The Expression of Epac2 and GluA3 in an Alzheimer's Disease Experimental Model and Postmortem Patient Samples.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by amyloid beta (Aß) and hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation in the brain. Recent studies indicated that memory retrieval, rather than memory formation, was impaired in the early stage of AD. Our previous study reported that pharmacological activation of hippocampal Epac2 promoted memory retrieval in C57BL/6J mice. A recent study suggested that pharmacological inhibition of Epac2 prevented synaptic potentiation mediated by GluA3-containing AMPARs. In this study, we aimed to investigate proteins associated with Epac2-mediated memory in hippocampal postmortem samples of AD patients and healthy controls compared with the experimental AD model J20 and wild-type mice. Epac2 and phospho-Akt were downregulated in AD patients and J20 mice, while Epac1 and phospho-ERK1/2 were not altered. GluA3 was reduced in J20 mice and tended to decrease in AD patients. PSD95 tended to decrease in AD patients and J20. Interestingly, AKAP5 was increased in AD patients but not in J20 mice, implicating its role in tau phosphorylation. Our study points to the downregulation of hippocampal expression of proteins associated with Epac2 in AD.

Pharmacological Inhibition of Epac1 Averts Ferroptosis Cell Death by Preserving Mitochondrial Integrity.

Exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac) proteins are implicated in a wide range of cellular functions including oxidative stress and cell survival. Mitochondrial-dependent oxidative stress has been associated with progressive neuronal death underlying the pathology of many neurodegenerative diseases. The role of Epac modulation in neuronal cells in relation to cell survival and death, as well as its potential effect on mitochondrial function, is not well established. In immortalized hippocampal (HT-22) neuronal cells, we examined mitochondria function in the presence of various Epac pharmacological modulators in response to oxidative stress due to ferroptosis. Our study revealed that selective pharmacological modulation of Epac1 or Epac2 isoforms, exerted differential effects in erastin-induced ferroptosis conditions in HT-22 cells. Epac1 inhibition prevented cell death and loss of mitochondrial integrity induced by ferroptosis, while Epac2 inhibition had limited effects. Our data suggest Epac1 as a plausible therapeutic target for preventing ferroptosis cell death associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Metformin protects against diclofenac-induced toxicity in primary rat hepatocytes by preserving mitochondrial integrity via a pathway involving EPAC.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It has been shown that the antidiabetic drug metformin protects hepatocytes against toxicity by various stressors. Chronic or excessive consumption of diclofenac (DF) - a pain-relieving drug, leads to drug-induced liver injury via a mechanism involving mitochondrial damage and ultimately apoptotic death of hepatocytes. However, whether metformin protects against DF-induced toxicity is unknown. Recently, it was also shown that cAMP elevation is protective against DF-induced apoptotic death in hepatocytes, a protective effect primarily involving the downstream cAMP effector EPAC and preservation of mitochondrial function. This study therefore aimed at investigating whether metformin protects against DF-induced toxicity via cAMP-EPACs. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Primary rat hepatocytes were exposed to 400 µmol/L DF. CE3F4 or ESI-O5 were used as EPAC-1 or 2 inhibitors respectively. Apoptosis was measured by caspase-3 activity and necrosis by Sytox green staining. Seahorse X96 assay was used to determine mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using MitoSox, mitochondrial MnSOD expression was determined by immunostaining and mitochondrial morphology (fusion and fission ratio) by 3D refractive index imaging. KEY RESULTS: Metformin (1 mmol/L) was protective against DF-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes. This protective effect was EPAC-dependent (mainly EPAC-2). Metformin restored mitochondrial morphology in an EPAC-independent manner. DF-induced mitochondrial dysfunction which was demonstrated by decreased oxygen consumption rate, an increased ROS production and a reduced MnSOD level, were all reversed by metformin in an EPAC-dependent manner. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Metformin protects hepatocytes against DF-induced toxicity via cAMP-dependent EPAC-2.

Elevated cAMP Protects against Diclofenac-Induced Toxicity in Primary Rat Hepatocytes: A Protective Effect Mediated by the Exchange Protein Directly Activated by cAMP/cAMP-Regulated Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors.

Chronic consumption of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac may induce drug-induced liver injury (DILI). The mechanism of diclofenac-induced liver injury is partially elucidated and involves mitochondrial damage. Elevated cAMP protects hepatocytes against bile acid-induced injury. However, it is unknown whether cAMP protects against DILI and, if so, which downstream targets of cAMP are implicated in the protective mechanism, including the classic protein kinase A (PKA) pathway or alternative pathways like the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether cAMP and/or its downstream targets protect against diclofenac-induced injury in hepatocytes. Rat hepatocytes were exposed to 400 µmol/l diclofenac. Apoptosis and necrosis were measured by caspase-3 activity assay and Sytox green staining, respectively. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured by JC-10 staining. mRNA and protein expression were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. The cAMP-elevating agent 7ß-acetoxy-8,13-epoxy-1α,6ß,9α-trihydroxylabd-14-en-11-one (forskolin), the pan-phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX, and EPAC inhibitors 5,7-dibromo-6-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-1(2H)-quinoline carboxaldehyde (CE3F4) and ESI-O5 were used to assess the role of cAMP and its effectors, PKA or EPAC. Diclofenac exposure induced apoptotic cell death and loss of MMP in hepatocytes. Both forskolin and IBMX prevented diclofenac-induced apoptosis. EPAC inhibition but not PKA inhibition abolished the protective effect of forskolin and IBMX. Forskolin and IBMX preserved the MMP, whereas both EPAC inhibitors diminished this effect. Both EPAC1 and EPAC2 were expressed in hepatocytes and localized in mitochondria. cAMP elevation protects hepatocytes against diclofenac-induced cell death, a process primarily involving EPACs. The cAMP/EPAC pathway may be a novel target for treatment of DILI. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study shows two main highlights. First, elevated cAMP levels protect against diclofenac-induced apoptosis in primary hepatocytes via maintenance of mitochondrial integrity. In addition, this study proposes the existence of mitochondrial cAMP-EPAC microdomains in rat hepatocytes, opening new avenues for targeted therapy in drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Both EPAC1 and EPAC2, but not protein kinase A, are responsible for this protective effect. Our findings present cAMP-EPAC as a potential target for the treatment of DILI and liver injury involving mitochondrial dysfunction.

Phosphodiesterases as therapeutic targets for respiratory diseases.

Chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, affect millions of people all over the world. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) which is one of the most important second messengers, plays a vital role in relaxing airway smooth muscles and suppressing inflammation. Given its vast role in regulating intracellular responses, cAMP provides an attractive pharmaceutical target in the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides and help control cyclic nucleotide signals in a compartmentalized manner. Currently, the selective PDE4 inhibitor, roflumilast, is used as an add-on treatment for patients with severe COPD associated with bronchitis and a history of frequent exacerbations. In addition, other novel PDE inhibitors are in different phases of clinical trials. The current review provides an overview of the regulation of various PDEs and the potential application of selective PDE inhibitors in the treatment of COPD and asthma. The possibility to combine various PDE inhibitors as a way to increase their therapeutic effectiveness is also emphasized.

Function of cAMP scaffolds in obstructive lung disease: Focus on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and oxidative stress.

Over the past decades, research has defined cAMP as one of the central cellular nodes in sensing and integrating multiple pathways and as a pivotal role player in lung pathophysiology. Obstructive lung disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are characterized by a persistent and progressive airflow limitation and by oxidative stress from endogenous and exogenous insults. The extent of airflow obstruction depends on the relative deposition of different constituents of the extracellular matrix, a process related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and which subsequently results in airway fibrosis. Oxidative stress from endogenous and also from exogenous sources causes a profound worsening of COPD. Here we describe how cAMP scaffolds and their different signalosomes in different subcellular compartments may contribute to COPD. Future research will require translational studies to alleviate disease symptoms by pharmacologically targeting the cAMP scaffolds. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Adrenoceptors-New Roles for Old Players. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.14/issuetoc.

Targeting FRET-Based Reporters for cAMP and PKA Activity Using AKAP79.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based sensors for 3′⁻5′cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) allow real-time imaging of cAMP levels and kinase activity in intact cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. The development of FRET-based sensors has made it possible to directly demonstrate that cAMP and PKA signals are compartmentalized. These sensors are currently widely used to dissect the organization and physiological function of local cAMP/PKA signaling events in a variety of cell systems. Fusion to targeting domains has been used to direct the sensors to a specific subcellular nanodomain and to monitor cAMP and PKA activity at specific subcellular sites. Here, we investigate the effects of using the A-kinase anchoring protein 79 (AKAP79) as a targeting domain for cAMP and PKA FRET-based reporters. As AKAP79 interacts with PKA itself, when used as a targeting domain, it can potentially impact on the amplitude and kinetics of the signals recorded locally. By using as the targeting domain wild type AKAP79 or a mutant that cannot interact with PKA, we establish that AKAP79 does not affect the amplitude and kinetics of cAMP changes or the level of PKA activity detected by the sensor.

cAMP: From Long-Range Second Messenger to Nanodomain Signalling.

How cAMP generates hormone-specific effects has been debated for many decades. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based sensors for cAMP allow real-time imaging of the second messenger in intact cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. This technology has made it possible to directly demonstrate that cAMP signals are compartmentalised. The details of such signal compartmentalisation are still being uncovered, and recent findings reveal a previously unsuspected submicroscopic heterogeneity of intracellular cAMP. A model is emerging where specificity depends on compartmentalisation and where the physiologically relevant signals are those that occur within confined nanodomains, rather than bulk changes in cytosolic cAMP. These findings subvert the classical notion of cAMP signalling and provide a new framework for the development of targeted therapeutic approaches.

PDE2A2 regulates mitochondria morphology and apoptotic cell death via local modulation of cAMP/PKA signalling.

cAMP/PKA signalling is compartmentalised with tight spatial and temporal control of signal propagation underpinning specificity of response. The cAMP-degrading enzymes, phosphodiesterases (PDEs), localise to specific subcellular domains within which they control local cAMP levels and are key regulators of signal compartmentalisation. Several components of the cAMP/PKA cascade are located to different mitochondrial sub-compartments, suggesting the presence of multiple cAMP/PKA signalling domains within the organelle. The function and regulation of these domains remain largely unknown. Here, we describe a novel cAMP/PKA signalling domain localised at mitochondrial membranes and regulated by PDE2A2. Using pharmacological and genetic approaches combined with real-time FRET imaging and high resolution microscopy, we demonstrate that in rat cardiac myocytes and other cell types mitochondrial PDE2A2 regulates local cAMP levels and PKA-dependent phosphorylation of Drp1. We further demonstrate that inhibition of PDE2A, by enhancing the hormone-dependent cAMP response locally, affects mitochondria dynamics and protects from apoptotic cell death.