Aquaporin-4 inhibition attenuates Pentylenetetrazole-induced behavioral seizures and cognitive impairments in kindled rats.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition distinguished by recurrent and unexpected seizures. Astrocytic channels and transporters are essential for maintaining normal neuronal functionality. The astrocytic water channel, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), which plays a pivotal role in regulating water homeostasis, is a potential target for epileptogenesis. In present study, we examined the effect of different doses (10, 50, 100 µM and 5 mM) of AQP4 inhibitor, 2-nicotinamide-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole (TGN-020), during kindling acquisition, on seizure parameters and seizure-induced cognitive impairments. Animals were kindled by injection of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ: 37.5 mg/kg, i.p.). TGN-020 was administered into the right lateral cerebral ventricle 30 min before PTZ every alternate day. Seizure parameters were assessed 20 min after PTZ administration. One day following the last PTZ injection, memory performance was investigated using spontaneous alternation in Y-maze and novel object recognition (NOR) tests. The inhibition of AQP4 during the kindling process significantly decreased the maximal seizure stage and seizure duration (two-way ANOVA, P = 0.0001) and increased the latency of seizure onset and the number of PTZ injections required to induce different seizure stages (one-way ANOVA, P = 0.0001). Compared to kindled rats, the results of the NOR tests showed that AQP4 inhibition during PTZ-kindling prevented recognition memory impairment. Based on these results, AQP4 could be involved in seizure development and seizure-induced cognitive impairment. More investigation is required to fully understand the complex interactions between seizure activity, water homeostasis, and cognitive dysfunction, which may help identify potential therapeutic targets for these conditions.

A rat model of rheumatoid arthritis: TDZD-8 is associated with the protection against the induction of the synovium knee joint IL-17A/GSK3beta/ROS/alpha-SMA axis of fibrosis / Un modelo de rata de artritis reumatoide: TDZD-8 está asociado con la protección contra la inducción del eje de fibrosis de la articulación sinovial de la rodilla IL-17A/GSK3ß/ROS/α-SMA

SUMMARY: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that affects the synovial knee joint causes swelling of the synovial membrane and tissue damage. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) are involved in the pathogenesis of RA. The link between IL-17A, GSK3β, the oxidative stress, and the profibrogenic marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) with and without TDZD-8, GSK3β inhibitor has not been studied before. Consequently, active immunization of rats was performed to induce RA after three weeks using collagen type II (COII) injections. The treated group received daily injection of 1 mg/kg TDZD-8 for 21 days following the immunization protocol (COII+TDZD-8). Blood and synovium tissue samples were harvested at the end of the experiment. RA development was confirmed as corroborated by a substantial increase in blood levels of the highly specific autoantibody for RA, anti-citrullinated protein antibody as well as augmentation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) levels measured as lipid peroxidation. RA induction also increased synovium tissue levels of IL-17A and the profibrogenic marker, α-SMA. All these parameters seemed to be significantly (p<0.0001) ameliorated by TDZD-8. Additionally, a significant correlation between IL-17A, ROS, and α-SMA and biomarkers of RA was observed. Thus, knee joint synovium RA induction augmented IL-17A/GSK3β/ROS/α-SMA axis mediated arthritis in a rat model of RA, which was inhibited by TDZD-8.

La artritis reumatoide (AR) que afecta la articulación sinovial de la rodilla provoca inflamación de la membrana sinovial y daño tisular. La interleucina-17A (IL-17A) y la enzima glucógeno sintasa quinasa-3β (GSK3β) están involucradas en la patogenia de la AR. No se ha estudiadol vínculo entre IL-17A, GSK3β, el estrés oxidativo y el marcador profibrogénico actina de músculo liso alfa (α-SMA) con y sin inhibidor de TDZD-8, GSK3β. En consecuencia, se realizó una inmunización activa de ratas para inducir la AR después de tres semanas usando inyecciones de colágeno tipo II (COII). El grupo tratado recibió una inyección diaria de 1 µg/ kg de TDZD-8 durante 21 días siguiendo el protocolo de inmunización (COII+TDZD-8). Se recogieron muestras de sangre y tejido sinovial al final del experimento. El desarrollo de AR se confirmó como lo corroboró el aumento sustancial en los niveles sanguíneos del autoanticuerpo altamente específico para AR, el anticuerpo antiproteína citrulinada, así como el aumento de los niveles de especies oxidativas reactivas (ROS) medidos como peroxidación lipídica. La inducción de AR también aumentó los niveles de tejido sinovial de IL-17A y el marcador profibrogénico, α-SMA. Todos estos parámetros parecían mejorar significativamente (p<0,0001) con TDZD-8. Además, se observó una correlación significativa entre IL- 17A, ROS y α-SMA y biomarcadores de AR. Por lo tanto, la inducción de AR en la sinovial de la articulación de la rodilla aumentó la artritis mediada por el eje IL-17A/GSK3β/ROS/α-SMA en un modelo de rata de AR, que fue inhibida por TDZD-8.

Suppression of nitrosative stress and inflammation of the knee joint synovium in collagen type ii-induced rheumatoid arthritis by the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß / Supresión del estrés nitrosativo e inflamación de la sinovial de la articulación de la rodilla en la artritis reumatoide inducida por colágeno tipo ii mediante la inhibición de la glucógeno sintasa quinasa-3 ß

SUMMARY: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes cartilage degradation and tissue destruction, can affect synovial joints such as the knee joint. The link between the nitrosative stress enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1β) in RA-induced knee joint synovial membrane damage with and without the incorporation of the GSK3β inhibitor TDZD-8 has never been studied. As a result, we used active immunization method with collagen type II (COII) for twenty one days to induce RA in rats. TDZD-8 (1 mg/kg; i.p.) was given daily into matched immunized rats for three weeks after day 21 (COII+TDZD-8). Blood and tissue samples were taken 42 days after immunization. A dramatic increase in rheumatoid factor (RF) blood levels, as well as considerable synovial tissue damage and inflammatory cell infiltration of the synovial membrane, were used to validate the onset of RA following COII immunization. COII immunization increased tissue levels of iNOS protein and IL- 1β mRNA and protein expression, which TDZD-8 suppressed considerably (p<0.0001). Furthermore, there was a significantly (p<0.001) positive correlation between iNOS, inflammatory biomarkers, and RF. We concluded that TDZD-8 reduced RA-induced IL-1β -iNOS axis-mediated arthritis in the rat knee joint synovium.

RESUMEN: La artritis reumatoide (AR), es una enfermedad autoinmune inflamatoria que causa la degradación del cartílago y la destrucción del tejido, pudiendo afectar las articulaciones sinoviales, como la articulación de la rodilla. No se ha estudiado el vínculo entre la óxido nítrico sintasa inducible por la enzima del estrés nitrosativo (iNOS) y la citocina interleucina-1 (IL-1β) en el daño de la membrana sinovial de la articulación de la rodilla provocado por AR con y sin la incorporación del inhibidor de GSK3β TDZD-8. Utilizamos el método de inmunización activa con colágeno tipo II (COII) durante veintiún días para inducir AR en ratas. Se administró TDZD-8 (1 mg/kg; i.p.) diariamente a ratas inmunizadas emparejadas durante tres semanas después del día 21 (COII+TDZD- 8). Se tomaron muestras de sangre y tejido 42 días después de la inmunización. Se observó un gran aumento de los niveles sanguíneos del factor reumatoideo (FR), así como un daño considerable del tejido sinovial e infiltración de células inflamatorias en la membrana sinovial, para validar la aparición de la AR después de la inmunización con COII. La inmunización con COII aumentó los niveles tisulares de la proteína iNOS y la expresión de proteína y ARNm de IL-1β, que TDZD-8 suprimió considerablemente (p<0,0001). Además, hubo una correlación positiva significativa (p<0,001) entre iNOS, biomarcadores inflamatorios y FR. Concluimos que TDZD- 8 redujo la artritis mediada por el eje IL-1β-iNOS inducida por la AR en la sinovial de la articulación de la rodilla de rata.

Filanesib plus bortezomib and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory t(11;14) and 1q21 gain multiple myeloma.

Filanesib is a first-in-class kinesin spindle protein inhibitor which demonstrated safety and encouraging activity in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in a preliminary analysis of dose-escalation phase results. This multicenter study included first a dose-escalation phase to determine maximum tolerated dose of two schedules of filanesib, bortezomib, and dexamethasone and a subsequent dose-expansion phase using the maximum tolerated doses. In the dose-expansion phase, 28 patients were evaluable for safety and efficacy. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events were neutropenia (21%) and anemia (18%), which were noncumulative and reversible, and hypertension (18%). The overall response rate was 43% with median duration of response not yet reached (range, 2.8-23.7+ months) with median follow-up of 6.3 months. A post hoc analysis incorporated 29 dose-escalation phase patients who received therapeutic filanesib doses, with an overall response rate of 39% and median duration of response of 18.0 months among the 57 total patients with median progression-free survival of 8.5 months. Notably, the PFS of high risk patients was comparable at 8.5 months, driven by the patients with 1q21 gain, characterized by increased MCL-1 expression, with a PFS of 9.1 months versus 3.5 months for the remainder of high risk patients. Patients with t(11;14) also had an encouraging PFS of 15.0 months. The combination of filanesib, bortezomib, and dexamethasone continues to show safety and encouraging activity in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, particularly in those patients with 1q21 gain and t(11;14).

The glutaminase inhibitor telaglenastat enhances the antitumor activity of signal transduction inhibitors everolimus and cabozantinib in models of renal cell carcinoma.

Dysregulated metabolism is a hallmark of cancer that manifests through alterations in bioenergetic and biosynthetic pathways to enable tumor cell proliferation and survival. Tumor cells exhibit high rates of glycolysis, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect, and an increase in glutamine consumption to support the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors express high levels of glutaminase (GLS), the enzyme required for the first step in metabolic conversion of glutamine to glutamate and the entry of glutamine into the TCA cycle. We found that RCC cells are highly dependent on glutamine for proliferation, and this dependence strongly correlated with sensitivity to telaglenstat (CB-839), an investigational, first-in-class, selective, orally bioavailable GLS inhibitor. Metabolic profiling of RCC cell lines treated with telaglenastat revealed a decrease in glutamine consumption, which was concomitant with a decrease in the production of glutamate and other glutamine-derived metabolites, consistent with GLS inhibition. Treatment of RCC cells with signal transduction inhibitors everolimus (mTOR inhibitor) or cabozantinib (VEGFR/MET/AXL inhibitor) in combination with telaglenastat resulted in decreased consumption of both glucose and glutamine and synergistic anti-proliferative effects. Treatment of mice bearing Caki-1 RCC xenograft tumors with cabozantinib plus telaglenastat resulted in reduced tumor growth compared to either agent alone. Enhanced anti-tumor activity was also observed with the combination of everolimus plus telaglenastat. Collectively, our results demonstrate potent, synergistic, anti-tumor activity of telaglenastat plus signal transduction inhibitors cabozantinib or everolimus via a mechanism involving dual inhibition of glucose and glutamine consumption.

Telmisartan Facilitates the Anticancer Effects of CARP-1 Functional Mimetic and Sorafenib in Rociletinib Resistant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are used for the treatment of both wild type and mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, acquired resistance is a major clinical challenge. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of telmisartan (Tel), CFM 4.16 and sorafenib combination in rociletinib resistant NSCLC tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D spheroid cultures and western blotting were used for evaluating cytotoxic effects and protein expression. An in vivo rociletinib resistant H1975 xenograft model of NSCLC was developed by subcutaneous injection of rociletinib resistant H1975 cells into nude mice. RESULTS: Tel, CFM 4.16 and sorafenib combination displayed superior anti-cancer effects in 3D spheroid cultures and a rociletinib resistant H1975 xenograft model of NSCLC by decreasing the protein expression of oncogenic and cancer stem cell markers (Nanog, Sox2 and Oct4). CONCLUSION: Tel facilitates effective penetration of CFM 4.16 and sorafenib in rociletinib resistant H1975 models of NSCLC.

The role of salicylic acid and benzothiadiazole in decreasing phytoplasma titer of sugarcane white leaf disease.

The objective of this research was to study the effect of Benzothiadiazole (BTH) and Salicylic acid (SA) on the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) of sugarcane the phytoplasma associated with the sugarcane white leaf (SCWL) disease. The experiment was conducted on plants of the sugarcane variety Khon Kaen 3 (KK3) infected with SCWL phytoplasma using insect vectors. Biochemical changes related to the SAR such as SA and total phenolic compounds were followed according to 4 different timepoints: 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after inoculation. Together, phytoplasma were quantified by RT-qPCR using the secA gene of phytoplasma. According to our results, the spraying of BTH and SA tended to increase the amounts of SA, total phenolic compounds and a lower presence of phytoplasma in the plants in comparison with the inoculated control. Spraying BTH at a concentration of 2.4 mM and SA at a concentration of 2.4 mM exhibited the best efficiency to reduce the concentration of phytoplasma. According to RT-qPCR results, the inoculated plants sprayed with BTH displayed a significantly lower concentration of phytoplasma compared to the inoculated controls. Overall, our results indicated that the spray of BTH and SA could induce an efficient SAR response to the phytoplasma associated with the SCWL disease. We expect these results will give support to the development of new products for controlling white leaf disease in sugarcane.

Simultaneous Pharmacologic Inhibition of Yes-Associated Protein 1 and Glutaminase 1 via Inhaled Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic) Acid-Encapsulated Microparticles Improves Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a deadly disease characterized by vascular stiffness and altered cellular metabolism. Current treatments focus on vasodilation and not other root causes of pathogenesis. Previously, it was demonstrated that glutamine metabolism, as catalyzed by GLS1 (glutaminase 1) activity, is mechanoactivated by matrix stiffening and the transcriptional coactivators YAP1 (yes-associated protein 1) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), resulting in pulmonary vascular proliferation and PH. Pharmacologic inhibition of YAP1 (by verteporfin) or glutaminase (by CB-839) improved PH in vivo. However, systemic delivery of these agents, particularly YAP1 inhibitors, may have adverse chronic effects. Furthermore, simultaneous use of pharmacologic blockers may offer additive or synergistic benefits. Therefore, a strategy that delivers these drugs in combination to local lung tissue, thus avoiding systemic toxicity and driving more robust improvement, was investigated. Methods and Results We used poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid polymer-based microparticles for delivery of verteporfin and CB-839 simultaneously to the lungs of rats suffering from monocrotaline-induced PH. Microparticles released these drugs in a sustained fashion and delivered their payload in the lungs for 7 days. When given orotracheally to the rats weekly for 3 weeks, microparticles carrying this drug combination improved hemodynamic (right ventricular systolic pressure and right ventricle/left ventricle+septum mass ratio), histologic (vascular remodeling), and molecular markers (vascular proliferation and stiffening) of PH. Importantly, only the combination of drug delivery, but neither verteporfin nor CB-839 alone, displayed significant improvement across all indexes of PH. Conclusions Simultaneous, lung-specific, and controlled release of drugs targeting YAP1 and GLS1 improved PH in rats, addressing unmet needs for the treatment of this deadly disease.

Effects of neurokinin 3 receptor antagonist fezolinetant on hot flash-like symptoms in ovariectomized rats.

The majority of women experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and night sweats, during the menopausal transition. Recent evidence strongly suggests a connection between neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor signaling and VMS associated with menopause. The NK3 receptor antagonist fezolinetant is currently in phase 3 development for treatment of moderate to severe VMS associated with menopause. We investigated the pharmacological effects of repeated administration of fezolinetant on levels of sex hormones and gonadotropins, neuronal activity in the hypothalamus, and skin temperature as an index of hot flash-like symptoms in ovariectomized rats as a model of menopause. Ovariectomized rats exhibited several typical menopausal symptoms: hyperphagia, increased body weight, significantly decreased plasma estradiol levels, increased luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and significantly increased skin temperature. Increased c-Fos expression (an indirect marker of neuronal activity) in median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) hypothalamic neurons was also observed in ovariectomized rats. Repeated oral administration of fezolinetant (1-10 mg/kg, twice daily) for 1 week dose-dependently reduced plasma LH levels without affecting estradiol or FSH levels, inhibited the activation of MnPO neurons, and attenuated hot flash-like symptoms. In addition, fezolinetant dose-dependently reduced hyperphagia and weight gain in ovariectomized rats. These preclinical findings suggest that fezolinetant attenuates hot flash-like symptoms via inhibition of neuronal activity in the MnPO of ovariectomized rats and provides further support for the ongoing clinical development of fezolinetant for the treatment of VMS associated with menopause.

Inhibition of eEF2K synergizes with glutaminase inhibitors or 4EBP1 depletion to suppress growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

The eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase, eEF2K, which restricts protein translation elongation, has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for diverse types of malignancies including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the contexts in which eEF2K inhibition is essential in TNBC and its consequences on the proteome are largely unknown. Here we show that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of eEF2K cooperated with glutamine (Gln) starvation, and synergized with glutaminase (GLS1) inhibitors to suppress growth of diverse TNBC cell lines. eEF2K inhibition also synergized with depletion of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (eIF4EBP1; 4EBP1), a suppressor of eukaryotic protein translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), to induce c-MYC and Cyclin D1 expression, yet attenuate growth of TNBC cells. Proteomic analysis revealed that whereas eEF2K depletion alone uniquely induced Cyclin Dependent Kinase 1 (CDK1) and 6 (CDK6), combined depletion of eEF2K and 4EBP1 resulted in overlapping effects on the proteome, with the highest impact on the 'Collagen containing extracellular matrix' pathway (e.g. COL1A1), as well as the amino-acid transporter, SLC7A5/LAT1, suggesting a regulatory loop via mTORC1. In addition, combined depletion of eEF2K and 4EBP1 indirectly reduced the levels of IFN-dependent innate immune response-related factors. Thus, eEF2K inhibition triggers cell cycle arrest/death under unfavourable metabolic conditions such as Gln-starvation/GLS1 inhibition or 4EBP1 depletion, uncovering new therapeutic avenues for TNBC and underscoring a pressing need for clinically relevant eEF2K inhibitors.

A computational and experimental investigation of donor-acceptor BODIPY based near-infrared fluorophore for in vivo imaging.

TD-DFT quantum calculation was performed to predict and/or illustrate the electronic transition, the related absorption and emission maxima of some pyrrole-difluoroboron derivatives with different electron donor-acceptor unit or π-conjugated degree. Upon the calculated results, a new near infrared (NIR) fluorophore (abbreviated as TPBD-BP) was designed and fabricated through linking triphenylamine and pyrrole-difluoroboron units to benzothiadiazole (BTD) backbone. The fluorescence of TPBD-BP in solid state centered at 932 nm, which was 985 nm for TPBD-BP nanoparticles (TPBD-BP dots) encapsulated in PEG-6000. The fluorescence of TPBD-BP in both solid state and dots exhibited off-peak tail emission to NIR-II region (extended to 1300 nm). The TPBD-BP dots showed excellent water solubility, biocompatibility and aggregation induced emission (AIE), which was suitable to be applied in vivo imaging. NIR-II emission signal of TPBD-BP dots can be observed in the reproductive organ of normal nude mice after tail vein injection. This attractive combination of computational and experimental investigation would help to develop new-typed small-molecular NIR fluorophores.

TDZD-8 suppresses rheumatoid arthritis induced by collagen type II in rats: potential role of apoptosis and inflammation / TDZD-8 suprime la artritis reumatoide inducida por colágeno tipo II en ratas: papel potencial de la apoptosis y la inflamación

SUMMARY: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered an autoimmune disease distinguished by chronic synovial membrane inflammation, degraded cartilage, as well as bone destruction, which lead to joints pain and stiffness. The pathogenesis of RA involved at least two mechanisms: Cellular proliferation and activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) enzyme. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that the GSK3binhibitor, TDZD-8, can treat the synovial tissue toward collagen type II (COII)-mediated RA linked to apoptosis induction and biomarker suppression of inflammation. Wistar rats were immunized with COII (the model group) for 21 days. Matched immunized rats were daily injected with TDZD-8 (1 mg/kg; i.p) for three additional weeks (COII+TDZD- 8).After 42 days of post-immunization, blood and tissues were collected. Histology (H&E) and immunohistochemistry (CD45; leukocyte common antigen) images showed that COII induced RA was demonstrated by profound damage to the synovial tissue and infiltration of the inflammatory cells, which were substantially ameliorated with TDZD-8. In addition, COII immunization caused the induction of rheumatoid factor (RF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) that were substantially (p<0.05) suppressed by TDZD-8. Whereas, TDZD-8 augmented the apoptotic biomarker, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), which was significantly (p<0.05) ameliorated by RA. We also showed a substantial relationship (p<0.001) between the blood levels of RF and the synovial tissue levels of TNF-α (r = 0.759), IL-1b (r = 0.969), IL-6 (r = 0.749), and Bax (r = - 0.914). These results indicate effective treatment of the injured synovial tissue by TDZD-8 against COII-induced RA in rats, which also decreases inflammatory biomarkers and augmentation of apoptosis.

RESUMEN: La artritis reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad autoinmune que se distingue por la inflamación crónica de la membrana sinovial, el cartílago degradado y la destrucción de los huesos, lo que provoca dolor y rigidez en las articulaciones. La patogenia de la AR involucra al menos dos mecanismos: la proliferación celular y la activación de la enzima glucógeno sintasa quinasa-3b (GSK3β) Por lo tanto, probamos la hipótesis de que el inhibidor de GSK3β, TDZD-8, puede tratar el tejido sinovial hacia el colágeno tipo II (COII) - AR mediada por inducción de apoptosis y supresión de biomarcadores de inflamación. Se inmunizaron ratas Wistar con COII (el grupo modelo) durante 21 días. Se inyectaron diariamente ratas emparejadas inmunizadas con TDZD-8 (1 mg / kg; i.p) durante tres semanas adicionales (COII + TDZD-8). Después de 42 días de post-inmunización, se recolectó sangre y tejidos. Las imágenes de histología (H&E) e inmunohistoquímica (CD45; antígeno común de leucocitos) mostraron que la AR inducida por COII presentaba un daño profundo en el tejido sinovial e infiltración de las células inflamatorias, las que mejoraron con TDZD-8. Además, la inmunización con COII provocó la inducción de factor reumatoide (FR), factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α), interleucina-6 (IL-6) e interleucina 1 beta (IL-1β) que fueron suprimidos por TDZD-8 de manera significativa (p < 0.05). Considerando que TDZD-8 aumentó el biomarcador apoptótico, la proteína X asociada a Bcl-2 (Bax), que fue mejorado (p <0,05) por RA. También se observó una relación sustancial (p <0,001) entre los niveles sanguíneos de RF y los niveles de tejido sinovial de TNF-α (r = 0,759), IL-1β (r = 0,969), IL-6 (r = 0,749), y Bax (r = -0,914). Estos resultados indicaron un tratamiento eficaz del tejido sinovial lesionado por TDZD-8 contra la AR inducida por COII en ratas, que también disminuye los biomarcadores inflamatorios y el aumento de la apoptosis.

Synthesis of Novel Triazolyl/Oxadiazolyl/Thiadiazolyl-Piperazine as Potential Anticonvulsant Agents.

Reaction of piperazine with chloroacetylchloride in dry acetone yield compound 1: , which on reaction with hydrazine hydrate yielded compound 2: , which was further reacted with various substituted phenylisothiocyanates in absolute alcohol to afford compounds 3-8: i. e. 2-(carbazolylacetyl)-N-(substitutedphenyl)-hydrazinepiperazinothioamides. Compounds 3-8: on reaction with aqueous NaOH, ethanolic NaOH and conc. H2SO4 afford triazoles 9-14: , oxadiazoles 15-20: and thiadiazoles 21-26: respectively. Twenty four newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity and acute toxicity. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of analytical and spectral data.

Glutaminase inhibition with telaglenastat (CB-839) improves treatment response in combination with ionizing radiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma models.

The efficacy of ionizing radiation (IR) for head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is limited by poorly understood mechanisms of adaptive radioresistance. Elevated glutaminase gene expression is linked to significantly reduced survival (p < 0.03). The glutaminase inhibitor, telaglenastat (CB-839), has been tested in Phase I/II cancer trials and is well tolerated by patients. This study investigated if telaglenastat enhances the cellular response to IR in HNSCC models. Using three human HNSCC cell lines and two xenograft mouse models, we examined telaglenastat's effects on radiation sensitivity. IR and telaglenastat combinatorial treatment reduced cell survival (p ≤ 0.05), spheroid size (p ≤ 0.0001) and tumor growth in CAL-27 xenograft bearing mice relative to vehicle (p ≤ 0.01), telaglenastat (p ≤ 0.05) or IR (p ≤ 0.01) monotherapy. Telaglenastat significantly reduced the Oxygen Consumption Rate/Extracellular Acidification Rate ratio in CAL-27 and HN5 cells in the presence of glucose and glutamine (p ≤ 0.0001). Telaglenastat increased oxidative stress and DNA damage in irradiated CAL-27 cells. These data suggest that combination treatment with IR and telaglenastat leads to an enhanced anti-tumor response. This pre-clinical data, combined with the established safety of telaglenastat justifies further investigation for the combination in HNSCC patients.

Alleviation of brain injury by applying TGN-020 in the supraoptic nucleus via inhibiting vasopressin neurons in rats of focal ischemic stroke.

AIMS: To understand mechanisms underlying vasopressin hypersecretion in stroke and its association with brain injury, we investigated effects of blocking aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) on vasopressin neuronal activity and cerebral injuries in male rats of unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). MAIN METHODS: Establishing MCAO model without or with microinjection of TGN-020 into the SON, performing Western blots and immunohistochemistry and analyzing the expression levels and spatial distribution of functional proteins in the SON and/or the cerebral cortex. KEY FINDINGS: MCAO increased plasma vasopressin levels, caused neurological damage and increased glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) in the SON and the cortex of MCAO side. In the SON, MCAO significantly increased c-Fos in vasopressin neurons and astrocytic somata in the ventral glial lamina. MCAO significantly reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and AQP4 around vasopressin neurons, which accompanied separation of GFAP from AQP4. By contrast, blocking AQP4 by microinjection of TGN-020 into the SON blocked MCAO-evoked GSK-3ß increase as well as the reduction of AQP4 relative to GFAP around vasopressin neurons in the SON. In the cortex, TGN-020 in the SON also blocked MCAO-evoked increase in GSK-3ß while reduced neurological damages. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicate that MCAO disrupts interactions of GFAP with AQP4 in astrocytic processes in the SON, which increases vasopressin neuronal activity. Blocking AQP4 in the SON can block abnormal activation of vasopressin neurons and alleviate ischemic brain injury, which provides novel targets for alleviating ischemic brain injury.

Phase 1 Trial of MLN0128 (Sapanisertib) and CB-839 HCl (Telaglenastat) in Patients With Advanced NSCLC (NCI 10327): Rationale and Study Design.

INTRODUCTION: There are currently no approved targeted therapies for lung squamous-cell carcinoma (LSCC) and KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). About 30% of LSCC and 25% of KRAS-mutant LUAD exhibit hyperactive NRF2 pathway activation through mutations in NFE2L2 (the gene encoding NRF2) or its negative regulator, KEAP1. Preclinical data demonstrate that these tumors are uniquely sensitive to dual inhibition of glycolysis and glutaminolysis via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and glutaminase inhibitors. This phase 1 study was designed to assess safety and preliminary activity of the mTOR inhibitor MLN0128 (sapanisertib) in combination with the glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 HCl. METHODS: Phase 1 dose finding will use the queue-based variation of the 3 + 3 dose escalation scheme with the primary endpoint of identifying the recommended expansion dose. To confirm the acceptable tolerability of the recommended expansion dose, patients will subsequently enroll onto 1 of 4 expansion cohorts (n = 14 per cohort): (1) LSCC harboring NFE2L2 or (2) KEAP1 mutations, or (3) LUAD harboring KRAS/(KEAP1 or NFE2L2) coalterations, or (4) LSCC wild type for NFE2L2 and KEAP1. The primary endpoint of the dose expansion is to determine the preliminary efficacy of MLN0128/CB-839 combination therapy. CONCLUSION: This phase 1 study will determine the recommended expansion dose and preliminary efficacy of MLN0128 and CB-839 in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer with a focus on subsets of LSCC and KRAS-mutant LUAD harboring NFE2L2 or KEAP1 mutations.

Yoda1 and phosphatidylserine exposure in red cells from patients with sickle cell anaemia.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure is increased in red cells from sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients. Externalised PS is prothrombotic and attractive to phagocytes and activated endothelial cells and thus contributes to the anaemic and ischaemic complications of SCA. The mechanism of PS exposure remains uncertain but it can follow increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Normally, [Ca2+]i is maintained at very low levels but in sickle cells, Ca2+ permeability is increased, especially following deoxygenation and sickling, mediated by a pathway sometimes called Psickle. The molecular identity of Psickle is also unclear but recent work has implicated the mechanosensitive channel, PIEZO1. We used Yoda1, an PIEZO1 agonist, to investigate its role in sickle cells. Yoda1 caused an increase in [Ca2+]i and PS exposure, which was inhibited by its antagonist Dooku1 and the PIEZO1 inhibitor GsMTx4, consistent with functional PIEZO1. However, PS exposure did not necessitate an increase in [Ca2+]i. Two PKC inhibitors were also tested, chelerytherine chloride and calphostin C. Both reduced PS exposure whilst chelerytherine chloride also reduced Yoda1-induced increases in [Ca2+]i. Findings are therefore consistent with the presence of PIEZO1 in sickle cells, able to mediate Ca2+ entry but that PKC was also involved in both Ca2+ entry and PS exposure.

A Phase 2 Study of AMO-02 (Tideglusib) in Congenital and Childhood-Onset Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1).

BACKGROUND: GSK3ß is an intracellular regulatory kinase that is dysregulated in multiple tissues in type 1 myotonic dystrophy, a rare neuromuscular disorder that manifests at any age. AMO-02 (tideglusib) inhibits GSK3ß activity in preclinical models of type 1 myotonic dystrophy and promotes cellular maturation as well as normalizes aberrant molecular and behavioral phenotypes. This phase 2 study assessed the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of AMO-02 in adolescents and adults with congenital and childhood-onset type 1 myotonic dystrophy. METHODS: Sixteen subjects (aged 13 to 34 years) with congenital and childhood-onset type 1 myotonic dystrophy received 12 weeks of single-blind fixed-dose oral treatment with either 400 mg (n = 8) or 1000 mg (n = 8) AMO-02 (NCT02858908). Blood samples were obtained for pharmacokinetic assessment. Safety assessments, such as laboratory tests and electrocardiograms, as well as efficacy assessments of syndromal, cognitive, and muscular functioning, were obtained. RESULTS: AMO-02 plasma concentrations conformed to a two-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination, and dose-dependent increases in exposure (area under the curve) were observed. AMO-02 was generally safe and well-tolerated. No early discontinuations due to adverse events or dose adjustments of AMO-02 occurred. The majority of subjects manifested clinical improvement in their central nervous system and neuromuscular symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment compared with the placebo baseline, with a larger response noted at the 1000 mg/day dose level. AMO-02 exposure (cumulative area under the curve) was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with change from baseline on several key efficacy assessments. CONCLUSION: AMO-02 has favorable pharmacokinetic and clinical risk/benefit profiles meriting further study as a potential treatment for congenital and childhood-onset type 1 myotonic dystrophy.

5-Fluorouracil Enhances the Antitumor Activity of the Glutaminase Inhibitor CB-839 against PIK3CA-Mutant Colorectal Cancers.

PIK3CA encodes the p110α catalytic subunit of PI3K and is frequently mutated in human cancers, including ∼30% of colorectal cancer. Oncogenic mutations in PIK3CA render colorectal cancers more dependent on glutamine. Here we report that the glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 preferentially inhibits xenograft growth of PIK3CA-mutant, but not wild-type (WT), colorectal cancers. Moreover, the combination of CB-839 and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induces PIK3CA-mutant tumor regression in xenograft models. CB-839 treatment increased reactive oxygen species and caused nuclear translocation of Nrf2, which in turn upregulated mRNA expression of uridine phosphorylase 1 (UPP1). UPP1 facilitated the conversion of 5-FU to its active compound, thereby enhancing the inhibition of thymidylate synthase. Consistently, knockout of UPP1 abrogated the tumor inhibitory effect of combined CB-839 and 5-FU administration. A phase I clinical trial showed that the combination of CB-839 and capecitabine, a prodrug of 5-FU, was well tolerated at biologically-active doses. Although not designed to test efficacy, an exploratory analysis of the phase I data showed a trend that PIK3CA-mutant patients with colorectal cancer might derive greater benefit from this treatment strategy as compared with PIK3CA WT patients with colorectal cancer. These results effectively demonstrate that targeting glutamine metabolism may be an effective approach for treating patients with PIK3CA-mutant colorectal cancers and warrants further clinical evaluation. SIGNIFICANCE: Preclinical and clinical trial data suggest that the combination of CB-839 with capecitabine could serve as an effective treatment for PIK3CA-mutant colorectal cancers.

Alleviation of Cerebral Infarction of Rats With Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion by Inhibition of Aquaporin 4 in the Supraoptic Nucleus.

In ischemic stroke, vasopressin hypersecretion is a critical factor of cerebral swelling and brain injury. To clarify neural mechanisms underlying ischemic stroke-evoked vasopressin hypersecretion, we observed the effect of unilateral permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats on astrocytic plasticity and vasopressin neuronal activity in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) as well as their associated cerebral injuries. MCAO for 8 hr caused cerebral infarction in the MCAO side where water contents also increased. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the percentage of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2)-positive vasopressin neurons in the SON of MCAO side was significantly higher than that in non-MCAO side and in sham group. In the cortex, pERK1/2 and aquaporin 4 expressions increased significantly in the infarction area, while glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) reduced significantly compared with the noninfarction side in brain cortex. Microinjection of N-(1,3,4-Thiadiazolyl)nicotinamide-020 [TGN-020, a specific blocker of aquaporin 4] into the SON blocked MCAO-evoked increases in pERK1/2 in the SON as well as the reduction of GFAP and the increase in pERK1/2 and aquaporin 4 in the infarction area of the cortex. Finally, oxygen and glucose deprivation reduced GFAP expression and the colocalization and molecular association of GFAP with aquaporin 4 in the SON in brain slices. These effects were blocked by TGN-020 and/or phloretin, a blocker of astrocytic volume-regulated anion channels. These findings indicate that blocking aquaporin 4 in the SON may reduce the activation of vasopressin neurons and brain injuries elicited by vasopressin during ischemic stroke.