Increased chloride efflux in colchicine-resistant airway epithelial cell lines

Inhalation treatment of cystic fibrosis with lumacaftor and ivacaftor co-delivered by nanostructured lipid carriers

Cystic fibrosis (CF), a most deadly genetic disorder, is caused by mutations of CF transmembrane receptor (CFTR) - a chloride channel present at the surface of epithelial cells. In general, two steps have to be involved in treatment of the disease: correction of cellular defects and potentiation to further increase channel opening. Consequently, a combinatorial simultaneous treatment with two drugs with different mechanisms of action, lumacaftor and ivacaftor, has been recently proposed. While lumacaftor is used to correct p.Phe508del mutation (the loss of phenylalanine at position 508) and increase the amount of cell surface-localized CFTR protein, ivacaftor serves as a CFTR potentiator that increases the open probability of CFTR channels. Since the main organ that is affected by cystic fibrosis is the lung, the delivery of drugs directly to the lungs by inhalation has a potential to enhance the efficacy of the treatment of CF and limit adverse side effects upon healthy tissues and organs. Based on our extensive experience in inhalation delivering of drugs by different nanocarriers, we selected nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the delivery both drugs directly to the lungs by inhalation and tested NLC loaded with drugs in vitro (normal and CF human bronchial epithelial cells) and in vivo (homozygote/homozygote bi-transgenic mice with CF). The results show that the designed NLCs demonstrated a high drug loading efficiency and were internalized in the cytoplasm of CF cells. It was found that NLC-loaded drugs were able to restore the expression and function of CFTR protein. As a result, the combination of lumacaftor and ivacaftor delivered by lipid nanoparticles directly into the lungs was highly effective in treating lung manifestations of cystic fibrosis.

Characterization of colchicine binding with normal and glycated albumin: In vitro and molecular docking analysis

The transport of more than 90% of the drugs viz. anticoagulants, analgesics, and general anesthetics in the blood takes place by albumin. Hence, albumin is the prime protein needs to be investigated to find out the nature of drug binding. Serum albumin molecules are prone to glycation at elevated blood glucose levels as observed in diabetics. In this piece of work, glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was carried out with glyceraldehyde and characterized by molecular docking and fluorometry techniques. Glycation of BSA showed 25% loss of free amino groups and decreased protein fluorescence (60%) with blue shift of 6 nm. The present study was also designed to evaluate the binding of colchicine (an anti-inflammatory drug) to native and glycated BSA and its ability to displace 8-analino-1-nephthalene sulfonic acid (ANS), from the BSA-ANS complex. Binding of ANS to BSA showed strong binding (K_a = 4.4 μM) with native conformation in comparison to glycated state (K_a = 8.4 μM). On the other hand, colchicine was able to quench the fluorescence of native BSA better than glycated BSA and also showed weaker affinity (K_a = 23 μM) for glycated albumin compared with native state (K_a = 16 μM). Molecular docking study showed that both glyceraldehyde and colchicine bind to common residues located near Sudlow's site I that explain the lower binding of colchicine in the glycated BSA. Based on our results, we believe that reduced drugs-binding affinity to glycated albumin may lead to drugs accumulation and precipitation in diabetic patients.

ClC-7/Ostm1 contribute to the ability of tea polyphenols to maintain bone homeostasis in C57BL/6 mice, protecting against fluorosis

Epidemiological investigations indicate that certain ingredients in tea bricks can antagonize the adverse effects of fluoride. Tea polyphenols (TPs), the most bioactive ingredient in tea bricks, have been demonstrated to be potent bone-supporting agents. ClC‑7 is known to be crucial for osteoclast (OC) bone resorption. Thus, in this study, we investigated the potential protective effects of TPs against fluorosis using a mouse model and explored the underlying mechanisms with particular focus on ClC‑7. A total of 40, healthy, 3‑week‑old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10/group) by weight as follows: distilled water (control group), 100 mg/l fluoridated water (F group), water containing 10 g/l TPs (TP group) and water containing 100 mg/l fluoride and 10 g/l TPs (F + TP group). After 15 weeks, and after the mice were sacrificed, the long bones were removed and bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured ex vivo in order to perform several experiments. OCs were identified and counted by tartrate‑resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. The consumption of fluoride resulted in severe fluorosis and in an impaired OC function [impaired bone resorption, and a low mRNA expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (NFATc1), ATPase H+ transporting V0 subunit D2 (ATP6v0d2) and osteopetrosis‑associated transmembrane protein 1 (Ostm1)]. In the F + TP group, fluorosis was attenuated and OC function was restored, but not the high bone fluoride content. Compared with the F group, mature OCs in the F + TP group expressed higher mRNA levels of ClC‑7 and Ostm1; the transportation and retaining of Cl‑ was improved, as shown by the fluorescence intensity experiment. On the whole, our findings indicate that TPs mitigate fluorosis in C57BL/6 mice by regulating OC bone resorption. Fluoride inhibits OC resorption by inhibiting ClC‑7 and Ostm1, whereas TPs attenuate this inhibitory effect of fluoride.

Expression and function of NFAT5 in medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) cells

The contribution of nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) to the regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) production in medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) cells is unclear. RT-PCR analysis was performed on primary cultures of mouse mTAL cells and freshly isolated mTAL tubules to determine which NFAT isoforms are present in this nephron segment. Primer pairs were designed, based on published sequences for mouse NFAT1-5, to produce fragments of approximately 200 bp. Analysis of PCR products by gel electrophoresis and subsequent DNA sequencing indicated that cells and tubules contained mRNA for all five NFAT isoforms. The relative expression of NFAT isoforms was then determined using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The data indicate that NFAT isoforms 5 >/= 1 are the predominant isoforms present in mTAL cells and tubules. Western blot analysis demonstrated constitutive expression of NFAT5 in nuclear extracts from mTAL tubules and primary culture cells; expression in mTAL cells also was detected by immunofluorescence. Expression of NFAT5 was increased in mTAL cells transiently transfected with an NFAT5 overexpression vector (pcDNA3.1-NFAT5), resulting in increased basal and calcium-sensing receptor (CaR)-mediated TNF production. Transient transfection of mTAL cells with a small hairpin RNA vector that targeted exon 8 of NFAT5 (U6-N5 ex8) significantly inhibited TNF promoter activity. Transient transfection with U6-N5 ex8 also reduced nuclear expression of NFAT5, TNF mRNA accumulation, and attenuated CaR-mediated activation of Cl(-) entry into polarized mTAL cells. Collectively, these data suggest that activation of NFAT5 is part of a TNF-dependent pathway that inhibits apical Cl(-) influx in the mTAL after activation of CaR.

Characterization of a long-term rat mTAL cell line

A medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) cell line, termed raTAL, has been established from freshly isolated rat mTAL tubules and cultured continuously for up to 75 passages; it retains characteristics of mTAL cells even after retrieval from storage in liquid nitrogen for several months. The cells express Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP), a TAL-specific marker, grow to confluence, exhibit a polygonal morphology characteristic of epithelial cells, and form "domes." Detection of THP, Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC2), Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, and renal outer medullary K(+) channel (ROMK) was achieved using indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Western blot analysis of NKCC2 expression using two different antibodies revealed a band of approximately 160 kDa, and RT-PCR analysis demonstrated the presence of NKCC2 isoforms A and F, which was confirmed by DNA sequencing; transport of Cl(-) into raTAL cells was inhibited by furosemide. Ouabain- and bumetanide-sensitive oxygen consumption, an index of ion transport activity in the mTAL, was observed in raTAL cells, and the number of domes present was reduced significantly when cells were incubated in the presence of ouabain or bumetanide. The specific activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was determined in raTAL cells (0.67 +/- 0.18 nmol P(i).microg protein(-1).min(-1)), primary cultures of mTAL cells (0.39 +/- 0.08 nmol P(i).microg protein(-1).min(-1)), and freshly isolated mTAL tubules (1.10 +/- 0.29 nmol P(i).microg protein(-1).min(-1)), and approximately 30-50% of total cellular ATPase activity was inhibited by ouabain, in accord with other mTAL preparations. This cell line will be used in studies that address biochemical, molecular, and physiological mechanisms in the mTAL.

Colchicine today

Colchicine is used chiefly in the treatment of gout but is also valuable in other inflammatory diseases such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Three proteins play pivotal roles in colchicine pharmacokinetics: the colchicine receptor, tubulin, which governs the plasma elimination half-life of the drug; intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4, which is key to the biotransformation of colchicine; and P-glycoprotein, a cell efflux pump that regulates the tissue distribution of colchicine, as well as its excretion via the biliary tract and kidneys. Pharmacokinetic studies have been performed using a radioimmunology assay to measure blood colchicine levels. Absorption after oral ingestion varies widely (from 24% to 88% of the dose), the volume of distribution is extremely large (7 l/kg), and binding to albumin is moderate. Colchicine is excreted chiefly through the liver and has an elimination half-life of 20-40 hours. With repeated doses of about 1mg/day, the steady-state is achieved within 8 days and concentrations range from 0.3 to 2.5 ng/ml. Studies of associations between pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamics show that effects are correlated, not to plasma levels, but to levels in leukocytes. Adverse events are not uncommon, most notably when colchicine is used in combination with drugs that interact with CYP3A4 and/or P-glycoprotein, thereby decreasing the renal and/or hepatic elimination of colchicine. Careful monitoring in this situation is effective in preventing the development of toxicity.

Interaction of colchicine with human serum albumin investigated by spectroscopic methods

We investigated the interaction between colchicine and human serum albumin (HSA) by fluorescence and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. In the mechanism discussion, it was proved that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by colchicine is a result of the formation of colchicines-HSA complex; van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds play a major role in stabilizing the complex. The modified Stern-Volmer quenching constant K(a) and corresponding thermodynamic parameters deltaH, deltaG, deltaS at different temperatures were calculated. The distance r between donor (Trp214) and acceptor (colchicine) was obtained according to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).

Ionic currents in multidrug resistant K562 human leukemic cells

In this study, the expression and functional characterization of currents through the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator) and ORCC (outwardly rectifying chloride channels) were determined in wild-type K562 chronic human leukemia cells (K562-WT) and in its resistant counterpart, the vincristine resistant cell line (K562-Vinc). Expression of the CFTR and MDR1 (multidrug resistant) gene products was determined by a semi-quantitative RT-PCR protocol. The amplified products in K562-WT and K562-Vinc showed two bands corresponding to CFTR and MDR1. MDR1 mRNA increased by 20-fold in K562-Vinc whereas no change in CFTR mRNA levels was observed. CFTR and ORCC channel activity were measured with a whole cell configuration of the patch clamp technique. Forskolin (40 microM n activator of adenylate cyclase, added to the extracellular side increased the current in both cell lines. A fraction of the activated whole cell currents was inhibited by 500 microM 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and subsequent addition of 500 microM diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC plus DIDS) further inhibited the remaining currents. The levels of forskolin-activated currents and subsequent blockade were similar in both cell lines. The effect of forskolin was prevented in cells previously exposed to 500 microM DPC. The effects of DIDS and DPC on the forskolin-activated whole cell currents support the idea that both CFTR and ORCC are generating a significant fraction of these currents with DIDS inhibiting ORCC currents and DPC inhibiting CFTR currents when the blockers are added one after another to the extracellular side. Finally, we show that exposure of K562 cells to vincristine which results in the over expression of MDR1 is not accompanied by a significant down regulation of CFTR as in other cells.

Curcumin does not stimulate cAMP-mediated chloride transport in cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells

It has been suggested that curcumin and other sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-pump inhibitors could correct the defect in the most common mutation (DeltaF508) in cystic fibrosis (CF), and restore normal chloride transport. In the present study, the effect of curcumin was tested on baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells transfected with DeltaF508-CFTR, a CF airway epithelial cell line (CFBE), and cells isolated from the nasal epithelium of CF-patient homozygous for the DeltaF508-mutation. Curcumin had a small effect on basal (non-CFTR-mediated) chloride efflux in CFBE and CF nasal epithelial cells, but did not increase the net cAMP-activated (CFTR-mediated) chloride efflux. Curcumin caused a small increase in net cAMP-activated chloride efflux from DeltaF508-CFTR BHK cells. Immunocytochemical analysis failed to show significant movement of DeltaF508-CFTR to the plasma membrane in DeltaF508-CFTR BHK cells or CFBE cells. It is concluded that it is unlikely that curcumin has a significant positive effect on CFTR-mediated chloride transport in airway epithelial cells.