations to the dynamics of IL-6-induced signal transduction and expression of target genes in hepatocytes. The mathematical model consists of coupled ordinary differential equations (ODE) and the model parameters were estimated by a maximum likelihood approach, whereas identifiability of the dynamic model parameters was ensured by the Profile Likelihood. Using model simulations coupled with experimental validation we could optimize the long-term impact of the JAK-inhibitor Ruxolitinib, a therapeutic compound that is quickly metabolized. Model-predicted doses and timing of treatments helps to improve the reduction of inflammatory APP gene expression in primary mouse hepatocytes close to levels observed during regenerative conditions. The concept of improved efficacy of the inhibitor through multiple treatments at optimized time intervals was confirmed in primary human hepatocytes. Thus, combining quantitative data generation with mathematical modeling suggests that repetitive treatment with Ruxolitinib is required to effectively target excessive inflammatory responses without exceeding doses recommended by the clinical guidelines. PMID:29062282

  19. Changes in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) dynamics induced by complexation with pharmacological inhibitors of Src homology 2 (SH2) domain dimerization.

    PubMed

    Resetca, Diana; Haftchenary, Sina; Gunning, Patrick T; Wilson, Derek J

    2014-11-21

    The activity of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is dysregulated in a number of hematological and solid malignancies. Development of pharmacological STAT3 Src homology 2 (SH2) domain interaction inhibitors holds great promise for cancer therapy, and a novel class of salicylic acid-based STAT3 dimerization inhibitors that includes orally bioavailable drug candidates has been recently developed. The compounds SF-1-066 and BP-1-102 are predicted to bind to the STAT3 SH2 domain. However, given the highly unstructured and dynamic nature of the SH2 domain, experimental confirmation of this prediction was elusive. We have interrogated the protein-ligand interaction of STAT3 with these small molecule inhibitors by means of time-resolved electrospray ionization hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Analysis of site-specific evolution of deuterium uptake induced by the complexation of STAT3 with SF-1-066 or BP-1-102 under physiological conditions enabled the mapping of the in silico predicted inhibitor binding site to the STAT3 SH2 domain. The binding of both inhibitors to the SH2 domain resulted in significant local decreases in dynamics, consistent with solvent exclusion at the inhibitor binding site and increased rigidity of the inhibitor-complexed SH2 domain. Interestingly, inhibitor binding induced hot spots of allosteric perturbations outside of the SH2 domain, manifesting mainly as increased deuterium uptake, in regions of STAT3 important for DNA binding and nuclear localization. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  20. Inhibition of chlorine-induced lung injury by the type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram.

    PubMed

    Chang, Weiyuan; Chen, Jing; Schlueter, Connie F; Rando, Roy J; Pathak, Yashwant V; Hoyle, Gary W

    2012-09-01

    Chlorine is a highly toxic respiratory irritant that when inhaled causes epithelial cell injury, alveolar-capillary barrier disruption, airway hyperreactivity, inflammation, and pulmonary edema. Chlorine is considered a chemical threat agent, and its release through accidental or intentional means has the potential to result in mass casualties from acute lung injury. The type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram was investigated as a rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury. Rolipram inhibits degradation of the intracellular signaling molecule cyclic AMP. Potential beneficial effects of increased cyclic AMP levels include inhibition of pulmonary edema, inflammation, and airway hyperreactivity. Mice were exposed to chlorine (whole body exposure, 228-270 ppm for 1 h) and were treated with rolipram by intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intramuscular (either aqueous or nanoemulsion formulation) delivery starting 1h after exposure. Rolipram administered intraperitoneally or intranasally inhibited chlorine-induced pulmonary edema. Minor or no effects were observed on lavage fluid IgM (indicative of plasma protein leakage), KC (Cxcl1, neutrophil chemoattractant), and neutrophils. All routes of administration inhibited chlorine-induced airway hyperreactivity assessed 1 day after exposure. The results of the study suggest that rolipram may be an effective rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury and that both systemic and targeted administration to the respiratory tract were effective routes of delivery. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. WNT-C59, a Small-Molecule WNT Inhibitor, Efficiently Induces Anterior Cortex That Includes Cortical Motor Neurons From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

    PubMed

    Motono, Makoto; Ioroi, Yoshihiko; Ogura, Takenori; Takahashi, Jun

    2016-04-01

    The recapitulation of human neural development in a controlled, defined manner from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) has considerable potential for studies of human neural development, circuit formation and function, and the construction of in vitro models of neurological diseases. The inhibition of Wnt signaling, often by the recombinant protein DKK1, is important for the induction of cortical neurons. Here, we report a novel differentiation method using a small-molecule WNT inhibitor, WNT-C59 (C59), to efficiently induce human anterior cortex. We compared two types of small molecules, C59 and XAV939 (XAV), as substitutes for DKK1 to induce cortical neurons from PSCs in serum-free embryoid body-like aggregate culture. DKK1 and XAV inhibited only the canonical pathway of Wnt signaling, whereas C59 inhibited both the canonical and noncanonical pathways. C59 efficiently induced CTIP2+/COUP-TF1- cells, which are characteristic of the cells found in the anterior cortex. In addition, when grafted into the cortex of adult mice, the C59-induced cells showed abundant axonal fiber extension toward the spinal cord. These results raise the possibility of C59 contributing to cell replacement therapy for motor neuron diseases or insults. For a cell therapy against damaged corticospinal tract caused by neurodegenerative diseases or insults, cortical motor neurons are needed. Currently, their induction from pluripotent stem cells is considered very promising; however, an efficient protocol to induce motor neurons is not available. For efficient induction of anterior cortex, where motor neurons are located, various WNT inhibitors were investigated. It was found that one of them could induce anterior cortical cells efficiently. In addition, when grafted into the cortex of adult mice, the induced cells showed more abundant axonal fiber extension toward spinal cord. These results raise the possibility that this inhibitor contributes to a cell-replacement therapy for motor neuron

  2. Effects of forskolin analogs, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and 8-bromo cyclic AMP on plasma exudations induced with bradykinin and prostaglandin E/sub 1/ in rat skin

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sugio, K.; Daly, J.W.

    1984-01-09

    The effects of forskolin analogs, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and 8-bromo cyclic AMP on plasma exudations induced with bradykinin and prostaglandin E/sub 1/ in rat skin were investigated using (/sup 125/I) bovine serum albumin (/sup 125/I-BSA). Forskolin, forskolin 7-ethyl carbonate and 7-desacetylforskolin, which are potent activators of adenylate cyclase, greatly potentiated the bradykinin-induced plasma exudation and inhibited the prostaglandin E/sub 1/-induced response. The phosphodiesterase inhibitors, ZK 627ll, dipyridamole, HL 725, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine potentiated the bradykinin-induced plasma exudation and inhibited and prostaglandin E/sub 1/-induced response. 8-Bromo cyclic AMP in the doses of 0.01 to 1 ..mu..g potentiated the bradykinin-induced plasma exudation, but hadmore » no effect at doses of 10 and 100 ..mu..g. 8-bromo cyclic AMP at all doses significantly inhibited the prostaglandin E/sub 1/-induced response. The results suggest that the effects of forskolin and its analogs on plasma exudations induced with bradykinin and prostaglandin E/sub 1/ in rat skin derive from activation of cyclic AMP-generating systems.« less

  3. Enkephalinase inhibitors potentiate tackykinin-induced release of /sup 35/SO/sub 4/-labeled macromolecules from ferret trachea

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Borson, D.B.; Gold, M.; Varsano, S.

    1986-03-01

    To study the roles of tachykinins and endogenous proteinases in regulating secretion from ferret tracheal glands, the authors measured the release of /sup 35/SO/sub 4/-labeled macromolecules after incubating segments of trachea in Ussing chambers in the presence of /sup 35/SO/sub 4/. 85% of the total macromolecular radioactivity was in fractions of molecular weights greater than or equal to 10/sup 6/. The response to substance P (SP) was concentration-dependent, with a threshold of 10/sup -9/ M, and responses to 10/sup -6/M and 10/sup -5/M of 87 +/- 9 and 156 +/- 26 pmol/cm/sup 2//h, respectively (n = 6 ea). The enkephalinasemore » inhibitor, thiorphan, increased the secretory response to SP (10/sup -6/M) in a concentration-dependent fashion, with a threshold of 10/sup -8/M, and a response to SP after 10/sup -4/M thiorphan of 268 +/- 58 pmol/cm/sup 2//h (p < 0.05; n = 6). Phosphoramidon also increased SP-induced secretion to 334 +/- 69 pmol/cm/sup 2//h (p < 0.005; n = 4), and also potentiated the secretory responses to neurokinins A and B, physalaemin, eledoisin, and kassinin, but did not potentiate the secretory responses to either bradykinin or vasoactive intestinal peptide. Other proteinase inhibitors did not potentiate SP-induced secretion. These results suggest that enkephalinase in the airway degrades tachykinins, and may therefore play a role in regulating tachykinin-induced effects.« less

  4. Glyceroneogenesis is inhibited through HIV protease inhibitor-induced inflammation in human subcutaneous but not visceral adipose tissue

    PubMed Central

    Leroyer, Stéphanie; Vatier, Camille; Kadiri, Sarah; Quette, Joëlle; Chapron, Charles; Capeau, Jacqueline; Antoine, Bénédicte

    2011-01-01

    Glyceroneogenesis, a metabolic pathway that participates during lipolysis in the recycling of free fatty acids to triglycerides into adipocytes, contributes to the lipid-buffering function of adipose tissue. We investigated whether glyceroneogenesis could be affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (PIs) responsible or not for dyslipidemia in HIV-infected patients. We treated explants obtained from subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) depots from lean individuals. We observed that the dyslipidemic PIs nelfinavir, lopinavir and ritonavir, but not the lipid-neutral PI atazanavir, increased lipolysis and decreased glyceroneogenesis, leading to an increased release of fatty acids from SAT but not from VAT. At the same time, dyslipidemic PIs decreased the amount of perilipin and increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretion in SAT but not in VAT. Parthenolide, an inhibitor of the NFκB pathway, counteracted PI-induced increased inflammation and decreased glyceroneogenesis. IL-6 (100 ng) inhibited the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, the key enzyme of glyceroneogenesis, in SAT but not in VAT. Our data show that dyslipidemic but not lipid-neutral PIs decreased glyceroneogenesis as a consequence of PI-induced increased inflammation in SAT that could have an affect on adipocytes and/or macrophages. These results add a new link between fat inflammation and increased fatty acids release and suggest a greater sensitivity of SAT than VAT to PI-induced inflammation. PMID:21068005

  5. Extravascular plasminogen activator and inhibitor activities detected at the site of a chronic mycobacterial-induced inflammation.

    PubMed Central

    O'Rourke, J.; Wang, W. P.; Donnelly, L.; Wang, E.; Kreutzer, D. L.

    1987-01-01

    Levels of extravascular tissue plasminogen activator activity (PA) and those of inhibitors of PA and of urokinase (UK) present within the anterior chamber of normal and inflamed feline eyes were assessed with the use of a direct PA assay of microsamples of aqueous humor. Purposes of the study were, first, to confirm prior indirect evidence that this extravascular space normally contains higher levels of uninhibited PA, but lower levels of inhibitor activity, than does plasma and, second, to determine patterns of change in these activities under in vivo conditions imposed by a chronic mycobacterial-induced uveitis (CMIU) disease model. The PA assay utilized a 125I-plasminogen substrate whose cleavage by PA contained in samples was both visualized during gel electrophoreis, and quantified by gamma counting. The results provided the first direct evidence that the higher fibrinolytic activity previously observed in normal aqueous in comparison with plasma is in fact associated with higher levels of available (uninhibited) PA (P less than 0.01) The data also indicated that normal aqueous contains a much higher level of PA inhibitor activity than previously suspected--roughly 40 times more than available PA levels. These normal values for PA and inhibitors occupied a relatively narrow, threefold range, in contrast to the wide scattering of individual values that appeared during 18-20 weeks of the chronic inflammation disease model. Despite this, however, the general pattern of observation for all individual eyes during CMIU was a significant increase in levels of both PA and inhibitors. The net effect of CMIU was thus to cause the 1:40 ratio noted above to be tilted more strongly in favor of inhibitor activity, ie, up to 1:80. Increases in local vasopermeability in this disease model were believed contributory to this change. However, local generations of PA and APA in vivo by inflammatory cells, especially monocyte-macrophages, must also be considered. Assays for UK

  6. Attenuation of Cisplatin-Induced Neurotoxicity by Cyanidin, a Natural Inhibitor of ROS-Mediated Apoptosis in PC12 Cells.

    PubMed

    Li, Da-wei; Sun, Jing-yi; Wang, Kun; Zhang, Shuai; Hou, Ya-jun; Yang, Ming-feng; Fu, Xiao-yan; Zhang, Zong-yong; Mao, Lei-lei; Yuan, Hui; Fang, Jie; Fan, Cun-dong; Zhu, Mei-jia; Sun, Bao-liang

    2015-10-01

    Cisplatin-based chemotherapy in clinic is severely limited by its adverse effect, including neurotoxicity. Oxidative damage contributes to cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity, but the mechanism remains unclearly. Cyanidin, a natural flavonoid compound, exhibits powerful antioxidant activity. Hence, we investigated the protective effects of cyanidin on PC12 cells against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity and explored the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity was completely reversed by cyanidin through inhibition of PC12 cell apoptosis, as proved by the attenuation of Sub-G1 peak, PARP cleavage, and caspases-3 activation. Mechanistically, cyanidin significantly inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced DNA damage in cisplatin-treated PC12 cells. Our findings revealed that cyanidin as an apoptotic inhibitor effectively blocked cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity through inhibition of ROS-mediated DNA damage and apoptosis, predicating its therapeutic potential in prevention of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity. Cisplatin caused DNA damage, activated p53, and subsequently induced PC12 cells apoptosis by triggering ROS overproduction. However, cyanidin administration effectively inhibited DNA damage, attenuated p53 phosphorylation, and eventually reversed cisplatin-induced PC12 cell apoptosis through inhibition ROS accumulation.

  7. Enkephalinase inhibitor potentiates substance P- and electrically induced contraction in ferret trachea.

    PubMed

    Sekizawa, K; Tamaoki, J; Nadel, J A; Borson, D B

    1987-10-01

    To determine the role of endogenous enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11) in regulating peptide-induced contraction of airway smooth muscle, we studied the effect of the enkephalinase inhibitor, leucine-thiorphan (Leu-thiorphan), on responses of isolated ferret tracheal smooth muscle segments to substance P (SP) and to electrical field stimulation (EFS). Leu-thiorphan shifted the dose-response curve to SP to lower concentrations. Atropine or the SP antagonist [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]SP significantly inhibited SP-induced contractions in the presence of Leu-thiorphan. Leu-thiorphan increased the contractile responses to EFS dose dependently, an effect that was significantly inhibited by the SP antagonist [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]SP. SP, in a concentration that did not cause contraction, increased the contractile responses to EFS. This effect was augmented by Leu-thiorphan dose dependently and was not inhibited by hexamethonium or by phentolamine but was inhibited by atropine. Because contractile responses to acetylcholine were not significantly affected by SP or by Leu-thiorphan, the potentiating effects of SP were probably on presynaptic-postganglionic cholinergic neurotransmission. Captopril, bestatin, or leupeptin did not augment contractions, suggesting that enkephalinase was responsible for the effects. These results suggest that endogenous tachykinins modulate smooth muscle contraction and endogenous enkephalinase modulates contractions produced by endogenous or exogenous tachykinins and tachykinin-induced facilitation of cholinergic neurotransmission.

  8. Effect of the Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, MK-421, on Experimentally Induced Drinking

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fregley, Melvin J.; Fater, Dennis C.; Greenleaf, John E.

    1982-01-01

    MK-421, the ethyl ester maleate salt of N-(S)-1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenyl-propyl- Ala-L-Pro, is an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor. An initial objective was to determine whether MK-421, administered at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40.0 mg/kg, ip to 96 female rats 15 min prior to administration of the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol (25 microgram/kg, ip), would inhibit the drinking induced by isoproterenol during 2 h after its administration. The water intake induced by isoproterenol was inhibited significantly by 2.5 mg MK-421/kg. When a similar experiment was performed using Angiotensin I (AI) (200 microgram/kg, ip) as the dipsogenic agent, MK-421 (5 mg/kg, ip), administered 15 min prior to AI, inhibited significantly both the dipsogenic and the diuretic effect of AI. However, administration of angiotensin II (AII, 200 microgram/kg, ip) 15 min after MK-421 (5mg/kg) was accompanied by a water intake that did not differ from AII alone. The drink induced by ip administration of 1.0 m NaCl solution (1% of body wt, ip) was not inhibited by administration of MK-421 (5 mg/kg) 15 min prior to allowing access to water while the drink induced by a 24 h dehydration was partially inhibited. Thus, the drinks induced by administraition of either isoproterenol or AI are dependent on formation of AII. That induced by dehydration is partially dependent, while that induced by hypertonic siilinc is independent of the formation of AII.

  9. Systematically Studying Kinase Inhibitor Induced Signaling Network Signatures by Integrating Both Therapeutic and Side Effects

    PubMed Central

    Shao, Hongwei; Peng, Tao; Ji, Zhiwei; Su, Jing; Zhou, Xiaobo

    2013-01-01

    Substantial effort in recent years has been devoted to analyzing data based large-scale biological networks, which provide valuable insight into the topologies of complex biological networks but are rarely context specific and cannot be used to predict the responses of cell signaling proteins to specific ligands or compounds. In this work, we proposed a novel strategy to investigate kinase inhibitor induced pathway signatures by integrating multiplex data in Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures (LINCS), e.g. KINOMEscan data and cell proliferation/mitosis imaging data. Using this strategy, we first established a PC9 cell line specific pathway model to investigate the pathway signatures in PC9 cell line when perturbed by a small molecule kinase inhibitor GW843682. This specific pathway revealed the role of PI3K/AKT in modulating the cell proliferation process and the absence of two anti-proliferation links, which indicated a potential mechanism of abnormal expansion in PC9 cell number. Incorporating the pathway model for side effects on primary human hepatocytes, it was used to screen 27 kinase inhibitors in LINCS database and PF02341066, known as Crizotinib, was finally suggested with an optimal concentration 4.6 uM to suppress PC9 cancer cell expansion while avoiding severe damage to primary human hepatocytes. Drug combination analysis revealed that the synergistic effect region can be predicted straightforwardly based on a threshold which is an inherent property of each kinase inhibitor. Furthermore, this integration strategy can be easily extended to other specific cell lines to be a powerful tool for drug screen before clinical trials. PMID:24339888

  10. Panobinostat induces apoptosis via production of reactive oxygen species and synergizes with topoisomerase inhibitors in cervical cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Wasim, Lubna; Chopra, Madhu

    2016-12-01

    Cervical cancer is the fourth major cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide and is the most common cancer in developing countries. Therefore, a search for novel treatment modalities is warranted. The present study is designed to investigate the effect of pan histone deacetylase inhibitor, 'panobinostat', on cervical cancer cells alone and in combination with topoisomerase inhibitors. We assessed the effect of panobinostat on two cervical cancer cell lines, HeLa and SiHa, for cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress and mitochondrial function using various assays. The results indicate that panobinostat reduces the viability of cervical cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner; it arrests HeLa cells in G0/G1 and SiHa cells in G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Panobinostat induced apoptosis through an increase in the ROS production and the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Concomitantly the expression of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-xL was reduced, while levels of CDK inhibitor p21 and caspase-9 were increased. Panobinostat increased the acetylation of histone H3 indicating HDAC inhibition. In addition, panobinostat also showed synergistic effect with topoisomerase inhibitors mediated by increased activation of caspase-3/7 activity compared to that in cells treated with panobinostat alone. These results suggest a combination therapy using inhibitors of histone deacetylase and topoisomerase together could hold the promise for an effective targeted therapeutic strategy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  11. KF19514, a phosphodieterase 4 and 1 inhibitor, inhibits PAF-induced lung inflammatory responses by inhaled administration in guinea pigs.

    PubMed

    Manabe, H; Akuta, K; Okamura, K; Ohmori, K

    1997-12-01

    Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitors are well known for their inhibitory effect on bronchoconstriction and inflammation and may be promising anti-asthma drugs. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has been proposed as an inflammatory mediator to be relevant to asthma. It causes bronchoconstriction, airway microvascular leakage, inflammatory cell accumulation in the lung and hyperresponsiveness. In this study, we therefore have investigated the anti-asthmatic effects of the inhaled KF19514 [5-phenyl-3'-(3-pyridyl)methyl-3H-imidazo(4,5-c)(1,8) naphthyridin-4(5H)-one], a PDE 4 and 1 inhibitor, on PAF-induced lung inflammatory responses in guinea pigs. The inhaled KF19514 (0.0001-0.01%) significantly inhibited PAF-induced eosinophil and neutrophil accumulation into the airway and hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs. The IC50 value of KF19514 against eosinophil accumulation was 14.8 microM (0.00063%). Moreover, the effect of KF19514 on the electrical field stimulation-induced bronchial contraction was examined using the main bronchi of guinea pigs in vitro. KF19514 inhibited both cholinergic and tachykininergic contraction and, in particular, produced a potent inhibitory effect on tachykininergic contraction (IC50 = 0.49 microM). The mechanism by which KF19514 inhibited the PAF-induced hyperresponsiveness may in part be the suppression of the tachykinin release. Based on these results, it was demonstrated that the inhaled KF19514 might have a significant potential effect on the inflammatory cell accumulation and hyperresponsiveness induced by PAF.

  12. Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor-induced hypertension: from pathophysiology to prevention and treatment based on long-acting nitric oxide donors.

    PubMed

    Kruzliak, Peter; Novák, Jan; Novák, Miroslav

    2014-01-01

    Hypertension is the most common adverse effect of the inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway-based therapy (VEGF pathway inhibitors therapy, VPI therapy) in cancer patients. VPI includes monoclonal antibodies against VEGF, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, VEGF Traps, and so-called aptamers that may become clinically relevant in the future. All of these substances inhibit the VEGF pathway, which in turn causes a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) and an increase in blood pressure, with the consequent development of hypertension and its final events (e.g., myocardial infarction or stroke). To our knowledge, there is no current study on how to provide an optimal therapy for patients on VPI therapy with hypertension. This review summarizes the roles of VEGF and NO in vessel biology, provides an overview of VPI agents, and suggests a potential treatment procedure for patients with VPI-induced hypertension.

  13. Inhibition of chlorine-induced lung injury by the type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chang, Weiyuan; Chen, Jing; Schlueter, Connie F.

    2012-09-01

    Chlorine is a highly toxic respiratory irritant that when inhaled causes epithelial cell injury, alveolar-capillary barrier disruption, airway hyperreactivity, inflammation, and pulmonary edema. Chlorine is considered a chemical threat agent, and its release through accidental or intentional means has the potential to result in mass casualties from acute lung injury. The type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram was investigated as a rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury. Rolipram inhibits degradation of the intracellular signaling molecule cyclic AMP. Potential beneficial effects of increased cyclic AMP levels include inhibition of pulmonary edema, inflammation, and airway hyperreactivity. Mice were exposed to chlorine (whole bodymore » exposure, 228–270 ppm for 1 h) and were treated with rolipram by intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intramuscular (either aqueous or nanoemulsion formulation) delivery starting 1 h after exposure. Rolipram administered intraperitoneally or intranasally inhibited chlorine-induced pulmonary edema. Minor or no effects were observed on lavage fluid IgM (indicative of plasma protein leakage), KC (Cxcl1, neutrophil chemoattractant), and neutrophils. All routes of administration inhibited chlorine-induced airway hyperreactivity assessed 1 day after exposure. The results of the study suggest that rolipram may be an effective rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury and that both systemic and targeted administration to the respiratory tract were effective routes of delivery. -- Highlights: ► Chlorine causes lung injury when inhaled and is considered a chemical threat agent. ► Rolipram inhibited chlorine-induced pulmonary edema and airway hyperreactivity. ► Post-exposure rolipram treatments by both systemic and local delivery were effective. ► Rolipram shows promise as a rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury.« less

  14. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor blocks the production of West Nile virus-induced neuroinflammatory markers in astrocytes.

    PubMed

    Verma, Saguna; Kumar, Mukesh; Nerurkar, Vivek R

    2011-03-01

    Inflammatory immune responses triggered initially to clear West Nile virus (WNV) infection later become detrimental and contribute to the pathological processes such as blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and neuronal death, thus complicating WNV-associated encephalitis (WNVE). It has been demonstrated previously that WNV infection in astrocytes results in induction of multiple matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which mediate BBB disruption. Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and their product, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), modulate neuroinflammation and regulate the production of multiple inflammatory molecules including MMPs. Therefore, this study determined and characterized the pathophysiological consequences of the expression of COX enzymes in human brain cortical astrocytes (HBCAs) following WNV infection. Whilst COX-1 mRNA expression did not change, WNV infection significantly induced RNA and protein expression of COX-2 in HBCAs. Similarly, PGE2 production was also enhanced significantly in infected HBCAs and was blocked in the presence of the COX-2-specific inhibitor NS-398, thus suggesting that COX-2, and not COX-1, was the source of the increased PGE2. Treatment of infected HBCAs with NS-398 attenuated the expression of MMP-1, -3 and -9 in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, expression of interleukin-1β, -6 and -8, which were markedly elevated in infected HBCAs, exhibited a significant reduction in their levels in the presence of NS-398. These results provide direct evidence that WNV-induced COX-2/PGE2 is involved in modulating the expression of multiple neuroinflammatory mediators, thereby directly linking COX-2 with WNV disease pathogenesis. The ability of COX-2 inhibitors to modulate WNV-induced COX-2 and PGE2 signalling warrants further investigation in an animal model as a potential approach for clinical management of neuroinflammation associated with WNVE.

  15. Calcifying Cystic Odontogenic Tumour: immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinases, their inhibitors (TIMPs and RECK) and inducer (EMMPRIN).

    PubMed

    Prosdócimi, Fábio C; Rodini, Camila O; Sogayar, Mari C; Sousa, Suzana C O M; Xavier, Flávia C A; Paiva, Katiúcia B S

    2014-08-01

    Calcifying cyst odontogenic tumour (CCOT) is a rare benign cystic neoplasm of odontogenic origin. MMPs are responsible for extracellular matrix remodelling and, together their inhibitors and inducer, determinate the level of its turnover in pathological processes, leading to an auspicious microenvironment for tumour development. Thus, our goal was to evaluate matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs-2, -7, -9 and -14), their inhibitors (TIMPs-2, -3, -4 and RECK) and its inductor (EMMPRIN) expression in CCOT. We used 18 cases of CCOT submitted to immunolocalization of the target proteins and analysed in both neoplastic odontogenic epithelial and stromal compartments. All molecules evaluated were expressed in both compartments in CCOT. In epithelial layer, immunostaining for MMPs, TIMPs, RECK and EMMPRIN was found in basal, suprabasal spindle and stellate cells surrounding ghost cells and ghost cells themselves, except for MMP-9 and TIMP-2 which were only expressed by ghost cells. In stromal compartment, extracellular matrix, mesenchymal (MC) and endothelial cells (EC) were positive for MMP-2, -7, TIMP-3 and -4, while MMP-9, TIMP-2 and RECK were positive only in MC and MMP-14 only in EC. Statistical significance difference was found between both compartments for MMP-9 (P < 0.001), RECK (P = 0.004) and EMMPRIN (P < 0.001), being more expressed in epithelium than in stroma. Positive correlation between both stromal EMMPRIN and RECK expression was found (R = 0.661, P = 0.003). We concluded that these proteins/enzymes are differentially expressed in both epithelium and stroma of CCOT, suggesting an imbalance between MMPs and their inducer/inhibitors may contribute on the tumour behaviour. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Suppress Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Mizutani, Takeshi; Fowler, Benjamin J.; Kim, Younghee; Yasuma, Reo; Krueger, Laura A.; Gelfand, Bradley D.; Ambati, Jayakrishna

    2015-01-01

    Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in the laser-induced mouse model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Methods We evaluated the NRTIs lamivudine (3TC), zidovudine (AZT), and abacavir (ABC) and the P2X7 antagonist A438079. Choroidal neovascularization was induced by laser injury in C57BL/6J wild-type, Nlrp3−/−, and P2rx7−/− mice, and CNV volume was measured after 7 days by confocal microscopy. Drugs were administered by intravitreous injection immediately after the laser injury. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A in RPE-choroid lysates was measured 3 days after laser injury by ELISA. HEK293 cells expressing human and mouse P2X7 were exposed to the selective P2X7 receptor agonist 2′, 3′-(benzoyl-4-benzoyl)-ATP (Bz-ATP) with or without 3TC, and VEGF-A levels in media were measured by ELISA. Results Intravitreous injection of 3TC, AZT, and ABC significantly suppressed laser-induced CNV in C57BL/6J wild-type and Nlrp3−/− mice (P < 0.05) but not in P2rx7−/− mice. Intravitreous injection of A438079 also suppressed the laser-induced CNV (P < 0.05). The NRTIs 3TC, AZT, and ABC blocked VEGF-A levels in the RPE/choroid after laser injury in wild-type (P < 0.05) but not P2rx7−/− mice. Moreover, there was no additive effect of 3TC on CNV inhibition when coadministered with a neutralizing VEGF-A antibody. Stimulation of human and mouse P2X7-expressing HEK293 cells with Bz-ATP increased VEGF secretion (P < 0.001), which was abrogated by 3TC (P < 0.001). Stimulation of primary human RPE cells with Bz-ATP increased VEGFA and IL6 mRNA levels, which were abrogated by 3TC. Conclusions Multiple clinically relevant NRTIs suppressed laser-induced CNV and downregulated VEGF-A, via P2X7. PMID:26529046

  17. Histone deacetylase inhibitor, CG200745, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in DOCA-induced hypertensive rats

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Eunjo; Song, Min-ji; Lee, Hae-Ahm; Kang, Seol-Hee; Kim, Mina; Yang, Eun Kyoung; Lee, Do Young; Ro, Seonggu; Cho, Joong Myung

    2016-01-01

    CG200745 is a novel inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), initially developed for treatment of various hematological and solid cancers. Because it is water-soluble, it can be administered orally. We hypothesized that the HDAC inhibitor, CG200745, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertensive rats. For establishment of hypertension, 40 mg/kg of DOCA was subcutaneously injected four times weekly into Sprague-Dawley rats. All the rats used in this study including those in the sham group had been unilaterally nephrectomized and allowed free access to drinking water containing 1% NaCl. Systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. Blood chemistry including sodium, potassium, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels was analyzed. Sections of the heart were visualized after trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin stain. The expression of hypertrophic genes such as atrial natriuretic peptide A (Nppa) and atrial natriuretic peptide B (Nppb) in addition to fibrotic genes such as Collagen-1, Collagen-3, connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), and Fibronectin were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Injection of DOCA increased systolic blood pressure, heart weight, and cardiac fibrosis, which was attenuated by CG200745. Neither DOCA nor CG200745 affected body weight, vascular contraction and relaxation responses, and blood chemistry. Injection of DOCA increased expression of both hypertrophic and fibrotic genes, which was abrogated by CG200745. These results indicate that CG200745 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in DOCA-induced hypertensive rats. PMID:27610034

  18. Histone deacetylase inhibitor, CG200745, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in DOCA-induced hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Lee, Eunjo; Song, Min-Ji; Lee, Hae-Ahm; Kang, Seol-Hee; Kim, Mina; Yang, Eun Kyoung; Lee, Do Young; Ro, Seonggu; Cho, Joong Myung; Kim, Inkyeom

    2016-09-01

    CG200745 is a novel inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), initially developed for treatment of various hematological and solid cancers. Because it is water-soluble, it can be administered orally. We hypothesized that the HDAC inhibitor, CG200745, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertensive rats. For establishment of hypertension, 40 mg/kg of DOCA was subcutaneously injected four times weekly into Sprague-Dawley rats. All the rats used in this study including those in the sham group had been unilaterally nephrectomized and allowed free access to drinking water containing 1% NaCl. Systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. Blood chemistry including sodium, potassium, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels was analyzed. Sections of the heart were visualized after trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin stain. The expression of hypertrophic genes such as atrial natriuretic peptide A (Nppa) and atrial natriuretic peptide B (Nppb) in addition to fibrotic genes such as Collagen-1, Collagen-3, connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), and Fibronectin were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Injection of DOCA increased systolic blood pressure, heart weight, and cardiac fibrosis, which was attenuated by CG200745. Neither DOCA nor CG200745 affected body weight, vascular contraction and relaxation responses, and blood chemistry. Injection of DOCA increased expression of both hypertrophic and fibrotic genes, which was abrogated by CG200745. These results indicate that CG200745 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in DOCA-induced hypertensive rats.

  19. Low concentrations of the soy phytoestrogen genistein induce proteinase inhibitor 9 and block killing of breast cancer cells by immune cells.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Xinguo; Patterson, Nicole M; Ling, Yan; Xie, Jianwei; Helferich, William G; Shapiro, David J

    2008-11-01

    The risks and benefits of diets and supplements containing the estrogenic soy isoflavone genistein are not well established. We report that 10 nm genistein potently induces the granzyme B inhibitor, proteinase inhibitor 9 (PI-9) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. By inducing PI-9, genistein inhibits the ability of human natural killer (NK) cells to lyse the target breast cancer cells. In ERalphaHA cells, stably transfected MCF-7 cells, which contain elevated levels of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha), 100 pm genistein or 17beta-estradiol potently induce PI-9 and prevent NK cells from killing the target breast cancer cells. The concentrations of genistein that fully induce PI-9 in MCF-7 cells, and in ERalphaHA cells, are far lower than those previously reported to elicit estrogenic responses through ERalpha. Because 4-hydroxytamoxifen, raloxifene, and ICI 182,780/Faslodex all block genistein induction of PI-9 and elevated levels of ERalpha enhance induction of PI-9, genistein acts via ERalpha to induce PI-9. Increasing levels of ERalpha in breast cancer cells results in a progressive increase in induction of PI-9 by genistein and in the cell's ability to evade killing by NK cells. Moderate levels of dietary genistein and soy flour effectively induce PI-9 in human breast cancers grown in ovariectomized athymic mice. A significant population consumes levels of genistein in soy products that may be high enough to induce PI-9, perhaps potentiating the survival of some preexisting breast cancers by enabling them to evade immunosurveillance.

  20. Plant Proteinase Inhibitor BbCI Modulates Lung Inflammatory Responses and Mechanic and Remodeling Alterations Induced by Elastase in Mice.

    PubMed

    Almeida-Reis, Rafael; Theodoro-Junior, Osmar A; Oliveira, Bruno T M; Oliva, Leandro V; Toledo-Arruda, Alessandra C; Bonturi, Camila R; Brito, Marlon V; Lopes, Fernanda D T Q S; Prado, Carla M; Florencio, Ariana C; Martins, Mílton A; Owen, Caroline A; Leick, Edna A; Oliva, Maria L V; Tibério, Iolanda F L C

    2017-01-01

    Background. Proteinases play a key role in emphysema. Bauhinia bauhinioides cruzipain inhibitor (BbCI) is a serine-cysteine proteinase inhibitor. We evaluated BbCI treatment in elastase-induced pulmonary alterations. Methods.  C57BL / 6 mice received intratracheal elastase (ELA group) or saline (SAL group). One group of mice was treated with BbCI (days 1, 15, and 21 after elastase instillation, ELABC group). Controls received saline and BbCI (SALBC group). After 28 days, we evaluated respiratory mechanics, exhaled nitric oxide, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In lung tissue we measured airspace enlargement, quantified neutrophils, TNF α -, MMP-9-, MMP-12-, TIMP-1-, iNOS-, and eNOS-positive cells, 8-iso-PGF2 α , collagen, and elastic fibers in alveolar septa and airways. MUC-5-positive cells were quantified only in airways. Results. BbCI reduced elastase-induced changes in pulmonary mechanics, airspace enlargement and elastase-induced increases in total cells, and neutrophils in BALF. BbCI reduced macrophages and neutrophils positive cells in alveolar septa and neutrophils and TNF α -positive cells in airways. BbCI attenuated elastic and collagen fibers, MMP-9- and MMP-12-positive cells, and isoprostane and iNOS-positive cells in alveolar septa and airways. BbCI reduced MUC5ac-positive cells in airways. Conclusions. BbCI improved lung mechanics and reduced lung inflammation and airspace enlargement and increased oxidative stress levels induced by elastase. BbCI may have therapeutic potential in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

  1. Plant Proteinase Inhibitor BbCI Modulates Lung Inflammatory Responses and Mechanic and Remodeling Alterations Induced by Elastase in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Theodoro-Junior, Osmar A.; Oliveira, Bruno T. M.; Oliva, Leandro V.; Toledo-Arruda, Alessandra C.; Bonturi, Camila R.; Brito, Marlon V.; Prado, Carla M.; Florencio, Ariana C.; Martins, Mílton A.; Owen, Caroline A.; Oliva, Maria L. V.

    2017-01-01

    Background. Proteinases play a key role in emphysema. Bauhinia bauhinioides cruzipain inhibitor (BbCI) is a serine-cysteine proteinase inhibitor. We evaluated BbCI treatment in elastase-induced pulmonary alterations. Methods.  C57BL/6 mice received intratracheal elastase (ELA group) or saline (SAL group). One group of mice was treated with BbCI (days 1, 15, and 21 after elastase instillation, ELABC group). Controls received saline and BbCI (SALBC group). After 28 days, we evaluated respiratory mechanics, exhaled nitric oxide, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In lung tissue we measured airspace enlargement, quantified neutrophils, TNFα-, MMP-9-, MMP-12-, TIMP-1-, iNOS-, and eNOS-positive cells, 8-iso-PGF2α, collagen, and elastic fibers in alveolar septa and airways. MUC-5-positive cells were quantified only in airways. Results. BbCI reduced elastase-induced changes in pulmonary mechanics, airspace enlargement and elastase-induced increases in total cells, and neutrophils in BALF. BbCI reduced macrophages and neutrophils positive cells in alveolar septa and neutrophils and TNFα-positive cells in airways. BbCI attenuated elastic and collagen fibers, MMP-9- and MMP-12-positive cells, and isoprostane and iNOS-positive cells in alveolar septa and airways. BbCI reduced MUC5ac-positive cells in airways. Conclusions. BbCI improved lung mechanics and reduced lung inflammation and airspace enlargement and increased oxidative stress levels induced by elastase. BbCI may have therapeutic potential in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. PMID:28466019

  2. Inhibition of SRC-3 enhances sensitivity of human cancer cells to histone deacetylase inhibitors

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zou, Zhengzhi, E-mail: zouzhengzhi@m.scnu.edu.cn; Luo, Xiaoyong; Nie, Peipei

    SRC-3 is widely expressed in multiple tumor types and involved in cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are promising antitumor drugs. However, the poor efficacy of HDAC inhibitors in solid tumors has restricted its further clinical application. Here, we reported the novel finding that depletion of SRC-3 enhanced sensitivity of breast and lung cancer cells to HDAC inhibitors (SAHA and romidepsin). In contrast, overexpression of SRC-3 decreased SAHA-induced cancer cell apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that SRC-3 inhibitor bufalin increased cancer cell apoptosis induced by HDAC inhibitors. The combination of bufalin and SAHA was particular efficient in attenuatingmore » AKT activation and reducing Bcl-2 levels. Taken together, these accumulating data might guide development of new breast and lung cancer therapies. - Highlights: • Depletion of SRC-3 enhanced sensitivity of breast and lung cancer cells to HDAC inhibitors. • Overexpression of SRC-3 enhanced cancer cell resistance to HDAC inhibitors. • SRC-3 inhibitor bufalin increased cancer cell apoptosis induced by HDAC inhibitors. • Bufalin synergized with HDAC inhibitor attenuated AKT activation and reduced Bcl-2 levels in human cancer cell.« less

  3. Reduced estradiol synthesis by letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, is protective against development of pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling in mice.

    PubMed

    Rashid, Davood; Panda, B P; Vohora, Divya

    2015-11-01

    Neurosteroids, such as testosterone and their metabolites, are known to modulate neuronal excitability. The enzymes regulating the metabolism of these neurosteroids, thus, may be targeted as a noval strategy for the development of new antiepileptic drugs. The present work targeted two such enzymes i,e aromatase and 5α-reductase in order to explore the potential of letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor) on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling in mice and the ability of finasteride (a 5α-reductase inhibitor) to modulate any such effects. PTZ (30 mg/kg, i.p.), when administered once every two days (for a total of 24 doses) induced kindling in Swiss albino mice. Letrozole (1 mg/kg, p.o.), administered prior to PTZ, significantly reduced the % incidence of kindling, delayed mean onset time of seizures and reduced seizure severity score. Letrozole reduced the levels of plasma 17β-estradiol after induction of kindling. The concurrent administration of finasteride and letrozole produced effects similar to letrozole on PTZ-kindling and on estradiol levels. This implies that the ability of letrozole to redirect the synthesis of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5α-androstanediol from testosterone doesn't appear to play a significant role in the protective effects of letrozole against PTZ kindling. Letrozole, however, increased the levels of 5α-DHT in mice plasma. The aromatase inhibitors, thus, may be exploited for inhibiting the synthesis of proconvulsant (17β-estradiol) and/or redirecting the synthesis of anticonvulsant (DHT and 5α-androstanediol) neurosteroids. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Inhibitors of second messenger pathways and Ca(2+)-induced exposure of phosphatidylserine in red blood cells of patients with sickle cell disease.

    PubMed

    Gbotosho, O T; Cytlak, U M; Hannemann, A; Rees, D C; Tewari, S; Gibson, J S

    2014-07-01

    The present work investigates the contribution of various second messenger systems to Ca(2+)-induced phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure in red blood cells (RBCs) from sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. The Ca(2+) dependence of PS exposure was confirmed using the Ca(2+) ionophore bromo-A23187 to clamp intracellular Ca(2+) over 4 orders of magnitude in high or low potassium-containing (HK or LK) saline. The percentage of RBCs showing PS exposure was significantly increased in LK over HK saline. This effect was reduced by the Gardos channel inhibitors, clotrimazole and charybdotoxin. Nevertheless, although Ca(2+) loading in the presence of an outwardly directed electrochemical gradient for K(+) stimulated PS exposure, substantial exposure still occurred in HK saline. Under the conditions used inhibitors of other second messenger systems (ABT491, quinacrine, acetylsalicylic acid, 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, GW4869 and zVAD-fmk) did not inhibit the relationship between [Ca(2+)] and PS exposure. Inhibitors of phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, platelet-activating factor, sphingomyelinase and caspases, therefore, were without effect on Ca(2+)-induced PS exposure in RBCs, incubated in either HK or LK saline.

  5. Effect of selective versus non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors on ischemia-reperfusion-induced hepatic injury in rats.

    PubMed

    Abdel-Gaber, Seham A; Ibrahim, Mohamed A; Amin, Entesar F; Ibrahim, Salwa A; Mohammed, Rehab K; Abdelrahman, Aly M

    2015-08-01

    Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury represents an important pathological process of liver injury during major hepatic surgery. The role of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced liver injury is not clear. This study investigated the effect of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, versus non-selective, indomethacin, on hepatic IR injury in rats. Hepatic IR was induced in adult male rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups: normal control (sham group), IR non-treated group; IR-indomethacin-treated group; and IR-celecoxib-treated group. Liver injury was evaluated by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and a histopathological examination of liver tissues. Hepatic tissue content of oxidative stress parameters glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and the inflammatory marker, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, (TNF-α) were measured. Moreover, the immunohistochemical detection of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and caspase-3 in the hepatic tissue was performed. Celecoxib, but not indomethacin, significantly attenuated hepatic IR injury as evidenced by reduction in serum ALT as well as by improvement in the histopathological scoring. Such effect was associated with attenuation in oxidative stress and TNF-α, along with modulation of immunohistochemical expression of eNOS, iNOS and caspase-3 in the hepatic tissue. The present study concluded that selective COX-2 inhibition (but not non-selective), is hepatoprotective against liver IR injury; indicating a differential role of COX-1 versus COX-2. Modulation of iNOS, eNOS and caspase-3 might participate in the protective effect of selective COX-2-inhibitors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Inhibition of oncogene-induced inflammatory chemokines using a farnesyltransferase inhibitor

    PubMed Central

    DeGeorge, Katharine C; DeGeorge, Brent R; Testa, James S; Rothstein, Jay L

    2008-01-01

    Background Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI) are small molecule agents originally formulated to inhibit the oncogenic functions of Ras. Although subsequent analysis of FTI activity revealed wider effects on other pathways, the drug has been demonstrated to reduce Ras signaling by direct measurements. The purpose of the current study was to determine if FTI could be used to inhibit the inflammatory activities of a known Ras-activating human oncoprotein, RET/PTC3. RET/PTC3 is a fusion oncoprotein expressed in the thyroid epithelium of patients afflicted with thyroid autoimmune disease and/or differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Previous studies have demonstrated that RET/PTC3 signals through Ras and can provoke nuclear translocation of NFκB and the downstream release of pro-inflammatory mediators from thyroid follicular cells in vitro and in vivo, making it an ideal target for studies using FTI. Methods For the studies described here, an in vitro assay was developed to measure FTI inhibition of RET/PTC3 pro-inflammatory effects. Rat thyrocytes transfected with RET/PTC3 or vector control cDNA were co-cultured with FTI and examined for inhibition of chemokine expression and secretion measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. Immunoblot analysis was used to confirm the level at which FTI acts on RET/PTC3-expressing cells, and Annexin V/PI staining of cells was used to assess cell death in RET/PTC3-expressing cells co-cultured with FTI. Results These analyses revealed significant mRNA and protein inhibition of chemokines Ccl2 and Cxcl1 with nanomolar doses of FTI. Neither RET/PTC3 protein expression nor apoptosis were affected at any dose of FTI investigated. Conclusion These data suggest that FTI may be applied as an effective inhibitor for RET/PTC3-oncogene induced pro-inflammatory mediators. PMID:18304343

  7. The steroidal Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor 3-[(R)-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxime derivative (3-R-POD) induces potent pro-apoptotic responses in colonic tumor cells.

    PubMed

    Alkahtani, Saad Hussin

    2014-06-01

    Recently, potent anticancer actions of the steroidal Na(+)/K(+) ATPase inhibitor 3-[(R)-3-pyrrolidinyl]oxime derivative 3 (3-R-POD) have been reported for multiple cell lines, including prostate and lung cancer cells. In the present study, the anticancer action of 3-R-POD was addressed in colonic tumor cells. Treatment of Caco2 colonic tumor cells with increasing concentrations of 3-R-POD induced potent, dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth as measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In addition, the APOpercentage apoptosis assay revealed significant pro-apoptotic responses, suggesting that the anticancer activity of this steroidal Na(+)/K(+) ATPase inhibitor in colonic tumors takes places mainly through the induction of strong pro-apoptotic effects. Focussing on the molecular mechanism that may regulate these interactions, 3-R-POD was shown to induce significant early actin re-organization and late Protein Kinase B (AKT) de-phosphorylation. Finally, the 3-R-POD-induced inhibition of cell growth and early actin reorganization in colonic cancer cells remained unchanged when cells were pre-treated with pertussis toxin, thus excluding possible interactions of this inhibitor with G-coupled receptors. These results indicate that 3-R-POD induces potent pro-apoptotic responses in colonic tumor cells governed by actin re-organization and inhibition of AKT pro-survival signaling. Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

  8. The Role of Proteasome Inhibitor MG132 in 2,4-Dinitrofluorobenzene-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice.

    PubMed

    Ohkusu-Tsukada, Kozo; Ito, Daiki; Takahashi, Kimimasa

    2018-01-01

    Although immunosuppressants for therapy of atopic dermatitis (AD) are still being sought, proteasome inhibitors are also potential candidates for the treatment of AD. Proteasome inhibitors exert various effects by blocking proteasomal degradation and help regulate processes such as apoptosis induction via caspase-9, cell cycle progression via cyclins, NF-κB inactivation via IκB, and downregulation of antigen cross-presentation. The cells targeted by proteasome inhibitors are therefore activated cells undergoing proliferation or differentiation, and antigen-presenting cells carrying out protein degradation. This study investigated the therapeutic effects and side effects of a proteasome inhibitor, MG132, on the treatment of AD. AD-like disease in NC/Nga mice housed under specific pathogen-free conditions was induced by repeated application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Disease progression was evaluated by inflammation score, histopathology, and serum IgE level, and the effects of systemic MG132 administration were investigated. The percentages and absolute numbers for each population of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells in the axillary lymph nodes were analyzed by flow cytometry. DNFB application increased the expression of a unique major histocompatibility complex class I mutant molecule D/Ldm7 in dendritic cells (DCs), and increased Th1 and Th17 cells in NC/Nga mice. In vivo MG132 administration to NC/Nga mice with DNFB-induced dermatitis reduced Th17 cells but maintained the level of Th1 cells, resulting in the alleviation of dermatitis lesions by decreasing both serum IgE hyperproduction and mast cell migration. To understand the mechanisms maintaining Th1 cell levels following in vivo MG132-administration, we focused on the role of proteasomes regulating D/Ldm7 expression. Interestingly, 20S proteasome activity was higher in NC/Nga DCs than in BALB/c DCs. In vitro MG132 administration partially increased D/Ldm7 expression in a dose-dependent manner during DC

  9. Design and Synthesis of Novel Small-molecule Inhibitors of the Hypoxia Inducible Factor Pathway

    PubMed Central

    Mooring, Suazette Reid; Jin, Hui; Devi, Narra S.; Jabbar, Adnan A.; Kaluz, Stefan; Liu, Yuan; Van Meir, Erwin G.; Wang, Binghe

    2012-01-01

    Hypoxia, a reduction in partial oxygen pressure, is a salient property of solid tumors. Hypoxia drives malignant progression and metastasis in tumors and participates in tumor resistance to radio- and chemotherapies. Hypoxia activates the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family of transcription factors, which induce target genes that regulate adaptive biological processes such as anaerobic metabolism, cell motility and angiogenesis. Clinical evidence has demonstrated that expression of HIF-1 is strongly associated with poor patient prognosis and activation of HIF-1 contributes to malignant behavior and therapeutic resistance. Consequently, HIF-1 has become an important therapeutic target for inhibition by small molecules. Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of small molecules that inhibit the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Many of these compounds exhibit inhibitory activity in the nanomolar range. Separate mechanistic studies indicate that these inhibitors do not alter HIF-1 levels, but interfere with the HIF-1α/HIF-1β/p300/CBP complex formation by interacting with p300 and CBP. PMID:22032632

  10. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Trichostatin A Ameliorated Endotoxin-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Dysfunction

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Yeong-Chang; Wei, Tsui-Shan; Sun, Ding-Ping; Wang, Jhi-Joung; Yeh, Ching-Hua

    2015-01-01

    Excessive production of cytokines by microglia may cause cognitive dysfunction and long-lasting behavioral changes. Activating the peripheral innate immune system stimulates cytokine secretion in the central nervous system, which modulates cognitive function. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) modulate cytokine synthesis and release. Trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC inhibitor, is documented to be anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective. We investigated whether TSA reduces lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction. ICR mice were first intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with vehicle or TSA (0.3 mg/kg). One hour later, they were injected (i.p.) with saline or Escherichia coli LPS (1 mg/kg). We analyzed the food and water intake, body weight loss, and sucrose preference of the injected mice and then determined the microglia activation and inflammatory cytokine expression in the brains of LPS-treated mice and LPS-treated BV-2 microglial cells. In the TSA-pretreated mice, microglial activation was lower, anhedonia did not occur, and LPS-induced cognitive dysfunction (anorexia, weight loss, and social withdrawal) was attenuated. Moreover, mRNA expression of HDAC2, HDAC5, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-1β in the brain of LPS-challenged mice and in the LPS-treated BV-2 microglial cells was lower. TSA diminished LPS-induced inflammatory responses in the mouse brain and modulated the cytokine-associated changes in cognitive function, which might be specifically related to reducing HDAC2 and HDAC5 expression. PMID:26273133

  11. Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: Pharmacology and Toxicology

    PubMed Central

    Čolović, Mirjana B; Krstić, Danijela Z; Lazarević-Pašti, Tamara D; Bondžić, Aleksandra M; Vasić, Vesna M

    2013-01-01

    Acetylcholinesterase is involved in the termination of impulse transmission by rapid hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in numerous cholinergic pathways in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The enzyme inactivation, induced by various inhibitors, leads to acetylcholine accumulation, hyperstimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, and disrupted neurotransmission. Hence, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, interacting with the enzyme as their primary target, are applied as relevant drugs and toxins. This review presents an overview of toxicology and pharmacology of reversible and irreversible acetylcholinesterase inactivating compounds. In the case of reversible inhibitors being commonly applied in neurodegenerative disorders treatment, special attention is paid to currently approved drugs (donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine) in the pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer’s disease, and toxic carbamates used as pesticides. Subsequently, mechanism of irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibition induced by organophosphorus compounds (insecticides and nerve agents), and their specific and nonspecific toxic effects are described, as well as irreversible inhibitors having pharmacological implementation. In addition, the pharmacological treatment of intoxication caused by organophosphates is presented, with emphasis on oxime reactivators of the inhibited enzyme activity administering as causal drugs after the poisoning. Besides, organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides can be detoxified in mammals through enzymatic hydrolysis before they reach targets in the nervous system. Carboxylesterases most effectively decompose carbamates, whereas the most successful route of organophosphates detoxification is their degradation by corresponding phosphotriesterases. PMID:24179466

  12. The influence of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on lipid peroxidation in sera and aorta of rabbits in diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

    PubMed

    Wojakowski, W; Gminski, J; Siemianowicz, K; Goss, M; Machalski, M

    2000-11-01

    In hypercholesterolemia increased lipid and lipoprotein peroxidation occurs. The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in atherogenesis. Angiotensin II induces smooth muscle cells proliferation and stimulates oxidation of LDL particles and foam cell accumulation. Inhibition of ang II production leads to decrease in lipid peroxide production. The aim of this study was to assess the lipid peroxidation expressed as concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) in sera and aorta homogenates after administration of two doses of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (captopril, enalapril and quinapril) in diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rabbits. Sixty-four New Zealand rabbits were used. Animals were fed with standard fodder, special diet (1% cholesterol content) or special diet + tested ACEI. Two doses of ACE inhibitors were used: i), equivalent to applied to humans, ii), dose 10 times higher. The animals were divided into 8 groups: control, standard fodder; B, special diet; C1, C2, special diet + captopril in doses 2.5 and 25 mg/kg/24 h, respectively; E1, E2, special diet + enalapril in doses 0.75 and 7.5 mg/kg/24 h, respectively; Q1 and Q2, special diet + quinapril in doses 0.75 and 7.5 mg/kg per day, respectively. In cholesterol-fed rabbits and in groups receiving lower doses of tested ACE inhibitors, the serum TBARS concentration at 6 months was significantly higher in comparison to the control. The higher doses of enalapril, quinapril and captopril, prevented the cholesterol-induced rise in TBARS concentration. Lower dose of captopril attenuated the rise in TBARS concentration, it was significantly lower in comparison to group B, but higher than in the control group. In animals from groups B, E1, C1, Q1 TBARS concentration in aortae was significantly higher as compared to control group. Both doses of captopril and higher doses of enalapril and quinapril inhibited the rise of lipid peroxides concentration induced by

  13. Neuropsychotoxicity of abused drugs: involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization and reward in rodents.

    PubMed

    Mizoguchi, Hiroyuki; Yamada, Kiyofumi; Nabeshima, Toshitaka

    2008-01-01

    Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) function to remodel the pericellular environment. We have investigated the role of the MMP/TIMP system in methamphetamine (METH) dependence in rodents, in which the remodeling of neural circuits may be crucial. Repeated METH treatment induced behavioral sensitization, which was accompanied by an increase in MMP-2/-9/TIMP-2 activity in the brain. An antisense TIMP-2 oligonucleotide enhanced the sensitization, which was associated with a potentiation of the METH-induced release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). MMP-2/-9 inhibitors blocked the METH-induced behavioral sensitization and conditioned place preference (CPP), a measure of the rewarding effect of a drug, and reduced the METH-increased dopamine release in the NAc. In MMP-2- and MMP-9-deficient mice, METH-induced behavioral sensitization and CPP as well as dopamine release were attenuated. The MMP/TIMP system may be involved in METH-induced sensitization and reward by regulating extracellular dopamine levels.

  14. Downregulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein by '7-Benzylidenenaltrexone maleate' sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Kim, So Young; Park, Sojung; Yoo, SeonA; Rho, Jin Kyung; Jun, Eun Sung; Chang, Suhwan; Kim, Kyung Kon; Kim, Song Cheol; Kim, Inki

    2017-09-22

    Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a potential biological anticancer agent. However, a wide range of human primary cancers, including pancreatic cancer, display resistance to apoptosis induction by TRAIL. Therefore, this resistance needs to be overcome to allow TRAIL to be successfully used in cancer therapy. In this study, we performed a compound screen to isolate TRAIL sensitizers and found that one of the identified compounds, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone maleate (BNTX), sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptotic cell death. The combination of BNTX with TRAIL promoted the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol with caspase activation and a resulting increase in annexin V-stained cells. From a mechanistic perspective, we found that BNTX downregulated X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) expression when used in combination with TRAIL, and found that TRAIL-induced apoptosis was augmented by siRNA-mediated knockdown of XIAP. We further demonstrated that BNTX promoted the ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent degradation of XIAP protein via protein kinase C (PKC) alpha/AKT pathway inhibition. Moreover, combined treatment by BNTX with TRAIL suppressed growth of pancreatic tumor xenograft of animal model. Therefore, we suggest that inhibitor of apoptosis protein-mediated resistance of pancreatic cancer cells to anticancer therapeutics can be overcome by inhibiting the PKCα/AKT pathway.

  15. Discovery of Novel Irreversible Inhibitors of Interleukin (IL)-2-inducible Tyrosine Kinase (Itk) by Targeting Cysteine 442 in the ATP Pocket

    PubMed Central

    Harling, John D.; Deakin, Angela M.; Campos, Sébastien; Grimley, Rachel; Chaudry, Laiq; Nye, Catherine; Polyakova, Oxana; Bessant, Christina M.; Barton, Nick; Somers, Don; Barrett, John; Graves, Rebecca H.; Hanns, Laura; Kerr, William J.; Solari, Roberto

    2013-01-01

    IL-2-inducible tyrosine kinase (Itk) plays a key role in antigen receptor signaling in T cells and is considered an important target for anti-inflammatory drug discovery. In order to generate inhibitors with the necessary potency and selectivity, a compound that targeted cysteine 442 in the ATP binding pocket and with an envisaged irreversible mode of action was designed. We incorporated a high degree of molecular recognition and specific design features making the compound suitable for inhaled delivery. This study confirms the irreversible covalent binding of the inhibitor to the kinase by x-ray crystallography and enzymology while demonstrating potency, selectivity, and prolonged duration of action in in vitro biological assays. The biosynthetic turnover of the kinase was also examined as a critical factor when designing irreversible inhibitors for extended duration of action. The exemplified Itk inhibitor demonstrated inhibition of both TH1 and TH2 cytokines, was additive with fluticasone propionate, and inhibited cytokine release from human lung fragments. Finally, we describe an in vivo pharmacodynamic assay that allows rapid preclinical development without animal efficacy models. PMID:23935099

  16. The effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors on the ejaculatory response induced by 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the rat.

    PubMed Central

    Rényi, L.

    1986-01-01

    The ejaculatory response and other components of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) behavioural syndrome induced by 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT) (3 mg kg-1, i.p.) were studied following single and repeated treatment of rats with eight different monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Single and repeated treatment with the 5-HT agonist 5-MeODMT, and with low doses of the potent releaser of 5-HT, p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) were also included in the study. Repeated but not single treatment with 5-MeODMT reduced strongly but reversibly the ejaculatory response and the behavioural responses. Repeated but not single treatment with the nonselective and irreversible MAO inhibitors nialamide and pargyline reduced markedly the ejaculatory response but only slightly the 5-HT behavioural responses. Repeated treatment with the irreversible MAO-B inhibitor (-)-deprenyl, with the irreversible MAO-A inhibitor, clorgyline, with the reversible MAO-A inhibitor moclobemide, and with low doses of PCA did not affect either of the responses. Repeated but not single combined treatment with clorgyline plus PCA caused an almost complete blockade of all the four responses. The selective and reversible MAO-A inhibitors (as well as 5-HT releasers) amiflamine, alpha-ethyltryptamine, and alpha-methyltryptamine reduced markedly the ejaculatory response after both single and repeated treatments. The behavioural responses were blocked only after repeated treatment. It is concluded that single and repeated treatments of rats with different MAO inhibitors do not produce a common alteration in 5-HT2 receptor functions. Repeated treatment with 5-MeODMT caused a blockade of 75-95% of the ejaculatory response and 5-HT behavioural responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:3091132

  17. CHZ868, a Type II JAK2 Inhibitor, Reverses Type I JAK Inhibitor Persistence and Demonstrates Efficacy in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

    PubMed Central

    Meyer, Sara C.; Keller, Matthew D.; Chiu, Sophia; Koppikar, Priya; Guryanova, Olga A.; Rapaport, Franck; Xu, Ke; Manova, Katia; Pankov, Dmitry; O’Reilly, Richard J.; Kleppe, Maria; McKenney, Anna Sophia; Shih, Alan H.; Shank, Kaitlyn; Ahn, Jihae; Papalexi, Eftymia; Spitzer, Barbara; Socci, Nick; Viale, Agnes; Mandon, Emeline; Ebel, Nicolas; Andraos, Rita; Rubert, Joëlle; Dammassa, Ernesta; Romanet, Vincent; Dölemeyer, Arno; Zender, Michael; Heinlein, Melanie; Rampal, Rajit; Weinberg, Rona Singer; Hoffman, Ron; Sellers, William R.; Hofmann, Francesco; Murakami, Masato; Baffert, Fabienne; Gaul, Christoph; Radimerski, Thomas; Levine, Ross L.

    2015-01-01

    Summary Although clinically tested JAK inhibitors reduce splenomegaly and systemic symptoms, molecular responses are not observed in most myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) patients. We previously demonstrated that MPN cells become persistent to type I JAK inhibitors that bind the active conformation of JAK2. We investigated if CHZ868, a type II JAK inhibitor, would demonstrate activity in JAK inhibitor persistent cells, murine MPN models, and MPN patient samples. JAK2- and MPL-mutant cell lines were sensitive to CHZ868, including type I JAK inhibitor persistent cells. CHZ868 showed significant activity in murine MPN models and induced reductions in mutant allele burden not observed with type I JAK inhibitors. These data demonstrate that type II JAK inhibition is a viable therapeutic approach for MPN patients. PMID:26175413

  18. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Prolong Cardiac Repolarization through Transcriptional Mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Spence, Stan; Deurinck, Mark; Ju, Haisong; Traebert, Martin; McLean, LeeAnne; Marlowe, Jennifer; Emotte, Corinne; Tritto, Elaine; Tseng, Min; Shultz, Michael; Friedrichs, Gregory S

    2016-09-01

    Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are an emerging class of anticancer agents that modify gene expression by altering the acetylation status of lysine residues of histone proteins, thereby inducing transcription, cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and cell death or apoptosis of cancer cells. In the clinical setting, treatment with HDAC inhibitors has been associated with delayed cardiac repolarization and in rare instances a lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmia known as torsades de pointes. The mechanism(s) of HDAC inhibitor-induced effects on cardiac repolarization is unknown. We demonstrate that administration of structurally diverse HDAC inhibitors to dogs causes delayed but persistent increases in the heart rate corrected QT interval (QTc), an in vivo measure of cardiac repolarization, at timepoints far removed from the Tmax for parent drug and metabolites. Transcriptional profiling of ventricular myocardium from dogs treated with various HDAC inhibitors demonstrated effects on genes involved in protein trafficking, scaffolding and insertion of various ion channels into the cell membrane as well as genes for specific ion channel subunits involved in cardiac repolarization. Extensive in vitro ion channel profiling of various structural classes of HDAC inhibitors (and their major metabolites) by binding and acute patch clamp assays failed to show any consistent correlations with direct ion channel blockade. Drug-induced rescue of an intracellular trafficking-deficient mutant potassium ion channel, hERG (G601S), and decreased maturation (glycosylation) of wild-type hERG expressed by CHO cells in vitro correlated with prolongation of QTc intervals observed in vivo The results suggest that HDAC inhibitor-induced prolongation of cardiac repolarization may be mediated in part by transcriptional changes of genes required for ion channel trafficking and localization to the sarcolemma. These data have broad implications for the development of these drug classes and

  19. ETP-46321, a dual p110α/δ class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor modulates T lymphocyte activation and collagen-induced arthritis.

    PubMed

    Aragoneses-Fenoll, L; Montes-Casado, M; Ojeda, G; Acosta, Y Y; Herranz, J; Martínez, S; Blanco-Aparicio, C; Criado, G; Pastor, J; Dianzani, U; Portolés, P; Rojo, J M

    2016-04-15

    Class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are essential to function of normal and tumor cells, and to modulate immune responses. T lymphocytes express high levels of p110α and p110δ class IA PI3K. Whereas the functioning of PI3K p110δ in immune and autoimmune reactions is well established, the role of p110α is less well understood. Here, a novel dual p110α/δ inhibitor (ETP-46321) and highly specific p110α (A66) or p110δ (IC87114) inhibitors have been compared concerning T cell activation in vitro, as well as the effect on responses to protein antigen and collagen-induced arthritis in vivo. In vitro activation of naive CD4(+) T lymphocytes by anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 was inhibited more effectively by the p110δ inhibitor than by the p110α inhibitor as measured by cytokine secretion (IL-2, IL-10, and IFN-γ), T-bet expression and NFAT activation. In activated CD4(+) T cells re-stimulated through CD3 and ICOS, IC87114 inhibited Akt and Erk activation, and the secretion of IL-2, IL-4, IL-17A, and IFN-γ better than A66. The p110α/δ inhibitor ETP-46321, or p110α plus p110δ inhibitors also inhibited IL-21 secretion by differentiated CD4(+) T follicular (Tfh) or IL-17-producing (Th17) helper cells. In vivo, therapeutic administration of ETP-46321 significantly inhibited responses to protein antigen as well as collagen-induced arthritis, as measured by antigen-specific antibody responses, secretion of IL-10, IL-17A or IFN-γ, or clinical symptoms. Hence, p110α as well as p110δ Class IA PI3Ks are important to immune regulation; inhibition of both subunits may be an effective therapeutic approach in inflammatory autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase potentiate electrically and capsaicin-induced noncholinergic contraction in guinea pig bronchi.

    PubMed

    Djokic, T D; Nadel, J A; Dusser, D J; Sekizawa, K; Graf, P D; Borson, D B

    1989-01-01

    To evaluate the role of airway neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in the regulation of contraction of airway smooth muscle in response to endogenous tachykinins, we studied the effects of the NEP inhibitor phosphoramidon on contractions of guinea pig bronchial smooth muscle strips induced by either electrical field stimulation (EFS) or by capsaicin. In the presence of atropine (10(-6) M), propranolol (10(-6) M), phentolamine (10(-5) M), indomethacin (10(-6) M) and pyrilamine (5 x 10(-6) M) EFS (biphasic; pulse width, 1.0 msec; frequency 0.5-5 Hz for 30 sec; intensity, 20 V) produced noncholinergic, nonadrenergic muscle contraction in a frequency-dependent fashion (P less than .001). Phosphoramidon potentiated the contractile responses to EFS (P less than .01). Leucine-thiorphan (10(-5) M), another NEP inhibitor, potentiated EFS-induced contraction in a similar fashion as phosphoramidon (186 and 182% of control, respectively; each comparison, P less than .025). Captopril, bestatin, leupeptin and physostigmine (each drug, 10(-5) M) were without effect (P greater than .5, N = 5). Capsaicin (1.5 x 10(-8) M) produced long-lasting atropine-resistant smooth muscle contraction, an effect potentiated by phosphoramidon (10(-5) M (P less than .001). Removal of the epithelium slightly but significantly (P less than .05) increased the contractile responses to capsaicin and to EFS at impulse frequencies of 2 and 5 Hz, and phosphoramidon substantially increased contractions in tissues without epithelium. The trachea, bronchi and lungs each contained significant NEP activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  1. The PARP inhibitor PJ-34 sensitizes cells to UVA-induced phototoxicity by a PARP independent mechanism.

    PubMed

    Lakatos, Petra; Hegedűs, Csaba; Salazar Ayestarán, Nerea; Juarranz, Ángeles; Kövér, Katalin E; Szabó, Éva; Virág, László

    2016-08-01

    A combination of a photosensitizer with light of matching wavelength is a common treatment modality in various diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and tumors. DNA damage and production of reactive oxygen intermediates may impact pathological cellular functions and viability. Here we set out to investigate the role of the nuclear DNA nick sensor enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 in photochemical treatment (PCT)-induced tumor cell killing. We found that silencing PARP-1 or inhibition of its enzymatic activity with Veliparib had no significant effect on the viability of A431 cells exposed to 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and UVA (2.5J/cm(2)) indicating that PARP-1 is not likely to be a key player in either cell survival or cell death of PCT-exposed cells. Interestingly, however, another commonly used PARP inhibitor PJ-34 proved to be a photosensitizer with potency equal to 8-MOP. Irradiation of PJ-34 with UVA caused changes both in the UV absorption and in the 1H NMR spectra of the compound with the latter suggesting UVA-induced formation of tautomeric forms of the compound. Characterization of the photosensitizing effect revealed that PJ-34+UVA triggers overproduction of reactive oxygen species, induces DNA damage, activation of caspase 3 and caspase 8 and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Cell death in this model could not be prevented by antioxidants (ascorbic acid, trolox, glutathione, gallotannin or cell permeable superoxide dismutase or catalase) but could be suppressed by inhibitors of caspase-3 and -8. In conclusion, PJ-34 is a photosensitizer and PJ-34+UVA causes DNA damage and caspase-mediated cell death independently of PARP-1 inhibition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Novel histone deacetylase inhibitor CG200745 induces clonogenic cell death by modulating acetylation of p53 in cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Oh, Eun-Taex; Park, Moon-Taek; Choi, Bo-Hwa; Ro, Seonggu; Choi, Eun-Kyung; Jeong, Seong-Yun; Park, Heon Joo

    2012-04-01

    Histone deacetylase (HDAC) plays an important role in cancer onset and progression. Therefore, inhibition of HDAC offers potential as an effective cancer treatment regimen. CG200745, (E)-N(1)-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-N(8)-hydroxy-2-((naphthalene-1-loxy)methyl)oct-2-enediamide, is a novel HDAC inhibitor presently undergoing a phase I clinical trial. Enhancement of p53 acetylation by HDAC inhibitors induces cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis in cancer cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of p53 acetylation in the cancer cell death caused by CG200745. CG200745-induced clonogenic cell death was 2-fold greater in RKO cells expressing wild-type p53 than in p53-deficient RC10.1 cells. CG200745 treatment was also cytotoxic to PC-3 human prostate cancer cells, which express wild-type p53. CG200745 increased acetylation of p53 lysine residues K320, K373, and K382. CG200745 induced the accumulation of p53, promoted p53-dependent transactivation, and enhanced the expression of MDM2 and p21(Waf1/Cip1) proteins, which are encoded by p53 target genes. An examination of CG200745 effects on p53 acetylation using cells transfected with various p53 mutants showed that cells expressing p53 K382R mutants were significantly resistant to CG200745-induced clonogenic cell death compared with wild-type p53 cells. Moreover, p53 transactivation in response to CG200745 was suppressed in all cells carrying mutant forms of p53, especially K382R. Taken together, these results suggest that acetylation of p53 at K382 plays an important role in CG200745-induced p53 transactivation and clonogenic cell death.

  3. Consensus Induced Fit Docking (cIFD): methodology, validation, and application to the discovery of novel Crm1 inhibitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kalid, Ori; Toledo Warshaviak, Dora; Shechter, Sharon; Sherman, Woody; Shacham, Sharon

    2012-11-01

    We present the Consensus Induced Fit Docking (cIFD) approach for adapting a protein binding site to accommodate multiple diverse ligands for virtual screening. This novel approach results in a single binding site structure that can bind diverse chemotypes and is thus highly useful for efficient structure-based virtual screening. We first describe the cIFD method and its validation on three targets that were previously shown to be challenging for docking programs (COX-2, estrogen receptor, and HIV reverse transcriptase). We then demonstrate the application of cIFD to the challenging discovery of irreversible Crm1 inhibitors. We report the identification of 33 novel Crm1 inhibitors, which resulted from the testing of 402 purchased compounds selected from a screening set containing 261,680 compounds. This corresponds to a hit rate of 8.2 %. The novel Crm1 inhibitors reveal diverse chemical structures, validating the utility of the cIFD method in a real-world drug discovery project. This approach offers a pragmatic way to implicitly account for protein flexibility without the additional computational costs of ensemble docking or including full protein flexibility during virtual screening.

  4. Inducing death in tumor cells: roles of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins.

    PubMed

    Finlay, Darren; Teriete, Peter; Vamos, Mitchell; Cosford, Nicholas D P; Vuori, Kristiina

    2017-01-01

    The heterogeneous group of diseases collectively termed cancer results not just from aberrant cellular proliferation but also from a lack of accompanying homeostatic cell death. Indeed, cancer cells regularly acquire resistance to programmed cell death, or apoptosis, which not only supports cancer progression but also leads to resistance to therapeutic agents. Thus, various approaches have been undertaken in order to induce apoptosis in tumor cells for therapeutic purposes. Here, we will focus our discussion on agents that directly affect the apoptotic machinery itself rather than on drugs that induce apoptosis in tumor cells indirectly, such as by DNA damage or kinase dependency inhibition. As the roles of the Bcl-2 family have been extensively studied and reviewed recently, we will focus in this review specifically on the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family. IAPs are a disparate group of proteins that all contain a baculovirus IAP repeat domain, which is important for the inhibition of apoptosis in some, but not all, family members. We describe each of the family members with respect to their structural and functional similarities and differences and their respective roles in cancer. Finally, we also review the current state of IAPs as targets for anti-cancer therapeutics and discuss the current clinical state of IAP antagonists.

  5. ATR inhibitors VE-821 and VX-970 sensitize cancer cells to topoisomerase I inhibitors by disabling DNA replication initiation and fork elongation responses

    PubMed Central

    Jossé, Rozenn; Martin, Scott E.; Guha, Rajarshi; Ormanoglu, Pinar; Pfister, Thomas D.; Reaper, Philip M.; Barnes, Christopher S.; Jones, Julie; Charlton, Peter; Pollard, John R.; Morris, Joel; Doroshow, James H.; Pommier, Yves

    2014-01-01

    Camptothecin and its derivatives, topotecan and irinotecan are specific topoisomerase I (Top1) inhibitors and potent anticancer drugs killing cancer cells by producing replication-associated DNA double-strand breaks, and the indenoisoquinoline LMP-400 (indotecan) is a novel Top1 inhibitor in clinical trial. To develop novel drug combinations, we conducted a synthetic lethal siRNA screen using a library that targets nearly 7,000 human genes. Depletion of ATR, the main transducer of replication stress came as a top candidate gene for camptothecin synthetic lethality. Validation studies using ATR siRNA and the ATR inhibitor VE-821, confirmed marked antiproliferative synergy with camptothecin, and even greater synergy with LMP-400. Single cell analyses and DNA fiber combing assays showed that VE-821 abrogates the S-phase replication elongation checkpoint and the replication origin-firing check point induced by camptothecin and LMP-400. As expected, the combination ofTop1 inhibitors with VE-821 inhibited the phosphorylation of ATR and Chk1; however, it strongly induced γH2AX. In cells treated with the combination, the γH2AX pattern changed overtime from the well-defined Top1-induced damage foci to an intense peripheral and diffuse nuclear staining, which could be used as response biomarker. Finally, the clinical derivative of VE-821, VX-970 enhanced the in vivo tumor response to irinotecan without additional toxicity. Akey implication of our work is the mechanistic rationale and proof-of-principle it provides to evaluate the combination of Top1 inhibitors with ATR inhibitors in clinical trials. PMID:25269479

  6. JAK inhibitors suppress t(8;21) fusion protein-induced leukemia

    PubMed Central

    Lo, Miao-Chia; Peterson, Luke F.; Yan, Ming; Cong, Xiuli; Hickman, Justin H.; DeKelver, Russel C.; Niewerth, Denise; Zhang, Dong-Er

    2014-01-01

    Oncogenic mutations in components of the JAK/STAT pathway, including those in cytokine receptors and JAKs, lead to increased activity of downstream signaling and are frequently found in leukemia and other hematological disorders. Thus, small-molecule inhibitors of this pathway have been the focus of targeted therapy in these hematological diseases. We previously showed that t(8;21) fusion protein AML1-ETO and its alternatively spliced variant AML1-ETO9a (AE9a) enhance the JAK/STAT pathway via down-regulation of CD45, a negative regulator of this pathway. To investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting JAK/STAT in t(8;21) leukemia, we examined the effects of a JAK2-selective inhibitor TG101209 and a JAK1/2-selective inhibitor INCB18424 on t(8;21) leukemia cells. TG101209 and INCB18424 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of these cells. Furthermore, TG101209 treatment in AE9a leukemia mice reduced tumor burden and significantly prolonged survival. TG101209 also significantly impaired the leukemia-initiating potential of AE9a leukemia cells in secondary recipient mice. These results demonstrate the potential therapeutic efficacy of JAK inhibitors in treating t(8;21) AML. PMID:23812420

  7. Sodium valproate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, modulates the vascular endothelial growth inhibitor-mediated cell death in human osteosarcoma and vascular endothelial cells.

    PubMed

    Yamanegi, Koji; Kawabe, Mutsuki; Futani, Hiroyuki; Nishiura, Hiroshi; Yamada, Naoko; Kato-Kogoe, Nahoko; Kishimoto, Hiromitsu; Yoshiya, Shinichi; Nakasho, Keiji

    2015-05-01

    The level of vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI) has been reported to be negatively associated with neovascularization in malignant tumors. The soluble form of VEGI is a potent anti-angiogenic factor due to its effects in inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation. This inhibition is mediated by death receptor 3 (DR3), which contains a death domain in its cytoplasmic tail capable of inducing apoptosis that can be subsequently blocked by decoy receptor 3 (DcR3). We investigated the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA), histone deacetylase inhibitors, on the expression of VEGI and its related receptors in human osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines and human microvascular endothelial (HMVE) cells. Consequently, treatment with VPA and TSA increased the VEGI and DR3 expression levels without inducing DcR3 production in the OS cell lines. In contrast, the effect on the HMVE cells was limited, with no evidence of growth inhibition or an increase in the DR3 and DcR3 expression. However, VPA-induced soluble VEGI in the OS cell culture medium markedly inhibited the vascular tube formation of HMVE cells, while VEGI overexpression resulted in enhanced OS cell death. Taken together, the HDAC inhibitor has anti-angiogenesis and antitumor activities that mediate soluble VEGI/DR3-induced apoptosis via both autocrine and paracrine pathways. This study indicates that the HDAC inhibitor may be exploited as a therapeutic strategy modulating the soluble VEGI/DR3 pathway in osteosarcoma patients.

  8. Myelin Associated Inhibitors: A Link Between Injury-Induced and Experience-Dependent Plasticity

    PubMed Central

    Akbik, Feras; Cafferty, William B. J.; Strittmatter, Stephen M.

    2011-01-01

    SUMMARY In the adult, both neurologic recovery and anatomical growth after a CNS injury are limited. Two classes of growth inhibitors, myelin associated inhibitors (MAIs) and extracellular matrix associated inhibitors, limit both functional recovery and anatomical rearrangements in animal models of spinal cord injury. Here we focus on how MAIs limit a wide spectrum of growth that includes regeneration, sprouting, and plasticity in both the intact and lesioned CNS. Three classic myelin associated inhibitors, Nogo-A, MAG, and OMgp, signal through their common receptors, Nogo-66 Receptor-1 (NgR1) and Paired-Immunoglobulin-like-Receptor-1 (PirB), to regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and inhibit growth. Initially described as inhibitors of axonal regeneration, subsequent work has demonstrated that MAIs also limit activity and experience-dependent plasticity in the intact, adult CNS. MAIs therefore represent a point of convergence for plasticity that limits anatomical rearrangements regardless of the inciting stimulus, blurring the distinction between injury studies and more “basic” plasticity studies. PMID:21699896

  9. Potentiation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-induced Tumor Cell Apoptosis by a Small Molecule Inhibitor for Anti-apoptotic Protein hPEBP4

    PubMed Central

    Qiu, Jianming; Xiao, Jianfeng; Han, Chaofeng; Li, Nan; Shen, Xu; Jiang, Hualiang; Cao, Xuetao

    2010-01-01

    hPEBP4 (human phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4) has been identified to be able to potentiate the resistance of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers, with the preferential expression of hPEBP4, to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis, suggesting that inhibitors targeting the anti-apoptotic protein hPEBP4 may be useful to increase the sensitivity of hPEBP4-expressing cancer cells to TNF-α or TRAIL-induced apoptosis. By structure-based virtual screening and following surface plasmon resonance-based binding assay, seven small compounds were found to potently bind with hPEBP4. The hit compounds were further functionally screened for their ability to inhibit cancer cell growth, and one small compound, IOI-42, was identified to be able to promote TNF-α-mediated growth inhibition of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. IOI-42 could potentiate TNF-α-induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells by inhibiting hPEBP4 and could suppress anchorage-independent cell growth of MCF-7 cells. We further demonstrated that IOI-42 could reduce the endogenous association of hPEBP4 with Raf-1/MEK1 and enhance the activation of ERK1/2 and JNK while inhibiting Akt activation. Furthermore, IOI-42 also promoted TRAIL-induced cell apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. Taken together, our data suggest that IOI-42, as the first chemical inhibitor of anti-apoptotic protein hPEBP4, may serve as a potential anti-tumor drug by sensitizing tumor cells to apoptotic inducers. PMID:20177075

  10. The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor zebularine induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tan, Wei, E-mail: polo5352877@163.com; Zhou, Wei; Yu, Hong-gang

    2013-01-04

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Zebularine inhibited cell growth of gastric cancer in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation were induced. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Zebularine promoted apoptosis via mitochondrial pathways. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Tumorigenicity was inhibited by zebularine. -- Abstract: DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor zebularine has been reported to potentiate the anti-tumor effect by reactivating the expression of tumor suppressor genes and apoptosis-related genes in various malignant cells. However, the apoptotic signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells induced by zebularine is not well understood. In the study, the effects of zebularine on the growth and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells were investigatedmore » by MTT assay, Hoechst assay, Western blot analysis, flow cytometric analysis of annexin V-FITC/PI staining, and TUNEL assay. Zebularine was an effective inhibitor of human gastric cancer cells proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The effects were dose dependent. A zebularine concentration of 50 {mu}M accounted for the inhibition of cell proliferation of 67% at 48 h. The treatment with zebularine upregulated Bax, and decreased Bcl-2 protein. Caspase-3 was activated, suggesting that the apoptosis is mediated by mitochondrial pathways. Moreover, zebularine injection successfully inhibited the tumor growth via apoptosis induction which was demonstrated by TUNEL assay in xenograft tumor mouse model. These results demonstrated that zebularine induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells via mitochondrial pathways, and zebularine might become a therapeutic approach for the treatment of gastric cancer.« less

  11. Naringin Ameliorates HIV-1 Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors- Induced Mitochondrial Toxicity.

    PubMed

    Oluwafeyisetan, Adebiyi; Olubunmi, Adebiyi; Peter, Owira

    2016-01-01

    Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and defective oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) have been proposed as possible mechanisms underlying the development of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)-induced mitochondrial toxicities. Available options in managing these complications have, so far, produced controversial results, thus necessitating further research into newer agents with promise. Antioxidant and free-radical scavenging effects of naringin, a plant-derived flavonoid, have previously been demonstrated. This study was designed to investigate the effects of naringin on NRTIs-induced mitochondrial toxicity. Wistar rats were randomly divided into Zidovudine (AZT)-only (100 mg/kg body weight BW); AZT+Naringin (100+50 mg/kg BW); AZT+Vitamin E (100+100 mg/kg BW); Stavudine (d4T)- only (50 mg/kg BW); d4T+Naringin (50+50 mg/kg BW); d4T+Vitamin E (50+100 mg/kg BW) and Vehicle (3.0 mL/kg BW)-treated groups, respectively. After 56 days of oral daily dosing, rats were euthanized by halothane overdose, blood collected by cardiac puncture and livers promptly excised for further biochemical and ultrastructural analyses. </p> Results: AZT- or d4T-only caused significant mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial ultrastructural damage compared to controls, while either naringin or vitamin E reversed indices of mitochondrial dysfunction evidenced by significantly reduced mitochondrial malondialdehyde (MDA) and blood lactate concentrations, increased liver manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity and upregulate expression of mitochondrial-encoded subunit of electron transport chain (ETC) complex IV protein compared to AZT- or d4T-only treated rats. Furthermore, naringin or vitamin E, respectively, ameliorated mitochondrial damage observed in AZT- or d4T-only treated rats. Naringin ameliorated oxidative stress and NRTI-induced mitochondrial damage and might, therefore, be beneficial in managing toxicities and complications arising

  12. The Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib Enhances ATRA-Induced Differentiation of Neuroblastoma Cells via the JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway

    PubMed Central

    Luo, Peihua; Lin, Meili; Li, Lin; Yang, Bo; He, Qiaojun

    2011-01-01

    Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. Differentiated human NBs are associated with better outcome and lower stage; induction of differentiation is considered to be therapeutically advantageous. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been shown to induce the differentiation of neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib inhibits cell growth and angiogenesis in NBs. Here, we investigated the synergistic effect between bortezomib and ATRA in inducing NB cell differentiation in different NB cell lines. Bortezomib combined with ATRA had a significantly enhanced antiproliferative effect. This inhibition was characterized by a synergistic increase in neuronal differentiation. At the same time, the combination therapy showed little neuronal toxicity which was assessed in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells by the MTT assay, PI staining. The combination of bortezomib and ATRA triggered increased differentiation through the activation of proteins, including RARα, RARβ, RARγ, p-JNK and p21, compared with ATRA treatment alone. Using JNK inhibitor SP600125 to block JNK-dependent activity, the combination therapy-induced neuronal differentiation was partially attenuated. In addition, p21 shRNA had no effect on the combination therapy-induced neuronal differentiation. The in vivo antitumor activities were examined in human NB cell xenografts and GFP-labeled human NB cell xenografts. Treatment of human NB cell CHP126-bearing nude mice with ATRA plus bortezomib resulted in more significant tumor growth inhibition than mice treated with either drug alone. These findings provide the rationale for the development of a new therapeutic strategy for NB based on the pharmacological combination of ATRA and bortezomib. PMID:22087283

  13. A natural product-like JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor induces apoptosis of malignant melanoma cells

    PubMed Central

    Zhong, Hai-Jing; Dong, Zhen-Zhen; Vellaisamy, Kasipandi; Lu, Jin-Jian; Chen, Xiu-Ping; Chiu, Pauline; Kwong, Daniel W. J.; Han, Quan-Bin; Ma, Dik-Lung

    2017-01-01

    The JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway plays a critical role in tumorigenesis, and has been suggested as a potential molecular target for anti-melanoma therapeutics. However, few JAK2 inhibitors were being tested for melanoma therapy. In this study, eight amentoflavone analogues were evaluated for their activity against human malignant melanoma cells. The most potent analogue, compound 1, inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in human melanoma cells, but had no discernible effect on total JAK2 and STAT3 levels. A cellular thermal shift assay was performed to identify that JAK2 is engaged by 1 in cell lysates. Moreover, compound 1 showed higher antiproliferative activity against human melanoma A375 cells compared to a panel of cancer and normal cell lines. Compound 1 also activated caspase-3 and cleaved PARP, which are markers of apoptosis, and suppressed the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 level. Finally, compound 1 induced apoptosis in 80% of treated melanoma cells. To our knowledge, compound 1 is the first amentoflavone-based JAK2 inhibitor to be investigated for use as an anti-melanoma agent. PMID:28570563

  14. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril maleate) accelerates recovery of mouse skin from UVB-induced wrinkles.

    PubMed

    Matsuura-Hachiya, Yuko; Arai, Koji Y; Ozeki, Rieko; Kikuta, Ayako; Nishiyama, Toshio

    2013-12-06

    Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and angiotensin II signaling regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue remodeling, as well as blood pressure, while in skin, angiotensin II signaling is involved in wound healing, inflammation, and pathological scar formation. Therefore, we hypothesized that angiotensin II is also involved in photoaging of skin. In this study, we examined the effect of enalapril maleate, an ACE inhibitor, on recovery of wrinkled skin of hairless mice exposed to long-term UVB irradiation. Immunohistochemical observation revealed that expression of ACE, angiotensin II, and angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors in the skin was increased after UVB irradiation (3 times/week at increasing intensities for 8 weeks). Administration of enalapril maleate (5 times/week for 6 weeks, starting 1 week after 10-week irradiation) accelerated recovery from UVB-induced wrinkles, epidermal hyperplasia and epidermal barrier dysfunction, as compared with the vehicle control. Our results indicate that ACE and angiotensin II activity are involved in skin photoaging, and suggest that ACE inhibitor such as enalapril maleate may have potential for improvement of photoaged skin. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Obatoclax, a Pan-BCL-2 Inhibitor, Targets Cyclin D1 for Degradation to Induce Antiproliferation in Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells.

    PubMed

    Or, Chi-Hung R; Chang, Yachu; Lin, Wei-Cheng; Lee, Wee-Chyan; Su, Hong-Lin; Cheung, Muk-Wing; Huang, Chang-Po; Ho, Cheesang; Chang, Chia-Che

    2016-12-27

    Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Aberrant overexpression of antiapoptotic BCL-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) family proteins is closely linked to tumorigenesis and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. Obatoclax is an inhibitor targeting all antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins. A previous study has described the antiproliferative action of obatoclax in one human colorectal cancer cell line without elucidating the underlying mechanisms. We herein reported that, in a panel of human colorectal cancer cell lines, obatoclax inhibits cell proliferation, suppresses clonogenicity, and induces G₁-phase cell cycle arrest, along with cyclin D1 downregulation. Notably, ectopic cyclin D1 overexpression abrogated clonogenicity suppression but also G₁-phase arrest elicited by obatoclax. Mechanistically, pre-treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 restored cyclin D1 levels in all obatoclax-treated cell lines. Cycloheximide chase analyses further revealed an evident reduction in the half-life of cyclin D1 protein by obatoclax, confirming that obatoclax downregulates cyclin D1 through induction of cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation. Lastly, threonine 286 phosphorylation of cyclin D1, which is essential for initiating cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation, was induced by obatoclax in one cell line but not others. Collectively, we reveal a novel anticancer mechanism of obatoclax by validating that obatoclax targets cyclin D1 for proteasomal degradation to downregulate cyclin D1 for inducing antiproliferation.

  16. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibitors protect hippocampal neurons from radiation-induced apoptosis by regulating MDM2-p53 pathway.

    PubMed

    Thotala, D K; Hallahan, D E; Yazlovitskaya, E M

    2012-03-01

    Exposure of the brain to ionizing radiation can cause neurocognitive deficiencies. The pathophysiology of these neurological changes is complex and includes radiation-induced apoptosis in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus. We have recently found that inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) resulted in significant protection from radiation-induced apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. The molecular mechanisms of this cytoprotection include abrogation of radiation-induced accumulation of p53. Here we show that pretreatment of irradiated HT-22 hippocampal-derived neurons with small molecule inhibitors of GSK-3β SB216763 or SB415286, or with GSK-3β-specific shRNA resulted in accumulation of the p53-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2. Knockdown of MDM2 using specific shRNA or chemical inhibition of MDM2-p53 interaction prevented the protective changes triggered by GSK-3β inhibition in irradiated HT-22 neurons and restored radiation cytotoxicity. We found that this could be due to regulation of apoptosis by subcellular localization and interaction of GSK-3β, p53 and MDM2. These data suggest that the mechanisms of radioprotection by GSK-3β inhibitors in hippocampal neurons involve regulation of MDM2-dependent p53 accumulation and interactions between GSK-3β, MDM2 and p53.

  17. TOPK inhibitor induces complete tumor regression in xenograft models of human cancer through inhibition of cytokinesis.

    PubMed

    Matsuo, Yo; Park, Jae-Hyun; Miyamoto, Takashi; Yamamoto, Shinji; Hisada, Shoji; Alachkar, Houda; Nakamura, Yusuke

    2014-10-22

    TOPK (T-lymphokine-activated killer cell-originated protein kinase) is highly and frequently transactivated in various cancer tissues, including lung and triple-negative breast cancers, and plays an indispensable role in the mitosis of cancer cells. We report the development of a potent TOPK inhibitor, OTS964 {(R)-9-(4-(1-(dimethylamino)propan-2-yl)phenyl)-8-hydroxy-6-methylthieno[2,3-c]quinolin-4(5H)-one}, which inhibits TOPK kinase activity with high affinity and selectivity. Similar to the knockdown effect of TOPK small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), this inhibitor causes a cytokinesis defect and the subsequent apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro as well as in xenograft models of human lung cancer. Although administration of the free compound induced hematopoietic adverse reactions (leukocytopenia associated with thrombocytosis), the drug delivered in a liposomal formulation effectively caused complete regression of transplanted tumors without showing any adverse reactions in mice. Our results suggest that the inhibition of TOPK activity may be a viable therapeutic option for the treatment of various human cancers. Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  18. Post-translational regulation of acid invertase activity by vacuolar invertase inhibitor affects resistance to cold-induced sweetening of potato tubers.

    PubMed

    McKenzie, Marian J; Chen, Ronan K Y; Harris, John C; Ashworth, Matthew J; Brummell, David A

    2013-01-01

    Cold-induced sweetening (CIS) is a serious post-harvest problem for potato tubers, which need to be stored cold to prevent sprouting and pathogenesis in order to maintain supply throughout the year. During storage at cold temperatures (below 10 °C), many cultivars accumulate free reducing sugars derived from a breakdown of starch to sucrose that is ultimately cleaved by acid invertase to produce glucose and fructose. When affected tubers are processed by frying or roasting, these reducing sugars react with free asparagine by the Maillard reaction, resulting in unacceptably dark-coloured and bitter-tasting product and generating the probable carcinogen acrylamide as a by-product. We have previously identified a vacuolar invertase inhibitor (INH2) whose expression correlates both with low acid invertase activity and with resistance to CIS. Here we show that, during cold storage, overexpression of the INH2 vacuolar invertase inhibitor gene in CIS-susceptible potato tubers reduced acid invertase activity, the accumulation of reducing sugars and the generation of acrylamide in subsequent fry tests. Conversely, suppression of vacuolar invertase inhibitor expression in a CIS-resistant line increased susceptibility to CIS. The results show that post-translational regulation of acid invertase by the vacuolar invertase inhibitor is an important component of resistance to CIS. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  19. A case of pembrolizumab-induced type-1 diabetes mellitus and discussion of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced type 1 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Chae, Young Kwang; Chiec, Lauren; Mohindra, Nisha; Gentzler, Ryan; Patel, Jyoti; Giles, Francis

    2017-01-01

    Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, and nivolumab, now FDA-approved for use in treating several types of cancer, have been associated with immune-related adverse effects. Specifically, the antibodies targeting the programmed-cell death-1 immune checkpoint, pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have been rarely reported to induce the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Here we describe a case of a patient who developed antibody-positive type 1 diabetes mellitus following treatment with pembrolizumab in combination with systemic chemotherapy for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung. We will also provide a brief literature review of other rarely reported cases of type 1 diabetes presenting after treatment with pembrolizumab and nivolumab, as well as discussion regarding potential mechanisms of this adverse effect and its importance as these drugs continue to become even more widespread.

  20. Corticosteroids augment BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib induced lymphopenia and risk of infection.

    PubMed

    Sondermann, Wiebke; Griewank, Klaus G; Schilling, Bastian; Livingstone, Elisabeth; Leyh, Julia C; Rompoti, Natalia; Cosgarea, Ioana; Schimming, Tobias; Schadendorf, Dirk; Zimmer, Lisa; Hillen, Uwe

    2015-01-01

    We have previously demonstrated an impact of the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib on patient lymphocyte counts. In the current study, the extent to which concomitant use of corticosteroids in BRAF inhibitor treated patients affects lymphocyte counts and predisposes to infection was investigated. A cohort of 102 patients receiving either the selective BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib or dabrafenib was analyzed. The amount of patients receiving either medication with or without systemic corticosteroids (dexamethasone) was determined and lymphocyte counts before and under therapy assessed. Additionally, the number and severity of infections occurring in these groups was analyzed. Vemurafenib treatment led to a considerable decrease in lymphocyte cell counts, with 62.3% of patients having lymphopenia. Dabrafenib treated patients only rarely demonstrated lymphopenia (12.5%). Dexamethasone co-administration further diminished lymphocyte counts. Lymphopenias were observed in 84.6% of patients receiving vemurafenib and dexamethasone. In our cohort, infections were noted in 9 patients, 4 of these were severe and 2 eventually fatal. All 9 cases with infections demonstrated lymphopenia, 8 of these had received dexamethasone and 7 of these a therapy with vemurafenib. Our findings demonstrate a significant lymphopenia in patients treated with the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib, which is further augmented by dexamethasone and predisposes to infection. If validated in other studies, risk of infection should be considered when applying corticosteroids in combination with BRAF inhibitors, in particular vemurafenib.

  1. EZH2 and histone deacetylase inhibitors induce apoptosis in triple negative breast cancer cells by differentially increasing H3 Lys27 acetylation in the BIM gene promoter and enhancers.

    PubMed

    Huang, Julia P; Ling, Kun

    2017-11-01

    Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2, is a histone methyl-transferase and is considered to work cooperatively with histone deacetylases (HDACs) in the same protein complex to mediate gene transcription repression by increasing histone H3 Lys 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), in particular in the nucleosome (s). EZH2 is overexpressed in numerous types of cancer, including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast cancer, which there are no effective treatment options for. Thus, inhibition of EZH2 may be harnessed for targeted therapy of this disease. The present study demonstrated that co-treatment with an EZH2 inhibitor and a HDAC inhibitor additively induced apoptosis in two TNBC cell lines, namely MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436. The increased rate of cell death was associated with an elevation of B cell lymphoma-2 like 11 (BIM) expression level, a pro-apoptotic protein at the protein and mRNA expression levels in these two cell lines. The expression of forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), a known upstream transcriptional activator of BIM , was upregulated in both cell lines by the HDAC inhibitor, and the effect was more pronounced in MDA-MB-436 cells with higher phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B, a negative regulator of FOXO1, compared with MDA-MB-231 cells. Conversely, FOXO1 expression was inhibited following treatment with the EZH2 inhibitor, suggesting that EZH2 and HDAC inhibitors induced BIM expression via a FOXO1-independent mechanism. The present study further revealed that the EZH2 inhibitor, but not the HDAC inhibitor, induced high levels of H3K27 acetylation (H3K27ac) in the BIM promoter. By contrast, compared with the effect of the EZH2 inhibitor, HDAC inhibitor treatment resulted in an increase in H3K27ac at two BIM enhancers. Collectively, the results of the present study indicated that EZH2 and HDACs act differentially on H3K27ac levels in the nucleosome at the promoter and enhancer regions of the BIM

  2. Unfractionated and Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and the Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors, IBMX and Cilostazol, Block Ex Vivo Equid Herpesvirus Type-1-Induced Platelet Activation.

    PubMed

    Stokol, Tracy; Serpa, Priscila Beatriz da Silva; Zahid, Muhammad N; Brooks, Marjory B

    2016-01-01

    Equid herpes virus type-1 (EHV-1) is a major pathogen of horses, causing abortion storms and outbreaks of herpes virus myeloencephalopathy. These clinical syndromes are partly attributed to ischemic injury from thrombosis in placental and spinal vessels. The mechanism of thrombosis in affected horses is unknown. We have previously shown that EHV-1 activates platelets through virus-associated tissue factor-initiated thrombin generation. Activated platelets participate in thrombus formation by providing a surface to localize coagulation factor complexes that amplify and propagate thrombin generation. We hypothesized that coagulation inhibitors that suppress thrombin generation (heparins) or platelet inhibitors that impede post-receptor thrombin signaling [phosphodiesterase (PDE) antagonists] would inhibit EHV-1-induced platelet activation ex vivo . We exposed platelet-rich plasma (PRP) collected from healthy horses to the RacL11 abortigenic and Ab4 neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 at 1 plaque-forming unit/cell in the presence or absence of unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or the PDE inhibitors, 3-isobutyl-1methylxanthine (IBMX), and cilostazol. We assessed platelet activation status in flow cytometric assays by measuring P-selectin expression. We found that all of the inhibitors blocked EHV-1- and thrombin-induced platelet activation in a dose-dependent manner. Platelet activation in PRP was maximally inhibited at concentrations of 0.05 U/mL UFH and 2.5 μg/mL LMWH. These concentrations represented 0.1-0.2 U/mL anti-factor Xa activity measured in chromogenic assays. Both IBMX and cilostazol showed maximal inhibition of platelet activation at the highest tested concentration of 50 μM, but inhibition was lower than that seen with UFH and LMWH. Our results indicate that heparin anticoagulants and strong non-selective (IBMX) or isoenzyme-3 selective (cilostazol) PDE antagonists inhibit ex vivo EHV-1-induced platelet activation

  3. The clinical development of histone deacetylase inhibitors as targeted anticancer drugs.

    PubMed

    Marks, Paul A

    2010-09-01

    Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are being developed as a new, targeted class of anticancer drugs. This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of the HDAC inhibitors, which selectively induce cancer cell death. There are 11 zinc-dependent HDACs in humans and the biological roles of these lysine deacetylases are not completely understood. It is clear that these different HDACs are not redundant in their activity. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which HDAC inhibitors can induce transformed cell growth arrest and cell death, inhibit cell mobility and have antiangiogenesis activity. There are more than a dozen HDAC inhibitors, including hydroxamates, cyclic peptides, benzamides and fatty acids, in various stages of clinical trials and many more compounds in preclinical development. The chemically different HDAC inhibitors may target different HDACs. There are extensive preclinical studies with transformed cells in culture and tumor-bearing animal models, as well as limited clinical studies reported to date, which indicate that HDAC inhibitors will be most useful when used in combination with cytotoxic or other targeted anticancer agents.

  4. Novel Mps1 Kinase Inhibitors with Potent Antitumor Activity.

    PubMed

    Wengner, Antje M; Siemeister, Gerhard; Koppitz, Marcus; Schulze, Volker; Kosemund, Dirk; Klar, Ulrich; Stoeckigt, Detlef; Neuhaus, Roland; Lienau, Philip; Bader, Benjamin; Prechtl, Stefan; Raschke, Marian; Frisk, Anna-Lena; von Ahsen, Oliver; Michels, Martin; Kreft, Bertolt; von Nussbaum, Franz; Brands, Michael; Mumberg, Dominik; Ziegelbauer, Karl

    2016-04-01

    Monopolar spindle 1 (Mps1) has been shown to function as the key kinase that activates the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) to secure proper distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells. Here, we report the structure and functional characterization of two novel selective Mps1 inhibitors, BAY 1161909 and BAY 1217389, derived from structurally distinct chemical classes. BAY 1161909 and BAY 1217389 inhibited Mps1 kinase activity with IC50 values below 10 nmol/L while showing an excellent selectivity profile. In cellular mechanistic assays, both Mps1 inhibitors abrogated nocodazole-induced SAC activity and induced premature exit from mitosis ("mitotic breakthrough"), resulting in multinuclearity and tumor cell death. Both compounds efficiently inhibited tumor cell proliferation in vitro (IC50 nmol/L range). In vivo, BAY 1161909 and BAY 1217389 achieved moderate efficacy in monotherapy in tumor xenograft studies. However, in line with its unique mode of action, when combined with paclitaxel, low doses of Mps1 inhibitor reduced paclitaxel-induced mitotic arrest by the weakening of SAC activity. As a result, combination therapy strongly improved efficacy over paclitaxel or Mps1 inhibitor monotreatment at the respective MTDs in a broad range of xenograft models, including those showing acquired or intrinsic paclitaxel resistance. Both Mps1 inhibitors showed good tolerability without adding toxicity to paclitaxel monotherapy. These preclinical findings validate the innovative concept of SAC abrogation for cancer therapy and justify clinical proof-of-concept studies evaluating the Mps1 inhibitors BAY 1161909 and BAY 1217389 in combination with antimitotic cancer drugs to enhance their efficacy and potentially overcome resistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(4); 583-92. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

  5. PCI-24781 (abexinostat), a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, induces reactive oxygen species-dependent apoptosis and is synergistic with bortezomib in neuroblastoma

    PubMed Central

    Sholler, Giselle Saulnier; Currier, Erika A.; Dutta, Akshita; Slavik, Marni A.; Illenye, Sharon A.; Mendonca, Maria Cecilia F.; Dragon, Julie; Roberts, Stephen S.; Bond, Jeffrey P.

    2014-01-01

    In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of a broad-spectrum histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, PCI-24781, alone and in combination with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in neuroblastoma cell lines. The combination was shown to induce synergistic cytotoxity involving the formation of reactive oxygen species. The cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP, as determined by western blotting, indicated that cell death was primarily due to apoptosis. Xenograft mouse models indicated increased survival among animals treated with this combination. The Notch signaling pathway and MYCN gene expression were quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in cells treated with PCI-24781 and bortezomib, alone and in combination. Notch pathway expression increased in response to an HDAC inhibitor. NFKB1 and MYCN were both significantly down regulated. Our results suggest that PCI-24781 and bortezomib are synergistic in neuroblastoma cell lines and may be a new therapeutic strategy for this disease. PMID:25520806

  6. Screening for Small Molecule Inhibitors of Statin-Induced APP C-terminal Toxic Fragment Production

    PubMed Central

    Poksay, Karen S.; Sheffler, Douglas J.; Spilman, Patricia; Campagna, Jesus; Jagodzinska, Barbara; Descamps, Olivier; Gorostiza, Olivia; Matalis, Alex; Mullenix, Michael; Bredesen, Dale E.; Cosford, Nicholas D. P.; John, Varghese

    2017-01-01

    Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal and synaptic loss. One process that could contribute to this loss is the intracellular caspase cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) resulting in release of the toxic C-terminal 31-amino acid peptide APP-C31 along with the production of APPΔC31, full-length APP minus the C-terminal 31 amino acids. We previously found that a mutation in APP that prevents this caspase cleavage ameliorated synaptic loss and cognitive impairment in a murine AD model. Thus, inhibition of this cleavage is a reasonable target for new therapeutic development. In order to identify small molecules that inhibit the generation of APP-C31, we first used an APPΔC31 cleavage site-specific antibody to develop an AlphaLISA to screen several chemical compound libraries for the level of N-terminal fragment production. This antibody was also used to develop an ELISA for validation studies. In both high throughput screening (HTS) and validation testing, the ability of compounds to inhibit simvastatin- (HTS) or cerivastatin- (validation studies) induced caspase cleavage at the APP-D720 cleavage site was determined in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with wildtype (wt) human APP (CHO-7W). Several compounds, as well as control pan-caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPh, inhibited APPΔC31 production (measured fragment) and rescued cell death in a dose-dependent manner. The effective compounds fell into several classes including SERCA inhibitors, inhibitors of Wnt signaling, and calcium channel antagonists. Further studies are underway to evaluate the efficacy of lead compounds – identified here using cells and tissues expressing wt human APP – in mouse models of AD expressing mutated human APP, as well as to identify additional compounds and determine the mechanisms by which they exert their effects. PMID:28261092

  7. PDMP, a ceramide analogue, acts as an inhibitor of mTORC1 by inducing its translocation from lysosome to endoplasmic reticulum

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ode, Takashi; Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; Podyma-Inoue, Katarzyna A.

    Mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a master regulator of cell growth, metabolism, and cell differentiation. Recent studies have revealed that the recruitment of mTORC1 to lysosomes is essential for its activation. The ceramide analogue 1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP), a well known glycosphingolipid synthesis inhibitor, also affects the structures and functions of various organelles, including lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We investigated whether PDMP regulates the mTORC1 activity through its effects on organellar behavior. PDMP induced the translocation of mTORC1 from late endosomes/lysosomes, leading to the dissociation of mTORC1 from its activator Rheb in MC3T3-E1 cells. Surprisingly, wemore » found mTORC1 translocation to the ER upon PDMP treatment. This effect of PDMP was independent of its action as the inhibitor, since two stereoisomers of PDMP, with and without the inhibitor activity, showed essentially the same effect. We confirmed that PDMP inhibits the mTORC1 activity based on the decrease in the phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase, a downstream target of mTORC1, and the increase in LC3 puncta, reflecting autophagosome formation. Furthermore, PDMP inhibited the mTORC1-dependent osteoblastic cell proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Accordingly, the present results reveal a novel mechanism of PDMP, which inhibits the mTORC1 activity by inducing the translocation of mTOR from lysosomes to the ER. - Highlights: • The ceramide analogue, PDMP, suppressed the activation of mTORC1. • PDMP induced the translocation of mTOR from lysosomes to ER. • PDMP led to the dissociation of mTOR from its activator Rheb. • PDMP inhibited the mTORC1-dependent osteoblastic cell proliferation.« less

  8. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol promotes remyelination in a cuprizone induced demyelination model

    PubMed Central

    Mi, Guiyun; Gao, Yunyun; Liu, Shuai; Ye, Enmao; Li, Yanyan; Jin, Xiao; Yang, Hongju; Yang, Zheng

    2016-01-01

    ABSTRACT The cuprizone (CPZ) model has been widely used for the studies of de-and remyelination. The CPZ-exposed mice show oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) increase and mature oligodendrocytes decrease, suggesting an imbalance between proliferation and differentiation of OPCs. In the first experiment of this study, we examined the expression of cell cycle related genes in brains of mice following CPZ administration for 5 weeks by means of microarray assay. In addition, we performed a double labeling of BrdU and Ki-67 to calculate cell cycle exit index in the mice. Our results showed that CPZ administration up-regulated the expression of 16 cell cycle related genes, but down-regulated the expression of only one in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice compared to control group. The treatment inhibited potential precursor cells exit from cell cycle. In the second experiment, we evaluated effects of a CDK inhibitor flavopiridol (FLA) on CPZ-induced neuropathological changes and spatial working memory impairment in mice.FLA treatment for one week effectively attenuated the CPZ-induced increases in NG2 positive cells, microglia and astrocytes, alleviated the concurrent mature oligodendrocyte loss and myelin breakdown, and improved spatial working memory deficit in the CPZ-exposed mice. These results suggest that CPZ-induced neuropathological changes involve in dysregulation of cell cycle related genes. The therapeutic effects of FLA on CPZ-exposed mice may be related to its ability of cell cycle inhibition. PMID:27580304

  9. Indocarbazostatin and indocarbazostatin B, novel inhibitors of NGF-induced neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells. I. Screening, taxonomy, fermentation and biological activities.

    PubMed

    Matsuura, Nobuyasu; Tamehiro, Norimasa; Andoh, Tsutomu; Kawashima, Akira; Ubukata, Makoto

    2002-04-01

    During the course of our screening for modulators of signal transduction of mammalian cells, we discovered two novel indolocarbazole antibiotics, indocarbazostatin and indocabazostatin B, from a culture broth of a Streptomyces sp. as inhibitors of NGF-induced neuronal differentiation in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Indocarbazostatin and indocarbazostatin B inhibited NGF-induced neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells at 6 nM and 24 nM, respectively, whereas K-252a inhibited at 200 nM under our assay conditions.

  10. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Anticancer Drugs.

    PubMed

    Eckschlager, Tomas; Plch, Johana; Stiborova, Marie; Hrabeta, Jan

    2017-07-01

    Carcinogenesis cannot be explained only by genetic alterations, but also involves epigenetic processes. Modification of histones by acetylation plays a key role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression and is controlled by the balance between histone deacetylases (HDAC) and histone acetyltransferases (HAT). HDAC inhibitors induce cancer cell cycle arrest, differentiation and cell death, reduce angiogenesis and modulate immune response. Mechanisms of anticancer effects of HDAC inhibitors are not uniform; they may be different and depend on the cancer type, HDAC inhibitors, doses, etc. HDAC inhibitors seem to be promising anti-cancer drugs particularly in the combination with other anti-cancer drugs and/or radiotherapy. HDAC inhibitors vorinostat, romidepsin and belinostat have been approved for some T-cell lymphoma and panobinostat for multiple myeloma. Other HDAC inhibitors are in clinical trials for the treatment of hematological and solid malignancies. The results of such studies are promising but further larger studies are needed. Because of the reversibility of epigenetic changes during cancer development, the potency of epigenetic therapies seems to be of great importance. Here, we summarize the data on different classes of HDAC inhibitors, mechanisms of their actions and discuss novel results of preclinical and clinical studies, including the combination with other therapeutic modalities.

  11. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Anticancer Drugs

    PubMed Central

    Eckschlager, Tomas; Plch, Johana; Stiborova, Marie; Hrabeta, Jan

    2017-01-01

    Carcinogenesis cannot be explained only by genetic alterations, but also involves epigenetic processes. Modification of histones by acetylation plays a key role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression and is controlled by the balance between histone deacetylases (HDAC) and histone acetyltransferases (HAT). HDAC inhibitors induce cancer cell cycle arrest, differentiation and cell death, reduce angiogenesis and modulate immune response. Mechanisms of anticancer effects of HDAC inhibitors are not uniform; they may be different and depend on the cancer type, HDAC inhibitors, doses, etc. HDAC inhibitors seem to be promising anti-cancer drugs particularly in the combination with other anti-cancer drugs and/or radiotherapy. HDAC inhibitors vorinostat, romidepsin and belinostat have been approved for some T-cell lymphoma and panobinostat for multiple myeloma. Other HDAC inhibitors are in clinical trials for the treatment of hematological and solid malignancies. The results of such studies are promising but further larger studies are needed. Because of the reversibility of epigenetic changes during cancer development, the potency of epigenetic therapies seems to be of great importance. Here, we summarize the data on different classes of HDAC inhibitors, mechanisms of their actions and discuss novel results of preclinical and clinical studies, including the combination with other therapeutic modalities. PMID:28671573

  12. Effectively delivering a unique hsp90 inhibitor using star polymers.

    PubMed

    Kim, Seong Jong; Ramsey, Deborah M; Boyer, Cyrille; Davis, Thomas P; McAlpine, Shelli R

    2013-07-25

    We report the synthesis of a novel heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) inhibitor conjugated to a star polymer. Using reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization, we prepared star polymers comprised of PEG attached to a predesigned functional core. The stars were cross-linked using disulfide linkers, and a tagged version of our hsp90 inhibitor was conjugated to the polymer core to generate nanoparticles (14 nM). Dynamic light scattering showed that the nanoparticles were stable in cell growth media for 5 days, and HPLC analysis of compound-release at 3 different pH values showed that release was pH dependent. Cell cytotoxicity studies and confocal microscopy verify that our hsp90 inhibitor was delivered to cells using this nanoparticle delivery system. Further, delivery of our hsp90 inhibitor using star polymer induces apoptosis by a caspase 3-dependent pathway. These studies show that we can deliver our hsp90 inhibitor effectively using star polymers, and induce apoptosis by the same pathway as the parent compound.

  13. Medicinal mushroom Lingzhi or Reishi, Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.) P. Karst., beta-glucan induces Toll-like receptors and fails to induce inflammatory cytokines in NF-kappaB inhibitor-treated macrophages.

    PubMed

    Batbayar, Sainkhuu; Kim, Mi Jeong; Kim, Ha Won

    2011-01-01

    Beta-Glucan of medicinal Lingzhi or Reishi mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (BGG), possesses immunostimulatory and anti-tumor activities. Innate immune cells are activated by the binding of beta-glucan to the dectin-1 receptor. The present study investigated the immunostimulating activities of BGG, including binding to dectin-1, secretion of cytokines and reactive oxygen species, and induction of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry were used for the cytokine and TLR analyses. A mouse inflammation antibody array was used for protein-level cytokine analysis. BGG bound to dectin-1 and induced RAW264.7 cell secretion of several cytokines, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interleukin (IL)-6, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The secretion of these cytokines was further increased by the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). BGG also induced both nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Treatment with an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) reduced the induction of IL-1, IL-6, and iNOS in a concentration-dependent manner. Expressions of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR6 were increased by BGG treatment, and addition of LPS induced further induction of TLR4 and TLR6. Our result indicates that BGG induces macrophage secretion of inflammatory cytokines, which can be potentiated by the presence of LPS, likely by binding to dectin-1 and TLR-2/6 receptors, which activate NF-kappaB and prompt the secretion of cytokines.

  14. A selective, non-peptide caspase-1 inhibitor, VRT-018858, markedly reduces brain damage induced by transient ischemia in the rat.

    PubMed

    Ross, Jerard; Brough, David; Gibson, Rosemary M; Loddick, Sarah A; Rothwell, Nancy J

    2007-10-01

    Numerous preclinical studies have reported neuroprotective effects of new agents in animal studies. None of these agents has yet translated into a successful clinical trial and therefore to a new therapy. There are many possible reasons for this failure, including poor design of clinical trials, mismatch between preclinical and clinical protocols, and insufficient preclinical data. The enzyme caspase-1 has been implicated in neuronal death. Deletion of the caspase-1 gene, or administration of partially selective inhibitors, reduces neuronal injury induced by cerebral ischemia in rodents. We report here, for the first time, that VRT-018858, the non-peptide, active metabolite of the selective caspase-1 inhibitor pro-drug, pralnacasan, markedly reduced ischemic injury in rats. VRT-018858 was neuroprotective when delivered at 1 and 3h (42% and 58% neuroprotection, respectively) but not 6h after injury, and protection was sustained 7 days after the induction of ischemia (66% neuroprotection). These data confirm caspase-1 as an important target for intervention in acute CNS injury, and propose a new class of caspase-1 inhibitors as highly effective neuroprotective agents.

  15. Discovery of Plant Phenolic Compounds That Act as Type III Secretion System Inhibitors or Inducers of the Fire Blight Pathogen, Erwinia amylovora

    PubMed Central

    Khokhani, Devanshi; Zhang, Chengfang; Li, Yan; Wang, Qi; Zeng, Quan; Yamazaki, Akihiro; Hutchins, William; Zhou, Shan-Shan

    2013-01-01

    Erwinia amylovora causes a devastating disease called fire blight in rosaceous plants. The type III secretion system (T3SS) is one of the important virulence factors utilized by E. amylovora in order to successfully infect its hosts. By using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter construct combined with a high-throughput flow cytometry assay, a library of phenolic compounds and their derivatives was studied for their ability to alter the expression of the T3SS. Based on the effectiveness of the compounds on the expression of the T3SS pilus, the T3SS inhibitors 4-methoxy-cinnamic acid (TMCA) and benzoic acid (BA) and one T3SS inducer, trans-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethenylsulfonate (EHPES), were chosen for further study. Both the T3SS inhibitors (TMCA and BA) and the T3SS inducer (EHPES) were found to alter the expression of T3SS through the HrpS-HrpL pathway. Additionally, TMCA altered T3SS expression through the rsmBEa-RsmAEa system. Finally, we found that TMCA and BA weakened the hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco by suppressing the T3SS of E. amylovora. In our study, we identified phenolic compounds that specifically targeted the T3SS. The T3SS inhibitor may offer an alternative approach to antimicrobial therapy by targeting virulence factors of bacterial pathogens. PMID:23770912

  16. Discovery of plant phenolic compounds that act as type III secretion system inhibitors or inducers of the fire blight pathogen, Erwinia amylovora.

    PubMed

    Khokhani, Devanshi; Zhang, Chengfang; Li, Yan; Wang, Qi; Zeng, Quan; Yamazaki, Akihiro; Hutchins, William; Zhou, Shan-Shan; Chen, Xin; Yang, Ching-Hong

    2013-09-01

    Erwinia amylovora causes a devastating disease called fire blight in rosaceous plants. The type III secretion system (T3SS) is one of the important virulence factors utilized by E. amylovora in order to successfully infect its hosts. By using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter construct combined with a high-throughput flow cytometry assay, a library of phenolic compounds and their derivatives was studied for their ability to alter the expression of the T3SS. Based on the effectiveness of the compounds on the expression of the T3SS pilus, the T3SS inhibitors 4-methoxy-cinnamic acid (TMCA) and benzoic acid (BA) and one T3SS inducer, trans-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethenylsulfonate (EHPES), were chosen for further study. Both the T3SS inhibitors (TMCA and BA) and the T3SS inducer (EHPES) were found to alter the expression of T3SS through the HrpS-HrpL pathway. Additionally, TMCA altered T3SS expression through the rsmBEa-RsmAEa system. Finally, we found that TMCA and BA weakened the hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco by suppressing the T3SS of E. amylovora. In our study, we identified phenolic compounds that specifically targeted the T3SS. The T3SS inhibitor may offer an alternative approach to antimicrobial therapy by targeting virulence factors of bacterial pathogens.

  17. Identification of natural inhibitors against angiotensin I converting enzyme for cardiac safety using induced fit docking and MM-GBSA studies

    PubMed Central

    Vijayakumar, Balakrishnan; Parasuraman, Subramani; Raveendran, Ramasamy; Velmurugan, Devadasan

    2014-01-01

    Background: Cleistanthins A and B are isolated compounds from the leaves of Cleistanthus collinus Roxb (Euphorbiaceae). This plant is poisonous in nature which causes cardiovascular abnormalities such as hypotension, nonspecific ST-T changes and QTc prolongation. The biological activity predictions spectra of the compounds show the presence of antihypertensive, diuretic and antitumor activities. Objective: Objective of the present study was to determine the in silico molecular interaction of cleistanthins A and B with Angiotensin I- Converting Enzyme (ACE-I) using Induced Fit Docking (IFD) protocols. Materials and Methods: All the molecular modeling calculations like IFD docking, binding free energy calculation and ADME/Tox were carried out using Glide software (Schrödinger LLC 2009, USA) in CentOS EL-5 workstation. Results: The IFD complexes showed favorable docking score, glide energy, glide emodel, hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions between the active site residues of ACE-I and the compounds. Binding free energy was calculated for the IFD complexes using Prime MM-GBSA method. The conformational changes induced by the inhibitor at the active site of ACE-I were observed based on changes of the back bone Cα atoms and side-chain chi (x) angles. The various physicochemical properties were calculated for these compounds. Both cleistanthins A and B showed better docking score, glide energy and glide emodel when compared to captopril inhibitor. Conclusion: These compounds have successively satisfied all the in silico parameters and seem to be potent inhibitors of ACE-I and potential candidates for hypertension. PMID:25298685

  18. Four-Week Studies of Oral Hypoxia-Inducible Factor–Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor GSK1278863 for Treatment of Anemia

    PubMed Central

    Meadowcroft, Amy M.; Maier, Rayma; Johnson, Brendan M.; Jones, Delyth; Rastogi, Anjay; Zeig, Steven; Lepore, John J.; Cobitz, Alexander R.

    2016-01-01

    Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors stabilize levels of hypoxia-inducible factor that upregulate transcription of multiple genes associated with the response to hypoxia, including production of erythropoietin. We conducted two phase 2a studies to explore the relationship between the dose of the hypoxia-inducible factor–prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor GSK1278863 and hemoglobin response in patients with anemia of CKD (baseline hemoglobin 8.5–11.0 g/dl) not undergoing dialysis and not receiving recombinant human erythropoietin (nondialysis study) and in patients with anemia of CKD (baseline hemoglobin 9.5–12.0 g/dl) on hemodialysis and being treated with stable doses of recombinant human erythropoietin (hemodialysis study). Participants were randomized 1:1:1:1 to a once-daily oral dose of GSK1278863 (0.5 mg, 2 mg, or 5 mg) or control (placebo for the nondialysis study; continuing on recombinant human erythropoietin for the hemodialysis study) for 4 weeks, with a 2-week follow-up. In the nondialysis study, GSK1278863 produced dose-dependent effects on hemoglobin, with the highest dose resulting in a mean increase of 1 g/dl at week 4. In the hemodialysis study, treatment with GSK1278863 in the 5-mg arm maintained mean hemoglobin concentrations after the switch from recombinant human erythropoietin, whereas mean hemoglobin decreased in the lower-dose arms. In both studies, the effects on hemoglobin occurred with elevations in endogenous erythropoietin within the range usually observed in the respective populations and markedly lower than those in the recombinant human erythropoietin control arm in the hemodialysis study, and without clinically significant elevations in plasma vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations. GSK1278863 was generally safe and well tolerated at the doses and duration studied. GSK1278863 may prove an effective alternative for managing anemia of CKD. PMID:26494831

  19. The cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor parecoxib inhibits surgery-induced proinflammatory cytokine expression in the hippocampus in aged rats.

    PubMed

    Peng, Mian; Wang, Yan-Lin; Wang, Fei-Fei; Chen, Chang; Wang, Cheng-Yao

    2012-11-01

    Neuroinflammatory response triggered by surgery has been increasingly reported to be associated with postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), play a pivotal role in mediating surgery-induced neuroinflammation. The role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a critical regulator in inflammatory response, in surgery-induced neuroinflammation is still unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes of COX-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in the hippocampus in aged rats following partial hepatectomy. The effects of selective COX-2 inhibitor (parecoxib) on hippocampal proinflammatory cytokine expression were also evaluated. Aged rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (n = 10), surgery (n = 30), and parecoxib (n = 30). Control animals received sterile saline to control for the effects of injection stress. Rats in the surgery group received partial hepatectomy under isoflurane anesthesia and sterile saline injection. Rats in the parecoxib group received surgery and anesthesia similar to surgery group rats, and parecoxib treatment. On postanesthetic days 1, 3, and 7, animals were euthanized to assess levels of hippocampal COX-2 expression, PGE2 production, and cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α expression. The effects of parecoxib on proinflammatory cytokine expression were also assessed. Partial hepatectomy significantly increased COX-2 expression, PGE2 production, and proinflammatory cytokine expression in the hippocampus in aged rats on postoperative days 1 and 3. Parecoxib inhibited hippocampal IL-1β and TNF-α expression through downregulation of the COX-2/PGE2 pathway. COX-2 may play a critical role in surgery-induced neuroinflammation. The COX-2 inhibitor may be a promising candidate for treatment of neuroinflammation caused by surgical trauma. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Febuxostat, an Inhibitor of Xanthine Oxidase, Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced MCP-1 Production via MAPK Phosphatase-1-Mediated Inactivation of JNK

    PubMed Central

    Nomura, Johji; Busso, Nathalie; Ives, Annette; Tsujimoto, Syunsuke; Tamura, Mizuho; So, Alexander; Yamanaka, Yoshihiro

    2013-01-01

    Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation can trigger various pathological conditions such as inflammation, in which xanthine oxidase (XO) is one major enzymatic source of ROS. Although XO has been reported to play essential roles in inflammatory conditions, the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of XO in inflammatory pathways remain unclear. Febuxostat, a selective and potent inhibitor of XO, effectively inhibits not only the generation of uric acid but also the formation of ROS. In this study, therefore, we examined the effects of febuxostat on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory responses. Here we show that febuxostat suppresses LPS-induced MCP-1 production and mRNA expression via activating MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) which, in turn, leads to dephosphorylation and inactivation of JNK in macrophages. Moreover, these effects of febuxostat are mediated by inhibiting XO-mediated intracellular ROS production. Taken together, our data suggest that XO mediates LPS-induced phosphorylation of JNK through ROS production and MKP-1 inactivation, leading to MCP-1 production in macrophages. These studies may bring new insights into the novel role of XO in regulating inflammatory process through MAPK phosphatase, and demonstrate the potential use of XO inhibitor in modulating the inflammatory processes. PMID:24086554

  1. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Are Protective in Acute but Not in Chronic Models of Ototoxicity.

    PubMed

    Yang, Chao-Hui; Liu, Zhiqi; Dong, Deanna; Schacht, Jochen; Arya, Dev; Sha, Su-Hua

    2017-01-01

    Previous studies have reported that modification of histones alters aminoglycoside-induced hair cell death and hearing loss. In this study, we investigated three FDA-approved histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (vorinostat/SAHA, belinostat, and panobinostat) as protectants against aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity in murine cochlear explants and in vivo in both guinea pigs and CBA/J mice. Individually, all three HDAC inhibitors reduced gentamicin (GM)-induced hair cell loss in a dose-dependent fashion in explants. In vivo , however, treatment with SAHA attenuated neither GM-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss in guinea pigs nor kanamycin (KM)-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss in mice under chronic models of ototoxicity. These findings suggest that treatment with the HDAC inhibitor SAHA attenuates aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity in an acute model, but not in chronic models, cautioning that one cannot rely solely on in vitro experiments to test the efficacy of otoprotectant compounds.

  2. Exposure to histone deacetylase inhibitors during Pavlovian conditioning enhances subsequent cue-induced reinstatement of operant behavior.

    PubMed

    Ploense, Kyle L; Kerstetter, Kerry A; Wade, Matthew A; Woodward, Nicholas C; Maliniak, Dan; Reyes, Michael; Uchizono, Russell S; Bredy, Timothy W; Kippin, Tod E

    2013-06-01

    Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) strengthen memory following fear conditioning and cocaine-induced conditioned place preference. Here, we examined the effects of two nonspecific HDACIs, valproic acid (VPA) and sodium butyrate (NaB), on appetitive learning measured by conditioned stimulus (CS)-induced reinstatement of operant responding. Rats were trained to lever press for food reinforcement and then injected with VPA (50-200 mg/kg, i.p.), NaB (250-1000 mg/kg, i.p.), or saline vehicle (1.0 ml/kg), 2 h before receiving pairings of noncontingent presentation of food pellets preceded by a tone+light cue CS. Rats next underwent extinction of operant responding followed by response-contingent re-exposure to the CS. Rats receiving VPA (100 mg/kg) or NaB (1000 mg/kg) before conditioning displayed significantly higher cue-induced reinstatement than did saline controls. Rats that received either vehicle or VPA (100 mg/kg) before a conditioning session with a randomized relation between presentation of food pellets and the CS failed to show subsequent cue-induced reinstatement with no difference between the two groups. These findings indicate that, under certain contexts, HDACIs strengthen memory formation by specifically increasing the associative strength of the CS, not through an increasing motivation to seek reinforcement. © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

  3. Exposure to histone deacetylase inhibitors during Pavlovian conditioning enhances subsequent cue-induced reinstatement of operant behavior

    PubMed Central

    Ploense, Kyle L.; Kerstetter, Kerry A.; Wade, Matthew A.; Woodward, Nicholas C.; Maliniak, Dan; Reyes, Michael; Uchizono, Russell S.; Bredy, Timothy W.; Kippin, Tod E.

    2014-01-01

    Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) strengthen memory following fear conditioning and cocaine-induced conditioned place preference. Here, we examined the effects of two non-specific HDACIs, valproic acid (VPA) and sodium butyrate (NaB), on appetitive learning measured via conditioned stimulus (CS)-induced reinstatement of operant responding. Rats were trained to lever press for food reinforcement and then injected with VPA (50–200 mg/kg, i.p.), NaB (250–1000 mg/kg, i.p.), or saline vehicle (1.0 ml/kg), 2h before receiving pairings of noncontingent presentation of food pellets preceded by a tone+light cue CS. Rats next underwent extinction of operant responding followed by response-contingent re-exposure to the CS. Rats receiving VPA (100 mg/kg) or NaB (1000 mg/kg) prior to conditioning displayed significantly higher cue-induced reinstatement than did saline controls. Rats that receiving either vehicle or VPA (100 mg/kg) prior to a conditioning session with a randomized relation between presentation of food pellets and the CS failed to show subsequent cue-induced reinstatement with no difference between the two groups. These findings indicate that, under certain contexts, HDACIs strengthen memory formation by specifically increasing the associative strength of the CS, not through an increasing motivation to seek reinforcement. PMID:23604166

  4. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin induces nitric oxide synthesis via oxidative stress

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Riganti, Chiara; Costamagna, Costanzo; Doublier, Sophie

    We have recently shown that apocynin elicits an oxidative stress in N11 mouse glial cells and other cell types. Here we report that apocynin increased the accumulation of nitrite, the stable derivative of nitric oxide (NO), in the extracellular medium of N11 cell cultures, and the NO synthase (NOS) activity in cell lysates. The increased synthesis of NO was associated with increased expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) mRNA, increased nuclear translocation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-{kappa}B and decreased intracellular level of its inhibitor IkB{alpha}. These effects, accompanied by increased production of H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, were very similar to thosemore » observed after incubation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and were inhibited by catalase. These results suggest that apocynin, similarly to LPS, induces increased NO synthesis by eliciting a generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn causes NF-{kappa}B activation and increased expression of iNOS. Therefore, the increased bioavailability of NO reported in the literature after in vivo or in vitro treatments with apocynin might depend, at least partly, on the drug-elicited induction of iNOS, and not only on the inhibition of NADPH oxidase and the subsequent decreased scavenging of NO by oxidase-derived ROS, as it is often supposed.« less

  5. A rat retinal damage model predicts for potential clinical visual disturbances induced by Hsp90 inhibitors

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhou, Dan, E-mail: DZhou@syntapharma.com; Liu, Yuan; Ye, Josephine

    2013-12-01

    In human trials certain heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors, including 17-DMAG and NVP-AUY922, have caused visual disorders indicative of retinal dysfunction; others such as 17-AAG and ganetespib have not. To understand these safety profile differences we evaluated histopathological changes and exposure profiles of four Hsp90 inhibitors, with or without clinical reports of adverse ocular effects, using a rat retinal model. Retinal morphology, Hsp70 expression (a surrogate marker of Hsp90 inhibition), apoptotic induction and pharmacokinetic drug exposure analysis were examined in rats treated with the ansamycins 17-DMAG and 17-AAG, or with the second-generation compounds NVP-AUY922 and ganetespib. Both 17-DMAG andmore » NVP-AUY922 induced strong yet restricted retinal Hsp70 up-regulation and promoted marked photoreceptor cell death 24 h after the final dose. In contrast, neither 17-AAG nor ganetespib elicited photoreceptor injury. When the relationship between drug distribution and photoreceptor degeneration was examined, 17-DMAG and NVP-AUY922 showed substantial retinal accumulation, with high retina/plasma (R/P) ratios and slow elimination rates, such that 51% of 17-DMAG and 65% of NVP-AUY922 present at 30 min post-injection were retained in the retina 6 h post-dose. For 17-AAG and ganetespib, retinal elimination was rapid (90% and 70% of drugs eliminated from the retina at 6 h, respectively) which correlated with lower R/P ratios. These findings indicate that prolonged inhibition of Hsp90 activity in the eye results in photoreceptor cell death. Moreover, the results suggest that the retina/plasma exposure ratio and retinal elimination rate profiles of Hsp90 inhibitors, irrespective of their chemical class, may predict for ocular toxicity potential. - Highlights: • In human trials some Hsp90 inhibitors cause visual disorders, others do not. • Prolonged inhibition of Hsp90 in the rat eye results in photoreceptor cell death. • Retina/plasma ratio and

  6. Selective inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin/CBP signaling ameliorates hepatitis C virus-induced liver fibrosis in mouse model.

    PubMed

    Tokunaga, Yuko; Osawa, Yosuke; Ohtsuki, Takahiro; Hayashi, Yukiko; Yamaji, Kenzaburo; Yamane, Daisuke; Hara, Mitsuko; Munekata, Keisuke; Tsukiyama-Kohara, Kyoko; Hishima, Tsunekazu; Kojima, Soichi; Kimura, Kiminori; Kohara, Michinori

    2017-03-23

    Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of serious liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. There are no anti-fibrotic drugs with efficacy against liver cirrhosis. Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of tissue fibrosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a β-catenin/CBP (cyclic AMP response element binding protein) inhibitor on liver fibrosis. The anti-fibrotic activity of PRI-724, a selective inhibitor of β-catenin/CBP, was assessed in HCV GT1b transgenic mice at 18 months after HCV genome expression. PRI-724 was injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously in these mice for 6 weeks. PRI-724 reduced liver fibrosis, which was indicated by silver stain, Sirius Red staining, and hepatic hydroxyproline levels, in HCV mice while attenuating αSMA induction. PRI-724 led to increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 mRNA in the liver, along with elevated levels of intrahepatic neutrophils and macrophages/monocytes. The induced intrahepatic neutrophils and macrophages/monocytes were identified as the source of MMP-8. In conclusion, PRI-724 ameliorated HCV-induced liver fibrosis in mice. We hypothesize that inhibition of hepatic stellate cells activation and induction of fibrolytic cells expressing MMP-8 contribute to the anti-fibrotic effects of PRI-724. PRI-724 is a drug candidate which possesses anti-fibrotic effect.

  7. Two novel atypical PKC inhibitors; ACPD and DNDA effectively mitigate cell proliferation and epithelial to mesenchymal transition of metastatic melanoma while inducing apoptosis

    PubMed Central

    Ratnayake, Wishrawana S.; Apostolatos, André H.; Ostrov, David A.; Acevedo-Duncan, Mildred

    2017-01-01

    Atypical protein kinase Cs (aPKC) are involved in cell cycle progression, tumorigenesis, cell survival and migration in many cancers. We believe that aPKCs play an important role in cell motility of melanoma by regulating cell signaling pathways and inducing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). We have investigated the effects of two novel aPKC inhibitors; 2-acetyl-1,3-cyclopentanedione (ACPD) and 3,4-diaminonaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid (DNDA) on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of two malignant melanoma cell lines compared to normal melanocytes. Molecular docking data suggested that both inhibitors specifically bind to protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-ζ) and PKC-iota (PKC-ι) and kinase activity assays were carried out to confirm these observations. Both inhibitors decreased the levels of total and phosphorylated PKC-ζ and PKC-ι. Increased levels of E-cadherin, RhoA, PTEN and decreased levels of phosphorylated vimentin, total vimentin, CD44, β-catenin and phosphorylated AKT in inhibitor treated cells. This suggests that inhibition of both PKC-ζ and PKC-ι using ACPD and DNDA downregulates EMT and induces apoptosis in melanoma cells. We also carried out PKC-ι and PKC-ζ directed siRNA treatments to prove the above observations. Immunoprecipitation data suggested an association between PKC-ι and vimentin and PKC-ι siRNA treatments confirmed that PKC-ι activates vimentin by phosphorylation. These results further suggested that PKC-ι is involved in signaling pathways which upregulate EMT and which can be effectively suppressed using ACPD and DNDA. Our results summarize that melanoma cells proliferate via aPKC/AKT/NF-κB mediated pathway while inducing the EMT via PKC-ι/Par6/RhoA pathway. Overall, results show that aPKCs are essential for melanoma progression and metastasis, suggesting that ACPD and DNDA can be effectively used as potential therapeutic drugs for melanoma by inhibiting aPKCs. PMID:29048609

  8. Newly developed glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibitors protect neuronal cells death in amyloid-beta induced cell model and in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

    PubMed

    Noh, Min-Young; Chun, Kwangwoo; Kang, Byung Yong; Kim, Heejaung; Park, Ji-Seon; Lee, Han-Chang; Kim, Young-Ha; Ku, Saekwang; Kim, Seung Hyun

    2013-05-31

    Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is emerging as a prominent therapeutic target of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A number of studies have been undertaken to develop GSK-3 inhibitors for clinical use. We report two novel GSK-3 inhibitors (C-7a and C-7b) showing good activity and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles. IC50 of new GSK-3 inhibitors were in the range of 120-130 nM, and they effectively reduced the Aβ-oligomers induced neuronal toxicity. Also, new GSK-3 inhibitors decreased the phosphorylated tau at pThr231, pSer396, pThr181, and pSer202, and inhibited the GSK-3 activity against Aβ-oligomers induced neuronal cell toxicity. In B6;129-Psen1(tm1Mpm) Tg(APPSwe, tauP301L)1Lfa/Mmjax model of AD, oral administration of C-7a (20 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg) showed increased total arm entries and spontaneous alteration of Y-maze which was regarded as short-term memory. In particular, 50 mg/kg C-7a treated mice significantly decreased the level of phosphorylated tau (Ser396) in brain hippocampus. We suggest that new GSK-3 inhibitor (C-7a) is potential candidates for the treatment of AD. Copyright © 2013 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Aggression behaviour induced by oral administration of the Janus-kinase inhibitor tofacitinib, but not oclacitinib, under stressful conditions.

    PubMed

    Fukuyama, Tomoki; Tschernig, Thomas; Qi, Yulin; Volmer, Dietrich A; Bäumer, Wolfgang

    2015-10-05

    Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have recently been developed for allergic diseases. We focused on the 2 different JAK inhibitors, tofacitinib (selective for JAK3) and oclacitinib (selective for JAK1 and 2), to clarify the mechanism of anti-inflammatory and anti-itching potency of these drugs. In the process of detecting anti-itching potency, we observed that tofacitinib treated mice showed aggression behaviour. The objective of the study reported here was to investigate the aggressive behaviour induced by tofacitinib by using a mouse model of allergic dermatitis and the resident-intruder test. For the allergic dermatitis model, female BALB/c mice were sensitised and challenged topically with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI). Vehicle, tofacitinib or oclacitinib, was administered orally 30 min before TDI challenge. Scratching, aggression and standing behaviours were monitored in the 60 min period immediately following challenge of TDI. Another group of male BALB/c mice treated with vehicle, tofacitinib or oclacitinib was evaluated in the resident-intruder test and brains were obtained to determine blood brain barrier penetration. In the allergic dermatitis model, a significant increase in aggression and standing behaviour was only obvious in the tofacitinib treatment group. There was no effect in non-sensitised mice, but similar aggression was also induced by tofacitinib in male resident-intruder test. Penetration of blood-brain barrier was observed both in tofacitinib and oclacitinib treated mice. These results suggest that aggression was induced by tofacitinib under some kind of stressful environment. This study indicates a possible role of the JAK-STAT pathway in modulation of aggression behaviour. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil and rivastigmine, attenuate spatial memory and cognitive flexibility impairment induced by acute ethanol in the Barnes maze task in rats.

    PubMed

    Gawel, Kinga; Labuz, Krzysztof; Gibula-Bruzda, Ewa; Jenda, Malgorzata; Marszalek-Grabska, Marta; Filarowska, Joanna; Silberring, Jerzy; Kotlinska, Jolanta H

    2016-10-01

    Central cholinergic dysfunction contributes to acute spatial memory deficits produced by ethanol administration. Donepezil and rivastigmine elevate acetylcholine levels in the synaptic cleft through the inhibition of cholinesterases-enzymes involved in acetylcholine degradation. The aim of our study was to reveal whether donepezil (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) and rivastigmine (also butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor) attenuate spatial memory impairment as induced by acute ethanol administration in the Barnes maze task (primary latency and number of errors in finding the escape box) in rats. Additionally, we compared the influence of these drugs on ethanol-disturbed memory. In the first experiment, the dose of ethanol (1.75 g/kg, i.p.) was selected that impaired spatial memory, but did not induce motor impairment. Next, we studied the influence of donepezil (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.p.), as well as rivastigmine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.), given either before the probe trial or the reversal learning on ethanol-induced memory impairment. Our study demonstrated that these drugs, when given before the probe trial, were equally effective in attenuating ethanol-induced impairment in both test situations, whereas rivastigmine, at both doses (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.), and donepezil only at a higher dose (3 mg/kg, i.p.) given prior the reversal learning, attenuated the ethanol-induced impairment in cognitive flexibility. Thus, rivastigmine appears to exert more beneficial effect than donepezil in reversing ethanol-induced cognitive impairments-probably due to its wider spectrum of activity. In conclusion, the ethanol-induced spatial memory impairment may be attenuated by pharmacological manipulation of central cholinergic neurotransmission.

  11. Efficacy ranking of triterpenoids as inducers of a cytoprotective enzyme and as inhibitors of a cellular inflammatory response via their electron affinity and their electrophilicity index

    PubMed Central

    Bensasson, René V.; Zoete, Vincent; Berthier, Gaston; Talalay, Paul; Dinkova-Kostova, Albena T.

    2010-01-01

    Electron affinity (EA) and electrophilicity index (ω) of 16 synthetic triterpenoids (TP), previously identified as inducers of cytoprotective enzymes and as inhibitors of cellular inflammatory responses, have been calculated by the molecular orbital method. Linear correlations were obtained by plotting the values of EA, as well as those of ω versus (i) the potencies of induction of NAD(P)H quinone reductase (NQO1, EC 1.6.99.2), a cytoprotective enzyme, expressed via the concentration of TP required to double the specific activity of NQO1 (CD value) and (ii) the values of their anti-inflammatory activity expressed via the IC-50 of TP for suppression of upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS, EC 1.14.13.39), both previously experimentally determined. The observed correlations demonstrate quantitatively for a series of triterpenoids that their electrophilicity is a major factor determining their potency as inducers of the cytoprotective phase 2 response and as inhibitors of inflammatory processes. PMID:20433811

  12. The Nox1/4 dual inhibitor GKT137831 or Nox4 knockdown inhibits Angiotensin-II-induced adult mouse cardiac fibroblast proliferation and migration. AT1 physically associates with Nox4

    PubMed Central

    Somanna, Naveen K.; Valente, Anthony J.; Krenz, Maike; Fay, William P.; Delafontaine, Patrice; Chandrasekar, Bysani

    2017-01-01

    Both oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to chronic hypertension-induced myocardial fibrosis and adverse cardiac remodeling. Here we investigated whether angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced fibroblast proliferation and migration are NADPH oxidase (Nox) 4/ROS and IL-18 dependent. Our results show that the potent induction of mouse cardiac fibroblast (CF) proliferation and migration by Ang-II is markedly attenuated by Nox4 knockdown and the Nox inhibitor DPI. Further, Nox4 knockdown and DPI pre-treatment attenuate Ang-II-induced IL-18, IL-18Rα and collagen expression, and MMP9 activation. While neutralization of IL-18 blunted Ang-II-induced CF proliferation and migration, knockdown of MMP9 attenuated CF migration. The antioxidant NAC and the cell-permeable SOD mimetics Tempol, MnTBAP, and MnTMPyP attenuated oxidative stress and inhibit CF proliferation and migration. The Nox1/Nox4 dual inhibitor GKT137831 also blunted Ang-II-induced H2O2 production and CF proliferation and migration. Further, AT1 binds Nox4, and Ang-II enhanced their physical association. Notably, GKT137831 attnuated the AT1/Nox4 interaction. These results indicate that Ang-II induces CF proliferation and migration in part via Nox4/ROS-dependent IL-18 induction and MMP9 activation, and may involve AT1/Nox4 physical association. Thus, either (i) neutralizing IL-18, (ii) blocking AT1/Nox4 interaction or (iii) use of the Nox1/Nox4 inhibitor GKT137831 may have therapeutic potential in chronic hypertension-induced adverse cardiac remodeling. PMID:26445208

  13. Inhibitor-induced structural change in the HCV IRES domain IIa RNA

    PubMed Central

    Paulsen, Ryan B.; Seth, Punit P.; Swayze, Eric E.; Griffey, Richard H.; Skalicky, Jack J.; Cheatham, Thomas E.; Davis, Darrell R.

    2010-01-01

    Translation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is initiated from a highly structured internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) in the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) of the RNA genome. An important structural feature of the native RNA is an approximately 90° helical bend localized to domain IIa that positions the apical loop of domain IIb of the IRES near the 40S ribosomal E-site to promote eIF2-GDP release, facilitating 80S ribosome assembly. We report here the NMR structure of a domain IIa construct in complex with a potent small-molecule inhibitor of HCV replication. Molecular dynamics refinement in explicit solvent and subsequent energetic analysis indicated that each inhibitor stereoisomer bound with comparable affinity and in an equivalent binding mode. The in silico analysis was substantiated by fluorescence-based assays showing that the relative binding free energies differed by only 0.7 kcal/mol. Binding of the inhibitor displaces key nucleotide residues within the bulge region, effecting a major conformational change that eliminates the bent RNA helical trajectory, providing a mechanism for the antiviral activity of this inhibitor class. PMID:20360559

  14. Targeting histone deacetylase inhibitors for anti-malarial therapy.

    PubMed

    Andrews, Katherine T; Tran, Thanh N; Wheatley, Nicole C; Fairlie, David P

    2009-01-01

    It is now clear that histone acetylation plays key roles in regulating gene transcription in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, the acetylated form inducing gene expression while deacetylation silences genes. Recent studies have identified roles for histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and/or histone deacetylases (HDACs) in a number of parasites including Entamoeba histolytica, Toxoplasma gondii, Schistosoma mansoni, Cryptosporidium sp., Leishmania donovani, Neospora caninum, and Plasmodium falciparum. Here we survey fairly limited efforts to date in profiling antimalarial activities of HDAC inhibitors, showing that such compounds are potent inhibitors of the growth of P. falciparum in vitro and in vivo. Most of the compounds evaluated so far have borne a zinc-binding hydroxamate group that tends to be metabolized in vivo, and thus new zinc-binding groups need to be incorporated into second generation inhibitors in order to mask the catalytic zinc in the active site of HDACs. Also the development of compounds that are selective for parasitic HDACs over mammalian HDACs is still in relative infancy and it will take some time to derive antiparasitic HDAC inhibitor compounds with minimal toxicity for the host and acceptable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles for human treatment. Nevertheless, results to date suggest that HDAC inhibitor development represents a promising new approach to the potential treatment of parasitic infections, including those induced by malaria protozoa, and may offer new therapeutic targets within increasingly drug-resistant malarial parasites.

  15. Paradoxical Regulation of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) by Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

    PubMed Central

    Bhalla, Savita; Evens, Andrew M.; Prachand, Sheila; Schumacker, Paul T.; Gordon, Leo I.

    2013-01-01

    Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is important in cancer, as it regulates various oncogenic genes as well as genes involved in cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Elevated HIF-1 protein promotes a more aggressive tumor phenotype, and greater HIF-1 expression has been demonstrated to correlate with poorer prognosis, increased risk of metastasis and increased mortality. Recent reports suggest that HIF-1 activates autophagy, a lysosomal degradation pathway which may promote tumor cell survival. We show here that HIF-1α expression is constitutively active in multiple diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines under normoxia and it is regulated by the PI3K/AKT pathway. PCI-24781, a pan histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI), enhanced accumulation of HIF-1α and induced autophagy initially, while extended incubation with the drug resulted in inhibition of HIF-1α. We tested the hypothesis that PCI-24781- induced autophagy is mediated by HIF-1α and that inhibition of HIF-1α in these cells results in attenuation of autophagy and decreased survival. We also provide evidence that autophagy serves as a survival pathway in DLBCL cells treated with PCI-24781 which suggests that the use of autophagy inhibitors such as chloroquine or 3-methyl adenine in combination with PCI-24781 may enhance apoptosis in lymphoma cells. PMID:24312289

  16. [Antagonistic effect of N-acetylcysteine on apoptosis of L-02 hepatocyte induced by Cr(VI) with or without caspase inhibitor].

    PubMed

    Chen, Jing; Zhong, Caigao; Zeng, Ming; Liu, Xinmin; Deng, Yuanyuan; Xiao, Fang

    2010-11-01

    To explore the antagonistic effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on hexevalent chromium (Cr(VI))-induced apoptosis in L-02 hepatocytes with or without caspase inhibitors. L-02 hepatocytes were randomly divided into a control group, and Cr( VI), Z-VAD-fmk + Cr(VI), NAC + Cr(VI), Z-VAD-fmk + NAC + Cr (VI) four treatment groups, in which L-02 hepatocytes were cultured with Cr (VI) at the dose of 20 micromol/L for 6h. The rates of apoptosis in all groups were detected by flow cytometry (FC) after staining with propidium iodide (PI). The changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsim) and permeability transition pore (PTP) were determined by fluorescent spectrometer. The DNA damages in hepatocytes were observed by the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). Cr(VI) significantly induced apoptosis of L-02 hepatocytes at the dose of 20 micromol/L for 6 hours (P < 0.05). However, NAC significantly decreased the rates of apoptosis of L-02 hepatocytes and alleviated the damages to mitochondria and DNA caused by Cr(VI) in L-02 hepatocytes with or without caspase (P < 0.05). However, in comparition with the non caspase-inhibited group, the protective effects of NAC decreased in the caspase-inhibited group (P < 0.05). NAC could protect the apoptosis of L-02 hepatocyte induced with Cr(VI) with or without caspase inhibitor, and caspase could not play a decisive role in this process.

  17. Histone deacetylase inhibitors suppress RSV infection and alleviate virus-induced airway inflammation.

    PubMed

    Feng, Qiuqin; Su, Zhonglan; Song, Shiyu; Χu, Hui; Zhang, Bin; Yi, Long; Tian, Man; Wang, Hongwei

    2016-09-01

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. However, the majority of RSV-infected patients only show mild symptoms. Different severities of infection and responses among the RSV-infected population indicate that epigenetic regulation as well as personal genetic background may affect RSV infectivity. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is an important epigenetic regulator in lung diseases. The present study aimed to explore the possible connection between HDAC expression and RSV-induced lung inflammation. To address this question, RSV-infected airway epithelial cells (BEAS‑2B) were prepared and a mouse model of RSV infection was established, and then treated with various concentrations of HDAC inhibitors (HDACis), namely trichostatin A (TSA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Viral replication and markers of virus-induced airway inflammation or oxidative stress were assessed. The activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways was evaluated by western blot analysis. Our results showed that RSV infection in airway epithelial cells (AECs) significantly decreased histone acetylation levels by altering HDAC2 expression. The treatment of RSV-infected AECs with HDACis significantly restricted RSV replication by upregulating the interferon-α (IFN-α) related signaling pathways. The treatment of RSV-infected AECs with HDACis also significantly inhibited RSV-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release [interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8] and oxidative stress-related molecule production [malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrogen monoxide (NO)]. The activation of NF-κB, COX-2, MAPK and Stat3, which orchestrate pro‑inflammatory gene expression and oxidative stress injury, was also significantly inhibited. Our in vivo study using a mouse model of

  18. Histone deacetylase inhibitors suppress RSV infection and alleviate virus-induced airway inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Feng, Qiuqin; Su, Zhonglan; Song, Shiyu; Xu, Hui; Zhang, Bin; Yi, Long; Tian, Man; Wang, Hongwei

    2016-01-01

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. However, the majority of RSV-infected patients only show mild symptoms. Different severities of infection and responses among the RSV-infected population indicate that epigenetic regulation as well as personal genetic background may affect RSV infectivity. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is an important epigenetic regulator in lung diseases. The present study aimed to explore the possible connection between HDAC expression and RSV-induced lung inflammation. To address this question, RSV-infected airway epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were prepared and a mouse model of RSV infection was established, and then treated with various concentrations of HDAC inhibitors (HDACis), namely trichostatin A (TSA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Viral replication and markers of virus-induced airway inflammation or oxidative stress were assessed. The activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways was evaluated by western blot analysis. Our results showed that RSV infection in airway epithelial cells (AECs) significantly decreased histone acetylation levels by altering HDAC2 expression. The treatment of RSV-infected AECs with HDACis significantly restricted RSV replication by upregulating the interferon-α (IFN-α) related signaling pathways. The treatment of RSV-infected AECs with HDACis also significantly inhibited RSV-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release [interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8] and oxidative stress-related molecule production [malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrogen monoxide (NO)]. The activation of NF-κB, COX-2, MAPK and Stat3, which orchestrate pro-inflammatory gene expression and oxidative stress injury, was also significantly inhibited. Our in vivo study using a mouse model of RSV infection

  19. [Effect of inducers and inhibitors of mixed function oxidases on body resistance to endotoxins of gram-negative bacteria].

    PubMed

    Liniuchev, M N; Zubik, T M; Kovelenov, A Iu; Bulyko, V I; Sergeev, V V

    1989-06-01

    Experimental typhoid intoxication in white mice leads to the inhibition of microsomal oxidation in the liver, which is manifested by the prolongation of hexenal-induced sleep and a decrease in the toxic action of parathion. Phenobarbital, capable of inducing oxidases with mixed function (OMF), enhances the process of the detoxification of endotoxin injected into the animals, which is manifested by the increase of its LD50. Soluble levomycetin succinate, widely used for the treatment of typhoid-paratyphoid infections, is a powerful inhibitor of OMF (as shown by the hexenal test). Benzonal, the analog of phenobarbital, removes the inhibitory effect of the antibiotic. Experimental studies carried out in the course of this investigation make it possible to substantiate the clinical trial of these preparations (OMF inducers) used in the complex therapy of typhoid-paratyphoid infections for the stimulation of natural detoxification mechanisms of the body. Benzonal is the preparation of choice for use in clinical practice.

  20. Aromatase inhibitors decrease radiation-induced lung fibrosis: Results of an experimental study.

    PubMed

    Altinok, A Y; Yildirim, S; Altug, T; Sut, N; Ober, A; Ozsahin, E M; Azria, D; Bese, N S

    2016-08-01

    In experimental and clinical trials, tamoxifen (TAM) has been shown to increase radiation-induced lung fibrosis (RILF). Furthermore, aromatase inhibitors (AI) have been shown to be superior to TAM in the adjuvant setting and preclinical data suggest that letrozole (LET) sensitizes breast cancer cells to ionizing radiation in other studies. In this experimental study, we evaluated whether AI have any impact on the development of RILF in rats. 60 female wistar- albino rats were divided into 6 groups: Control (group A), RT alone (group B), RT + TAM (group C), RT + anastrozole (ANA group D), RT + LET (group E), and RT + exemestane (EXE, group F). RT consisted of 30 Gy in 10 fractions to both lungs with an anterior field at 2 cm depth. Equivalent doses for 60 kg adult dose per day of TAM, ANA, LET, and EXE were calculated according to the mean weight of rats and orally administrated with a feeding tube. Percentage of lung with fibrosis was quantified with image analysis of histological sections of the lung. The mean score values were calculated for each group. the significance of the differences among groups were calculated using one way ANOVA test and Tukey HSD post-hoc test. Mean values of fibrosis were 1.7, 5.9, 6.7, 2.5, 2 and 2.2 for groups A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively (p = 0.000). TAM increased RT-induced lung fibrosis but without statistical significance. Groups treated with RT + AI showed significantly less lung fibrosis than groups treated with RT alone or RT + TAM (p = 0.000). RT + AI groups showed nearly similar RT-induced lung fibrosis than control group. In this study, we found that AI decreased RT-induced lung fibrosis to the control group level suggesting protective effect. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Two structurally distinct inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3 induced centromere positive micronuclei in human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells.

    PubMed

    Mishima, Masayuki; Tanaka, Kenji; Takeiri, Akira; Harada, Asako; Kubo, Chiyomi; Sone, Sachiko; Nishimura, Yoshikazu; Tachibana, Yukako; Okazaki, Makoto

    2008-08-25

    Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is an attractive novel pharmacological target. Inhibition of GSK3 is recently regarded as one of the viable approaches to therapy for Alzheimer's disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, and bipolar mood disorder. Here, we have investigated the aneugenic potential of two potent and highly specific inhibitors of GSK3 by using an in vitro micronucleus test with human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells. One inhibitor was a newly synthesized maleimide derivative and the other was a previously known aminopyrimidine derivative. Both compounds elicited statistically significant and concentration-dependent increases in micronucleated cells. One hundred micronuclei (MN) of each were analyzed using centromeric DNA staining with fluorescence in situ hybridization. Both the two structurally distinct compounds induced centromere-positive micronuclei (CMN). Calculated from the frequency of MN cells and the percentage of CMN, CMN cell incidence after treatment with the maleimide compound at 1.2 microM, 2.4 microM, and 4.8 microM was 11.6, 27.7, and 56.3 per 1000 cells, respectively; the negative control was 4.5. CMN cell incidence after the treatment with the aminopyrimidine compound at 1.8 microM, 3.6 microM, and 5.4 microM was 6.7, 9.8 and 17.2 per 1000 cells, respectively. Both compounds exhibited concentration-dependent increase in the number of mitotic cells. The frequency of CMN cells correlated well with mitotic cell incidence after treatment with either compound. Furthermore, both inhibitors induced abnormal mitotic cells with asymmetric mitotic spindles and lagging anaphase chromosomes. These results lend further support to the hypothesis that the inhibition of GSK3 activity affects microtubule function and exhibits an aneugenic mode of action.

  2. Histone deacetylase inhibitors protect against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by activating autophagy in proximal tubular cells.

    PubMed

    Liu, Jing; Livingston, Man J; Dong, Guie; Tang, Chengyuan; Su, Yunchao; Wu, Guangyu; Yin, Xiao-Ming; Dong, Zheng

    2018-02-23

    Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have therapeutic effects in models of various renal diseases including acute kidney injury (AKI); however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that two widely tested HDACi (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and trichostatin A (TSA)) protect the kidneys in cisplatin-induced AKI by enhancing autophagy. In cultured renal proximal tubular cells, SAHA and TSA enhanced autophagy during cisplatin treatment. We further verified the protective effect of TSA against cisplatin-induced apoptosis in these cells. Notably, inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine or by autophagy gene 7 (Atg7) ablation diminished the protective effect of TSA. In mice, TSA increased autophagy in renal proximal tubules and protected against cisplatin-induced AKI. The in vivo effect of TSA was also abolished by chloroquine and by Atg7 knockout specifically from renal proximal tubules. Mechanistically, TSA stimulated AMPK and inactivated mTOR during cisplatin treatment of proximal tubule cells and kidneys in mice. Together, these results suggest that HDACi may protect kidneys by activating autophagy in proximal tubular cells.

  3. Selective TNF-α inhibitor-induced injection site reactions.

    PubMed

    Murdaca, Giuseppe; Spanò, Francesca; Puppo, Francesco

    2013-03-01

    During the last decade, many new biological immune modulators entered the market as new therapeutic principles. TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine known to a have a key role in the pathogenic mechanisms of various immune-mediated or inflammatory diseases. TNF-α blockers have demonstrated efficacy in large, randomized controlled clinical trials either as monotherapy or in combination with other anti-inflammatory or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Although generally well tolerated and safe, potential adverse events may be associated with TNF-α inhibitor treatment. The authors will briefly review the potential adverse drug reactions and the immunological mechanisms of injection site reactions (ISRs) in patients treated with etanercept and adalimumab. Patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors can develop ISR around the sites of injections. 'Type IV delayed type reaction' or 'recall ISRs'. Eosinophilic cellulitis or 'Wells syndrome', 'type III' and 'type I' reactions are reported. Long-term studies are necessary to determine the durability of response and the real risk of ISRs with golimumab and certolizumab pegol. Further studies are also necessary to evaluate the immunogenicity of these drugs.

  4. Histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) PCI-24781 enhances chemotherapy induced apoptosis in multidrug resistant sarcoma cell lines

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Cao; Choy, Edwin; Hornicek, Francis J.; Wood, Kirkham B; Schwab, Joseph H; Liu, Xianzhe; Mankin, Henry; Duan, Zhenfeng

    2013-01-01

    The anti-tumor activity of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACI) on multi-drug resistant sarcoma cell lines has never been previously described. Four multidrug resistant sarcoma cell lines treated with HDACI PCI-24781 resulted in dose-dependent accumulation of acetylated histones, p21 and PARP cleavage products. Growth of these cell lines was inhibited by PCI-24781 at IC50 of 0.43 to 2.7. When we looked for synergy of PCI-24781 with chemotherapeutic agents, we found that PCI-24781 reverses drug resistance in all four multidrug resistant sarcoma cell lines and synergizes with chemotherapeutic agents to enhance caspase-3/7 activity. Expression of RAD51 (a marker for DNA double-strand break repair) was inhibited and the expression of GADD45α (a marker for growth arrest and DNA-damage) was induced by PCI-24781 in multidrug resistant sarcoma cell lines. In conclusion, HDACI PCI-24781 synergizes with chemotherapeutic drugs to induce apoptosis and reverses drug resistance in multidrug resistant sarcoma cell lines. PMID:21508354

  5. Selective killing of human immunodeficiency virus infected cells by non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-induced activation of HIV protease.

    PubMed

    Jochmans, Dirk; Anders, Maria; Keuleers, Inge; Smeulders, Liesbeth; Kräusslich, Hans-Georg; Kraus, Günter; Müller, Barbara

    2010-10-15

    Current antiretroviral therapy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) reduces viral load and thereby prevents viral spread, but it cannot eradicate proviral genomes from infected cells. Cells in immunological sanctuaries as well as cells producing low levels of virus apparently contribute to a reservoir that maintains HIV persistence in the presence of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Thus, accelerated elimination of virus producing cells may represent a complementary strategy to control HIV infection. Here we sought to exploit HIV protease (PR) related cytotoxicity in order to develop a strategy for drug induced killing of HIV producing cells. PR processes the viral Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins during virus maturation, but is also implicated in killing of virus producing cells through off-target cleavage of host proteins. It has been observed previously that micromolar concentrations of certain non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) can stimulate intracellular PR activity, presumably by enhancing Gag-Pol dimerization. Using a newly developed cell-based assay we compared the degree of PR activation displayed by various NNRTIs. We identified inhibitors showing higher potency with respect to PR activation than previously described for NNRTIs, with the most potent compounds resulting in ~2-fold increase of the Gag processing signal at 250 nM. The degree of enhancement of intracellular Gag processing correlated with the compound's ability to enhance RT dimerization in a mammalian two-hybrid assay. Compounds were analyzed for their potential to mediate specific killing of chronically infected MT-4 cells. Levels of cytotoxicity on HIV infected cells determined for the different NNRTIs corresponded to the relative degree of drug induced intracellular PR activation, with CC50 values ranging from ~0.3 μM to above the tested concentration range (10 μM). Specific cytotoxicity was reverted by addition of PR inhibitors. Two of the most active

  6. Selective killing of human immunodeficiency virus infected cells by non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-induced activation of HIV protease

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Background Current antiretroviral therapy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) reduces viral load and thereby prevents viral spread, but it cannot eradicate proviral genomes from infected cells. Cells in immunological sanctuaries as well as cells producing low levels of virus apparently contribute to a reservoir that maintains HIV persistence in the presence of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Thus, accelerated elimination of virus producing cells may represent a complementary strategy to control HIV infection. Here we sought to exploit HIV protease (PR) related cytotoxicity in order to develop a strategy for drug induced killing of HIV producing cells. PR processes the viral Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins during virus maturation, but is also implicated in killing of virus producing cells through off-target cleavage of host proteins. It has been observed previously that micromolar concentrations of certain non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) can stimulate intracellular PR activity, presumably by enhancing Gag-Pol dimerization. Results Using a newly developed cell-based assay we compared the degree of PR activation displayed by various NNRTIs. We identified inhibitors showing higher potency with respect to PR activation than previously described for NNRTIs, with the most potent compounds resulting in ~2-fold increase of the Gag processing signal at 250 nM. The degree of enhancement of intracellular Gag processing correlated with the compound's ability to enhance RT dimerization in a mammalian two-hybrid assay. Compounds were analyzed for their potential to mediate specific killing of chronically infected MT-4 cells. Levels of cytotoxicity on HIV infected cells determined for the different NNRTIs corresponded to the relative degree of drug induced intracellular PR activation, with CC50 values ranging from ~0.3 μM to above the tested concentration range (10 μM). Specific cytotoxicity was reverted by addition of PR inhibitors. Two of

  7. Development of protein degradation inducers of oncogenic BCR-ABL protein by conjugation of ABL kinase inhibitors and IAP ligands.

    PubMed

    Shibata, Norihito; Miyamoto, Naoki; Nagai, Katsunori; Shimokawa, Kenichiro; Sameshima, Tomoya; Ohoka, Nobumichi; Hattori, Takayuki; Imaeda, Yasuhiro; Nara, Hiroshi; Cho, Nobuo; Naito, Mikihiko

    2017-08-01

    Chromosomal translocation occurs in some cancer cells, which results in the expression of aberrant oncogenic fusion proteins that include BCR-ABL in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Inhibitors of ABL tyrosine kinase, such as imatinib and dasatinib, exhibit remarkable therapeutic effects, although emergence of drug resistance hampers the therapy during long-term treatment. An alternative approach to treat CML is to downregulate the BCR-ABL protein. We have devised a protein knockdown system by hybrid molecules named Specific and Non-genetic inhibitor of apoptosis protein [IAP]-dependent Protein Erasers (SNIPER), which is designed to induce IAP-mediated ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of target proteins, and a couple of SNIPER(ABL) against BCR-ABL protein have been developed recently. In this study, we tested various combinations of ABL inhibitors and IAP ligands, and the linker was optimized for protein knockdown activity of SNIPER(ABL). The resulting SNIPER(ABL)-39, in which dasatinib is conjugated to an IAP ligand LCL161 derivative by polyethylene glycol (PEG) × 3 linker, shows a potent activity to degrade the BCR-ABL protein. Mechanistic analysis suggested that both cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (cIAP1) and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) play a role in the degradation of BCR-ABL protein. Consistent with the degradation of BCR-ABL protein, the SNIPER(ABL)-39 inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and Crk like proto-oncogene (CrkL), and suppressed the growth of BCR-ABL-positive CML cells. These results suggest that SNIPER(ABL)-39 could be a candidate for a degradation-based novel anti-cancer drug against BCR-ABL-positive CML. © 2017 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

  8. [Prospective observational study of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors-induced hyperkalemia in hospitalized patients with chronic renal failure].

    PubMed

    Ben Mahmoud, Lobna; Ghozzi, Hanene; Kammoun, Khawla; Hakim, Ahmed; Kharrat, Mahmoud; Ben Hmida, Mohamed; Jarraya, Faical; Sahnoun, Zouheir; Zeghal, Khaled; Hachicha, Jamil

    2013-04-01

    To study the incidence and risk factors of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors-induced hyperkalemia in hospitalized patients with hypertension and preexisting chronic renal failure. Two-months prospective observational study was used including all hospitalized patients older than 18 years with a history of hypertension, non-dialyzed chronic renal failure and who had angiotensin converting enzyme prescription at the time of the admission. Hyperkalemia greater than or equal to 5 mmol/L was detected in these patients. The studied variables were demographic, clinical, biological and therapeutic. Eight patients, among 27 included, had a hyperkalemia (2963%). They were 73±15 years old. Factors that predispose to hyperkalemia were present in all patients. Hyperkalemia was associated in six cases with decompensation of renal function. The age was associated with hyperkalaemia in patients treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (RC=1.21; IC95 1,11-1,46; P=0,021). Diabetes is a possible risk factor (OR=59 021 et, 95 0.93 to 2410, P=0.053). Compared with patients who did not develop hyperkalemia, the occurrence of hyperkalemia in patients included was associated with a longer duration of hospitalization (OR=130, 95 112 to 160, P=0. 022). The prescription of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the elderly with chronic renal failure and diabetes requires careful monitoring of serum potassium. Copyright © 2012 Association Société de néphrologie. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

  9. The Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin Prevents Renal and Liver Disease in Western Diet Induced Obesity Mice

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Dong; Luo, Yuhuan; Wang, Xiaoxin; Orlicky, David J.; Myakala, Komuraiah; Yang, Pengyuan; Levi, Moshe

    2018-01-01

    Obesity and obesity related kidney and liver disease have become more prevalent over the past few decades, especially in the western world. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of antidiabetic agents with promising effects on cardiovascular and renal function. Given SGLT2 inhibitors exert both anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects by promoting urinary excretion of glucose and subsequent caloric loss, we investigated the effect of the highly selective renal SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in mice with Western diet (WD) induced obesity. Low fat (LF) diet or WD-fed male C57BL/6J mice were treated with dapagliflozin for 26 weeks. Dapagliflozin attenuated the WD-mediated increases in body weight, plasma glucose and plasma triglycerides. Treatment with dapagliflozin prevented podocyte injury, glomerular pathology and renal fibrosis determined by second harmonic generation (SHG), nephrin, synaptopodin, collagen IV, and fibronectin immunofluorescence microscopy. Oil Red O staining showed dapagliflozin also decreased renal lipid accumulation associated with decreased SREBP-1c mRNA abundance. Moreover, renal inflammation and oxidative stress were lower in the dapagliflozin-treated WD-fed mice than in the untreated WD-fed mice. In addition, dapagliflozin decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic lipid accumulation as determined by H&E and Oil Red O staining, and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy, and hepatic fibrosis as determined by picrosirius red (PSR) staining and TPE-SHG microscopy in WD-fed mice. Thus, our study demonstrated that the co-administration of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin attenuates renal and liver disease during WD feeding of mice. PMID:29301371

  10. The Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin Prevents Renal and Liver Disease in Western Diet Induced Obesity Mice.

    PubMed

    Wang, Dong; Luo, Yuhuan; Wang, Xiaoxin; Orlicky, David J; Myakala, Komuraiah; Yang, Pengyuan; Levi, Moshe

    2018-01-03

    Obesity and obesity related kidney and liver disease have become more prevalent over the past few decades, especially in the western world. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of antidiabetic agents with promising effects on cardiovascular and renal function. Given SGLT2 inhibitors exert both anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects by promoting urinary excretion of glucose and subsequent caloric loss, we investigated the effect of the highly selective renal SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in mice with Western diet (WD) induced obesity. Low fat (LF) diet or WD-fed male C57BL/6J mice were treated with dapagliflozin for 26 weeks. Dapagliflozin attenuated the WD-mediated increases in body weight, plasma glucose and plasma triglycerides. Treatment with dapagliflozin prevented podocyte injury, glomerular pathology and renal fibrosis determined by second harmonic generation (SHG), nephrin, synaptopodin, collagen IV, and fibronectin immunofluorescence microscopy. Oil Red O staining showed dapagliflozin also decreased renal lipid accumulation associated with decreased SREBP-1c mRNA abundance. Moreover, renal inflammation and oxidative stress were lower in the dapagliflozin-treated WD-fed mice than in the untreated WD-fed mice. In addition, dapagliflozin decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic lipid accumulation as determined by H&E and Oil Red O staining, and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy, and hepatic fibrosis as determined by picrosirius red (PSR) staining and TPE-SHG microscopy in WD-fed mice. Thus, our study demonstrated that the co-administration of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin attenuates renal and liver disease during WD feeding of mice.

  11. Ibrutinib synergizes with poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase inhibitors to induce cell death in AML cells via a BTK-independent mechanism.

    PubMed

    Rotin, Lianne E; Gronda, Marcela; MacLean, Neil; Hurren, Rose; Wang, XiaoMing; Lin, Feng-Hsu; Wrana, Jeff; Datti, Alessandro; Barber, Dwayne L; Minden, Mark D; Slassi, Malik; Schimmer, Aaron D

    2016-01-19

    Targeting Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) with the small molecule BTK inhibitor ibrutinib has significantly improved patient outcomes in several B-cell malignancies, with minimal toxicity. Given the reported expression and constitutive activation of BTK in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, there has been recent interest in investigating the anti-AML activity of ibrutinib. We noted that ibrutinib had limited single-agent toxicity in a panel of AML cell lines and primary AML samples, and therefore sought to identify ibrutinib-sensitizing drugs. Using a high-throughput combination chemical screen, we identified that the poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) inhibitor ethacridine lactate synergized with ibrutinib in TEX and OCI-AML2 leukemia cell lines. The combination of ibrutinib and ethacridine induced a synergistic increase in reactive oxygen species that was functionally important to explain the observed cell death. Interestingly, synergistic cytotoxicity of ibrutinib and ethacridine was independent of the inhibitory effect of ibrutinib against BTK, as knockdown of BTK did not sensitize TEX and OCI-AML2 cells to ethacridine treatment. Thus, our findings indicate that ibrutinib may have a BTK-independent role in AML and that PARG inhibitors may have utility as part of a combination therapy for this disease.

  12. Substrate-Induced Facilitated Dissociation of the Competitive Inhibitor from the Active Site of O-Acetyl Serine Sulfhydrylase Reveals a Competitive-Allostery Mechanism.

    PubMed

    Singh, Appu Kumar; Ekka, Mary Krishna; Kaushik, Abhishek; Pandya, Vaibhav; Singh, Ravi P; Banerjee, Shrijita; Mittal, Monica; Singh, Vijay; Kumaran, S

    2017-09-19

    By classical competitive antagonism, a substrate and competitive inhibitor must bind mutually exclusively to the active site. The competitive inhibition of O-acetyl serine sulfhydrylase (OASS) by the C-terminus of serine acetyltransferase (SAT) presents a paradox, because the C-terminus of SAT binds to the active site of OASS with an affinity that is 4-6 log-fold (10 4 -10 6 ) greater than that of the substrate. Therefore, we employed multiple approaches to understand how the substrate gains access to the OASS active site under physiological conditions. Single-molecule and ensemble approaches showed that the active site-bound high-affinity competitive inhibitor is actively dissociated by the substrate, which is not consistent with classical views of competitive antagonism. We employed fast-flow kinetic approaches to demonstrate that substrate-mediated dissociation of full length SAT-OASS (cysteine regulatory complex) follows a noncanonical "facilitated dissociation" mechanism. To understand the mechanism by which the substrate induces inhibitor dissociation, we resolved the crystal structures of enzyme·inhibitor·substrate ternary complexes. Crystal structures reveal a competitive allosteric binding mechanism in which the substrate intrudes into the inhibitor-bound active site and disengages the inhibitor before occupying the site vacated by the inhibitor. In summary, here we reveal a new type of competitive allosteric binding mechanism by which one of the competitive antagonists facilitates the dissociation of the other. Together, our results indicate that "competitive allostery" is the general feature of noncanonical "facilitated/accelerated dissociation" mechanisms. Further understanding of the mechanistic framework of "competitive allosteric" mechanism may allow us to design a new family of "competitive allosteric drugs/small molecules" that will have improved selectivity and specificity as compared to their competitive and allosteric counterparts.

  13. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor induced angioedema - an overlooked and potentially lethal adverse drug reaction?

    PubMed

    Scott, Susanne Irene; Andersen, Michelle Fog; Aagaard, Lise; Buchwald, Christian Von; Rasmussen, Eva Rye

    2017-02-14

    Introduction Angioedema is a potentially fatal adverse drug reaction of some medications, as swellings of the upper airways can cause death by asphyxiation. Angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors are widely known to cause angioedema but less is known about the association between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (gliptins) and angioedema. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are anti-diabetic drugs used to improve glycaemic control. They, as a class effect, inadvertently affect the degradation of the vasoactive kinins bradykinin and substance P, both of which can cause angioedema due to vasodilatation and increase in vascular permeability in the capillaries. Objective To assess the risk and pathomechanism of angioedema due to inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors when used as monotherapy and in combination with angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors. Method PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, PubMed Central, Web of Science, Google Scholar and clinicaltrials.gov were searched using different combinations of keywords "angioedema", "dipeptidyl peptidase 4", "dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors", "gliptins", "bradykinin", "substance P" and "angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors". Original research papers were preferably used as references and their bibliographies were used to further the search for original research results. Results Both angiotensin converting enzyme and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 are major enzymes in the degradation pathway of bradykinin and substance P, and when inhibited pharmacologically - especially at the same time - the theoretical risk of angioedema is increased due to accumulation of vasoactive kinins. Conclusion Treatment with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors must be carefully considered and monitored especially during concurrent treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors or when treating patients with a known predisposition to angioedema. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

  14. A small molecule deubiquitinase inhibitor increases localization of inducible nitric oxide synthase to the macrophage phagosome and enhances bacterial killing.

    PubMed

    Burkholder, Kristin M; Perry, Jeffrey W; Wobus, Christiane E; Donato, Nicholas J; Showalter, Hollis D; Kapuria, Vaibhav; O'Riordan, Mary X D

    2011-12-01

    Macrophages are key mediators of antimicrobial defense and innate immunity. Innate intracellular defense mechanisms can be rapidly regulated at the posttranslational level by the coordinated addition and removal of ubiquitin by ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs). While ubiquitin ligases have been extensively studied, the contribution of DUBs to macrophage innate immune function is incompletely defined. We therefore employed a small molecule DUB inhibitor, WP1130, to probe the role of DUBs in the macrophage response to bacterial infection. Treatment of activated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) with WP1130 significantly augmented killing of the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. WP1130 also induced killing of phagosome-restricted bacteria, implicating a bactericidal mechanism associated with the phagosome, such as the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). WP1130 had a minimal antimicrobial effect in macrophages lacking iNOS, indicating that iNOS is an effector mechanism for WP1130-mediated bacterial killing. Although overall iNOS levels were not notably different, we found that WP1130 significantly increased colocalization of iNOS with the Listeria-containing phagosome during infection. Taken together, our data indicate that the deubiquitinase inhibitor WP1130 increases bacterial killing in macrophages by enhancing iNOS localization to the phagosome and suggest a potential role for ubiquitin regulation in iNOS trafficking.

  15. SGLT2 inhibitors: molecular design and potential differences in effect.

    PubMed

    Isaji, Masayuki

    2011-03-01

    The physiological and pathological handling of glucose via sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) in the kidneys has been evolving, and SGLT2 inhibitors have been focused upon as a novel drug for treating diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors enhance renal glucose excretion by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption. Consequently, SGLT2 inhibitors reduce plasma glucose insulin independently and improve insulin resistance in diabetes. To date, various SGLT2 inhibitors have been developed and evaluated in clinical studies. The potency and positioning of SGLT2 inhibitors as an antidiabetic drug are dependent on their characteristic profile, which induces selectivity, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety. This profile decides which SGLT2 inhibitors can be expected for application of the theoretical concept of reducing renal glucose reabsorption for the treatment of diabetes. I review the structure and advancing profile of various SGLT2 inhibitors, comparing their similarities and differences, and discuss the expected SGLT2 inhibitors for an emerging category of antidiabetic drugs.

  16. Efficacy and gastrointestinal tolerability of ML3403, a selective inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase and CBS-3595, a dual inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase and phosphodiesterase 4 in CFA-induced arthritis in rats.

    PubMed

    Koch, Diana A; Silva, Rodrigo B M; de Souza, Alessandra H; Leite, Carlos E; Nicoletti, Natália F; Campos, Maria M; Laufer, Stefan; Morrone, Fernanda B

    2014-03-01

    Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 inhibitors have entered the clinical phase, although many of them have failed due to high toxicity and lack of efficacy. In the present study we compared the effects of the selective p38 inhibitor ML3403 and the dual p38-PDE4 inhibitor CBS-3595, on inflammatory and nociceptive parameters in a model of polyarthritis in rats. Male Wistar rats (180-200 g) were used for the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis model and they were evaluated at 14-21 days. We also analysed the effects of these pharmacological tools on liver and gastrointestinal toxicity and on cytokine levels. Repeated CBS-3595 (3 mg/kg) or ML3403 (10 mg/kg) administration produced significant anti-inflammatory actions in the chronic arthritis model induced by CFA. CBS-3595 and ML3403 treatment also markedly reduced the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 in the paw tissue, whereas it widely increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Moreover, CBS-3595 produced partial anti-allodynic effects in the CFA model at 4 and 8 days after treatment. Notably, ML3403 and CBS-3595 did not show marked signs of hepatoxicity, as supported by unaltered histological observations in the liver sections. Finally, both compounds were safe in the gastrointestinal tract, according to evaluation of intestinal biopsies. CBS-3595 displayed a superior profile regarding its anti-inflammatory effects. Thus p38 MAPK/PDE4 blocking might well constitute a relevant strategy for the treatment of RA.

  17. Blebbistatin, a myosin II inhibitor, suppresses Ca(2+)-induced and "sensitized"-contraction of skinned tracheal muscles from guinea pig.

    PubMed

    Yumoto, Masatoshi; Watanabe, Masaru

    2013-01-01

    Blebbistatin, a potent inhibitor of myosin II, has inhibiting effects on Ca(2+)-induced contraction and contractile filament organization without affecting the Ca(2+)-sensitivity to the force and phosphorylation level of myosin regulatory light chain (MLC20) in skinned (cell membrane permeabilized) taenia cecum from the guinea pig (Watanabe et al., Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2010; 298: C1118-26). In the present study, we investigated blebbistatin effects on the contractile force of skinned tracheal muscle, in which myosin filaments organization is more labile than that in the taenia cecum. Blebbistatin at 10 μM or higher suppressed Ca(2+)-induced tension development at any given Ca(2+) concentration, but had little effects on the Ca(2+)- induced myosin light chain phosphorylation. Also blebbistatin at 10 μM and higher significantly suppressed GTP-γS-induced "sensitized" force development. Since the force inhibiting effects of blebbistatin on the skinned trachea were much stronger than those in skinned taenia cecum, blebbistatin might directly affect myosin filaments organization.

  18. Anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effect of a novel selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitor in the diet-induced obese mice.

    PubMed

    Park, Sung Bum; Jung, Won Hoon; Kang, Nam Sook; Park, Ji Seon; Bae, Gyu Hwan; Kim, Hee Youn; Rhee, Sang Dal; Kang, Seung Kyu; Ahn, Jin Hee; Jeong, Hye Gwang; Kim, Ki Young

    2013-12-05

    It has been reported that the selective inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) have considerable potential for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects of N-(5-carbamoyladamantan-2-yl)-3-((2-fluorophenyl) sulfonyl)thiazolidine-2-carboxamide (KR-67105), a novel 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, in diabetic mice model and preadipocyte model. KR-67105 concentration dependently inhibited 11β-HSD1 activity in human and mouse 11β-HSD1 overexpressing cells and mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, KR-67105 concentration-dependently inhibited 11β-HSD1 activity in the ex vivo assay of C57BL/6 mice. In the study with diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, the administration of KR-67105 (100mg/kg/day, orally for 28 days) improved the glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity as determined by the oral glucose tolerance test and the insulin tolerance test. Anti-diabetic effect by KR-67105 was associated with the suppression of diabetic related genes expression in liver and fat. Furthermore, KR-67105 suppressed 11β-HSD1 activity in liver and fat of diabetic mice, but showed no effect on adrenal grand weight/body weight ratio and plasma corticosterone concentration in diabetic mice. In 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, cortisone induced the mRNA of inflammatory cytokines and 11β-HSD1 and reactive oxygen species formation. This effect was abolished by co-incubation with KR-67105 in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, KR-67105 attenuated cortisone induced iNOS expression and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, p38 MAPK, and ERK1/2 in preadipocytes. Taken together, it is concluded that a selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, KR-67105, may provide a new therapeutic window in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes with chronic inflammation without toxicity. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Structural Basis for Inhibitor-Induced Hydrogen Peroxide Production by Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase.

    PubMed

    Kim, Hyun Tae; Na, Byeong Kwan; Chung, Jiwoung; Kim, Sulhee; Kwon, Sool Ki; Cha, Hyunju; Son, Jonghyeon; Cho, Joong Myung; Hwang, Kwang Yeon

    2018-04-19

    Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. The mechanisms of flavin reduction and hydrogen peroxide production by KMO inhibitors are unknown. Herein, we report the structure of human KMO and crystal structures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (sc) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (pf) KMO with Ro 61-8048. Proton transfer in the hydrogen bond network triggers flavin reduction in p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase, but the mechanism triggering flavin reduction in KMO is different. Conformational changes via π-π interactions between the loop above the flavin and substrate or non-substrate effectors lead to disorder of the C-terminal α helix in scKMO and shifts of domain III in pfKMO, stimulating flavin reduction. Interestingly, Ro 61-8048 has two different binding modes. It acts as a competitive inhibitor in scKMO and as a non-substrate effector in pfKMO. These findings provide understanding of the catalytic cycle of KMO and insight for structure-based drug design of KMO inhibitors. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Demethylase Inhibitor Fungicide Resistance in Pyrenophora teres f. sp. teres Associated with Target Site Modification and Inducible Overexpression of Cyp51

    PubMed Central

    Mair, Wesley J.; Deng, Weiwei; Mullins, Jonathan G. L.; West, Samuel; Wang, Penghao; Besharat, Naghmeh; Ellwood, Simon R.; Oliver, Richard P.; Lopez-Ruiz, Francisco J.

    2016-01-01

    Pyrenophora teres f. sp. teres is the cause of net form of net blotch (NFNB), an economically important foliar disease in barley (Hordeum vulgare). Net and spot forms of net blotch are widely controlled using site-specific systemic fungicides. Although resistance to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors and quinone outside inhibitors has been addressed before in net blotches, mechanisms controlling demethylation inhibitor resistance have not yet been reported at the molecular level. Here we report the isolation of strains of NFNB in Australia since 2013 resistant to a range of demethylase inhibitor fungicides. Cyp51A:KO103-A1, an allele with the mutation F489L, corresponding to the archetype F495I in Aspergillus fumigatus, was only present in resistant strains and was correlated with resistance factors to various demethylase inhibitors ranging from 1.1 for epoxiconazole to 31.7 for prochloraz. Structural in silico modeling of the sensitive and resistant CYP51A proteins docked with different demethylase inhibitor fungicides showed how the interaction of F489L within the heme cavity produced a localized constriction of the region adjacent to the docking site that is predicted to result in lower binding affinities. Resistant strains also displayed enhanced induced expression of the two Cyp51A paralogs and of Cyp51B genes. While Cyp51B was found to be constitutively expressed in the absence of fungicide, Cyp51A was only detected at extremely low levels. Under fungicide induction, expression of Cyp51B, Cyp51A2, and Cyp51A1 was shown to be 1.6-, 3,- and 5.3-fold higher, respectively in the resistant isolate compared to the wild type. These increased levels of expression were not supported by changes in the promoters of any of the three genes. The implications of these findings on demethylase inhibitor activity will require current net blotch management strategies to be reconsidered in order to avoid the development of further resistance and preserve the lifespan of

  1. Effects of intracellular iron overload on cell death and identification of potent cell death inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Fang, Shenglin; Yu, Xiaonan; Ding, Haoxuan; Han, Jianan; Feng, Jie

    2018-06-11

    Iron overload causes many diseases, while the underlying etiologies of these diseases are unclear. Cell death processes including apoptosis, necroptosis, cyclophilin D-(CypD)-dependent necrosis and a recently described additional form of regulated cell death called ferroptosis, are dependent on iron or iron-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, whether the accumulation of intracellular iron itself induces ferroptosis or other forms of cell death is largely elusive. In present study, we study the role of intracellular iron overload itself-induced cell death mechanisms by using ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) and a membrane-permeable Ferric 8-hydroxyquinoline complex (Fe-8HQ) respectively. We show that FAC-induced intracellular iron overload causes ferroptosis. We also identify 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) inhibitor GSK2334470 as a potent ferroptosis inhibitor. Whereas, Fe-8HQ-induced intracellular iron overload causes unregulated necrosis, but partially activates PARP-1 dependent parthanatos. Interestingly, we identify many phenolic compounds as potent inhibitors of Fe-8HQ-induced cell death. In conclusion, intracellular iron overload-induced cell death form might be dependent on the intracellular iron accumulation rate, newly identified cell death inhibitors in our study that target ferroptosis and unregulated oxidative cell death represent potential therapeutic strategies against iron overload related diseases. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Toxicologic study of carboxyatractyloside (active principle in cocklebur--Xanthium strumarium) in rats treated with enzyme inducers and inhibitors and glutathione precursor and depletor.

    PubMed

    Hatch, R C; Jain, A V; Weiss, R; Clark, J D

    1982-01-01

    Male rats (10 rats/group) were treated with phenobarbital (PB), phenylbutazone (PBZ), stanozolol (3 inducers of cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes), piperonyl butoxide (PBO; a P450 inhibitor), cobaltous chloride (CoCl2; an inhibitor of hemoprotein synthesis), 5,6-benzoflavone (BNF; an inducer of cytochrome P448 dependent enzymes), cysteine [CYS; a glutathione (GSH) precursor], or ethyl maleate (EM; a GSH depletor). The rats were then given a calculated LD50 dosage (13.5 mg/kg of body weight) of carboxyatractyloside (CAT) intraperitoneally. Clinical signs of toxicosis, duration of illness, lethality, gross lesions, and hepatic and renal histopathologic lesions were recorded. Seemingly, (i) CAT toxicosis has independent lethal and cytotoxic components (PBZ decreased lethality and cytotoxicity; CoCl2 decreased cytotoxicity but not lethality; BNF decreased duration of illness, and perhaps lethality, but not cytotoxicity); (ii) CAT cytotoxicity could be partly due to an active metabolite formed by de novo-synthesized, P450-/P448-independent hemoprotein (PBZ and CoCl2 had anticytotoxic effects, but PB, stanozolol, PBO, and BNF did not); (iii) CAT detoxification may occur partly through a hemoprotein-independent, PBZ-inducible enzyme, and partly through a P448-dependent (BNF-inducible) enzyme; and (iv) CAT detoxification apparently is not P450 or GSH-dependent because PB, stanozolol, and CYS had no beneficial effects, and PBO, CoCl2, and EM did not enhance toxicosis. Metabolism of CAT may have a role in its cytotoxic and lethal effects.

  3. BIM expression in treatment naïve cancers predicts responsiveness to kinase inhibitors

    PubMed Central

    Faber, Anthony; Corcoran, Ryan B.; Ebi, Hiromichi; Sequist, Lecia V.; Waltman, Belinda A.; Chung, Euiheon; Incio, Joao; Digumarthy, Subba R.; Pollack, Sarah F.; Song, Youngchul; Muzikansky, Alona; Lifshits, Eugene; Roberge, Sylvie; Coffman, Erik J.; Benes, Cyril; Gómez, Henry; Baselga, Jose; Arteaga, Carlos L.; Rivera, Miguel N.; Dias-Santagata, Dora; Jain, Rakesh K.; Engelman, Jeffrey A.

    2011-01-01

    Cancers with specific genetic mutations are susceptible to selective kinase inhibitors. However, there is wide spectrum of benefit among cancers harboring the same sensitizing genetic mutations. Herein, we measured apoptotic rates among cell lines sharing the same driver oncogene following treatment with the corresponding kinase inhibitor. There was a wide range of kinase inhibitor-induced apoptosis despite comparable inhibition of the target and associated downstream signaling pathways. Surprisingly, pre-treatment RNA levels of the BH3-only pro-apoptotic BIM strongly predicted the capacity of EGFR, HER2, and PI3K inhibitors to induce apoptosis in EGFR mutant, HER2 amplified, and PIK3CA mutant cancers, respectively, but BIM levels did not predict responsiveness to standard chemotherapies. Furthermore, BIM RNA levels in EGFR mutant lung cancer specimens predicted response and duration of clinical benefit from EGFR inhibitors. These findings suggest assessment of BIM levels in treatment naïve tumor biopsies may indicate the degree of benefit from single-agent kinase inhibitors in multiple oncogene-addiction paradigms. PMID:22145099

  4. Enhancing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy In Kidney Cancer

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-10-01

    AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0141 TITLE: Enhancing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor therapy in Kidney Cancer PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Hans-Joerg Hammers...Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor therapy in Kidney Cancer 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH- 15-1-0141 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S...to develop strategies to enhance immune checkpoint inhibition in kidney cancer. The work is designed to test different strategies to induce or

  5. Enhancing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Kidney Cancer

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-10-01

    AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0141 TITLE: Enhancing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor therapy in Kidney Cancer PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Hans-Joerg Hammers...SUBTITLE Enhancing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor therapy in Kidney Cancer 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH- 15-1-0141 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER...immune checkpoint inhibition in kidney cancer . The work is designed to test different strategies to induce or enhance the abscopal in a kidney cancer

  6. Thrombocytopenia induced by the histone deacetylase inhibitor abexinostat involves p53-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Ali, A; Bluteau, O; Messaoudi, K; Palazzo, A; Boukour, S; Lordier, L; Lecluse, Y; Rameau, P; Kraus-Berthier, L; Jacquet-Bescond, A; Lelièvre, H; Depil, S; Dessen, P; Solary, E; Raslova, H; Vainchenker, W; Plo, I; Debili, N

    2013-07-25

    Abexinostat is a pan histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) that demonstrates efficacy in malignancy treatment. Like other HDACi, this drug induces a profound thrombocytopenia whose mechanism is only partially understood. We have analyzed its effect at doses reached in patient plasma on in vitro megakaryopoiesis derived from human CD34(+) cells. When added at day 0 in culture, abexinostat inhibited CFU-MK growth, megakaryocyte (MK) proliferation and differentiation. These effects required only a short incubation period. Decreased proliferation was due to induction of apoptosis and was not related to a defect in TPO/MPL/JAK2/STAT signaling. When added later (day 8), the compound induced a dose-dependent decrease (up to 10-fold) in proplatelet (PPT) formation. Gene profiling from MK revealed a silencing in the expression of DNA repair genes with a marked RAD51 decrease at protein level. DNA double-strand breaks were increased as attested by elevated γH2AX phosphorylation level. Moreover, ATM was phosphorylated leading to p53 stabilization and increased BAX and p21 expression. The use of a p53 shRNA rescued apoptosis, and only partially the defect in PPT formation. These results suggest that HDACi induces a thrombocytopenia by a p53-dependent mechanism along MK differentiation and a p53-dependent and -independent mechanism for PPT formation.

  7. Regression of experimentally induced endometriosis with a new selective cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Kilico, Ismail; Kokcu, Arif; Kefeli, Mehmet; Kandemir, Bedri

    2014-01-01

    Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels increase in women with endometriosis. COX-2, via increasing prostaglandin E2, contributes to an increase in vascular endothelial growth factor. In this way, COX-2 may contribute to the progression and continuity of endometriosis. We investigated the effect of dexketoprofen trometamol, a new selective COX-2 enzyme inhibitor, on experimentally induced endometriotic cysts. Experimental endometriotic cysts were created in 60 adult female Wistar albino rats. The rats were randomized to 2 equal groups, a control (group Con) and a dexketoprofen (group Dex) group. Six weeks later, cyst volumes were measured as in vivo (volume 1). Following volume 1 measurement, for 4 weeks group Con received 0.1 ml distilled water; group Dex received 0.375 mg dexketoprofen trometamol/0.1 ml distilled water, intramuscularly, twice a day. At the end of administration, the cyst volumes were remeasured (volume 2), and the cysts totally excised and weighed. Glandular (GT) and stromal tissues (ST) and natural killer (NK) cell contents in the cyst wall were scored. NK cell content and volume 1 were not different between the 2 groups. Volume 2, cyst weight, and GT and ST contents in group Dex were significantly lower than those in group Con. Dexketoprofen trometamol significantly reduced the development of experimentally induced endometriotic cysts both macroscopically and microscopically.

  8. Randomized Trial of Icatibant for Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor-Induced Upper Airway Angioedema.

    PubMed

    Sinert, Richard; Levy, Phillip; Bernstein, Jonathan A; Body, Richard; Sivilotti, Marco L A; Moellman, Joseph; Schranz, Jennifer; Baptista, Jovanna; Kimura, Alan; Nothaft, Wolfram

    Upper airway angioedema is a rare, unpredictable, and at times life-threatening adverse effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) with no existing effective pharmacologic treatment. Icatibant is a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist that may be beneficial in patients with ACE-I-induced angioedema. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of icatibant in subjects with ACE-I-induced angioedema. At 31 centers in 4 countries, adults on ACE-Is who presented within 12 hours of the onset of at least moderately severe angioedema were randomized 1:1 to icatibant 30 mg or placebo administered subcutaneously. The primary efficacy end point was time to meeting discharge criteria after study drug administration, based on the severity of airway symptoms assessed hourly by a blinded physician using clinical ratings across 4 domains. A total of 121 subjects were randomized (icatibant, n = 61; placebo, n = 60); 118 received treatment a median of 7.8 hours from symptom onset. We observed no difference in time to meeting discharge criteria between groups (median, 4.0 hours in each group; P = .63). There also was no difference in time to onset of symptom relief (median, icatibant, 2.0 hours; placebo, 1.6 hours; P = .57) or any other secondary end point. Similar findings were noted in prespecified and post hoc subgroup analyses stratified by symptom severity, time interval to treatment, age, and other clinical covariates. No new safety signals were detected. Icatibant was no more efficacious than placebo in at least moderately severe ACE-I-induced angioedema of the upper airway. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Progressive renal insufficiency related to ALK inhibitor, alectinib.

    PubMed

    Nagai, Kojiro; Ono, Hiroyuki; Matsuura, Motokazu; Hann, Michael; Ueda, Sayo; Yoshimoto, Sakiya; Tamaki, Masanori; Murakami, Taichi; Abe, Hideharu; Ishikura, Hisashi; Doi, Toshio

    2018-04-01

    Alectinib is a second generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitor and is generally effective and tolerated in patients who have demonstrated disease progression or adverse effects while on the first generation inhibitor, crizotinib. ALK inhibitors can cause a reversible chronic increase of serum creatinine concentration; however, they rarely induce progressive renal insufficiency. We herein report a case of a 68-year-old woman diagnosed with ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer and who received ALK inhibitors. Due to dysgeusia and transaminitis, her medication was switched from crizotinib to alectinib. Rapid progressive glomerulonephritis developed 1 year after the initiation of alectinib treatment. A renal biopsy revealed unique kidney lesions in both tubules and glomeruli. Glucocorticoid therapy partially reversed kidney impairment. However, re-administration of alectinib caused kidney dysfunction, which was improved by the cessation of alectinib. Our case suggests that much attention should be paid to kidney function when using ALK inhibitors.

  10. Highly selective SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin reduces seizure activity in pentylenetetrazol-induced murine model of epilepsy.

    PubMed

    Erdogan, Mumin Alper; Yusuf, Dimas; Christy, Joanna; Solmaz, Volkan; Erdogan, Arife; Taskiran, Emin; Erbas, Oytun

    2018-06-07

    Worldwide, over 10 million individuals suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy. New therapeutic strategies are needed to address this debilitating disease. Inhibition of sodium-glucose linked transporters (SGLTs), which are variably expressed in the brain, has been demonstrated to reduce seizure activity in murine models of epilepsy. Here we investigated the effects of dapagliflozin, a highly competitive SGLT2 inhibitor currently used as a drug for diabetes mellitus, on seizure activity in rats with pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced seizures. Laboratory rats (n = 48) were evenly randomized into two experiments, each with four study arms: (1) a vehicle-treated (placebo) arm infused with saline; (2) a control arm infused with PTZ; (3) a treatment arm with PTZ and dapagliflozin at 75 mg/kg, and (4) another treatment arm with PTZ and dapagliflozin at 150 mg/kg. Study subjects were assessed for seizures either via EEG as measured by spike wave percentage (SWP), or clinically via Racine's scales scores (RSS) and time to first myoclonic jerk (TFMJ). Rats treated with dapagliflozin had lower mean SWP on EEG (20.4% versus 75.3% for untreated rats). Behaviorally, treatment with dapagliflozin improved means RSS (2.33 versus 5.5) and mean TFMJ (68.3 versus 196.7 s). All of these findings were statistically significant with p-values of < 0.0001. There was a trend towards even better seizure control with the higher dose of dapagliflozin at 150 mg/kg, however this was not consistently statistically significant. Dapagliflozin decreased seizure activity in rats with PTZ-induced seizures. This may be explained by the anti-seizure effects of decreased glucose availability and a reduction in sodium transport across neuronal membranes which can confer a stabilizing effect against excitability and unwanted depolarization. The potential clinical role of dapagliflozin and other SGLT2 inhibitors as anti-seizure medications should be further explored.

  11. Rifampicin seems to act as both an inducer and an inhibitor of the metabolism of repaglinide.

    PubMed

    Bidstrup, Tanja Busk; Stilling, Nicolaj; Damkier, Per; Scharling, Birgitte; Thomsen, Mikael Søndergård; Brøsen, Kim

    2004-04-01

    To investigate if rifampicin is both an inducer and an inhibitor of repaglinide metabolism, it was determined whether the timing of rifampicin co-administration influences the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide. Male volunteers ( n=12) participated in a randomised, two-period, crossover trial evaluating the effect of multiple doses of 600 mg rifampicin once daily for 7 days on repaglinide metabolism. Subjects were, after baseline measurements of repaglinide pharmacokinetics, randomised to receive, on either day 7 or day 8 of the rifampicin administration period, a single dose of 4 mg repaglinide and vice versa in the following period. When repaglinide was given, together with the last rifampicin dose, on day 7, an almost 50% reduction of the median repaglinide area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was observed. Neither the peak plasma concentration (C(max)), time to reach C(max) (t(max)) nor terminal half-life (t(1/2)) was statistically significantly affected. When repaglinide was given on day 8, 24 h after the last rifampicin dose, an almost 80% reduction of the median repaglinide AUC was observed. The median C(max) was now statistically significantly reduced from 35 ng/ml to 7.5 ng/ml. Neither t(max) nor t(1/2) was significantly affected. When rifampicin and repaglinide are administered concomitantly, rifampicin seems to act as both an inducer and an inhibitor of the metabolism of repaglinide. After discontinuing rifampicin administration, while the inductive effect on CYP3A4 and probably also CYP2C8 is still present, an even more marked reduction in the plasma concentration of repaglinide was observed. Our results suggest that concomitant administration of rifampicin and repaglinide may cause a clinically relevant decrease in the glucose-lowering effect of repaglinide, in particular when rifampicin treatment is discontinued or if the drugs are not administered simultaneously or within a few hours of each other.

  12. Inducible Nitric Oxide Inhibitors Block NMDA Antagonist-Stimulated Motoric Behaviors and Medial Prefrontal Cortical Glutamate Efflux

    PubMed Central

    Bergstrom, Hadley C.; Darvesh, Altaf S.; Berger, S. P.

    2015-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in the motoric and glutamate releasing action of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-antagonist stimulants. Earlier studies utilized neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (nNOS) for studying the neurobehavioral effects of non-competitive NMDA-antagonist stimulants such as dizocilpine (MK-801) and phencyclidine (PCP). This study explores the role of the inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (iNOS) aminoguanidine (AG) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in NMDA-antagonist induced motoric behavior and prefrontal cortical glutamate efflux. Adult male rats were administered a dose range of AG, EGCG, or vehicle prior to receiving NMDA antagonists MK-801, PCP, or a conventional psychostimulant (cocaine) and tested for motoric behavior in an open arena. Glutamate in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was measured using in vivo microdialysis after a combination of AG or EGCG prior to MK-801. Acute administration of AG or EGCG dose-dependently attenuated the locomotor and ataxic properties of MK-801 and PCP. Both AG and EGCG were unable to block the motoric effects of cocaine, indicating the acute pharmacologic action of AG and EGCG is specific to NMDA antagonism and not generalizable to all stimulant class drugs. AG and EGCG normalized MK-801-stimulated mPFC glutamate efflux. These data demonstrate that AG and EGCG attenuates NMDA antagonist-stimulated motoric behavior and cortical glutamate efflux. Our results suggest that EGCG-like polyphenol nutraceuticals (contained in “green tea” and chocolate) may be clinically useful in protecting against the adverse behavioral dissociative and cortical glutamate stimulating effects of NMDA antagonists. Medications that interfere with NMDA antagonists such as MK-801 and PCP have been proposed as treatments for schizophrenia. PMID:26696891

  13. New synthetic thrombin inhibitors: molecular design and experimental verification.

    PubMed

    Sinauridze, Elena I; Romanov, Alexey N; Gribkova, Irina V; Kondakova, Olga A; Surov, Stepan S; Gorbatenko, Aleksander S; Butylin, Andrey A; Monakov, Mikhail Yu; Bogolyubov, Alexey A; Kuznetsov, Yuryi V; Sulimov, Vladimir B; Ataullakhanov, Fazoyl I

    2011-01-01

    The development of new anticoagulants is an important goal for the improvement of thromboses treatments. The design, synthesis and experimental testing of new safe and effective small molecule direct thrombin inhibitors for intravenous administration. Computer-aided molecular design of new thrombin inhibitors was performed using our original docking program SOL, which is based on the genetic algorithm of global energy minimization in the framework of a Merck Molecular Force Field. This program takes into account the effects of solvent. The designed molecules with the best scoring functions (calculated binding energies) were synthesized and their thrombin inhibitory activity evaluated experimentally in vitro using a chromogenic substrate in a buffer system and using a thrombin generation test in isolated plasma and in vivo using the newly developed model of hemodilution-induced hypercoagulation in rats. The acute toxicities of the most promising new thrombin inhibitors were evaluated in mice, and their stabilities in aqueous solutions were measured. New compounds that are both effective direct thrombin inhibitors (the best K(I) was <1 nM) and strong anticoagulants in plasma (an IC(50) in the thrombin generation assay of approximately 100 nM) were discovered. These compounds contain one of the following new residues as the basic fragment: isothiuronium, 4-aminopyridinium, or 2-aminothiazolinium. LD(50) values for the best new inhibitors ranged from 166.7 to >1111.1 mg/kg. A plasma-substituting solution supplemented with one of the new inhibitors prevented hypercoagulation in the rat model of hemodilution-induced hypercoagulation. Activities of the best new inhibitors in physiological saline (1 µM solutions) were stable after sterilization by autoclaving, and the inhibitors remained stable at long-term storage over more than 1.5 years at room temperature and at 4°C. The high efficacy, stability and low acute toxicity reveal that the inhibitors that were developed

  14. Long-term complete remission of metastatic breast cancer, induced by a steroidal aromatase inhibitor after failure of a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor

    PubMed Central

    Shioi, Yoshihiro; Kashiwaba, Masahiro; Inaba, Toru; Komatsu, Hideaki; Sugai, Tamotsu; Wakabayashi, Go

    2014-01-01

    Patient: Female, 56 Final Diagnosis: Breast cancer Symptoms: Solid mass in the right breast Medication: Exemestane Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Oncology Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: The efficacy of third-generation aromatase inhibitors for hormone receptor-positive postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer is well established. Although several clinical trials have reported incomplete cross-resistance between different aromatase inhibitors, few cases of complete responses of recurrent metastatic breast cancer occurring after substituting a second aromatase inhibitor have been reported. We here present a rare case of non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor-tolerant metastatic breast cancer with long-term complete remission following substitution of a steroidal aromatase inhibitor. Case Report: We present the case of a 56-year-old Japanese woman who underwent right breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer, TNM staging T1, N0, M0, Stage I. She received adjuvant chemotherapy with 6 cycles of FEC100 and radiation therapy, and then began hormonal therapy with anastrozole. Twelve months postoperatively, computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple lung metastases. Exemestane was substituted for anastrozole. After 3 months of exemestane, CT showed that all lung metastases had completely resolved. Her complete response was maintained for 5 years: she died during a tsunami 6 years after the initial surgery. Conclusions: Substitution of a steroidal for a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor produced a sustained complete remission in a patient with hormonal receptor-positive postmenopausal recurrent breast cancer. Achieving complete response after switching from a non-steroidal to a steroidal aromatase inhibitor in a hormonal receptor-positive postmenopausal recurrent breast cancer contributed to a higher quality of life for the patient. Further investigation is needed to identify the predictors of long-term remission following such a switch. PMID:24587856

  15. Effect of inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis on gibberellin-induced internode growth in light-grown dwarf peas

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kaur-Sawhney, R.; Dai, Y. R.; Galston, A. W.

    1986-01-01

    When gibberellic acid (GA3) is sprayed on 9-day-old light-brown dwarf Progress pea (Pisum sativum) seedlings, arginine decarboxylase (ADC; EC 4.1.1.9) activity increases within 3 h and peaks at about 9 h after GA3 application. This is followed by a second lower peak at about 30 h; both peaks were higher than the corresponding peaks in the controls. In contrast, no appreciable effect of GA3 on internode length was observed until about 12 h, after which time a dramatic increase in growth rate occurred and persisted for about 12 h. Specific (DL-alpha-difluoromethylarginine) and non-specific (D-arginine and L-canavanine) inhibitors of ADC strongly inhibited ADC activity and to a lesser extent internode growth. The inhibition was reversed only slightly by the addition of polyamines. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide inhibited the rise in ADC activity induced by GA3. The half-life of the enzyme was increased by GA3 treatment. The results suggest that part of the GA3-induced increase in internode growth may result from enhanced polyamine biosynthesis through the ADC pathway. Furthermore, the GA3 induced increase in ADC activity probably requires de novo synthesis of both RNA and protein.

  16. The role of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 in apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Gartel, Andrei L; Tyner, Angela L

    2002-06-01

    Cancer develops when the balance between cell proliferation and cell death is disrupted, and the ensuing aberrant proliferation leads to tumor growth. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 is induced by both p53-dependent and -independent mechanisms following stress, and induction of p21 may cause cell cycle arrest. As a proliferation inhibitor, p21 is poised to play an important role in preventing tumor development. This notion is supported by data indicating that p21-null mice are more prone to spontaneous and induced tumorigenesis, and p21 synergizes with other tumor suppressors to protect against tumor progression in mice. However, a number of recent studies have pointed out that in addition to being an inhibitor of cell proliferation, p21 acts as an inhibitor of apoptosis in a number of systems, and this may counteract its tumor-suppressive functions as a growth inhibitor. In the current review, we discuss the role of p21 in regulating cell death and the potential relevance of its expression in cancer.

  17. Effect of Tamoxifen and Brain-Penetrant Protein Kinase C and c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitors on Tolerance to Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression in Mice.

    PubMed

    Withey, Sarah L; Hill, Rob; Lyndon, Abigail; Dewey, William L; Kelly, Eamonn; Henderson, Graeme

    2017-04-01

    Respiratory depression is the major cause of death in opioid overdose. We have previously shown that prolonged treatment of mice with morphine induces profound tolerance to the respiratory-depressant effects of the drug (Hill et al., 2016). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether tolerance to opioid-induced respiratory depression is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) and/or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We found that although mice treated for up to 6 days with morphine developed tolerance, as measured by the reduced responsiveness to an acute challenge dose of morphine, administration of the brain-penetrant PKC inhibitors tamoxifen and calphostin C restored the ability of acute morphine to produce respiratory depression in morphine-treated mice. Importantly, reversal of opioid tolerance was dependent on the nature of the opioid ligand used to induce tolerance, as these PKC inhibitors did not reverse tolerance induced by prolonged treatment of mice with methadone nor did they reverse the protection to acute morphine-induced respiratory depression afforded by prolonged treatment with buprenorphine. We found no evidence for the involvement of JNK in morphine-induced tolerance to respiratory depression. These results indicate that PKC represents a major mechanism underlying morphine tolerance, that the mechanism of opioid tolerance to respiratory depression is ligand-dependent, and that coadministration of drugs with PKC-inhibitory activity and morphine (as well as heroin, largely metabolized to morphine in the body) may render individuals more susceptible to overdose death by reversing tolerance to the effects of morphine. Copyright © 2017 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

  18. Effect of Tamoxifen and Brain-Penetrant Protein Kinase C and c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitors on Tolerance to Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Withey, Sarah L.; Hill, Rob; Lyndon, Abigail; Dewey, William L.; Kelly, Eamonn

    2017-01-01

    Respiratory depression is the major cause of death in opioid overdose. We have previously shown that prolonged treatment of mice with morphine induces profound tolerance to the respiratory-depressant effects of the drug (Hill et al., 2016). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether tolerance to opioid-induced respiratory depression is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) and/or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We found that although mice treated for up to 6 days with morphine developed tolerance, as measured by the reduced responsiveness to an acute challenge dose of morphine, administration of the brain-penetrant PKC inhibitors tamoxifen and calphostin C restored the ability of acute morphine to produce respiratory depression in morphine-treated mice. Importantly, reversal of opioid tolerance was dependent on the nature of the opioid ligand used to induce tolerance, as these PKC inhibitors did not reverse tolerance induced by prolonged treatment of mice with methadone nor did they reverse the protection to acute morphine-induced respiratory depression afforded by prolonged treatment with buprenorphine. We found no evidence for the involvement of JNK in morphine-induced tolerance to respiratory depression. These results indicate that PKC represents a major mechanism underlying morphine tolerance, that the mechanism of opioid tolerance to respiratory depression is ligand-dependent, and that coadministration of drugs with PKC-inhibitory activity and morphine (as well as heroin, largely metabolized to morphine in the body) may render individuals more susceptible to overdose death by reversing tolerance to the effects of morphine. PMID:28130265

  19. Targeting Janus tyrosine kinase 3 (JAK3) with an inhibitor induces secretion of TGF-β by CD4+ T cells

    PubMed Central

    Cetkovic-Cvrlje, Marina; Olson, Marin; Ghate, Ketaki

    2012-01-01

    Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for the peripheral maintenance of the autoreactive T cells in autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). Pharmacological inhibition of Janus tyrosine kinase 3 (JAK3) has been proposed as a basis for new treatment modalities against autoimmunity and allogeneic responses. Targeting JAK3 with an inhibitor has previously been shown to exhibit protective action against the development of T1D in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. As the mechanism of such preventative action has been unknown, we hypothesized that JAK3 inhibition induces generation of Tregs. Here, we show that the JAK3 inhibitor 4-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (WHI-P131) suppresses proliferation of short-term cultured NOD CD4+ T cells through induction of apoptosis, while promoting survival of a particular population of long-term cultured cells. It was found that the surviving cells were not of the CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ phenotype. They secreted decreased amounts of IL-10, IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ compared to the cells not exposed to the optimal concentrations of JAK3 inhibitor. However, an elevated transforming growth factor (TGF)-β secretion was detected in their supernatants. In vivo treatment of prediabetic NOD mice with WHI-P131 did not affect the frequency and number of splenic and pancreatic lymph node CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs, while generating an elevated numbers of CD4+FoxP3− TGF-β-secreting T cells. In conclusion, our data suggest an induction of TGF-β-secreting CD4+ T cells as the underlying mechanism for antidiabetogenic effects obtained by the treatment with a JAK3 inhibitor. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the JAK3 inhibitor activity in the context of the murine Tregs. PMID:22728763

  20. Src mediates cigarette smoke-induced resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in NSCLC cells.

    PubMed

    Filosto, Simone; Baston, David S; Chung, Samuel; Becker, Cathleen R; Goldkorn, Tzipora

    2013-08-01

    The EGF receptor (EGFR) is a proto-oncogene commonly dysregulated in several cancers including non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and, thus, is targeted for treatment using tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as erlotinib. However, despite the efficacy observed in patients with NSCLC harboring oncogenic variants of the EGFR, general ineffectiveness of TKIs in patients with NSCLC who are current and former smokers necessitates identification of novel mechanisms to overcome this phenomenon. Previously, we showed that NSCLC cells harboring either wild-type (WT) EGFR or oncogenic mutant (MT) L858R EGFR become resistant to the effects of TKIs when exposed to cigarette smoke, evidenced by their autophosphorylation and prolonged downstream signaling. Here, we present Src as a target mediating cigarette smoke-induced resistance to TKIs in both WT EGFR- and L858R MT EGFR-expressing NSCLC cells. First, we show that cigarette smoke exposure of A549 cells leads to time-dependent activation of Src, which then abnormally binds to the WT EGFR causing TKI resistance, contrasting previous observations of constitutive binding between inactive Src and TKI-sensitive L858R MT EGFR. Next, we show that Src inhibition restores TKI sensitivity in cigarette smoke-exposed NSCLC cells, preventing EGFR autophosphorylation in the presence of erlotinib. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of a dominant-negative Src (Y527F/K295R) restores TKI sensitivity to A549 exposed to cigarette smoke. Importantly, the TKI resistance that emerges even in cigarette smoke-exposed L858R EGFR-expressing NSCLC cells could be eliminated with Src inhibition. Together, these findings offer new rationale for using Src inhibitors for treating TKI-resistant NSCLC commonly observed in smokers.

  1. Src mediates cigarette smoke-induced resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in NSCLC cells

    PubMed Central

    Filosto, Simone; Baston, David S.; Chung, Samuel; Becker, Cathleen R.; Goldkorn, Tzipora

    2015-01-01

    The EGF Receptor (EGFR) is a proto-oncogene commonly dysregulated in several cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and, thus, is targeted for treatment using tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as Erlotinib. However, despite the efficacy observed in NSCLC patients harboring oncogenic variants of the EGFR, general ineffectiveness of TKIs in NSCLC patients who are current and former smokers necessitates identification of novel mechanisms to overcome this phenomenon. Previously, we showed that NSCLC cells harboring either wild-type (WT) EGFR or oncogenic mutant (MT) L858R EGFR become resistant to the effects of TKIs when exposed to cigarette smoke (CS), evidenced by their auto-phosphorylation and prolonged downstream signaling. Here, we present Src as a target mediating CS-induced resistance to TKIs in both WT EGFR and L858R MT EGFR expressing NSCLC cells. First, we show that CS exposure of A549 cells leads to time-dependent activation of Src which then abnormally binds to the WT EGFR causing TKI resistance, contrasting previous observations of constitutive binding between inactive Src and TKI-sensitive L858R MT EGFR. Next, we demonstrate that Src inhibition restores TKI sensitivity in CS-exposed NSCLC cells, preventing EGFR auto-phosphorylation in the presence of Erlotinib. Furthermore, we show that over-expression of a dominant-negative Src (Y527F/K295R) restores TKI sensitivity to A549 exposed to CS. Importantly, the TKI resistance that emerges even in CS-exposed L858R EGFR expressing NSCLC cells could be eliminated with Src inhibition. Together, these findings offer new rationale for using Src inhibitors for treating TKI-resistant NSCLC commonly observed in smokers. PMID:23686837

  2. Identification of genetic factors associated with susceptibility to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors-induced cough.

    PubMed

    Grilo, Antonio; Sáez-Rosas, María P; Santos-Morano, Juan; Sánchez, Elena; Moreno-Rey, Concha; Real, Luis M; Ramírez-Lorca, Reposo; Sáez, María E

    2011-01-01

    Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are the first selected drugs for hypertensive patients because of its protective properties against heart and kidney diseases. Persistent cough is a common adverse reaction associated with ACEi, which can bind to the treatment cessation, but its etiology remains an unresolved issue. The most accepted mechanism is that the inhibition of ACEi increases kinins levels, resulting in the activation of proinflammatory mechanisms and nitric oxide generation. However, relatively little is known about the genetic susceptibility to ACEi-induced cough in hypertensive patients. We carried out a monogenic association analysis of 39 polymorphisms and haplotypes in genes encoding key proteins related to ACEi activity with the occurrence of ACEi-induced cough. We also carried out a digenic association analysis and investigated the existence of epistatic interactions between the analyzed polymorphisms using a logistic regression procedure. Finally, we investigated the predictive value of the identified associations for ACEi-induced cough. We found that genetic polymorphisms in MME [rs2016848, P=0.002, odds ratio (OR)=1.795], BDKRB2 (rs8012552, P=0.012, OR=1.609), PTGER3 (rs11209716, P=0.002, OR=0.565), and ACE (rs4344) genes are associated with ACEi-related cough. For the latter, the effect is sex specific, having a protective effect in males (P=0.027, OR=0.560) and increasing the risk in females (P=0.031, OR=1.847). In addition, genetic interactions between peptidases involved in kinins levels (CPN1 and XPNPEP1) and proteins related to prostaglandin metabolism (PTGIS and PTGIR) strongly modify the risk of ACEi-induced cough presentation (0.102≤OR≤0.384 for protective combinations and 2.732≤OR≤7.216 for risk combinations). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the mechanism of cough is related to the accumulation of bradykinin, substance P, and prostaglandins.

  3. Small-molecule inhibitors of FABP4/5 ameliorate dyslipidemia but not insulin resistance in mice with diet-induced obesity

    PubMed Central

    Lan, Hong; Cheng, Cliff C.; Kowalski, Timothy J.; Pang, Ling; Shan, Lixin; Chuang, Cheng-Chi; Jackson, James; Rojas-Triana, Alberto; Bober, Loretta; Liu, Li; Voigt, Johannes; Orth, Peter; Yang, Xianshu; Shipps, Gerald W.; Hedrick, Joseph A.

    2011-01-01

    Fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) and FABP5 are two closely related FA binding proteins expressed primarily in adipose tissue and/or macrophages. The small-molecule FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 was previously reported to improve insulin sensitivity in leptin-deficient Lepob/Lepob (ob/ob) mice. However, this compound was not extensively characterized in the more physiologically relevant animal model of mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO). Here, we report the discovery and characterization of a novel series of FABP4/5 dual inhibitors represented by Compounds 1–3. Compared with BMS309403, the compounds had significant in vitro potency toward both FABP4 and FABP5. In cell-based assays, Compounds 2 and 3 were more potent than BMS309403 to inhibit lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in primary human adipocytes. They also inhibited MCP-1 release from THP-1 macrophages as well as from primary human macrophages. When chronically administered to DIO mice, BMS309403 and Compound 3 reduced plasma triglyceride and free FA levels. Compound 3 reduced plasma free FAs at a lower dose level than BMS309403. However, no significant change was observed in insulin, glucose, or glucose tolerance. Our results indicate that the FABP4/5 inhibitors ameliorate dyslipidemia but not insulin resistance in DIO mice. PMID:21296956

  4. Small-molecule inhibitors of FABP4/5 ameliorate dyslipidemia but not insulin resistance in mice with diet-induced obesity.

    PubMed

    Lan, Hong; Cheng, Cliff C; Kowalski, Timothy J; Pang, Ling; Shan, Lixin; Chuang, Cheng-Chi; Jackson, James; Rojas-Triana, Alberto; Bober, Loretta; Liu, Li; Voigt, Johannes; Orth, Peter; Yang, Xianshu; Shipps, Gerald W; Hedrick, Joseph A

    2011-04-01

    Fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) and FABP5 are two closely related FA binding proteins expressed primarily in adipose tissue and/or macrophages. The small-molecule FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 was previously reported to improve insulin sensitivity in leptin-deficient Lep(ob)/Lep(ob) (ob/ob) mice. However, this compound was not extensively characterized in the more physiologically relevant animal model of mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO). Here, we report the discovery and characterization of a novel series of FABP4/5 dual inhibitors represented by Compounds 1-3. Compared with BMS309403, the compounds had significant in vitro potency toward both FABP4 and FABP5. In cell-based assays, Compounds 2 and 3 were more potent than BMS309403 to inhibit lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in primary human adipocytes. They also inhibited MCP-1 release from THP-1 macrophages as well as from primary human macrophages. When chronically administered to DIO mice, BMS309403 and Compound 3 reduced plasma triglyceride and free FA levels. Compound 3 reduced plasma free FAs at a lower dose level than BMS309403. However, no significant change was observed in insulin, glucose, or glucose tolerance. Our results indicate that the FABP4/5 inhibitors ameliorate dyslipidemia but not insulin resistance in DIO mice.

  5. Ibrutinib synergizes with poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase inhibitors to induce cell death in AML cells via a BTK-independent mechanism

    PubMed Central

    Rotin, Lianne E.; Gronda, Marcela; MacLean, Neil; Hurren, Rose; Wang, XiaoMing; Lin, Feng-Hsu; Wrana, Jeff; Datti, Alessandro; Barber, Dwayne L.; Minden, Mark D.; Slassi, Malik; Schimmer, Aaron D.

    2016-01-01

    Targeting Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) with the small molecule BTK inhibitor ibrutinib has significantly improved patient outcomes in several B-cell malignancies, with minimal toxicity. Given the reported expression and constitutive activation of BTK in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, there has been recent interest in investigating the anti-AML activity of ibrutinib. We noted that ibrutinib had limited single-agent toxicity in a panel of AML cell lines and primary AML samples, and therefore sought to identify ibrutinib-sensitizing drugs. Using a high-throughput combination chemical screen, we identified that the poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) inhibitor ethacridine lactate synergized with ibrutinib in TEX and OCI-AML2 leukemia cell lines. The combination of ibrutinib and ethacridine induced a synergistic increase in reactive oxygen species that was functionally important to explain the observed cell death. Interestingly, synergistic cytotoxicity of ibrutinib and ethacridine was independent of the inhibitory effect of ibrutinib against BTK, as knockdown of BTK did not sensitize TEX and OCI-AML2 cells to ethacridine treatment. Thus, our findings indicate that ibrutinib may have a BTK-independent role in AML and that PARG inhibitors may have utility as part of a combination therapy for this disease. PMID:26624983

  6. Carprofen analogues as sirtuin inhibitors: enzyme and cellular studies.

    PubMed

    Mellini, Paolo; Carafa, Vincenzo; Di Rienzo, Barbara; Rotili, Dante; De Vita, Daniela; Cirilli, Roberto; Gallinella, Bruno; Provvisiero, Donatella Paola; Di Maro, Salvatore; Novellino, Ettore; Altucci, Lucia; Mai, Antonello

    2012-11-01

    The best of both: SIRT1/2 inhibitors were developed by combining chemical features of selisistat (SIRT1-selective inhibitor; blue) and carprofen (anti-inflammatory drug; red). The most potent compound (shown) increased acetyl-p53 and acetyl-α-tubulin levels, and induced slight apoptosis at 50 μM in U937 cells, differently from selisistat and carprofen. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  7. Impairment of hypoxia-induced HIF-1α signaling in keratinocytes and fibroblasts by sulfur mustard is counteracted by a selective PHD-2 inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Deppe, Janina; Popp, Tanja; Egea, Virginia; Steinritz, Dirk; Schmidt, Annette; Thiermann, Horst; Weber, Christian; Ries, Christian

    2016-05-01

    Skin exposure to sulfur mustard (SM) provokes long-term complications in wound healing. Similar to chronic wounds, SM-induced skin lesions are associated with low levels of oxygen in the wound tissue. Normally, skin cells respond to hypoxia by stabilization of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α). HIF-1α modulates expression of genes including VEGFA, BNIP3, and MMP2 that control processes such as angiogenesis, growth, and extracellular proteolysis essential for proper wound healing. The results of our studies revealed that exposure of primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and primary normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) to SM significantly impaired hypoxia-induced HIF-1α stabilization and target gene expression in these cells. Addition of a selective inhibitor of the oxygen-sensitive prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (PHD-2), IOX2, fully recovered HIF-1α stability, nuclear translocation, and target gene expression in NHEK and NHDF. Moreover, functional studies using a scratch wound assay demonstrated that the application of IOX2 efficiently counteracted SM-mediated deficiencies in monolayer regeneration under hypoxic conditions in NHEK and NHDF. Our findings describe a pathomechanism by which SM negatively affects hypoxia-stimulated HIF-1α signaling in keratinocytes and fibroblasts and thus possibly contributes to delayed wound healing in SM-injured patients that could be treated with PHD-2 inhibitors.

  8. The histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A, inhibits the development of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

    PubMed

    Kim, Tae-Ho; Jung, Jung-A; Kim, Gun-Dong; Jang, An-Hee; Cho, Jeong-Je; Park, Yong Seek; Park, Cheung-Seog

    2010-10-01

    Repetitive skin contact with a chemical hapten like 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) evokes an atopic dermatitis (AD)-like dermatitis reaction in NC/Nga mice maintained under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions. The histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), modulates the expression of several genes by inhibiting the activity of HDACs. Furthermore, TSA has been reported to suppress inflammatory cytokine expression and to induce T cell-suppression by increasing regulatory T cell (T reg cell) numbers. In addition, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. In the present study, we examined whether treatment with TSA suppresses AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB under SPF conditions. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of TSA to DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice was found to inhibit ear thickness increases and the skin lesions induced by DNFB. Furthermore, IL-4 production by CD4+ T cells from the lymph nodes of DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice was significantly inhibited by TSA, although levels of IFN-γ were not. Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocytes showed an increase in CD4+ CD25+ T cell proportions in mice given TSA-i.p. These findings suggest that TSA suppresses the development of AD-like dermatitis in DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice by reducing IL-4 production and increasing the T reg cell population. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Cell cycle perturbation induced by gemcitabine in human tumor cells in cell culture, xenografts and bladder cancer patients: implications for clinical trial designs combining gemcitabine with a Chk1 inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Montano, Ryan; Khan, Nadeem; Hou, Huagang; Seigne, John; Ernstoff, Marc S; Lewis, Lionel D; Eastman, Alan

    2017-09-15

    Gemcitabine irreversibly inhibits ribonucleotide reductase and induces S phase arrest but whether this occurs in tumors in mice or patients has not been established. Tumor cells in culture were incubated with gemcitabine for 6 h to approximate the administration schedule in a patient. Concentrations that induced persistent S phase arrest thereafter correlated with cell killing. Administration of gemcitabine to mice also demonstrated a persistent S phase arrest in their tumor. The minimum dose that induced almost complete S phase arrest after 24 h (40 mg/kg) was well below the maximum tolerated dose in mice. S phase arrest was also observed in tumors of bladder cancer patients receiving gemcitabine. The Chk1 inhibitor MK-8776 sensitized cells to gemcitabine with the greatest cell killing when added 18 h after gemcitabine. In mice, the administration of MK-8776 18 h after gemcitabine elicited positivity for the DNA damage marker γH2AX; this also occurred at relatively low dose (40 mg/kg) gemcitabine. Hence, in both cell culture and xenografts, MK-8776 can markedly enhance cell killing of cells reversibly arrested in S phase by gemcitabine. Some cell lines are hypersensitive to MK-8776 as monotherapy, but this was not observed in xenograft models. Effective monotherapy requires a higher dose of Chk1 inhibitor, and target inhibition over a longer time period as compared to its use in combination. These results have important implications for combining Chk1 inhibitors with gemcitabine and suggest that Chk1 inhibitors with increased bioavailability may have improved efficacy both in combination and as monotherapy.

  10. Aggregation of trypsin and trypsin inhibitor by Al cation.

    PubMed

    Chanphai, P; Kreplak, L; Tajmir-Riahi, H A

    2017-04-01

    Al cation may trigger protein structural changes such as aggregation and fibrillation, causing neurodegenerative diseases. We report the effect of Al cation on the solution structures of trypsin (try) and trypsin inhibitor (tryi), using thermodynamic analysis, UV-Visible, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Thermodynamic parameters showed Al-protein bindings occur via H-bonding and van der Waals contacts for trypsin and trypsin inhibitor. AFM showed that Al cations are able to force trypsin into larger or more robust aggregates than trypsin inhibitor, with trypsin 5±1 SE (n=52) proteins per aggregate and for trypsin inhibitor 8.3±0.7 SE (n=118). Thioflavin T test showed no major protein fibrillation in the presence of Al cation. Al complexation induced more alterations of trypsin inhibitor conformation than trypsin. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Dehydroandrographolide, an iNOS inhibitor, extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, induces autophagy in human oral cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Hsieh, Ming-Ju; Lin, Chiao-Wen; Chiou, Hui-Ling; Yang, Shun-Fa; Chen, Mu-Kuan

    2015-10-13

    Autophagy, which is constitutively executed at the basal level in all cells, promotes cellular homeostasis by regulating the turnover of organelles and proteins. Andrographolide and dehydroandrographolide (DA) are the two principle components of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees. and are the main contributors to its therapeutic properties. However, the pharmacological activities of dehydroandrographolide (DA) remain unclear. In this study, DA induces oral cancer cell death by activating autophagy. Treatment with autophagy inhibitors inhibited DA-induced human oral cancer cell death. In addition, DA increased LC3-II expression and reduced p53 expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, DA induced autophagy and decreased cell viability through modulation of p53 expression. DA-induced autophagy was triggered by an activation of JNK1/2 and an inhibition of Akt and p38. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that DA induced autophagy in human oral cancer cells by modulating p53 expression, activating JNK1/2, and inhibiting Akt and p38. Finally, an administration of DA effectively suppressed the tumor formation in the oral carcinoma xenograft model in vivo. This is the first study to reveal the novel function of DA in activating autophagy, suggesting that DA could serve as a new and potential chemopreventive agent for treating human oral cancer.

  12. The cathepsin B inhibitor, z-FA-CMK is toxic and readily induced cell death in human T lymphocytes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liow, K.Y.; Chow, S.C., E-mail: chow.sek.chuen@monash.edu

    The cathepsin B inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanine-alanine-chloromethylketone (z-FA-CMK) was found to be toxic and readily induced cell death in the human T cell line, Jurkat, whereas two other analogs benzyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanine-alanine-fluoromethylketone (z-FA-FMK) and benzyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanine-alanine-diazomethylketone (z-FA-DMK) were not toxic. The toxicity of z-FA-CMK requires not only the CMK group, but also the presence of alanine in the P1 position and the benzyloxycarbonyl group at the N-terminal. Dose–response studies showed that lower concentrations of z-FA-CMK induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells whereas higher concentrations induced necrosis. In z-FA-CMK-induced apoptosis, both initiator caspases (-8 and -9) and effector caspases (-3, -6 and -7) were processed tomore » their respective subunits in Jurkat T cells. However, only the pro-form of the initiator caspases were reduced in z-FA-CMK-induced necrosis and no respective subunits were apparent. The caspase inihibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-valine-alanine-aspartic acid-(O-methyl)-fluoromehylketone (z-VAD-FMK) inhibits apoptosis and caspase processing in Jurkat T cells treated with low concentration of z-FA-CMK but has no effect on z-FA-CMK-induced necrosis and the loss of initiator caspases. This suggests that the loss of initiator caspases in Jurkat T cells during z-FA-CMK-induced necrosis is not a caspase-dependent process. Taken together, we have demonstrated that z-FA-CMK is toxic to Jurkat T cells and induces apoptosis at low concentrations, while at higher concentrations the cells die of necrosis. - Highlights: • z-FA-CMK is toxic and induce cell death in the human T cells. • z-FA-CMK toxicity requires the CMK group, alanine and the benzyloxycarbonyl group. • z-FA-CMK induced apoptosis at low concentration and necrosis at high concentration.« less

  13. DNA Damage Response Resulting from Replication Stress Induced by Synchronization of Cells by Inhibitors of DNA Replication: Analysis by Flow Cytometry.

    PubMed

    Halicka, Dorota; Zhao, Hong; Li, Jiangwei; Garcia, Jorge; Podhorecka, Monika; Darzynkiewicz, Zbigniew

    2017-01-01

    Cell synchronization is often achieved by transient inhibition of DNA replication. When cultured in the presence of such inhibitors as hydroxyurea, aphidicolin or excess of thymidine the cells that become arrested at the entrance to S-phase upon release from the block initiate progression through S then G 2 and M. However, exposure to these inhibitors at concentrations commonly used to synchronize cells leads to activation of ATR and ATM protein kinases as well as phosphorylation of Ser139 of histone H2AX. This observation of DNA damage signaling implies that synchronization of cells by these inhibitors is inducing replication stress. Thus, a caution should be exercised while interpreting data obtained with use of cells synchronized this way since they do not represent unperturbed cell populations in a natural metabolic state. This chapter critically outlines virtues and vices of most cell synchronization methods. It also presents the protocol describing an assessment of phosphorylation of Ser139 on H2AX and activation of ATM in cells treated with aphidicolin, as a demonstrative of one of several DNA replication inhibitors that are being used for cell synchronization. Phosphorylation of Ser139H2AX and Ser1981ATM in individual cells is detected immunocytochemically with phospho-specific Abs and intensity of immunofluorescence is measured by flow cytometry. Concurrent measurement of cellular DNA content followed by multiparameter analysis allows one to correlate the extent of phosphorylation of these proteins in response to aphidicolin with the cell cycle phase.

  14. Targeting AMPK-ULK1-mediated autophagy for combating BET inhibitor resistance in acute myeloid leukemia stem cells.

    PubMed

    Jang, Ji Eun; Eom, Ju-In; Jeung, Hoi-Kyung; Cheong, June-Won; Lee, Jung Yeon; Kim, Jin Seok; Min, Yoo Hong

    2017-04-03

    Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibitors are promising epigenetic agents for the treatment of various subsets of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the resistance of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) to BET inhibitors remains a major challenge. In this study, we evaluated the mechanisms underlying LSC resistance to the BET inhibitor JQ1. We evaluated the levels of apoptosis and macroautophagy/autophagy induced by JQ1 in LSC-like leukemia cell lines and primary CD34 + CD38 - leukemic blasts obtained from AML cases with normal karyotype without recurrent mutations. JQ1 effectively induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner in JQ1-sensitive AML cells. However, in JQ1-resistant AML LSCs, JQ1 induced little apoptosis and led to upregulation of BECN1/Beclin 1, increased LC3 lipidation, formation of autophagosomes, and downregulation of SQSTM1/p62. Inhibition of autophagy by pharmacological inhibitors or knockdown of BECN1 using specific siRNA enhanced JQ1-induced apoptosis in resistant cells, indicating that prosurvival autophagy occurred in these cells. Independent of MTOR signaling, activation of the AMPK (p-Thr172)-ULK1 (p-Ser555) pathway was found to be associated with JQ1-induced autophagy in resistant cells. AMPK inhibition using the pharmacological inhibitor compound C or by knockdown of PRKAA/AMPKα suppressed autophagy and promoted JQ1-induced apoptosis in AML LSCs. These findings revealed that prosurvival autophagy was one of the mechanisms involved in the resistance of AML LSCs to JQ1. Targeting the AMPK-ULK1 pathway or inhibition of autophagy could be an effective therapeutic strategy for combating resistance to BET inhibitors in AML and other types of cancer.

  15. MHY884, a newly synthesized tyrosinase inhibitor, suppresses UVB-induced activation of NF-κB signaling pathway through the downregulation of oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Choi, Yeon Ja; Uehara, Yohei; Park, Ji Young; Kim, Seong Jin; Kim, So Ra; Lee, Hee Won; Moon, Hyung Ryong; Chung, Hae Young

    2014-03-01

    The skin is the primary target of prolonged and repeated ultraviolet (UVB) irradiation which induces cutaneous inflammation and pigmentation. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is the major factor mediating UVB-induced inflammatory responses through the expression of various proinflammatory proteins such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). We have previously reported that the synthetic novel compound 4-(5-chloro-2,3-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-2,6-dimethoxyphenol (MHY884) strongly suppressed tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of MHY884 on the inhibition of UVB-induced NF-κB activation and its proinflammatory downstream proteins through the suppression of oxidative stress in an in vivo model of photoaging. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxynitrite was measured in vitro and in B16F10 melanoma cells to verify the scavenging activity of MHY884. MHY884 suppressed oxidative stress both in vitro and in the melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Next, melanin-possessing hairless mice were pre-treated with MHY884 and then irradiated with UVB repeatedly. Topical application of MHY884 attenuated UVB-induced oxidative stress, resulting in reduced NF-κB activity. Pre-treatment with MHY884 inhibited Akt and IκB kinase α/β signaling pathways, leading to decreased translocation and phosphorylation of p65, a subunit of NF-κB. This result correlated with the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 in the skin of MHY884-treated mice. Thus, the novel tyrosinase inhibitor MHY884 suppressed NF-κB activation signaling pathway by scavenging UVB-induced oxidative stress. The discovery of MHY884, a novel tyrosinase inhibitor that targets NF-κB signaling, is significant, because this compound is a promising protective agent against UVB-induced skin damage. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. The DPP-IV inhibitor linagliptin and GLP-1 induce synergistic effects on body weight loss and appetite suppression in the diet-induced obese rat.

    PubMed

    Hansen, Henrik H; Hansen, Gitte; Paulsen, Sarah; Vrang, Niels; Mark, Michael; Jelsing, Jacob; Klein, Thomas

    2014-10-15

    Linagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV inhibitor approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. DPP-IV inhibitors are considered weight neutral, suggesting that elevation of endogenous incretin levels is not sufficient to promote weight loss per se. Here we evaluated the effect of linagliptin in combination with subcutaneous treatment of GLP-1(7-36) on body weight regulation in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. Linagliptin administered perorally (1.5mg/kg, b.i.d.), but not subcutaneously (0.5mg/kg, b.i.d.), evoked a very modest body weight loss (2.2%) after 28 days of treatment. GLP-1 (0.5mg/kg, s.c.) treatment alone induced a body weight loss of 4.1%. In contrast, combined linagliptin (1.5mg/kg, p.o., or 0.5mg/kg, s.c.) and GLP-1 (0.5mg/kg) treatment evoked a marked anorectic response with both routes of linagliptin administration being equally effective on final body weight loss (7.5-8.0%). In comparison, liraglutide monotherapy (0.2mg/kg, s.c., b.i.d.) reduced body weight by 10.1%. Interestingly, the weight lowering effect of combined linagliptin and GLP-1 treatment was associated with a marked increase in chow preference, being more pronounced as compared to liraglutide treatment. In addition, linagliptin and GLP-1 co-treatment, but not liraglutide, specifically increased prepro-dynorphin mRNA levels in the caudate-putamen, an effect not obtained with administration of the compounds individually. In conclusion, co-treatment with linagliptin and GLP-1 synergistically reduces body weight in obese rats. The anti-obesity effect was caused by appetite suppression with a concomitant change in diet preference, which may potentially be associated with increased dynorphin activity in forebrain regions involved in reward anticipation and habit learning. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Visualizing inducible nitric-oxide synthase in living cells with a heme-binding fluorescent inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Panda, Koustubh; Chawla-Sarkar, Mamta; Santos, Cecile; Koeck, Thomas; Erzurum, Serpil C; Parkinson, John F; Stuehr, Dennis J

    2005-07-19

    The study of nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) physiology is constrained by the lack of suitable probes to detect NOS in living cells or animals. Here, we characterized a fluorescent inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor called PIF (pyrimidine imidazole FITC) and examined its utility for microscopic imaging of iNOS in living cells. PIF binding to iNOS displayed high affinity, isoform selectivity, and heme specificity, and was essentially irreversible. PIF was used to successfully image iNOS expressed in RAW264.7 cells, HEK293T cells, human A549 epithelial cells, and freshly obtained human lung epithelium. PIF was used to estimate a half-life for iNOS of 1.8 h in HEK293T cells. Our work reveals that fluorescent probes like PIF will be valuable for studying iNOS cell biology and in understanding the pathophysiology of diseases that involve dysfunctional iNOS expression.

  18. The neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole, protects against methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in vivo.

    PubMed

    Itzhak, Y; Ali, S F

    1996-10-01

    The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the relatively selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), protects against methamphetamine (METH)-induced neurotoxicity. Male Swiss Webster mice received the following treatments (i.p.; q 3 h x 3): (a) vehicle/saline, (b) 7-NI (25 mg/kg)/saline, (c) vehicle/METH (5 mg/kg), and (d) 7-NI (25 mg/kg)/METH (5 mg/kg). On the second day, groups (a) and (b) received two vehicle injections, and groups (c) and (d) received two 7-NI injections (25 mg/kg, each). Administration of vehicle/METH resulted in 68, 44, and 55% decreases in the concentration of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid, respectively, and a 48% decrease in the number of [3H]mazindol binding sites in the striatum compared with control values. Treatment with 7-NI (group d) provided full protection against the depletion of dopamine and its metabolites and the loss of dopamine transporter binding sites. Administration of 7-NI/saline (group b) affected neither the tissue concentration of dopamine and its metabolites nor the binding parameters of [3H] mazindol compared with control values. 7-NI had no significant effect on animals' body temperature, and it did not affect METH-induced hyperthermia. These findings indicate a role for nitric oxide in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity and also suggest that blockade of NOS may be beneficial for the management of Parkinson's disease.

  19. Effects of proton pump inhibitors on lung cancer precise radiotherapy-induced radiation pneumonitis.

    PubMed

    Su, QiaoLi; Wang, Duoning; Yuan, Bo; Liu, Feng; Lei, Yi; Li, Shuangqing

    2014-11-01

    The objective of this study was to explore the effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the development and prognosis of lung cancer precise radiotherapy-induced radiation pneumonitis. Clinical materials of 84 lung cancer patients who had radiation pneumonitis after precise radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into PPI group and control group, according to whether or not PPIs were applied. The development and prognosis of patients and the effects of different doses of PPI on patient condition from two groups were compared. There were 57 PPI cases in PPI group and 27 cases in control group. Basic characteristics of patients were not statistically different between the two groups; however, white blood cell count, oxygenation indexes, blood gas pH, and lung imaging index were significantly different (p < 0.05), indicating that radiation pneumonitis tended to be more severe in PPI group. As regards effects of PPI on prognosis of two groups, remission rate of radiation pneumonia in PPI group was significantly less than that of the control group. Among 57 cases in PPI group, there were 31 patients applied with PPI ≤ 1DDD and 31 patients applied with PPI > 1DDD. In comparison of the various parameters of patients, 7 days after being applied with different doses of PPI, there were no significant differences between the parameters of radiation pneumonitis. PPIs should be cautiously utilized to avoid the effects of lung cancer radiotherapy-induced radiation pneumonia.

  20. The HDAC6/8/10 inhibitor TH34 induces DNA damage-mediated cell death in human high-grade neuroblastoma cell lines.

    PubMed

    Kolbinger, Fiona R; Koeneke, Emily; Ridinger, Johannes; Heimburg, Tino; Müller, Michael; Bayer, Theresa; Sippl, Wolfgang; Jung, Manfred; Gunkel, Nikolas; Miller, Aubry K; Westermann, Frank; Witt, Olaf; Oehme, Ina

    2018-06-09

    High histone deacetylase (HDAC) 8 and HDAC10 expression levels have been identified as predictors of exceptionally poor outcomes in neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. HDAC8 inhibition synergizes with retinoic acid treatment to induce neuroblast maturation in vitro and to inhibit neuroblastoma xenograft growth in vivo. HDAC10 inhibition increases intracellular accumulation of chemotherapeutics through interference with lysosomal homeostasis, ultimately leading to cell death in cultured neuroblastoma cells. So far, no HDAC inhibitor covering HDAC8 and HDAC10 at micromolar concentrations without inhibiting HDACs 1, 2 and 3 has been described. Here, we introduce TH34 (3-(N-benzylamino)-4-methylbenzhydroxamic acid), a novel HDAC6/8/10 inhibitor for neuroblastoma therapy. TH34 is well-tolerated by non-transformed human skin fibroblasts at concentrations up to 25 µM and modestly impairs colony growth in medulloblastoma cell lines, but specifically induces caspase-dependent programmed cell death in a concentration-dependent manner in several human neuroblastoma cell lines. In addition to the induction of DNA double-strand breaks, HDAC6/8/10 inhibition also leads to mitotic aberrations and cell-cycle arrest. Neuroblastoma cells display elevated levels of neuronal differentiation markers, mirrored by formation of neurite-like outgrowths under maintained TH34 treatment. Eventually, after long-term treatment, all neuroblastoma cells undergo cell death. The combination of TH34 with plasma-achievable concentrations of retinoic acid, a drug applied in neuroblastoma therapy, synergistically inhibits colony growth (combination index (CI) < 0.1 for 10 µM of each). In summary, our study supports using selective HDAC inhibitors as targeted antineoplastic agents and underlines the therapeutic potential of selective HDAC6/8/10 inhibition in high-grade neuroblastoma.

  1. Effects of novel tacrine-related cholinesterase inhibitors in the reversal of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate-induced cognitive deficit in rats--Is there a potential for Alzheimer's disease treatment?

    PubMed

    Misik, Jan; Korabecny, Jan; Nepovimova, Eugenie; Kracmarova, Alzbeta; Kassa, Jiri

    2016-01-26

    Inhibitors of cholinesterase are important drugs for therapy of Alzheimer's disease and the search for new modifications is extensive, including dual inhibitors or multi-target hybrid compounds. The aim of the present study was a preliminary evaluation of pro-cognitive effects of newly-developed 7-MEOTA-donepezil like hybrids (compounds no. 1 and 2) and N-alkylated tacrine derivatives (compounds no. 3 and 4) using an animal model of pharmacologically-induced cognitive deficit. Male Wistar rats were subjected to tests of learning and memory in a water maze and step-through passive avoidance task. Cognitive impairment was induced by 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB, 2mgkg(-1)), administered intraperitoneally 1h before training sessions. Cholinesterase inhibitors were administered as a single therapeutic dose following the QNB at 30min at the following dose rates; 1 (25.6mgkg(-1)), 2 (12.3mgkg(-1)), 3 (5.7mgkg(-1)), 4 (5.2mgkg(-1)). The decrease in total path within the 10-swim session (water maze), the preference for target quadrant (water maze) and the entrance latency (passive avoidance) were taken as indicators of learning ability in rats. The effects of novel compounds were compared to that of standards tacrine (5.2mgkg(-1)) and donepezil (2.65mgkg(-1)). QNB significantly impaired spatial navigation as well as fear learning. Generally, the performance of rats was improved when treated with novel inhibitors and this effect reached efficiency of standard donepezil at selected doses. There was a significant improvement in the groups treated with compounds 2 and 3 in all behavioral tasks. The rest of the novel compounds succeed in the passive avoidance test. In summary, the potential of novel inhibitors (especially compounds 2 and 3) was proved and further detailed evaluation of these compounds as potential drugs for Alzheimer's disease treatment is proposed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Cellular Protection using Flt3 and PI3Kα inhibitors demonstrates multiple mechanisms of oxidative glutamate toxicity

    PubMed Central

    Kang, Yunyi; Tiziani, Stefano; Park, Goonho; Kaul, Marcus; Paternostro, Giovanni

    2014-01-01

    Glutamate-induced oxidative stress is a major contributor to neurodegenerative diseases. Here we identify small molecule inhibitors of this process. We screen a kinase inhibitor library on neuronal cells and identify Flt3 and PI3Kα inhibitors as potent protectors against glutamate toxicity. Both inhibitors prevented reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial hyperpolarization, and lipid peroxidation in neuronal cells, but they do so by distinct molecular mechanisms. The PI3Kα inhibitor protects cells by inducing partial restoration of depleted glutathione levels and accumulation of intracellular amino acids, whereas the Flt3 inhibitor prevents lipid peroxidation, a key mechanism of glutamate-mediated toxicity. We also demonstrate that glutamate toxicity involves a combination of ferroptosis, necrosis, and AIF-dependent apoptosis. We confirm the protective effect by using multiple inhibitors of these kinases and multiple cell types. Our results not only identify compounds that protect against glutamate-stimulated oxidative stress, but also provide new insights into the mechanisms of glutamate toxicity in neurons. PMID:24739485

  3. Aromatic inhibitors derived from ammonia-pretreated lignocellulose hinder bacterial ethanologenesis by activating regulatory circuits controlling inhibitor efflux and detoxification

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Keating, David H.; Zhang, Yaoping; Ong, Irene M.

    2014-08-13

    Efficient microbial conversion of lignocellulosic hydrolysates to biofuels is a key barrier to the economically viable deployment of lignocellulosic biofuels. A chief contributor to this barrier is the impact on microbial processes and energy metabolism of lignocellulose-derived inhibitors, including phenolic carboxylates, phenolic amides (for ammonia-pretreated biomass), phenolic aldehydes, and furfurals. To understand the bacterial pathways induced by inhibitors present in ammonia-pretreated biomass hydrolysates, which are less well studied than acid-pretreated biomass hydrolysates, we developed and exploited synthetic mimics of ammonia-pretreated corn stover hydrolysate (ACSH). To determine regulatory responses to the inhibitors normally present in ACSH, we measured transcript and proteinmore » levels in an Escherichia coli ethanologen using RNA-seq and quantitative proteomics during fermentation to ethanol of synthetic hydrolysates containing or lacking the inhibitors. Our study identified four major regulators mediating these responses, the MarA/SoxS/Rob network, AaeR, FrmR, and YqhC. Induction of these regulons was correlated with a reduced rate of ethanol production, buildup of pyruvate, depletion of ATP and NAD(P)H, and an inhibition of xylose conversion. The aromatic aldehyde inhibitor 5-hydroxymethylfurfural appeared to be reduced to its alcohol form by the ethanologen during fermentation, whereas phenolic acid and amide inhibitors were not metabolized. Together, our findings establish that the major regulatory responses to lignocellulose-derived inhibitors are mediated by transcriptional rather than translational regulators, suggest that energy consumed for inhibitor efflux and detoxification may limit biofuel production, and identify a network of regulators for future synthetic biology efforts.« less

  4. CXC Receptor 1 and 2 and Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitors Alter Radiation-induced Lung Disease in the Mouse

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fox, Jessica; Haston, Christina K., E-mail: christina.haston@mcgill.ca

    2013-01-01

    Purpose: We previously reported increased numbers of neutrophils to be associated with the development of the radiation-induced lung responses of alveolitis (pneumonitis) and fibrosis in mice. In the present study we investigated whether CXC receptor 1 and 2 antagonism with DF2156A, a small molecule inhibitor of neutrophil chemotaxis, or the neutrophil elastase inhibitor sivelestat decreases the lung response to irradiation. Methods and Materials: KK/HIJ mice received 14 Gy whole-thorax irradiation, and a subset of them received drug treatment 3 times per week from the day of irradiation until they were killed because of respiratory distress symptoms. Results: Irradiated mice receivingmore » sivelestat survived 18% longer than did mice receiving radiation alone (73 vs 60 days for female mice, 91 vs 79 days for male mice), whereas postirradiation survival times did not differ between the group of mice receiving DF2156A and the radiation-only group. The numbers of neutrophils in lung tissue and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid did not differ among groups of irradiated mice, but they significantly exceeded the levels in unirradiated control mice. The extent of alveolitis, assessed histologically, did not differ between irradiated mice treated with either drug and those receiving radiation alone, when assessed at the end of the experiment, but it was significantly reduced, as were the neutrophil measures, in sivelestat-treated mice at the common kill time of 60 days after irradiation. Mice treated with radiation and DF2156A developed significantly less fibrosis than did mice receiving radiation alone, and this difference was associated with decreased expression of interleukin-13 in lung tissue. Conclusions: We conclude that neutrophil elastase inhibition affects alveolitis and prolongs survival, whereas CXCR1/2 antagonism reduces radiation-induced fibrotic lung disease in mice without affecting the onset of distress.« less

  5. Lansoprazole and carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitors sinergize against human melanoma cells.

    PubMed

    Federici, Cristina; Lugini, Luana; Marino, Maria Lucia; Carta, Fabrizio; Iessi, Elisabetta; Azzarito, Tommaso; Supuran, Claudiu T; Fais, Stefano

    2016-01-01

    Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) reduce tumor acidity and therefore resistance of tumors to drugs. Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CA IX) inhibitors have proven to be effective against tumors, while tumor acidity might impair their full effectiveness. To analyze the effect of PPI/CA IX inhibitors combined treatment against human melanoma cells. The combination of Lansoprazole (LAN) and CA IX inhibitors (FC9-399A and S4) has been investigated in terms of cell proliferation inhibition and cell death in human melanoma cells. The combination of these inhibitors was more effective than the single treatments in both inhibiting cell proliferation and in inducing cell death in human melanoma cells. These results represent the first successful attempt in combining two different proton exchanger inhibitors. This is the first evidence on the effectiveness of a new approach against tumors based on the combination of PPI and CA IX inhibitors, thus providing an alternative strategy against tumors.

  6. Atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, reduces seizure-induced respiratory arrest.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Honghai; Zhao, Haiting; Feng, Hua-Jun

    2017-08-01

    Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a devastating epilepsy complication, and no effective preventive strategies are currently available for this fatal disorder. Clinical and animal studies of SUDEP demonstrate that seizure-induced respiratory arrest (S-IRA) is the primary event leading to death after generalized seizures in many cases. Enhancing brain levels of serotonin reduces S-IRA in animal models relevant to SUDEP, including the DBA/1 mouse. Given that serotonin in the brain plays an important role in modulating respiration and arousal, these findings suggest that deficits in respiration and/or arousal may contribute to S-IRA. It is well known that norepinephrine is an important neurotransmitter that modulates respiration and arousal in the brain as well. Therefore, we hypothesized that enhancing noradrenergic neurotransmission suppresses S-IRA. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI), on S-IRA evoked by either acoustic stimulation or pentylenetetrazole in DBA/1 mice. We report the original observation that atomoxetine specifically suppresses S-IRA without altering the susceptibility to seizures evoked by acoustic stimulation, and atomoxetine also reduces S-IRA evoked by pentylenetetrazole in DBA/1 mice. Our data suggest that the noradrenergic signaling is importantly involved in S-IRA, and that atomoxetine, a medication widely used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is potentially useful to prevent SUDEP. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. PROTEASOME INHIBITOR TREATMENT REDUCED FATTY ACID, TRIACYLGLYCEROL AND CHOLESTEROL SYNTHESIS

    PubMed Central

    Oliva, Joan; French, Samuel W.; Li, Jun; Bardag-Gorce, Fawzia

    2014-01-01

    In the present study, the beneficial effects of proteasome inhibitor treatment in reducing ethanol-induced steatosis were investigated. A microarray analysis was performed on the liver of rats injected with PS-341 (Bortezomib, Velcade®), and the results showed that proteasome inhibitor treatment significantly reduced the mRNA expression of SREBP-1c, and the downstream lipogenic enzymes, such as fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), which catalyzes the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA, the rate-limiting step in fatty acid synthesis. ELOVL6, which is responsible for fatty acids long chain elongation, was also significantly down regulated by proteasome inhibitor treatment. Moreover, PS-341 administration significantly reduced the expression of acyl-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), enzyme involved in triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis. Finally, PS-341 was found to down regulate the enzymes 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoenzymeA synthase (HMG-CoA synthase) that is responsible for cholesterol synthesis. Proteasome inhibitor was also found to play a role in intestinal lipid adsorption because apolipoproteins A (apoA-I, apoAII, apoA-IV and ApoCIII) were down regulated by proteasome inhibitor treatment, especially ApoA-II that is known to be a marker of alcohol consumption. Proteasome inhibitor treatment also decreased apobec-1 complementation factor (ACF) leading to lower level of editing and production of ApoB protein. Moreover apolipoprotein C-III, a major component of chylomicrons was significantly down regulated. However, lipoprotein lipase (Lpl) and High density lipoprotein binding protein (Hdlbp) mRNA levels were increased by proteasome inhibitor treatment. These results suggested that proteasome inhibitor treatment could be used to reduce the alcohol-enhanced lipogenesis and alcohol-induced liver steatosis. A morphologic analysis, performed on the liver of rats fed ethanol for one

  8. Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Induce Down-Regulation of c-Kit by Targeting the ATP Pocket

    PubMed Central

    Descarpentries, Clotilde; Frisan, Emilie; Adam, Kevin; Verdier, Frederique; Floquet, Célia; Dubreuil, Patrice; Lacombe, Catherine; Fontenay, Michaela; Mayeux, Patrick; Kosmider, Olivier

    2013-01-01

    The stem cell factor receptor (SCF) c-Kit plays a pivotal role in regulating cell proliferation and survival in many cell types. In particular, c-Kit is required for early amplification of erythroid progenitors, while it must disappear from cell surface for the cell entering the final steps of maturation in an erythropoietin-dependent manner. We initially observed that imatinib (IM), an inhibitor targeting the tyrosine kinase activity of c-Kit concomitantly down-regulated the expression of c-Kit and accelerated the Epo-driven differentiation of erythroblasts in the absence of SCF. We investigated the mechanism by which IM or related masitinib (MA) induce c-Kit down-regulation in the human UT-7/Epo cell line. We found that the down-regulation of c-Kit in the presence of IM or MA was inhibited by a pre-incubation with methyl-β-cyclodextrin suggesting that c-Kit was internalized in the absence of ligand. By contrast to SCF, the internalization induced by TKI was independent of the E3 ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl. Furthermore, c-Kit was degraded through lysosomal, but not proteasomal pathway. In pulse-chase experiments, IM did not modulate c-Kit synthesis or maturation. Analysis of phosphotyrosine peptides in UT-7/Epo cells treated or not with IM show that IM did not modify overall tyrosine phosphorylation in these cells. Furthermore, we showed that a T670I mutation preventing the full access of IM to the ATP binding pocket, did not allow the internalization process in the presence of IM. Altogether these data show that TKI-induced internalization of c-Kit is linked to a modification of the integrity of ATP binding pocket. PMID:23637779

  9. Suppression of adhesion-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation decreases invasive and metastatic potentials of B16-BL6 melanoma cells by protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein.

    PubMed

    Yan, C; Han, R

    1997-01-01

    Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) appears to be involved in the activation of signaling during cell attachment to and spreading on extracellular matrix (ECM) in the metastatic cascade. To verify the assumption that PTK inhibitors might impair ECM signaling and prevent cancer metastasis, the highly metastatic B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells were exposed to the PTK inhibitor genistein for 3 days. The ability of the cells to invade through reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) and to establish experimental pulmonary metastatic foci in C57BL/6 mice decreased after genistein exposure. The genistein-treated cells were also prevented from attaching to Matrigel and spread extremely poorly on the ECM substratum. Immunoblot analysis showed that tyrosine phosphorylation of a 125-kD protein in response to cell spreading on Matrigel was suppressed in the genistein-treated cells. Adhesion-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation represents the earlier and specific event in the activation of ECM signaling, so this result implied ECM signaling was impaired in the treated cells. With immunofluorescence microscopy, the adhesion-induced tyrosine phosphorylated proteins were located at the pericytoplasms of well-spread cells, but not at the periphery of poorly spread genistein-treated cells. Therefore, this paper suggests that genistein might impair ECM signaling and subsequently prevent cancer cells from spreading well and invading or establishing metastasis through the suppression of adhesion-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation. PTKs and adhesion-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation might play a role in the control of invasion and metastasis.

  10. Drug-drug interaction of microdose and regular-dose omeprazole with a CYP2C19 inhibitor and inducer.

    PubMed

    Park, Gab-Jin; Bae, Soo Hyeon; Park, Wan-Su; Han, Seunghoon; Park, Min-Ho; Shin, Seok-Ho; Shin, Young G; Yim, Dong-Seok

    2017-01-01

    A microdose drug-drug interaction (DDI) study may be a valuable tool for anticipating drug interaction at therapeutic doses. This study aimed to compare the magnitude of DDIs at microdoses and regular doses to explore the applicability of a microdose DDI study. Six healthy male volunteer subjects were enrolled into each DDI study of omeprazole (victim) and known perpetrators: fluconazole (inhibitor) and rifampin (inducer). For both studies, the microdose (100 μg, cold compound) and the regular dose (20 mg) of omeprazole were given at days 0 and 1, respectively. On days 2-9, the inhibitor or inducer was given daily, and the microdose and regular dose of omeprazole were repeated at days 8 and 9, respectively. Full omeprazole pharmacokinetic samplings were performed at days 0, 1, 8, and 9 of both studies for noncompartmental analysis. The magnitude of the DDI, the geometric mean ratios (with perpetrator/omeprazole only) of maximum concentration (C max ) and area under the curve to the last measurement (AUC t ) of the microdose and the regular dose were compared. The geometric mean ratios in the inhibition study were: 2.17 (micro) and 2.68 (regular) for C max , and 4.07 (micro), 4.33 (regular) for AUC t . For the induction study, they were 0.26 (micro) and 0.21 (regular) for C max , and 0.16 (micro) and 0.15 (regular) for AUC t . There were no significant statistical differences in the magnitudes of DDIs between microdose and regular-dose conditions, regardless of induction or inhibition. Our results may be used as partial evidence that microdose DDI studies may replace regular-dose studies, or at least be used for DDI-screening purposes.

  11. Endometrial nitric oxide synthase activity in mares susceptible or resistant to persistent breeding-induced endometritis and the effect of a specific iNOS inhibitor in vitro.

    PubMed

    Khan, F A; Chenier, T S; Foster, R A; Hewson, J; Scholtz, E L

    2018-06-01

    Emerging research suggests that the nitric oxide system may play a role in persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) in the mare. Differences in uterine nitric oxide (NO) levels between mares susceptible or resistant to PBIE and a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of NO on uterine contractility have been demonstrated. The objectives of this study were to investigate the difference in total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity of the endometrium between susceptible and resistant mares and the effect of a specific inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor on the endometrial NOS activity in vitro. Six susceptible and six resistant mares were selected based on preset criteria and the results of an intrauterine challenge with killed spermatozoa during oestrus. Endometrial biopsy samples were collected 24 hr post-challenge and cultured at 37°C for 24 hr in L-arginine supplemented minimum essential medium with or without a specific iNOS inhibitor (1,400 W dihydrochloride, 1 mM). The medium and the cultured endometrial tissue were collected after 24 hr of culture and assayed for NO and total protein, respectively. Total NO content of the medium, normalized to endometrial tissue wet weight or total protein, was used as a measure of endometrial NOS activity. Non-parametric tests were applied for statistical analysis. Susceptible mares had significantly greater endometrial NOS activity than resistant mares. The iNOS inhibitor treatment significantly reduced NOS activity in endometrial samples derived from susceptible and resistant mares. These findings provide a basis for in vivo testing of specific iNOS inhibitors as preventative or therapeutic options for PBIE in mares. © 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

  12. Effects of Incretin-Based Therapies and SGLT2 Inhibitors on Skeletal Health.

    PubMed

    Egger, Andrea; Kraenzlin, Marius E; Meier, Christian

    2016-12-01

    Anti-diabetic drugs are widely used and are essential for adequate glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Recently, marketed anti-diabetic drugs include incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. In contrast to well-known detrimental effects of thiazolidinediones on bone metabolism and fracture risk, clinical data on the safety of incretin-based therapies is limited. Based on meta-analyses of trials investigating the glycemic-lowering effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP4 inhibitors, it seems that incretin-based therapies are not associated with an increase in fracture risk. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors may alter calcium and phosphate homeostasis as a result of secondary hyperparathyroidism induced by increased phosphate reabsorption. Although these changes may suggest detrimental effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on skeletal integrity, treatment-related direct effects on bone metabolism seem unlikely. Observed changes in BMD, however, seem to result from increased bone turnover in the early phase of drug-induced weight loss. Fracture risk, which is observed in older patients with impaired renal function and elevated cardiovascular disease risk treated with SGLT2 inhibitors, seems to be independent of direct effects on bone but more likely to be associated with falls and changes in hydration status secondary to osmotic diuresis.

  13. Proteasomal degradation of sphingosine kinase 1 and inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase by the sphingosine kinase inhibitors, SKi or ABC294640, induces growth arrest in androgen-independent LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells.

    PubMed

    McNaughton, Melissa; Pitman, Melissa; Pitson, Stuart M; Pyne, Nigel J; Pyne, Susan

    2016-03-29

    Sphingosine kinases (two isoforms termed SK1 and SK2) catalyse the formation of the bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate. We demonstrate here that the SK2 inhibitor, ABC294640 (3-(4-chlorophenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)amide) or the SK1/SK2 inhibitor, SKi (2-(p-hydroxyanilino)-4-(p-chlorophenyl)thiazole)) induce the proteasomal degradation of SK1a (Mr = 42 kDa) and inhibit DNA synthesis in androgen-independent LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. These effects are recapitulated by the dihydroceramide desaturase (Des1) inhibitor, fenretinide. Moreover, SKi or ABC294640 reduce Des1 activity in Jurkat cells and ABC294640 induces the proteasomal degradation of Des1 (Mr = 38 kDa) in LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, SKi or ABC294640 or fenretinide increase the expression of the senescence markers, p53 and p21 in LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. The siRNA knockdown of SK1 or SK2 failed to increase p53 and p21 expression, but the former did reduce DNA synthesis in LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. Moreover, N-acetylcysteine (reactive oxygen species scavenger) blocked the SK inhibitor-induced increase in p21 and p53 expression but had no effect on the proteasomal degradation of SK1a. In addition, siRNA knockdown of Des1 increased p53 expression while a combination of Des1/SK1 siRNA increased the expression of p21. Therefore, Des1 and SK1 participate in regulating LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cell growth and this involves p53/p21-dependent and -independent pathways. Therefore, we propose targeting androgen-independent prostate cancer cells with compounds that affect Des1/SK1 to modulate both de novo and sphingolipid rheostat pathways in order to induce growth arrest.

  14. Calcineurin inhibitor-induced complement system activation via ERK1/2 signalling is inhibited by SOCS-3 in human renal tubule cells.

    PubMed

    Loeschenberger, Beatrix; Niess, Lea; Würzner, Reinhard; Schwelberger, Hubert; Eder, Iris E; Puhr, Martin; Guenther, Julia; Troppmair, Jakob; Rudnicki, Michael; Neuwirt, Hannes

    2018-02-01

    One factor that significantly contributes to renal allograft loss is chronic calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) nephrotoxicity (CIN). Among other factors, the complement (C-) system has been proposed to be involved CIN development. Hence, we investigated the impact of CNIs on intracellular signalling and the effects on the C-system in human renal tubule cells. In a qPCR array, CNI treatment upregulated C-factors and downregulated SOCS-3 and the complement inhibitors CD46 and CD55. Additionally, ERK1/-2 was required for these regulations. Following knock-down and overexpression of SOCS-3, we found that SOCS-3 inhibits ERK1/-2 signalling. Finally, we assessed terminal complement complex formation, cell viability and apoptosis. Terminal complement complex formation was induced by CNIs. Cell viability was significantly decreased, whereas apoptosis was increased. Both effects were reversed under complement component-depleted conditions. In vivo, increased ERK1/-2 phosphorylation and SOCS-3 downregulation were observed at the time of transplantation in renal allograft patients who developed a progressive decline of renal function in the follow-up compared to stable patients. The progressive cohort also had lower total C3 levels, suggesting higher complement activity at baseline. In conclusion, our data suggest that SOCS-3 inhibits CNI-induced ERK1/-2 signalling, thereby blunting the negative control of C-system activation. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  15. Effects of nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor or fluoxetine treatment on depression-like state and cardiovascular changes induced by chronic variable stress in rats.

    PubMed

    Almeida, Jeferson; Duarte, Josiane O; Oliveira, Leandro A; Crestani, Carlos C

    2015-01-01

    Comorbidity between mood disorders and cardiovascular disease has been described extensively. However, available antidepressants can have cardiovascular side effects. Treatment with selective inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) induces antidepressant effects, but whether the antidepressant-like effects of these drugs are followed by cardiovascular changes has not been previously investigated. Here, we tested in male rats exposed to chronic variable stress (CVS) the hypothesis that nNOS blockers are advantageous compared with conventional antidepressants in terms of cardiovascular side effects. We compared the effects of chronic treatment with the preferential nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) with those evoked by the conventional antidepressant fluoxetine on alterations that are considered as markers of depression (immobility in the forced swimming test, FST, decreased body weight gain and increased plasma corticosterone concentration) and cardiovascular changes caused by CVS. Rats were exposed to a 14-day CVS protocol, while being concurrently treated daily with either 7-NI (30 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg). Fluoxetine and 7-NI prevented the increase in immobility in the FST induced by CVS and reduced plasma corticosterone concentration in stressed rats. Both these treatments also prevented the CVS-evoked reduction of the depressor response to vasodilator agents and baroreflex changes. Fluoxetine and 7-NI-induced cardiovascular changes independent of stress exposure, including cardiac autonomic imbalance, increased intrinsic heart rate and vascular sympathetic modulation, a reduction of the pressor response to vasoconstrictor agents, and impairment of baroreflex activity. Altogether, these findings provide evidence that fluoxetine and 7-NI have similar effects on the depression-like state induced by CVS and on cardiovascular function.

  16. Nitrifier-induced denitrification is an important source of soil nitrous oxide and can be inhibited by a nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate.

    PubMed

    Shi, Xiuzhen; Hu, Hang-Wei; Zhu-Barker, Xia; Hayden, Helen; Wang, Juntao; Suter, Helen; Chen, Deli; He, Ji-Zheng

    2017-12-01

    Soil ecosystem represents the largest contributor to global nitrous oxide (N 2 O) production, which is regulated by a wide variety of microbial communities in multiple biological pathways. A mechanistic understanding of these N 2 O production biological pathways in complex soil environment is essential for improving model performance and developing innovative mitigation strategies. Here, combined approaches of the 15 N- 18 O labelling technique, transcriptome analysis, and Illumina MiSeq sequencing were used to identify the relative contributions of four N 2 O pathways including nitrification, nitrifier-induced denitrification (nitrifier denitrification and nitrification-coupled denitrification) and heterotrophic denitrification in six soils (alkaline vs. acid soils). In alkaline soils, nitrification and nitrifier-induced denitrification were the dominant pathways of N 2 O production, and application of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) significantly reduced the N 2 O production from these pathways; this is probably due to the observed reduction in the expression of the amoA gene in ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in the DMPP-amended treatments. In acid soils, however, heterotrophic denitrification was the main source for N 2 O production, and was not impacted by the application of DMPP. Our results provide robust evidence that the nitrification inhibitor DMPP can inhibit the N 2 O production from nitrifier-induced denitrification, a potential significant source of N 2 O production in agricultural soils. © 2017 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  17. A lysophosphatidic acid analogue is revealed as a potent inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine synthesis, inducing apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Gueguen, Geneviéve; Granci, Virginie; Rogalle, Pierre; Briand-Mésange, Fabienne; Wilson, Michéle; Klaébé, Alain; Tercé, François; Chap, Hugues; Salles, Jean-Pierre; Simon, Marie-Françoise; Gaits, Frédérique

    2002-12-01

    A previous study demonstrated that cross-desensitization experiments performed with the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) analogues (R)- and (S)-N-palmitoyl-norleucinol 1-phosphate (PNPAs) inhibited LPA-induced platelet aggregation without any stereospecificity. Here we report opposite biological effects of the two enantiomers on mitogenesis of IMR-90 fibroblasts in relation to their respective metabolism. (R)PNPA was proliferative, while (S)PNPA induced apoptosis by specifically inhibiting phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis at the last step of the CDP-choline pathway controlled by cholinephosphotransferase. This effect was not direct but required dephosphorylation of PNPAs by ecto-lipid phosphate phosphatase before cellular uptake of the generated N-palmitoyl-norleucinols (PNOHs). Inhibition of cholinephosphotransferase by the derivative (S)PNOH was confirmed by an in vitro assay. (S)PNPA proapoptotic effects led us to clarify the mechanism linking cholinephosphotransferase inhibition to apoptosis. Three proapoptotic responses were observed: the activation of caspase-3, the production of ceramides from newly synthesized pools (as demonstrated by the inhibitor Fumonisin B1) and finally the activation of stress-activated protein kinase, p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases 1/2, as a result of ceramide increase. Thus our data demonstrate that synthetic analogues of LPA might display stereospecific effects leading to apoptosis independently of classical LPA-activated pathways.

  18. Drug-induced bullous pemphigoid in diabetes mellitus patients receiving dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors plus metformin.

    PubMed

    Skandalis, K; Spirova, M; Gaitanis, G; Tsartsarakis, A; Bassukas, I D

    2012-02-01

    Preclinical data and reports of adverse skin reactions in patients treated with dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors (gliptins) have increased awareness towards skin-targeting side-effects of these anti-hyperglycaemic drugs. Bullous pemphigoid (BP), sometimes drug-induced, is the most commonly acquired autoimmune blistering dermatosis in western countries, typically a disease of the elderly people with significant morbidity and excess mortality. To report the development of BP in five diabetics under gliptin (4 vildagliptin, 1 sitagliptin) plus metformin in fixed-dose drug combinations. From March to August 2010 six out of nine newly diagnosed BP patients in our Department were type 2 diabetics. Five of them were on gliptin plus metformin (three different trade preparations) for 2-13 months prior to BP onset. In all cases BP was controlled after withdrawal of the suspected medication and relatively mild therapeutic interventions. In two cases the eliciting role of the preceding treatment is supported by evidence at the level 'probable/likely' according to the WHO-UMC algorithm. This is the first report of drug-induced BP as a group adverse event of the gliptins plus metformin combination therapy for glycaemia control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2011 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

  19. Defibrotide Stimulates Angiogenesis and Protects Endothelial Cells from Calcineurin Inhibitor-Induced Apoptosis via Upregulation of AKT/Bcl-xL.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiangmin; Pan, Bin; Hashimoto, Yuko; Ohkawara, Hiroshi; Xu, Kailin; Zeng, Lingyu; Ikezoe, Takayuki

    2018-01-01

    Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome is a life-threatening complication that can occur after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Defibrotide (DF) has been approved for the treatment of individuals with severe sinusoidal obstruction syndrome following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the European Union and the United States. However, the precise mechanisms by which DF protects endothelial cells remain to be elucidated. In this study, we found that DF stimulated angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo as assessed by vascular tube formation, scratch-wound repair and Matrigel plug assays. These effects were associated with an activation of pro-survival signalling pathways, including AKT (protein kinase B), ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinases) and p38. More importantly, DF alleviated calcineurin inhibitor-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells in parallel with upregulation of anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-xL), which was mediated by AKT (protein kinase B). Notably, these effects were abrogated when Bcl-xL was depleted by small interfering RNA (ribonucleic acid). In addition, DF counteracted calcineurin inhibitor-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) signalling and production of cytokines in vascular endothelial cell-derived EA.hy926 cells. Taken together, DF has pro-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects on endothelial cells. DF is a potentially useful agent to prevent the development of, and treat individuals with, endothelial cell injury-related complications after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart.

  20. A Small Molecule Polyamine Oxidase Inhibitor Blocks Androgen-Induced Oxidative Stress and Delays Prostate Cancer Progression in the TRAMP Mouse Model

    PubMed Central

    Basu, Hirak S.; Thompson, Todd A.; Church, Dawn R.; Clower, Cynthia C.; Mehraein-Ghomi, Farideh; Amlong, Corey A.; Martin, Christopher T.; Woster, Patrick M.; Lindstrom, Mary J.; Wilding, George

    2009-01-01

    High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) present in human prostate epithelia are an important etiological factor in prostate cancer (CaP) occurrence, recurrence and progression. Androgen induces ROS production in the prostate by a yet unknown mechanism. Here, to the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time that androgen induces an overexpression of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), the rate-limiting enzyme in the polyamine oxidation pathway. As prostatic epithelia produce a large excess of polyamines, the androgen-induced polyamine oxidation that produces H2O2 could be a major reason for the high ROS levels in the prostate epithelia. A small molecule polyamine oxidase inhibitor N,N'-butanedienyl butanediamine (MDL 72,527 or CPC-200) effectively blocks androgen-induced ROS production in human CaP cells as well as significantly delays CaP progression and death in animals developing spontaneous CaP. These data demonstrate that polyamine oxidation is not only a major pathway for ROS production in prostate, but inhibiting this pathway also successfully delays prostate cancer progression. PMID:19773450

  1. Dehydroandrographolide, an iNOS inhibitor, extracted from from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, induces autophagy in human oral cancer cells

    PubMed Central

    Hsieh, Ming-Ju; Lin, Chiao-Wen; Chiou, Hui-Ling; Yang, Shun-Fa; Chen, Mu-Kuan

    2015-01-01

    Autophagy, which is constitutively executed at the basal level in all cells, promotes cellular homeostasis by regulating the turnover of organelles and proteins. Andrographolide and dehydroandrographolide (DA) are the two principle components of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees. and are the main contributors to its therapeutic properties. However, the pharmacological activities of dehydroandrographolide (DA) remain unclear. In this study, DA induces oral cancer cell death by activating autophagy. Treatment with autophagy inhibitors inhibited DA-induced human oral cancer cell death. In addition, DA increased LC3-II expression and reduced p53 expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, DA induced autophagy and decreased cell viability through modulation of p53 expression. DA-induced autophagy was triggered by an activation of JNK1/2 and an inhibition of Akt and p38. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that DA induced autophagy in human oral cancer cells by modulating p53 expression, activating JNK1/2, and inhibiting Akt and p38. Finally, an administration of DA effectively suppressed the tumor formation in the oral carcinoma xenograft model in vivo. This is the first study to reveal the novel function of DA in activating autophagy, suggesting that DA could serve as a new and potential chemopreventive agent for treating human oral cancer. PMID:26356821

  2. [Euglycemic ketoacidosis : a complication of SGLT2 inhibitors].

    PubMed

    Mizuno, Aki; Lolachi, Sanaz; Pernet, Alain

    2017-05-31

    Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors constitute a new category of oral antidiabetics recently indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Their mechanism of action (inhibition of renal reabsorption of glucose) and the fact that they do not induce hypoglycemia (as monotherapy) make their clinical use interesting. Various adverse events have however been reported regarding these drugs with the euglycemic ketoacidosis being the most serious. In this article we aim to review the possible mechanism of this side effect and recommendations for use of SGLT2 inhibitors by means of a case report.

  3. ROCK Inhibitor Enhances Adhesion and Wound Healing of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells

    PubMed Central

    Pipparelli, Aurélien; Arsenijevic, Yvan; Thuret, Gilles; Gain, Philippe

    2013-01-01

    Maintenance of corneal transparency is crucial for vision and depends mainly on the endothelium, a non-proliferative monolayer of cells covering the inner part of the cornea. When endothelial cell density falls below a critical threshold, the barrier and “pump” functions of the endothelium are compromised which results in corneal oedema and loss of visual acuity. The conventional treatment for such severe disorder is corneal graft. Unfortunately, there is a worldwide shortage of donor corneas, necessitating amelioration of tissue survival and storage after harvesting. Recently it was reported that the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 promotes adhesion, inhibits apoptosis, increases the number of proliferating monkey corneal endothelial cells in vitro and enhance corneal endothelial wound healing both in vitro and in vivo in animal models. Using organ culture human cornea (N = 34), the effect of ROCK inhibitor was evaluated in vitro and ex vivo. Toxicity, corneal endothelial cell density, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell morphometry, adhesion and wound healing process were evaluated by live/dead assay standard cell counting method, EdU labelling, Ki67, Caspase3, Zo-1 and Actin immunostaining. We demonstrated for the first time in human corneal endothelial cells ex vivo and in vitro, that ROCK inhibitor did not induce any toxicity effect and did not alter cell viability. ROCK inhibitor treatment did not induce human corneal endothelial cells proliferation. However, ROCK inhibitor significantly enhanced adhesion and wound healing. The present study shows that the selective ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 has no effect on human corneal endothelial cells proliferative capacities, but alters cellular behaviours. It induces changes in cell shape, increases cell adhesion and enhances wound healing ex vivo and in vitro. Its absence of toxicity, as demonstrated herein, is relevant for its use in human therapy. PMID:23626771

  4. The sirtuin 1/2 inhibitor tenovin-1 induces a nonlinear apoptosis-inducing factor-dependent cell death in a p53 null Ewing's sarcoma cell line.

    PubMed

    Marx, Christian; Marx-Blümel, Lisa; Lindig, Nora; Thierbach, René; Hoelzer, Doerte; Becker, Sabine; Wittig, Susan; Lehmann, Roland; Slevogt, Hortense; Heinzel, Thorsten; Wang, Zhao-Qi; Beck, James F; Sonnemann, Jürgen

    2018-06-01

    The sirtuin 1/2 inhibitor tenovin-1 activates p53 and may have potential in the management of cancer. Here, we investigated the responsiveness of Ewing's sarcoma cells to tenovin-1. We examined its effects in two Ewing's sarcoma cell lines with different p53 status, i.e. in p53 wild-type and p53 null cells. Effects were assessed by flow cytometric analyses of cell death, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, by caspase 3/7 activity measurement, by mRNA expression profiling and by immunoblotting. Tenovin-1 elicited caspase-mediated cell death in p53 wild-type cells, but caspase-independent cell death in p53 null cells. Remarkably, it induced a nonlinear concentration response in the latter: low concentrations of tenovin-1 were much more effective than were higher concentrations. Tenovin-1's effects in p53 null cells involved gene expression changes of Bcl-2 family members, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor, ROS formation and DNA damage; all these effects followed a bell-shaped pattern. In conclusion, our results provide new insights into tenovin-1's mode of action by demonstrating that it can induce different pathways of cell death.

  5. Placotylene A, an Inhibitor of the Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligand-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation, from a Korean Sponge Placospongia sp.

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Hiyoung; Kim, Kwang-Jin; Yeon, Jeong-Tae; Kim, Seong Hwan; Won, Dong Hwan; Choi, Hyukjae; Nam, Sang-Jip; Son, Young-Jin; Kang, Heonjoong

    2014-01-01

    A new inhibitor, placotylene A (1), of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation, and a regioisomer of placotylene A, placotylene B (2), were isolated from a Korean marine sponge Placospongia sp. The chemical structures of placotylenes A and B were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, along with MS spectral analysis and revealed as an iodinated polyacetylene class of natural products. Placotylene A (1) displayed inhibitory activity against RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation at 10 μM while placotylene B (2) did not show any significant activity up to 100 μM, respectively. PMID:24705502

  6. Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase inhibitors: Progress and potential.

    PubMed

    Laev, Sergey S; Salakhutdinov, Nariman F; Lavrik, Olga I

    2016-11-01

    DNA topoisomerases are essential during transcription and replication. The therapeutic mechanism of action of topoisomerase inhibitors is enzyme poisoning rather than catalytic inhibition. Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterases 1 or 2 were found as DNA repair enzymes hydrolyzing the covalent bond between the tyrosyl residue of topoisomerases I or II and the 3'- or 5'-phosphate groups in DNA, respectively. Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 is a key enzyme in DNA repair machinery and a promising target for antitumor and neurodegenerative therapy. Inhibitors of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 could act synergistically with topoisomerase I inhibitors and thereby potentiate the effects of topoisomerase I poisons. Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 is an enzyme that specifically repairs DNA damages induced by topoisomerase II poisons and causes resistance to these drugs. Selective inhibition of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 may be a novel approach to overcome intrinsic or acquired resistance to topoisomerase II-targeted drug therapy. Thus, agents that inhibit tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterases 1 and 2 have many applications in biochemical and physiological research and they have the potential to become anticancer and antiviral drugs. The structures, mechanism of action and therapeutic rationale of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase inhibitors and their development for combinations with topoisomerase inhibitors and DNA damaging agents are discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Inhibitors of protein phosphorylation including the retinoblastoma protein induce germination of Candida albicans.

    PubMed

    Cho, T; Hamatake, H; Hagihara, Y; Kaminishi, H

    2000-02-01

    It has been previously shown that the induction of germination in Candida albicans occurs following its cessation of growth as a yeast. Similarly, mammalian cells undergo a differentiation process that is preceded by a growth cessation associated with a hypophosphorylation of proteins of the retinoblastoma gene family. It is postulated that a similar type of mechanism may be operative in C. albicans and protein phosphorylation inhibitors: forskolin (stimulates cyclic adenosine monophosphate production), okadaic acid (phosphatase inhibitor) and D-erythro-sphingosine (retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation inhibitor) have been used to further strengthen this hypothesis. Okadaic acid (1-1000 nM) and D-erythro-sphingosine (100 microM) significantly inhibited the growth of yeast cells of C. albicans. D-Erythro-sphingosine at 1000 microM was candidicidal. Forskolin did not significantly affect growth. Exponentially grown C. albicans pretreated with forskolin (10 microM), okadaic acid (1000 nM) or D-erythro-sphingosine (100 microM) readily germinated. In comparison, when these inhibitors were incorporated in the same medium, germination of exponentially grown cells did not occur. These results suggest that protein dephosphorylation may be necessary at an early stage of the yeast-hyphae transition in C. albicans.

  8. The renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitors and a mini-review of the literature.

    PubMed

    Andrianesis, Vasileios; Glykofridi, Spyridoula; Doupis, John

    2016-12-01

    Sodium-glucose linked transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new and promising class of antidiabetic agents which target renal tubular glucose reabsorption. Their action is based on the blockage of SGLT2 sodium-glucose cotransporters that are located at the luminal membrane of tubular cells of the proximal convoluted tubule, inducing glucosuria. It has been proven that they significantly reduce glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), along with fasting and postprandial plasma glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The glucosuria-induced caloric loss as well as the osmotic diuresis significantly decrease body weight and blood pressure, respectively. Given that SGLT2 inhibitors do not interfere with insulin action and secretion, their efficacy is sustained despite the progressive β-cell failure in T2DM. They are well tolerated, with a low risk of hypoglycemia. Their most frequent adverse events are minor: genital and urinal tract infections. Recently, it was demonstrated that empagliflozin presents a significant cardioprotective effect. Although the SGLT2 inhibitors' efficacy is affected by renal function, new data have been presented that some SGLT2 inhibitors, even in mild and moderate renal impairment, induce significant HbA1c reduction. Moreover, recent data indicate that SGLT2 inhibition has a beneficial renoprotective effect. The role of this review paper is to explore the current evidence on the renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitors.

  9. Effect of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

    PubMed

    Hosaka, E M; Santos, O F P; Seguro, A C; Vattimo, M F F

    2004-07-01

    The frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in combination with gentamicin poses the additional risk of nephrotoxic renal failure. Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) is the main enzyme responsible for the synthesis of renal vasodilator prostaglandins, while COX-2 participates predominantly in the inflammatory process. Both are inhibited by non-selective NSAID such as indomethacin. Selective COX-2 inhibitors such as rofecoxib seem to have fewer renal side effects than non-selective inhibitors. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the combined use of rofecoxib and gentamicin can prevent the increased renal injury caused by gentamicin and indomethacin. Male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were treated with gentamicin (100 mg/kg body weight, ip, N = 7), indomethacin (5 mg/kg, orally, N = 7), rofecoxib (1.4 mg/kg, orally, N = 7), gentamicin + rofecoxib (100 and 1.4 mg/kg, respectively) or gentamicin + indomethacin (100 and 5 mg/kg, respectively, N = 8) for 5 days. Creatinine clearance and alpha-glutathione-S-transferase concentrations were used as markers of renal injury. Animals were anesthetized with ether and sacrificed for blood collection. The use of gentamicin plus indomethacin led to worsened renal function (0.199 +/- 0.019 ml/min), as opposed to the absence of a nephrotoxic effect of rofecoxib when gentamicin plus rofexicob was used (0.242 +/- 0.011 ml/min). These results indicate that COX-2-selective inhibitors can be used as an alternative treatment to conventional NSAID, especially in situations in which risk factors for nephrotoxicity are present.

  10. Mitochondrial targeted HSP90 inhibitor Gamitrinib-TPP (G-TPP) induces PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy.

    PubMed

    Fiesel, Fabienne C; James, Elle D; Hudec, Roman; Springer, Wolfdieter

    2017-12-05

    Loss-of-function mutations in PINK1 or PARKIN are associated with early-onset Parkinson's disease. Upon mitochondrial stress, PINK1 and Parkin together mediate a response that protects cells from the accumulation of harmful, damaged mitochondria. PINK1, the upstream kinase accumulates on the mitochondrial surface and recruits the E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin on site to ubiquitylate substrate proteins. The joint activity of both to generate phosphorylated poly-ubiquitin chains on the mitochondrial surface induces the recruitment of autophagy receptors and eventually whole organelles are cleared by autophagy. While this pathway is generally accepted to occur upon chemical uncoupling of mitochondria, the (patho-) physiologic relevance has been questioned. However, few studies have indicated that PINK1 and Parkin are also activated upon accumulation of misfolded proteins in the mitochondrial lumen upon overexpression of ΔOTC (Ornithine transcarbamylase). Here, we used the mitochondrial targeted HSP90 inhibitor Gamitrinib-triphenylphosphonium (G-TPP), an anti-cancer agent, to chemically interfere with mitochondrial protein folding. G-TPP treatment induced PINK1 accumulation, ubiquitin phosphorylation at Ser65, Parkin activation and its recruitment to mitochondria was specific for mitochondrial HSP90 inhibition and largely independent of mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Mitophagy induction was observed by monitoring autophagy receptor recruitment and the mitoKeima reporter. Importantly, mitophagy was not only induced in cancer cells but also in primary human fibroblasts and thereof converted neurons. G-TPP treatment might represent a novel strategy to study PINK1 and Parkin-mediated mitochondrial quality control using a more physiologically relevant stress.

  11. Uveitis induced by programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor therapy with nivolumab in metastatic melanoma patient.

    PubMed

    Kanno, Hiroaki; Ishida, Kyoko; Yamada, Wataru; Nishida, Takashi; Takahashi, Nobumichi; Mochizuki, Kiyofumi; Mizuno, Yuki; Matsuyama, Kanako; Takahashi, Tomoko; Seishima, Mariko

    2017-11-01

    Nivolumab, a new immune checkpoint inhibitor, binds to programmed cell death-protein 1 receptors on T cell, blockades binding of its ligands, and augments the immunologic reaction against tumor cells. Augmented immune response, however, may lead to immune-related adverse events. Herein we describe a rare case of bilateral anterior uveitis induced by nivolumab treatment for metastatic melanoma. A 54-year-old woman presented with mild conjunctival redness and blurred vision two months after initiating nivolumab treatment. Ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral non-granulomatous anterior uveitis. The flare values in the anterior chamber were monitored as an objective inflammatory index during nivolumab therapy and clinical time course was reported in this paper. Copyright © 2017 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Additive effect by combination of Akt inhibitor, MK-2206, and PDGFR inhibitor, tyrphostin AG 1296, in suppressing anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell viability and motility.

    PubMed

    Che, Huan-Yong; Guo, Hang-Yuan; Si, Xu-Wei; You, Qiao-Ying; Lou, Wei-Ying

    2014-01-01

    The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt pathway and receptor tyrosine kinases regulate many tumorigenesis related cellular processes including cell metabolism, cell survival, cell motility, and angiogenesis. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare type of thyroid cancer with no effective systemic therapy. It has been shown that Akt activation is associated with tumor progression in ATC. Here we observed the additive effect between an Akt inhibitor (MK-2206) and a novel platelet-derived growth factor receptor inhibitor (tyrphostin AG 1296) in ATC therapy. We found an additive effect between MK-2206 and tyrphostin AG 1296 in suppressing ATC cell viability. The combination of MK-2206 and tyrphostin AG 1296 induces additive apoptosis, additive suppression of the Akt signaling pathway, as well as additive inhibition of cell migration and invasion of ATC cells. Furthermore, the combination of MK-2206 and tyrphostin AG 1296 induced additive suppression of ATC tumor growth in vivo. In summary, our studies suggest that the combination of Akt and receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be an efficient therapeutic strategy for ATC treatment, which might shed new light on ATC therapy.

  13. Influence of several peptidase inhibitors on the pro-inflammatory effects of substance P, capsaicin and collagenase.

    PubMed

    Damas, J; Bourdon, V; Liégeois, J F; Simmons, W H

    1996-11-01

    Injection of substance P (SP) in a rat hindpaw induced extravasation of 125I-labelled albumin in both hindpaws and salivation. Intravenous injection of SP dose-dependently increased vascular permeability. This latter effect was increased in rat paws by captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), administered locally in combination with diprotin A, an inhibitor of an dipeptidyl(amino)peptidase IV (DAP IV) or phosphoramidon, an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase (NEP). The increase in permeability induced by SP was inhibited by RP 67580, a NK-1-receptor antagonist. Intravenous injection of capsaicin induced labelled albumin extravasation in rat paws. This effect was increased by combination of captopril with diprotin A or phosphoramidon, but not by captopril associated with amastatin, an inhibitor of aminopeptidase M (AmM). It was suppressed by RP 67580. Injection of collagenase in rat paws triggered a swelling and a local plasma exudation. These responses were reduced by RP 67580 but not by RP 68651, its inactive enantiomer. They were increased by combination of captopril with diprotin A or phosphoramidon in normal rats. The potentiating effects of captopril and diprotin A were suppressed by RP 67580 in normal rats but did not develop in kininogen-deficient rats. The oedema induced by collagenase was also increased by lisinopril, another ACE inhibitor, administered locally in combination with apstatin, an inhibitor of aminopeptidase P (AmP). In rats pretreated by methysergide, collagenase-induced oedema was reduced and can be increased by captopril, by lisinopril, administered alone or by lisinopril associated with apstatin. It is concluded that SP is mainly inactivated in rat paws by ACE, DAP IV and NEP. In collagenase-induced oedema, a low amount of SP would be released from afferent nerve terminals by bradykinin formed in low amounts. Bradykinin is inactivated in rat paws by ACE and AmP. In collagenase-oedema, the pro-inflammatory effects of

  14. Naringin prevents HIV-1 protease inhibitors-induced metabolic complications in vivo.

    PubMed

    Nzuza, Sanelisiwe; Zondi, Sindiswa; Owira, Peter M O

    2017-01-01

    Insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and overt diabetes are known metabolic complications associated with chronic use of HIV-Protease Inhibitors. Naringin is a grapefruit-derived flavonoid with anti-diabetic, anti-dyslipidemia, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. The study investigated the protective effects of naringin on glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion and signaling in vivo. Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 6) and were daily orally treated with distilled water {3.0 ml/kg body weight (BW)}, atazanavir (133 mg/kg BW), saquinavir (333 mg/kg BW) with or without naringin (50 mg/kg BW), respectively for 56 days. Body weights and water consumption were recorded daily. Glucose tolerance tests were carried out on day 55 of the treatment and thereafter, the rats were sacrificed by halothane overdose. Atazanavir (ATV)- or saquinavir (SQV)-treated rats exhibited significant weight loss, polydipsia, elevated Fasting blood glucose (FBG), reduced Fasting Plasma Insulin (FPI) and expression of phosphorylated, Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 (IRS-1) and Akt proteins, hepatic and pancreatic glucokinase levels, and also increasing pancreatic caspase-3 and -9 as well as UCP2 protein expressions compared to controls, respectively. These effects were completely reversed by naringin treatment. Naringin prevents PI-induced glucose intolerance and impairment of insulin signaling and as nutritional supplement it could therefore alleviate metabolic complications associated with antiretroviral therapy.

  15. Naringin prevents HIV-1 protease inhibitors-induced metabolic complications in vivo

    PubMed Central

    Nzuza, Sanelisiwe; Zondi, Sindiswa; Owira, Peter M. O.

    2017-01-01

    Background Insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and overt diabetes are known metabolic complications associated with chronic use of HIV-Protease Inhibitors. Naringin is a grapefruit-derived flavonoid with anti-diabetic, anti-dyslipidemia, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Objectives The study investigated the protective effects of naringin on glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion and signaling in vivo. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 6) and were daily orally treated with distilled water {3.0 ml/kg body weight (BW)}, atazanavir (133 mg/kg BW), saquinavir (333 mg/kg BW) with or without naringin (50 mg/kg BW), respectively for 56 days. Body weights and water consumption were recorded daily. Glucose tolerance tests were carried out on day 55 of the treatment and thereafter, the rats were sacrificed by halothane overdose. Results Atazanavir (ATV)- or saquinavir (SQV)-treated rats exhibited significant weight loss, polydipsia, elevated Fasting blood glucose (FBG), reduced Fasting Plasma Insulin (FPI) and expression of phosphorylated, Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 (IRS-1) and Akt proteins, hepatic and pancreatic glucokinase levels, and also increasing pancreatic caspase-3 and -9 as well as UCP2 protein expressions compared to controls, respectively. These effects were completely reversed by naringin treatment. Conclusion Naringin prevents PI-induced glucose intolerance and impairment of insulin signaling and as nutritional supplement it could therefore alleviate metabolic complications associated with antiretroviral therapy. PMID:29121676

  16. The Akt-inhibitor Erufosine induces apoptotic cell death in prostate cancer cells and increases the short term effects of ionizing radiation.

    PubMed

    Rudner, Justine; Ruiner, Carola-Ellen; Handrick, René; Eibl, Hans-Jörg; Belka, Claus; Jendrossek, Verena

    2010-11-16

    The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway is frequently deregulated in prostate cancer and associated with neoplastic transformation, malignant progression, and enhanced resistance to classical chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thus, it is a promising target for therapeutic intervention. In the present study, the cytotoxic action of the Akt inhibitor Erufosine (ErPC3) was analyzed in prostate cancer cells and compared to the cytotoxicity of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Moreover, the efficacy of combined treatment with Akt inhibitors and ionizing radiation in prostate cancer cells was examined. Prostate cancer cell lines PC3, DU145, and LNCaP were treated with ErPC3 (1-100 µM), LY294002 (25-100 µM), irradiated (0-10 Gy), or subjected to combined treatments. Cell viability was determined by the WST-1 assay. Apoptosis induction was analyzed by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide in a hypotonic citrate buffer, and by Western blotting using antibodies against caspase-3 and its substrate PARP. Akt activity and regulation of the expression of Bcl-2 family members and key downstream effectors involved in apoptosis regulation were examined by Western blot analysis. The Akt inhibitor ErPC3 exerted anti-neoplastic effects in prostate cancer cells, however with different potency. The anti-neoplastic action of ErPC3 was associated with reduced phosphoserine 473-Akt levels and induction of apoptosis. PC3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells were also sensitive to treatment with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. However, the ErPC3-sensitive PC3-cells were less susceptible to LY294002 than the ErPC3-refractory LNCaP cells. Although both cell lines were largely resistant to radiation-induced apoptosis, both cell lines showed higher levels of apoptotic cell death when ErPC3 was combined with radiotherapy. Our data suggest that constitutive Akt activation and survival are controlled by different different molecular mechanisms in the two prostate cancer cell lines

  17. Combinatorial Study of a Novel Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor and an HDAC Inhibitor, SAHA, in Leukemic Cell Lines.

    PubMed

    Hegde, Mahesh; Mantelingu, Kempegowda; Pandey, Monica; Pavankumar, Chottanahalli S; Rangappa, Kanchugarakoppal S; Raghavan, Sathees C

    2016-10-01

    Cancer is a multifactorial disease, which makes it difficult to cure. Since more than one defective cellular component is often involved during oncogenesis, combination therapy is gaining prominence in the field of cancer therapeutics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combinatorial effects of a novel PARP inhibitor, P10, and HDAC inhibitor, SAHA, in leukemic cells. Combinatorial effects of P10 and SAHA were tested using propidium iodide staining in different leukemic cells. Further, flowcytometry-based assays such as calcein-AM/ethidium homodimer staining, annexin-FITC/PI staining, and JC-1 staining were carried out to elucidate the mechanism of cell death. In addition, cell-cycle analysis, immunocytochemistry studies, and western blotting analysis were conducted to check the combinatorial effect in Nalm6 cells. Propidium iodide staining showed that P10 in combination with SAHA induced cell death in Nalm6 cells, in which PARP expression and activity is high with a combination index of <0.2. Annexin-FITC/PI staining, JC-1 staining, and other biochemical assays revealed that P10 in combination with SAHA induced apoptosis by causing a change in mitochondrial membrane potential in >65 % cells. Importantly, combinatorial treatment induced S phase arrest in 40-45 % cells due to DNA damage and plausible replicative stress. Finally, we demonstrated that treatment with P10 led to DNA strand breaks, which were further potentiated by SAHA (p < 0.01), leading to activation of apoptosis and increased cell death in PARP-positive leukemic cells. Our study reveals that coadministration of PARP inhibitor with SAHA could be used as a combination therapy against leukemic cells that possess high levels of intrinsic PARP activity.

  18. Sensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to HDAC inhibitor AR-42 mediated apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Murahari, Sridhar; Jalkanen, Aimee L; Kulp, Samuel K; Chen, Ching-Shih; Modiano, Jaime F; London, Cheryl A; Kisseberth, William C

    2017-01-21

    Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumor in both humans and dogs and is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in children and young adults. Limb sparing surgery along with chemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment for OS. Many patients are not cured with current therapies, presenting a real need for developing new treatments. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a promising new class of anticancer agents. In this study, we investigated the activity of the novel HDAC inhibitor AR-42 in a panel of human and canine OS cell lines. The effect of AR-42 and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) alone or in combination with doxorubicin on OS cell viability was assessed. Induction of histone acetylation after HDAC inhibitor treatment was confirmed by Western blotting. Drug-induced apoptosis was analyzed by FACS. Apoptosis was assessed further by measuring caspase 3/7 enzymatic activity, nucleosome fragmentation, and caspase cleavage. Effects on Akt signaling were demonstrated by assessing phosphorylation of Akt and downstream signaling molecules. AR-42 was a potent inhibitor of cell viability and induced a greater apoptotic response compared to SAHA when used at the same concentrations. Normal osteoblasts were much less sensitive. The combination of AR-42 with doxorubicin resulted in a potent inhibition of cell viability and apparent synergistic effect. Furthermore, we showed that AR-42 and SAHA induced cell death via the activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway through activation of caspase 3/7. This potent apoptotic activity was associated with the greater ability of AR-42 to downregulate survival signaling through Akt. These results confirm that AR-42 is a potent inhibitor of HDAC activity and demonstrates its ability to significantly inhibit cell survival through its pleiotropic effects in both canine and human OS cells and suggests that spontaneous OS in pet dogs may be a useful large animal model for preclinical

  19. [Arginase inhibitor nor-NOHA induces apoptosis and inhibits invasion and migration of HepG2 cells].

    PubMed

    Li, Xiangnan; Zhu, Fangyu; He, Yongsong; Luo, Fang

    2017-04-01

    Objective To investigate the cell inhibitory effect of arginase inhibitor nor-NOHA on HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and related mechanism. Methods CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell proliferation and flow cytometry to detect the apoptosis of HepG2 cells treated with (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0) ng/μL nor-NOHA. The protein levels of arginase 1 (Arg1), P53, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), E-cadherin (ECD) were determined by Western blotting. Real time quantitative PCR was employed to examine the changes in the mRNA level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Griess assay was used to measure the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in HepG2 cells. Transwell TM assay and wound-healing assay were performed to evaluate the changes of the cell invasion and migration ability, respectively. Results nor-NOHA inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of HepG2 cells. It also decreased the expression levels of Arg1 and MMP-2, increased the expression levels of P53 and ECD as well as the production of NO; in addition, nor-NOHA inhibited the invasion and migration of HepG2 cells. Conclusion Nor-NOHA can induce cell apoptosis and inhibit the ability of invasion and migration of HepG2 cells by inhibiting Arg1, which is related with the increase of iNOS expression and the high concentration of NO.

  20. The HDAC inhibitor SB939 overcomes resistance to BCR-ABL kinase Inhibitors conferred by the BIM deletion polymorphism in chronic myeloid leukemia.

    PubMed

    Rauzan, Muhammad; Chuah, Charles T H; Ko, Tun Kiat; Ong, S Tiong

    2017-01-01

    Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment has been improved by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as imatinib mesylate (IM) but various factors can cause TKI resistance in patients with CML. One factor which contributes to TKI resistance is a germline intronic deletion polymorphism in the BCL2-like 11 (BIM) gene which impairs the expression of pro-apoptotic splice isoforms of BIM. SB939 (pracinostat) is a hydroxamic acid based HDAC inhibitor with favorable pharmacokinetic, physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties, and we investigated if this drug could overcome BIM deletion polymorphism-induced TKI resistance. We found that SB939 corrects BIM pre-mRNA splicing in CML cells with the BIM deletion polymorphism, and induces apoptotic cell death in CML cell lines and primary cells with the BIM deletion polymorphism. More importantly, SB939 both decreases the viability of CML cell lines and primary CML progenitors with the BIM deletion and restores TKI-sensitivity. Our results demonstrate that SB939 overcomes BIM deletion polymorphism-induced TKI resistance, and suggest that SB939 may be useful in treating CML patients with BIM deletion-associated TKI resistance.

  1. Effects of selective inhibitors of Aurora kinases on anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines.

    PubMed

    Baldini, Enke; Tuccilli, Chiara; Prinzi, Natalie; Sorrenti, Salvatore; Antonelli, Alessandro; Gnessi, Lucio; Morrone, Stefania; Moretti, Costanzo; Bononi, Marco; Arlot-Bonnemains, Yannick; D'Armiento, Massimino; Ulisse, Salvatore

    2014-10-01

    Aurora kinases are serine/threonine kinases that play an essential role in cell division. Their aberrant expression and/or function induce severe mitotic abnormalities, resulting in either cell death or aneuploidy. Overexpression of Aurora kinases is often found in several malignancies, among which is anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). We have previously demonstrated the in vitro efficacy of Aurora kinase inhibitors in restraining cell growth and survival of different ATC cell lines. In this study, we sought to establish which Aurora might represent the preferential drug target for ATC. To this end, the effects of two selective inhibitors of Aurora-A (MLN8237) and Aurora-B (AZD1152) on four human ATC cell lines (CAL-62, BHT-101, 8305C, and 8505C) were analysed. Both inhibitors reduced cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with IC50 ranges of 44.3-134.2 nM for MLN8237 and of 9.2-461.3 nM for AZD1152. Immunofluorescence experiments and time-lapse videomicroscopy yielded evidence that each inhibitor induced distinct mitotic phenotypes, but both of them prevented the completion of cytokinesis. As a result, poliploidy increased in all AZD1152-treated cells, and in two out of four cell lines treated with MLN8237. Apoptosis was induced in all the cells by MLN8237, and in BHT-101, 8305C, and 8505C by AZD1152, while CAL-62 exposed to AZD1152 died through necrosis after multiple rounds of endoreplication. Both inhibitors were capable of blocking anchorage-independent cell growth. In conclusion, we demonstrated that either Aurora-A or Aurora-B might represent therapeutic targets for the ATC treatment, but inhibition of Aurora-A appears more effective for suppressing ATC cell proliferation and for inducing the apoptotic pathway. © 2014 Society for Endocrinology.

  2. Blockade of the ERK pathway enhances the therapeutic efficacy of the histone deacetylase inhibitor MS-275 in human tumor xenograft models

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sakamoto, Toshiaki; Ozaki, Kei-ichi; Fujio, Kohsuke

    2013-04-19

    Highlights: •Blockade of the ERK pathway enhances the anticancer efficacy of HDAC inhibitors. •MEK inhibitors sensitize human tumor xenografts to HDAC inhibitor cytotoxicity. •Such the enhanced efficacy is achieved by a transient blockade of the ERK pathway. •This drug combination provides a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer patients. -- Abstract: The ERK pathway is up-regulated in various human cancers and represents a prime target for mechanism-based approaches to cancer treatment. Specific blockade of the ERK pathway alone induces mostly cytostatic rather than pro-apoptotic effects, however, resulting in a limited therapeutic efficacy of the ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors. We previously showedmore » that MEK inhibitors markedly enhance the ability of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors to induce apoptosis in tumor cells with constitutive ERK pathway activation in vitro. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of such drug combinations, we administered the MEK inhibitor PD184352 or AZD6244 together with the HDAC inhibitor MS-275 in nude mice harboring HT-29 or H1650 xenografts. Co-administration of the MEK inhibitor markedly sensitized the human xenografts to MS-275 cytotoxicity. A dose of MS-275 that alone showed only moderate cytotoxicity thus suppressed the growth of tumor xenografts almost completely as well as induced a marked reduction in tumor cellularity when administered with PD184352 or AZD6244. The combination of the two types of inhibitor also induced marked oxidative stress, which appeared to result in DNA damage and massive cell death, specifically in the tumor xenografts. The enhanced therapeutic efficacy of the drug combination was achieved by a relatively transient blockade of the ERK pathway. Administration of both MEK and HDAC inhibitors represents a promising chemotherapeutic strategy with improved safety for cancer patients.« less

  3. Client Proteins and Small Molecule Inhibitors Display Distinct Binding Preferences for Constitutive and Stress-Induced HSP90 Isoforms and Their Conformationally Restricted Mutants

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Sunmin; Tsutsumi, Shinji; Yim, Kendrick; Rivas, Candy; Alarcon, Sylvia; Schwartz, Harvey; Khamit-Kush, Kofi; Scroggins, Bradley T.; Beebe, Kristin; Trepel, Jane B.; Neckers, Len

    2015-01-01

    The two cytosolic/nuclear isoforms of the molecular chaperone HSP90, stress-inducible HSP90α and constitutively expressed HSP90β, fold, assemble and maintain the three-dimensional structure of numerous client proteins. Because many HSP90 clients are important in cancer, several HSP90 inhibitors have been evaluated in the clinic. However, little is known concerning possible unique isoform or conformational preferences of either individual HSP90 clients or inhibitors. In this report, we compare the relative interaction strength of both HSP90α and HSP90β with the transcription factors HSF1 and HIF1α, the kinases ERBB2 and MET, the E3-ubiquitin ligases KEAP1 and RHOBTB2, and the HSP90 inhibitors geldanamycin and ganetespib. We observed unexpected differences in relative client and drug preferences for the two HSP90 isoforms, with HSP90α binding each client protein with greater apparent affinity compared to HSP90β, while HSP90β bound each inhibitor with greater relative interaction strength compared to HSP90α. Stable HSP90 interaction was associated with reduced client activity. Using a defined set of HSP90 conformational mutants, we found that some clients interact strongly with a single, ATP-stabilized HSP90 conformation, only transiently populated during the dynamic HSP90 chaperone cycle, while other clients interact equally with multiple HSP90 conformations. These data suggest different functional requirements among HSP90 clientele that, for some clients, are likely to be ATP-independent. Lastly, the two inhibitors examined, although sharing the same binding site, were differentially able to access distinct HSP90 conformational states. PMID:26517842

  4. A Helminth Protease Inhibitor Modulates the Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Proinflammatory Phenotype of Microglia in vitro.

    PubMed

    Behrendt, Peter; Arnold, Philipp; Brueck, Max; Rickert, Uta; Lucius, Richard; Hartmann, Susanne; Klotz, Christian; Lucius, Ralph

    2016-01-01

    The aim of this study was to examine whether the natural protease inhibitor Av-cystatin (rAv17) of the parasitic nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae exerts anti-inflammatory effects in an in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia. Primary microglia were harvested from the brains of 2-day-old Wistar rats and cultured with or without rAv17 (250 nM). After 6 and 24 h the release of nitric oxide (Griess reagent) and TNF-α (ELISA) was measured in the supernatant. Real-time PCR was performed after 2, 6 and 24 h of culture to measure the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS and IL-10. To address the involved signaling pathways, nuclear NF-x0138;B translocation was visualized by immunocytochemistry. Morphological changes of microglia were analyzed by Coomassie blue staining. Differences between groups were calculated using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's post hoc test. Morphological analysis indicated that LPS-induced microglial transformation towards an amoeboid morphology is inhibited by rAv17. Av-cystatin caused a time-dependent downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression, respectively. This was paralleled by an upregulated expression of IL-10 in resting as well as in LPS-stimulated microglia. Av-cystatin reduced the release of NO and TNF-α in the culture supernatant. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated an attenuated translocation of NF-x0138;B by Av-cystatin in response to LPS. In addition, Western blot analysis revealed a rAv17-dependent reduction of the LPS-induced ERK1/2-pathway activation. The parasite-derived secretion product Av-cystatin inhibits proinflammatory mechanisms of LPS-induced microglia with IL-10, a potential key mediator. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  5. Histone deacetylase inhibitors VPA and TSA induce apoptosis and autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Gilardini Montani, Maria Saveria; Granato, Marisa; Santoni, Claudio; Del Porto, Paola; Merendino, Nicolò; D'Orazi, Gabriella; Faggioni, Alberto; Cirone, Mara

    2017-04-01

    Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are anti-neoplastic agents that are known to affect the growth of different cancer types, but their underlying mechanisms are still incompletely understood. Here, we compared the effects of two HDACi, i.e., Trichostatin A (TSA) and Valproic Acid (VPA), on the induction of cell death and autophagy in pancreatic cancer-derived cells that exhibit a high metastatic capacity and carry KRAS/p53 double mutations. Cell viability and proliferation tests were carried out using Trypan blue dye exclusion, MTT and BrdU assays. FACS analyses were carried out to assess cell cycle progression, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial depolarization, while Western blot and immunoprecipitation analyses were employed to detect proteins involved in apoptosis and autophagy. We found that both VPA and TSA can induce apoptosis in Panc1 and PaCa44 pancreatic cancer-derived cells by triggering mitochondrial membrane depolarization, Cytochrome c release and Caspase 3 activation, although VPA was more effective than TSA, especially in Panc1 cells. As underlying molecular events, we found that ERK1/2 was de-phosphorylated and that the c-Myc and mutant p53 protein levels were reduced after VPA and, to a lesser extent, after TSA treatment. Up-regulation of p21 and Puma was also observed, concomitantly with mutant p53 degradation. In addition, we found that in both cell lines VPA increased the pro-apoptotic Bim level, reduced the anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 level and increased ROS production and autophagy, while TSA was able to induce these effects only in PaCA44 cells. From our results we conclude that both VPA and TSA can induce pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis and autophagy. VPA appears have a stronger and broader cytotoxic effect than TSA and, thus, may represent a better choice for anti-pancreatic cancer therapy.

  6. StInvInh2 as an inhibitor of StvacINV1 regulates the cold-induced sweetening of potato tubers by specifically capping vacuolar invertase activity.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xun; Lin, Yuan; Liu, Jun; Song, Botao; Ou, Yongbin; Zhang, Huiling; Li, Meng; Xie, Conghua

    2013-06-01

    Reducing sugar (RS) accumulation in cold-stored potato tubers, known as cold-induced sweetening (CIS), is a crucial factor causing unacceptable colour changes and acrylamide formation of fried products. The activity of vacuolar invertase (StvacINV1) is proved important for the CIS process, and invertase inhibitors are speculated to play roles in the post-translational regulation of StvacINV1 activity. In our previous research, two putative inhibitors (StInvInh2A and StInvInh2B) of StvacINV1 were implied to be involved in potato CIS. Here, we further reported that StInvInh2A and StInvInh2B had similar function that specifically inhibited StvacINV1 activity in potatoes. The genetic transformation of these inhibitor genes in potatoes by overexpression in CIS-sensitive and RNAi-silenced in CIS-resistant genotypes showed that StvacINV1 activity was strongly regulated by alteration of the transcripts of the inhibitors without impacting on the expression of StvacINV1. A negative power relationship was found between the transcripts of the inhibitors and StvacINV1 activity, suggesting 1) a transcriptional determination of the inhibitory capacity of StInvInh2A and StInvInh2B and 2) a significant inhibitory role of these inhibitors in post-translational modulation of StvacINV1. The results also demonstrated that depression of StvacINV1 activity through overexpression of StInvInh2A and StInvInh2B weakened accumulation of RS and acrylamide in cold-stored tubers and consequently improved the chip quality. The present research strongly suggest that both StInvInh2A and StInvInh2B function as inhibitors of StvacINV1 and play similar roles in regulating potato CIS by capping StvacINV1 activity. These inhibitors could be novel genetic resources applicable for improving quality of potato processing products. © 2013 Society for Experimental Biology, Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  7. Designing peptide inhibitor of insulin receptor to induce diabetes mellitus type 2 in animal model Mus musculus.

    PubMed

    Permatasari, Galuh W; Utomo, Didik H; Widodo

    2016-10-01

    A designing peptide as agent for inducing diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) in an animal model is challenging. The computational approach provides a sophisticated tool to design a functional peptide that may block the insulin receptor activity. The peptide that able to inhibit the binding between insulin and insulin receptor is a warrant for inducing T2DM. Therefore, we designed a potential peptide inhibitor of insulin receptor as an agent to generate T2DM animal model by bioinformatics approach. The peptide has been developed based on the structure of insulin receptor binding site of insulin and then modified it to obtain the best properties of half life, hydrophobicity, antigenicity, and stability binding into insulin receptor. The results showed that the modified peptide has characteristics 100h half-life, high-affinity -95.1±20, and high stability 28.17 in complex with the insulin receptor. Moreover, the modified peptide has molecular weight 4420.8g/Mol and has no antigenic regions. Based on the molecular dynamic simulation, the complex of modified peptide-insulin receptor is more stable than the commercial insulin receptor blocker. This study suggested that the modified peptide has the promising performance to block the insulin receptor activity that potentially induce diabetes mellitus type 2 in mice. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. The cathepsin B inhibitor z-FA-CMK induces cell death in leukemic T cells via oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Liow, K Y; Chow, Sek C

    2018-01-01

    The cathepsin B inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanine-alanine-chloromethyl ketone (z-FA-CMK) was recently found to induce apoptosis at low concentrations in Jurkat T cells, while at higher concentrations, the cells die of necrosis. In the present study, we showed that z-FA-CMK readily depletes intracellular glutathione (GSH) with a concomitant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The toxicity of z-FA-CMK in Jurkat T cells was completely abrogated by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), suggesting that the toxicity mediated by z-FA-CMK is due to oxidative stress. We found that L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) which depletes intracellular GSH through the inhibition of GSH biosynthesis in Jurkat T cells did not promote ROS increase or induce cell death. However, NAC was still able to block z-FA-CMK toxicity in Jurkat T cells in the presence of BSO, indicating that the protective effect of NAC does not involve GSH biosynthesis. This is further corroborated by the protective effect of the non-metabolically active D-cysteine on z-FA-CMK toxicity. Furthermore, in BSO-treated cells, z-FA-CMK-induced ROS increased which remains unchanged, suggesting that the depletion of GSH and increase in ROS generation mediated by z-FA-CMK may be two separate events. Collectively, our results demonstrated that z-FA-CMK toxicity is mediated by oxidative stress through the increase in ROS generation.

  9. Treatment with bindarit, an inhibitor of MCP-1 synthesis, protects mice against trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis.

    PubMed

    Bhatia, M; Landolfi, C; Basta, F; Bovi, G; Ramnath, R Devi; de Joannon, A Capezzone; Guglielmotti, A

    2008-10-01

    Chemokines play a fundamental role in trafficking and activation of leukocytes in colonic inflammation. We investigated the ability of bindarit, an inhibitor of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) synthesis, to inhibit chemokine production by human intestinal epithelial cells (HT-29) and its effect in trinitro-benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in mice. HT-29 cells were incubated with bindarit in the presence of TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma and 24 h later supernatants were collected for MCP-1, IL-8 and RANTES measurement. A 1 mg enema of TNBS was given to BALB/c mice, and bindarit (100 mg/kg) was orally administered twice daily starting from two days before colitis induction. Weight loss, histology, and MCP-1 level and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in colon extracts were assessed. In HT-29 cells, bindarit concentration-dependently and selectively inhibited MCP-1 secretion (as well as mRNA expression) primed by TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma. Moreover treatment with bindarit reduced clinical and histopathological severity of TNBS-induced colitis. These effects were associated with significant inhibition of MCP-1 and MPO in colon extracts. Bindarit exhibits a potent bioactivity in reducing leukocyte infiltration, down-regulating MCP-1 synthesis, and preventing the development of severe colitis in a mice model of TNBS-induced colitis. These observations suggest a potential use of MCP-1 synthesis blockers in intestinal inflammation in humans.

  10. SAR405838: An optimized inhibitor of MDM2-p53 interaction that induces complete and durable tumor regression

    DOE PAGES

    Wang, Shaomeng; Sun, Wei; Zhao, Yujun; ...

    2014-08-21

    Blocking the MDM2-p53 protein-protein interaction has long been considered to offer a broad cancer therapeutic strategy, despite the potential risks of selecting tumors harboring p53 mutations that escape MDM2 control. In this study, we report a novel small molecule inhibitor of the MDM2-p53 interaction, SAR405838 (MI-77301) that has been advanced into Phase I clinical trials. SAR405838 binds to MDM2 with K i = 0.88 nM and has high specificity over other proteins. A co-crystal structure of the SAR405838:MDM2 complex shows that in addition to mimicking three key p53 amino acid residues, the inhibitor captures additional interactions not observed in themore » p53-MDM2 complex and induces refolding of the short, unstructured MDM2 N-terminal region to achieve its high affinity. SAR405838 effectively activates wild-type p53 in vitro and in xenograft tumor tissue of leukemia and solid tumors, leading to p53-dependent cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. At well-tolerated dose schedules, SAR405838 achieves either durable tumor regression or complete tumor growth inhibition in mouse xenograft models of SJSA-1 osteosarcoma, RS4;11 acute leukemia, LNCaP prostate cancer and HCT-116 colon cancer. Remarkably, a single oral dose of SAR405838 is sufficient to achieve complete tumor regression in the SJSA-1 model. Mechanistically, robust transcriptional up-regulation of PUMA induced by SAR405838 results in strong apoptosis in tumor tissue, leading to complete tumor regression. Lastly, our findings provide a preclinical basis upon which to evaluate SAR405838 as a therapeutic agent in patients whose tumors retain wild-type p53.« less

  11. Drug–drug interaction of microdose and regular-dose omeprazole with a CYP2C19 inhibitor and inducer

    PubMed Central

    Park, Gab-jin; Bae, Soo Hyeon; Park, Wan-Su; Han, Seunghoon; Park, Min-Ho; Shin, Seok-Ho; Shin, Young G; Yim, Dong-Seok

    2017-01-01

    Purpose A microdose drug–drug interaction (DDI) study may be a valuable tool for anticipating drug interaction at therapeutic doses. This study aimed to compare the magnitude of DDIs at microdoses and regular doses to explore the applicability of a microdose DDI study. Patients and methods Six healthy male volunteer subjects were enrolled into each DDI study of omeprazole (victim) and known perpetrators: fluconazole (inhibitor) and rifampin (inducer). For both studies, the microdose (100 μg, cold compound) and the regular dose (20 mg) of omeprazole were given at days 0 and 1, respectively. On days 2–9, the inhibitor or inducer was given daily, and the microdose and regular dose of omeprazole were repeated at days 8 and 9, respectively. Full omeprazole pharmacokinetic samplings were performed at days 0, 1, 8, and 9 of both studies for noncompartmental analysis. Results The magnitude of the DDI, the geometric mean ratios (with perpetrator/omeprazole only) of maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve to the last measurement (AUCt) of the microdose and the regular dose were compared. The geometric mean ratios in the inhibition study were: 2.17 (micro) and 2.68 (regular) for Cmax, and 4.07 (micro), 4.33 (regular) for AUCt. For the induction study, they were 0.26 (micro) and 0.21 (regular) for Cmax, and 0.16 (micro) and 0.15 (regular) for AUCt. There were no significant statistical differences in the magnitudes of DDIs between microdose and regular-dose conditions, regardless of induction or inhibition. Conclusion Our results may be used as partial evidence that microdose DDI studies may replace regular-dose studies, or at least be used for DDI-screening purposes. PMID:28408803

  12. Enkephalinase inhibitor potentiates substance P- and capsaicin-induced bronchial smooth muscle contractions in humans.

    PubMed

    Honda, I; Kohrogi, H; Yamaguchi, T; Ando, M; Araki, S

    1991-06-01

    To determine the roles of endogenously released tachykinins (substance P, neurokinins A and B) in human bronchial tissues, and to determine the roles of enkephalinase (neutral endopeptidase, E.C. 3.4.24.11) in regulating the effects of the tachykinins, we studied the effects of substance P and capsaicin, which releases tachykinins, on human bronchial smooth muscle contraction in the presence or absence of enkephalinase inhibitor phosphoramidon in vitro. Substance P alone caused human bronchial smooth muscle contraction at 10(-6) M or more. Phosphoramidon (10(-7) to 10(-5) M) potentiated the substance P-induced contraction in a dose-dependent fashion, and phosphoramidon shifted the dose-response curve to lower concentrations. Capsaicin (10(-5) or 10(-4) M) alone caused bronchial smooth muscle contraction in four tissues from nine patients. After the contraction by capsaicin reached a plateau, phosphoramidon (10(-5) M) increased and prolonged the contraction significantly. Furthermore, pretreatment of bronchial tissues with phosphoramidon (10(-5) M) potentiated capsaicin-induced contraction in all tissues from five patients. Phosphoramidon (10(-5) M) shifted the dose-response curve to capsaicin to lower concentrations more than 1 log unit. Captopril did not alter the contractile response to substance P, suggesting that angiotensin-converting enzyme does not regulate the contractile response to substance P in human bronchial smooth muscle in vitro. These results suggest that enkephalinase regulates the contractile effects of exogenous substance P and endogenous substances, probably tachykinins, released by capsaicin in the human bronchus.

  13. The Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor, the Compound 11b Improves Haloperidol Induced Catatonia by Enhancing the Striatum Dopaminergic Neurotransmission

    PubMed Central

    Fathi-Moghaddam, Hadi; Shafiee Ardestani, Mehdi; Saffari, Mostafa; Jabbari Arabzadeh, Ali; Elmi, Mitra

    2010-01-01

    A substantial amount of evidence has proposed an important role for Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme in brain diseases and affiliate disorders. The purpose of this research was studying the effects of COX-2 selective inhibition on haloperidol-induced catatonia in an animal model of drug overdose and Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, the effect of acute and Sub-chronic oral administration of a new selective COX-2 inhibitor, i.e. the compound 11b or 1-(Phenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-ethylthioimidazole, in a dosage of 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg on haloperidol-induced catatonia was evaluated and compared to the standard drug scopolamine (1 mg/kg) by microanalysis of Striatum dopaminergic neurotransmission. The results showed a very high potency for 11b in improving the catalepsy by enhancing the dopaminergic neurotranmission (p < 0.05). In addition, statistical analysis showed the dose- and time-dependent behavior of the observed protective effect of 11b against the haloperidol-induced catatonia and enhancement of the dopaminergic neurotransmission. These findings are additional pharmacological data that suggest the effectiveness of COX-2 inhibition in treatment of schizophreny-associated rigidity. PMID:24381603

  14. Prevention of Bronchial Hyperplasia by EGFR Pathway Inhibitors in an Organotypic Culture Model

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Jangsoon; Ryu, Seung-Hee; Kang, Shin Myung; Chung, Wen-Cheng; Gold, Kathryn Ann; Kim, Edward S.; Hittelman, Walter N.; Hong, Waun Ki; Koo, Ja Seok

    2011-01-01

    Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early detection or prevention strategies are urgently needed to increase survival. Hyperplasia is the first morphologic change that occurs in the bronchial epithelium during lung cancer development, followed by squamous metaplasia, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive tumor. The current study was designed to determine the molecular mechanisms that control bronchial epithelium hyperplasia. Using primary normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (NHTBE) cells cultured using the 3-dimensional organotypic method, we found that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands EGF, transforming growth factor-alpha, and amphiregulin induced hyperplasia, as determined by cell proliferation and multilayered epithelium formation. We also found that EGF induced increased cyclin D1 expression, which plays a critical role in bronchial hyperplasia; this overexpression was mediated by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway but not the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. Erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and U0126, a MEK inhibitor, completely inhibited EGF-induced hyperplasia. Furthermore, a promoter analysis revealed that the activator protein-1 transcription factor regulates EGF-induced cyclin D1 overexpression. Activator protein-1 depletion using siRNA targeting its c-Jun component completely abrogated EGF-induced cyclin D1 expression. In conclusion, we demonstrated that bronchial hyperplasia can be modeled in vitro using primary NHTBE cells maintained in a 3-dimensional (3-D) organotypic culture. EGFR and MEK inhibitors completely blocked EGF-induced bronchial hyperplasia, suggesting that they have a chemopreventive role. PMID:21505178

  15. Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Synthesis Induce PPARα-Regulated Fatty Acid β-Oxidative Genes: Synergistic Roles of L-FABP and Glucose

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Huan; McIntosh, Avery L.; Martin, Gregory G.; Petrescu, Anca D.; Landrock, Kerstin K.; Landrock, Danilo; Kier, Ann B.; Schroeder, Friedhelm

    2013-01-01

    While TOFA (acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitor) and C75 (fatty acid synthase inhibitor) prevent lipid accumulation by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis, the mechanism of action is not simply accounted for by inhibition of the enzymes alone. Liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), a mediator of long chain fatty acid signaling to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) in the nucleus, was found to bind TOFA and its activated CoA thioester, TOFyl-CoA, with high affinity while binding C75 and C75-CoA with lower affinity. Binding of TOFA and C75-CoA significantly altered L-FABP secondary structure. High (20 mM) but not physiological (6 mM) glucose conferred on both TOFA and C75 the ability to induce PPARα transcription of the fatty acid β-oxidative enzymes CPT1A, CPT2, and ACOX1 in cultured primary hepatocytes from wild-type (WT) mice. However, L-FABP gene ablation abolished the effects of TOFA and C75 in the context of high glucose. These effects were not associated with an increased cellular level of unesterified fatty acids but rather by increased intracellular glucose. These findings suggested that L-FABP may function as an intracellular fatty acid synthesis inhibitor binding protein facilitating TOFA and C75-mediated induction of PPARα in the context of high glucose at levels similar to those in uncontrolled diabetes. PMID:23533380

  16. Effect of a novel selective and potent phosphinic peptide inhibitor of endopeptidase 3.4.24.16 on neurotensin-induced analgesia and neuronal inactivation.

    PubMed

    Vincent, B; Jiracek, J; Noble, F; Loog, M; Roques, B; Dive, V; Vincent, J P; Checler, F

    1997-06-01

    1. We have examined a series of novel phosphinic peptides as putative potent and selective inhibitors of endopeptidase 3.4.24.16. 2. The most selective inhibitor, Pro-Phe-psi(PO2CH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2 displayed a Ki value of 12 nM towards endopeptidase 3.4.24.16 and was 5540 fold less potent on its related peptidase endopeptidase 3.4.24.15. Furthermore, this inhibitor was 12.5 less potent on angiotensin-converting enzyme and was unable to block endopeptidase 3.4.24.11, aminopeptidases B and M, dipeptidylaminopeptidase IV and proline endopeptidase. 3. The effect of Pro-Phe-psi(PO2CH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2, in vitro and in vivo, on neurotensin metabolism in the central nervous system was examined. 4. Pro-Phe-psi(PO2CHH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2 dose-dependently inhibited the formation of neurotensin 1-10 and concomittantly protected neurotensin from degradation by primary cultured neurones from mouse embryos. 5. Intracerebroventricular administration of Pro-Phe-psi(PO2CH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2 significantly potentiated the neurotensin-induced antinociception of mice in the hot plate test. 6. Altogether, our study has established Pro-Phe-psi(PO2CH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2 as a fully selective and highly potent inhibitor of endopeptidase 3.4.24.16 and demonstrates, for the first time, the contribution of this enzyme in the central metabolism of neurotensin.

  17. Effect of a novel selective and potent phosphinic peptide inhibitor of endopeptidase 3.4.24.16 on neurotensin-induced analgesia and neuronal inactivation

    PubMed Central

    Vincent, Bruno; Jiracek, Jirì; Noble, Florence; Loog, Mart; Roques, Bernard; Dive, Vincent; Vincent, Jean-Pierre; Checler, Frédéric

    1997-01-01

    We have examined a series of novel phosphinic peptides as putative potent and selective inhibitors of endopeptidase 3.4.24.16. The most selective inhibitor, Pro-Phe-Ψ(PO2CH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2 displayed a Ki value of 12 nM towards endopeptidase 3.4.24.16 and was 5540 fold less potent on its related peptidase endopeptidase 3.4.24.15. Furthermore, this inhibitor was 12.5 less potent on angiotensin-converting enzyme and was unable to block endopeptidase 3.4.24.11, aminopeptidases B and M, dipeptidylaminopeptidase IV and proline endopeptidase. The effect of Pro-Phe-Ψ(PO2CH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2, in vitro and in vivo, on neurotensin metabolism in the central nervous system was examined. Pro-Phe-Ψ(PO2CHH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2 dose-dependently inhibited the formation of neurotensin 1-10 and concomittantly protected neurotensin from degradation by primary cultured neurones from mouse embryos. Intracerebroventricular administration of Pro-Phe-Ψ(PO2CH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2 significantly potentiated the neurotensin-induced antinociception of mice in the hot plate test. Altogether, our study has established Pro-Phe-Ψ(PO2CH2)-Leu-Pro-NH2 as a fully selective and highly potent inhibitor of endopeptidase 3.4.24.16 and demonstrates, for the first time, the contribution of this enzyme in the central metabolism of neurotensin. PMID:9208137

  18. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors suppress Lactobacillus casei cell-wall-induced NF-κB and MAPK activations and cell proliferation through protein kinase A--or exchange protein activated by cAMP-dependent signal pathway.

    PubMed

    Saito, Takekatsu; Sugimoto, Naotoshi; Ohta, Kunio; Shimizu, Tohru; Ohtani, Kaori; Nakayama, Yuko; Nakamura, Taichi; Hitomi, Yashiaki; Nakamura, Hiroyuki; Koizumi, Shoichi; Yachie, Akihiro

    2012-01-01

    Specific strains of Lactobacillus have been found to be beneficial in treating some types of diarrhea and vaginosis. However, a high mortality rate results from underlying immunosuppressive conditions in patients with Lactobacillus casei bacteremia. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a small second messenger molecule that mediates signal transduction. The onset and progression of inflammatory responses are sensitive to changes in steady-state cAMP levels. L. casei cell wall extract (LCWE) develops arteritis in mice through Toll-like receptor-2 signaling. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether intracellular cAMP affects LCWE-induced pathological signaling. LCWE was shown to induce phosphorylation of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and cell proliferation in mice fibroblast cells. Theophylline and phosphodiesterase inhibitor increased intracellular cAMP and inhibited LCWE-induced cell proliferation as well as phosphorylation of NF-κB and MAPK. Protein kinase A inhibitor H89 prevented cAMP-induced MAPK inhibition, but not cAMP-induced NF-κB inhibition. An exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac) agonist inhibited NF-κB activation but not MAPK activation. These results indicate that an increase in intracellular cAMP prevents LCWE induction of pathological signaling pathways dependent on PKA and Epac signaling.

  19. Imatinib-induced fulminant liver failure in chronic myeloid leukemia: role of liver transplant and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a case report.

    PubMed

    Nacif, Lucas Souto; Waisberg, Daniel R; Pinheiro, Rafael Soares; Lima, Fabiana Roberto; Rocha-Santos, Vinicius; Andraus, Wellington; D'Albuquerque, Luiz Carneiro

    2018-03-10

    There is a worldwide problem of acute liver failure and mortality associated with remaining on the waiting for a liver transplant. In this study, we highlight results published in recent years by leading transplant centers in evaluating imatinib-induced acute liver failure in chronic myeloid leukemia and follow-up in liver transplantation. A 36-year-old brown-skinned woman (mixed Brazilian race) diagnosed 1 year earlier with chronic myeloid leukemia was started after delivery of a baby and continued for 6 months with imatinib mesylate (selective inhibitor of Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase), which induced liver failure. We conducted a literature review using the PubMed database for articles published through September 2017, and we demonstrate a role of liver transplant in this situation for imatinib-induced liver failure. We report previously published results and a successful liver transplant after acute liver failure due to imatinib-induced in chronic myeloid leukemia treatment. We report a case of a successful liver transplant after acute liver failure resulting from imatinib-induced chronic myeloid leukemia treatment. The literature reveals the importance of prompt acute liver failure diagnosis and treatment with liver transplant in selected cases.

  20. Attenuation of ethanol abstinence-induced anxiety- and depressive-like behavior by the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor rolipram in rodents.

    PubMed

    Gong, Mei-Fang; Wen, Rui-Ting; Xu, Ying; Pan, Jian-Chun; Fei, Ning; Zhou, Yan-Meng; Xu, Jiang-Ping; Liang, Jian-Hui; Zhang, Han-Ting

    2017-10-01

    Withdrawal symptoms stand as a core feature of alcohol dependence. Our previous results have shown that inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) decreased ethanol seeking and drinking in alcohol-preferring rodents. However, little is known about whether PDE4 is involved in ethanol abstinence-related behavior. The objective of this study was to characterize the role of PDE4 in the development of anxiety- and depressive-like behavior induced by abstinence from ethanol exposure in different animal models. Using three rodent models of ethanol abstinence, we examined the effects of rolipram, a prototypical, selective PDE4 inhibitor, on (1) anxiety-like behavior induced by repeated ethanol abstinence in the elevated plus maze test in fawn-hooded (FH/Wjd) rats, (2) anxiety-like behavior in the open-field test and light-dark transition test following acute ethanol abstinence in C57BL/6J mice, and (3) anxiety- and depressive-like behavior induced by protracted ethanol abstinence in the elevated plus maze, forced-swim, and tail-suspension tests in C57BL/6J mice. Pretreatment with rolipram (0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg) significantly increased entries and time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze test in rats with repeated ethanol abstinence. Similarly, in mice with acute ethanol abstinence, administration of rolipram (0.25 or 0.5 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased the crossings in the central zone of the open-field test and duration and transitions on the light side of the light-dark transition test, suggesting anxiolytic-like effects of rolipram. Consistent with these, chronic treatment with rolipram (0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg/kg) increased entries in the open arms of the elevated plus maze test; it also reduced the increased duration of immobility in both the forced-swim and tail-suspension tests in mice after protracted ethanol abstinence, suggesting antidepressant-like effects of rolipram. These results provide the first demonstration for that PDE4 plays a role in modulating

  1. Endogenous histamine and promethazine-induced gastric ulcers in the guinea pig

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Djahanguiri, B.; Hemmati, M.

    1978-01-01

    Experiments performed with an inhibitor of diaminoxydase, aminoguanidine and an inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase, NSD 1055, showed that the frequency of gastric ulcers induced by promethazine was increased with the first inhibitor and decreased with the second. It is suggested that ulcers induced by promethazine in guinea pigs might be due to histamino-liberator effect of the antihistaminio compound.

  2. Imbalance between pSmad3 and Notch induces CDK inhibitors in old muscle stem cells.

    PubMed

    Carlson, Morgan E; Hsu, Michael; Conboy, Irina M

    2008-07-24

    Adult skeletal muscle robustly regenerates throughout an organism's life, but as the muscle ages, its ability to repair diminishes and eventually fails. Previous work suggests that the regenerative potential of muscle stem cells (satellite cells) is not triggered in the old muscle because of a decline in Notch activation, and that it can be rejuvenated by forced local activation of Notch. Here we report that, in addition to the loss of Notch activation, old muscle produces excessive transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta (but not myostatin), which induces unusually high levels of TGF-beta pSmad3 in resident satellite cells and interferes with their regenerative capacity. Importantly, endogenous Notch and pSmad3 antagonize each other in the control of satellite-cell proliferation, such that activation of Notch blocks the TGF-beta-dependent upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p15, p16, p21 and p27, whereas inhibition of Notch induces them. Furthermore, in muscle stem cells, Notch activity determines the binding of pSmad3 to the promoters of these negative regulators of cell-cycle progression. Attenuation of TGF-beta/pSmad3 in old, injured muscle restores regeneration to satellite cells in vivo. Thus a balance between endogenous pSmad3 and active Notch controls the regenerative competence of muscle stem cells, and deregulation of this balance in the old muscle microniche interferes with regeneration.

  3. Drug-Induced Hyperglycaemia and Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Fathallah, Neila; Slim, Raoudha; Larif, Sofien; Hmouda, Houssem; Ben Salem, Chaker

    2015-12-01

    Drug-induced hyperglycaemia and diabetes is a global issue. It may be a serious problem, as it increases the risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications, infections, metabolic coma and even death. Drugs may induce hyperglycaemia through a variety of mechanisms, including alterations in insulin secretion and sensitivity, direct cytotoxic effects on pancreatic cells and increases in glucose production. Antihypertensive drugs are not equally implicated in increasing serum glucose levels. Glycaemic adverse events occur more frequently with thiazide diuretics and with certain beta-blocking agents than with calcium-channel blockers and inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system. Lipid-modifying agents may also induce hyperglycaemia, and the diabetogenic effect seems to differ between the different types and daily doses of statins. Nicotinic acid may also alter glycaemic control. Among the anti-infectives, severe life-threatening events have been reported with fluoroquinolones, especially when high doses are used. Protease inhibitors and, to a lesser extent, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors have been reported to induce alterations in glucose metabolism. Pentamidine-induced hyperglycaemia seems to be related to direct dysfunction in pancreatic cells. Phenytoin and valproic acid may also induce hyperglycaemia. The mechanisms of second-generation antipsychotic-associated hyperglycaemia, diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis are complex and are mainly due to insulin resistance. Antidepressant agents with high daily doses seem to be more frequently associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Ketoacidosis may occur in patients receiving beta-adrenergic stimulants, and theophylline may also induce hyperglycaemia. Steroid diabetes is more frequently associated with high doses of glucocorticoids. Some chemotherapeutic agents carry a higher risk of hyperglycaemia, and calcineurin inhibitor-induced hyperglycaemia is mainly due to a decrease in insulin secretion

  4. Specific inhibitors of mammalian DNA polymerase species.

    PubMed

    Mizushina, Yoshiyuki

    2009-06-01

    In screening of selective inhibitors of eukaryotic DNA polymerases (pols) for 15 years, more than 100 inhibitors have been discovered from natural and chemical sources. Some compounds selectively inhibit the activities of mammalian pols, and in particular, dehydroaltenusin and curcumin derivatives, such as monoacetyl-curcumin, were found to be specific inhibitors of pol alpha and pol lambda, respectively. Dehydroaltenusin was isolated from a fungus (Alternaria tennuis), and this compound inhibited cell proliferation of human cancer cell lines by arresting the cells at the S-phase, and was effective in suppressing the growth on nude mice of solid tumors of human cervical cancer cell line HeLa. Curcumin derivatives had anti-12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammatory activity with the same tendency as pol lambda inhibitory activity. These compounds might be useful not only as "molecular probes" for pol research, but also as biomedical and chemotherapeutic drugs for anti-cancer or anti-inflammation.

  5. The xanthine oxidase inhibitor Febuxostat reduces tissue uric acid content and inhibits injury-induced inflammation in the liver and lung

    PubMed Central

    Kataoka, Hiroshi; Yang, Ke; Rock, Kenneth L.

    2014-01-01

    Necrotic cell death in vivo induces a robust neutrophilic inflammatory response and the resulting inflammation can cause further tissue damage and disease. Dying cells induce this inflammation by releasing pro-inflammatory intracellular components, one of which is uric acid. Cells contain high levels of intracellular uric acid, which is produced when purines are oxidized by the enzyme xanthine oxidase. Here we test whether a non-nucleoside xanthine oxidase inhibitor, Febuxostat (FBX), can reduce intracellular uric acid levels and inhibit cell death-induced inflammation in two different murine tissue injury models; acid-induced acute lung injury and acetaminophen liver injury. Infiltration of inflammatory cells induced by acid injection into lungs or peritoneal administration of acetaminophen was evaluated by quantification with flow cytometry and tissue myeloperoxidase activity in the presence or absence of FBX treatment. Uric acid levels in serum and tissue were measured before giving the stimuli and during inflammation. The impact of FBX treatment on the peritoneal inflammation caused by the microbial stimulus, zymosan, was also analyzed to see whether FBX had a broad anti-inflammatory effect. We found that FBX reduced uric acid levels in acid-injured lung tissue and inhibited acute pulmonary inflammation triggered by lung injury. Similarly, FBX reduced uric acid levels in the liver and inhibited inflammation in response to acetaminophen-induced hepatic injury. In contrast, FBX did not reduce inflammation to zymosan, and therefore is not acting as a general anti-inflammatory agent. These results point to the potential of using agents like FBX to treat cell death-induced inflammation. PMID:25449036

  6. The effects of GLP-1 analogues, DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors on the renal system.

    PubMed

    Schernthaner, Guntram; Mogensen, Carl Erik; Schernthaner, Gerit-Holger

    2014-09-01

    Diabetic nephropathy (DN) affects an estimated 20%-40% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Key modifiable risk factors for DN are albuminuria, anaemia, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension, together with lifestyle factors, such as smoking and obesity. Early detection and treatment of these risk factors can prevent DN or slow its progression, and may even induce remission in some patients. DN is generally preceded by albuminuria, which frequently remains elevated despite treatment in patients with T2DM. Optimal treatment and prevention of DN may require an early, intensive, multifactorial approach, tailored to simultaneously target all modifiable risk factors. Regular monitoring of renal function, including urinary albumin excretion, creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate, is critical for following any disease progression and making treatment adjustments. Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors lower blood glucose levels without additional risk of hypoglycaemia, and may also reduce albuminuria. Further investigation of the potential renal benefits of DPP-4 and SGLT2 inhibitors is underway. © The Author(s) 2014.

  7. The effects of GLP-1 analogues, DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors on the renal system

    PubMed Central

    Mogensen, Carl Erik; Schernthaner, Gerit-Holger

    2014-01-01

    Diabetic nephropathy (DN) affects an estimated 20%–40% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Key modifiable risk factors for DN are albuminuria, anaemia, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension, together with lifestyle factors, such as smoking and obesity. Early detection and treatment of these risk factors can prevent DN or slow its progression, and may even induce remission in some patients. DN is generally preceded by albuminuria, which frequently remains elevated despite treatment in patients with T2DM. Optimal treatment and prevention of DN may require an early, intensive, multifactorial approach, tailored to simultaneously target all modifiable risk factors. Regular monitoring of renal function, including urinary albumin excretion, creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate, is critical for following any disease progression and making treatment adjustments. Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors lower blood glucose levels without additional risk of hypoglycaemia, and may also reduce albuminuria. Further investigation of the potential renal benefits of DPP-4 and SGLT2 inhibitors is underway. PMID:25116004

  8. Treatment with anti-TNF alpha protects against the neuropathy induced by the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in a mouse model.

    PubMed

    Alé, Albert; Bruna, Jordi; Morell, Marta; van de Velde, Helgi; Monbaliu, Johan; Navarro, Xavier; Udina, Esther

    2014-03-01

    Bortezomib (BTZ), a proteasome inhibitor, is an effective anti-neoplastic drug used in the treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. However, it can induce a reversible peripheral neuropathy that may lead to treatment discontinuation. The mechanism through which BTZ exerts toxic effects in peripheral neurons is not clear. Release of proinflammatory cytokines after nerve damage can induce neurodegeneration, but the effects of BTZ on cytokine expression in neurons are unknown, although BTZ modulates the expression of cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, in tumor cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression and the role of these cytokines on the course of BTZ induced neuropathy in mice. IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1 and IL-1β were up-regulated in dorsal root ganglia but TNF-α and IL-6 increased faster and higher. Then, we studied the potential neuroprotective effect of selective antibodies anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-6 on the evolution of the neuropathy. Treatment with anti-TNF-α but not with anti-IL-6 significantly prevented the decrease of sensory nerve action potentials amplitude and the loss of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. We conclude that monoclonal antibodies directed against TNF-α may be a suitable neuroprotective therapy against the neurotoxicity induced by BTZ. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Amelioration of intracerebroventricular streptozotocin induced cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress by vinpocetine -- a PDE1 inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Deshmukh, Rahul; Sharma, Vivek; Mehan, Sidharth; Sharma, Nidhi; Bedi, K L

    2009-10-12

    Enhancing cyclic nucleotides signaling by inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) is known to be beneficial in disorders associated with cognitive decline. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of vinpocetine (PDE1 inhibitor) on intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) streptozotocin induced experimental sporadic dementia of Alzheimer's type. Infusion of streptozotocin impaired learning and memory, increased oxidative-nitritive stress and induced cholinergic hypofunction in rats. Chronic treatment with vinpocetine (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg i.p.) for 21 days following first i.c.v. streptozotocin infusion significantly improved learning and memory in Morris water maze and passive avoidance paradigms. Further, vinpocetine significantly reduced the oxidative-nitritive stress, as evidenced by decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite levels, and restored the reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Significant increase in acetylcholinesterase activity and lactate dehydrogenase levels was observed in the present model indicating cholinergic hypofunction and increase in neuronal cell damage. Chronic treatment with vinpocetine also reduced significantly the increase in acetylcholinesterase activity and lactate dehydrogenase levels indicating restorative capacity of vinpocetine with respect to cholinergic functions and preventing the neuronal damage. The observed beneficial effects of vinpocetine on spatial memory may be due to its ability to favorably modulate cholinergic functions, prevent neuronal cell damage and possibly through its antioxidant mechanism also.

  10. Alpha 1-protease inhibitor moderates human neutrophil elastase-induced emphysema and secretory cell metaplasia in hamsters.

    PubMed

    Stone, P J; Lucey, E C; Virca, G D; Christensen, T G; Breuer, R; Snider, G L

    1990-06-01

    A study was undertaken to determine whether emphysema and airway secretory cell metaplasia, induced in hamsters by intratracheal treatment with human neutrophil elastase (HNE), could be moderated by pretreatment with human alpha 1-protease inhibitor (API). API (4.9 mg) was given intratracheally to hamsters 1 h before 0.3 mg HNE. Eight weeks later, lung volumes and pressure-volume relationships were measured in the anaesthetized animals. Mean linear intercepts and secretory cell indices were measured in lung sections. API given 1 h before HNE moderated the development of bronchial secretory cell metaplasia. The severity of emphysema was reduced by 75%. Clearance studies indicated that 80% of the functional activity of instilled API could be lavaged from the lungs after 1 h, indicating a 4 h half-life in the lavageable compartment of the lungs. We calculate that for 50% protection from emphysema the molar ratio of lavageable API to HNE at the time of HNE instillation was 4.8 as compared with 0.78 for 50% inhibition of elastolytic activity in vitro, indicating that API is only 16% as efficient in vivo as compared with its in vitro HNE inhibitory effectiveness. Nevertheless, we conclude that human API given intratracheally is efficacious against HNE-induced emphysema and secretory cell metaplasia.

  11. The anti-diabetic drug repaglinide induces vasorelaxation via activation of PKA and PKG in aortic smooth muscle.

    PubMed

    Kim, Hye Won; Li, Hongliang; Kim, Han Sol; Shin, Sung Eun; Jung, Won-Kyo; Ha, Kwon-Soo; Han, Eun-Taek; Hong, Seok-Ho; Choi, Il-Whan; Firth, Amy L; Bang, Hyoweon; Park, Won Sun

    2016-09-01

    We investigated the vasorelaxant effect of repaglinide and its related signaling pathways using phenylephrine (Phe)-induced pre-contracted aortic rings. Repaglinide induced vasorelaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. The repaglinide-induced vasorelaxation was not affected by removal of the endothelium. In addition, application of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) and a small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SKCa) channel inhibitor (apamin) did not alter the vasorelaxant effect of repaglinide on endothelium-intact arteries. Pretreatment with an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor (SQ 22536) or a PKA inhibitor (KT 5720) effectively reduced repaglinide-induced vasorelaxation. Also, pretreatment with a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor (ODQ) or a PKG inhibitor (KT 5823) inhibited repaglinide-induced vasorelaxation. However, pretreatment with a voltage-dependent K(+) (Kv) channel inhibitor (4-AP), ATP-sensitive K(+) (KATP) channel inhibitor (glibenclamide), large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BKCa) channel inhibitor (paxilline), or the inwardly rectifying K(+) (Kir) channel inhibitor (Ba(2+)) did not affect the vasorelaxant effect of repaglinide. Furthermore, pretreatment with a Ca(2+) inhibitor (nifedipine) and a sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor (thapsigargin) did not affect the vasorelaxant effect of repaglinide. The vasorelaxant effect of repaglinide was not affected by elevated glucose (50mM). Based on these results, we conclude that repaglinide induces vasorelaxation via activation of adenylyl cyclase/PKA and guanylyl cyclase/PKG signaling pathways independently of the endothelium, K(+) channels, Ca(2+) channels, and intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. The protein phosphatase inhibitor cantharidin induces head and foot formation in buds of Cassiopea andromeda (Rhizostomae, Scyphozoa).

    PubMed

    Kehls, N E; Herrmann, K; Berking, S

    1999-01-01

    The polyps of Cassiopea andromeda produce spindle shaped, freely swimming buds which do not develop a head (a mouth opening surrounded by tentacles) and a foot (a sticky plate at the opposite end) until settlement to a suited substrate. The buds, therewith, look very similar to the planula larvae produced in sexual reproduction. With respect to both, buds and planulae, several peptides and the phorbolester TPA have been found to induce the transformation into a polyp. Here it is shown that cantharidin, a serine/threonine protein phosphatase inhibitor, induces head and foot formation in buds very efficiently in a 30 min treatment, the shortest yet known efficient treatment. Some resultant polyps show malformations which indicate that a bud is ordinary polyp tissue in which preparatory steps of head and foot formation mutually block each other from proceeding. Various compounds related to the transfer of methyl groups have been shown to affect head and foot formation in larvae of the hydrozoon Hydractinia echinata. These compounds including methionine, homocysteine, trigonelline, nicotinic acid and cycloleucine are shown to also interfere with the initiation of the processes which finally lead to head and foot formation in buds of Cassiopea andromeda.

  13. Novel donepezil-based inhibitors of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase-induced beta-amyloid aggregation.

    PubMed

    Camps, Pelayo; Formosa, Xavier; Galdeano, Carles; Gómez, Tània; Muñoz-Torrero, Diego; Scarpellini, Michele; Viayna, Elisabet; Badia, Albert; Clos, M Victòria; Camins, Antoni; Pallàs, Mercè; Bartolini, Manuela; Mancini, Francesca; Andrisano, Vincenza; Estelrich, Joan; Lizondo, Mònica; Bidon-Chanal, Axel; Luque, F Javier

    2008-06-26

    A novel series of donepezil-tacrine hybrids designed to simultaneously interact with the active, peripheral and midgorge binding sites of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) have been synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit AChE, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and AChE-induced A beta aggregation. These compounds consist of a unit of tacrine or 6-chlorotacrine, which occupies the same position as tacrine at the AChE active site, and the 5,6-dimethoxy-2-[(4-piperidinyl)methyl]-1-indanone moiety of donepezil (or the indane derivative thereof), whose position along the enzyme gorge and the peripheral site can be modulated by a suitable tether that connects tacrine and donepezil fragments. All of the new compounds are highly potent inhibitors of bovine and human AChE and BChE, exhibiting IC50 values in the subnanomolar or low nanomolar range in most cases. Moreover, six out of the eight hybrids of the series, particularly those bearing an indane moiety, exhibit a significant A beta antiaggregating activity, which makes them promising anti-Alzheimer drug candidates.

  14. Effect of a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor on endotoxin-induced pulmonary dysfunction in awake sheep.

    PubMed

    Kuratomi, Y; Lefferts, P L; Christman, B W; Parker, R E; Smith, W G; Mueller, R A; Snapper, J R

    1993-02-01

    We studied the effects of a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, SC-45662, on endotoxin-induced pulmonary dysfunction in chronically instrumented unanesthetized sheep. Each sheep was studied with endotoxin alone, SC-45662 alone, and endotoxin after SC-45662 pretreatment. Endotoxin did not cause consistent increases in plasma or lung lymph concentrations of leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Ex vivo stimulation of whole blood from sheep before and after treatment with SC-45662 demonstrated no inhibition of cyclooxygenase metabolism but an approximately 80% inhibition of LTB4 production. At drug concentrations obtained in vivo, SC-45662 did not significantly inhibit in vitro A23187-stimulated whole blood thromboxane B2 production but did inhibit LTB4 production from ionophore-stimulated sheep granulocytes. SC-45662 attenuated the early changes in lung mechanics and pulmonary hypertension but did not attenuate the later increase in lung fluid and solute exchange observed after endotoxemia. We conclude that 5-lipoxygenase products are not measurably involved in the later increase in lung fluid and solute exchange observed after endotoxemia in sheep.

  15. A novel synthetic phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, KJH-1002, ameliorates scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in mice by activating the cGMP/CREB signaling pathway and attenuating oxidative damage.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Lijun; Seo, Jae Hong; Li, Huan; Nam, Ghilsoo; Yang, Hyun Ok

    2018-05-30

    Inhibition of PDE5 has been demonstrated to improve synaptic plasticity and memory via enhancing of cGMP expression, thus activating the cGMP/CREB signaling pathway. This study aimed to investigate the ameliorating effect of PDE5 inhibitor on scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction using memory-related behavioral tests and biochemical assays. After the mice were pretreated with PDE5 inhibitor, amnesia was induced by scopolamine administration. The learning and memory abilities of mice were tested using the Morris water maze test, the Y-maze test, the passive avoidance test and the novel object recognition test in sequence. Expression of memory-related bio-molecules and oxidative stress parameters in brain tissue were measured using western blot and spectrophotometry, respectively. KJH-1002, a novel inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), was synthesized (IC 50 of 0.059 ±0.04 nmol·L -1 ), and it markedly improved the memory performance impaired by scopolamine in the behavioral tests, indicating a restoration of cognitive function in the mice. Moreover, KJH-1002 increased the cGMP level in the cortex, the scopolamine-reduced expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), protein kinase B (Akt) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the cortex and hippocampus were reversed by KJH-1002 treatment. In addition, KJH-1002 administration increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR), and decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). KJH-1002 restored cognitive function in scopolamine-induced amnesia mice by activating the cGMP/CREB signaling pathway and attenuating oxidative stress. The beneficial effect of KJH-1002 on cognition suggests its potential as a therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  16. High-throughput screening identifies artesunate as selective inhibitor of cancer stemness: Involvement of mitochondrial metabolism.

    PubMed

    Subedi, Amit; Futamura, Yushi; Nishi, Mayuko; Ryo, Akihide; Watanabe, Nobumoto; Osada, Hiroyuki

    2016-09-02

    Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have robust systems to maintain cancer stemness and drug resistance. Thus, targeting such robust systems instead of focusing on individual signaling pathways should be the approach allowing the identification of selective CSC inhibitors. Here, we used the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay to identify inhibitors for cancer stemness in induced cancer stem-like (iCSCL) cells. We screened several compounds from natural product chemical library and evaluated hit compounds for their efficacy on cancer stemness in iCSCL tumorspheres. We identified artesunate, an antimalarial drug, as a selective inhibitor of cancer stemness. Artesunate induced mitochondrial dysfunction that selectively inhibited cancer stemness of iCSCL cells, indicating an essential role of mitochondrial metabolism in cancer stemness. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Doxycycline is an NF-κB inhibitor that induces apoptotic cell death in malignant T-cells

    PubMed Central

    Alexander-Savino, Carolina V.; Hayden, Matthew S.; Richardson, Christopher; Zhao, Jiyong; Poligone, Brian

    2016-01-01

    Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that can affect the skin, blood, and lymph nodes, and can metastasize at late stages. Novel therapies that target all affected disease compartments and provide longer lasting responses while being safe are needed. One potential therapeutic target is NF-λB, a regulator of immune responses and an important participant in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. As a transcription factor, NF-λB targets genes that promote cell proliferation and survival. Constitutive or aberrant activation of NF-λB is encountered in many types of cancer, including CTCL. Recently, while analyzing gene-expression profiles of a variety of small molecule compounds that target NF-λB, we discovered the tetracycline family of antibiotics, including doxycycline, to be potent inhibitors of the NF-λB pathway. Doxycycline is well-tolerated, safe, and inexpensive; and is commonly used as an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory for the treatment a multitude of medical conditions. In our current study, we show that doxycycline induces apoptosis in a dose dependent manner in multiple different cell lines from patients with the two most common subtypes of CTCL, Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sézary Syndrome (SS). Similar results were found using primary CD4+ T cells from a patient with SS. Doxycycline inhibits TNF induced NF-λB activation and reduces expression of NF-λB dependent anti-apoptotic proteins, such as BCL2α. Furthermore, we have identified that doxycycline induces apoptosis through reactive oxygen species. PMID:27732942

  18. Doxycycline is an NF-κB inhibitor that induces apoptotic cell death in malignant T-cells.

    PubMed

    Alexander-Savino, Carolina V; Hayden, Matthew S; Richardson, Christopher; Zhao, Jiyong; Poligone, Brian

    2016-11-15

    Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that can affect the skin, blood, and lymph nodes, and can metastasize at late stages. Novel therapies that target all affected disease compartments and provide longer lasting responses while being safe are needed. One potential therapeutic target is NF-κB, a regulator of immune responses and an important participant in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. As a transcription factor, NF-κB targets genes that promote cell proliferation and survival. Constitutive or aberrant activation of NF-κB is encountered in many types of cancer, including CTCL.Recently, while analyzing gene-expression profiles of a variety of small molecule compounds that target NF-κB, we discovered the tetracycline family of antibiotics, including doxycycline, to be potent inhibitors of the NF-κB pathway. Doxycycline is well-tolerated, safe, and inexpensive; and is commonly used as an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory for the treatment a multitude of medical conditions.In our current study, we show that doxycycline induces apoptosis in a dose dependent manner in multiple different cell lines from patients with the two most common subtypes of CTCL, Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sézary Syndrome (SS). Similar results were found using primary CD4+ T cells from a patient with SS. Doxycycline inhibits TNF induced NF-κB activation and reduces expression of NF-κB dependent anti-apoptotic proteins, such as BCL2α. Furthermore, we have identified that doxycycline induces apoptosis through reactive oxygen species.

  19. Cigarette smoke induces aberrant EGF receptor activation which mediates lung cancer development and resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

    PubMed Central

    Filosto, Simone; Becker, Cathleen R.; Goldkorn, Tzipora

    2015-01-01

    The EGF Receptor (EGFR) and its downstream signaling are implicated in lung cancer development. Therefore, much effort was spent in developing specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that bind to the EGFR ATP-pocket, blocking EGFR phosphorylation/signaling. Clinical use of TKIs is effective in a subset of lung cancers with mutations in the EGFR kinase domain, rendering the receptor highly susceptible to TKIs. However, these benefits are limited, and emergence of additional EGFR mutations usually results in TKI resistance and disease progression. Previously, we demonstrated one mechanism linking cigarette smoke (CS) to EGFR-driven lung cancer. Specifically, exposure of lung epithelial cells to CS-induced oxidative stress stimulates aberrant EGFR phosphorylation/activation with impaired receptor ubiquitination/degradation. The abnormal stabilization of the activated receptor leads to uncontrolled cell growth and tumorigenesis. Here we describe for the first time a novel post-translational mechanism of EGFR resistance to TKIs. Exposure of airway epithelial cells to CS causes aberrant phosphorylation/activation of EGFR, resulting in a conformation that is different from that induced by the ligand EGF. Unlike EGF-activated EGFR, CS-activated EGFR binds c-Src and caveolin-1 and does not undergo canonical dimerization. Importantly, the CS-activated EGFR is not inhibited by TKIs (AG1478; Erlotinib; Gefitinib); in fact, the CS exposure induces TKI-resistance even in the TKI-sensitive EGFR mutants. Our findings demonstrate that CS exposure stimulates not only aberrant EGFR phosphorylation impairing receptor degradation, but also induces a different EGFR conformation and signaling that are resistant to TKIs. Together, these findings offer new insights into CS-induced lung cancer development and TKI resistance. PMID:22302097

  20. Switch control pocket inhibitors of p38-MAP kinase. Durable type II inhibitors that do not require binding into the canonical ATP hinge region

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ahn, Yu Mi; Clare, Michael; Ensinger, Carol L.

    Switch control pocket inhibitors of p38-alpha kinase are described. Durable type II inhibitors were designed which bind to arginines (Arg67 or Arg70) that function as key residues for mediating phospho-threonine 180 dependant conformational fluxing of p38-alpha from an inactive type II state to an active type I state. Binding to Arg70 in particular led to potent inhibitors, exemplified by DP-802, which also exhibited high kinase selectivity. Binding to Arg70 obviated the requirement for binding into the ATP Hinge region. X-ray crystallography revealed that DP-802 and analogs induce an enhanced type II conformation upon binding to either the unphosphorylated or themore » doubly phosphorylated form of p38-alpha kinase.« less

  1. SD-208, a Novel Protein Kinase D Inhibitor, Blocks Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation and Tumor Growth In Vivo by Inducing G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest

    PubMed Central

    Tandon, Manuj; Salamoun, Joseph M.; Carder, Evan J.; Farber, Elisa; Xu, Shuping; Deng, Fan; Tang, Hua; Wipf, Peter; Wang, Q. Jane

    2015-01-01

    Protein kinase D (PKD) has been implicated in many aspects of tumorigenesis and progression, and is an emerging molecular target for the development of anticancer therapy. Despite recent advancement in the development of potent and selective PKD small molecule inhibitors, the availability of in vivo active PKD inhibitors remains sparse. In this study, we describe the discovery of a novel PKD small molecule inhibitor, SD-208, from a targeted kinase inhibitor library screen, and the synthesis of a series of analogs to probe the structure-activity relationship (SAR) vs. PKD1. SD-208 displayed a narrow SAR profile, was an ATP-competitive pan-PKD inhibitor with low nanomolar potency and was cell active. Targeted inhibition of PKD by SD-208 resulted in potent inhibition of cell proliferation, an effect that could be reversed by overexpressed PKD1 or PKD3. SD-208 also blocked prostate cancer cell survival and invasion, and arrested cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Mechanistically, SD-208-induced G2/M arrest was accompanied by an increase in levels of p21 in DU145 and PC3 cells as well as elevated phosphorylation of Cdc2 and Cdc25C in DU145 cells. Most importantly, SD-208 given orally for 24 days significantly abrogated the growth of PC3 subcutaneous tumor xenografts in nude mice, which was accompanied by reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis and decreased expression of PKD biomarkers including survivin and Bcl-xL. Our study has identified SD-208 as a novel efficacious PKD small molecule inhibitor, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of targeted inhibition of PKD for prostate cancer treatment. PMID:25747583

  2. In vivo characterization of the novel imidazopyridine BYK191023 [2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine], a potent and highly selective inhibitor of inducible nitric-oxide synthase.

    PubMed

    Lehner, Martin D; Marx, Degenhard; Boer, Rainer; Strub, Andreas; Hesslinger, Christian; Eltze, Manfrid; Ulrich, Wolf-Rüdiger; Schwoebel, Frank; Schermuly, Ralph Theo; Barsig, Johannes

    2006-04-01

    Excessive release of nitric oxide from inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) has been postulated to contribute to pathology in a number of inflammatory diseases. We recently identified imidazopyridine derivatives as a novel class of potent nitricoxide synthase inhibitors with high selectivity for the inducible isoform. In the present study, we tested the in vivo potency of BYK191023 [2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine], a selected member of this inhibitor class, in three different rat models of lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation. Delayed administration of BYK191023 dose-dependently suppressed the lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in plasma nitrate/nitrite (NO(x)) levels with an ED(50) of 14.9 micromol/kg/h. In a model of systemic hypotension following high-dose lipopolysaccharide challenge, curative administration of BYK191023 at a dose that inhibited 83% of the NO(x) increase completely prevented the gradual decrease in mean arterial blood pressure observed in vehicle-treated control animals. The vasopressor effect was specific for endotoxemic animals since BYK191023 did not affect blood pressure in saline-challenged controls. In addition, in a model of lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular hyporesponsiveness, BYK191023 infusion partially restored normal blood pressure responses to norepinephrine and sodium nitroprusside via an l-arginine competitive mechanism. Taken together, BYK191023 is a member of a novel class of highly isoform-selective iNOS inhibitors with promising in vivo activity suitable for mechanistic studies on the role of selective iNOS inhibition as well as clinical development.

  3. Epithelium-dependent and -independent inhibitory effects of sivelestat, a neutrophil elastase inhibitor, on substance P-induced contraction of airway smooth muscle in lipopolysaccharide-treated guinea-pigs.

    PubMed

    Takayama, Naomi; Uchida, Kohsuke

    2005-10-01

    The underlying mechanism involved in the interaction between neutrophil elastase inhibitors and tachykinins has not been elucidated. In this study we have examined the effects of sivelestat, a neutrophil elastase inhibitor, on the in vitro responses of airways from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-untreated or -treated guinea-pigs to substance P. Substance P (0.01-30 micromol/l) produced concentration-dependent contractions of both tracheal and bronchial ring preparations of LPS-untreated or -treated guinea-pigs. Responsiveness to substance P in these isolated airway preparations was augmented by either epithelium removal or LPS treatment. In epithelium-intact tracheal ring preparations isolated from LPS-untreated guinea-pigs, sivelestat (100 micromol/l) significantly inhibited substance P-induced contractions. The inhibitory action was markedly attenuated by pretreatment with L-NAME (100 micromol/l) or indomethacin (2 micromol/l), and was almost undetected following removal of the epithelium. On the other hand, in bronchial ring preparations isolated from LPS-untreated guinea-pigs, sivelestat had only a very slight effect on substance P-induced contraction of the epithelium-intact preparation, whereas sivelestat greatly inhibited contraction in epithelium-removed bronchial ring preparations. In LPS-treated guinea-pigs, whether the epithelium was intact or not, sivelestat significantly inhibited the substance P-induced contraction of bronchial ring preparations. Pretreatment with L-NAME (100 micromol/l) or indomethacin (2 micromol/l) did not affect the inhibitory effect of sivelestat in bronchial ring preparations. In conclusion, epithelium removal or LPS treatment induced hyperreactivity to substance P in the guinea-pig airway. Sivelestat caused epithelium-, nitric oxide- and prostaglandin-dependent inhibition of the substance P-induced contraction of isolated guinea-pig tracheal ring preparations. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of sivelestat on substance P-induced

  4. Identification of a novel topoisomerase inhibitor effective in cells overexpressing drug efflux transporters.

    PubMed

    Fayad, Walid; Fryknäs, Mårten; Brnjic, Slavica; Olofsson, Maria Hägg; Larsson, Rolf; Linder, Stig

    2009-10-02

    Natural product structures have high chemical diversity and are attractive as lead structures for discovery of new drugs. One of the disease areas where natural products are most frequently used as therapeutics is oncology. A library of natural products (NCI Natural Product set) was screened for compounds that induce apoptosis of HCT116 colon carcinoma cells using an assay that measures an endogenous caspase-cleavage product. One of the apoptosis-inducing compounds identified in the screen was thaspine (taspine), an alkaloid from the South American tree Croton lechleri. The cortex of this tree is used for medicinal purposes by tribes in the Amazonas basin. Thaspine was found to induce conformational activation of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bak and Bax, mitochondrial cytochrome c release and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization in HCT116 cells. Analysis of the gene expression signature of thaspine-treated cells suggested that thaspine is a topoisomerase inhibitor. Inhibition of both topoisomerase I and II was observed using in vitro assays, and thaspine was found to have a reduced cytotoxic effect on a cell line with a mutated topoisomerase II enzyme. Interestingly, in contrast to the topoisomerase II inhibitors doxorubicin, etoposide and mitoxantrone, thaspine was cytotoxic to cell lines overexpressing the PgP or MRP drug efflux transporters. We finally show that thaspine induces wide-spread apoptosis in colon carcinoma multicellular spheroids and that apoptosis is induced in two xenograft mouse models in vivo. The alkaloid thaspine from the cortex of Croton lechleri is a dual topoisomerase inhibitor effective in cells overexpressing drug efflux transporters and induces wide-spread apoptosis in multicellular spheroids.

  5. Synthesis and evaluation of thiophenyl derivatives as inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase.

    PubMed

    Chang, Lei; Duy, Do Le; Mébarek, Saida; Popowycz, Florence; Pellet-Rostaing, Stéphane; Lemaire, Marc; Buchet, René

    2011-04-15

    Pathological calcifications induced by deposition of basic phosphate crystals or hydroxyapatite (HA) on soft tissues are a large family of diseases comprising of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) and vascular calcification. High activity of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is a hallmark of pathological calcifications induced by HA deposition. The use of TNAP inhibitor is a possible therapeutic option to address calcific diseases produced by HA deposition on soft tissues. We report the synthesis of a series of thiopheno-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives which were evaluated as potential inhibitors of TNAP displaying a large range of IC(50) at pH 10.4 (from 42±13 μM to more than 800 μM). Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  6. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor induced growth factor receptor upregulation enhances the efficacy of near-infrared targeted photodynamic therapy in esophageal adenocarcinoma cell lines.

    PubMed

    Hartmans, Elmire; Linssen, Matthijs D; Sikkens, Claire; Levens, Afra; Witjes, Max J H; van Dam, Gooitzen M; Nagengast, Wouter B

    2017-05-02

    Esophageal carcinoma (EC) is a global health problem, with disappointing 5-year survival rates of only 15-25%. Near-infrared targeted photodynamic therapy (NIR-tPDT) is a novel strategy in which cancer-targeted phototoxicity is able to selectively treat malignant cells. In this in vitro report we demonstrate the applicability of antibody-based NIR-tPDT in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), using the phototoxic compounds cetuximab-IRDye700DX and trastuzumab-IRDye700DX, targeting respectively epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR) and 2 (HER2). Furthermore, we demonstrate that NIR-tPDT can be made more effective by tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) induced growth receptor upregulation. Together, these results unveil a novel strategy for non-invasive EAC treatment, and by pretreatment-induced receptor upregulation its future clinical application may be optimized.

  7. The Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib inhibits TNF-α-induced gliostatin expression in rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

    PubMed

    Kawaguchi, Yohei; Waguri-Nagaya, Yuko; Tatematsu, Naoe; Oguri, Yusuke; Kobayashi, Masaaki; Nozaki, Masahiro; Asai, Kiyofumi; Aoyama, Mineyoshi; Otsuka, Takanobu

    2018-01-15

    Gliostatin (GLS) is known to have angiogenic and arthritogenic activity, and GLS expression levels in serum from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are significantly correlated with the disease activity. Tofacitinib is a novel oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor and is effective in treating RA. However, the mechanism of action of tofacitinib in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the modulatory effects of tofacitinib on serum GLS levels in patients with RA and GLS production in FLSs derived from patients with RA. Six patients with RA who had failed therapy with at least one TNF inhibitor and were receiving tofacitinib therapy were included in the study. Serum samples were collected to measure CRP, MMP-3 and GLS expression. FLSs derived from patients with RA were cultured and stimulated by TNFα with or without tofacitinib. GLS expression levels were determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), EIA and immunocytochemistry, and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) protein phosphorylation levels were determined by western blotting. Treatment with tofacitinib decreased serum GLS levels in all patients. GLS mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased by treatment with TNF-α alone, and these increases were suppressed by treatment with tofacitinib, which also inhibited TNF-α-induced STAT1 phosphorylation. JAK/STAT activation plays a pivotal role in TNF-α-mediated GLS up-regulation in RA. Suppression of GLS expression in FLSs has been suggested to be one of the mechanisms through which tofacitinib exerts its anti-inflammatory effects.

  8. A synthetic cryptochrome inhibitor induces anti-proliferative effects and increases chemosensitivity in human breast cancer cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chun, Sung Kook; Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-747; Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-747

    Disruption of circadian rhythm is a major cause of breast cancer in humans. Cryptochrome (CRY), a circadian transcription factor, is a risk factor for initiation of breast cancer, and it is differentially expressed between normal and breast cancer tissues. Here, we evaluated the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity of KS15, a recently discovered small-molecule inhibitor of CRY, in human breast cancer cells. First, we investigated whether KS15 treatment could promote E-box-mediated transcription by inhibiting the activity of CRY in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Protein and mRNA levels of regulators of cell cycle and apoptosis, as well as core clock genes,more » were differentially modulated in response to KS15. Next, we investigated whether KS15 could inhibit proliferation and increase sensitivity to anti-tumor drugs in MCF-7 cells. We found that KS15 decreased the speed of cell growth and increased the chemosensitivity of MCF-7 cells to doxorubicin and tamoxifen, but had no effect on MCF-10A cells. These findings suggested that pharmacological inhibition of CRY by KS15 exerts an anti-proliferative effect and increases sensitivity to anti-tumor drugs in a specific type of breast cancer. - Highlights: • Cryptochrome inhibitor (KS15) has anti-tumor activity to human breast cancer cells. • KS15 induces differential changes in cell cycle regulators and pro-apoptotic genes. • KS15 inhibits MCF-7 cell growth and enhances susceptibility to anti-tumor drugs.« less

  9. Combination strategy of PARP inhibitor with antioxidant prevent bioenergetic deficits and inflammatory changes in CCI-induced neuropathy.

    PubMed

    Komirishetty, Prashanth; Areti, Aparna; Gogoi, Ranadeep; Sistla, Ramakrishna; Kumar, Ashutosh

    2017-02-01

    Neuropathic pain, a debilitating pain condition and the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are complex and interwoven amongst each other and still there is scant information available regarding therapies which promise to treat the condition. Evidence indicate that oxidative/nitrosative stress induced poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) overactivation initiate neuroinflammation and bioenergetic crisis culminating into neurodegenerative changes following nerve injury. Hence, we investigated the therapeutic effect of combining an antioxidant, quercetin and a PARP inhibitor, 4-amino 1, 8-naphthalimide (4-ANI) on the hallmark deficits induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve in rats. Quercetin (25 mg/kg, p.o.) and 4-ANI (3 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered either alone or in combination for 14 days to examine sciatic functional index, allodynia and hyperalgesia using walking track analysis, Von Frey, acetone spray and hot plate tests respectively. Malondialdehyde, nitrite and glutathione levels were estimated to detect oxidative/nitrosative stress; mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c oxidase activity to assess mitochondrial function; NAD & ATP levels to examine the bioenergetic status and levels of inflammatory markers were evaluated in ipsilateral sciatic nerve. Quercetin and 4-ANI alone improved the pain behaviour and biochemical alterations but the combination therapy demonstrated an appreciable reversal of CCI-induced changes. Nitrotyrosine and Poly ADP-Ribose (PAR) immunopositivity was decreased and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf-2) levels were increased significantly in micro-sections of the sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of treatment group. These results suggest that simultaneous inhibition of oxidative stress-PARP activation cascade may potentially be useful strategies for management of trauma induced neuropathic pain. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Discovery of Ecopladib, an indole inhibitor of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha.

    PubMed

    Lee, Katherine L; Foley, Megan A; Chen, Lihren; Behnke, Mark L; Lovering, Frank E; Kirincich, Steven J; Wang, Weiheng; Shim, Jaechul; Tam, Steve; Shen, Marina W H; Khor, Soopeang; Xu, Xin; Goodwin, Debra G; Ramarao, Manjunath K; Nickerson-Nutter, Cheryl; Donahue, Frances; Ku, M Sherry; Clark, James D; McKew, John C

    2007-03-22

    The synthesis and structure-activity relationship of a series of indole inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha (cPLA2alpha, type IVA phospholipase) are described. Inhibitors of cPLA2alpha are predicted to be efficacious in treating asthma as well as the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and pain. The introduction of a benzyl sulfonamide substituent at C2 was found to impart improved potency of these inhibitors, and the SAR of these sulfonamide analogues is disclosed. Compound 123 (Ecopladib) is a sub-micromolar inhibitor of cPLA2alpha in the GLU micelle and rat whole blood assays. Compound 123 displayed oral efficacy in the rat carrageenan air pouch and rat carrageenan-induced paw edema models.

  11. GSK-3β inhibitors suppressed neuroinflammation in rat cortex by activating autophagy in ischemic brain injury.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Xiaogang; Zhou, Jian; Li, Xilei; Guo, Chang'an; Fang, Taolin; Chen, Zhengrong

    2011-07-29

    Previous studies have shown that GSK-3β inhibitor could reduce infarct volume after ischemia brain injury. However, the underlying mechanisms of GSK-3β inhibitor involving neuroprotection remain poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrated that GSK-3β inhibitor suppressed insult-induced neuroinflammation in rat cortex by increasing autophagy activation in ischemic injury. Male rats were subjected to pMCAO (permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion) followed by treating with SB216763, a GSK-3β inhibitor. We found that insult-induced inflammatory response was significantly decreased by intraperitoneal infusion of SB216763 in rat cortex. A higher level of autophagy was also detected after SB216763 treatment. In the cultured primary microglia, SB216763 activated autophagy and suppressed inflammatory response. Importantly, inhibition of autophagy by Beclin1-siRNA increased inflammatory response in the SB216763-treated microglia. These data suggest that GSK-3β inhibitor suppressed neuroinflammation by activating autophagy after ischemic brain injury, thus offering a new target for prevention of ischemic brain injury. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. High-throughput screening of tyrosine kinase inhibitor cardiotoxicity with human induced pluripotent stem cells.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Arun; Burridge, Paul W; McKeithan, Wesley L; Serrano, Ricardo; Shukla, Praveen; Sayed, Nazish; Churko, Jared M; Kitani, Tomoya; Wu, Haodi; Holmström, Alexandra; Matsa, Elena; Zhang, Yuan; Kumar, Anusha; Fan, Alice C; Del Álamo, Juan C; Wu, Sean M; Moslehi, Javid J; Mercola, Mark; Wu, Joseph C

    2017-02-15

    Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), despite their efficacy as anticancer therapeutics, are associated with cardiovascular side effects ranging from induced arrhythmias to heart failure. We used human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs), generated from 11 healthy individuals and 2 patients receiving cancer treatment, to screen U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved TKIs for cardiotoxicities by measuring alterations in cardiomyocyte viability, contractility, electrophysiology, calcium handling, and signaling. With these data, we generated a "cardiac safety index" to reflect the cardiotoxicities of existing TKIs. TKIs with low cardiac safety indices exhibit cardiotoxicity in patients. We also derived endothelial cells (hiPSC-ECs) and cardiac fibroblasts (hiPSC-CFs) to examine cell type-specific cardiotoxicities. Using high-throughput screening, we determined that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-inhibiting TKIs caused cardiotoxicity in hiPSC-CMs, hiPSC-ECs, and hiPSC-CFs. With phosphoprotein analysis, we determined that VEGFR2/PDGFR-inhibiting TKIs led to a compensatory increase in cardioprotective insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling in hiPSC-CMs. Up-regulating cardioprotective signaling with exogenous insulin or IGF1 improved hiPSC-CM viability during cotreatment with cardiotoxic VEGFR2/PDGFR-inhibiting TKIs. Thus, hiPSC-CMs can be used to screen for cardiovascular toxicities associated with anticancer TKIs, and the results correlate with clinical phenotypes. This approach provides unexpected insights, as illustrated by our finding that toxicity can be alleviated via cardioprotective insulin/IGF signaling. Copyright © 2017, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  13. Development of Antioxidant COX-2 Inhibitors as Radioprotective Agents for Radiation Therapy—A Hypothesis-Driven Review

    PubMed Central

    Laube, Markus; Kniess, Torsten; Pietzsch, Jens

    2016-01-01

    Radiation therapy (RT) evolved to be a primary treatment modality for cancer patients. Unfortunately, the cure or relief of symptoms is still accompanied by radiation-induced side effects with severe acute and late pathophysiological consequences. Inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are potentially useful in this regard because radioprotection of normal tissue and/or radiosensitizing effects on tumor tissue have been described for several compounds of this structurally diverse class. This review aims to substantiate the hypothesis that antioxidant COX-2 inhibitors are promising radioprotectants because of intercepting radiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in normal tissue, especially the vascular system. For this, literature reporting on COX inhibitors exerting radioprotective and/or radiosensitizing action as well as on antioxidant COX inhibitors will be reviewed comprehensively with the aim to find cross-points of both and, by that, stimulate further research in the field of radioprotective agents. PMID:27104573

  14. MEK Inhibitors in the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma and Solid Tumors.

    PubMed

    Grimaldi, Antonio M; Simeone, Ester; Festino, Lucia; Vanella, Vito; Strudel, Martina; Ascierto, Paolo A

    2017-12-01

    The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is an intracellular signaling pathway involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation and the survival of tumor cells. Several different mutations, involving BRAF or NRAS, exert an oncogenic effect by activating the MAPK pathway, resulting in an increase in cellular proliferation. These mutations have become targets for new therapeutic strategies in melanoma and other cancers. Selective MEK inhibitors have the ability to inhibit growth and induce cell death in BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma cell lines. MEK inhibitor therapy in combination with a BRAF inhibitor is more effective and less toxic than treatment with a BRAF inhibitor alone, and has become the standard of care for patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma. Trametinib was the first MEK inhibitor approved for the treatment of BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma not previously treated with BRAF inhibitors, and is also approved in combination with the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib. Furthermore, cobimetinib is another MEK inhibitor approved for the treatment of BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma in combination with a BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib. The MEK inhibitor binimetinib in combination with the BRAF inhibitor encorafenib is in clinical development. The addition of an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agent, such as pembrolizumab, durvalumab or atezolizumab, to combined BRAF and MEK inhibition has shown considerable promise, with several trials ongoing in metastatic melanoma. Binimetinib has also shown efficacy in NRAS-mutated melanoma patients. Future possibilities for MEK inhibitors in advanced melanoma, as well as other solid tumors, include their use in combination with other targeted therapies (e.g. anti-CDK4/6 inhibitors) and/or various immune-modulating antibodies.

  15. ROMK inhibitor actions in the nephron probed with diuretics

    PubMed Central

    Kharade, Sujay V.; Flores, Daniel; Lindsley, Craig W.; Satlin, Lisa M.

    2015-01-01

    Diuretics acting on specific nephron segments to inhibit Na+ reabsorption have been used clinically for decades; however, drug interactions, tolerance, and derangements in serum K+ complicate their use to achieve target blood pressure. ROMK is an attractive diuretic target, in part, because its inhibition is postulated to indirectly inhibit the bumetanide-sensitive Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC2) and the amiloride- and benzamil-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). The development of small-molecule ROMK inhibitors has created opportunities for exploring the physiological responses to ROMK inhibition. The present study evaluated how inhibition of ROMK alone or in combination with NKCC2, ENaC, or the hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) target NCC alter fluid and electrolyte transport in the nephron. The ROMK inhibitor VU591 failed to induce diuresis when administered orally to rats. However, another ROMK inhibitor, termed compound A, induced a robust natriuretic diuresis without kaliuresis. Compound A produced additive effects on urine output and Na+ excretion when combined with HCTZ, amiloride, or benzamil, but not when coadministered with bumetanide, suggesting that the major diuretic target site is the thick ascending limb (TAL). Interestingly, compound A inhibited the kaliuretic response induced by bumetanide and HCTZ, an effect we attribute to inhibition of ROMK-mediated K+ secretion in the TAL and CD. Compound A had no effect on heterologously expressed flow-sensitive large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (Slo1/β1). In conclusion, compound A represents an important new pharmacological tool for investigating the renal consequences of ROMK inhibition and therapeutic potential of ROMK as a diuretic target. PMID:26661652

  16. Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Synthesis Induce PPAR α -Regulated Fatty Acid β -Oxidative Genes: Synergistic Roles of L-FABP and Glucose.

    PubMed

    Huang, Huan; McIntosh, Avery L; Martin, Gregory G; Petrescu, Anca D; Landrock, Kerstin K; Landrock, Danilo; Kier, Ann B; Schroeder, Friedhelm

    2013-01-01

    While TOFA (acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitor) and C75 (fatty acid synthase inhibitor) prevent lipid accumulation by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis, the mechanism of action is not simply accounted for by inhibition of the enzymes alone. Liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), a mediator of long chain fatty acid signaling to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- α (PPAR α ) in the nucleus, was found to bind TOFA and its activated CoA thioester, TOFyl-CoA, with high affinity while binding C75 and C75-CoA with lower affinity. Binding of TOFA and C75-CoA significantly altered L-FABP secondary structure. High (20 mM) but not physiological (6 mM) glucose conferred on both TOFA and C75 the ability to induce PPAR α transcription of the fatty acid β -oxidative enzymes CPT1A, CPT2, and ACOX1 in cultured primary hepatocytes from wild-type (WT) mice. However, L-FABP gene ablation abolished the effects of TOFA and C75 in the context of high glucose. These effects were not associated with an increased cellular level of unesterified fatty acids but rather by increased intracellular glucose. These findings suggested that L-FABP may function as an intracellular fatty acid synthesis inhibitor binding protein facilitating TOFA and C75-mediated induction of PPAR α in the context of high glucose at levels similar to those in uncontrolled diabetes.

  17. Accelerated generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells with retroviral transduction and chemical inhibitors under physiological hypoxia

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shimada, Hidenori; Hashimoto, Yoshiya; Nakada, Akira

    2012-01-13

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Very rapid generation of human iPS cells under optimized conditions. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Five chemical inhibitors under hypoxia boosted reprogramming. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We performed genome-wide DNA methylation analysis. -- Abstract: Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are generated from somatic cells by the forced expression of a defined set of pluripotency-associated transcription factors. Human iPS cells can be propagated indefinitely, while maintaining the capacity to differentiate into all cell types in the body except for extra-embryonic tissues. This technology not only represents a new way to use individual-specific stem cells for regenerative medicine but also constitutes a novel method to obtain largemore » amounts of disease-specific cells for biomedical research. Despite their great potential, the long reprogramming process (up to 1 month) remains one of the most significant challenges facing standard virus-mediated methodology. In this study, we report the accelerated generation of human iPS cells from adipose-derived stem (ADS) cells, using a new combination of chemical inhibitors under a setting of physiological hypoxia in conjunction with retroviral transduction of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and L-Myc. Under optimized conditions, we observed human embryonic stem (ES)-like cells as early as 6 days after the initial retroviral transduction. This was followed by the emergence of fully reprogrammed cells bearing Tra-1-81-positive and DsRed transgene-silencing properties on day 10. The resulting cell lines resembled human ES cells in many respects including proliferation rate, morphology, pluripotency-associated markers, global gene expression patterns, genome-wide DNA methylation states, and the ability to differentiate into all three of the germ layers, both in vitro and in vivo. Our method, when combined with chemical inhibitors under conditions of physiological hypoxia, offers a powerful tool for

  18. The role of nitric oxide in the PKA inhibitor induced spatial memory deficits in rat: involvement of choline acetyltransferase.

    PubMed

    Najafi, Sheyda; Payandemehr, Borna; Tabrizian, Kaveh; Shariatpanahi, Marjan; Nassireslami, Ehsan; Azami, Kian; Mohammadi, Mojdeh; Asadi, Farideh; Roghani, Ali; Sharifzadeh, Mohammad

    2013-08-15

    Several lines of evidence show that cAMP-PKA signaling pathway plays critical role in memory functions and suggest nitric oxide as an important modulator in learning and memory. In this study, we assessed the effects of intra-hippocampal infusion of H-89, a selective PKAII inhibitor, and 1400 W, a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, on spatial memory in rats. By using the Morris water maze, spatial memory retention parameters were examined 48 h after the infusions through measuring escape latency, traveled distance, and swimming speed. The rats receiving intra-hippocampal infusions of 1400 W (100 µM/side) showed a significant reduction (*P<0.05) in escape latency and traveled distance in comparison with the control saline group. In contrast, a significant increase (**P<0.01) in escape latency and traveled distance was observed after infusion of 10 µM H-89. Moreover, among combination groups, co-administration of 1400 W (400 µM/side) with 10 µM/side of H-89 caused a significant reduction (*P<0.05) in escape latency and traveled distance in comparison with the H-89 group. Also, we evaluated the molecular effects of 1400 W on the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), a cholinergic marker, in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and medial septal area (MSA). Immunohistochemical analysis of post-training bilateral intra-hippocampal infusion of 1400 W revealed a significant increase in ChAT immunoreactivity levels in both the CA1 and the MSA regions. Overall, the results suggest that 1400 W has protective effect against H89-induced spatial memory impairment. Moreover, the observed memory improvements caused by 1400 W infusions, might be due to interaction of iNOS with the cholinergic system. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Effects of VMAT2 inhibitors lobeline and GZ-793A on methamphetamine-induced changes in dopamine release, metabolism and synthesis in vivo.

    PubMed

    Meyer, Andrew C; Neugebauer, Nichole M; Zheng, Guangrong; Crooks, Peter A; Dwoskin, Linda P; Bardo, Michael T

    2013-10-01

    Vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) inhibitors reduce methamphetamine (METH) reward in rats. The current study determined the effects of VMAT2 inhibitors lobeline (LOB; 1 or 3 mg/kg) and N-(1,2R-dihydroxylpropyl)-2,6-cis-di(4-methoxyphenethyl)piperidine hydrochloride (GZ-793A; 15 or 30 mg/kg) on METH-induced (0.5 mg/kg, SC) changes in extracellular dopamine (DA) and its metabolite dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the reward-relevant nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell using in vivo microdialysis. The effect of GZ-793A (15 mg/kg) on DA synthesis in tissue also was investigated in NAc, striatum, medial prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex. In NAc shell, METH produced a time-dependent increase in extracellular DA and decrease in DOPAC. Neither LOB nor GZ-793A alone altered extracellular DA; however, both drugs increased extracellular DOPAC. In combination with METH, LOB did not alter the effects of METH on DA; however, GZ-793A, which has greater selectivity than LOB for inhibiting VMAT2, reduced the duration of the METH-induced increase in extracellular DA. Both LOB and GZ-793A enhanced the duration of the METH-induced decrease in extracellular DOPAC. METH also increased tissue DA synthesis in NAc and striatum, whereas GZ-793A decreased synthesis; no effect of METH or GZ-793A on DA synthesis was found in medial prefrontal cortex or orbitofrontal cortex. These results suggest that selective inhibition of VMAT2 produces a time-dependent decrease in DA release in NAc shell as a result of alterations in tyrosine hydroxylase activity, which may play a role in the ability of GZ-793A to decrease METH reward. © 2013 International Society for Neurochemistry.

  20. Rational combination treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs in multiple myeloma.

    PubMed

    Hideshima, T; Cottini, F; Ohguchi, H; Jakubikova, J; Gorgun, G; Mimura, N; Tai, Y-T; Munshi, N C; Richardson, P G; Anderson, K C

    2015-05-15

    Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) thalidomide, lenalidomide (Len) and pomalidomide trigger anti-tumor activities in multiple myeloma (MM) by targetting cereblon and thereby impacting IZF1/3, c-Myc and IRF4. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) also downregulate c-Myc. We therefore determined whether IMiDs with HDACi trigger significant MM cell growth inhibition by inhibiting or downregulating c-Myc. Combination treatment of Len with non-selective HDACi suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid or class-I HDAC-selective inhibitor MS275 induces synergic cytotoxicity, associated with downregulation of c-Myc. Unexpectedly, we observed that decreased levels of cereblon (CRBN), a primary target protein of IMiDs, was triggered by these agents. Indeed, sequential treatment of MM cells with MS275 followed by Len shows less efficacy than simultaneous treatment with this combination. Importantly ACY1215, an HDAC6 inhibitor with minimal effects on class-I HDACs, together with Len induces synergistic MM cytotoxicity without alteration of CRBN expression. Our results showed that only modest class-I HDAC inhibition is able to induce synergistic MM cytotoxicity in combination with Len. These studies may provide the framework for utilizing HDACi in combination with Len to both avoid CRBN downregulation and enhance anti-MM activities.

  1. Targeting colorectal cancer cells by a novel sphingosine kinase 1 inhibitor PF-543

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ju, TongFa; Gao, DaQuan; Fang, Zheng-yu, E-mail: fangzhengyu158@sina.com

    In this study, we showed that PF-543, a novel sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) inhibitor, exerted potent anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects against a panel of established (HCT-116, HT-29 and DLD-1) and primary human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Its sensitivity was negatively associated with SphK1 expression level in the CRC cells. Surprisingly, PF-543 mainly induced programmed necrosis, but not apoptosis, in the CRC cells. CRC cell necrotic death was detected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) collapse and mitochondrial P53-cyclophilin-D (Cyp-D) complexation. Correspondingly, the necrosis inhibitor necrostatin-1 largely attenuated PF-543-induced cytotoxicity against CRC cells. Meanwhile, the Cyp-D inhibitors (sanglifehrinmore » A and cyclosporin A), or shRNA-mediated knockdown of Cyp-D, remarkably alleviated PF-543-induced CRC cell necrotic death. Reversely, over-expression of wild-type Cyp-D in HCT-116 cells significantly increased PF-543's sensitivity. In vivo, PF-543 intravenous injection significantly suppressed HCT-116 xenograft growth in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, whiling remarkably improving the mice survival. The in vivo activity by PF-543 was largely attenuated when combined with the Cyp-D inhibitor cyclosporin A. Collectively, our results demonstrate that PF-543 exerts potent anti-CRC activity in vitro and in vivo. Mitochondrial programmed necrosis pathway is likely the key mechanism responsible for PF-543's actions in CRC cells. - Highlights: • PF-543 is anti-proliferative and cytotoxic to established and primary CRC cells. • PF-543 induces programmed necrosis, but not apoptosis, in CRC cells. • Modulation of mitochondrial protein cyclophilin-D alters PF-543's sensitivity. • PF-543 inhibits HCT-116 xenograft growth in SCID mice, improving mice survival. • Co-administration of cyclophilin-D inhibitor CsA inhibits PF-543's activity in vivo.« less

  2. Xanthine crystals induced by topiroxostat, a xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor, in rats, cause transitional cell tumors.

    PubMed

    Shimo, Takeo; Moto, Mitsuyoshi; Ashizawa, Naoki; Matsumoto, Koji; Iwanaga, Takashi; Saito, Kazuhiro

    2014-04-01

    The present study was performed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of transitional cell tumors found in the carcinogenicity testing of topiroxostat, a xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor, in which topiroxostat was orally given to F344 rats at 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg for 2 years. In the urinary bladder, transitional cell papillomas and/or carcinomas were seen in males receiving 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg (1/49, 3/49, and 10/50, respectively). In the kidney, transitional cell papillomas and/or carcinomas in the pelvis were seen in 2/50 males and 1/50 females receiving 3 mg/kg. In the mechanistic study by 52-week oral treatment with topiroxostat at 3 mg/kg to F344 male rats, with and without citrate, simple and papillary transitional cell hyperplasias of the urinary bladder epithelium were observed in 5/17 in the topiroxostat-alone treatment group, along with xanthine-induced nephropathy, in contrast to neither xanthine crystals nor lesions in urinary organs by co-treatment group with citrate. As for sex differences of urinary bladder tumors, the BrdU labeling index for epithelial cells of the urinary bladder by 5-week oral treatment with topiroxostat at 10 mg/kg to F344 rats was increased in males only, showing consistency with histopathological findings. Therefore, the present study indicates that transitional cell tumors induced by topiroxostat in rats were due to physical stimulation to transitional cells of xanthine crystals/calculi and provides that other factors were not implicated in this tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the present study suggests that such tumors do not predict for humans since topiroxostat-induced xanthine deposition is a rodent-specific event.

  3. Development of Protein Degradation Inducers of Androgen Receptor by Conjugation of Androgen Receptor Ligands and Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein Ligands.

    PubMed

    Shibata, Norihito; Nagai, Katsunori; Morita, Yoko; Ujikawa, Osamu; Ohoka, Nobumichi; Hattori, Takayuki; Koyama, Ryokichi; Sano, Osamu; Imaeda, Yasuhiro; Nara, Hiroshi; Cho, Nobuo; Naito, Mikihiko

    2018-01-25

    Targeted protein degradation using small molecules is a novel strategy for drug development. We have developed hybrid molecules named specific and nongenetic inhibitor of apoptosis protein [IAP]-dependent protein erasers (SNIPERs) that recruit IAP ubiquitin ligases to degrade target proteins. Here, we show novel SNIPERs capable of inducing proteasomal degradation of the androgen receptor (AR). Through derivatization of the SNIPER(AR) molecule at the AR ligand and IAP ligand and linker, we developed 42a (SNIPER(AR)-51), which shows effective protein knockdown activity against AR. Consistent with the degradation of the AR protein, 42a inhibits AR-mediated gene expression and proliferation of androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells. In addition, 42a efficiently induces caspase activation and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, which was not observed in the cells treated with AR antagonists. These results suggest that SNIPER(AR)s could be leads for an anticancer drug against prostate cancers that exhibit AR-dependent proliferation.

  4. Saturated- and n-6 polyunsaturated-fat diets each induce ceramide accumulation in mouse skeletal muscle: reversal and improvement of glucose tolerance by lipid metabolism inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Frangioudakis, G; Garrard, J; Raddatz, K; Nadler, J L; Mitchell, T W; Schmitz-Peiffer, C

    2010-09-01

    Lipid-induced insulin resistance is associated with intracellular accumulation of inhibitory intermediates depending on the prevalent fatty acid (FA) species. In cultured myotubes, ceramide and phosphatidic acid (PA) mediate the effects of the saturated FA palmitate and the unsaturated FA linoleate, respectively. We hypothesized that myriocin (MYR), an inhibitor of de novo ceramide synthesis, would protect against glucose intolerance in saturated fat-fed mice, while lisofylline (LSF), a functional inhibitor of PA synthesis, would protect unsaturated fat-fed mice. Mice were fed diets enriched in saturated fat, n-6 polyunsaturated fat, or chow for 6 wk. Saline, LSF (25 mg/kg x d), or MYR (0.3 mg/kg x d) were administered by mini-pumps in the final 4 wk. Glucose homeostasis was examined by glucose tolerance test. Muscle ceramide and PA were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Expression of LASS isoforms (ceramide synthases) was evaluated by immunoblotting. Both saturated and polyunsaturated fat diets increased muscle ceramide and induced glucose intolerance. MYR and LSF reduced ceramide levels in saturated and unsaturated fat-fed mice. Both inhibitors also improved glucose tolerance in unsaturated fat-fed mice, but only LSF was effective in saturated fat-fed mice. The discrepancy between ceramide and glucose tolerance suggests these improvements may not be related directly to changes in muscle ceramide and may involve other insulin-responsive tissues. Changes in the expression of LASS1 were, however, inversely correlated with alterations in glucose tolerance. The demonstration that LSF can ameliorate glucose intolerance in vivo independent of the dietary FA type indicates it may be a novel intervention for the treatment of insulin resistance.

  5. Small molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor signaling (SU9518) modifies radiation response in fibroblasts and endothelial cells

    PubMed Central

    Li, Minglun; Ping, Gong; Plathow, Christian; Trinh, Thuy; Lipson, Kenneth E; Hauser, Kai; Krempien, Robert; Debus, Juergen; Abdollahi, Amir; Huber, Peter E

    2006-01-01

    Background Several small receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKI) have entered clinical cancer trials alone and in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The inhibitory spectrum of these compounds is often not restricted to a single target. For example Imatinib/Gleevec (primarily a bcr/abl kinase inhibitor) or SU11248 (mainly a VEGFR inhibitor) are also potent inhibitors of PDGFR and other kinases. We showed previously that PDGF signaling inhibition attenuates radiation-induced lung fibrosis in a mouse model. Here we investigate effects of SU9518, a PDGFR inhibitor combined with ionizing radiation in human primary fibroblasts and endothelial cells in vitro, with a view on utilizing RTKI for antifibrotic therapy. Methods Protein levels of PDGFR-α/-β and phosphorylated PDGFR in fibroblasts were analyzed using western and immunocytochemistry assays. Functional proliferation and clonogenic assays were performed (i) to assess PDGFR-mediated survival and proliferation in fibroblasts and endothelial cells after SU9518 (small molecule inhibitor of PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase); (ii) to test the potency und selectivity of the PDGF RTK inhibitor after stimulation with PDGF isoforms (-AB, -AA, -BB) and VEGF+bFGF. In order to simulate in vivo conditions and to understand the role of radiation-induced paracrine PDGF secretion, co-culture models consisting of fibroblasts and endothelial cells were employed. Results In fibroblasts, radiation markedly activated PDGF signaling as detected by enhanced PDGFR phosphorylation which was potently inhibited by SU9518. In fibroblast clonogenic assay, SU9518 reduced PDGF stimulated fibroblast survival by 57%. Likewise, SU9518 potently inhibited fibroblast and endothelial cell proliferation. In the co-culture model, radiation of endothelial cells and fibroblast cells substantially stimulated proliferation of non irradiated fibroblasts and vice versa. Importantly, the RTK inhibitor significantly inhibited this paracrine radiation-induced

  6. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Stimulate Dedifferentiation of Human Breast Cancer Cells through WNT/β-catenin Signaling

    PubMed Central

    Debeb, Bisrat G; Lacerda, Lara; Xu, Wei; Larson, Richard; Solley, Travis; Atkinson, Rachel; Sulman, Erik P.; Ueno, Naoto T; Krishnamurthy, Savitri; Reuben, James M; Buchholz, Thomas A; Woodward, Wendy A

    2015-01-01

    Recent studies have shown that differentiated cancer cells can de-differentiate into cancer stem cells (CSCs) although to date no studies have reported whether this transition is influenced by systemic anti-cancer agents. Valproic acid (VA) is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that promotes self renewal and expansion of hematopietic stem cells and facilitates the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells and is currently being investigated in breast cancer clinical trials. We hypothesized that HDAC inhibitors reprogram differentiated cancer cells towards the more resistant stem cell-like state. Two highly aggressive breast cancer cell lines, SUM159 and MDA-231, were FACS-sorted based on ALDH activity and subsequently ALDH-negative and ALDH-positive cells were treated with one of two known HDAC inhibitors, VA or SAHA (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid). In addition, primary tumor cells from patients with metastatic breast cancer were evaluated for ALDH activity following treatment with HDAC inhibitors. We demonstrate that single cell sorted ALDH- negative cells spontaneously generated ALDH-positive cells in vitro. Treatment of ALDH-negative cells with HDAC inhibitors promoted the expansion of ALDH-positive cells and increased mammosphere forming efficiency. Most importantly, it significantly increased the tumor-initiating capacity of ALDH- negative cells in limiting dilution outgrowth assays. Moreover, while HDAC inhibitors upregulated β-catenin expression and significantly increased WNT reporter activity, a TCF4 dominant negative construct abolished HDAC-inhibitor induced expansion of CSCs. These results demonstrate that HDAC inhibitors promote the expansion of breast CSCs through dedifferentiation and have important clinical implications for the use of HDAC inhibitors in the treatment of cancer. PMID:22961641

  7. Evaluation of the neuronal apoptotic pathways involved in cytoskeletal disruption-induced apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Jordà, Elvira G; Verdaguer, Ester; Jimenez, Andrés; Arriba, S Garcia de; Allgaier, Clemens; Pallàs, Mercè; Camins, Antoni

    2005-08-01

    The cytoskeleton is critical to neuronal functioning and survival. Cytoskeletal alterations are involved in several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. We studied the possible pathways involved in colchicine-induced apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Although colchicine evoked an increase in caspase-3, caspase-6 and caspase-9 activation, selective caspase inhibitors did not attenuate apoptosis. Inhibitors of other cysteine proteases such as PD150606 (a calpain-specific inhibitor), Z-Phe-Ala fluoromethyl ketone (a cathepsins-inhibitors) and N(alpha)-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone (serine-proteases inhibitor) also had no effect on cell death/apoptosis induced by colchicine. However, BAPTA-AM 10 microM (intracellular calcium chelator) prevented apoptosis mediated by cytoskeletal alteration. These data indicate that calcium modulates colchicine-induced apoptosis in CGNs. PARP-1 inhibitors did not prevent apoptosis mediated by colchicine. Finally, colchicine-induced apoptosis in CGNs was attenuated by kenpaullone, a cdk5 inhibitor. Kenpaullone and indirubin also prevented cdk5/p25 activation mediated by colchicine. These findings indicate that cytoskeletal alteration can compromise cdk5 activation, regulating p25 formation and suggest that cdk5 inhibitors attenuate apoptosis mediated by cytoskeletal alteration. The present data indicate the potential therapeutic value of drugs that prevent the formation of p25 for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

  8. Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) induces FAS dependent apoptosis in human vascular smooth muscle cells.

    PubMed

    English, William R; Ireland-Zecchini, Heather; Baker, Andrew H; Littlewood, Trevor D; Bennett, Martin R; Murphy, Gillian

    2018-01-01

    Over expression of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induces apoptosis and reduces neointima formation occurring after saphenous vein interposition grafting or coronary stenting. In studies to address the mechanism of TIMP-3-driven apoptosis in human VSMCs we find that TIMP-3 increased activation of caspase-8 and apoptosis was inhibited by expression of Cytokine response modifier A (CrmA) and dominant negative FAS-Associated protein with Death Domain (FADD). TIMP-3 induced apoptosis did not cause mitochondrial depolarisation, increase activation of caspase-9 and was not inhibited by over-expression of B-cell Lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), indicating a mitochondrial independent/type-I death receptor pathway. TIMP-3 increased levels of the First Apoptosis Signal receptor (FAS) and depletion of FAS with shRNA showed TIMP-3-induced apoptosis was FAS dependent. TIMP-3 induced formation of the Death-Inducing Signalling Complex (DISC), as detected by immunoprecipitation and by immunofluorescence. Cellular-FADD-like IL-1 converting enzyme-Like Inhibitory Protein (c-FLIP) localised with FAS at the cell periphery in the absence of TIMP-3 and this localisation was lost on TIMP-3 expression with c-FLIP adopting a perinuclear localisation. Although TIMP-3 inhibited FAS shedding, this did not increase total surface levels of FAS but instead increased FAS levels within localised regions at the cell surface. A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) is inhibited by TIMP-3 and depletion of ADAM17 with shRNA significantly decreased FAS shedding. However ADAM17 depletion did not induce apoptosis or replicate the effects of TIMP-3 by increasing localised clustering of cell surface FAS. ADAM17-depleted cells could activate caspase-3 when expressing levels of TIMP-3 that were otherwise sub-apoptotic, suggesting a partial role for ADAM17 mediated ectodomain shedding in TIMP-3 mediated apoptosis. We conclude that TIMP-3 induced apoptosis

  9. Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase–3 (TIMP-3) induces FAS dependent apoptosis in human vascular smooth muscle cells

    PubMed Central

    Ireland-Zecchini, Heather; Baker, Andrew H.; Littlewood, Trevor D.; Bennett, Martin R.; Murphy, Gillian

    2018-01-01

    Over expression of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induces apoptosis and reduces neointima formation occurring after saphenous vein interposition grafting or coronary stenting. In studies to address the mechanism of TIMP-3-driven apoptosis in human VSMCs we find that TIMP-3 increased activation of caspase-8 and apoptosis was inhibited by expression of Cytokine response modifier A (CrmA) and dominant negative FAS-Associated protein with Death Domain (FADD). TIMP-3 induced apoptosis did not cause mitochondrial depolarisation, increase activation of caspase-9 and was not inhibited by over-expression of B-cell Lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), indicating a mitochondrial independent/type-I death receptor pathway. TIMP-3 increased levels of the First Apoptosis Signal receptor (FAS) and depletion of FAS with shRNA showed TIMP-3-induced apoptosis was FAS dependent. TIMP-3 induced formation of the Death-Inducing Signalling Complex (DISC), as detected by immunoprecipitation and by immunofluorescence. Cellular-FADD-like IL-1 converting enzyme-Like Inhibitory Protein (c-FLIP) localised with FAS at the cell periphery in the absence of TIMP-3 and this localisation was lost on TIMP-3 expression with c-FLIP adopting a perinuclear localisation. Although TIMP-3 inhibited FAS shedding, this did not increase total surface levels of FAS but instead increased FAS levels within localised regions at the cell surface. A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) is inhibited by TIMP-3 and depletion of ADAM17 with shRNA significantly decreased FAS shedding. However ADAM17 depletion did not induce apoptosis or replicate the effects of TIMP-3 by increasing localised clustering of cell surface FAS. ADAM17-depleted cells could activate caspase-3 when expressing levels of TIMP-3 that were otherwise sub-apoptotic, suggesting a partial role for ADAM17 mediated ectodomain shedding in TIMP-3 mediated apoptosis. We conclude that TIMP-3 induced apoptosis

  10. Identification of novel isoform-selective inhibitors within class I histone deacetylases.

    PubMed

    Hu, Erding; Dul, Edward; Sung, Chiu-Mei; Chen, Zunxuan; Kirkpatrick, Robert; Zhang, Gui-Feng; Johanson, Kyung; Liu, Ronggang; Lago, Amparo; Hofmann, Glenn; Macarron, Ricardo; de los Frailes, Maite; Perez, Paloma; Krawiec, John; Winkler, James; Jaye, Michael

    2003-11-01

    Histone deacetylases (HDACs) represent an expanding family of protein modifying-enzymes that play important roles in cell proliferation, chromosome remodeling, and gene transcription. We have previously shown that recombinant human HDAC8 can be expressed in bacteria and retain its catalytic activity. To further explore the catalytic activity of HDACs, we expressed two additional human class I HDACs, HDAC1 and HDAC3, in baculovirus. Recombinant HDAC1 and HDAC3 fusion proteins remained soluble and catalytically active and were purified to near homogeneity. Interestingly, trichostatin (TSA) was found to be a potent inhibitor for all three HDACs (IC50 value of approximately 0.1-0.3 microM), whereas another HDAC inhibitor MS-27-275 (N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-[N-(pyridin-3-methyloxycarbonyl)-aminomethyl]benzamide) preferentially inhibited HDAC1 (IC50 value of approximately 0.3 microM) versus HDAC3 (IC50 value of approximately 8 microM) and had no inhibitory activity toward HDAC8 (IC50 value >100 microM). MS-27-275 as well as TSA increased histone H4 acetylation, induced apoptosis in the human colon cancer cell line SW620, and activated the simian virus 40 early promoter. HDAC1 protein was more abundantly expressed in SW620 cells compared with that of HDAC3 and HDAC8. Using purified recombinant HDAC proteins, we identified several novel HDAC inhibitors that preferentially inhibit HDAC1 or HDAC8. These inhibitors displayed distinct properties in inducing histone acetylation and reporter gene expression. These results suggest selective HDAC inhibitors could be identified using recombinantly expressed HDACs and that HDAC1 may be a promising therapeutic target for designing HDAC inhibitors for proliferative diseases such as cancer.

  11. Proton pump inhibitors protect mice from acute systemic inflammation and induce long-term cross-tolerance

    PubMed Central

    Balza, E; Piccioli, P; Carta, S; Lavieri, R; Gattorno, M; Semino, C; Castellani, P; Rubartelli, A

    2016-01-01

    Incidence of sepsis is increasing, representing a tremendous burden for health-care systems. Death in acute sepsis is attributed to hyperinflammatory responses, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. We report here that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which block gastric acid secretion, selectively inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-activated human monocytes in vitro, in the absence of toxic effects. Remarkably, the oversecretion of IL-1β that represents a hallmark of monocytes from patients affected by cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome is also blocked. Based on these propaedeutic experiments, we tested the effects of high doses of PPIs in vivo in the mouse model of endotoxic shock. Our data show that a single administration of PPI protected mice from death (60% survival versus 5% of untreated mice) and decreased TNF-α and IL-1β systemic production. PPIs were efficacious even when administered after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. PPI-treated mice that survived developed a long-term cross-tolerance, becoming resistant to LPS- and zymosan-induced sepsis. In vitro, their macrophages displayed impaired TNF-α and IL-1β to different TLR ligands. PPIs also prevented sodium thioglycollate-induced peritoneal inflammation, indicating their efficacy also in a non-infectious setting independent of TLR stimulation. Lack of toxicity and therapeutic effectiveness make PPIs promising new drugs against sepsis and other severe inflammatory conditions. PMID:27441656

  12. Dietary fructose-induced hepatocellular carcinoma development manifested in mice lacking apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM).

    PubMed

    Ozawa, Takayuki; Maehara, Natsumi; Kai, Toshihiro; Arai, Satoko; Miyazaki, Toru

    2016-12-01

    The consumption of fructose, including the use of high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener, has increased continuously in recent decades. Although the involvement of fructose in the development of metabolic diseases has been emphasized recently, whether fructose intake increases susceptibility to steatosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. Here, we investigated this issue using mice lacking a circulating protein, apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM, encoded by cd5l). AIM does not induce carcinogenesis of hepatocytes, but provokes necrotic death specifically in AIM-bound cancer cells through complement cascade activation, thereby preventing HCC tumor development in wild-type mice. When subjected to a high-fructose diet (HFrD), AIM-deficient (AIM -/- ) mice showed liver steatosis and subsequent liver inflammation as well as fibrosis, but at much milder levels compared with mice fed a high-fat diet. However, AIM -/- mice were markedly susceptible to HCC tumor development, whereas no wild-type mice developed the disease. Systemic metabolic states, including obesity and insulin resistance, were similar in both types of mice after HFrD challenge, indicating no influence of AIM on HFrD-induced metabolic changes. Our results suggest that dietary fructose increases the risk for liver carcinogenesis and that individuals with low blood AIM levels may be susceptible to HCC under chronic fructose intake. © 2016 The Authors. Genes to Cells published by Molecular Biology Society of Japan and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

  13. Sphingosine kinase inhibitor suppresses IL-18-induced interferon-gamma production through inhibition of p38 MAPK activation in human NK cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cheon, Soyoung; Song, Seok Bean; Jung, Minkyung

    2008-09-12

    Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in the innate immune response. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a well-known interferon-gamma (IFN-{gamma} inducing factor, which stimulates immune response in NK and T cells. Sphingosine kinase (SPHK) catalyzes the formation of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), which acts as a second messenger to function as an anti-apoptotic factor and proliferation stimulator of immune cells. In this study, to elucidate whether SPHK is involved in IL-18-induced IFN-{gamma} production, we measured IL-18-induced IFN-{gamma} production after pre-treatment with SPHK inhibitor (SKI) in NK-92MI cells. We found that IL-18-induced IFN-{gamma} expression was blocked by SKI pre-treatment in both mRNAmore » and protein levels. In addition, the increased IFN-{gamma} production by stimulation with IL-18 is mediated through both SPHK and p38 MAPK. To determine the upstream signals of SKI and p38 MAPK in IL-18-induced IFN-{gamma} production, phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK was measured after SKI pre-treatment. As a result, inhibition of SPHK by SKI blocked phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, showing that SPHK activation by IL-18 is an upstream signal of p38 MAPK activation. Inhibition of SPHK by SKI also inhibited IL-18-induced IFN-{gamma} production in human primary NK cells. In conclusion, SPHK activation is an essential factor for IL-18-induced IFN-{gamma} production via p38 MAPK.« less

  14. Discovery of the first dual GSK3β inhibitor/Nrf2 inducer. A new multitarget therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gameiro, Isabel; Michalska, Patrycja; Tenti, Giammarco; Cores, Ángel; Buendia, Izaskun; Rojo, Ana I.; Georgakopoulos, Nikolaos D.; Hernández-Guijo, Jesús M.; Teresa Ramos, María; Wells, Geoffrey; López, Manuela G.; Cuadrado, Antonio; Menéndez, J. Carlos; León, Rafael

    2017-03-01

    The formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have emerged as key targets for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. These pathological hallmarks are closely related to the over-activity of the enzyme GSK3β and the downregulation of the defense pathway Nrf2-EpRE observed in AD patients. Herein, we report the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a new family of multitarget 2,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles as dual GSK3β inhibitors and Nrf2 inducers. These compounds are able to inhibit GSK3β and induce the Nrf2 phase II antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathway at micromolar concentrations, showing interesting structure-activity relationships. The association of both activities has resulted in a remarkable anti-inflammatory ability with an interesting neuroprotective profile on in vitro models of neuronal death induced by oxidative stress and energy depletion and AD. Furthermore, none of the compounds exhibited in vitro neurotoxicity or hepatotoxicity and hence they had improved safety profiles compared to the known electrophilic Nrf2 inducers. In conclusion, the combination of both activities in this family of multitarget compounds confers them a notable interest for the development of lead compounds for the treatment of AD.

  15. Discovery of the first dual GSK3β inhibitor/Nrf2 inducer. A new multitarget therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease

    PubMed Central

    Gameiro, Isabel; Michalska, Patrycja; Tenti, Giammarco; Cores, Ángel; Buendia, Izaskun; Rojo, Ana I.; Georgakopoulos, Nikolaos D.; Hernández-Guijo, Jesús M.; Teresa Ramos, María; Wells, Geoffrey; López, Manuela G.; Cuadrado, Antonio; Menéndez, J. Carlos; León, Rafael

    2017-01-01

    The formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have emerged as key targets for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. These pathological hallmarks are closely related to the over-activity of the enzyme GSK3β and the downregulation of the defense pathway Nrf2-EpRE observed in AD patients. Herein, we report the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a new family of multitarget 2,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles as dual GSK3β inhibitors and Nrf2 inducers. These compounds are able to inhibit GSK3β and induce the Nrf2 phase II antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathway at micromolar concentrations, showing interesting structure-activity relationships. The association of both activities has resulted in a remarkable anti-inflammatory ability with an interesting neuroprotective profile on in vitro models of neuronal death induced by oxidative stress and energy depletion and AD. Furthermore, none of the compounds exhibited in vitro neurotoxicity or hepatotoxicity and hence they had improved safety profiles compared to the known electrophilic Nrf2 inducers. In conclusion, the combination of both activities in this family of multitarget compounds confers them a notable interest for the development of lead compounds for the treatment of AD. PMID:28361919

  16. Switch control pocket inhibitors of p38-MAP kinase. Durable type II inhibitors that do not require binding into the canonical ATP hinge region.

    PubMed

    Ahn, Yu Mi; Clare, Michael; Ensinger, Carol L; Hood, Molly M; Lord, John W; Lu, Wei-Ping; Miller, David F; Patt, William C; Smith, Bryan D; Vogeti, Lakshminarayana; Kaufman, Michael D; Petillo, Peter A; Wise, Scott C; Abendroth, Jan; Chun, Lawrence; Clark, Robin; Feese, Michael; Kim, Hidong; Stewart, Lance; Flynn, Daniel L

    2010-10-01

    Switch control pocket inhibitors of p38-alpha kinase are described. Durable type II inhibitors were designed which bind to arginines (Arg67 or Arg70) that function as key residues for mediating phospho-threonine 180 dependant conformational fluxing of p38-alpha from an inactive type II state to an active type I state. Binding to Arg70 in particular led to potent inhibitors, exemplified by DP-802, which also exhibited high kinase selectivity. Binding to Arg70 obviated the requirement for binding into the ATP Hinge region. X-ray crystallography revealed that DP-802 and analogs induce an enhanced type II conformation upon binding to either the unphosphorylated or the doubly phosphorylated form of p38-alpha kinase. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Action of aluminum, novel TPC1-type channel inhibitor, against salicylate-induced and cold-shock-induced calcium influx in tobacco BY-2 cells.

    PubMed

    Lin, Cun; Yu, Yawei; Kadono, Takashi; Iwata, Michiaki; Umemura, Kenji; Furuichi, Takuya; Kuse, Masaki; Isobe, Minoru; Yamamoto, Yoko; Matsumoto, Hideaki; Yoshizuka, Kazuharu; Kawano, Tomonori

    2005-07-08

    Previously, effect of Al ions on calcium signaling was assessed in tobacco cells expressing a Ca2+-monitoring luminescent protein, aequorin and a newly isolated putative plant Ca2+ channel protein from Arabidopsis thaliana, AtTPC1 (two-pore channel 1). TPC1 channels were shown to be the only channel known to be sensitive to Al and they are responsive to reactive oxygen species and cryptogein, a fungal elicitor protein. Thus, involvement of TPC1 channels in calcium signaling leading to development of plant defense mechanism has been suggested. Then, the use of Al as a specific inhibitor of TPC1-type plant calcium channels has been proposed. Here, using transgenic tobacco BY-2 cells expressing aequorin, we report on the evidence in support of the involvement of Al-sensitive signaling pathway requiring TPC1-type channel-dependent Ca2+ influx in response to salicylic acid, a key plant defense-inducing agent, but not to an elicitor prepared from the cell wall of rice blast disease fungus Magnaporthe grisea. In addition, involvement of Al-sensitive Ca2+ channels in response to cold shock was also tested. The data suggested that the elicitor used here induces the Ca2+ influx via Al-insensitive path, while salicylic acid and cold-shock-stimulate the influx of Ca2+ via Al-sensitive mechanism.

  18. Generalised pustular psoriasis induced by cyclosporin a withdrawal responding to the tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitor etanercept.

    PubMed

    Kamarashev, J; Lor, P; Forster, A; Heinzerling, L; Burg, G; Nestle, F O

    2002-01-01

    We report a 50-year-old male patient with a 15-year history of psoriasis including mutilating psoriatic arthritis, in whom the withdrawal of cyclosporin A induced a generalised pustular exacerbation and a aggravation of the joint condition. Two weekly injections of 25 mg of the tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitor etanercept led to a rapid improvement of his psoriatic arthritis, as well as regression of the pustular eruption, while residual erythema was still present. The clinical response was reflected by an increase in circulating interleukin (IL) 10 and a decrease in IL-6 and IL-8 serum levels during treatment. We conclude that etanercept may be a safe and effective therapy not only in severe psoriatic arthritis, but also in cases of pustular rebound after withdrawal of immunosuppressive agents. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

  19. Novel Small Molecule Entry Inhibitors of Ebola Virus

    PubMed Central

    Basu, Arnab; Mills, Debra M.; Mitchell, Daniel; Ndungo, Esther; Williams, John D.; Herbert, Andrew S.; Dye, John M.; Moir, Donald T.; Chandran, Kartik; Patterson, Jean L.; Rong, Lijun; Bowlin, Terry L.

    2015-01-01

    Background. The current Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreak has highlighted the troubling absence of available antivirals or vaccines to treat infected patients and stop the spread of EBOV. The EBOV glycoprotein (GP) plays critical roles in the early stage of virus infection, including receptor binding and membrane fusion, making it a potential target for the development of anti-EBOV drugs. We report the identification of 2 novel EBOV inhibitors targeting viral entry. Methods. To identify small molecule inhibitors of EBOV entry, we carried out a cell-based high-throughput screening using human immunodeficiency virus–based pseudotyped viruses expressing EBOV-GP. Two compounds were identified, and mechanism-of-action studies were performed using immunoflourescence, AlphaLISA, and enzymatic assays for cathepsin B inhibition. Results. We report the identification of 2 novel entry inhibitors. These inhibitors (1) inhibit EBOV infection (50% inhibitory concentration, approximately 0.28 and approximately 10 µmol/L) at a late stage of entry, (2) induce Niemann-Pick C phenotype, and (3) inhibit GP–Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) protein interaction. Conclusions. We have identified 2 novel EBOV inhibitors, MBX2254 and MBX2270, that can serve as starting points for the development of an anti-EBOV therapeutic agent. Our findings also highlight the importance of NPC1-GP interaction in EBOV entry and the attractiveness of NPC1 as an antifiloviral therapeutic target. PMID:26206510

  20. Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors induce rapid over-activation of the MEK/ERK pathway in human pancreatic cancer cells through suppression of mTORC2

    PubMed Central

    Soares, Heloisa P.; Ming, Ming; Mellon, Michelle; Young, Steven H.; Han, Liang; Sinnet-Smith, James; Rozengurt, Enrique

    2015-01-01

    PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway which is aberrantly stimulated in many cancer cells, has emerged as a target for therapy. However, mTORC1/S6K also mediates negative feedback loops that attenuate upstream signaling. Suppression of these feedback loops opposes the growth-suppressive effects of mTOR inhibitors and leads to drug resistance. Here, we demonstrate that treatment of PANC-1 or MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells with the dual PI3K/mTOR kinase inhibitor (PI3K/TOR-KI) NPV-BEZ235 blocked mTORC1/S6K activation (scored by S6 phosphorylation at Ser240/244), mTORC1/4E-BP1 (assayed by 4E-BP1 phosphorylation at Thr37/46) and mTORC2-mediated AKT phosphorylation at Ser473, in a concentration-dependent manner. Strikingly, NPV-BEZ235 markedly enhanced the MEK/ERK pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal ERK over-activation coincided with complete inhibition of phosphorylation of AKT and 4E-BP1. ERK over-activation was induced by other PI3K/TOR-KIs, including PKI-587 and GDC-0980. The MEK inhibitors U126 or PD0325901 prevented ERK over-activation induced by PI3K/TOR-KIs. The combination of NPV-BEZ235 and PD0325901 caused a more pronounced inhibition of cell growth than that produced by each inhibitor individually. Mechanistic studies assessing PI3K activity in single PDAC cells indicate that PI3K/TOR-KIs act through a PI3K-independent pathway. Doses of PI3K/TOR-KIs that enhanced MEK/ERK activation coincided with those that inhibited mTORC2-mediated AKT phosphorylation on Ser473, suggesting a role of mTORC2. Knockdown of Rictor via transfection of siRNA markedly attenuated the enhancing effect of NVP-BEZ235 on ERK phosphorylation. We propose that dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors suppress a novel negative feedback loop mediated by mTORC2 thereby leading to enhanced MEK/ERK pathway activity in pancreatic cancer cells. PMID:25673820

  1. Curcumin Induces Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cell Death via Reduction of the Inhibitors of Apoptosis

    PubMed Central

    Osterman, Carlos J. Díaz; Gonda, Amber; Stiff, TessaRae; Sigaran, Ulysses; Valenzuela, Malyn May Asuncion; Bennit, Heather R. Ferguson; Moyron, Ron B.; Khan, Salma; Wall, Nathan R.

    2015-01-01

    Objectives The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins are critical modulators of chemotherapeutic resistance in various cancers. To address the alarming emergence of chemotherapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer, we investigated the efficacy of the turmeric derivative curcumin in reducing IAP protein and mRNA expression resulting in pancreatic cancer cell death. Methods The pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line PANC-1 was used to assess curcumin’s effects in pancreatic cancer. Curcumin uptake was measured by spectral analysis and fluorescence microscopy. AlamarBlue and Trypan blue exclusion assays were used to determine PANC-1 cell viability following curcumin treatment. Visualization of PANC-1 cell death was performed using Hoffman Modulation Contrast microscopy. Western blot and PCR analyses were used to evaluate curcumin’s effects on IAP protein and mRNA expression. Results Curcumin enters PANC-1 cells and is ubiquitously present within the cell following treatment. Furthermore, curcumin reduces cell viability and induces morphological changes characteristic of cell death. Additionally, curcumin decreases IAP protein and mRNA expression in PANC-1 cells. Conclusions These data demonstrate that PANC-1 cells are sensitive to curcumin treatment. Furthermore, curcumin as a potential therapeutic tool for overcoming chemotherapeutic resistance mediated by IAPs, supports a role for curcumin as part of the therapeutic approach for pancreatic cancer. PMID:26348467

  2. Synthetic serine elastase inhibitor reduces cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in guinea pigs.

    PubMed

    Wright, Joanne L; Farmer, Stephen G; Churg, Andrew

    2002-10-01

    To test whether a serine elastase inhibitor could prevent or reduce emphysema, we exposed guinea pigs to cigarette smoke acutely, or daily for 6 months, and treated some animals with the neutrophil elastase inhibitor ZD0892. Acute smoke exposure increased lavage neutrophils and increased desmosine and hydroxyproline, measures of elastin and collagen breakdown; all these measures were reduced by ZD0892. Long-term smoke exposure produced emphysema and increases in lavage neutrophils, desmosine, hydroxyproline, and plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). ZD0892 treatment returned lavage neutrophils, desmosine, and hydroxyproline levels to control values, and decreased airspace enlargement by 45% and TNF-alpha by 30%. Animals exposed to smoke for 4 months and then to smoke plus ZD0892 for 2 months were not protected against emphysema. Mice exposed to smoke showed increases in gene expression of neutrophil chemoattractant macrophage inflammatory protein-2, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, and TNF-alpha at 2 hours along with increased plasma TNF-alpha; ZD0892 prevented the increases in macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 expression and reduced plasma TNF-alpha levels to baseline. These data demonstrate that a serine elastase inhibitor ameliorates the inflammatory and destructive effects of cigarette smoke, and that these effects are mediated in part by neutrophils and by smoke-driven TNF-alpha production.

  3. Neurorestoration induced by the HDAC inhibitor sodium valproate in the lactacystin model of Parkinson’s is associated with histone acetylation and up-regulation of neurotrophic factors

    PubMed Central

    Harrison, Ian F; Crum, William R; Vernon, Anthony C; Dexter, David T

    2015-01-01

    Background and Purpose Histone hypoacetylation is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), due possibly to an imbalance in the activities of enzymes responsible for histone (de)acetylation; correction of which may be neuroprotective/neurorestorative. This hypothesis was tested using the anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate, a known histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI), utilizing a delayed-start study design in the lactacystin rat model of PD. Experimental Approach The irreversible proteasome inhibitor lactacystin was unilaterally injected into the substantia nigra of Sprague–Dawley rats that subsequently received valproate for 28 days starting 7 days after lactacystin lesioning. Longitudinal motor behavioural testing, structural MRI and post-mortem assessment of nigrostriatal integrity were used to track changes in this model of PD and quantify neuroprotection/restoration. Subsequent cellular and molecular analyses were performed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying valproate's effects. Key Results Despite producing a distinct pattern of structural re-modelling in the healthy and lactacystin-lesioned brain, delayed-start valproate administration induced dose-dependent neuroprotection/restoration against lactacystin neurotoxicity, characterized by motor deficit alleviation, attenuation of morphological brain changes and restoration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Molecular analyses revealed that valproate alleviated lactacystin-induced histone hypoacetylation and induced up-regulation of brain neurotrophic/neuroprotective factors. Conclusions and Implications The histone acetylation and up-regulation of neurotrophic/neuroprotective factors associated with valproate treatment culminate in a neuroprotective and neurorestorative phenotype in this animal model of PD. As valproate induced structural re-modelling of the brain, further research is required to determine whether valproate represents a viable candidate for disease treatment; however

  4. Identification of a Novel Topoisomerase Inhibitor Effective in Cells Overexpressing Drug Efflux Transporters

    PubMed Central

    Fayad, Walid; Fryknäs, Mårten; Brnjic, Slavica; Olofsson, Maria Hägg; Larsson, Rolf; Linder, Stig

    2009-01-01

    Background Natural product structures have high chemical diversity and are attractive as lead structures for discovery of new drugs. One of the disease areas where natural products are most frequently used as therapeutics is oncology. Method and Findings A library of natural products (NCI Natural Product set) was screened for compounds that induce apoptosis of HCT116 colon carcinoma cells using an assay that measures an endogenous caspase-cleavage product. One of the apoptosis-inducing compounds identified in the screen was thaspine (taspine), an alkaloid from the South American tree Croton lechleri. The cortex of this tree is used for medicinal purposes by tribes in the Amazonas basin. Thaspine was found to induce conformational activation of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bak and Bax, mitochondrial cytochrome c release and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization in HCT116 cells. Analysis of the gene expression signature of thaspine-treated cells suggested that thaspine is a topoisomerase inhibitor. Inhibition of both topoisomerase I and II was observed using in vitro assays, and thaspine was found to have a reduced cytotoxic effect on a cell line with a mutated topoisomerase II enzyme. Interestingly, in contrast to the topoisomerase II inhibitors doxorubicin, etoposide and mitoxantrone, thaspine was cytotoxic to cell lines overexpressing the PgP or MRP drug efflux transporters. We finally show that thaspine induces wide-spread apoptosis in colon carcinoma multicellular spheroids and that apoptosis is induced in two xenograft mouse models in vivo. Conclusions The alkaloid thaspine from the cortex of Croton lechleri is a dual topoisomerase inhibitor effective in cells overexpressing drug efflux transporters and induces wide-spread apoptosis in multicellular spheroids. PMID:19798419

  5. Identification of highly selective and potent histone deacetylase 3 inhibitors using click chemistry-based combinatorial fragment assembly.

    PubMed

    Suzuki, Takayoshi; Kasuya, Yuki; Itoh, Yukihiro; Ota, Yosuke; Zhan, Peng; Asamitsu, Kaori; Nakagawa, Hidehiko; Okamoto, Takashi; Miyata, Naoki

    2013-01-01

    To find histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3)-selective inhibitors, a series of 504 candidates was assembled using "click chemistry", by reacting nine alkynes bearing a zinc-binding group with 56 azide building blocks in the presence of Cu(I) catalyst. Screening of the 504-member triazole library against HDAC3 and other HDAC isozymes led to the identification of potent and selective HDAC3 inhibitors T247 and T326. These compounds showed potent HDAC3 inhibition with submicromolar IC50s, whereas they did not strongly inhibit other isozymes. Compounds T247 and T326 also induced a dose-dependent selective increase of NF-κB acetylation in human colon cancer HCT116 cells, indicating selective inhibition of HDAC3 in the cells. In addition, these HDAC3-selective inhibitors induced growth inhibition of cancer cells, and activated HIV gene expression in latent HIV-infected cells. These findings indicate that HDAC3-selective inhibitors are promising candidates for anticancer drugs and antiviral agents. This work also suggests the usefulness of the click chemistry approach to find isozyme-selective HDAC inhibitors.

  6. Loss of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins as a determinant of polyamine analog-induced apoptosis in human melanoma cells.

    PubMed

    Chen, Ying; Kramer, Debora L; Li, Fengzhi; Porter, Carl W

    2003-08-07

    We have previously shown that the clinically relevant polyamine analog N1,N11-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) causes rapid apoptosis in human melanoma SK-MEL-28 cells via a series of events that include mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and activation of the caspase cascade. Upstream to these events, DENSPM downregulates polyamine biosynthesis and potently upregulates polyamine catabolism at the level of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT). In searching for downstream effectors that either contribute to or abrogate the apoptotic response, we observed that DENSPM treatment of SK-MEL-28 cells for 30 h led to cytosolic release of Smac/Diablo, a mitochondrial protein known to bind and inhibit the function of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Subsequently, we found that DENSPM markedly lowered survivin and ML-IAP protein (but not XIAP) levels by 18 h via an apparently Smac/Diablo-independent pathway. Proteasome inhibitors fully prevented survivin and ML-IAP protein loss as well as apoptosis, suggesting that the proteasome-mediated degradation of survivin and ML-IAP is causally linked to the cellular outcome. We also observed that structural analogs of DENSPM which differentially induced SSAT and apoptosis lowered survivin and ML-IAP levels in a manner that correlated with enzyme activity. The linkage between IAPs and SSAT was more directly established by the finding that selective prevention of SSAT induction by small interfering RNA prevented survivin and ML-IAP loss as well as apoptosis during DENSPM treatment. Among the melanoma cell lines (SK-MEL-28, MALME-3M, A375 and LOX), survivin degradation correlated temporally with the onset of DENSPM induced apoptosis or growth inhibition. By contrast, ML-IAP degradation occurred only during rapid apoptosis seen in SK-MEL-28 cells. These data suggest a sequence of events whereby DENSPM induction of SSAT leads to loss of IAP proteins and a more fulminate apoptotic response. The findings implicate survivin

  7. The IKK Inhibitor Bay 11-7082 Induces Cell Death Independent from Inhibition of Activation of NFκB Transcription Factors

    PubMed Central

    Rauert-Wunderlich, Hilka; Siegmund, Daniela; Maier, Eduard; Giner, Tina; Bargou, Ralf C.; Wajant, Harald; Stühmer, Thorsten

    2013-01-01

    Multiple myeloma (MM) displays an NFκB activity-related gene expression signature and about 20% of primary MM samples harbor genetic alterations conducive to intrinsic NFκB signaling activation. The relevance of blocking the classical versus the alternative NFκB signaling pathway and the molecular execution mechanisms involved, however, are still poorly understood. Here, we comparatively tested NFκB activity abrogation through TPCA-1 (an IKK2 inhibitor), BAY 11-7082 (an IKK inhibitor poorly selective for IKK1 and IKK2), and MLN4924 (an NEDD8 activating enzyme (NAE)-inhibitor), and analyzed their anti-MM activity. Whereas TPCA-1 interfered selectively with activation of the classical NFκB pathway, the other two compounds inhibited classical and alternative NFκB signaling without significant discrimination. Noteworthy, whereas TPCA-1 and MLN4924 elicited rather mild anti-MM effects with slight to moderate cell death induction after 1 day BAY 11-7082 was uniformly highly toxic to MM cell lines and primary MM cells. Treatment with BAY 11-7082 induced rapid cell swelling and its initial effects were blocked by necrostatin-1 or the ROS scavenger BHA, but a lasting protective effect was not achieved even with additional blockade of caspases. Because MLN4924 inhibits the alternative NFκB pathway downstream of IKK1 at the level of p100 processing, the quite discordant effects between MLN4924 and BAY 11-7082 must thus be due to blockade of IKK1-mediated NFκB-independent necrosis-inhibitory functions or represent an off-target effect of BAY 11-7082. In accordance with the latter, we further observed that concomitant knockdown of IKK1 and IKK2 did not have any major short-term adverse effect on the viability of MM cells. PMID:23527154

  8. Staurosporine induces rapid homotypic intercellular adhesion of U937 cells via multiple kinase activation

    PubMed Central

    Cho, Jae Youl; Katz, David R; Chain, Benjamin M

    2003-01-01

    Staurosporine is a broad-specificity kinase inhibitor, which has acted as lead compound for the development of some novel cytotoxic compounds for treatment of cancer. This study investigates the unexpected observation that staurosporine can also induce homotypic cellular aggregation. In this study, staurosporine is shown to activate rapid homotypic aggregation of U937 cells, at concentrations below those required to induce cell death. This activity is a particular feature of staurosporine, and is not shared by a number of other kinase inhibitors. The proaggregating activity of staurosporine is inhibited by deoxyglucose, cytochalasin B and colchicine. Staurosporine-induced aggregation can be distinguished from that induced by the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate by faster kinetics and insensitivity to cycloheximide. Staurosporine induces translocation of conventional and novel, but not atypical isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC). Aggregation induced by staurosporine is inhibited by a number of inhibitors of PKC isoforms, and by inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases. Staurosporine also induces rapid phosphorylation of ERK and p38, and inhibitors of both these enzymes block aggregation. Staurosporine induces dysregulated activation of multiple kinase signaling pathways in U937 cells, and the combined activity of several of these pathways is essential for the induction of aggregation. PMID:12970105

  9. Neuronal injury-induced expression and release of apolipoprotein E in mixed neuron/glia co-cultures: nuclear factor kappaB inhibitors reduce basal and lesion-induced secretion of apolipoprotein E.

    PubMed

    Petegnief, V; Saura, J; de Gregorio-Rocasolano, N; Paul, S M

    2001-01-01

    In order to better delineate the intracellular signaling pathways underlying glial apolipoprotein E (apoE) expression and release, we have characterized an in vitro model of induction of glial apoE production induced by neuronal death. Exposure of mixed fetal cortical neuron/glia co-cultures to the neurotoxin N-methyl-D-aspartate results in increased apoE expression and release in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Increased expression of apoE messenger RNA precedes the increase in intracellular apoE, followed by accumulation of the holoprotein in the culture medium. Neuronal injury induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate is accompanied by a reactive astrogliosis as measured by an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein messenger RNA and protein at 48 and 72h post-lesion, respectively. A similar microgliosis was observed using the microglial marker ED-1. Neuronal injury-induced glial apoE secretion is attenuated by the nuclear factor kappaB inhibitors, aspirin, Bay 11-7082 and MG-132, suggesting that this transcription factor is involved in both constitutive and induced glial apoE expression. The present data show that up-regulation of apoE is an early event in the glial activation triggered by neurodegeneration in vitro and that activation of nuclear factor kappaB directly or indirectly mediates the increase in apoE expression.

  10. AZD1152, a novel and selective aurora B kinase inhibitor, induces growth arrest, apoptosis, and sensitization for tubulin depolymerizing agent or topoisomerase II inhibitor in human acute leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo.

    PubMed

    Yang, Jing; Ikezoe, Takayuki; Nishioka, Chie; Tasaka, Taizo; Taniguchi, Ayuko; Kuwayama, Yoshio; Komatsu, Naoki; Bandobashi, Kentaro; Togitani, Kazuto; Koeffler, H Phillip; Taguchi, Hirokuni; Yokoyama, Akihito

    2007-09-15

    Aurora kinases play an important role in chromosome alignment, segregation, and cytokinesis during mitosis. We have recently shown that hematopoietic malignant cells including those from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) aberrantly expressed Aurora A and B kinases, and ZM447439, a potent inhibitor of Aurora kinases, effectively induced growth arrest and apoptosis of a variety of leukemia cells. The present study explored the effect of AZD1152, a highly selective inhibitor of Aurora B kinase, on various types of human leukemia cells. AZD1152 inhibited the proliferation of AML lines (HL-60, NB4, MOLM13), ALL line (PALL-2), biphenotypic leukemia (MV4-11), acute eosinophilic leukemia (EOL-1), and the blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells with an IC50 ranging from 3 nM to 40 nM, as measured by thymidine uptake on day 2 of culture. These cells had 4N/8N DNA content followed by apoptosis, as measured by cell-cycle analysis and annexin V staining, respectively. Of note, AZD1152 synergistically enhanced the antiproliferative activity of vincristine, a tubulin depolymerizing agent, and daunorubicin, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, against the MOLM13 and PALL-2 cells in vitro. Furthermore, AZD1152 potentiated the action of vincristine and daunorubicin in a MOLM13 murine xenograft model. Taken together, AZD1152 is a promising new agent for treatment of individuals with leukemia. The combined administration of AZD1152 and conventional chemotherapeutic agent to patients with leukemia warrants further investigation.

  11. Elastase inhibitors as potential therapies for ELANE-associated neutropenia.

    PubMed

    Makaryan, Vahagn; Kelley, Merideth L; Fletcher, Breanna; Bolyard, Audrey Anna; Aprikyan, A Andrew; Dale, David C

    2017-10-01

    Mutations in ELANE , the gene for neutrophil elastase (NE), a protease expressed early in neutrophil development, are the most frequent cause of cyclic (CyN) and severe congenital neutropenia (SCN). We hypothesized that inhibitors of NE, acting either by directly inhibiting enzymatic activity or as chaperones for the mutant protein, might be effective as therapy for CyN and SCN. We investigated β-lactam-based inhibitors of human NE (Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, USA), focusing on 1 inhibitor called MK0339, a potent, orally absorbed agent that had been tested in clinical trials and shown to have a favorable safety profile. Because fresh, primary bone marrow cells are rarely available in sufficient quantities for research studies, we used 3 cellular models: patient-derived, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs); HL60 cells transiently expressing mutant NE; and HL60 cells with regulated expression of the mutant enzyme. In all 3 models, the cells expressing the mutant enzyme had reduced survival as measured with annexin V and FACS. Coincubation with the inhibitors, particularly MK0339, promoted cell survival and increased formation of mature neutrophils. These studies suggest that cell-permeable inhibitors of neutrophil elastase show promise as novel therapies for ELANE -associated neutropenia. © Society for Leukocyte Biology.

  12. Characterization of novel MPS1 inhibitors with preclinical anticancer activity.

    PubMed

    Jemaà, M; Galluzzi, L; Kepp, O; Senovilla, L; Brands, M; Boemer, U; Koppitz, M; Lienau, P; Prechtl, S; Schulze, V; Siemeister, G; Wengner, A M; Mumberg, D; Ziegelbauer, K; Abrieu, A; Castedo, M; Vitale, I; Kroemer, G

    2013-11-01

    Monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1), a mitotic kinase that is overexpressed in several human cancers, contributes to the alignment of chromosomes to the metaphase plate as well as to the execution of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of three novel inhibitors of MPS1 of two independent structural classes, N-(4-{2-[(2-cyanophenyl)amino][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-6-yl}phenyl)-2-phenylacetamide (Mps-BAY1) (a triazolopyridine), N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(2-methylpropyl)amino]-6-(quinolin-5-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (Mps-BAY2a) and N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-(isobutylamino)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (Mps-BAY2b) (two imidazopyrazines). By selectively inactivating MPS1, these small inhibitors can arrest the proliferation of cancer cells, causing their polyploidization and/or their demise. Cancer cells treated with Mps-BAY1 or Mps-BAY2a manifested multiple signs of mitotic perturbation including inefficient chromosomal congression during metaphase, unscheduled SAC inactivation and severe anaphase defects. Videomicroscopic cell fate profiling of histone 2B-green fluorescent protein-expressing cells revealed the capacity of MPS1 inhibitors to subvert the correct timing of mitosis as they induce a premature anaphase entry in the context of misaligned metaphase plates. Hence, in the presence of MPS1 inhibitors, cells either divided in a bipolar (but often asymmetric) manner or entered one or more rounds of abortive mitoses, generating gross aneuploidy and polyploidy, respectively. In both cases, cells ultimately succumbed to the mitotic catastrophe-induced activation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Of note, low doses of MPS1 inhibitors and paclitaxel (a microtubular poison) synergized at increasing the frequency of chromosome misalignments and missegregations in the context of SAC inactivation. This resulted in massive polyploidization followed by the activation of mitotic catastrophe. A

  13. Anchored plasticity opens doors for selective inhibitor design in nitric oxide synthase

    PubMed Central

    Garcin, Elsa D.; Arvai, Andrew S.; Rosenfeld, Robin J.; Kroeger, Matt D.; Crane, Brian R.; Andersson, Gunilla; Andrews, Glen; Hamley, Peter J.; Mallinder, Philip R.; Nicholls, David J.; St-Gallay, Stephen A.; Tinker, Alan C.; Gensmantel, Nigel P.; Mete, Antonio; Cheshire, David R.; Connolly, Stephen; Stuehr, Dennis J.; Åberg, Anders; Wallace, Alan V.; Tainer, John A.; Getzoff, Elizabeth D.

    2008-01-01

    Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes synthesize nitric oxide, a signal for vasodilatation and neurotransmission at low levels, and a defensive cytotoxin at higher levels. The high active-site conservation among all three NOS isozymes hinders the design of selective NOS inhibitors to treat inflammation, arthritis, stroke, septic shock, and cancer. Our structural and mutagenesis results identified an isozyme-specific induced-fit binding mode linking a cascade of conformational changes to a novel specificity pocket. Plasticity of an isozyme-specific triad of distant second- and third-shell residues modulates conformational changes of invariant first-shell residues to determine inhibitor selectivity. To design potent and selective NOS inhibitors, we developed the anchored plasticity approach: anchor an inhibitor core in a conserved binding pocket, then extend rigid bulky substituents towards remote specificity pockets, accessible upon conformational changes of flexible residues. This approach exemplifies general principles for the design of selective enzyme inhibitors that overcome strong active-site conservation. PMID:18849972

  14. The effect of inhibitors of endogenous opioid degradation, bacitracin, bestatin, captopril, and D-phenylalanine, on digoxin-induced arrhythmias in guinea pigs.

    PubMed

    Rabkin, S W; Redston, M

    1989-08-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of inhibition of endogenous opioid degradation on digitalis-induced arrhythmias, utilizing the inhibitors bacitracin, bestatin, captopril, and D-phenylalanine. Guinea pigs, anesthetized with pentobarbital, 50 mg/kg i.p., and breathing spontaneously received intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of bacitracin (6.8 mg/kg), bestatin (1 mg/kg), captopril (2 mg/kg), D-phenylalanine (1.2 mg/kg) or the diluent, saline. Digitalis arrhythmias were induced by a 50 micrograms/kg i.v. bolus of digoxin followed by 500 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 i.v. Bacitracin and bestatin, but not captopril or D-phenylalanine, significantly (p less than 0.05) altered the relationship between the digoxin dose and the first occurrence of arrhythmias, i.e., digoxin-induced ventricular arrhythmias became manifest at lower digoxin doses. The mean digoxin dose and ED50s, at which arrhythmias first occurred, were significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced by bacitracin and bestatin. The findings were similar for fatal arrhythmias, although D-phenylalanine appeared to decrease the digoxin dose at the development of fatal arrhythmias. The opioid antagonist naloxone, in a 50 micrograms/kg bolus and 50 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 i.c.v., completely prevented these effects of bacitracin and reduced the effect of bestatin. The relationship to arrhythmias could not be ascribed to an effect on blood pressure, as the blood pressure response to digoxin was the same in bestatin, D-phenylalanine, and control groups. To examine whether systemic administration of an inhibitor of opioid degradation had similar effects, a second protocol was selected with systemic administration of bacitracin because it altered the dose effect relationship after i.c.v. administration and systemic concentrations could be readily attained. Bacitracin, in a 13.5 mg/kg i.v. bolus and 135 mg.kg-1.h-1 i.v., was followed by 100 micrograms/kg digoxin i.v. every 15 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250

  15. Inducible nitric oxide synthase is key to peroxynitrite-mediated, LPS-induced protein radical formation in murine microglial BV2 cells

    PubMed Central

    Kumar, Ashutosh; Chen, Shih-Heng; Kadiiska, Maria B.; Hong, Jau-Shyong; Zielonka, Jacek; Kalyanaraman, Balaraman; Mason, Ronald P.

    2014-01-01

    Microglia are the resident immune cells in the brain. Microglial activation is characteristic of several inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Though LPS-induced microglial activation in models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is well documented, the free radical-mediated protein radical formation and its underlying mechanism during LPS-induced microglial activation is not known. Here we have used immuno-spin trapping and RNA interference to investigate the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in peroxynitrite-mediated protein radical formation in murine microglial BV2 cells treated with LPS. Treatment of BV2 cells with LPS resulted in morphological changes, induction of iNOS and increased protein radical formation. Pretreatments with FeTPPS (a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst), L-NAME (total NOS inhibitor), 1400W (iNOS inhibitor) and apocynin significantly attenuated LPS-induced protein radical formation and tyrosine nitration. Results obtained with coumarin-7-boronic acid, a highly specific probe for peroxynitrite detection, correlated with LPS-induced tyrosine nitration, which demonstrated involvement of peroxynitrite in protein radical formation. A similar degree of protection conferred by 1400W and L-NAME led us to conclude that only iNOS, and no other forms of NOS, are involved in LPS-induced peroxynitrite formation. Subsequently, siRNA for iNOS, the iNOS-specific inhibitor 1400W, the NF-kB inhibitor PDTC and the P38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190 were used to inhibit iNOS directly or indirectly. Inhibition of iNOS precisely correlated with decreased protein radical formation in LPS-treated BV2 cells. The time course of protein radical formation also matched the time course of iNOS expression. Taken together, these results prove the role of iNOS in peroxynitrite-mediated protein radical formation in LPS-treated microglial BV2 cells. PMID:24746617

  16. Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Signaling Inhibitors-Losartan, Enalapril, and Cardosten-Prevent Infarction-induced Heart Failure Development in Rats.

    PubMed

    Kiss, Krisztina; Fekete, Veronika; Pálóczi, János; Sárközy, Márta; Murlasits, Zsolt; Pipis, Judit; Kheyfets, Irina A; Dugina, Julia L; Sergeeva, Svetlana A; Epstein, Oleg I; Csonka, Csaba; Csont, Tamás; Ferdinandy, Péter; Bencsik, Péter

    2016-01-01

    The activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure, which is the reason that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin 2 receptor blockers (ARBs) have become established therapies for heart failure. However, it is still not known whether preventive treatment with losartan or enalapril can reduce symptoms of infarction-induced heart failure. Ultra-low dose (ULD) drug therapy is thought to exert specific activity, with a lower chance of side effects. OBJECTIVES • The research team had hypothesized that preventive treatment with inhibitors of RAAS signaling-losartan, enalapril, and a preparation of a ULD antibody (ie, cardosten), which target the angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor-might alleviate pathological hypertrophy and/or functional decline in infarction-induced heart failure. The research team treated male Wistar rats orally for 30 d with 20 mg/kg of losartan, 10 mg/kg enalapril, 5 or 7.5 mL/kg of cardosten, or a control solution, started 1 d prior to permanent coronary occlusion. A sham-operated group functioned as a second control group. The study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Szeged in Szeged, Hungary, in cooperation with the Pharmahungary Group, also in Szeged, Hungary, and with OOO "NPF" Materia Medica Holding Ltd in Moscow, Russia. To determine cardiac functional parameters in vivo, the research team inserted a catheter into the left ventricle of the rats and measured the parameters of ventricular pressure, and cardiac output was determined by thermodilution. Morphological parameters were measured after heart isolation in transverse sections by a digital caliper. A total of 30 d after permanent coronary ligation, both losartan and enalapril, significantly decreased mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), attenuated the development of the left-ventricular anterior-wall and septum

  17. Protective effects of carbenoxolone, an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, against chemical induced dry eye syndrome.

    PubMed

    Na, Yoon-Ju; Choi, Kyoung-Jin; Park, Sung Bum; Sung, Hye-Rim; Jung, Won Hoon; Kim, Hee Youn; Rhee, Sang Dal; Kim, Ki Young

    2017-11-01

    Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a disorder of the eye due to tear deficiency or excessive evaporation that causes damage to the eye and is associated with discomfort and dryness. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) is an enzyme that converts inactive cortisone to active cortisol. Recently, 11β-HSD1 has been expressed in human and rodent eyes and has been recognized as a target of glaucoma. In this study, the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of topical carbenoxolone, an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, were investigated in benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-treated human conjunctival epithelial cells and a rat DES model. In the in vitro study, carbenoxolone dose-dependently inhibited cell death and 11β-HSD1 activity in BAC-treated human conjunctival epithelial cells. For the in vivo study, carbenoxolone or a solvent was administered to the BAC-induced DES model twice daily. BAC-treated rat eyes showed significant increases in ocular surface damage, a reduction of tears, decrease corneal thickness, corneal basement membrane destruction, apoptosis in the conjunctival epithelium, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and 11β-HSD1. These effects of BAC were reversed by topical carbenoxolone treatment. These results demonstrate that carbenoxolone can prevent DES by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and cell death of the corneal and conjunctival epithelium via inhibition of both 11β-HSD1 activity and expression in the eyes of BAC-treated rats. It is suggested that topical 11β-HSD1 inhibitors may provide a new therapeutic window in the prevention and/or treatment of DES.

  18. Inhibition of Heat-Stable Toxin-Induced Intestinal Salt and Water Secretion by a Novel Class of Guanylyl Cyclase C Inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Bijvelds, Marcel J C; Loos, Michaela; Bronsveld, Inez; Hellemans, Ann; Bongartz, Jean-Pierre; Ver Donck, Luc; Cox, Eric; de Jonge, Hugo R; Schuurkes, Jan A J; De Maeyer, Joris H

    2015-12-01

    Many enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains produce the heat-stable toxin, STa, which, by activation of the intestinal receptor-enzyme guanylyl cyclase (GC) C, triggers an acute, watery diarrhea. We set out to identify GCC inhibitors that may be of benefit for the treatment of infectious diarrheal disease. Compounds that inhibit STa-induced cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) production were selected by performing cyclase assays on cells and membranes containing GCC, or the related GCA. The effect of leads on STa/GCC-dependent activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator anion channel was investigated in T84 cells, and in porcine and human intestinal tissue. Their effect on STa-provoked fluid transport was assessed in ligated intestinal loops in piglets. Four N-2-(propylamino)-6-phenylpyrimidin-4-one-substituted piperidines were shown to inhibit GCC-mediated cellular cGMP production. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations were ≤ 5 × 10(-7) mol/L, whereas they were >10 times higher for GCA. In T84 monolayers, these leads blocked STa/GCC-dependent, but not forskolin/adenylyl cyclase-dependent, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator activity. GCC inhibition reduced STa-provoked anion secretion in pig jejunal tissue, and fluid retention and cGMP levels in STa-exposed loops. These GCC inhibitors blocked STa-provoked anion secretion in rectal biopsy specimens. We have identified a novel class of GCC inhibitors that may form the basis for development of future therapeutics for (infectious) diarrheal disease. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  19. Surmounting the resistance against EGFR inhibitors through the development of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Milik, Sandra N; Abdel-Aziz, Amal Kamal; Lasheen, Deena S; Serya, Rabah A T; Minucci, Saverio; Abouzid, Khaled A M

    2018-06-06

    In light of the emergence of resistance against the currently available EGFR inhibitors, our study focuses on tackling this problem through the development of dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitors with improved enzymatic affinities. Guided by the binding mode of the marketed dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitor, Lapatinib, we proposed the design of dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitors based on the 6-phenylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine as a core scaffold and hinge binder. After two cycles of screening aiming to identify the optimum aniline headgroup and solubilizing group, we eventually identified 27b as a dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitor with IC 50 values of 91.7 nM and 1.2 μM, respectively. Notably, 27b dramatically reduced the viability of various patient-derived cancer cells preferentially overexpressing EGFR/HER2 (A431, MDA-MBA-361 and SKBr3 with IC 50 values of 1.45, 3.5 and 4.83 μM, respectively). Additionally, 27b efficiently thwarted the proliferation of lapatinib-resistant human non-small lung carcinoma (NCI-H1975) cells, harboring T790 M mutation, with IC 50 of 4.2 μM. Consistently, 27b significantly blocked EGF-induced EGFR activation and inactivated its downstream AKT/mTOR/S6 signalling pathway triggering apoptotic cell death in NCI-H1975 cells. The present study presents a promising candidate for further design and development of novel EGFR/HER2 inhibitors capable of overcoming EGFR TKIs resistance. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  20. Effect of a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor and leukotriene antagonist (PF 5901) on antigen-induced airway responses in neonatally immunized rabbits.

    PubMed Central

    Herd, C. M.; Donigi-Gale, D.; Shoupe, T. S.; Burroughs, D. A.; Yeadon, M.; Page, C. P.

    1994-01-01

    1. The effect of a single intratracheal dose (10 mg) of PF 5901 (2-[3(1-hydroxyhexyl) phenoxymethyl] quinoline hydrochloride, a specific inhibitor of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism and a leukotriene D4 antagonist) on airway changes induced in response to Alternaria tenuis aerosol challenge was assessed in adult rabbits neonatally immunized. Leukotriene generation was determined in vivo by measuring leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and ex vivo by measuring calcium ionophore-stimulated production of LTB4 in whole blood. 2. While PF 5901 (10 mg) had no significant effect on the acute bronchoconstriction induced by antigen, this dose was sufficient to inhibit significantly the increase in airway responsiveness to inhaled histamine 24 h following antigen challenge (P < 0.05). 3. Total leucocyte infiltration into the airways induced by antigen, as assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage, was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with PF 5901 (10 mg). However, the pulmonary infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils induced by antigen was unaltered by prior treatment with PF 5901 (10 mg). 4. PF 5901 (10 mg) had no effect on ex vivo LTB4 synthesis in whole blood. However, the antigen-induced increase in LTB4 levels in BAL 24 h following challenge was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). 5. We suggest from the results of the present study that the antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled histamine in immunized rabbits is mediated, at least in part, by products of the 5-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway, and is not dependent on the extent of eosinophil or neutrophil influx into the airway lumen. PMID:8032653