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1.
Acta Derm Venereol ; 104: adv39950, 2024 May 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38751178

Pruritus in the elderly, particularly those cases without skin dryness or other identifiable causes, makes treatment challenging due to the lack of evidence regarding the therapeutic effects of antipruritics. This study proposes an age-related alloknesis mouse model for an evaluation system for such cases, and aimed to investigate the effectiveness and mechanisms of action of several drugs commonly used as antipruritics in Japan, utilizing this model. Mice 69-80 weeks old were used as aged mice, and the level of mechanical alloknesis was counted as the number of scratching behaviours in response to innocuous stimuli. Bepotastine, neurotropin, pregabalin, baricitinib, and abrocitinib were used as antipruritics, and yohimbine and methysergide as inhibitors of the descending inhibitory pathway. The findings suggest that mechanical alloknesis in aged mice is a suitable animal model for assessing pruritus in the elderly without xerosis, and pregabalin, neurotropin, baricitinib, and abrocitinib may be effective antipruritics in the elderly through activating both the noradrenergic and serotonergic descending inhibitory pathways. These findings may be useful for the selection of antipruritics for pruritus in the elderly without skin lesions or dryness.


Antipruritics , Disease Models, Animal , Pruritus , Animals , Pruritus/drug therapy , Antipruritics/pharmacology , Antipruritics/therapeutic use , Chronic Disease , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Mice , Age Factors , Male , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , Pregabalin/pharmacology , Pregabalin/therapeutic use , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , Pyrazoles/therapeutic use , Purines/pharmacology , Purines/therapeutic use , Aging/drug effects , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use
2.
Eur J Pharmacol ; 974: 176630, 2024 Jul 05.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38692426

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disorder, in which an imbalance between osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation disrupts bone homeostasis. Osteoporosis management using anti-osteoclastic agents is a promising strategy; however, this remains an unmet need. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its receptors (S1PRs) are essential for maintaining bone homeostasis. Here, we identified that Siponimod, a Food and Drug Administration-approved S1PR antagonist for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, shows promising therapeutic effects against osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclast formation and function. We found that Siponimod inhibited osteoclast formation in a dose-dependent manner without causing cytotoxicity. Podosome belt staining and bone resorption assays indicated that Siponimod treatment impaired osteoclast function. Western blot and qPCR assays demonstrated that Siponimod suppressed the expression of osteoclast-specific markers, including C-Fos, Nftac1, and Ctsk. Mechanistically, we validated that Siponimod downregulated receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways during osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, in a preclinical mouse model, Siponimod prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss by suppressing osteoclast activity in vivo. Collectively, these results suggest that Siponimod could serve as an alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis.


Azetidines , Benzyl Compounds , Drug Repositioning , Multiple Sclerosis , Osteoclasts , Osteoporosis , Animals , Mice , Osteoporosis/drug therapy , Osteoporosis/metabolism , Osteoclasts/drug effects , Osteoclasts/metabolism , Benzyl Compounds/pharmacology , Benzyl Compounds/therapeutic use , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use , Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy , Female , Sphingosine 1 Phosphate Receptor Modulators/pharmacology , Sphingosine 1 Phosphate Receptor Modulators/therapeutic use , Osteogenesis/drug effects , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , RAW 264.7 Cells , Bone Resorption/drug therapy , Signal Transduction/drug effects , RANK Ligand/metabolism , Humans
3.
Cytokine ; 179: 156620, 2024 Jul.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38701735

PURPOSE: The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment, but these drugs can also cause severe immune-related adverse effects (irAEs), including myocarditis. Researchers have become interested in exploring ways to mitigate this side effect, and one promising avenue is the use of baricitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor known to have anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to examine the potential mechanism by which baricitinib in ICIs-related myocarditis. METHODS: To establish an ICIs-related myocarditis model, BALB/c mice were administered murine cardiac troponin I (cTnI) peptide and anti-mouse programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibodies. Subsequently, baricitinib was administered to the mice via intragastric administration. Echocardiography, HE staining, and Masson staining were performed to evaluate myocardial functions, inflammation, and fibrosis. Immunofluorescence was used to detect macrophages in the cardiac tissue of the mice.In vitro experiments utilized raw264.7 cells to induce macrophage polarization using anti-PD-1 antibodies. Different concentrations of baricitinib were applied to assess cell viability, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines was measured. The activation of the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway was evaluated through western blot analysis. RESULTS: Baricitinib demonstrated its ability to improve cardiac function and reduce cardiac inflammation, as well as fibrosis induced by ICIs. Mechanistically, baricitinib treatment promoted the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that anti-PD-1 promoted the release of inflammatory factors. However, treatment with baricitinib significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3. Additionally, the use of RO8191 reversed the effects of baricitinib, further confirming our findings. CONCLUSION: Baricitinib demonstrated its potential as a protective agent against ICIs-related myocarditis by modulating macrophage polarization. These findings provide a solid theoretical foundation for the development of future treatments for ICIs-related myocarditis.


Azetidines , Janus Kinase 1 , Macrophages , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Myocarditis , Purines , Pyrazoles , STAT3 Transcription Factor , Sulfonamides , Animals , Azetidines/pharmacology , Myocarditis/chemically induced , Myocarditis/drug therapy , Myocarditis/pathology , Myocarditis/metabolism , Mice , Janus Kinase 1/metabolism , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , Purines/pharmacology , Macrophages/metabolism , Macrophages/drug effects , RAW 264.7 Cells , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects , Male , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Macrophage Activation/drug effects , Troponin I/metabolism
4.
Am J Physiol Renal Physiol ; 326(6): F931-F941, 2024 Jun 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38634132

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induces respiratory dysfunction as well as kidney injury. Although the kidney is considered a target organ of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and affected by the COVID-19-induced cytokine storm, the mechanisms of renal reaction in SARS-CoV-2 infection are unknown. In this study, a murine COVID-19 model was induced by nasal infection with mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 (MA10). MA10 infection induced body weight loss along with lung inflammation in mice 4 days after infection. Serum creatinine levels and the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio increased on day 4 after MA10 infection. Measurement of the urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin/creatinine ratio and hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed tubular damage in MA10-infected murine kidneys, indicating kidney injury in the murine COVID-19 model. Interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin-6 upregulation in the sera of MA10-infected mice, along with the absence of MA10 in the kidneys, implied that the kidneys were affected by the MA10 infection-induced cytokine storm rather than by direct MA10 infection of the kidneys. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that antiviral genes, such as the IFN/Janus kinase (JAK) pathway, were upregulated in MA10-infected kidneys. Upon administration of the JAK inhibitor baricitinib on days 1-3 after MA10 infection, an antiviral pathway was suppressed, and MA10 was detected more frequently in the kidneys. Notably, JAK inhibition upregulated the hypoxia response and exaggerated kidney injury. These results suggest that endogenous antiviral activity protects against SARS-CoV-2-induced kidney injury in the early phase of infection, providing valuable insights into the pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated nephropathy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Patients frequently present with acute kidney injury or abnormal urinary findings after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here, we investigated how the kidneys respond during SARS-CoV-2 infection using a murine coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) model and showed that Janus kinase-mediated endogenous antiviral activity protects against kidney injury in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings provide valuable insights into the renal pathophysiology of COVID-19.


COVID-19 , Janus Kinase Inhibitors , Purines , Pyrazoles , SARS-CoV-2 , Sulfonamides , Animals , COVID-19/complications , Janus Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Janus Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , Mice , Purines/pharmacology , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , Disease Models, Animal , Acute Kidney Injury/virology , Acute Kidney Injury/etiology , Acute Kidney Injury/metabolism , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use , Janus Kinases/metabolism , Janus Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Kidney/pathology , Kidney/virology , Kidney/metabolism , Kidney/drug effects , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Male , Mice, Inbred C57BL
5.
Molecules ; 29(8)2024 Apr 16.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38675621

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a highly effective, well-established treatment for patients with various hematologic malignancies and non-malignant diseases. The therapeutic benefits of allo-HCT are mediated by alloreactive T cells in donor grafts. However, there is a significant risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), in which the donor T cells recognize recipient cells as foreign and attack healthy organs in addition to malignancies. We previously demonstrated that targeting JAK1/JAK2, mediators of interferon-gamma receptor (IFNGR) and IL-6 receptor signaling, in donor T cells using baricitinib and ruxolitinib results in a significant reduction in GvHD after allo-HCT. Furthermore, we showed that balanced inhibition of JAK1/JAK2 while sparing JAK3 is important for the optimal prevention of GvHD. Thus, we have generated novel JAK1/JAK2 inhibitors, termed WU derivatives, by modifying baricitinib. Our results show that WU derivatives have the potential to mitigate GvHD by upregulating regulatory T cells and immune reconstitution while reducing the frequencies of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and CD80 expression on these APCs in our preclinical mouse model of allo-HCT. In addition, WU derivatives effectively downregulated CXCR3 and T-bet in primary murine T cells. In summary, we have generated novel JAK inhibitors that could serve as alternatives to baricitinib or ruxolitinib.


Graft vs Host Disease , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Pyrazoles , Transplantation, Homologous , Animals , Mice , Antigen-Presenting Cells/immunology , Antigen-Presenting Cells/drug effects , Antigen-Presenting Cells/metabolism , Azetidines/pharmacology , Disease Models, Animal , Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control , Graft vs Host Disease/drug therapy , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Janus Kinase 1/antagonists & inhibitors , Janus Kinase 1/metabolism , Janus Kinase 2/metabolism , Janus Kinase 2/antagonists & inhibitors , Janus Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Purines/pharmacology , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects
6.
J Chin Med Assoc ; 87(5): 463-470, 2024 May 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38380910

BACKGROUND: In liver cirrhosis, chronic inflammation is associated with an increase in oxidative stress, and subsequently an increase in the concentration of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Ezetimibe is a lipid-lowering agent with anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ezetimibe treatment on ox-LDL in cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Biliary cirrhosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with common bile duct ligation (BDL). Sham-operated rats served as surgical controls. Ezetimibe (10 mg/kg/d) or vehicle was administered in the sham-operated or BDL rats for 4 weeks, after which hemodynamic parameters, biochemistry data, and oxidative stress were evaluated. Plasma and intrahepatic ox-LDL levels were also examined, and hepatic proteins were analyzed to explore the mechanism of ezetimibe treatment. RESULTS: The BDL rats had typical features of cirrhosis including jaundice, impaired liver function, hyperlipidemia, and elevated ox-LDL levels compared to the sham-operated rats. Ezetimibe treatment did not affect hemodynamics, liver biochemistry, or plasma lipid levels. However, it significantly reduced oxidative stress, plasma levels of ox-LDL, and tumor necrosis factor α. In addition, ezetimibe upregulated the hepatic protein expression of an ox-LDL scavenger (lectin-like ox-LDL rececptor-1), which resulted in reductions in intrahepatic ox-LDL and fat accumulation in the BDL rats. Nevertheless, ezetimibe treatment did not ameliorate hepatic inflammation or liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Ezetimibe reduced plasma and intrahepatic ox-LDL levels in the cirrhotic rats. Furthermore, it ameliorated intrahepatic fat accumulation and oxidative stress. However, ezetimibe did not alleviate hepatic fibrosis or inflammation in the biliary cirrhotic rats.


Ezetimibe , Lipoproteins, LDL , Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary , Oxidative Stress , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Animals , Ezetimibe/pharmacology , Ezetimibe/therapeutic use , Rats , Lipoproteins, LDL/blood , Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/drug therapy , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Male , Anticholesteremic Agents/therapeutic use , Anticholesteremic Agents/pharmacology , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use
7.
J Med Chem ; 67(4): 2529-2548, 2024 Feb 22.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38331432

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality resulting from infectious disease, with over 10.6 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths in 2021. This global emergency is exacerbated by the emergence of multidrug-resistant MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant XDR-TB; therefore, new drugs and new drug targets are urgently required. From a whole cell phenotypic screen, a series of azetidines derivatives termed BGAz, which elicit potent bactericidal activity with MIC99 values <10 µM against drug-sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis and MDR-TB, were identified. These compounds demonstrate no detectable drug resistance. The mode of action and target deconvolution studies suggest that these compounds inhibit mycobacterial growth by interfering with cell envelope biogenesis, specifically late-stage mycolic acid biosynthesis. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrates that the BGAz compounds tested display a mode of action distinct from the existing mycobacterial cell wall inhibitors. In addition, the compounds tested exhibit toxicological and PK/PD profiles that pave the way for their development as antitubercular chemotherapies.


Azetidines , Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant , Humans , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use , Antitubercular Agents/pharmacology , Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use , Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant/drug therapy , Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis/drug therapy , Microbial Sensitivity Tests
8.
Adv Healthc Mater ; 13(12): e2303256, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38207170

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are approved for many dermatologic disorders, but their use is limited by systemic toxicities including serious cardiovascular events and malignancy. To overcome these limitations, injectable hydrogels are engineered for the local and sustained delivery of baricitinib, a representative JAK inhibitor. Hydrogels are formed via disulfide crosslinking of thiolated hyaluronic acid macromers. Dynamic thioimidate bonds are introduced between the thiolated hyaluronic acid and nitrile-containing baricitinib for drug tethering, which is confirmed with 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Release of baricitinib is tunable over six weeks in vitro and active in inhibiting JAK signaling in a cell line containing a luciferase reporter reflecting interferon signaling. For in vivo activity, baricitinib hydrogels or controls are injected intradermally into an imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis. Imiquimod increases epidermal thickness in mice, which is unaffected when treated with baricitinib or hydrogel alone. Treatment with baricitinib hydrogels suppresses the increased epidermal thickness in mice treated with imiquimod, suggesting that the sustained and local release of baricitinib is important for a therapeutic outcome. This study is the first to utilize a thioimidate chemistry to deliver JAK inhibitors to the skin through injectable hydrogels, which has translational potential for treating inflammatory disorders.


Azetidines , Hydrogels , Purines , Pyrazoles , Skin , Sulfonamides , Animals , Hydrogels/chemistry , Purines/chemistry , Purines/pharmacology , Sulfonamides/chemistry , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , Sulfonamides/administration & dosage , Mice , Pyrazoles/chemistry , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , Azetidines/chemistry , Azetidines/pharmacology , Skin/drug effects , Skin/metabolism , Skin/pathology , Humans , Psoriasis/drug therapy , Psoriasis/pathology , Psoriasis/chemically induced , Imiquimod/chemistry , Imiquimod/pharmacology , Janus Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry , Janus Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Female
10.
Chem Res Toxicol ; 36(6): 934-946, 2023 06 19.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37148271

We recently disclosed SAR studies on systemically acting, amide-based inhibitors of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) that addressed metabolic liabilities with the liver-targeted DGAT2 inhibitor PF-06427878. Despite strategic placement of a nitrogen atom in the dialkoxyaromatic ring in PF-06427878 to evade oxidative O-dearylation, metabolic intrinsic clearance remained high due to extensive piperidine ring oxidation as exemplified with compound 1. Piperidine ring modifications through alternate N-linked heterocyclic ring/spacer combination led to azetidine 2 that demonstrated lower intrinsic clearance. However, 2 underwent a facile cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated α-carbon oxidation followed by azetidine ring scission, resulting in the formation of ketone (M2) and aldehyde (M6) as stable metabolites in NADPH-supplemented human liver microsomes. Inclusion of GSH or semicarbazide in microsomal incubations led to the formation of Cys-Gly-thiazolidine (M3), Cys-thiazolidine (M5), and semicarbazone (M7) conjugates, which were derived from reaction of the nucleophilic trapping agents with aldehyde M6. Metabolites M2 and M5 were biosynthesized from NADPH- and l-cysteine-fortified human liver microsomal incubations with 2, and proposed metabolite structures were verified using one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Replacement of the azetidine substituent with a pyridine ring furnished 8, which mitigated the formation of the electrophilic aldehyde metabolite, and was a more potent DGAT2 inhibitor than 2. Further structural refinements in 8, specifically introducing amide bond substituents with greater metabolic stability, led to the discovery of PF-06865571 (ervogastat) that is currently in phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.


Azetidines , Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase , Humans , Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase/metabolism , Thiazolidines/metabolism , NADP/metabolism , Glutathione/metabolism , Microsomes, Liver/metabolism , Piperidines/metabolism , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/metabolism , Amides/metabolism
11.
Rheumatology (Oxford) ; 62(8): 2908-2917, 2023 08 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36648313

OBJECTIVES: In patients with RA, baricitinib not only improves arthritis symptom severity, but also patients' neuropsychological symptoms, such as depression and fatigue. However, the cellular mechanisms through which baricitinib can affect neural activity is unexplored. While the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of this drug remains unclear, Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) might reach the area postrema, which is a unique brain region with a weak BBB function. Our recent study demonstrated microglial activation during experimental arthritis in the area postrema. Therefore, we sought to assess the effect of baricitinib on microglia in the area postrema using the CIA mouse model. METHODS: Microglia number and morphology in the area postrema were assessed by immunostaining for ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1). Data were collected on post-immunization day 35 (early phase) and 84 (late phase), and compared between baricitinib- and vehicle-treated mice. The effect on signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3) in the area postrema was also immunohistochemically examined. Behavioural outcomes were assessed by examining feeding behaviours and sucrose preference tests. RESULTS: In the early phase, activated microglial levels in the area postrema were decreased by baricitinib, accompanied by the inhibition of phosphorylated-STAT3 and recovery of food intake and sucrose preference. On the other hand, baricitinib did not affect microglial morphology in the late phase. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that baricitinib can affect brain cells, specifically microglia, in the brain region with a weak BBB and mitigate aberrant behaviours during autoimmune arthritis, pointing to the potential therapeutic effect of JAKi on brain pathologies underpinning RA.


Antirheumatic Agents , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Azetidines , Animals , Mice , Blood-Brain Barrier , Microglia , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
12.
J Psychopharmacol ; 36(11): 1280-1293, 2022 11.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36321267

BACKGROUND: Because of their implications in several pathological conditions, α4ß2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are potential targets for the treatment of nicotine dependence, pain, and many psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. However, they exist in various subtypes, and finding selective tools to investigate them has proved challenging. The nicotinic receptor agonist, 5-iodo-A-85380 (5IA), has helped in delineating the function of ß2-containing subtypes in vitro; however, much is still unknown about its behavioral effects. Furthermore, its effectiveness on α6-containing subtypes is limited. AIMS: To investigate the effects of 5IA on nociception (formalin, hot-plate, and tail-flick tests), locomotion, hypothermia, and conditioned reward after acute and repeated administration, and to examine the potential role of ß2 and α6 nAChR subunits in these effects. Lastly, its selectivity for expressed low sensitivity (LS) and high sensitivity (HS) α4ß2 receptors is investigated. RESULTS: 5IA dose-dependently induced hypothermia, locomotion suppression, conditioned place preference, and antinociception (only in the formalin test but not in the hot-plate or tail-flick tests). Furthermore, these effects were mediated by ß2 but not α6 nicotinic subunits. Finally, we show that 5-iodo-A-85380 potently activates both stoichiometries of α4ß2 nAChRs with differential efficacies, being a full agonist on HS α4(2)ß2(3) nAChRs, and a partial agonist on LS α4(3)ß2(2) nAChRs and α6-containing subtypes as well.


Azetidines , Receptors, Nicotinic , Animals , Mice , Azetidines/pharmacology , Nicotinic Agonists/pharmacology
13.
Life Sci Space Res (Amst) ; 35: 69-75, 2022 Nov.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36336372

From antibiotics to aspirin to antimalarials and to anticancer agents, about half of the world's best-selling drugs are derived from nature. However, accelerating climatic disruption, habitat destruction, pollution, and biodiversity loss all negatively impact the potential of natural sources to continue to serve as repositories of novel pharmaceuticals. On that basis, the final frontier for drug development is perhaps not the rainforests, coral reefs, and other natural habitats but rather the aerospace industry with its virtually unlimited and inexhaustible man-made 'library' of potentially bioactive compounds. The first aerospace-sourced therapeutic to reach the clinic is RRx-001, an inhibitor of the NOD-like receptor - Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain with Leucine rich Repeat and Pyrin domain (NLRP3) inflammasome in a Phase 3 trial for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and in a soon-to-start Phase 3 trial for protection against chemoradiotherapy-induced severe oral mucositis in first line head and neck cancer. As manned missions to the Moon, Mars, and asteroids as well as space tourism beckon, it is perhaps fitting that a compound like RRx-001, which is derived from 1,3,3-Trinitroazetidine (TNAZ), an explosive propellant for rockets, is a potential "all purpose" option to mitigate the major biomedical effects of space radiation exposures including cancer development and other tissue degenerations both within mission and after mission. This article highlights the promise of RRx-001 to attenuate the acute and late effects of radiation exposure on astronauts including the development of cancer.


Azetidines , Neoplasms , Space Flight , Humans , Astronauts , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use , Extraterrestrial Environment , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
14.
Int J Mol Sci ; 23(21)2022 Oct 31.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36362063

Siponimod (Mayzent®), a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator which prevents lymphocyte egress from lymphoid tissues, is approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting and active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. It can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and selectively binds to S1PR1 and S1PR5 expressed by several cell populations of the central nervous system (CNS) including microglia. In multiple sclerosis, microglia are a key CNS cell population moving back and forth in a continuum of beneficial and deleterious states. On the one hand, they can contribute to neurorepair by clearing myelin debris, which is a prerequisite for remyelination and neuroprotection. On the other hand, they also participate in autoimmune inflammation and axonal degeneration by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and molecules. In this study, we demonstrate that siponimod can modulate the microglial reaction to lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory activation.


Azetidines , Multiple Sclerosis , Humans , Microglia/metabolism , Benzyl Compounds/pharmacology , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/metabolism , Multiple Sclerosis/metabolism
15.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 119(40): e2204509119, 2022 10 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36161894

Multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune-driven, inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), causes irreversible accumulation of neurological deficits to a variable extent. Although there are potent disease-modifying agents for its initial relapsing-remitting phase, immunosuppressive therapies show limited efficacy in secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Although modulation of sphingosine-1 phosphate receptors has proven beneficial during SPMS, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this project, we followed the hypothesis that siponimod, a sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor modulator, exerts protective effects by direct modulation of glia cell function (i.e., either astrocytes, microglia, or oligodendrocytes). To this end, we used the toxin-mediated, nonautoimmune MS animal model of cuprizone (Cup) intoxication. On the histological level, siponimod ameliorated cuprizone-induced oligodendrocyte degeneration, demyelination, and axonal injury. Protective effects were evident as well using GE180 translocator protein 18-kDa (TSPO) imaging with positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging or next generation sequencing (NGS). Siponimod also ameliorated the cuprizone-induced pathologies in Rag1-deficient mice, demonstrating that the protection is independent of T and B cell modulation. Proinflammatory responses in primary mixed astrocytes/microglia cell cultures were not modulated by siponimod, suggesting that other cell types than microglia and astrocytes are targeted. Of note, siponimod completely lost its protective effects in S1pr5-deficient mice, suggesting direct protection of degenerating oligodendrocytes. Our study demonstrates that siponimod exerts protective effects in the brain in a S1PR5-dependent manner. This finding is not just relevant in the context of MS but in other neuropathologies as well, characterized by a degeneration of the axon-myelin unit.


Azetidines , Benzyl Compounds , Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive , Oligodendroglia , Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors , Sphingosine , Animals , Azetidines/pharmacology , Benzyl Compounds/pharmacology , Cuprizone , Disease Models, Animal , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive/drug therapy , Oligodendroglia/drug effects , Sphingosine/pharmacology , Sphingosine/therapeutic use , Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors/metabolism
16.
Front Immunol ; 13: 932240, 2022.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35958600

Baricitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) 1 and 2 inhibitor approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The JAK/STAT system is essential in the intracellular signaling of different cytokines and in the activation process of the monocyte lineage. This study verifies the effects of baricitinib on STAT phosphorylation in monocytes of RA patients and evaluates the correlation between STAT phosphorylation and response to therapy. We evaluated the disease activity of patients (DAS28CRP) at baseline (T0) and after 4 and 12 weeks (T1-T3) of treatment with baricitinib, dividing them into responders (n = 7) and non-responders (n = 7) based on the reduction of DAS28CRP between T0 and T1 of at least 1.2 points. Through flow cytometry, STAT1 phosphorylation was analyzed at T0/T1/T3 in monocytes, at basal conditions and after IL2, IFNα, and IL6 stimulation. We showed that monocyte frequency decreased from T0 to T1 only in responders. Regarding the phosphorylation of STAT1, we observed a tendency for higher basal pSTAT1 in monocytes of non-responder patients and, after 4 weeks, a significant reduction of cytokine-induced pSTAT1 in monocytes of responders compared with non-responders. The single IFNα stimulation only partially recapitulated the differences in STAT1 phosphorylation between the two patient subgroups. Finally, responders showed an increased IFN signature at baseline compared with non-responders. These results may suggest that monocyte frequency and STAT1 phosphorylation in circulating monocytes could represent early markers of response to baricitinib therapy.


Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Azetidines , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use , Humans , Interferon-alpha , Monocytes , Phosphorylation , Purines , Pyrazoles , STAT1 Transcription Factor , Sulfonamides
17.
J Neurol ; 269(9): 5093-5104, 2022 Sep.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35639197

BACKGROUND: Siponimod is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator approved for active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (aSPMS) in most countries; however, phase 3 EXPAND study data are from an SPMS population with/without disease activity. A need exists to characterize efficacy/safety of siponimod in aSPMS. METHODS: Post hoc analysis of participants with aSPMS (≥ 1 relapse in 2 years before study and/or ≥ 1 T1 gadolinium-enhancing [Gd +] magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] lesions at baseline) receiving oral siponimod (2 mg/day) or placebo for up to 3 years in EXPAND. ENDPOINTS: 3-month/6-month confirmed disability progression (3mCDP/6mCDP); 3-month confirmed ≥ 20% worsening in Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW); 6-month confirmed improvement/worsening in Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) scores (≥ 4-point change); T2 lesion volume (T2LV) change from baseline; number of T1 Gd + lesions baseline-month 24; number of new/enlarging (N/E) T2 lesions over all visits. RESULTS: Data from 779 participants with aSPMS were analysed. Siponimod reduced risk of 3mCDP/6mCDP vs placebo (by 31%/37%, respectively; p < 0.01); there was no significant effect on T25FW. Siponimod increased likelihood of 6-month confirmed SDMT improvement vs placebo (by 62%; p = 0.007) and reduced risk of 6-month confirmed SDMT worsening (by 27%; p = 0.060). Siponimod was associated with less increase in T2LV (1316.3 vs 13.3 mm3; p < 0.0001), and fewer T1 Gd + and N/E T2 lesions than placebo (85% and 80% reductions, respectively; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In aSPMS, siponimod reduced risk of disability progression and was associated with benefits on cognition and MRI outcomes vs placebo. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01665144.


Azetidines , Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting , Multiple Sclerosis , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use , Benzyl Compounds/pharmacology , Benzyl Compounds/therapeutic use , Disease Progression , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy , Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive/diagnostic imaging , Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive/drug therapy , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/drug therapy
18.
Pharmacology ; 107(7-8): 398-405, 2022.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35526525

INTRODUCTION: Chemoresistance remains the main cause of treatment failure in cervical cancer and novel therapeutic strategies are required. Cobimetinib, a potent yet selective inhibitor of MEK1 and 2, is currently used to treat melanoma clinically. In this work, we identified cobimetinib as a promising candidate for treating cervical cancer. METHODS: The in vitro and in vivo efficacies of cobimetinib were examined using cervical cancer cell cultures and xenograft mouse model. Its combination with paclitaxel was analyzed using the combination index. Immunoblotting was performed on MAPK and ERK pathways. RESULTS: Cobimetinib displays a potent anti-cervical cancer activity in a panel of cell lines regardless of cellular origin and HPV presence, and its combination with paclitaxel is synergistic in inhibiting cervical cancer cells. This is achieved by the growth inhibition and caspase-dependent apoptosis induction, through inhibiting MAPK/ERK activation. In addition, paclitaxel activates ERK in cervical cancer cells, and this can be reversed by cobimetinib. We finally confirm the efficacy of cobimetinib alone and its combination with paclitaxel in the cervical cancer xenograft mouse model. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our preclinical findings will accelerate the initialization of clinical trials to use combination of cobimetinib and paclitaxel for treating cervical cancer. Our work also emphasizes the therapeutic value of targeting MAPK/ERK to overcome chemoresistance in cervical cancer.


Azetidines , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Animals , Apoptosis , Azetidines/pharmacology , Azetidines/therapeutic use , Cell Line, Tumor , Female , Humans , Mice , Paclitaxel/pharmacology , Piperidines/pharmacology , Piperidines/therapeutic use , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/metabolism
20.
JCI Insight ; 7(11)2022 06 08.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35472001

COVID-19 infection causes collapse of glomerular capillaries and loss of podocytes, culminating in a severe kidney disease called COVID-19-associated nephropathy (COVAN). The underlying mechanism of COVAN is unknown. We hypothesized that cytokines induced by COVID-19 trigger expression of pathogenic APOL1 via JAK/STAT signaling, resulting in podocyte loss and COVAN phenotype. Here, based on 9 biopsy-proven COVAN cases, we demonstrated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that APOL1 protein was abundantly expressed in podocytes and glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) of COVAN kidneys but not in controls. Moreover, a majority of patients with COVAN carried 2 APOL1 risk alleles. We show that recombinant cytokines induced by SARS-CoV-2 acted synergistically to drive APOL1 expression through the JAK/STAT pathway in primary human podocytes, GECs, and kidney micro-organoids derived from a carrier of 2 APOL1 risk alleles, but expression was blocked by a JAK1/2 inhibitor, baricitinib. We demonstrate that cytokine-induced JAK/STAT/APOL1 signaling reduced the viability of kidney organoid podocytes but was rescued by baricitinib. Together, our results support the conclusion that COVID-19-induced cytokines are sufficient to drive COVAN-associated podocytopathy via JAK/STAT/APOL1 signaling and that JAK inhibitors could block this pathogenic process. These findings suggest JAK inhibitors may have therapeutic benefits for managing cytokine-induced, APOL1-mediated podocytopathy.


COVID-19 Drug Treatment , COVID-19 , Cytokines , Janus Kinase Inhibitors , Kidney Diseases , Apolipoprotein L1/genetics , Azetidines/pharmacology , COVID-19/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Humans , Janus Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Janus Kinases/metabolism , Kidney Diseases/drug therapy , Kidney Diseases/metabolism , Kidney Diseases/virology , Organoids/metabolism , Purines/pharmacology , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , STAT Transcription Factors/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Sulfonamides/pharmacology
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