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Biomedical subjects

J B Cheng

Publications and source records attributed to J B Cheng.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization of chemokine CCR3 agonist-mediated eosinophil recruitment in the Brown-Norway rat.

1. The ability of various C-C chemokines to elicit tissue eosinophil infiltration following intradermal injection or peripheral blood eosinophilia following intravenous injection were compared in the Brown-Norway rat. 2. Eotaxin (0.1 - 3 microg site-1) of human and murine origin produced equivalent, dose-dependent increases in eosinophil peroxidase activity in rat dermis 4 h post-injection. 3. Human eotaxin-2 was equipotent with human eotaxin in terms of dermal eosinophil recruitment. Other human CCR3 agonists, such as MCP-3, RANTES and MCP-4 failed to increase dermal eosinophil peroxidase activity at doses up to 1 microg site-1 whereas the latter did produce a small effect at 3 microg site-1. 4. Consistent with observations in vivo, human eotaxin displaced [125I]-eotaxin from rat spleen membranes more potently (IC50=2 nM) than did MCP-4 (IC50=500 nM). RANTES did not compete with the radiolabelled chemokine at concentrations up to 1 microM. 5. Human eotaxin (5 microg) administered intravenously increased circulating eosinophils approximately 3 fold whereas MCP-4 (5 microg i.v.) increased circulating monocytes approximately 3 fold without affecting eosinophil numbers. 6. Dexamethasone pretreatment inhibited eotaxin-induced dermal eosinophil influx only at a steroid dose (0.1 mg kg-1, s.c.) which significantly reduced circulating eosinophil numbers. The steroid also reduced eosinophilia in peripheral blood resulting from systemic eotaxin administration (5 microg, i.v.). 7. These data suggest differences in rat CCR3 relative to other species as surmised from a distinctive rank order of chemokine potency. In addition to its chemotactic effects eotaxin, but not MCP-4, promotes eosinophil recruitment into the circulation. One of the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone, acutely inhibits eotaxin-induced dermal eosinophil influx is to diminish the circulating numbers of these cells available for tissue recruitment.

Animals↗

N-carbamoyl analogs of Zafirlukast: potent receptor antagonists of leukotriene D4.

Exploration of the indole nitrogen region of Zafirlukast (1) has uncovered a potent series of cysteinyl leukotriene D4 (LTD4) antagonists. These studies showed that a variety of functionality could be incorporated in this region of the molecule without sacrificing potency. Efforts to exploit this site in order to improve oral efficacy are discussed.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of PDE9A, a novel human cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase.

We have cloned and characterized the first human isozyme in a new family of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, PDE9A. By sequence homology in the catalytic domain, PDE9A is almost equidistant from all eight known mammalian PDE families but is most similar to PDE8A (34% amino acid identity) and least like PDE5A (28% amino acid identity). We report the cloning of human cDNA encoding a full-length protein of 593 amino acids, including a 261-amino acid region located near the C terminus that is homologous to the approximately 270-amino acid catalytic domain of other PDEs. PDE9A is expressed in all eight tissues examined as a approximately 2. 0-kilobase mRNA, with highest levels in spleen, small intestine, and brain. The full-length PDE9A was expressed in baculovirus fused to an N-terminal 9-amino acid FLAG tag. Kinetic analysis of the baculovirus-expressed enzyme shows it to be a very high affinity cGMP-specific PDE with a Km of 170 nM for cGMP and 230 microM for cAMP. The Km for cGMP makes PDE9A one of the highest affinity PDEs known. The Vmax for cGMP (4.9 nmol/min/microg recombinant enzyme) is about twice as fast as that of PDE4 for cAMP. The enzyme is about twice as active in vitro in 1-10 mM Mn2+ than in the same concentration of Mg2+ or Ca2+. PDE9A is insensitive (up to 100 microM) to a variety of PDE inhibitors including rolipram, vinpocetine, SKF-94120, dipyridamole, and 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine but is inhibited (IC50 = 35 microM) by zaprinast, a PDE5 inhibitor. PDE9A lacks a region homologous to the allosteric cGMP-binding regulatory regions found in the cGMP-binding PDEs: PDE2, PDE5, and PDE6.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

7-Oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridines as novel inhibitors of human eosinophil phosphodiesterase.

High-throughput file screening against inhibition of human lung PDE4 led to the discovery of 3-ethyl-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-phenyl-7-oxo-4, 5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine (11) as a novel PDE4 inhibitor. Subsequent SAR development, using an eosinophil PDE assay, led to analogues up to 50-fold more potent than 11 with IC50 values of 0.03-1.6 microM. One such compound, CP-220,629 (22) (IC50 = 0.44 microM), was efficacious in the guinea pig aerosolized antigen induced airway obstruction assay (ED50 2.0 mg/kg, po) and demonstrated a significant reduction in eosinophil (55%), neutrophil (65%), and IL-1beta (82%) responses to antigen challenge in atopic monkeys (10 mg/kg, po).

Airway Obstruction↗

Isolation and characterization of PDE8A, a novel human cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase.

As part of our efforts to understand the regulation of intracellular cAMP and to generate new targets for pharmacological intervention, we have cloned and characterized the first isozyme in a new family of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, PDE8A. PDE8A is most similar to PDE4 (38.5% amino acid identity in the catalytic domain), but is clearly not a member of any of the seven known PDE families. We report the cloning of human cDNA encoding the C-terminal 713 amino acids of the protein, including a 283 amino acid region located near the C-terminus that is homologous to the approximately 270 amino acid catalytic domain of other PDEs. In addition, we found cDNA sequences consistent with alternative 5' mRNA splicing analogous to that seen in other PDE genes. PDE8A is expressed in a wide variety of tissues as a approximately 4.5 kb mRNA, with highest levels in testis, ovary, small intestine, and colon. The C-terminal 545 amino acids of PDE8A (the region shared among all splice variants) were expressed in baculovirus. Kinetic analysis of the baculovirus expressed enzyme shows it to be a very high affinity cAMP specific PDE with a Km of 55 nM for cAMP and 124 microM for cGMP. The Vmax (150 pmol/min/microgram recombinant enzyme) is about 10 times slower than that of PDE4. The cAMP hydrolytic activity of PDE8A is not modulated by cGMP at concentrations up to 100 microM. The enzyme requires the presence of at least 1 mM Mn2+ or Mg2+ for maximal activity in vitro, while 100 mM Ca2+ restores only about 20% activity. PDE8A is insensitive (up to 100 microM) to a variety of PDE inhibitors including rolipram, zaprinast, vinpocetine, SKF-94120, and IBMX, but is inhibited (IC50 = 9 microM) by the PDE inhibitor dipyridimole. To give PDE8A a descriptive name that distinguishes it from the other two known high affinity cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases (PDE4 and PDE7), we denote PDE8A as the high affinity cAMP-specific and IBMX-insensitive PDE.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

The phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitor CP-80,633 elevates plasma cyclic AMP levels and decreases tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) production in mice: effect of adrenalectomy.

Rolipram was previously reported to elevate plasma cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and inhibit serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in mice. CP-80,633, a new cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitor, has been shown to augment intracellular cAMP levels and to inhibit TNFalpha release from human monocytes in vitro. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of p.o. CP-80,633 on plasma cAMP levels and lipopolysaccharide-induced TNFalpha production in mice with and without adrenal glands. CP-80,633 dose-dependently (3-32 mg/kg p.o.) elevated plasma cAMP levels and decreased systemic TNFalpha production in response to i.p. injection of lipopolysaccharide. Elevated plasma cAMP levels can be detected for up to 4 hr. CP-80,633 (10 mg/kg p.o.) caused a 6-fold increase in the plasma cAMP level, a 2-fold increase in the plasma epinephrine level and a greater than 95% reduction in TNFalpha production. Unlike CP-80,633, neither vinpocetine, dipyridamole, SKB-94,120 nor zaprinast, at 100 mg/kg p.o., modified the cAMP response, which suggests that this response is mediated by inhibition of PDE4. Adrenalectomy reduced the cAMP response and completely blocked the epinephrine response; however, the levels of plasma cAMP in the CP-80,633-treated mice (10 mg/kg p.o.) remained elevated (vehicle: 47.3 +/- 6.8 vs. CP-80,633: 98.4 +/- 10.3 pmol/ml, n = 7, P < .05). This effect is mimicked by treatment of control mice with propranolol, which demonstrates that beta adrenoreceptors contribute to the cAMP response. Removal of adrenal glands significantly increased the LPS-induced elevation of serum TNFalpha. The ability of CP-80,633 to block the TNFalpha response was only slightly affected by adrenalectomy (ED50 = 1.2 mg/kg in controls vs. 3.9 mg/kg in adrenalectomized mice). Taken together, these results show that CP-80,633, when given p.o. to mice, is capable of elevating plasma cAMP and inhibiting TNFalpha production and that adrenal catecholamines contribute significantly to the effect of CP-80,633 on the cAMP response but only slightly to its effect on the systemic TNFalpha response.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Differential in vivo and in vitro bronchorelaxant activities of CP-80,633, a selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor.

CP-80,633, a selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitor, potently reverses histamine bronchoconstriction in anesthetized guinea pigs (ED50 10 micrograms/kg) but only weakly relaxes histamine-constricted guinea pig trachea (EC50 137 microM). Using CP-80,633 as a prototype PDE4 inhibitor, we evaluated the hypothesis that bronchodilation induced by PDE4 inhibitors is not mediated by direct relaxation of airway smooth muscle. In anesthetized guinea pigs, a bronchodilatory dose of CP-80,633 did not increase plasma catecholamines, nor did propranolol pretreatment significantly alter the ability of CP-80,633 to reverse histamine bronchoconstriction. In an isolated organ system, the activity of bronchorelaxants may be attenuated by the lack of endogenous activators of adenylyl cyclase or by decreased levels of intracellular cyclic nucleotides. Pretreatment with the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, salbutamol, or the PDE3 inhibitor imazodan did not potentiate the bronchorelaxant ability of CP-80,633. Milrinone pretreatment increased the potency of CP-80,633 to relax carbachol-constricted tracheal rings, but only at concentrations where nonspecific effects have been reported. By comparing the bronchorelaxant abilities of PDE inhibitors in tracheal rings with or without epithelium, we determined that the epithelium did not serve as a barrier to drug penetration. In conclusion, CP-80,633 is a potent bronchodilator in vivo, whose activity is neither mediated by direct airway smooth muscle relaxation nor dependent upon endogenous catecholamines.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Biarylcarboxylic acids and -amides: inhibition of phosphodiesterase type IV versus [3H]rolipram binding activity and their relationship to emetic behavior in the ferret.

In addition to having desirable inhibitory effects on inflammation, anaphylaxis, and smooth muscle contraction, PDE-IV inhibitors also produce undesirable side effects including nausea and vomiting. In general, compounds that inhibit PDE-IV also potently displace [3H]rolipram from a high-affinity binding site in rat cortex. While this binding site has not been identified, it has been proposed to be an allosteric binding site on the PDE-IV enzyme. Preliminary studies have suggested that the emetic potency of PDE-IV inhibitors is correlated with affinity for the brain rolipram binding site rather than potency at inhibiting PDE-IV enzyme activity. Efforts to eliminate the emetic potential of PDE-IV inhibitors were directed toward developing compounds with decreased [3H]rolipram binding affinity while retaining PDE-IV potency. Thus, a novel series of 4-(3-alkoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)benzoic acids and their corresponding carboxamides were prepared and evaluated for their PDE-IV inhibitory and rolipram binding site properties. Modification of the catechol ether moiety led to phenylbutoxy and phenylpentoxy analogues that provided the desired activity profile. Specifically, 4-[3-(5-phenylpentoxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-methylbenzoic acid, 18, was found to exhibit potent PDE-IV inhibitory activity (IC50 0.41 microM) and possessed 400 times weaker activity than rolipram for the [3H]rolipram binding site. In vivo, compound 18 was efficacious in the guinea pig aerosolized antigen induced airway obstruction assay (ED50 8.8 mg/kg, po) and demonstrated a significant reduction in emetic side effects (ferret, 20% emesis at 30 mg/kg, po).

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitors have clinical and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects in atopic dermatitis.

Increased cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase activity in peripheral blood leukocytes is associated with the immune and inflammatory hyperreactivity that characterizes atopic dermatitis. Atopic phosphodiesterase has high sensitivity to a variety of enzyme inhibitors, suggesting an increased therapeutic advantage. The objective of this study was to use in vitro assays to identify a potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor and then to investigate its effectiveness in treating atopic dermatitis. Leukocyte enzyme activity was measured by radioenzyme assay, whereas prostaglandin E2 and interleukins 10 (IL-10) and 4 (IL-4) were measured in 24-h culture supernatants of mononuclear leukocytes by immunoassays. The effect of a topical phosphodiesterase inhibitor on atopic dermatitis lesional skin was assessed by double-blind, paired comparisons of active drug and placebo ointments applied to symmetrically involved sites over a 28-d period. Using in vitro, assays, we demonstrated the ability of selective high-potency phosphodiesterase inhibitors to reduce prostaglandin E2, IL-10, and IL-4 production in atopic mononuclear leukocyte cultures. We selected the Type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor, CP80,633, based on its inhibitory potency, for clinical testing by topical, bilateral paired comparisons in 20 patients with atopic dermatitis and demonstrated significant reductions of all inflammatory parameters. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors modulate several pathways contributing to the exaggerated immune and inflammatory responses, which characterize atopic dermatitis. This in vivo demonstration of anti-inflammatory efficacy may provide a useful alternative to the over-reliance on corticosteroid therapy in atopic disease.

Administration, Topical↗

Regulation of tumour necrosis factor production by adrenal hormones in vivo: insights into the antiinflammatory activity of rolipram.

1. The role of adrenal hormones in the regulation of the systemic and local production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF alpha) was examined in male Balb/c mice. 2. Intraperitoneal injection of 0.3 mg E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0111:B4) led to high levels of circulating TNF alpha without stimulating TNF alpha production in the peritoneal cavity. Systemic production of TNF alpha in response to LPS was increased in adrenalectomized animals and in normal animals treated with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol. The glucocorticoid antagonist, RU 486, did not modify systemic TNF alpha production. These results indicate that systemic TNF alpha production is regulated by adrenaline but not by corticosterone. 3. When mice were primed with thioglycollate, TNF alpha was produced in the peritoneal cavity in response to low dose LPS (1 micrograms). The levels of TNF alpha in the peritoneal cavity were not enhanced by adrenalectomy or by treatment with either propranolol or RU 486, indicating local production of TNF alpha in the peritoneal cavity is not regulated by adrenaline or corticosterone. 4. The phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE-IV) inhibitor, rolipram, inhibited both the systemic production of TNF alpha in response to high dose endotoxin (ED50 = 1.3 mg kg-1) and the local production of TNF alpha in the peritoneal cavity in response to low dose endotoxin (ED50 = 9.1 mg kg-1). In adrenalectomized mice there was a slight reduction in the ability of rolipram to inhibit the systemic production of TNF alpha (ED50 = 3.3 mg kg-1) while the ability of rolipram to inhibit the local production of TNF alpha in the peritoneal cavity was virtually abolished (24% inhibition at 30 mg kg-1). The glucocorticoid antagonist, RU 486, also reduced the ability of rolipram to inhibit local TNF alpha production while propranolol was without effect. 5. Systemic treatment with rolipram increased the plasma concentrations of corticosterone in normal mice but not in adrenalectomized mice indicating that rolipram can cause adrenal stimulation in vivo. 6. In summary, these data indicate that systemic production of TNF alpha in response to high dose endotoxin is controlled differently from the local production of TNF alpha in response to low dose endotoxin. The systemic production of TNF alpha is regulated by catecholamines, but not by corticosterone, while the local production of TNF alpha in the peritoneal cavity is not regulated by basal levels of either catecholamines or corticosterone. 7. These data also show that the ability of rolipram to inhibit the local production of TNF alpha is dependent on the release of corticosterone from the adrenal glands.

Adrenalectomy↗

The in vivo pharmacology of CP-80, 633, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4.

The following studies were conducted to characterize the bron-chodilatory and antiinflammatory activity of the novel, selective phosphodiesterase-IV inhibitor, CP-80,633 (2'S)5-[3-(2'-exobicyclo[2.2.1]heptyloxy-4-methoxy-phenyl]te trahydro- 2(1H)-pyrimidone, a compound in clinical development for atopic disease. In IgG1 passively sensitized guinea pigs, aerosolized ovalbumin challenge increases both pulmonary eosinophil peroxidase levels and airway obstruction. CP-80,633, administered before ovalbumin challenge, significantly attenuated both the increase in tissue eosinophil peroxidase levels (ED50 = 1.4 mg/kg, p.o.) and airway obstruction (ED50 = 0.93 +/- 0.14 mg/kg,p.o.) 10 to 30 times more potently than theophyl-line. Intraarterially administered CP-80,633 also reversed an established bronchoconstriction initiated by continuous infusion of histamine to guinea pigs (ED50 of 8.2 micrograms/kg vs. 5.6 mg/kg for theophylline). The antiinflammatory effect of CP-80,633 was also examined in atopic monkeys challenged with Ascaris suum (Ag) aerosol. CP-80,633 (1 mg/kg, qid, s.c., 1 hr before antigen challenge) significantly reduced antigen-induced increases in bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophils (72.8 +/- 15.8% inhibition) and eosinophils (61.1 +/- 5.7% inhibition) 4 hr postchallenge, but did not reduce leukocytes 24 hr postchallenge. CP-80,633 did not inhibit antigen-induced increases in BAL levels of interleukin-1 beta, -6 or -8 as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. These results indicate that CP-80,633 possesses bronchodilatory activity in guinea pigs and some antiinflammatory effects in both guinea pigs and monkeys.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

In vitro pharmacology of the novel phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor, CP-80633.

We present the in vitro pharmacology of a novel adenosine 3'-5' -cyclic monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 4 inhibitor, CP-80633 ((2'S)5-[3-(2' -exobicyclo[2.2.1]-heptyloxy)4-methoxyphenyl] tetrahydro-2(1H)-primidone), which has shown efficacy in phase II clinical trials for atopic dermatitis. CP-80633 inhibits PDE4 isozymes (human lung IC50 = 1.27 microM) in the absence of effects on PDE1, PDE2, PDE3 and PDE5 isozymes (IC50 > 100 microM). It exhibits no significant selectivity for any single cloned PDE4A, B, C or D isoform. CP-80633 inhibits adenosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate hydrolysis in partially purified human peripheral blood monocyte cytosol (IC50 = 3.52 microM), eosinophil membrane (IC50 = 1.10 microM) and T cell membrane (IC50 = 2.28 microM) preparations. Inhibition of eosinophil PDE4 adenosine 3'-5'-cyclic mono-phosphate hydrolysis by CP-80,633 occurs in a noncompetitive manner. Unlike theophylline, CP-80,633 is inactive against ratrain adenosine (A1,A2) receptors. Consistent with its action as a PDE4 inhibitor in whole cells, CP-80633 potentiates PGE1 dependent increases in adenosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate levels in human U937 cells, and in human eosinophils, monocytes and T cells (EC200 approximately 1.0 microM). Consequently, CP-80633 inhibits many inflammatory cell functions including 1) human eosinophil superoxide anion production (IC50 < 0.6 microM), 2 C5a-(IC50 = 0.40 microM) and LTB4-(IC50 = 0.20 microM) mediated guinea pig peritoneal eosinophil chemotaxis and 3) lipopolysac-charide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha release from human monocytes (IC50 = 0.219 microM). These data clearly demonstrate that CP-80633 is a selective inhibitor of PDE4 isozymes, and support its potential use as a therapeutic agent for a number of inflammatory and immune disorders.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

The in vitro and in vivo pharmacologic activity of the potent and selective leukotriene B4 receptor antagonist CP-105696.

CP-105696, (+)-1-(3S,4R)-[3-(4-phenyl-benzyl)-4-hydroxy-chroman-7-yl] cyclopentane carboxylic acid, is a structurally novel, selective and potent leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor antagonist. In vitro, CP-105696 inhibited [3H]LTB4 (0.3 nM) binding to high-affinity LTB4 receptors on human neutrophils with an IC50 value of 8.42 +/- 0.26 nM. Scatchard analyses of [3H]LTB4 binding to these high-affinity receptors indicated that CP-105696 acted as a noncompetitive antagonist. CP-105696 inhibited human neutrophil chemotaxis mediated by LTB4 (5 nM) in a noncompetitive manner with an IC50 value of 5.0 +/- 2.0 nM. Scatchard analyses of [3H]LTB4 binding to low-affinity receptors on neutrophils indicated that CP-105696 acted as a competitive antagonist at this receptor, and inhibition of LTB4-mediated CD11b upregulation on human neutrophils was competitively inhibited by CP-105696 (pA2 = 8.03 +/- 0.19). CP-105696 at 10 microM did not inhibit either human neutrophil chemotaxis or CD11b upregulation mediated through alternate (i.e., C5a, IL-8, PAF) G-protein coupled chemotactic factor receptors. In isolated human monocytes, LTB4 (5 nM)-mediated Ca++ mobilization was inhibited by CP-105696 with an IC50 value of 940 +/- 70 nM. In vivo, after oral administration, CP-105696 blocked neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration in cavine dermis mediated by either LTB4 or arachidonic acid with ED50 values of 0.3 +/- 0.1 mg/kg. 12(R)-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-mediated neutrophil infiltration was blocked by 76.4 +/- 14.8% at 3 mg/kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗