Deuterium-Stabilized (R)-Pioglitazone, PXL065, for Treatment of X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)

Background and aims: X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare neurometabolic disorder caused by ABCD1- gene mutations, leading to Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids (VLCFA; in particular C26:0) accumulation, inflammation, mitochondrial impairment and demyelination. PXL065, a clinical-stage deuterium-stabilized(R)-stereoisomer of pioglitazone, retains pioglitazone non-genomic actions but lacks PPARγ activity. As pioglitazone exhibits beneficial effects in ALD models and PXL065 may avoid PPARγ- related side effects, we investigated PXL065 effects of in preclinical models. Methods: Patient-derived fibroblasts and lymphocytes and Abcd1-KO mouse glial cells were exposed to PXL065 (5-10μM) and pioglitazone (10μM) for 7 days. VLCFA content was measured by mass spectrometry, selected gene expression by RT-qPCR, and mitochondrial function using a Seahorse Analyzer (after 72hr). PXL065 or pioglitazone (15mg/kg QD) were administered to 6-8-week or 13-month old Abcd1-KO mice for 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. VLCFA content (mass spectrometry), sciatic nerve axonal morphology (electronic microscopy), and locomotor function (open field test) were measured. Results: In patient and mouse glial cells, PXL065 and pioglitazone corrected C26:0, improved mitochondrial function, increased compensatory Abcd2-3 transporter gene expression, and decreased inflammatory gene expression. In Abcd1-KO mice, C26:0 levels were normalized in plasma and decreased in spinal cord (-55%, p\u3c0.01) and brain (-49%, p\u3c0.0001). Pioglitazone had no effect in spinal cord. Following PXL065 and pioglitazone treatment, abnormal axonal morphology (stellate-shaped cells) was improved but only PXL065 showed significantly improved locomotor test results. Conclusion: Despite reduced PPARγ activity, PXL065 showed substantial signs of efficacy and superior therapeutic potential vs. pioglitazone (in vivo) supporting clinical development for ALD. A Phase 2a study is planned in 2022

Direct AMPK activation corrects NASH in rodents through metabolic effects and direct action on inflammation and fibrogenesis

No approved therapies are available for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central regulator of cell metabolism; its activation has been suggested as a therapeutic approach to NASH. Here we aimed to fully characterize the potential for direct AMPK activation in preclinical models and to determine mechanisms that could contribute to efficacy for this disease. A novel small-molecule direct AMPK activator, PXL770, was used. Enzyme activity was measured with recombinant complexes. De novo lipogenesis (DNL) was quantitated in vivo and in mouse and human primary hepatocytes. Metabolic efficacy was assessed in ob/ob and high-fat diet–fed mice. Liver histology, biochemical measures, and immune cell profiling were assessed in diet-induced NASH mice. Direct effects on inflammation and fibrogenesis were assessed using primary mouse and human hepatic stellate cells, mouse adipose tissue explants, and human immune cells. PXL770 directly activated AMPK in vitro and reduced DNL in primary hepatocytes. In rodent models with metabolic syndrome, PXL770 improved glycemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. In mice with NASH, PXL770 reduced hepatic steatosis, ballooning, inflammation, and fibrogenesis. PXL770 exhibited direct inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine production and activation of primary hepatic stellate cells. Conclusion: In rodent models, direct activation of AMPK is sufficient to produce improvements in all core components of NASH and to ameliorate related hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation. Novel properties of direct AMPK activation were also unveiled: improved insulin resistance and direct suppression of inflammation and fibrogenesis. Given effects also documented in human cells (reduced DNL, suppression of inflammation and stellate cell activation), these studies support the potential for direct AMPK activation to effectively treat patients with NASH

Developmental changes in mesenteric artery reactivity in embryonic and newly hatched chicks

At birth, the intestine becomes the sole site for nutrient absorption requiring a dramatic increase in blood flow. The vascular changes accompanying this transition have been partly characterized in mammals. We investigated, using wire myography, the developmental changes in chick mesenteric artery (MA) reactivity. Rings of the MA from 15-day (E15) and 19-day (E19) chicken embryos (total incubation 21 days) as well as non-fed 0–3-h-old (NH3h) and first-fed 1-day-old (NH1d) newly hatched chicks contracted in response to KCl, norepinephrine (NE), U46619, and endothelin (ET)-1 and relaxed in response to acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and forskolin indicating the presence of electro- and pharmaco-mechanical coupling as well as cGMP- and cAMP-mediated relaxation. In ovo development and transition to ex ovo life was accompanied by alterations in the response of the MAs, but a different developmental trajectory was observed for each reactivity pathway tested. Thus, the contractile efficacy of KCl underwent a linear increase (E15 < E19 < NH3h < NH1d). The efficacy of NE and U46619 increased in ovo, but not ex ovo (E15 < E19 = NH3h = NH1d) and the efficacy of ET-1 peaked at E19 (E15 < E19 > NH3h = NH1d). The relaxations elicited by ACh (endothelium-dependent), SNP, and forskolin did not undergo significant developmental changes. In conclusion, the ability of chick MAs to constrict in response to pharmacological stimuli increases during the embryonic period, but no dramatic changes are induced by hatching or the first feeding. Maturation of vasodilator mechanisms precedes that of vasoconstrictor mechanisms. Alterations of the delicate balance between vasoconstrictors and vasodilators may play an important role in perinatal intestinal diseases

Hypertension Is Associated with Marked Alterations in Sphingolipid Biology: A Potential Role for Ceramide

Background Hypertension is, amongst others, characterized by endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling. As sphingolipids have been implicated in both the regulation of vascular contractility and growth, we investigated whether sphingolipid biology is altered in hypertension and whether this is reflected in altered vascular function. Methods and Findings In isolated carotid arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, shifting the ceramide/S1P ratio towards ceramide dominance by administration of a sphingosine kinase inhibitor (dimethylsphingosine) or exogenous application of sphingomyelinase, induced marked endothelium-dependent contractions in SHR vessels (DMS: 1.4±0.4 and SMase: 2.1±0.1 mN/mm; n = 10), that were virtually absent in WKY vessels (DMS: 0.0±0.0 and SMase: 0.6±0.1 mN/mm; n = 9, p Conclusions Hypertension is associated with marked alterations in vascular sphingolipid biology such as elevated ceramide levels and signaling, that contribute to increased vascular tone

Estudo biológico e comportamental de lagartas de Spodoptera frugiperda visando à produção de Baculovírus spodoptera

A utilização de bioinseticida a base de Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV) possui potencial para o controle de Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), porém sua obtenção em larga escala depende da maximização da produção in vivo. Assim, alguns fatores biológicos e comportamentais devem ser estudados para aperfeiçoar a produção de SfMNPV com intuito de disponibilizar um bioinseticida eficiente, economicamente viável e que possa ser usado no manejo de S. frugiperda nos mais diversos sistemas agrícolas. Entre os fatores relacionados ao hospedeiro, a temperatura e a idade para inoculação do vírus são de extrema importância, pois interferem diretamente no ciclo de vida e na replicação viral. O comportamento também deve ser avaliado, para evitar condições de criação do hospedeiro que favoreçam o canibalismo e causa prejuízo na multiplicação in vivo do SfMNPV. Assim, objetivou-se determinar a melhor condição térmica para criar as lagartas e a idade ideal, para inocular e multiplicar o vírus no hospedeiro, bem como, verificar a ocorrência do comportamento canibal em lagartas de S. frugiperda. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Controle Microbiano de Insetos do Núcleo de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico em Manejo Fitossanitário de Pragas e Doenças (NUDEMAFI), localizado no Centro de Ciências Agrárias da UFES, em Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brasil. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em duas etapas, a primeira para determinar a condição térmica e a idade ideais para criar e inocular, respectivamente, o hospedeiro com o vírus, para multiplicação in vivo de SfMNPV. A segunda etapa foi para avaliar o comportamento canibal de lagartas da espécie S. frugiperda criadas a 22, 25 e 31°C, inoculadas com SfMNPV quando com idades de 10, 8 e 4 dias, respectivamente, e mantidas em diferentes densidades populacionais (5, 10, 25 e 50 lagartas por recipiente). A mortalidade diminuiu com o aumento da temperatura e da idade do hospedeiro nas temperaturas de 25, 28 e 31 °C. O aumento na taxa de canibalismo foi 12 diretamente proporcional à densidade populacional quando as lagartas foram criadas a 22 °C, inoculadas aos 10 dias de idade e 25 ºC, inoculadas aos 8 dias e atingiram 63,5 e 62,5%, respectivamente na densidade populacional de 50 lagartas. Mas, quando as lagartas foram criadas a 31ºC e inoculadas com idade de 4 dias, a densidade populacional não afetou o comportamento canibal, taxa média de 24%, inferior aos outros tratamentos com 50 lagartas por recipiente. Demonstrando que é viável para a multiplicação viral, criar lagartas a 31 °C e aos 4 dias de idade inocular o vírus, podendo a partir de então colocar até 50 lagartas por recipiente, o que reduz a mão-de-obra necessária para individualizar as lagartas e otimiza o espaço físico em uma biofábrica. Portanto, se para otimizar o processo produção viral e o serviço em uma biofábrica, é preciso maximizar a produção viral, reduzir o tempo de multiplicação do vírus e o canibalismo entre as lagartas, com ausência de contaminação da criação, a temperatura e idade ideais para criação massal de S. frugiperda e inoculação do vírus nas lagartas, respectivamente, visando produção de baculovírus em larga escala são de 31 ºC e 4 dias

Crystal Structure and Functional Analysis of the SARS-Coronavirus RNA Cap 2′-O-Methyltransferase nsp10/nsp16 Complex

Cellular and viral S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferases are involved in many regulated processes such as metabolism, detoxification, signal transduction, chromatin remodeling, nucleic acid processing, and mRNA capping. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus nsp16 protein is a S-adenosylmethionine-dependent (nucleoside-2′-O)-methyltransferase only active in the presence of its activating partner nsp10. We report the nsp10/nsp16 complex structure at 2.0 Å resolution, which shows nsp10 bound to nsp16 through a ∼930 Å2 surface area in nsp10. Functional assays identify key residues involved in nsp10/nsp16 association, and in RNA binding or catalysis, the latter likely through a SN2-like mechanism. We present two other crystal structures, the inhibitor Sinefungin bound in the S-adenosylmethionine binding pocket and the tighter complex nsp10(Y96F)/nsp16, providing the first structural insight into the regulation of RNA capping enzymes in (+)RNA viruses

Mechanisms underlying ATP-induced endothelium-dependent contractions in the SHR aorta

In mature spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, acetylcholine, the calcium ionophore A 23187 and ATP release endothelium-derived contracting factor (EDCF), cyclooxygenase (COX) derivatives that activate thromboxane-endoperoxide (TP) receptors on vascular smooth muscle. The EDCFs released by acetylcholine have been identified as prostacyclin and prostaglandin (PG) H 2 while in response to A 23187 thromboxane A 2, along with the two other prostaglandins, contributes to the endothelium-dependent contractions. The purpose of the present study was to identify the EDCFs produced by ATP. Isometric tension and the release of prostaglandins were measured in isolated aortic rings of WKY rats and SHR. ATP produced the endothelium-dependent release of prostacyclin, thromboxane A 2 and PGE 2 (PGI 2 ≫ TXA 2 ≥ PGE 2 > PGF 2α) in a similar manner in aorta from WKY rats and SHR. In SHR aortas, the release of thromboxane A 2 was significantly larger in response to ATP than to acetylcholine while that to prostacyclin was significantly smaller. The inhibition of cyclooxygenase with indomethacin prevented the release of prostaglandins and the occurrence of endothelium-dependent contractions. The thromboxane synthase inhibitor dazoxiben selectively abolished the ATP-dependent production of thromboxane A 2 and partially inhibited the corresponding endothelium-dependent contractions. U 51605, a non-selective inhibitor of PGI-synthase, reduced the release of prostacyclin elicited by ATP but induced a parallel increase in the production of PGE 2 and PGF 2α, suggestive of a PGH 2-spillover, which was associated with the enhancement of the endothelium-dependent contractions. Thus, in the aorta of SHR, endothelium-dependent contractions elicited by ATP involve the release of thromboxane A 2 and prostacyclin with a possible contribution of PGH 2. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Openers of calcium-activated potassium channels and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations in the guinea pig carotid artery

This study was designed to determine whether putative openers of calcium-activated potassium channels of small and/or intermediate conductance (SKCa and IKCa) induce vascular smooth muscle hyperpolarizations and to identify the underlying mechanisms. The membrane potential of guinea pig carotid artery smooth muscle cells was recorded with intracellular microelectrodes in the presence of N ω-nitro-l- arginine and indomethacin. Acetylcholine and NS-309 produced endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations. The effects of acetylcholine were partially and significantly inhibited by apamin. The combinations of charybdotoxin plus apamin and TRAM-34 plus apamin markedly and significantly reduced these hyperpolarizations. 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO) induced hyperpolarizations that were unaffected by TRAM-34 but partially inhibited by charybdotoxin, apamin, TRAM-34 plus apamin, and charybdotoxin plus apamin. Riluzole produced only marginal hyperpolarizations. Therefore, in the guinea pig carotid artery, endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization to acetylcholine involves the activation of both SKCa and IKCa, with a predominant role for the former channel. 1-EBIO is a non-selective and weak opener of SKCa, while riluzole is virtually ineffective. By contrast, NS-309 is a reasonably potent and selective opener of both SKCa and IKCa, and this compound mimics the endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations to acetylcholine. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Validation of direct AMP kinase (AMPK) activation for treatment of X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy

Background and aims: X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD and adrenomyeloneuropathy - AMN) is a neurologic peroxisomal disorder, caused by ABCD1-gene mutations, leading to Very Long Chain Fatty Acid (VLCFA; C26:0) accumulation, AMPK downregulation, inflammation, mitochondrial impairment and demyelination. We investigated PXL770, a clinical-stage new direct AMPK activator, in AMN/ALD models. Methods: AMN/ALD patient-derived fibroblasts/lymphocytes and ABCD1-KO mouse glial cells were exposed to PXL770 for 7 days. Phospho-AMPK was measured by Western-blot, VLCFA content by LC-MS, selected gene expression by RT-qPCR and oxygen consumption with a Seahorse Analyzer. PXL770 (oral 75 mg/kg, BID, 12 weeks) was administered to ABCD1-KO mice. VLCFA content was measured by LC-MS, sciatic nerve axonal morphology by electronic microscopy, and locomotor function by beam balance test. Results: In AMN fibroblasts PXL770 reduced C26:0 levels (−90%, p = 0.0001), increased compensatory ABCD2 mRNA levels (9-fold), and improved mitochondrial function by increasing basal and ATP-linked respiration (14% and 112%, respectively) and decreasing proton leak (−25%). Similar profile was achieved in ALD fibroblasts, ALD/AMN lymphocytes and ABCD1-KO mice glial cells. In ALD lymphocytes, PXL770 decreased mRNAs encoding pro-inflammatory proteins including NF-κB, iNOS and CCR3 (2.9-fold, 8.2-fold, 5.9-fold, respectively). In ABCD1-KO mice treated with PXL770, C26:0 levels were decreased in the spinal cord by 29% (greater VLCFA decrease was also observed in brain/plasma). Sciatic nerve axons showed less myelin invaginations (−61%) and neurologic function was improved compared to untreated mice. Conclusions: We established preclinical validation for the potential utility of direct AMPK activators as a treatment for X-ALD, supporting further development of PXL770 for this debilitating neurometabolic disease