Retrospektivna procjena učinka nintedaniba u mišjem modelu plućne fibroze - usporedba učinkovitosti s kliničkim ishodom idiopatske plućne fibroze

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) routinely implemented in clinics are the first step in the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Evaluation of PFTs in the mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis accompanied by histological readouts may improve the clinical predictability of new therapeutic candidates. Forced vital capacity (FVC) is considered the most predictive of restrictive pulmonary disorders. This study aimed to test the improvement of PFT in mice lung fibrosis induced by treatment with an approved substance nintedanib, considered the gold standard. The hypothesis that treatment in animal models will demonstrate similar effects as in humans in the most relevant clinical outcomes was tested. Two experimental designs were enrolled in this study, a preventive regimen, with treatment initiation from the day of the challenge; and a therapeutic regimen, starting on day 7 postchallenge when fibrotic changes are present in the lungs. Experiments were terminated at two different time points, at 14 and 21 days postchallenge. C57BL/6 mice were administered with bleomycin (BLM) intranasally and treated with nintedanib from day 0 to day 14 or from day 7 until day 21. Fourteen or 21 days after the BLM challenge, PFTs were assessed using the in vivo invasive lung function measurement system Buxco® Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) (DSI™, New Brighton, USA). Histological evaluation was performed as a modified Ashcroft score. The bleomycin challenge induced a significant decrease of FVC in both experiments. However, nintedanib treatment given in both regimens significantly improved lung functionality. These findings were confirmed with histological analysis of the Ashcroft scoring system, modified by Matsuse. In conclusion, a good correlation between functional test parameters and the clinical effect of nintedanib was shown in both experiments: the preventive regimen was sampled 14 days post-challenge and the therapeutic regimen 21 days post-challenge. Based on these findings, the implementation of PFTs could be a good platform to increase the translational value of the model and potential new treatments.Testovi funkcije pluća prvi su klinički postupak u dijagnostici respiratornih bolesti kao što je idiopatska plućna fibroza (IPF). Mišji modeli plućne fibroze su vrlo važni u razvoju novih terapija. Uvođenje testova u životinjski model, zajedno s histološkom procjenom omogućit će bolji probir novih molekula i njihovo daljnje kliničko istraživanje. Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio odrediti precizne vrijednosti parametara plućnih funkcija korištenjem standardne humane terapije za IPF, nintedaniba na mišjim modelima u svrhu postavljanja platforme za učinkovitiji razvoj novih potencijalnih terapija. Testiranje je vršeno pod pretpostavkom da će odabrani tretman u mišjem modelu dati sličan efekt kao i kod ljudi u odabranoj dijagnostičkoj metodi. Testirana su dva eksperimentalna protokola: preventivnouvođenje terapije prije razvoja fibrotičnih promjena i terapijski protokol aplikacije terapije u vrijeme nastanka plućne fibroze. C57Bl/6 miševima je bleomicin apliciran intranazalno prvog dana studije, a terapija nintedanibom primijenjena je od prvog dana do 14. u preventivnom te od sedmog dana do 21. u terapijskom protokolu. Četrnaestog ili Retrospektivna procjena učinka nintedaniba u mišjem modelu plućne fibroze - usporedba učinkovitosti s kliničkim ishodom idiopatske plućne fibroze 21. dana nakon početka pokusa nakon bleomicinske primjene, testovi funkcije pluća su provedeni koristeći Buxco® Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) (DSI™, New Brighton, SAD) u in vivo invazivni sustav. Histološka procjena je provedena koristeći modificirani Ashcroft sustav ocjenjivanja količine patoloških promjena u plućima. Primjena bleomicina u plućima miševa je utjecala na značajno smanjenje parametra forsiranog vitalnog kapaciteta (FVC) u oba ispitana protokola, dok je terapija nintedanibom značajno poboljšala nastale promjene. Ovi rezultati su potvrđeni i ocjenom histoloških promjena u tkivu pluća. Testovi funkcionalnosti pluća u mišjem modelu značajno koreliraju s kliničkim efektom istraživane terapije u obje studije. U preventivnom protokolu istraženom 14. dana te u terapijskom 21. dana eksperimenta. Na temelju ovih saznanja, možemo zaključiti kako uvođenje ovog testa, kao relevantne kliničke dijagnostike, možemo poboljšati translacijsku vrijednost životinjskih modela u razvoju nove terapije

Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Novel Furochromenes

A series of variously substituted furochromenes, hemiacetals 2, acetals 3, and rearranged compounds 4, were synthesized from variously substituted 4-hydroxycoumarins and evaluated in several in vitro assays, inhibition of mast cell degranulation induced by the activation of Fcε receptor type I or calci-um ionophore and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) inhibition. The most active derivatives, 3p and 4p (8-iso-propyl substitution in coumarin ring) and 3r (5-methyl-8-chloro substitution), showed significant inhibition of mast cell degranulation (Fctriggered) and LTB4, and exhibited significant local anti-inflammatory activity in PMA induced ear edema in CD1 mice, with potency equal (compounds 3p and 4p) or better (compound 3r) in comparison with zileuton, a reference drug used. It might be a promising direction for developing novel drugs as potential agents for the treatment of allergies and other inflammatory diseases.(doi: 10.5562/cca2240

Macrolactonolides: a novel class of anti-inflammatory compounds

A new concept in design of safe glucocorticoid therapy was introduced by conjugating potent glucocorticoid steroids with macrolides (macrolactonolides). These compounds were synthesized from various steroid 17β-carboxylic acids and 9a-N-(3-aminoalkyl) derivatives of 9-deokso-9a-aza-9a-homoeritromicin A and 3-descladinosyl-9-deokso-9a-aza-9a-homoeritromicin A using stable alkyl chain. Combining property of macrolides to preferentially accumulate in immune cells, especially in phagocyte cells, with anti-inflammatory activity of classic steroids, we designed molecules which showed good anti-inflammatory activity in ovalbumin (OVA) induced asthma in rats. The synthesis, in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of this novel class of compounds are described

Claudins: Beyond Tight Junctions in Human IBD and Murine Models

Claudins are transmembrane proteins constituting one of three tight junction protein families. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), disease activity–dependent changes in expression of certain claudins have been noted, thus making certain claudin family members potential therapy targets. A study was undertaken with the aim of exploring expression of claudins in human disease and two different animal models of IBD: dextrane sulfate sodium–induced colitis and adoptive transfer model of colitis. The expression of sealing claudin-1, claudin-3, claudin-4, and claudin-8, and pore-forming claudin-2 in humans and rodents has been evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Claudins were expressed by epithelial and cells of mesodermal origin and were found to be situated at the membrane, within the cytoplasm, or within the nuclei. Claudin expression by human mononuclear cells isolated from lamina propria has been confirmed by Western blot and flow cytometry. The claudin expression pattern in uninflamed and inflamed colon varied between species and murine strains. In IBD and both animal models, diverse alterations in claudin expression by epithelial and inflammatory cells were recorded. Tissue mRNA levels for each studied claudin reflected changes within cell lineage and, at the same time, mirrored the ratio between various cell types. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that 1) claudins are not expressed exclusively by epithelial cells, but by certain types of cells of mesodermal origin as well ; 2) changes in the claudin mRNA level should be interpreted in the context of overall tissue alterations ; and 3) both IBD animal models that were analyzed can be used for investigating claudins as a therapy target, respecting their similarities and differences highlighted in this study