Effect of bradykinin metabolism inhibitors on evoked hypotension in rats: rank efficacy of enzymes associated with bradykinin-mediated angioedema.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inhibition of bradykinin metabolizing enzymes (BMEs) can cause acute angioedema, as demonstrated in a recent clinical trial in patients administered the antihypertensive, omapatrilat. However, the relative contribution of specific BMEs to this effect is unclear and confounded by the lack of a predictive pre-clinical model of angioedema. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Rats were instrumented to record blood pressure and heart rate; inhibitors were infused for 35 min and bradykinin was infused during the last 5 min to elicit hypotension, as a functional marker of circulating bradykinin and relative angioedema risk. KEY RESULTS: In the presence of omapatrilat bradykinin produced dose-dependent hypotension, an effect abolished by B(2) blockade. In the presence of lisinopril (ACE inhibitor), but not candoxatril (NEP inhibitor) or apstatin (APP inhibitor), bradykinin also elicited hypotension. Lisinopril-mediated hypotension was unchanged with concomitant blockade of NEP or NEP/DPPIV (candoxatril+A-899301). However, hypotension was enhanced upon concomitant blockade of APP and further intensified in the presence of NEP inhibition to values not different from omapatrilat alone. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: We demonstrated that bradykinin is degraded in vivo with an enzyme rank-efficacy of ACE>APP>>NEP or DPPIV. These results suggest the effects of omapatrilat are mediated by inhibition of three BMEs, ACE/APP/NEP. However, dual inhibition of ACE/NEP or ACE/NEP/DPPIV elicits no increased risk of angioedema compared to ACE inhibition alone. Thus, novel BME inhibitors must display no activity against APP to avoid angioedema risk due to high prevalence of ACE inhibitor therapy in patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Potent inhibition of NFAT activation and T cell cytokine production by novel low molecular weight pyrazole compounds.

NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cell) proteins are expressed in most immune system cells and regulate the transcription of cytokine genes critical for the immune response. The activity of NFAT proteins is tightly regulated by the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase 2B/calcineurin (CaN). Dephosphorylation of NFAT by CaN is required for NFAT nuclear localization. Current immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporin A and FK506 block CaN activity thus inhibiting nuclear translocation of NFAT and consequent cytokine gene transcription. The inhibition of CaN in cells outside of the immune system may contribute to the toxicities associated with cyclosporin A therapy. In a search for safer immunosuppressive drugs, we identified a series of 3,5-bistrifluoromethyl pyrazole (BTP) derivatives that block Th1 and Th2 cytokine gene transcription. The BTP compounds block the activation-dependent nuclear localization of NFAT as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Confocal microscopy of cells expressing fluorescent-tagged NFAT confirmed that the BTP compounds block calcium-induced movement of NFAT from the cytosol to the nucleus. Inhibition of NFAT was selective because the BTP compounds did not affect the activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 transcription factors. Treatment of intact T cells with the BTP compounds prior to calcium ionophore-induced activation of CaN caused NFAT to remain in a highly phosphorylated state. However, the BTP compounds did not directly inhibit the dephosphorylation of NFAT by CaN in vitro, nor did the drugs block the dephosphorylation of other CaN substrates including the type II regulatory subunit of protein kinase A and the transcription factor Elk-1. The data suggest that the BTP compounds cause NFAT to be maintained in the cytosol in a phosphorylated state and block the nuclear import of NFAT and, hence, NFAT-dependent cytokine gene transcription by a mechanism other than direct inhibition of CaN phosphatase activity. The novel inhibitors described herein will be useful in better defining the cellular regulation of NFAT activation and may lead to identification of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of autoimmune disease and transplant rejection.

3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazoles: a novel class of NFAT transcription factor regulator.

A series of bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazoles (BTPs) has been found to be a novel inhibitor of cytokine production. Identified initially as inhibitors of IL-2 synthesis, the BTPs have been optimized in this regard and even inhibit IL-2 production with a 10-fold enhancement over cyclosporine in an ex vivo assay. Additionally, the BTPs show inhibition of IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, and eotaxin production. Unlike the IL-2 inhibitors, cyclosporine and FK506, the BTPs do not directly inhibit the dephosphorylation of NFAT by calcineurin.

Antifungal rapamycin analogues with reduced immunosuppressive activity.

Several 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- and 7-N-hydroxycarbamate derivatives of the natural product rapamycin were prepared and assayed for their immunosuppressive and antifungal profiles. Substitutions at the 7-position indicate the possibility of a differentiated immunosuppressive to antifungal profile, whereas 40-position variants of the tetrahydro-analogues did not show similar differentiated activity.

Inhibition of p56(lck) tyrosine kinase by isothiazolones.

Lck encodes a 56-kDa protein-tyrosine kinase, predominantly expressed in T lymphocytes, crucial for initiating T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signal transduction pathways, culminating in T cell cytokine gene expression and effector functions. As a consequence of a high-throughput screen for selective, novel inhibitors of p56(lck), an isothiazolone compound was identified, methyl-3-(N-isothiazolone)-2-thiophenecarboxylate(A-125800), which inhibits p56(lck) kinase activity with IC50 = 1-7 microM. Under similar assay conditions, the isothiazolone compound was equipotent in blocking the ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase activity but was 50 to 100 times less potent against the catalytic activities of p38 MAP kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2alpha. A-125800 blocked activation-dependent TCR tyrosine phosphorylation and intracellular calcium mobilization in Jurkat T cells (IC50 = 35 microM) and blocked T cell proliferation in response to alloantigen (IC50 = 14 microM) and CD3/CD28-induced IL-2 secretion (IC50 = 2.2 microM) in primary T cell cultures. Inhibition of p56(lck )by A-125800 was dose- and time-dependent and was irreversible. A substitution of methylene for the sulfur atom in the isothiazolone ring of the compound completely abrogated the ability to inhibit p56(lck) kinase activity and TCR-dependent signal transduction. Incubation with thiols such as beta-ME or DTT also blocked the ability of the isothiazolone to inhibit p56(lck) kinase activity. LC/MS analysis established the covalent modification of p56(lck) at cysteine residues 378, 465, and 476. Together these data support an inhibitory mechanism, whereby cysteine -SH groups within the p56(lck) catalytic domain react with the isothiazolone ring, leading to ring opening and disulfide bond formation with the p56(lck) enzyme. Loss of p56(lck) activity due to -SH oxidation has been suggested to play a role in the pathology of AIDS. Consequently, a similar mechanism of sulfhydryl oxidation leading to p56(lck) inhibition, described in this report, may occur in the intact T cell and may underlie certain T cell pathologies.

Ex vivo assessment of immunosuppression in undiluted whole blood from pigs dosed with tacrolimus (FK506).

To assess the duration of immunosuppression in FK506-dosed pigs, an undiluted whole blood assay was established to measure reactivities of T cells in their physiological milieu. PMA and ionomycin were shown to induce IL-2 production in swine blood. The IC50 of FK506 in inhibiting IL-2 production in whole blood and isolated PBMC stimulated with PMA and ionomycin measured 1.2 and 0.04 nM, respectively. These data underscore the influence of red blood cells and plasma proteins on drug potency. IL-2 levels were determined in blood drawn immediately before and 1, 24, 48, and 72 h after iv dosing. For pigs dosed with 0.05 mg/kg, 50% recovery of IL-2 production was observed at 16 h and 100% at 35 h after dosing. For pigs dosed with 0.15 mg/kg, 50% recovery was observed at 38 h and 100% at 72 h. Blood concentrations of FK506 at 50 and 100% recovery of IL-2 production measured 10.8 and 2.2 nM for pigs dosed with 0.05 mg/kg and 6.1 and 1.1 nM for pigs dosed with 0.15 mg/kg, respectively. These concentrations are severalfold higher than predicted from the IC50 of FK506 for inhibiting IL-2 production in the whole blood assay. These data suggest that the true potency of FK506 in blood after dosing is influenced by additional factors, which could include plasma protein binding, the presence of active or interfering metabolites, serum interfering factors, and sequestration of drug in blood cells. Our results demonstrate the utility of an undiluted whole blood assay for assessing the duration of immunosuppression in drug-dosed animals and emphasize the importance of assessing drug potency in the whole blood environment ex vivo.

Leflunomide interferes with pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis.

Leflunomide is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agent which blocks proliferation of transformed cells and mitogen stimulated normal lymphocytes but does not block T cell signaling mechanisms at antiproliferative concentrations. These properties are consistent with a mechanism involving interference with nucleotide metabolism. Leflunomide had anti-proliferative activity against all cells tested here. The anti-proliferative activities could be reversed by addition of uridine or cytidine to the cultures although some species and cellular differences were observed. Purine nucleotides had no effect. Measurements of nucleotide pools in a human T cell line and mitogen stimulated rat spleen cells treated with leflunomide showed that leflunomide preferentially reduces pyrimidine nucleotide levels. These results indicate that inhibition of pyrimidine biosynthesis is responsible for the anti-proliferative effects of leflunomide.

Inhibition of human epidermal transglutaminases in vitro and in vivo by tyrosinamidomethyl dihydrohaloisoxazoles.

Tyrosinamidomethyl dihydrohaloisoxazoles (THX) irreversibly inhibit isolated epidermal transglutaminases and ionophore-induced cell envelope formation in malignant human keratinocytes. In cultured human foreskin keratinocytes cultured in 10(-5) M THX for 5 days, soluble and particulate transglutaminases were inhibited by 90% and 44-51%, respectively. Spontaneous cell envelope formation was inhibited up to 54%. When THX-treated keratinocytes were simultaneously incubated with 10(-5) M retinoic acid (RA), there was enhanced inhibition of cell envelope formation compared to either agent alone. The inhibitors were equally effective in keratinocytes incubated with fetal calf serum or delipidized serum. After THX was applied to normal human thoracic skin in vivo for 9 d, the soluble and particulate transglutaminases isolated from suction blister epidermis were inhibited 30% and 40%, respectively. THX may be effective in inhibiting both soluble and particulate transglutaminase activity in disorders with increased transglutaminase activity.

Synthesis and antiinflammatory and analgesic activity of 5-aroyl-6-(methylthio)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrrole-1-ca rboxyl ic acids and 1-methyl-4-(methylthio)-5-aroylpyrrole-2-acetic acids.

5-Aroyl-6-(methylthio)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrrole-1-carb oxylic acids and 1-methyl-4-(methylthio)-5-aroylpyrrole-2-acetic acids were synthesized and assayed as antiinflammatory and analgesic agents. The majority of these compounds exhibit a surprisingly low level of antiinflammatory activity (rat carrageenan paw) but have considerable potency as analgesics (mouse phenylquinone writing). For example, the p-tolyl-substituted bicyclic and monocyclic compounds 44 and 58 are 301 and 66 times more potent than aspirin (mouse writhing) but only 3.4 and 1.5 times more potent than phenylbutazone in the antiinflammatory screen (rat paw).

Edema and cell infiltration in the phorbol ester-treated mouse ear are temporally separate and can be differentially modulated by pharmacologic agents.

The temporal patterns of edema and accumulation of the PMN marker enzyme, myeloperoxidase (MPO), were examined following application of tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) to mouse ears. After application of 2.5 micrograms TPA, edema peaked at 6 hr, while MPO activity peaked at 24 hr. Pharmacological agents with defined mechanisms of action, delivered orally or topically, were assessed for effects on these responses. For oral administration, compounds were delivered 1 hr before and 6 hr after TPA and for topical administration compounds were delivered at 15 min and 6 hr after TPA. Topical and oral corticosteroids inhibited both edema and MPO accumulation. Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors were very effective against MPO accumulation but were either inactive or moderately active vs edema. Anti-histamine/anti-serotonin agents had little effect on edema, but could inhibit or exacerbate MPO accumulation depending on dose and route of administration. Topically applied histamine itself did not effect TPA-induced edema, but markedly suppressed MPO accumulation. Acetone, the vehicle, when topically applied between 0.5 and 2 hr after TPA inhibited MPO accumulation by 60-80%, but had little effect on edema. Acetone applied before 0.5 hr or after 2 hr had no effect on either parameter. These results indicate that in the TPA-induced ear inflammation model the MPO response at 24 hr may be a useful additional indicator of drug activity.

Intraarticular injection of Propionibacterium acnes causes an erosive arthritis in rats.

Formalin killed Propionibacterium acnes, was injected intraarticularly into the stifle joint of rats. The reaction was assessed by radiologic and histologic examination. A single injection induced a marginally erosive synovitis that receded by day 30. A second injection administered in the same joint resulted in tissue destruction that was evident radiographically. Treatment by dexamethasone and some disease modifying drugs, i.e. chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, sodium aurothiomalate and cyclophosphamide, significantly inhibited cartilage and bone erosion while nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents had no effect.

Acne-like chronic inflammatory activity of Propionibacterium acnes preparations in an animal model: correlation with ability to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system.

The ability of strains and fractions of killed propionibacteria suspensions to produce chronic rat ear inflammation after intradermal injection of 70-micrograms aliquots was highly correlated with production of splenomegaly in the mouse after i.p. injection of 1.4 mg Propionibacterium acnes strains CN 6134, VPI 0009, ATCC 11828, and UCLA SC and N1 produced a 2- to 3-fold increase in rat ear thickness and a 5- to 7-fold increase in mouse spleen weight 15 days post injection. In contrast P. granulosum CN 5888, P. acnes UCLA 6S and periodated, acetylated, or 12-h cultures of VPI 0009 were inactive or weakly active as stimulators of chronic ear inflammation and splenomegaly. Active strains produced in the rat ear a transepidermal elimination response characterized by follicular encapsulation and the formation of secondary comedones. These effects correlated with persistence of phagocytized bacteria within macrophages. Furthermore, when rats were first immunized and then challenged with active strains of P. acnes, an increased sensitivity to low doses of P. acnes and a chronic exacerbation of inflammation was observed.

Intradermal injection of Propionibacterium acnes: a model of inflammation relevant to acne.

The intradermal injection of 140 micrograms of Propionibacterium acnes (CN 6134) into the ears of female Sprague-Dawley rats produced a chronic inflammation with formation of acneiform lesions. Inflammation was characterized by more than a doubling of ear thickness at 24 h and a peak of 3-4 times control levels at day 21. At 42 days post injection ears were still 3 times normal thickness. Histologically there was early polymorph accumulation giving way to macrophages and lymphocytes by day 7. Pilosebaceous follicles overlying the inflamed area lost their sebaceous glands and became hyperplastic cords of cells that grew down and encapsulated inflammatory loci. By day 9 many of these follicles had become secondary comedones. Three isolates of P. acnes from inflammatory acne lesions and 4 of 5 isolates from non-acne patients produced results similar to that of the strain CN 6134. In these cases the number of histologically evident secondary comedones was correlated with ear thickness. In contrast, samples of Streptococcus lactis, Escherichia coli B, and Staphylococcus epidermidis failed to produce this combination of chronic inflammation and high lesion count. Benzoyl peroxide, tetracycline, erythromycin, phenidone, naproxen, and cis and trans retinoic acid were inactive as inhibitors of P. acnes CN 6134-induced ear thickening. The corticosteroid fluocinolone acetonide produced dramatic suppression of inflammation, but upon cessation of treatment the ears returned to inflamed levels. The specificity for P. acnes, the formation of acneiform lesions, and the recalcitrance of the inflammation suggest our model is indeed relevant to acne.

The mouse ear inflammatory response to topical arachidonic acid.

Application of arachidonic acid (AA) (0.1-4 mg) to the ears of mice produces immediate vasodilatation and erythema (5 min) followed by the abrupt development of edema which is maximal at 40-60 min. The onset of edema coincides with extravasation of protein and leukocytes. After 1 h, the edema begins to wane rapidly and the inflammatory cells leave the tissue so that by 6 h the ears have returned to near normal except for residual erythema. During the period 6-48 h, AA-treated ears show a greatly diminished response with respect to edema and cell infiltrate when AA is applied a second time. Inhibitor studies show that the inflammatory response is due to formation of AA metabolites via both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. Under appropriate conditions, AA-induced ear edema can be used as a model to screen for compounds showing in vivo lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. Although relatively large doses of AA were applied topically, there was only a modest stimulation of epidermal DNA synthesis and mitotic index with no consequent hyperplasia. Although arachidonic acid is capable of eliciting most aspects of an inflammatory response, the reaction is abrupt in onset and of short duration. Additional factors appear to be required to produce a prolonged inflammatory response with associated tissue destruction, or inflammatory cell activation and immobilization in situ.

Transglutaminase activity in human and rabbit ear comedogenesis: a histochemical study.

Using monodansylcadaverine as a fluorescent, lysine-substrate analogue, alterations in the histochemical profile of transglutaminase activity during human and coal tar-induced rabbit ear comedogenesis were examined. When compared to the normal pilosebaceous follicles of both species, a marked increase in enzyme-specific fluorescence in the hyperplastic epidermal lining and in the epithelium of the sebaceous duct was observed in human and rabbit early lesions. In mature human open and closed comedones, an intact band of transglutaminase activity corresponding to the differentiating epidermal cell layers was seen to surround the lesion. In mature rabbit comedones this band of activity was most striking. In most lesions, transglutaminase activity was closely apposed to the plasma membrane of the differentiating keratinocytes, the site of cornified envelope formation. In normal human and rabbit interfollicular epidermis the cornified layer immediately above the fluorescent granular layer was histochemically inactive, while the surface stratum corneum showed an increase in activity. A similar phenomenon was observed in many comedones. This pattern of activity may relate to the process of desquamation. Finally, the changes in transglutaminase activity observed during comedogenesis suggest the possibility that inhibitors of transglutaminase could be useful in acne therapy.

The effect of topical drugs on mouse ear epidermal transglutaminase activity.

The response of mouse ear epidermal transglutaminase to single applications of anthralin, retinoic acid (both 59 micrograms/ear) or fluocinolone acetonide (2 micrograms/ear) was determined. Anthralin and retinoic acid caused inflammation and accumulation of epidermal protein and DNA, whereas fluocinolone acetonide resulted in ear thinning and decreased epidermal protein and DNA. Treatment with either anthralin or retinoic acid caused increases in absolute amounts of epidermal transglutaminase activity/ear. Anthralin increased this parameter 70-100% above acetone-treated controls from 48 hr through 7 days. Retinoic acid-treated ears showed a slower initial increase but peaked at 4 times control level by 96 hr before returning to normal at 7 days. Fluocinolone acetonide treatment had no effect on this parameter. The specific activity of epidermal transglutaminase (total epidermal transglutaminase/total soluble epidermal protein) was decreased by retinoic acid treatment; was maintained at normal levels by anthralin (except for the 7-day point where it decreased 50%); and was dramatically stimulated by fluocinolone acetonide. In the latter case, specific activity was more than 5 x control by 96 hr and still near this level at 7 days. Epidermal transglutaminase activity is a marker of differentiation, and protein and DNA accumulation an indication of growth. Thus, at the doses studied, retinoic acid favors growth over differentiation, anthralin maintains a normal to near normal ratio of growth to differentiation, and fluocinolone acetonide strongly favors differentiation over growth.