1.
Brage, M, et al.
(författare)
Different cysteine proteinases involved in bone resorption and osteoclast formation.
2005
Ingår i: Calcified tissue international. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0171-967X .- 1432-0827. ; 76:6, s. 439-47
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Cysteine proteinases, especially cathepsin K, play an important role in osteoclastic degradation of bone matrix proteins and the process can, consequently, be significantly inhibited by cysteine proteinase inhibitors. We have recently reported that cystatin C and other cysteine proteinase inhibitors also reduce osteoclast formation. However, it is not known which cysteine proteinase(s) are involved in osteoclast differentiation. In the present study, we compared the relative potencies of cystatins C and D as inhibitors of bone resorption in cultured mouse calvariae, osteoclastogenesis in mouse bone marrow cultures, and cathepsin K activity. Inhibition of cathepsin K activity was assessed by determining equilibrium constants for inhibitor complexes in fluorogenic substrate assays. The data demonstrate that whereas human cystatins C and D are equipotent as inhibitors of bone resorption, cystatin D is 10-fold less potent as an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis and 200-fold less potent as an inhibitor of cathepsin K activity. A recombinant human cystatin C variant with Gly substitutions for residues Arg8, Leu9, Val10, and Trp106 did not inhibit bone resorption, had 1,000-fold decreased inhibitory effect on cathepsin K activity compared to wildtype cystatin C, but was equipotent with wildtype cystatin C as an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis. It is concluded that (i) different cysteine proteinases are likely to be involved in bone resorption and osteoclast formation, (ii) cathepsin K may not be an exclusive target enzyme in any of the two systems, and (iii) the enzyme(s) involved in osteoclastogenesis might not be a typical papain-like cysteine proteinase.
2.
Stafberg, Linda, et al.
(författare)
The mRNA expression of endocannabinoid-related enzymes in rat prostate AT-1 cells following exposure to lactate and interleukin-6
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
The endocannabinoid system is dysregulated in prostate cancer but the mechanisms responsible for this dysregulation are not known. We hypothesise that the dysregulation is secondary to factors in the tumour microenvironment. In this study we investigated the effects of lactic acid induced low pH and interleukin-6 (IL-6) treatment upon the expression of endocannabinoid related enzymes and the functional effects upon anandamide degradation and cell viability in Dunning R3327 rat prostate AT-1 cancer cells. Cells were exposed for 3 h at 37 °C to Krebs-Ringer-HEPES/bicarbonate buffer at either pH 7.4 or at pH 6.6 (due to the presence of 40 mM lactic acid), and to 0, 25 or 100 ng/ml of IL-6. Neither low pH (pH 6.6) nor IL-6 induced any changes in the mRNA levels of the anandamide metabolic enzymes. However, the expression of the 2- arachidonoylglycerol-synthesizing enzyme DAGLα was increased by low pH and the expression of CB2 receptor mRNA was decreased at the low pH. The DAGL inhibitor orlistat increased extracellular LDH levels after 24 h of incubation of AT-1 cells, suggesting a higher frequency of cell death. It is concluded that under the conditions used, exposure to lactate and IL-6 do not affect the expression of the anandamide metabolic enzymes in AT-1 cells, but do modify the expression of an enzyme involved in the synthesis of 2-arachidonoylglycerol.
3.
Stan, Tiberiu Loredan, et al.
(författare)
Neurophysiological treatment effects of mesdopetam, pimavanserin and clozapine in a rodent model of Parkinson's disease psychosis
2024
Ingår i: Neurotherapeutics. - : Elsevier. - 1878-7479 .- 1933-7213. ; 21:2, s. 1-12
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Psychosis in Parkinson's disease is a common phenomenon associated with poor outcomes. To clarify the pathophysiology of this condition and the mechanisms of antipsychotic treatments, we have here characterized the neurophysiological brain states induced by clozapine, pimavanserin, and the novel prospective antipsychotic mesdopetam in a rodent model of Parkinson's disease psychosis, based on chronic dopaminergic denervation by 6-OHDA lesions, levodopa priming, and the acute administration of an NMDA antagonist. Parallel recordings of local field potentials from eleven cortical and sub-cortical regions revealed shared neurophysiological treatment effects for the three compounds, despite their different pharmacological profiles, involving reversal of features associated with the psychotomimetic state, such as a reduction of aberrant high-frequency oscillations in prefrontal structures together with a decrease of abnormal synchronization between different brain regions. Other drug-induced neurophysiological features were more specific to each treatment, affecting network oscillation frequencies and entropy, pointing to discrete differences in mechanisms of action. These findings indicate that neurophysiological characterization of brain states is particularly informative when evaluating therapeutic mechanisms in conditions involving symptoms that are difficult to assess in rodents such as psychosis, and that mesdopetam should be further explored as a potential novel antipsychotic treatment option for Parkinson psychosis.
4.
van West, Dirk, et al.
(författare)
Glucocorticoid receptor gene-based SNP analysis in patients with recurrent major depression
2006
Ingår i: Neuropsychopharmacology. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 0893-133X .- 1740-634X. ; 31:3, s. 620-627
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, one of the stress-response systems, is one of the key neurobiological features of major depression (MDD). Data supporting the notion that glucocorticoid-mediated feedback inhibition is impaired in MDD come from a multitude of studies demonstrating nonsuppression of cortisol secretion following administration of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone. We examined whether genetic variations in the glucocorticoid receptor gene (Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 3, Group C, Member 1; NR3C1) could be associated with increased susceptibility for MDD using a whole gene-based association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Four SNPs were identified in NR3C1 and genotyped in two well-diagnosed samples of patients with MDD ascertained in Belgium and northern Sweden, and matched control samples. In total, 314 MDD patients and 354 control individuals were included in the study. In the Belgian sample, we observed significant allele (p=0.02) and genotype (p=0.02) association with an SNP in the promoter region (NR3C1-1); in the Swedish sample, we observed significant allele (p=0.02) and genotype (p=0.02) association with the R23K SNP. The haplotype association studies showed modest evidence for an involvement of the 5' region of the NR3C1 gene in the genetic vulnerability for MDD. This study suggests that polymorphisms in the 5' region of the NR3C1 gene may play a role in the genetic vulnerability for MDD.
5.
Strålberg, Fredrik, et al.
(författare)
Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vitro and in vivo by cysteine proteinase inhibitors
2017
Ingår i: Journal of Leukocyte Biology. - : FEDERATION AMER SOC EXP BIOL. - 0741-5400 .- 1938-3673. ; 101:5, s. 1233-1243
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Inflammation-induced bone destruction is a major treatment target in many inflammatory skeletal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if the cysteine proteinase inhibitors cystatin C, fungal cysteine proteinase inhibitor (E-64), and N-benzyloxycarbonyl-arginylleucyl-valyl-glycyl-diazomethane acetate (Z-RLVG-CHN2) can inhibit LPS-induced osteoclast formation. Mouse bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were isolated and primed with receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL) for 24 h, followed by stimulation with LPS, with and without inhibitors. Adult mice were injected locally with LPS and then treated with E-64 and osteoclast formation assessed by the number of cathepsin K+ multinucleated cells. Cystatin C inhibited LPS-induced osteoclast formation time and concentration dependently (IC50 = 0.3 mu M). The effect was associated with decreased mRNA and protein expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and cathepsin K and of the osteoclastogenic transcription factors c-Fos and NFATc1. LPS-induced osteoclast formation on bone slices was also inhibited by cystatin C, resulting in decreased pit formation and release of bone matrix proteins. Similar data were obtained with E-64 and Z-RLVG-CHN2. Cystatin C was internalized in BMMs stimulated by LPS but not in unstimulated BMMs. Osteoclast formation induced by LPS was dependent on TNF-alpha, and the 3 inhibitors abolished LPS-induced TNF superfamily 2 (gene encoding TNF-alpha; Tnfsf2) mRNA expression without affecting Il1b, Il6, or oncostatin M (Osm) expression. Formation of osteoclasts in the skull bones after local LPS stimulation was inhibited by E-64. It is concluded that cysteine proteinase inhibitors effectively inhibit LPS-induced osteoclast formation in vivo and in vitro by inhibition of TNF-alpha expression. The targeting of cysteine proteinases might represent a novel treatment modality for prevention of inflammatory bone loss. RAHAMSON M, 1988, FEBS LETTERS, V236, P14 RAHAMSON M, 1990, BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL, V268, P287
6.
Vincents, Bjarne, et al.
(författare)
The human protease inhibitor cystatin C is an activating cofactor for the streptococcal cysteine protease IdeS
2008
Ingår i: Chemistry and Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1074-5521 .- 1879-1301. ; 15:9, s. 960-968
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Human cystatin C is considered the physiologically most important inhibitor of endogenous papain-like cysteine proteases. We present here an unexpected function of cystatin C. Instead of acting as an inhibitor, cystatin C acts as a facultative, endogenous cofactor for the papain-like IgG-cleaving enzyme IdeS of the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. IdeS activity is not dependent on cystatin C, but is significantly enhanced in the presence of cystatin C. We report a protease inhibitor that accelerates the activity of its putative target protease and a unique example of how a host protease inhibitor is "hijacked" by a bacterial protease to increase its activity. This finding has important implications for the view on protease-inhibitor interactions, and is relevant to consider in the therapeutic use of protease inhibitors.
7.
Salomé, Nicolas, et al.
(författare)
Anorexigenic and electrophysiological actions of novel ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1A) antagonists in rats
2009
Ingår i: European Journal of Pharmacology. - : Elsevier. - 0014-2999 .- 1879-0712. ; 612:1-3, s. 167-173
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Here we provide the first pharmacological exploration of the impact of acute central nervous system exposure to three recently developed ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1A) ligands on food intake and on the electrical activity of the target cells for ghrelin in the hypothalamus. Central (i.c.v) injection of GHS-R1A antagonists to rats suppressed food intake induced by i.c.v ghrelin injection (1 mu g) in a dose-dependent manner with a total blockade at concentraions of 0.4 mu g and 8 mu g for JMV 3002 and JMV 2959 respectively. JMV 2810, a partial agonist, also suppressed ghrelin-induced food intake (range: 0.02-2 mu g). Moreover all three compounds reduced fasting-induced food intake in rats (i.e. the amount of food eaten during the first hour of food exposure after a 16 h fast). At the single cell level we also explored the effects of the compounds to suppress ghrelin (0.5 mu M)-induced changes in electrical activity of arcuate nucleus cells recorded extracellularly in a slice preparation. Preincubation followed by perfusion with the GHS-R1A ligands suppressed the responsiveness of arcuate cells to ghrelin. Thus, the recently developed GHS-R1A ligands (JMV 3002, 2959 and 2810) suppress ghrelin-induced and fasting-induced food intake at the level of the central nervous system. This appears to be mediated, at least in part, by a modulation of the activity of ghrelin-responsive arcuate nucleus cells. As the central ghrelin signalling system has emerged as an important pro-obesity target, it will be important to establish the efficacy of these GHS-R1A ligands to reduce fast mass in clincal studies.
8.
Svensberg, Karin, et al.
(författare)
Nordic Pharmacy Students' Opinions of their Patient Communication Skills Training
2018
Ingår i: American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. - : American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). - 0002-9459 .- 1553-6467. ; 82:2, s. 152-165
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Objective. To describe Nordic pharmacy students' opinions of their patient communication skills training (PCST), and the association between course leaders' reports of PCST qualities and students' perceptions of their training. Secondary objective was to determine what factors influence these associations. Methods. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed. The various curricula were categorized into three types (basic, intermediate and innovative training) and students were divided into three groups according to the type of training they had received. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted with different opinions as outcomes and three types of training as exposure, using generalized estimation equations. Results. There were 370 students who responded (response rate: 77%). Students within the innovative group were significantly more likely to agree that they had received sufficient training, and to agree with the assertion that the pharmacy school had contributed to their level of skills compared to students in the basic group. Conclusion. There appears to be an association between larger and varied programs of training in patient communication skills and positive attitudes toward this training on the part of the students, with students reporting that they received sufficient training, which likely enhanced their skills.
9.
Marwaha, Sania, et al.
(författare)
N-acylated derivatives of sulfamethoxazole and sulfafurazole inhibit intracellular growth of Chlamydia trachomatis
2014
Ingår i: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0066-4804 .- 1098-6596. ; 58:5, s. 2968-2971
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Antibacterial compounds with novel modes of action are needed for management of bacterial infections. Here we describe a high-content screen of 9,800 compounds identifying acylated sulfonamides as novel growth inhibitors of the sexually transmitted pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. The effect was bactericidal and distinct from that of sulfonamide antibiotics, as para-aminobenzoic acid did not reduce efficacy. Chemical inhibitors play an important role in Chlamydia research as probes of potential targets and as drug development starting points.
10.
Rojo, Maria Luisa, et al.
(författare)
Changes in cannabinoid CB(1) receptor functionality in the female rat prefrontal cortex following a high fat diet.
2013
Ingår i: Life Sciences. - : Elsevier. - 0024-3205 .- 1879-0631. ; 92:13, s. 757-762
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Aims: A high fat diet (HFD) has been found to affect neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex, but the effects of this dietary regime upon the endocannabinoid system has not been studied in this brain region. In consequence, in the present study, we have investigated the effect of HFD for up to 20 weeks upon the endocannabinoid system in the prefrontal cortex of female rats.Main methods: CB1 receptor functionality was measured using CP55,940-stimulated [S-35] GTP gamma S autoradiography. Fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase activities were analysed in brain regions by assessing rates of [H-3] anandamide and JZL184-sensitive [H-3]2-oleoylglycerol hydrolysis, respectively.Key findings: In the prefrontal cortex, a significantly greater stimulation of [S-35] GTP gamma S binding by CP55,940 was seen following 4-12, but not 16-20 weeks of HFD. No significant changes were seen for the caudate-putamen, CA1-CA3 region of the hippocampus or the dentate gyrus. The increased response for the 12 week animals was not accompanied by a significant change in the receptor density, measured with [H-3]CP55,940 autoradiography. No significant changes in the activity of the endocannabinoid hydrolytic enzymes fatty acid amide or monoacylglycerol lipase were seen in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala or hypothalamus following either 12 or 20 weeks of HFD.Significance: It is concluded that HFD produces an increased CB1 receptor functionality in the prefrontal cortex of female rats. Given that the endocannabinoid system regulates neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex, the present data would implicate this system in the disturbed prefrontal cortical activity in this region following a high fat diet.
