Structure-activity relationships of lysophosphatidylserine analogs as agonists of G-protein-coupled receptors GPR34, P2Y10, and GPR174.

Lysophosphatidylserine (LysoPS) is an endogenous lipid mediator generated by hydrolysis of membrane phospholipid phosphatidylserine. Recent ligand screening of orphan G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) identified two LysoPS-specific human GPCRs, namely, P2Y10 (LPS2) and GPR174 (LPS3), which, together with previously reported GPR34 (LPS1), comprise a LysoPS receptor family. Herein, we examined the structure-activity relationships of a series of synthetic LysoPS analogues toward these recently deorphanized LysoPS receptors, based on the idea that LysoPS can be regarded as consisting of distinct modules (fatty acid, glycerol, and l-serine) connected by phosphodiester and ester linkages. Starting from the endogenous ligand (1-oleoyl-LysoPS, 1), we optimized the structure of each module and the ester linkage. Accordingly, we identified some structural requirements of each module for potency and for receptor subtype selectivity. Further assembly of individually structure-optimized modules yielded a series of potent and LysoPS receptor subtype-selective agonists, particularly for P2Y10 and GPR174.

Clinical analysis of 50 children with juvenile dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a retrospective review of medical records to assess the clinical characteristics of 50 Japanese children with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). METHODS: Fourteen boys and 36 girls who visited Yokohama City University Hospital between 1983 and 2008 were enrolled. Gender, age at disease onset and diagnosis, presenting clinical features, laboratory data at onset, complications, treatment, and outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: Mean age at disease onset was 6.9 years. Clinical manifestations at the first visit were muscle pain and/or weakness (90 %), malar rash (90 %), Gottron's papules (86 %), and heliotrope rash (80.0 %). Elevated serum levels of creatine kinase were found in 57.0 % of patients and aldolase in 95 %. T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images with fat suppression demonstrated positive findings in 89.5 % of patients. Initial treatment was prednisolone (PSL) orally or pulsed methylprednisolone (mPSL) i.v. Pulsed mPSL therapy showed efficacy superior to PSL [flare in 8 of 19 (42 %) vs. 18 of 25 (72 %)]. Children refractory to initial treatment were given additional pulsed mPSL and/or cyclophosphamide (IVCY; n = 19) i.v.. Four patients with interstitial pneumonia responded well to IVCY. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the notion that JDM might be considered as both a systemic inflammatory and noninflammatory vasculopathy best treated by IVCY, as shown in previous literature.

Effect of anakinra on arthropathy in CINCA/NOMID syndrome.

CINCA/NOMID is an autoinflammatory disorder characterized by the triad of neonatal onset of cutaneous symptoms, chronic meningitis, and recurrent fever and it presents with distinctive osteoarthropathy, synovitis mainly of the large joints and overgrowth of epimetaphyseal cartilage, particularly of the long bones. The cartilage overgrowth eventually causes osseous overgrowth and deformity that persists beyond skeletal maturity and leads to limb length discrepancy, joint contracture, and early degenerative arthropathy. Autoinflammation in CAPS/NOMID has been proven to derive from excessive release of interleukin-1 (IL-1). It has been well documented that the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra (Kineret(R)) helps mitigate systemic inflammation in the disorder. However, a general consensus has not been reached on its beneficial effect on osteoarthropathy. The case of a girl with CINCA/NOMID syndrome who showed dramatic improvement of osteoarthropathy after anakinra treatment is reported. A 4-year-old girl suffered at the age of 10 months from a generalized urticarial skin lesion with recurrent episodes of fever and growth disorder. Blood examination revealed persistent massive neutrophilia, anemia and intense acute phase response. She manifested knee joint swelling with limited ROM when she was 20 months old and was diagnosed as being CINCA/NOMID based on characteristic findings of radiograph despite negative CIAS1 mutation. Radiological examination demonstrated metaphyseal fraying and cupping and widening of the growth plate in the distal femur. MR imaging showed mottled gadolinium enhancement at the chondrosseous junction. Neither significant joint effusion nor synovitis was identified. At 2 years and 7 months of age, anakinra, 2 mg/kg/day given by regular daily subcutaneous injections, was started. A few days after the initiation of the treatment, her clinical symptoms and laboratory findings of active inflammation were promptly alleviated. She was not able to walk unaided prior to the treatment, but she walked independently 1 month after the treatment. Follow-up radiographs and MR imaging showed that growth plate widening and gadolinium enhancement at the chondrosseous junction were less conspicuous. Furthermore, longitudinal growth of the femur and tibia was identified during 20 months of observation.