Reversal of inhibitory pathways in neutrophils by protein kinase antagonists: a rational approach to the restoration of depressed cell function?

2,1,3-Benzothiadiazine derivatives: synthesis and screening versus PDE4 enzyme

A series of N-1,3 disubstituted 2,1,3-benzothiadiazine derivatives (BTDs) were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity versus enzymatic isoform PDE4 extracted from U937 cell line. Some of the tested compounds showed a high PDE4 inhibitory activity at 100 microM and the IC(50) value of the most interesting terms were evaluated. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds showed that the 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl moiety at N-1 position is important to obtain activity at micromolar level as previously reported. For the same compounds the antioxidant activity were evaluated highlighting 14 as the most significative one. The introduction of other bulky substituents in N-1 position is detrimental.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of neutrophilic inflammation inhibitors

In several non-infectious human diseases, such as ulcerous colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the extravasal recruitment of neutrophils plays a crucial role in the development of tissue damage, which, when persistent, can lead to the irreversible organ dysfunction. The neutrophil activation is controlled by a number of intracellular pathways, particularly by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) which also acts on phosphodiesterase IV (PDE4) gene stimulating the synthesis of this enzyme, able to transform cAMP to inactive AMP. PDE4 inhibitors enhance intracellular cAMP and decrease inflammatory cell activation. Several 3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde and 3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid derivatives were synthesized and studied by us to evaluate their ability to inhibit the superoxide anion production in human neutrophils. These compounds were found able to inhibit the neutrophil activation and some of them increased the cAMP level on tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated neutrophils. Moreover, they also inhibited selectively the human PDE4 enzyme, although they are less potent than the reference compound Rolipram. We report here synthesis, biological studies and some SAR considerations concerning the above mentioned compounds.

The effects of acute exercise on neutrophils and plasma oxidative stress

PURPOSE

To investigate the influence of intensity versus total energy expenditure on neutrophilia and blood oxidative stress to acute exercise.

METHODS

Nine males (18-30 yr) completed one maximal (Max) and three submaximal exercise sessions: 1) 45 min at 10% above (LT+) lactate threshold (LT), 2) 45 min at 10% below (LT-) LT, and 3) 10% below LT until caloric expenditure equaled the 10%+ trial (LT-kcal). Blood was sampled before (PRE), immediately (POST), 1 h, and 2 h after exercise to measure neutrophils, myeloperoxidase, superoxide (O(2)-), neutrophil activation (O(2)-/neutrophils), ascorbic acid, uric acid, malondialdehyde, and lipid hydroperoxides.

RESULTS

Intensity-dependent neutrophilia occurred POST exercise with significant increases (P <or= 0.05) after Max and LT+. A second neutrophilia wave occurred 2 h postexercise. Superoxide was elevated POST (Max) and 2 h post (Max and LT+). In contrast, O(2)-/neutrophils was increased at 2 h only (Max and LT+). These data indicate that immediately postexercise, total neutrophil number rather than activation best represents neutrophil-generated reactive species within blood. POST Max, ascorbic acid and uric acid were decreased indicating a blood oxidative stress occurred. Alternately, total energy expenditure was not related to any marker of neutrophilia or oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

Exercise intensity plays a major role in postexercise blood oxidative stress, whereas total exercise energy expenditure does not. Further, neutrophils recruited into circulation during exercise may impose a threshold dependent oxidative stress in blood plasma after exercise.

Investigation of the cellular mechanism of inhibition of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced superoxide anion generation in rat neutrophils by 2-benzyloxybenzaldehyde

The inhibition of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced superoxide anion (O2(.-)) generation by 2-benzyloxybenzaldehyde (CCY1a) was investigated in rat neutrophils, and the underlying mechanism of this inhibition was assessed. CCY1a concentration-dependently inhibited O2(.-) generation (IC(50)=18.5+/-4.3 microM). In cell-free systems, CCY1a failed to alter O2(.-) generation during dihydroxyfumaric acid autoxidation, in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-activated neutrophil particulate NADPH oxidase preparations, or during arachidonic acid-induced NADPH oxidase activation. CCY1a increased cellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and this cAMP-elevating effect was inhibited by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor 9-(tetrahydro-2'-furyl)adenine (SQ22536), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline. In neutrophils, inhibition of O2(.-) generation by CCY1a was partially reversed by the protein kinase A inhibitor (9R,10S,12S)-2,3,9,10,11,12-hexahydro-10-hydroxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9,12-epoxy-1H-diindolo[1,2,3-fg:3',2',1'-kl]pyrrolo[3,4-l][1,6]benzodiazocine-10-carboxylic acid, hexyl ester (KT5720). CCY1a did not affect fMLP-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, but concentration-dependently attenuated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt (IC(50) about 31.3 and 19.4 microM, respectively). The plateau phase, but not the initial spike, of fMLP-induced [Ca2+](i) changes was inhibited by CCY1a in a concentration-dependent manner. CCY1a inhibition of Ca2+ entry, ERK, and Akt phosphorylation was not prevented by SQ22536 or ADA. fMLP-induced phospholipase D (PLD) activation was inhibited by CCY1a (IC(50)=13.9+/-2.0 microM). ADA and KT5720 did not prevent the inhibition of PLD activation by CCY1a. Collectively, these results indicate that the inhibition by CCY1a of fMLP-induced O2(.-) generation in rat neutrophils can probably be attributed to the increase in cAMP levels, and to the blockade of Ca2+ entry, suppression of Akt, and PLD activation via cAMP-independent mechanisms.

Cyclic AMP-dependent inhibition of human neutrophil oxidative activity by substituted 2-propynylcyclohexyl adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists

Novel 2-propynylcyclohexyl-5'-N:-ehtylcarboxamidoadenosines, trans-substituted in the 4-position of the cyclohexyl ring, were evaluated in binding assays to the four subtypes of adenosine receptors (ARs). Two esters, 4-(3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester (ATL146e) and acetic acid 4-(3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3, 4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl] -prop-2-ynyl)-cyclohexylmethyl ester (ATL193) were >50 x more potent than 2-[4-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'-N:-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS21680) for human A(2A) AR binding. Human A(2A) AR affinity for substituted cyclohexyl-propynyladenosine analogues was inversely correlated with the polarity of the cyclohexyl side chain. There was a comparable order of potency for A(2A) AR agonist stimulation of human neutrophil [cyclic AMP](i), and inhibition of the neutrophil oxidative burst. ATL146e and CGS21680 were approximately equipotent agonists of human A(3) ARs. We measured the effects of selective AR antagonists on agonist stimulated neutrophil [cyclic AMP](i) and the effect of PKA inhibition on A(2A) AR agonist activity. ATL193-stimulated neutrophil [cyclic AMP](i) was blocked by antagonists with the potency order: ZM241385 (A(2A)-selective)>MRS1220 (A(3)-selective)>>N-(4-Cyano-phenyl)-2-[4-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-phenoxy]-acetamide (MRS1754; A(2B)-selective) approximately 8-(N-methylisopropyl)amino-N(6)-(5'-endohydroxy-endonorbornyl)-9-methyladenine (WRC0571; A(1)-selective). The type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor, rolipram (100 nM) potentiated ATL193 inhibition of the oxidative burst, and inhibition by ATL193 was counteracted by the PKA inhibitor H-89. The data indicate that activation of A(2A)ARs inhibits neutrophil oxidative activity by activating [cyclic AMP](i)/PKA.

Involvement of cyclic AMP generation in the inhibition of respiratory burst by 2-phenyl-4-quinolone (YT-1) in rat neutrophils

The inhibitory effect of 2-phenyl-4-quinolone (YT-1) on respiratory burst in rat neutrophils was investigated, and the underlying mechanism of action was assessed. YT-1 caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of the rate of O2.- release from rat neutrophils in response to formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), but not to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), with an IC50 value of 60.7+/-8.2 microM. A comparable effect was also demonstrated in the inhibition of O2 consumption. Unlike superoxide dismutase, YT-1 had no effect on O2.- generation in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and during dihydroxyfumaric acid autoxidation. The fMLP-induced inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation was unaffected by YT-1. In addition, YT-1 did not affect the initial spike of [Ca2+]i, but it accelerated the rate of [Ca2+]i decline in cells in response to fMLP. YT-1 was found to have little effect on the activity of neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC). YT-1 increased the cellular cyclic AMP level, while having no effect on the cyclic GMP level. In addition, YT-1 increased neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase A (PKA) activity, but had no direct effect on the enzyme activity of pure porcine heart PKA. When neutrophils were treated with (8R,9S,11S)-(-)-9-hydroxy-9-hexoxycarbonyl-8-methyl-2,3,9,10-tetra hydro-8,11-epoxy- 1H,8H,11H-2,7b,11a-triazadibenzo[a,g]cycloocta[cde]trinde n-1-one, (KT 5720), a PKA inhibitor, the inhibition of O2.- generation by YT-1, as well as by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, was attenuated effectively. YT-1 did not activate the adenylate cyclase associated with neutrophil particulate fraction but inhibited the cytosolic phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Neutrophils treated with YT-1 had a more pronounced increase in cellular cyclic AMP level by PGE1. Moreover, the ability of PGE1 to inhibit the respiratory burst in neutrophils was greatly enhanced by YT-1. These results suggest that the increase in cellular cyclic AMP levels by YT-1 through the inhibition of PDE (probably PDE4 isoenzyme) activity is involved in its inhibition of fMLP-induced respiratory burst in rat neutrophils.

Modulation of the chemotactic peptide- and immunoglobulin G-triggered respiratory burst in human neutrophils by exogenous and endogenous adenosine

The effects of exogenous and endogenous adenosine on the production of oxygen metabolites in neutrophils triggered by the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or immunoglobulin G (IgG)-opsonized yeast particles, were investigated. By using luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, we found that adenosine A1 receptor activation did not affect, whereas adenosine A receptor activation, through a mechanism involving the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-protein kinase A signalling pathway, both inhibited the fMLP- and IgG-triggered respiratory burst. The adenosine-induced inhibition was however more pronounced after exposure to fMLP than to IgG-yeast. Stimulation with fMLP caused an extracellular accumulation of endogenous adenosine, which indicates that this event is a negative-feedback mechanism preventing an uncontrolled activation of chemoattractant-stimulated neutrophils. On the contrary, exposure of neutrophils to IgG-yeast did not appear to accumulate extracellular adenosine, probably due to increased adenosine deaminase activity during phagocytosis. In conclusion, this work accentuates the importance of adenosine, both exogenously applied and endogenously formed, as an inflammatory agent modulating the respiratory burst during the different phases in neutrophil activation.

Beta-adrenergic modulation of FMLP- and zymosan-induced intracellular and extracellular oxidant production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Evaluation of catecholamine modulation of PMNL extracellular and intracellular oxidant production may reflect beneficial and harmful effects of beta-adrenergic agonists in various disease states. We investigated the kinetics and potency of adrenaline-mediated inhibition of oxidant generation in FMLP- and zymosan-stimulated PMNLs. In FMLP-stimulated cells, the short-term burst of oxidant generation was inhibited by adrenaline in a dose-dependent fashion. Intra- and extracellular chemiluminescence and extracellular superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide generation showed similar IC50 values for adrenaline (1.3-3.0 x 10(-8) M) indicating that both extracellular and intracellular events were inhibited with the same potency. In contrast, intracellular oxidant production evoked by the phagocytosis of zymosan was only minimally affected by 3 x 10(-5) -3 x 10(-12) M adrenaline. Extracellular inhibition of oxidant production was also apparent in zymosan-stimulated cells. In conclusion, adrenaline's ability to depress extracellular generation of oxygen metabolites while retaining prolonged intracellular oxidant production for phagocytosis supports its beneficial role as selectively targeted physiological protector.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte opsonic receptor expression after hypoxia/reoxygenation

We investigated the effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and subsequent stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) with either formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on CD32, CD16, CD35, and CD11b/CD18 expression and on degranulation and superoxide anion production. H/R primed both adherent and fluid-phase PMNs for subsequent up-regulation of CD32 and CD16 (Fcgamma receptors) when stimulated with FMLP and primed both Fcgamma and complement (CD35, CD11b/CD18) receptors when stimulated with PMA. Kinetics assays demonstrated maximal up-regulation of CD32 and CD16 induced by H/R plus FMLP after 30 minutes of reoxygenation, whereas maximal receptor stimulation by H/R plus PMA occurred within 15 minutes of reoxygenation. Neither actinomycin D nor cycloheximide abrogated the effect of H/R with subsequent stimulation of PMNs on receptor expression; however, 10(-5) to 10(-8) mol/L concentrations of either taxol or phalloidin completely abrogated the effect of H/R plus FMLP or PMA on opsonic receptor expression. The effect of H/R plus FMLP on CD32 and CD16 expression was blocked by pertussis toxin, whereas staurosporine, H-7, H-9, and genistein had no effect. Conversely, the effect of H/R plus PMA on CD32, CD16, CD35, and CD11b/CD18 expression was blocked by staurosporine and H-7 but not by H-9, pertussis toxin, or genistein. The up-regulation of CD32, CD16, CD35, and CD11b/CD18 induced by H/R plus FMLP or PMA in the presence or absence of matrix proteins resulted in the increased rosetting of E-anti-CD32, E anti-CD16, E-Con A, EC3b, and EC3bi, respectively. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase inhibition with diphenyleneiodonium blocked the effect of H/R on receptor expression, degranulation, and superoxide anion production. These results demonstrate that H/R primes PMNs for subsequent receptor up-regulation by divergent intracellular signal transduction pathways and that the receptors induced to the cell surface are biologically active.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced oxidative burst in neutrophils adherent to fibronectin: effects of cyclic AMP-elevating agents

Human neutrophils, plated on fibronectin-coated polystyrene wells, were found to exhibit a prolonged production of superoxide anion (O2-) in response to tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). The TNF-triggered O2- production was significantly reduced by 10 microM prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which was ineffective at lower doses. Moreover, the O2- production was slightly reduced by the phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE IV) inhibitor RO 20-1724. When PGE2 and RO 20-1724 were added together to TNF-triggered neutrophils they caused a marked synergistic inhibition of O2- production. The action of PGE2 could be mimicked by forskolin (FK), a well-known direct activator of adenylate cyclase. These results suggest that cyclic AMP (cAMP)-elevating agents (PGE2, FK, RO 20-1724) down-regulate the capacity of adherent neutrophils to mount the respiratory burst in response to TNF. Consistent with this interpretation, PGE2 and RO 20-1724 increased the intracellular levels of cAMP displaying synergistic activity. Moreover, the membrane-permeable analogue of cAMP, dibutyryl cAMP, was found to inhibit the TNF-induced O2- production in a dose-dependent manner. As all the aforementioned cAMP-elevating agents did not affect the O2- production in response to phorbol myristate acetate, they appear to act by interfering with the assembly of the O2(-)-generating NADPH oxidase complex rather than by directly inhibiting the activity of already working oxidase complex. In conclusion, taking into account the TNF capacity to promote PGE2 formation at sites of inflammation, our observations suggest the existence of a negative PGE2-dependent feed-back, potentially capable of controlling the neutrophil response to TNF and susceptible to amplification by PDE IV-inhibiting compounds.

Cyclic AMP-elevating agents down-regulate the oxidative burst induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in adherent neutrophils

Human neutrophils, plated on fibronectin-precoated wells, were found to release large quantities of superoxide anion (O2-) in response to GM-CSF. O2- production was reduced by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE IV) inhibitor RO 20-1724. Both agents are known to increase intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels by inducing its production (PGE2) or blocking its catabolism (RO 20-1724). When added in combination, PGE2 and RO 20-1724 had a marked synergistic inhibitory effect, which was reproduced by replacing PGE2 with a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, i.e. forskolin (FK). Moreover, the neutrophil response to GM-CSF was inhibited by a membrane-permeable analogue of cAMP in a dose-dependent manner. As GM-CSF and PGE2 are known to be generated at tissue sites of inflammation, the results suggest the existence of a PGE2-dependent regulatory pathway potentially capable of controlling the neutrophil response to GM-CSF, in turn limiting the risk of local oxidative tissue injury. Moreover, owing to its susceptibility to amplification by RO 20-1724, the PGE2-dependent pathway and in particular PDE-IV may represent a pharmacological target to reduce the generation of histotoxic oxidants by GM-CSF-responding neutrophils.

Formation of reactive oxygen metabolites in glomeruli is suppressed by inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase isozyme type IV

Several independent studies indicate that synthetic inhibitors of cyclic-3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes, especially inhibitors of PDE-IV, are potent agents which suppress generation of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) by NADPH oxidase in leukocytes. Recent studies also show that NADPH oxidase is present in all cell types populating glomeruli. In view of this, we investigated PDE isozymes and their relation to ROM in isolated rat glomeruli. Glomeruli have the capacity to hydrolyze cAMP by isozymes PDE-II, PDE-III and PDE-IV, whereas cGMP is hydrolyzed by PDE-I and PDE-V. Inhibitor of PDE-IV rolipram inhibited significantly (cca 40 to 50%) ROM generation in response to stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Inhibitor of PDE-III cilostamide had only minor suppressive effects and inhibitors of other PDE isozymes did not influence ROM generation. Rolipram (3 microM) suppressed ROM generation without detectable increase in cAMP content. Incubation of glomeruli with forskolin, which increased cAMP content in glomeruli tenfold, inhibited ROM generation to a similar degree as rolipram. The suppression of ROM generation by rolipram was prevented by Rp-cAMPS, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Further, incubation of glomeruli with rolipram elicited marked in situ activation of PKA (+ 100%), as documented by increase in the (-cAMP/+cAMP) PKA activity ratio. We suggest that selective inhibitor of PDE-IV rolipram acted via the cAMP-signaling pathway and suppressed ROM generation possibly via phosphorylating ras-type GTP-binding protein component of NADPH oxidase and thereby blocking assembly of functional NADPH oxidase complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)