Non-neuronal TRPA1 encodes mechanical allodynia associated with neurogenic inflammation and partial nerve injury in rats

Background and purpose: The pro-algesic transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel, expressed by a subpopulation of primary sensory neurons, has been implicated in various pain models in mice. However, evidence in rats indicates that TRPA1 conveys nociceptive signals elicited by channel activators, but not those associated with tissue inflammation or nerve injury. Here, in rats, we explored the TRPA1 role in mechanical allodynia associated with stimulation of peptidergic primary sensory neurons (neurogenic inflammation) and moderate (partial sciatic nerve ligation, pSNL) or severe (chronic constriction injury, CCI) sciatic nerve injury. Experimental approach: Acute nociception and mechanical hypersensitivity associated with neurogenic inflammation and sciatic nerve injury (pSNL and CCI) were investigated in rats with TRPA1 pharmacological antagonism or genetic silencing. TRPA1 presence and function were analysed in cultured rat Schwann cells. Key results: Hind paw mechanical allodynia (HPMA), but not acute nociception, evoked by local injection of capsaicin or allyl isothiocyanate, the TRP vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) or the TRPA1 activators was mediated by CGRP released from peripheral sensory nerve terminals. CGRP-evoked HPMA was sustained by a ROS-dependent TRPA1 activation, probably in Schwann cells. HPMA evoked by pSNL, but not that evoked by CCI, was mediated by ROS and TRPA1 without the involvement of CGRP. Conclusions and implications: As found in mice, TRPA1 mediates mechanical allodynia associated with neurogenic inflammation and moderate nerve injury in rats. The channel contribution to mechanical hypersensitivity is a common feature in rodents and might be explored in humans

Recent improvements in the development of A2B adenosine receptor agonists

Adenosine is known to exert most of its physiological functions by acting as local modulator at four receptor subtypes named A1, A2A, A2B and A3 (ARs). Principally as a result of the difficulty in identifying potent and selective agonists, the A2B AR is the least extensively characterised of the adenosine receptors family. Despite these limitations, growing understanding of the physiological meaning of this target indicates promising therapeutic perspectives for specific ligands. As A2B AR signalling seems to be associated with pre/postconditioning cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, selective agonists may represent a new therapeutic group for patients suffering from coronary artery disease. Herein we present an overview of the recent advancements in identifying potent and selective A2B AR agonists reported in scientific and patent literature. These compounds can be classified into adenosine-like and nonadenosine ligands. Nucleoside-based agonists are the result of modifying adenosine by substitution at the N6-, C2-positions of the purine heterocycle and/or at the 5′-position of the ribose moiety or combinations of these substitutions. Compounds 1-deoxy-1-{6-[N′-(furan-2-carbonyl)-hydrazino]-9H-purin-9-yl}-N-ethyl-β-D-ribofuranuronamide (19, hA1Ki = 1050 nM, hA2AKi = 1550 nM, hA2B EC50 = 82 nM, hA3Ki > 5 μM) and its 2-chloro analogue 23 (hA1Ki = 3500 nM, hA2AKi = 4950 nM, hA2B EC50 = 210 nM, hA3Ki > 5 μM) were confirmed to be potent and selective full agonists in a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) functional assay in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing hA2B AR. Nonribose ligands are represented by conveniently substituted dicarbonitrilepyridines, among which 2-[6-amino-3,5-dicyano-4-[4-(cyclopropylmethoxy)phenyl]pyridin-2-ylsulfanyl]acetamide (BAY-60–6583, hA1, hA2A, hA3 EC50 > 10 μM; hA2B EC50 = 3 nM) is currently under preclinical-phase investigation for treating coronary artery disorders and atherosclerosis

TRP channels as therapeutic targets in airway disorders: a patent review

Chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, affect millions of patients worldwide. New therapeutic approaches to these conditions are urgently needed since current treatment options provide only symptomatic relief. Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels are emerging molecular target candidates for the development of novel, disease-modifying drugs addressing airway diseases

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) antagonists

The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel is an irritant sensor highly expressed on nociceptive neurons. The clinical use of TRPA1 antagonists is based on the concept that TRPA1 is active during disease states like neuropathic pain. Indeed, in Phase 2a proof-of-concept studies the TRPA1 antagonist GRC17536 has shown efficacy in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. Moreover, animal studies suggest that the therapeutic value of TRPA1 antagonists extends beyond pain to pruritus, asthma and cough with limited safety concerns. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the patent literature (since 2007) on small-molecule inhibitors of the TRPA1 channel. Despite the clear progress, many unanswered questions remain. Future advancement to Phase 3 studies will assess the real translational potential of this research field

Ozone-induced hypertussive responses in rabbits and guinea pigs

Cough remains a major unmet clin. need, and preclin. animal models are not predictive for new antitussive agents. We have investigated the mechanisms and pharmacol. sensitivity of ozone-induced hypertussive responses in rabbits and guinea pigs. Ozone induced a significant increase in cough frequency and a decrease in time to first cough to inhaled citric acid in both conscious guinea pigs and rabbits. This response was inhibited by the established antitussive drugs codeine and levodropropizine. In contrast to the guinea pig, hypertussive responses in the rabbit were not inhibited by bronchodilator drugs (b2 agonists or muscarinic receptor antagonists), suggesting that the obsd. hypertussive state was not secondary to bronchoconstriction in this species. The ozone-induced hypertussive response in the rabbit was inhibited by chronic pretreatment with capsaicin, suggestive of a sensitization of airway sensory nerve fibers. However, we could find no evidence for a role of TRPA1 in this response, suggesting that ozone was not sensitizing airway sensory nerves via activation of this receptor. Whereas the ozone-induced hypertussive response was accompanied by a significant influx of neutrophils into the airway, the hypertussive response was not inhibited by the antiinflammatory phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast at a dose that clearly exhibited anti-inflammatory activity. In summary, our results suggest that ozone-induced hypertussive responses to citric acid may provide a useful model for the investigation of novel drugs for the treatment of cough, but some important differences were noted between the two species with respect to sensitivity to bronchodilator drugs

Preparation of fused purine derivatives as adenosine A3 receptor modulators.

Adenosine A3 receptor modulators of formulas I [R1, R2 = H, alkyl, aralkyl, aryl, etc.; R3 = aryl, alkyl, aralkyl; R4 = H, alkyl, aralkyl, aryl; X = CH, N] and II [R5, R6 = H, alkyl, aralkyl, aryl, etc.; R7 = alkyl, aryl, aralkyl; R8 = alkyl, aralkyl, aryl] are prepd. These compds. are useful as therapeutic agents for a no. of diseases and medical conditions that are mediated by the A3 receptor. The compds. of this invention are also useful as diagnostic agents for the A3 receptor. Thus, III was prepd., and had Ki value of 200 nM for binding to A3 receptors expressed in CHO cells

Naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives, synthesis and biological activity as proteasome inhibitors

The ubiquitin-proteasome system has been largely investigated for its key role in protein degradation mechanisms that regulate both apoptosis and cell division. Because of their antitumour activity, different classes of proteasome inhibitors have been identified to date. Some of these compounds are currently employed in the clinical treatment of several types of cancer among which multiple myeloma. Here, we describe the design, chemistry, biological activity and modelling studies of a large series of amino acid derivatives linked to a naphthoquinone pharmacophoric group through variable spacers. Some analogues showed interesting inhibitory potency for the β1 and β5 subunits of the proteasome with IC50 values in the sub-µm range

Synthesis and Biological Activity of Peptide α-Ketoamide Derivatives as Proteasome Inhibitors

Proteasome activity affects cell cycle progression as well as the immune response, and it is largely recognized as an attractive pharmacological target for potential therapies against several diseases. Herein we present the synthesis of a series of pseudodi/tripeptides bearing at the C-terminal position different α-ketoamide moieties as pharmacophoric units for the interaction with the catalytic threonine residue that sustains the proteolytic action of the proteasome. Among these, we identified the 1-naphthyl derivative 13c as a potent and selective inhibitor of the β5 subunit of the 20S proteasome, exhibiting nanomolar potency in vitro (β5 IC50 = 7 nM, β1 IC50 = 60 μM, β2 IC50 > 100 μM). Furthermore, it significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of the human colorectal carcinoma cell line HCT116