Smoking enhances the proinflammatory effects of nucleotides on cytokine release from human lung

Nucleotides have effects on immune cells which are complex but generally proinflammatory, and have been suggested to play a role in smoking-related lung diseases. However, there have been no studies directly measuring functional responses to nucleotides in human lungs taken from smokers. We used fragments of post mortem human lung from smokers and non-smokers, incubated them with a range of nucleotides (4-1000 µM) in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 µg/ml) for 24 hours and measured cytokines (IL-1β, IFNγ, IL-17, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-2 and IL-10) in the supernatants using multiplex immunoassays. Although the basal cytokine levels in the smokers were generally higher in the smokers than the non-smokers, there were no significant differences in either the basal release or the LPS-stimulated release of any of the cytokines when lungs from smokers and non-smokers were compared. There were no significant effects of ATP, ADP, AMP, UTP, α,β-methylene-ATP, P1, P4-diATP, 2-methylthio-ATP or Bz-ATP on the release of cytokines from the lungs. However, the stable ATP analogue ATPγS increased the release of IL-1β and IFNγ, and the effect was greatly increased in lungs from smokers. In non-smokers but not in smokers ATPγS increased the release of IL-17. Overall these results clearly demonstrate for the first time that in normal human lung a stable ATP analogue can enhance LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and that these effects are greatly altered by a prior history of smoking. This provides strong support for the suggestion that nucleotides are involved in the pathogenesis of smoking-related diseases

The oxytocin analogue carbetocin prevents priming-induced reinstatement of morphine-seeking: Involvement of dopaminergic, noradrenergic and MOPr systems.

Relapse to illicit drug-seeking following abstinence is a major challenge for the treatment of addiction as no effective pharmacotherapy is available. We have recently shown that activating the central oxytocinergic system prevents emotional impairment and stress-induced reinstatement associated with opioid withdrawal. Here, we investigated whether the oxytocin analogue carbetocin (CBT) is able to reverse morphine-primed reinstatement of conditioned-place preference (CPP) in mice. The mechanism underlining the behavioural effect of CBT was investigated by assessing the involvement of the striatal noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems in CBT reversal of priming- and stress-induced reinstatement of opioid CPP. In addition, given recent evidence suggesting the presence of oxytocin receptor (OTR)-μ-opioid receptor (MOPr) interactions in the brain, we further explored these interactions by carrying out OTR autoradiographic binding in brain of mice lacking MOPr. CBT administration prevented priming-induced reinstatement of morphine CPP. While an acute effect of CBT in enhancing dopamine turnover was observed following stress- and priming-induced reinstatement, CBT significantly decreased striatal noradrenaline turnover only following priming-induced reinstatement. Moreover, a significant brain region- specific increase in OTR binding was observed in MOPr knockout mice, indicating the presence of a possible OTR-MOPr interaction, which may be involved in the modulation of relapse. These results support the oxytocinergic system as a promising target for the prevention of relapse to opioid use and highlight the differential involvement of monoaminergic systems on the effects of OTR stimulation in preventing stress- and priming-induced reinstatement of opioid CPP behaviour

The oxytocin analogue carbetocin prevents emotional impairment and stress-induced reinstatement of opioid-seeking in morphine-abstinent mice.

The main challenge in treating opioid addicts is to maintain abstinence due to the affective consequences associated with withdrawal which may trigger relapse. Emerging evidence suggests a role of the neurohypophysial peptide oxytocin (OT) in the modulation of mood disorders as well as drug addiction. However, its involvement in the emotional consequences of drug abstinence remains unclear. We investigated the effect of 7-day opioid abstinence on the oxytocinergic system and assessed the effect of the OT analogue carbetocin (CBT) on the emotional consequences of opioid abstinence, as well as relapse. Male C57BL/6J mice were treated with a chronic escalating-dose morphine regimen (20-100 mg/kg/day, i.p.). Seven days withdrawal from this administration paradigm induced a decrease of hypothalamic OT levels and a concomitant increase of oxytocin receptor (OTR) binding in the lateral septum and amygdala. Although no physical withdrawal symptoms or alterations in the plasma corticosterone levels were observed after 7 days of abstinence, mice exhibited increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors and impaired sociability. CBT (6.4 mg/kg, i.p.) attenuated the observed negative emotional consequences of opioid withdrawal. Furthermore, in the conditioned place preference paradigm with 10 mg/kg morphine conditioning, CBT (6.4 mg/kg, i.p.) was able to prevent the stress-induced reinstatement to morphine-seeking following extinction. Overall, our results suggest that alterations of the oxytocinergic system contribute to the mechanisms underlying anxiety, depression, and social deficits observed during opioid abstinence. This study also highlights the oxytocinergic system as a target for developing pharmacotherapy for the treatment of emotional impairment associated with abstinence and thereby prevention of relapse

Differential effects of adenine nucleotide analogues on shape change and aggregation induced by adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) in human platelets

1. Adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) induces human blood platelets to aggregate and change shape, and it has been suggested that these two responses are mediated by more than one subtype of ADP receptor. 2. The structure-activity relationships for several analogues of adenine nucleotides in causing aggregation and shape change were measured and compared in washed platelets using an aggregometer. ADP and its analogues 2-methylthioadenosine 5′-diphosphate (2-methylthio-ADP), adenosine 5′(α,β-methylene)diphosphonate (AMPCP), S(P)-adenosine 5′-O-(1-thiodiphosphate) (AD-PαS) and adenosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADPβS) were used as agonists. Adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) and its analogues, P(1), P(5)-diadenosine pentaphosphate (Ap(5)A), adenosine (5′-(α,β-methylene)triphosphonate (AMPCPP), 2-methylthioadenosine 5′-triphosphate (2-methylthio-ATP) and uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), as well as the trypanocidal drug suramin, were used as antagonists. 3. In general, the structure-activity relationships for both responses were similar, but for some analogues differences were observed. ADPαS and ADPβS were much more potent agonists relative to ADP for shape change than for aggregation and indeed ADPαS antagonized ADP-induced aggregation with an apparent pK(B) value of 5.5±0.1. 2-Methylthio-ATP also had different effects in aggregation and shape change, being a much higher affinity antagonist of aggregation than of shape change with an apparent pK(B) value of 7.0±0.2 for aggregation and 5.2±0.2 for shape change. 4. These results support the suggestion that these two responses are mediated by multiple ADP receptors on human platelets, and are consistent with shape change being mediated via one receptor (the P2Y(1) receptor) with aggregation requiring the activation of two receptors (the P2Y(1) and another P2Y receptor)

Relaxation of the mouse isolated aorta and carotid artery in response to adenosine analogues in genetically-modified mice lacking the adenosine A(2A) receptor.

The aim of this study was to characterise the receptor(s) mediating responses to adenosine and/or adenosine analogues in mouse isolated aorta and carotid artery. In addition, since mice lacking the A(2A) adenosine receptor are reported to be hypertensive, the possibility that this gene deletion or the altered phenotype results in alteration of responses mediated via adenosine analogues was investigated. This was achieved by comparing results obtained in parallel within single experiments using tissues from A(2A) knock-out animals and their wild-type littermates.In aortic rings, adenosine and 5'- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) caused relaxations above 10 microM and 30 microM, respectively, which were unaffected by either 8-sulphophenyltheophylline (8-SPT, 100 microM) or A(2A) receptor knockout. 2-[ p-(2-Carbonylethyl)phenylethylamino]-5'- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680) was virtually inactive. R- N(6)-Phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) induced relaxations which were not inhibited by 8-SPT (100 microM) or altered by A(2A) receptor knockout. No A(1)-mediated contractile responses were observed in wild-type or knock-out tissues in contrast with results in mice of the same strain obtained commercially rather than from our breeding programme. In carotid artery rings NECA contracted at low concentrations (0.1-1 microM) and relaxed at higher concentrations. Curves to NECA were not different in tissues from wild-type and A(2A) receptor knock-out mice and both the contractile and relaxant phases were right-shifted by 8-SPT (100 microM) in tissues from animals of both genotype. 1,3-Dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX, 3 nM) attenuated contractile NECA responses but did not affect relaxant responses. CGS 21680 was inactive in carotid artery rings from both wild-type and A(2A) receptor knock-out mice. In the presence of DPCPX (30 nM) to abolish contractions, R-PIA induced relaxant curves which were not different in tissues from wild-type and A(2A) knock-out mice and were not inhibited by 8-SPT (100 microM). These results confirm the absence of A(2A) or A(2B) receptors in murine aorta and suggest that relaxations to NECA in carotid artery are A(2B) receptor-mediated whilst contractions are A(1) receptor-mediated. They also indicate the presence of an antagonist-resistant site activated by R-PIA in both vascular preparations. There is no evidence for compensatory changes in responses mediated by adenosine and its analogues due to the gene deletion or the reported resulting hypertensive phenotype in either aortic or carotid arterial rings obtained from A(2A) knock-out mice.In VitroJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Changes in spinal delta and kappa opioid systems in mice deficient in the A2A receptor gene.

A large body of evidence indicates important interactions between the adenosine and opioid systems in regulating pain at both the spinal and supraspinal level. Mice lacking the A(2A) receptor gene have been developed successfully, and these animals were shown to be hypoalgesic. To investigate whether there are any compensatory alterations in opioid systems in mutant animals, we have performed quantitative autoradiographic mapping of mu, delta, kappa, and opioid receptor-like (ORL1) opioid receptors in the brains and spinal cords of wild-type and homozygous A(2A) receptor knock-out mice. In addition, mu-, delta-, and kappa-mediated antinociception using the tail immersion test was tested in wild-type and homozygous A(2A) receptor knock-out mice. A significant reduction in [3H]deltorphin-I binding to delta receptors and a significant increase in [3H]CI-977 binding to kappa receptors was detected in the spinal cords but not in the brains of the knock-out mice. Mu and ORL1 receptor expression were not altered significantly. Moreover, a significant reduction in delta-mediated antinociception and a significant increase in kappa-mediated antinociception were detected in mutant mice, whereas mu-mediated antinociception was unaffected. Comparison of basal nociceptive latencies showed a significant hypoalgesia in knock-out mice when tested at 55 degrees C but not at 52 degrees C. The results suggest a functional interaction between the spinal delta and kappa opioid and the peripheral adenosine system in the control of pain pathways.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Characterization of [3H]ZM 241385 binding in wild-type and adenosine A2A receptor knockout mice.

The binding of the adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist [3H] 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]-triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)phenol ([3H]ZM 241385) to mouse brain and spinal cord was investigated. In brain homogenates, single-site binding was observed with a Bmax of 299+/-28 fmol mg(-1) protein and a Kd of 0.75+/-0.08 nM. In autoradiographic studies, there was a high density of specific binding of [3H]ZM 241385 in the striatum, with a very low density in the cortex and no binding elsewhere in the brain or in the spinal cord. All specific binding of [3H]ZM 241385 was lost in genetically modified mice lacking the adenosine A(2A) receptor, confirming the selectivity of this radioligand.Comparative StudyJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Reduced response to the formalin test and lowered spinal NMDA glutamate receptor binding in adenosine A2A receptor knockout mice.

Adenosine is a neuromodulator with complex effects on pain pathways. Mice lacking the adenosine A2A receptor are hypoalgesic, and have altered analgesic responses to receptor-selective opioid agonists. These and other findings suggest a role for the adenosine A2A receptor in sensitizing afferent fibres projecting to the spinal cord. To test this hypothesis formalin (20 microl, 5%) was injected into the paw and nociceptive responses were measured in wildtype and adenosine A2A receptor knockout mice. There was a significant reduction in nociception associated with sensory nerve activation in the knockout mice as measured by time spent biting/licking the formalin-injected paw and number of flinches seen during the first phase, but only the number of flinches was reduced during the second inflammatory phase. In addition, the selective adenosine A2A antagonist SCH58261 (3 and 10 mg/kg) also antagonised both phases of the formalin test. We also labelled NMDA glutamate and NK1 receptors in spinal cord sections as an indirect measure of nociceptive transmission from peripheral sites to the spinal cord. [3H]-Substance P binding to NK1 receptors was unaltered but there was a substantial reduction in binding of [3H]-MK801 to NMDA glutamate receptors in all regions of the spinal cord from knockout mice. The decrease in NMDA glutamate receptor binding may reflect reduced peripheral sensory input to the spinal cord during development and could relate to the hypoalgesia in this genotype. These results support a key role for the adenosine A2A receptor in peripheral nociceptive pathways.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Effect of LPS on release of cytokines from human lung fragments.

<p>Post-mortem human lung parenchyma was chopped and sieved to obtain pieces smaller than 1 mm and incubated for 24 h at 37°C in the presence (black bars) or absence (white bars) of LPS (10 µg/ml). The supernatants were then analysed for the cytokines shown by MSD multiplex immunoassays. A shows the results from all the lungs (n = 7–12), while B and C show results from smokers (n = 4–7) and non-smokers (n-3–5) respectively. Values are mean ± s.e.mean, * indicates a significant difference between control and LPS-stimulated values, p<0.05, paired t test.</p

Effect of nucleotides on release of cytokines from human lung fragments in the presence of LPS.

<p>Post-mortem human lung parenchyma was chopped and sieved to obtain pieces smaller than 1 mm and incubated for 24 h at 37°C in the presence of LPS (10 µg/ml) alone or in the presence of a range of nucleotides (ATPγS, ATP, ADP, AMP, UTP, α,β-methylene-ATP, P¹, P⁴-diadenosine tetraphosphate, 2-methylthio-ATP, Bz-ATP, 4–1000 µM). The supernatants were then analysed for cytokines by MSD multiplex immunoassays. A, B and C show the results for IL-1β, IFNγ and IL-17, n = 3–18, displayed as % of the release caused by LPS alone, mean ± s.e.mean. * indicates a significant difference between the release in the presence of the nucleotide and that to LPS alone (one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Dunnett’s post-hoc test) carried out on the data in pg/ml.</p