Stereoselectivity at the beta2-adrenoceptor on macrophages is a major determinant of the anti-inflammatory effects of beta2-agonists.

Previous research has shown that beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR) agonists have potent anti-inflammatory capabilities, e.g. represented by suppression of release of the proinflammatory cytokines. Aim of this research was to determine whether the effects of beta-agonists on LPS-induced TNFalpha and IL-10 release are influenced by their different stereochemistry. In addition, the role of the beta-AR subtypes was studied. The effect of two stereoisomers of the selective beta2-AR agonist TA2005 [(R,R)- and (S,S)-] on the LPS-induced TNFalpha and IL-10 release by U937 macrophages was compared. The (R,R)-stereoisomer was 277 times more potent in inhibiting the TNFalpha release than the (S,S)-form. The (R,R)-stereoisomer also appeared to be more potent in increasing the IL-10 release. In radioligand binding studies the affinity of (R,R)-TA2005 for the beta-adrenoceptor was 755 times higher than the (S,S)-TA2005 stereoisomer. In addition, the elevation of intracellular cAMP in U937 cells appeared to be stereoselective: (R,R)-TA2005 was more potent in elevating intracellular cAMP. The effect of both stereoisomers on the LPS-induced TNFalpha release could almost completely be antagonized by preincubation with the selective beta2-AR-antagonist ICI-118551. Further evidence that the effect of the beta-agonists is mediated via the beta2-adrenoceptor subtype exclusively was acquired by incubation of U937 cells with selective beta1- and beta3-agonists. None of these receptor subtype agonists showed significant suppressive effect on TNFalpha release. This study provides additional proof that the anti-inflammatory effects of beta2-agonists are mediated via the beta2-adrenoceptor and indicates that these effects are highly dependent on the stereoselectivity of the ligand.

Suppression of the acute inflammatory response of porcine alveolar- and liver macrophages.

During infection and inflammation drug disposition and hepatic metabolism are markedly affected in mammals. Pro-inflammatory mediators play an important role in the suppression of (cytochrome-P450-mediated) drug metabolism. Inflammatory mediators like cytokines, nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and eicosanoids are released by activated macrophages from various sources, including liver and lung. It was the aim of this study to investigate ways to suppress the activation of macrophages during the onset of the inflammatory cascade. Therefore porcine lung and liver macrophages were isolated, and incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to initiate an acute inflammatory response, represented by the release of high amounts of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) into the culture medium. Additionally the primary macrophages were coincubated with phosphodiesterase-IV-(PDE-IV)-inhibitors or beta-adrenoceptor agonists that in previous studies demonstrated strong suppressive effects on TNF-alpha release. Especially the beta-adrenoceptor agonists showed to be very potent TNF-alpha suppressants, which indicates that the beta-adrenoceptor might be an interesting target for suppression of activation of macrophages. This was strengthened by the observation that the beta-adrenoceptor expression was not altered during the onset of the inflammatory cascade.

The beta-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol is a potent inhibitor of the LPS-induced production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To investigate the suppressive effects of the beta-agonist clenbuterol on the release of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-model of inflammation, both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIAL AND SUBJECTS: Human U-937 cell line (monocyte-derived macrophages), and male Wistar rats (200-250 g). TREATMENT: U-937 macrophages were incubated with LPS at 1 microg/ml, with or without 1.0 mM-0.1 nM test drugs (clenbuterol and other cAMP elevating agents) for 1-24 h. Rats were administered either 1 or 10 microg/kg clenbuterol (or saline) orally, 1 h before intraperitoneal administration of 2 mg/kg LPS. METHODS AND RESULTS: TNF-alpha and IL-6 time-concentration profiles were determined both in culture media and plasma, using ELISA' s and bioassays. LPS-mediated release of both cytokines was significantly suppressed by clenbuterol. CONCLUSIONS: The beta-agonist clenbuterol very potently suppresses the LPS-induced release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 both in vitro and in vivo.

The preparation, solubilisation and binding characteristics of a beta 2-adrenoceptor isolated from transfected Chinese hamster cells.

beta 2-Adrenoceptor agonists (beta-agonists) are well known for their growth promoting and repartitioning effects in many species. Although the use of these compounds to increase muscle mass in stockfarming is prohibited within the EU, under directive 96/22/EC, significant illegal use still occurs. With legal and illegal synthesis of new structurally related compounds, the detection of traditional beta-agonists and new derivatives becomes increasingly problematical. This method describes the isolation and solubilisation of a beta 2-adrenoceptor from a transfected Chinese hamster ovary cell line, using the detergent digitonin. The solubilised receptor retained its activity and was isolated from the cell membrane at a concentration of 550 +/- 100 fmol mg-1 of solubilised protein. Competition analysis using the tritiated antagonist dihydroalprenolol revealed receptor affinity for five structurally different beta-agonists, with IC50 values ranging from 2.1 +/- 0.76 x 10(-7) M for salmeterol to 1.1 +/- 0.62 x 10(-5) M for ractopamine. This study has demonstrated that transfected cell lines with a high expression of beta 2-adrenoceptors are a convenient source of active receptor material. Solubilised beta 2-adrenoceptors could form the basis of a multi-analyte screening assay for use in routine screening.

Participation of beta-adrenergic receptors on macrophages in modulation of LPS-induced cytokine release.

For several years it is known that beta-adrenergic receptor agonists have anti-inflammatory effects. However, little is known about the role of beta-adrenergic receptors on macrophages in the modulation of cytokine production by beta-agonists during inflammation. In this study, the presence of beta-receptors on PMA-differentiated U937 human macrophages, and the participation of these receptors in the modulation of LPS-mediated cytokine production by beta-agonists was investigated. Total beta-receptor expression on undifferentiated (monocyte) and PMA-differentiated U937 cells was established using receptor binding studies on membrane fractions with a radio ligand. The expression of beta-receptors proved to be significantly lower on monocytes than on macrophages, additionally a predominant expression of beta 2-receptors was found. Production of the cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 by LPS-stimulated differentiated U937 cells was measured in time. Peak concentrations for TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 occurred at 3, 12 and 9 hrs, respectively. When differentiated U937 cells were incubated with both LPS and the beta-agonist clenbuterol the production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 was significantly reduced. However the production of IL-10 was increased. To study the mechanism of modulation of cytokine production in more detail, U937 macrophages were incubated with LPS/clenbuterol in combination with selective beta 1- and beta 2-antagonists. These results indicated that the beta 2- and not the beta 1-receptor is involved in the anti-inflammatory activity of clenbuterol.

Endotoxin-induced liver damage in rats is minimized by beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulation.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To investigate the effects of beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)-AR) stimulation on endotoxin-induced liver damage and systemic cytokine levels in rats. SUBJECTS: Standard male Wistar rats. TREATMENT: A disease-model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute systemic inflammation was used. The beta(2)-selective AR agonist clenbuterol was administered before, during, and after LPS-challenge to investigate its effects on the acute inflammatory response and associated liver-failure. METHODS: The following parameters have been measured in plasma: TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, AST, ALT, and Bilirubin. Liver histological examination was performed to look for changes in tissue morphology. RESULTS: Administration of clenbuterol (p.o.) one hour before, or intravenous at the same time as LPS-challenge resulted in a marked reduction of plasma levels of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6. A change both in plasma-level and in time-concentration profile of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was found. Clenbuterol minimized LPS-induced liver damage, as represented by significantly lowered concentrations of several parameters for liver-failure (AST, ALT, Bilirubin), and improved hepatic tissue morphology. Clenbuterol administration after LPS challenge failed to inhibit TNF alpha-release but reduced liver-damage. Simultaneous use of the beta(2)-AR antagonist propranolol augmented LPS-induced liver failure, suggesting a role of endogenous adrenoceptor-agonists in prevention of organ-failure during systemic inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that a selective beta(2)-AR agonist might be used as an additional therapeutic agent in the clinic for the treatment of (acute) systemic inflammatory disorders in order to reduce or prevent subsequent liver failure.