Allosteric Optical Control of a Class B G-Protein-Coupled Receptor.

Allosteric regulation promises to open up new therapeutic avenues by increasing drug specificity at G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). However, drug discovery efforts are at present hampered by an inability to precisely control the allosteric site. Herein, we describe the design, synthesis, and testing of PhotoETP, a light-activated positive allosteric modulator of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a class B GPCR involved in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis in humans. PhotoETP potentiates Ca(2+) , cAMP, and insulin responses to glucagon-like peptide-1 and its metabolites following illumination of cells with blue light. PhotoETP thus provides a blueprint for the production of small-molecule class B GPCR allosteric photoswitches, and may represent a useful tool for understanding positive cooperativity at the GLP-1R.

Optical Control of Insulin Secretion Using an Incretin Switch.

Incretin mimetics are set to become a mainstay of type 2 diabetes treatment. By acting on the pancreas and brain, they potentiate insulin secretion and induce weight loss to preserve normoglycemia. Despite this, incretin therapy has been associated with off-target effects, including nausea and gastrointestinal disturbance. A novel photoswitchable incretin mimetic based upon the specific glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist liraglutide was designed, synthesized, and tested. This peptidic compound, termed LirAzo, possesses an azobenzene photoresponsive element, affording isomer-biased GLP-1R signaling as a result of differential activation of second messenger pathways in response to light. While the trans isomer primarily engages calcium influx, the cis isomer favors cAMP generation. LirAzo thus allows optical control of insulin secretion and cell survival.

Interrogating surface versus intracellular transmembrane receptor populations using cell-impermeable SNAP-tag substrates.

Employing self-labelling protein tags for the attachment of fluorescent dyes has become a routine and powerful technique in optical microscopy to visualize and track fused proteins. However, membrane permeability of the dyes and the associated background signals can interfere with the analysis of extracellular labelling sites. Here we describe a novel approach to improve extracellular labelling by functionalizing the SNAP-tag substrate benzyl guanine ("BG") with a charged sulfonate ("SBG"). This chemical manipulation can be applied to any SNAP-tag substrate, improves solubility, reduces non-specific staining and renders the bioconjugation handle impermeable while leaving its cargo untouched. We report SBG-conjugated fluorophores across the visible spectrum, which cleanly label SNAP-fused proteins in the plasma membrane of living cells. We demonstrate the utility of SBG-conjugated fluorophores to interrogate class A, B and C G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using a range of imaging approaches including nanoscopic superresolution imaging, analysis of GPCR trafficking from intra- and extracellular pools, in vivo labelling in mouse brain and analysis of receptor stoichiometry using single molecule pull down.

Author Correction: Super-resolution microscopy compatible fluorescent probes reveal endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor distribution and dynamics.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Super-resolution microscopy compatible fluorescent probes reveal endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor distribution and dynamics.

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) is a class B G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in metabolism. Presently, its visualization is limited to genetic manipulation, antibody detection or the use of probes that stimulate receptor activation. Herein, we present LUXendin645, a far-red fluorescent GLP1R antagonistic peptide label. LUXendin645 produces intense and specific membrane labeling throughout live and fixed tissue. GLP1R signaling can additionally be evoked when the receptor is allosterically modulated in the presence of LUXendin645. Using LUXendin645 and LUXendin651, we describe islet, brain and hESC-derived ß-like cell GLP1R expression patterns, reveal higher-order GLP1R organization including membrane nanodomains, and track single receptor subpopulations. We furthermore show that the LUXendin backbone can be optimized for intravital two-photon imaging by installing a red fluorophore. Thus, our super-resolution compatible labeling probes allow visualization of endogenous GLP1R, and provide insight into class B GPCR distribution and dynamics both in vitro and in vivo.

Immunosuppression by mesenchymal stromal cells: from culture to clinic.

Extensive in vitro studies have shown that multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) can exert profound immunosuppressive effects via modulation of both cellular and innate immune pathways. Their ability to be readily isolated from a number of tissues and expanded ex vivo makes them attractive candidates for systemic immunosuppressive therapy. In this article, we will review recent experimental data on the mechanisms by which MSC inhibit the alloproliferative response and the clinical relevance for their potential use in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, solid organ transplantation, and treatment of autoimmune diseases. While in vitro data consistently demonstrate the immunosuppressive capability of MSC, current studies in animals and humans suggest that MSC are less effective in producing systemic immunosuppression. Further mechanistic studies and randomized controlled trials using standardized cell populations are needed to define the optimal conditions for the use of MSC as immunotherapy.

Characterization of a mesenchymal-like stem cell population from osteophyte tissue.

Osteophytes are a distinct feature of osteoarthritis (OA). Their formation may be related to pluripotential cells in the periosteum responding to stimulus during OA. This study aimed to isolate stem cells from osteophyte tissues and to characterize their phenotype, proliferation, and differentiation potential, as well as their immunomodulatory properties. Osteophyte-derived cells were isolated from osteophyte tissue samples collected during knee replacement surgery. These cells were characterized by the expression of cell-surface antigens, differentiation potential into mesenchymal lineages, growth kinetics, and modulation of alloimmune responses. Multipotential stem cells were identified from all osteophyte samples, namely osteophyte-derived mesenchymal stem cells (oMSCs). The surface antigen expression of oMSCs was consistent with that of MSCs; they lacked the hematopoietic and common leukocyte markers (CD34, CD45) while expressing those related to adhesion (CD29, CD166, CD44) and stem cells (CD90, CD105, CD73). The proliferation capacity of oMSCs in culture was superior to that of bone marrow-derived MSCs (bMSCs), and these cells readily differentiated into tissues of the mesenchymal lineages. oMSCs also demonstrated the ability to suppress allogeneic T cell proliferation, which was associated with the expression of the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Our results showed that osteophyte-derived cells had similar properties to MSCs in the expression of antigen phenotype, differential potential, and suppression of alloimmune response. Furthermore, when compared to bMSCs, oMSCs maintained a higher proliferative capacity, which may offer new insights of the tissue formation and potentially an alternative source for therapeutic stem cell-based tissue regeneration.

Conditional and Reversible Activation of Class A and B G Protein-Coupled Receptors Using Tethered Pharmacology.

Understanding the activation and internalization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using conditional approaches is paramount to developing new therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the design, synthesis, and testing of ExONatide, a benzylguanine-linked peptide agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a class B GPCR required for maintenance of glucose levels in humans. ExONatide covalently binds to SNAP-tagged GLP-1R-expressing cells, leading to prolonged cAMP generation, Ca2+ rises, and intracellular retention of the receptor. These effects were readily switched OFF following cleavage of the introduced disulfide bridge using the cell-permeable reducing agent beta-mercaptoethanol (BME). A similar approach could be extended to a class A GPCR using GhrelON, a benzylguanine-linked peptide agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a), which is involved in food intake and growth. Thus, ExONatide and GhrelON allow SNAP-tag-directed activation of class A and B GPCRs involved in gut hormone signaling in a reversible manner. This tactic, termed reductively cleavable agONist (RECON), may be useful for understanding GLP-1R and GHS-R1a function both in vitro and in vivo, with applicability across GPCRs.

Potent Prearranged Positive Allosteric Modulators of the Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor.

Drugs that allosterically modulate G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activity display higher specificity and may improve disease treatment. However, the rational design of compounds that target the allosteric site is difficult, as conformations required for receptor activation are poorly understood. Guided by photopharmacology, a set of prearranged positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) with restricted degrees of freedom was designed and tested against the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a GPCR involved in glucose homeostasis. Compounds incorporating a trans-stilbene comprehensively outperformed those with a cis-stilbene, as well as the benchmark BETP, as GLP-1R PAMs. We also identified major effects of ligand conformation on GLP-1R binding kinetics and signal bias. Thus, we describe a photopharmacology-directed approach for rational drug design, and introduce a new class of stilbene-containing PAM for the specific regulation of GPCR activity.

The preanalytical stability of glucagon as measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and two commercially available immunoassays.

Background One of the main challenges in the measurement of glucagon is the premise that it is unstable in human plasma. Traditionally, protease inhibitors have been used to prevent its degradation; however, their use is controversial. Here, we investigated the optimal method of sample collection for glucagon, with measurement by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and two commercially available immunoassays. Methods Blood from healthy fasting volunteers (n = 10) was processed under a variety of preanalytical conditions including collection in EDTA vs. lithium heparin tubes and the addition of aprotinin and/or a dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPPIV) inhibitor. Additionally, the effect of freeze thaw was assessed. Plasma glucagon concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS and two commercially available immunoassays (HTRF® sandwich immunoassay, Cisbio and Milliplex MAP Human Metabolic Hormone Panel, Merck Millipore). Results A systematic bias of Milliplex > LC-MS/MS > HTRF was noted and plasma glucagon concentrations were significantly different between methods (Milliplex vs. LC-MS/MS P < 0.01; Milliplex vs. HTRF P < 0.0001; LC-MS/MS vs. HTRF P < 0.001). The addition of aprotinin, DPPIV inhibitor or a combination of aprotinin and DPPIV inhibitor had no effect on plasma glucagon concentrations when compared to 'non-stabilized' samples or each other. Whether samples were taken in EDTA tubes or lithium heparin tubes made no difference to plasma glucagon concentrations. These findings were consistent for all three methods. Plasma glucagon concentrations were not significantly different after two freeze-thaw cycles (performed on samples in EDTA tubes containing aprotinin and DPPIV inhibitor). Conclusions This study demonstrates that glucagon is stable in both EDTA and lithium heparin tubes when stored at -80℃. Furthermore, the addition of aprotinin and DPPIV inhibitors is unnecessary.

RAMP2 Influences Glucagon Receptor Pharmacology via Trafficking and Signaling.

Endogenous satiety hormones provide an attractive target for obesity drugs. Glucagon causes weight loss by reducing food intake and increasing energy expenditure. To further understand the cellular mechanisms by which glucagon and related ligands activate the glucagon receptor (GCGR), we investigated the interaction of the GCGR with receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP)2, a member of the family of receptor activity modifying proteins. We used a combination of competition binding experiments, cell surface enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, functional assays assessing the Gαs and Gαq pathways and ß-arrestin recruitment, and small interfering RNA knockdown to examine the effect of RAMP2 on the GCGR. Ligands tested were glucagon; glucagonlike peptide-1 (GLP-1); oxyntomodulin; and analog G(X), a GLP-1/glucagon coagonist developed in-house. Confocal microscopy was used to assess whether RAMP2 affects the subcellular distribution of GCGR. Here we demonstrate that coexpression of RAMP2 and the GCGR results in reduced cell surface expression of the GCGR. This was confirmed by confocal microscopy, which demonstrated that RAMP2 colocalizes with the GCGR and causes significant GCGR cellular redistribution. Furthermore, the presence of RAMP2 influences signaling through the Gαs and Gαq pathways, as well as recruitment of ß-arrestin. This work suggests that RAMP2 may modify the agonist activity and trafficking of the GCGR, with potential relevance to production of new peptide analogs with selective agonist activities.

The New Era of Drug Therapy for Obesity: The Evidence and the Expectations.

There is an urgent need for effective pharmacological therapies to help tackle the growing obesity epidemic and the healthcare crisis it poses. The past 3 years have seen approval of a number of novel anti-obesity drugs. The majority of these influence hypothalamic appetite pathways via dopaminergic or serotoninergic signalling. Some are combination therapies, allowing lower doses to minimize the potential for off-target effects. An alternative approach is to mimic endogenous satiety signals using long-lasting forms of peripheral appetite-suppressing hormones. There is also considerable interest in targeting thermogenesis by brown adipose tissue to increase resting energy expenditure. Obesity pharmacotherapy has seen several false dawns, but improved understanding of the pathways regulating energy balance, and better-designed trials, give many greater confidence that recently approved agents will be both efficacious and safe. Nevertheless, a number of issues from preclinical and clinical development continue to attract debate, and additional large-scale trials are still required to address areas of uncertainty.

Obstacles and future of gene therapy for hemophilia.

INTRODUCTION: The recent success of early-phase clinical trials for adeno-associated viral (AAV) liver-directed gene therapy for hemophilia B (HB) demonstrates the potential for gene therapy, in the future, to succeed protein-based prophylaxis therapy for HB. Significant obstacles, however, need to be overcome prior to widespread adoption. The largest obstacles include immune responses to the AAV capsid including preexisting neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and a delayed cellular immune response. Emerging evidence suggests that the latter is vector-dose dependent. Furthermore, the development and eradication of inhibitors remains a significant safety concern. Similarly, biological differences between Factor VIII and Factor IX (FIX) impose challenges to direct adoption of the successes for HB to hemophilia A (HA). AREAS COVERED: The advantages and limitations of the current strategies addressing these obstacles for gene therapy for HB and HA are discussed, as well as vector manufacturing issues relevant to widespread adoption. Alternative strategies including both ex-vivo and in-vivo lentiviral-based methods are discussed, though we focus on AAV-based approaches because of their recent clinical success and potential. EXPERT OPINION: Our opinion is that these obstacles can be overcome with current approaches, and AAV-based gene therapy for HB will likely translate into future clinical care. Innovative approaches are, however, likely needed to solve the current problems obstructing HA gene therapy.

Postnatal epithelial growth of the small intestine in the rat occurs by both crypt fission and crypt hyperplasia.

Studies of growth of the small intestine have largely concentrated on crypt hyperplasia rather than crypt fission. The aim of this study was to investigate quantitatively both crypt fission and crypt hyperplasia. DAxPVG/c rats were killed at 7, 11, 14, 17, 19, 21, 25, 55, and 72-73 days of life. Samples of jejunum at one third of the intestinal length were taken for morphometry (villous area, crypt area, percentage of bifid crypts, and crypt mitotic count) by microdissection. Growth factors and their receptors were assessed by oligonucleotide microarray. Crypt fission was 10.5%, 5.2%, and 1.5% at days 11, 25, and 72-73 of life, respectively. Crypt hyperplasia increased from day 21. No conventional growth factor was identified during crypt fission. We conclude that crypt fission contributes to growth of the small intestine prior to weaning and crypt hyperplasia to growth after weaning.

Interactions between nitric oxide and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a heme-containing enzyme, which catalyzes the initial and rate-determining step of L-tryptophan (L-Trp) metabolism via the kynurenine pathway in nonhepatic tissues. Similar to inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IDO is induced by interferon-gamma and lipopolysaccharide in the inflammatory response. In vivo studies indicate that the nitric oxide (NO) produced by iNOS inhibits IDO activity by directly interacting with it and by promoting its degradation through the proteasome pathway. In this work, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between NO and human recombinant IDO (hIDO) were systematically studied with optical absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopies. Resonance Raman data show that the heme prosthetic group in the NO-bound hIDO is situated in a unique protein environment and adopts an out-of-plane deformed geometry that is sensitive to L-Trp binding. Under mildly acidic conditions, the proximal heme iron-His bond is prone to rupture, resulting in a five-coordinate (5C) NO-bound species. The bond breakage reaction induces significant conformational changes in the protein matrix, which may account for the NO-induced inactivation of hIDO and its enhanced proteasome-linked degradation in vivo. Moreover, it was found that the NO-induced bond breakage reaction occurs more rapidly in the ferrous protein than in the ferric protein and is fully inhibited by L-Trp binding. The spectroscopic data presented here not only provide the first glimpse of the possible regulatory mechanism of hIDO by NO in the cell at the molecular level, but they also suggest that the NO-dependent regulation can be modulated by cellular factors, such as the NO abundance, pH, redox environment, and L-Trp availability.

Dynamic two-axis curvature measurement using multicore fiber Bragg gratings interrogated by arrayed waveguide gratings.

We describe the use of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) in the interrogation of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) for dynamic strain measurement. The ratiometric AWG output was calibrated in a static deflection experiment over a +/-200 microepsilon range. Dynamic strain measurement was demonstrated with a FBG in a conventional single-mode fiber mounted on the surface of a vibrating cantilever and on a piezoelectric actuator, giving a resolution of 0.5 microepsilon at 2.4 kHz. We present results of this technique extended to measure the dynamic differential strain between two FBG pairs within a multicore fiber. An arbitrary cantilever oscillation of the multicore fiber was determined from curvature measurements in two orthogonal axes at 1125 Hz with a resolution of 0.05 m(-1).