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Cristea CD, Radu M, Toboc A, Stan C, David V. Cationic exchange SPE combined with triple quadrupole UHPLC-MS/MS for detection of GHRHs in urine samples. Anal Biochem 2023; 682:115336. [PMID: 37806509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The use of growth hormone-releasing hormones (GHRHs) is prohibited in sports according to the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Considering the complexity of urine samples and the low concentrations at which these analytes should be detected, analyzing GHRHs is a challenging task. In most of the studies, GHRHs are analyzed using UHPLC-HRMS with an orbitrap. The present developed and validated method for some GHRHs (tesamorelin, CJC-1295, sermorelin (GRF 1-29), sermorelin (3-29)-NH2, somatorelin) is based on the triple quadrupole UHPLC/MS-MS method with solid phase extraction (SPE) with weak cation exchange and is able to detect concentrations as low as 0.2 ng/mL (LOD), a limit of quantification (LOQ) at 0.6 ng/mL, and linearity across the range of 0.1 ng/mL to 1.2 ng/mL. The present method developed by our doping control laboratory was validated according to WADA technical documents for selectivity, limit of detection (LOD), carryover, reliability of detection, stability and recovery. The results show that the method has adequate recoveries and sensitivity, hence, it can be employed for routine screening in anti-doping laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cătălina-Diana Cristea
- University of Bucharest, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Sos. Panduri, No. 90, Sect 5, Bucharest, 050663, Romania; Romanian Doping Control Laboratory, Bldv. Basarabia, No. 37-39, Sect 2, Bucharest, 022103, Romania.
| | - Mihai Radu
- Romanian Doping Control Laboratory, Bldv. Basarabia, No. 37-39, Sect 2, Bucharest, 022103, Romania.
| | - Ani Toboc
- Romanian Doping Control Laboratory, Bldv. Basarabia, No. 37-39, Sect 2, Bucharest, 022103, Romania.
| | - Cristina Stan
- Romanian Doping Control Laboratory, Bldv. Basarabia, No. 37-39, Sect 2, Bucharest, 022103, Romania.
| | - Victor David
- University of Bucharest, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Sos. Panduri, No. 90, Sect 5, Bucharest, 050663, Romania.
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2
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Halmos G, Szabo Z, Juhasz E, Schally AV. Signaling mechanism of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 123:1-26. [PMID: 37717982 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic peptide growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulates the secretion of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary through binding and activation of the pituitary type of GHRH receptor (GHRH-R), which belongs to the family of G protein-coupled receptors with seven potential membrane-spanning domains. Splice variants of GHRH-Rs (SV) in human tumors and other extra pituitary tissues were identified and their cDNA was sequenced. Among the SVs, splice variant 1 (SV1) possesses the greatest similarity to the full-length GHRH-R and remains functional by eliciting cAMP signaling and mitogenic activity upon GHRH stimulation. A large body of work have evaluated potential clinical applications of agonists and antagonists of GHRH in diverse fields, including endocrinology, oncology, cardiology, diabetes, obesity, metabolic dysfunctions, Alzheimer's disease, ophthalmology, wound healing and other applications. In this chapter, we briefly review the expression and potential function of GHRH-Rs and their SVs in various tissues and also elucidate and summarize the activation, molecular mechanism and signalization pathways of these receptors. Therapeutic applications of GHRH analogs are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor Halmos
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Miami, FL, United States.
| | - Zsuzsanna Szabo
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Eva Juhasz
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Miami, FL, United States; Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States; Department of Medicine, Divisions of Hematology-Oncology and Endocrinology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
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3
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Louzada RA, Blandino-Rosano M, Flores S, Lubaczeuski C, Cui T, Sha W, Cai R, Schally AV, Bernal-Mizrachi E. GHRH agonist MR-409 protects β-cells from streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2209810120. [PMID: 37307472 PMCID: PMC10288557 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2209810120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) suffer from insufficient functional β-cell mass, which results from infiltration of inflammatory cells and cytokine-mediated β-cell death. Previous studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of agonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R), such as MR-409 on preconditioning of islets in a transplantation model. However, the therapeutic potential and protective mechanisms of GHRH-R agonists on models of T1D diabetes have not been explored. Using in vitro and in vivo models of T1D, we assessed the protective propertie of the GHRH agonist, MR409 on β-cells. The treatment of insulinoma cell lines and rodent and human islets with MR-409 induces Akt signaling by induction of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2), a master regulator of survival and growth in β-cells, in a PKA-dependent manner. The increase in cAMP/PKA/CREB/IRS2 axis by MR409 was associated with decrease in β-cell death and improved insulin secretory function in mouse and human islets exposed to proinflammatory cytokines. The assessment of the effects of GHRH agonist MR-409 in a model of T1D induced by low-dose streptozotocin showed that mice treated with MR-409 exhibited better glucose homeostasis, higher insulin levels, and preservation of β-cell mass. Increased IRS2 expression in β-cells in the group treated with MR-409 corroborated the in vitro data and provided evidence for the underlying mechanism responsible for beneficial effects of MR-409 in vivo. Collectively, our data show that MR-409 is a novel therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of β-cells death in T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruy A. Louzada
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Manuel Blandino-Rosano
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Sebastian Flores
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Camila Lubaczeuski
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Tengjiao Cui
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL33125
- South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL33125
| | - Wei Sha
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL33125
- South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL33125
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL33125
- South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL33125
| | - Andrew V. Schally
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL33125
- South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL33125
- Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL33136
| | - Ernesto Bernal-Mizrachi
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL33136
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4
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Du L, Ho BM, Zhou L, Yip YWY, He JN, Wei Y, Tham CC, Chan SO, Schally AV, Pang CP, Li J, Chu WK. Growth hormone releasing hormone signaling promotes Th17 cell differentiation and autoimmune inflammation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3298. [PMID: 37280225 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39023-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of Th17 cell differentiation and pathogenicity contributes to multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Previously growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) deficient mice have been reported to be less susceptible to the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Here, we show GHRH-R is an important regulator of Th17 cell differentiation in Th17 cell-mediated ocular and neural inflammation. We find that GHRH-R is not expressed in naïve CD4+ T cells, while its expression is induced throughout Th17 cell differentiation in vitro. Mechanistically, GHRH-R activates the JAK-STAT3 pathway, increases the phosphorylation of STAT3, enhances both non-pathogenic and pathogenic Th17 cell differentiation and promotes the gene expression signatures of pathogenic Th17 cells. Enhancing this signaling by GHRH agonist promotes, while inhibiting this signaling by GHRH antagonist or GHRH-R deficiency reduces, Th17 cell differentiation in vitro and Th17 cell-mediated ocular and neural inflammation in vivo. Thus, GHRH-R signaling functions as a critical factor that regulates Th17 cell differentiation and Th17 cell-mediated autoimmune ocular and neural inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Bo Man Ho
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Linbin Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yolanda Wong Ying Yip
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jing Na He
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yingying Wei
- Department of Statistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Clement C Tham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Sun On Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Chi Pui Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Wai Kit Chu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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5
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Kanashiro-Takeuchi RM, Takeuchi LM, Dulce RA, Kazmierczak K, Balkan W, Cai R, Sha W, Schally AV, Hare JM. Efficacy of a growth hormone-releasing hormone agonist in a murine model of cardiometabolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 324:H739-H750. [PMID: 36897749 PMCID: PMC10151038 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00601.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) represents a major unmet medical need owing to its diverse pathophysiology and lack of effective therapies. Potent synthetic, agonists (MR-356 and MR-409) of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) improve the phenotype of models of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and in cardiorenal models of HFpEF. Endogenous GHRH exhibits a broad range of regulatory influences in the cardiovascular (CV) system and aging and plays a role in several cardiometabolic conditions including obesity and diabetes. Whether agonists of GHRH can improve the phenotype of cardiometabolic HFpEF remains untested and unknown. Here we tested the hypothesis that MR-356 can mitigate/reverse the cardiometabolic HFpEF phenotype. C57BL6N mice received a high-fat diet (HFD) plus the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (l-NAME) for 9 wk. After 5 wk of HFD + l-NAME regimen, animals were randomized to receive daily injections of MR-356 or placebo during a 4-wk period. Control animals received no HFD + l-NAME or agonist treatment. Our results showed the unique potential of MR-356 to treat several HFpEF-like features including cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, capillary rarefaction, and pulmonary congestion. MR-356 improved cardiac performance by improving diastolic function, global longitudinal strain (GLS), and exercise capacity. Importantly, the increased expression of cardiac pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) was restored to normal levels suggesting that MR-356 reduced myocardial stress associated with metabolic inflammation in HFpEF. Thus, agonists of GHRH may be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cardiometabolic HFpEF phenotype.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This randomized study used rigorous hemodynamic tools to test the efficacy of a synthetic GHRH agonist to improve cardiac performance in a cardiometabolic HFpEF. Daily injection of the GHRH agonist, MR-356, reduced the HFpEF-like effects as evidenced by improved diastolic dysfunction, reduced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and pulmonary congestion. Notably, end-diastolic pressure and end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship were reset to control levels. Moreover, treatment with MR-356 increased exercise capacity and reduced myocardial stress associated with metabolic inflammation in HFpEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemeire M Kanashiro-Takeuchi
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Lauro M Takeuchi
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Raul A Dulce
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Katarzyna Kazmierczak
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Wayne Balkan
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Wei Sha
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine and Endocrinology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Joshua M Hare
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
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6
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Dulce RA, Kanashiro-Takeuchi RM, Takeuchi LM, Salerno AG, Wanschel ACBA, Kulandavelu S, Balkan W, Zuttion MSSR, Cai R, Schally AV, Hare JM. Synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone agonist ameliorates the myocardial pathophysiology characteristic of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 118:3586-3601. [PMID: 35704032 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS To test the hypothesis that the activation of the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor signalling pathway within the myocardium both prevents and reverses diastolic dysfunction and pathophysiologic features consistent with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Impaired myocardial relaxation, fibrosis, and ventricular stiffness, among other multi-organ morbidities, characterize the phenotype underlying the HFpEF syndrome. Despite the rapidly increasing prevalence of HFpEF, few effective therapies have emerged. Synthetic agonists of the GHRH receptors reduce myocardial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and improve performance in animal models of ischaemic cardiomyopathy, independently of the growth hormone axis. METHODS AND RESULTS CD1 mice received 4- or 8-week continuous infusion of angiotensin-II (Ang-II) to generate a phenotype with several features consistent with HFpEF. Mice were administered either vehicle or a potent synthetic agonist of GHRH, MR-356 for 4-weeks beginning concurrently or 4-weeks following the initiation of Ang-II infusion. Ang-II-treated animals exhibited diastolic dysfunction, ventricular hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and normal ejection fraction. Cardiomyocytes isolated from these animals exhibited incomplete relaxation, depressed contractile responses, altered myofibrillar protein phosphorylation, and disturbed calcium handling mechanisms (ex vivo). MR-356 both prevented and reversed the development of the pathological phenotype in vivo and ex vivo. Activation of the GHRH receptors increased cAMP and cGMP in cardiomyocytes isolated from control animals but only cAMP in cardiac fibroblasts, suggesting that GHRH-A exert differential effects on cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that the GHRH receptor signalling pathway(s) represents a new molecular target to counteract dysfunctional cardiomyocyte relaxation by targeting myofilament phosphorylation and fibrosis. Accordingly, activation of GHRH receptors with potent, synthetic GHRH agonists may provide a novel therapeutic approach to management of the myocardial alterations associated with the HFpEF syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul A Dulce
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Rosemeire M Kanashiro-Takeuchi
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL 33136, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Lauro M Takeuchi
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Alessandro G Salerno
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Amarylis C B A Wanschel
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Shathiyah Kulandavelu
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL 33136, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Wayne Balkan
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL 33136, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Marilia S S R Zuttion
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, FL 33125, USA
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.,Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, FL 33125, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Joshua M Hare
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL 33136, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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7
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Ren HL, Cai R, Xue R, Zhang Y, Xu Q, Zhang X, Cai R, Sha W, Schally AV, Zhou MS. Growth hormone-releasing hormone agonist attenuates vascular calcification in diabetic db/db mice. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1102525. [PMID: 36742073 PMCID: PMC9889365 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1102525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Vascular calcification (VC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. VC increases mortality of all-causes. VC is one of most common cardiovascular complications in type II diabetes. So far, no therapy has been proven to be effective in treatment of clinical VC. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of MR409, an agonistic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH-A), on VC in diabetic db/db mice. Method and result Diabetic mice were injected with MR409 subcutaneously every day for 8 weeks. Long-term treatment with MR409 improved serum lipid profile and endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine, and reduced vascular structural injury in diabetic mice without affecting serum growth hormone level. Echocardiography showed that calcium plaques present in heart valve of diabetic mice disappeared in diabetic mice after treatment with MR409. MR409 inhibited vascular calcium deposition associated with a marked reduction in the expressions of osteogenic-regulated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and transcription osteogenic marker gene Runx2 in diabetic mice. MR409 also inhibited vascular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and upregulated the expressions of anti-calcifying protein Klotho in diabetic mice. Discussion Our results demonstrate that GHRH-A MR409 can effectively attenuate VC and heart valve calcification, and protect against endothelial dysfunction and vascular injury in diabetic mice without significantly affecting pituitary-growth hormone axis. The mechanisms may involve upregulation of anti-calcifying protein Klotho and reduction in vascular ROS and the expression of redox sensitive osteogenic genes Runx2 and ALP. GHRH-A may represent a new pharmacological strategy for treatment of VC and diabetics associated cardiovascular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Lin Ren
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ruiping Cai
- Science and Research Center, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China,Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Ruize Xue
- Science and Research Center, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China,Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Yaoxia Zhang
- Science and Research Center, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China,Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Science and Research Center, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China,Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Xianyang Zhang
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Miami, FL, United States
| | - RenZhi Cai
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Miami, FL, United States,Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Wei Sha
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Andrew V. Schally
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Miami, FL, United States,Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL, United States,Divisions of Medical/Oncology and Endocrinology, Department of Pathology, Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Ming-Sheng Zhou
- Science and Research Center, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China,Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China,*Correspondence: Ming-Sheng Zhou,
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8
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Agonist of growth hormone-releasing hormone improves the disease features of spinal muscular atrophy mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2216814120. [PMID: 36603028 PMCID: PMC9926281 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2216814120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease affecting children and young adults, caused by mutations of the survival motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1). SMA is characterized by the degeneration of spinal alpha motor neurons (αMNs), associated with muscle paralysis and atrophy, as well as other peripheral alterations. Both growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and its potent agonistic analog, MR-409, exert protective effects on muscle atrophy, cardiomyopathies, ischemic stroke, and inflammation. In this study, we aimed to assess the protective role of MR-409 in SMNΔ7 mice, a widely used model of SMA. Daily subcutaneous treatment with MR-409 (1 or 2 mg/kg), from postnatal day 2 (P2) to euthanization (P12), increased body weight and improved motor behavior in SMA mice, particularly at the highest dose tested. In addition, MR-409 reduced atrophy and ameliorated trophism in quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles, as determined by an increase in fiber size, as well as upregulation of myogenic genes and inhibition of proteolytic pathways. MR-409 also promoted the maturation of neuromuscular junctions, by reducing multi-innervated endplates and increasing those mono-innervated. Finally, treatment with MR-409 delayed αMN death and blunted neuroinflammation in the spinal cord of SMA mice. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that MR-409 has protective effects in SMNΔ7 mice, suggesting that GHRH agonists are promising agents for the treatment of SMA, possibly in combination with SMN-dependent strategies.
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9
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Cen LP, Ng TK, Chu WK, Pang CP. Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor signaling in experimental ocular inflammation and neuroprotection. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:2643-2648. [PMID: 35662195 PMCID: PMC9165393 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.336135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Both inflammation and anti-inflammation are involved in the protection of retinal cells. Antagonists of the hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) have been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties in experimental disease models of various organs, some with systemic complications. Such effects are also found in ocular inflammatory and neurologic injury studies. In experimental models of mice and rats, both growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor agonists and antagonists may alleviate death of ocular neural cells under certain experimental conditions. This review explores the properties of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor agonists and antagonists that lead to its protection against inflammatory responses induced by extrinsic agents or neurologic injures in ocular animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Ping Cen
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Tsz Kin Ng
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wai Kit Chu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Chi Pui Pang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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10
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Antagonist of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Potentiates the Antitumor Effect of Pemetrexed and Cisplatin in Pleural Mesothelioma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911248. [PMID: 36232554 PMCID: PMC9569772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis and no effective therapies, mainly caused by exposure to asbestos. Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) display strong antitumor effects in many experimental cancers, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Here, we aimed to determine whether GHRH antagonist MIA-690 potentiates the antitumor effect of cisplatin and pemetrexed in PM. In vitro, MIA-690, in combination with cisplatin and pemetrexed, synergistically reduced cell viability, restrained cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis, compared with drugs alone. In vivo, the same combination resulted in a strong growth inhibition of MSTO-211H xenografts, decreased tumor cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Mechanistically, MIA-690, particularly with chemotherapeutic drugs, inhibited proliferative and oncogenic pathways, such as MAPK ERK1/2 and cMyc, and downregulated cyclin D1 and B1 mRNAs. Inflammatory pathways such as NF-kB and STAT3 were also reduced, as well as oxidative, angiogenic and tumorigenic markers (iNOS, COX-2, MMP2, MMP9 and HMGB1) and growth factors (VEGF and IGF-1). Overall, these findings strongly suggest that GHRH antagonists of MIA class, such as MIA-690, could increase the efficacy of standard therapy in PM.
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11
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Scavenging of reactive oxygen species can adjust the differentiation of tendon stem cells and progenitor cells and prevent ectopic calcification in tendinopathy. Acta Biomater 2022; 152:440-452. [PMID: 36108965 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tendinopathy is a common disorder that leads to pain and impaired quality of life. Recent studies revealed that osteogenic differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) played an important role in the pathogenesis of tendon calcification and tendinopathy. In this study, we found that the growth hormone-releasing hormone agonist (GA) can prevent matrix degradation and osteogenic differentiation in TSPCs. As oxidative stress is a key factor in the osteogenic differentiation of TSPCs, we used bovine serum albumin/heparin nanoparticles (BHNPs), which have biocompatibility and drug loading capacity, to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and achieve sustained release of GA at the site of inflammation. The newly developed BHNPs@GA had a synergetic effect on reducing ROS production in TSPCs. In addition, BHNPs@GA effectively inhibited tendon calcification and promoted collagen formation in a rat model of tendinopathy. Focusing on the ROS underlying the differentiation and dedifferentiation of TSPCs, this work demonstrated that sustained release of GA targeting ROS and ectopic ossification is a practical therapeutic strategy for treating tendinopathy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Osteogenic differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ectopic calcification in tendinopathy. In this study, we found that growth hormone-releasing hormone agonist (GA) can reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and adjust TSPCs differentiation. Bovine serum albumin/heparin nanoparticles (BHNPs) were developed to encapsulate GA and achieve sustained release of GA at the site of inflammation. The developed compound, BHNPs@GA, with a synergistic effect of inhibiting ROS and thus, can effectively adjust TSPCs differentiation, inhibit tendon calcification, and promote collagen formation in tendinopathy. This study highlighted the role of ROS underlying the differentiation and dedifferentiation of TSPCs in tendinopathy, and findings may help to identify new therapeutic targets and develop novel strategy for treating tendinopathy.
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12
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Cai R, Zhang X, Wang H, Cui T, Halmos G, Sha W, He J, Popovics P, Vidaurre I, Zhang C, Mirsaeidi M, Schally AV. Synthesis of potent antagonists of receptors for growth hormone-releasing hormone with antitumor and anti-inflammatory activity. Peptides 2022; 150:170716. [PMID: 34952135 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The syntheses and biological evaluation of GHRH antagonists of AVR series with high anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities are described. Compared to our previously reported GHRH antagonist 602 of MIAMI series, AVR analogs contain additional modifications at positions 0, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 29 and 30, which induce greater antitumor activities. Five of nineteen tested AVR analogs presented binding affinities to the membrane GHRH receptors on human pituitary, 2-4-fold better than MIA-602. The antineoplastic properties of these analogs were evaluated in vitro using proliferation assays and in vivo in nude mice xenografted with various human cancer cell lines including lung (NSCLC-ADC HCC827 and NSCLC H460), gastric (NCI-N87), pancreatic (PANC-1 and CFPAC-1), colorectal (HT-29), breast (MX-1), glioblastoma (U87), ovarian (SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3) and prostatic (PC3) cancers. In vitro AVR analogs showed inhibition of cell viability equal to or greater than MIA-602. After subcutaneous administration at 5 μg/day doses, some AVR antagonists demonstrated better inhibition of tumor growth in nude mice bearing various human cancers, with analog AVR-353 inducing stronger suppression than MIA-602 in lung, gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancers and AVR-352 in ovarian cancers and glioblastoma. Both antagonists induced greater inhibition of GH release than MIA-602 in vitro in cultured rat pituitary cells and in vivo in rats. AVR-352 also demonstrated stronger anti-inflammatory effects in lung granulomas from mice with lung inflammation. Our studies demonstrate the merit of further investigation of AVR GHRH antagonists and support their potential use for clinical therapy of human cancers and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzhi Cai
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States
| | - Xianyang Zhang
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Haibo Wang
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Tengjiao Cui
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; Department of Medicine, Divisions of Medical/Oncology and Endocrinology, and the Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Gabor Halmos
- Department of Biopharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Wei Sha
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Jinlin He
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States
| | - Petra Popovics
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States
| | - Irving Vidaurre
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States
| | - Chongxu Zhang
- Section of Pulmonary Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States
| | - Mehdi Mirsaeidi
- Section of Pulmonary Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Endocrine, Polypeptide, and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, FL 33125, United States; Department of Medicine, Divisions of Medical/Oncology and Endocrinology, and the Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States.
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13
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Agonistic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone promotes neurofunctional recovery and neural regeneration in ischemic stroke. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2109600118. [PMID: 34782465 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109600118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke can induce neurogenesis. However, most stroke-generated newborn neurons cannot survive. It has been shown that MR-409, a potent synthetic agonistic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), can protect against some life-threatening pathological conditions by promoting cell proliferation and survival. The present study shows that long-term treatment with MR-409 (5 or 10 μg/mouse/d) by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection significantly reduces the mortality, ischemic insult, and hippocampal atrophy, and improves neurological functional recovery in mice operated on for transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Besides, MR-409 can stimulate endogenous neurogenesis and improve the tMCAO-induced loss of neuroplasticity. MR-409 also enhances the proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of neural stem cells treated with oxygen and glucose deprivation-reperfusion. The neuroprotective effects of MR-409 are closely related to the activation of AKT/CREB and BDNF/TrkB pathways. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that GHRH agonist MR-409 has remarkable neuroprotective effects through enhancing endogenous neurogenesis in cerebral ischemic mice.
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14
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Memdouh S, Gavrilović I, Ng K, Cowan D, Abbate V. Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs. Drug Test Anal 2021; 13:1871-1887. [PMID: 34665524 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The administration of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and its synthetic analogs is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Although there is evidence of their use, based on admissions and intelligence, they do not appear to have been found in anti-doping samples by WADA accredited laboratories. This might be due to their small concentration in urine and limited knowledge about their metabolism, especially for unapproved synthetic analogs. This study investigates the in vitro metabolism and detection of four of the larger GHRH synthetic analogs (sermorelin, tesamorelin, CJC-1295, and CJC-1295 with drug affinity complex) in fortified urine. Nineteen major in vitro metabolites were identified, selected for synthesis, purified, and characterized in house. These were used as reference materials to spike into urine together with commercially available parent peptides and a metabolite of sermorelin (sermorelin(3-29)-NH2 ) to develop a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for their detection to help prove GHRH administration. Limits of detection of the target peptides were generally 1 ng/ml (WADA required performance limit) or less.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siham Memdouh
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ivana Gavrilović
- Drug Control Centre, King's Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kelsey Ng
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David Cowan
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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15
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Recinella L, Chiavaroli A, Orlando G, Ferrante C, Gesmundo I, Granata R, Cai R, Sha W, Schally AV, Brunetti L, Leone S. Growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonistic analog MIA-690 stimulates food intake in mice. Peptides 2021; 142:170582. [PMID: 34051291 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In addition to its metabolic and endocrine effects, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) was found to modulate feeding behavior in mammals. However, the role of recently synthetized GHRH antagonist MIA-690 and MR-409, a GHRH agonist, on feeding regulation remains to be evaluated. We investigated the effects of chronic subcutaneous administration of MIA-690 and MR-409 on feeding behavior and energy metabolism, in mice. Compared to vehicle, MIA-690 increased food intake and body weight, while MR-409 had no effect. Both analogs did not modify locomotor activity, as well as subcutaneous, visceral and brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass. A significant increase of hypothalamic agouti-related peptide (AgRP) gene expression and norepinephrine (NE) levels, along with a reduction of serotonin (5-HT) levels were found after MIA-690 treatment. MIA-690 was also found able to decrease gene expression of leptin in visceral adipose tissue. By contrast, MR-409 had no effect on the investigated markers. Concluding, chronic peripheral administration of MIA-690 could play an orexigenic role, paralleled by an increase in body weight. The stimulation of feeding could be mediated, albeit partially, by elevation of AgRP gene expression and NE levels and decreased 5-HT levels in the hypothalamus, along with reduced leptin gene expression, in the visceral adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Recinella
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | | | - Giustino Orlando
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Claudio Ferrante
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Iacopo Gesmundo
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Hospital, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Riccarda Granata
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Hospital, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, 33125, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Division of Medical/Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136 and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, 33136, United States.
| | - Wei Sha
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, 33125, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Division of Medical/Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136 and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, 33136, United States.
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, 33125, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Division of Medical/Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL33136 and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, 33136, United States.
| | - Luigi Brunetti
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Sheila Leone
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
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16
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Abstract
Androgens are potent drugs requiring prescription for valid medical indications but are misused for invalid, unproven, or off-label reasons as well as being abused without prescription for illicit nonmedical application for performance or image enhancement. Following discovery and first clinical application of testosterone in the 1930s, commercialization of testosterone and synthetic androgens proliferated in the decades after World War II. It remains among the oldest marketed drugs in therapeutic use, yet after 8 decades of clinical use, the sole unequivocal indication for testosterone remains in replacement therapy for pathological hypogonadism, organic disorders of the male reproductive system. Nevertheless, wider claims assert unproven, unsafe, or implausible benefits for testosterone, mostly representing wishful thinking about rejuvenation. Over recent decades, this created an epidemic of testosterone misuse involving prescription as a revitalizing tonic for anti-aging, sexual dysfunction and/or obesity, where efficacy and safety remains unproven and doubtful. Androgen abuse originated during the Cold War as an epidemic of androgen doping among elite athletes for performance enhancement before the 1980s when it crossed over into the general community to become an endemic variant of drug abuse in sufficiently affluent communities that support an illicit drug industry geared to bodybuilding and aiming to create a hypermasculine body physique and image. This review focuses on the misuse of testosterone, defined as prescribing without valid clinical indications, and abuse of testosterone or synthetic androgens (androgen abuse), defined as the illicit use of androgens without prescription or valid indications, typically by athletes, bodybuilders and others for image-oriented, cosmetic, or occupational reasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Andrology Department, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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17
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Growth hormone-releasing hormone agonists ameliorate chronic kidney disease-induced heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2019835118. [PMID: 33468654 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019835118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapies for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are lacking. Growth hormone-releasing hormone agonists (GHRH-As) have salutary effects in ischemic and nonischemic heart failure animal models. Accordingly, we hypothesized that GHRH-A treatment ameliorates chronic kidney disease (CKD)-induced HFpEF in a large-animal model. Female Yorkshire pigs (n = 16) underwent 5/6 nephrectomy via renal artery embolization and 12 wk later were randomized to receive daily subcutaneous injections of GHRH-A (MR-409; n = 8; 30 µg/kg) or placebo (n = 8) for 4 to 6 wk. Renal and cardiac structure and function were serially assessed postembolization. Animals with 5/6 nephrectomy exhibited CKD (elevated blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and creatinine) and faithfully recapitulated the hemodynamic features of HFpEF. HFpEF was demonstrated at 12 wk by maintenance of ejection fraction associated with increased left ventricular mass, relative wall thickness, end-diastolic pressure (EDP), end-diastolic pressure/end-diastolic volume (EDP/EDV) ratio, and tau, the time constant of isovolumic diastolic relaxation. After 4 to 6 wk of treatment, the GHRH-A group exhibited normalization of EDP (P = 0.03), reduced EDP/EDV ratio (P = 0.018), and a reduction in myocardial pro-brain natriuretic peptide protein abundance. GHRH-A increased cardiomyocyte [Ca2+] transient amplitude (P = 0.009). Improvement of the diastolic function was also evidenced by increased abundance of titin isoforms and their ratio (P = 0.0022). GHRH-A exerted a beneficial effect on diastolic function in a CKD large-animal model as demonstrated by improving hemodynamic, structural, and molecular characteristics of HFpEF. These findings have important therapeutic implications for the HFpEF syndrome.
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18
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Pathomechanisms and therapeutic opportunities in radiation-induced heart disease: from bench to bedside. Clin Res Cardiol 2021; 110:507-531. [PMID: 33591377 PMCID: PMC8055626 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-021-01809-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer management has undergone significant improvements, which led to increased long-term survival rates among cancer patients. Radiotherapy (RT) has an important role in the treatment of thoracic tumors, including breast, lung, and esophageal cancer, or Hodgkin's lymphoma. RT aims to kill tumor cells; however, it may have deleterious side effects on the surrounding normal tissues. The syndrome of unwanted cardiovascular adverse effects of thoracic RT is termed radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD), and the risk of developing RIHD is a critical concern in current oncology practice. Premature ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valve abnormalities, and electrical conduct defects are common forms of RIHD. The underlying mechanisms of RIHD are still not entirely clear, and specific therapeutic interventions are missing. In this review, we focus on the molecular pathomechanisms of acute and chronic RIHD and propose preventive measures and possible pharmacological strategies to minimize the burden of RIHD.
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19
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Protective effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone analogs in DSS-induced colitis in mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2530. [PMID: 33510215 PMCID: PMC7844299 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81778-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides its metabolic and endocrine effects, growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) is involved in the modulation of inflammation. Recently synthetized GHRH antagonist MIA-690 and MR-409, GHRH agonist, developed by us have shown potent pharmacological effects in various experimental paradigms. However, whether their administration modify resistance to chronic inflammatory stimuli in colon is still unknown. Ex vivo results demonstrated that MIA-690 and MR-409 inhibited production of pro-inflammatory and oxidative markers induced by lipopolysaccharide on isolated mouse colon specimens. In vivo, both MIA-690 and MR-409 have also been able to decrease the responsiveness to nociceptive stimulus, in hot plate test. Additionally, both peptides also induced a decreased sensitivity to acute and persistent inflammatory stimuli in male mice, in formalin test and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model, respectively. MIA-690 and MR-409 attenuate DSS-induced colitis with particular regard to clinical manifestations, histopathological damage and release of pro-inflammatory and oxidative markers in colon specimens. Respect to MR-409, MIA-690 showed higher efficacy in inhibiting prostaglandin (PG)E2, 8-iso-PGF2α and serotonin (5-HT) levels, as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and nitric oxide synthase gene expression in colon specimens of DSS-induced colitis. Furthermore, MIA-690 decreased serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels in mice DSS-treated, respect to MR-409. Thus, our findings highlight the protective effects of MIA-690 and MR-409 on inflammation stimuli. The higher antinflammatory and antioxidant activities observed with MIA-690 could be related to decreased serum IGF-1 levels.
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20
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Handelsman DJ. The Illusory Case for Treatment of an Invented Disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:682620. [PMID: 35116001 PMCID: PMC8803734 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.682620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David J. Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Andrology Department, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: David J. Handelsman,
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21
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Zhou F, Zhang H, Cong Z, Zhao LH, Zhou Q, Mao C, Cheng X, Shen DD, Cai X, Ma C, Wang Y, Dai A, Zhou Y, Sun W, Zhao F, Zhao S, Jiang H, Jiang Y, Yang D, Eric Xu H, Zhang Y, Wang MW. Structural basis for activation of the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5205. [PMID: 33060564 PMCID: PMC7567103 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18945-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) regulates the secretion of growth hormone that virtually controls metabolism and growth of every tissue through its binding to the cognate receptor (GHRHR). Malfunction in GHRHR signaling is associated with abnormal growth, making GHRHR an attractive therapeutic target against dwarfism (e.g., isolated growth hormone deficiency, IGHD), gigantism, lipodystrophy and certain cancers. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the human GHRHR bound to its endogenous ligand and the stimulatory G protein at 2.6 Å. This high-resolution structure reveals a characteristic hormone recognition pattern of GHRH by GHRHR, where the α-helical GHRH forms an extensive and continuous network of interactions involving all the extracellular loops (ECLs), all the transmembrane (TM) helices except TM4, and the extracellular domain (ECD) of GHRHR, especially the N-terminus of GHRH that engages a broad set of specific interactions with the receptor. Mutagenesis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations uncover detailed mechanisms by which IGHD-causing mutations lead to the impairment of GHRHR function. Our findings provide insights into the molecular basis of peptide recognition and receptor activation, thereby facilitating the development of structure-based drug discovery and precision medicine. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) controls metabolism and tissue growth through binding to the cognate receptor (GHRHR). Here authors report the structure of the human GHRHR bound to its endogenous ligand and the stimulatory G protein which reveals a characteristic hormone recognition pattern of GHRH by GHRHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulai Zhou
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Huibing Zhang
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhaotong Cong
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Hua Zhao
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingtong Zhou
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyou Mao
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xi Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,Drug Discovery and Design Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan-Dan Shen
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Cai
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Ma
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuzhe Wang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Antao Dai
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Sun
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Fenghui Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Suwen Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,Drug Discovery and Design Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Dehua Yang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China. .,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
| | - H Eric Xu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China. .,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China. .,School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China. .,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China.
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22
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Recinella L, Chiavaroli A, Orlando G, Ferrante C, Marconi GD, Gesmundo I, Granata R, Cai R, Sha W, Schally AV, Brunetti L, Leone S. Antinflammatory, antioxidant, and behavioral effects induced by administration of growth hormone-releasing hormone analogs in mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:732. [PMID: 31959947 PMCID: PMC6971229 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57292-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonist MIA-690 and GHRH agonist MR-409, previously synthesized and developed by us have demonstrated potent antitumor effects. However, little is known about the effects of these analogs on brain functions. We investigated the potential antinflammatory and antioxidant effects of GHRH antagonist MIA-690 and GHRH agonist MR-409, on isolated mouse prefrontal cortex specimens treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Additionally, we studied their effects on emotional behavior after chronic in vivo treatment. Ex vivo, MIA-690 and MR-409 inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory and pro-oxidative markers. In vivo, both MIA-690 and MR-409 induced anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects, increased norepinephrine and serotonin levels and decreased nuclear factor-kB, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 gene expression in prefrontal cortex. Increased nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 expression was also found in mice treated with MIA-690 and MR-409. MIA-690 showed higher efficacy in inhibiting all tested inflammatory and oxidative markers. In addition, MR-409 induced a down regulation of the gene and protein expression of pituitary-type GHRH-receptor in prefrontal cortex of mice after 4 weeks of treatment at 5 µg/day. In conclusion, our results demonstrate anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of GHRH analogs that could involve modulatory effects on monoaminergic signaling, inflammatory and oxidative status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Recinella
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Iacopo Gesmundo
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Hospital, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Riccarda Granata
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Hospital, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, 33125, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.,Division of Medical/Oncology, Department of Pathology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Wei Sha
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, 33125, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.,Division of Medical/Oncology, Department of Pathology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, 33125, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.,Division of Medical/Oncology, Department of Pathology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Luigi Brunetti
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Sheila Leone
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
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23
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Schally AV, Zhang X, Cai R, Hare JM, Granata R, Bartoli M. Actions and Potential Therapeutic Applications of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Agonists. Endocrinology 2019; 160:1600-1612. [PMID: 31070727 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this article, we briefly review the identification of GHRH, provide an abridged overview of GHRH antagonists, and focus on studies with GHRH agonists. Potent GHRH agonists of JI and MR class were synthesized and evaluated biologically. Besides the induction of the release of pituitary GH, GHRH analogs promote cell proliferation and exert stimulatory effects on various tissues, which express GHRH receptors (GHRH-Rs). A large body of work shows that GHRH agonists, such as MR-409, improve pancreatic β-cell proliferation and metabolic functions and facilitate engraftment of islets after transplantation in rodents. Accordingly, GHRH agonists offer a new therapeutic approach to treating diabetes. Various studies demonstrate that GHRH agonists promote repair of cardiac tissue, producing improvement of ejection fraction and reduction of infarct size in rats, reduction of infarct scar in swine, and attenuation of cardiac hypertrophy in mice, suggesting clinical applications. The presence of GHRH-Rs in ocular tissues and neuroprotective effects of GHRH analogs in experimental diabetic retinopathy indicates their possible therapeutic applications for eye diseases. Other effects of GHRH agonists, include acceleration of wound healing, activation of immune cells, and action on the central nervous system. As GHRH might function as a growth factor, we examined effects of GHRH agonists on tumors. In vitro, GHRH agonists stimulate growth of human cancer cells and upregulate GHRH-Rs. However, in vivo, GHRH agonists inhibit growth of human cancers xenografted into nude mice and downregulate pituitary and tumoral GHRH-Rs. Therapeutic applications of GHRH analogs are discussed. The development of GHRH analogs should lead to their clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew V Schally
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida
- Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Xianyang Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Joshua M Hare
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Riccarda Granata
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Manuela Bartoli
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
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24
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Jeanne Dit Fouque K, Moreno J, Fernandez-Lima F. Exploring the Conformational Space of Growth-Hormone-Releasing Hormone Analogues Using Dopant Assisted Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry–Mass Spectrometry. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:6169-6177. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b03777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Jeanne Dit Fouque
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., AHC4-233, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Javier Moreno
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., AHC4-233, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Francisco Fernandez-Lima
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., AHC4-233, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., AHC4-211, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
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25
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Agonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) inhibit human experimental cancers in vivo by down-regulating receptors for GHRH. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:12028-12033. [PMID: 30373845 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1813375115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) agonist MR409 on various human cancer cells were investigated. In H446 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and HCC827 and H460 (non-SCLC) cells, MR409 promoted cell viability, reduced cell apoptosis, and induced the production of cellular cAMP in vitro. Western blot analyses showed that treatment of cancer cells with MR409 up-regulated the expression of cyclins D1 and D2 and cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6, down-regulated p27kip1, and significantly increased the expression of the pituitary-type GHRH receptor (pGHRH-R) and its splice-variant (SV1). Hence, in vitro MR409 exerts agonistic action on lung cancer cells in contrast to GHRH antagonists. However, in vivo, MR409 inhibited growth of lung cancers xenografted into nude mice. MR409 given s.c. at 5 μg/day for 4 to 8 weeks significantly suppressed growth of HCC827, H460, and H446 tumors by 48.2%, 48.7%, and 65.6%, respectively. This inhibition of tumor growth by MR409 was accompanied by the down-regulation of the expression of pGHRH-R and SV1 in the pituitary gland and tumors. Tumor inhibitory effects of MR409 in vivo were also observed in other human cancers, including gastric, pancreatic, urothelial, prostatic, mammary, and colorectal. This inhibition of tumor growth parallel to the down-regulation of GHRH-Rs is similar and comparable to the suppression of sex hormone-dependent cancers after the down-regulation of receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) by LHRH agonists. Further oncological investigations with GHRH agonists are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
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26
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Jeanne Dit Fouque K, Salgueiro LM, Cai R, Sha W, Schally AV, Fernandez-Lima F. Structural Motif Descriptors as a Way To Elucidate the Agonistic or Antagonistic Activity of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Peptide Analogues. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:7432-7440. [PMID: 31458901 PMCID: PMC6644384 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis of analogues of hypothalamic neuropeptide growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is an efficient strategy for designing new therapeutic agents. Several promising synthetic agonist and antagonist analogues of GHRH have been developed based on amino acid mutations of the GHRH (1-29) sequence. Because structural information on the activity of the GHRH agonists or antagonists is limited, there is a need for more effective analytical workflows capable of correlating the peptide sequence with biological activity. In the present work, three GHRH agonists-MR-356, MR-406, and MR-409-and three GHRH antagonists-MIA-602, MIA-606, and MIA-690-were investigated to assess the role of substitutions in the amino acid sequence on structural motifs and receptor binding affinities. The use of high resolution trapped ion mobility spectrometry coupled to mass spectrometry allowed the observation of a large number of peptide-specific mobility bands (or structural motif descriptors) as a function of the amino acid sequence and the starting solution environment. A direct correlation was observed between the amino acid substitutions (i.e., basic residues and d/l-amino acids), the structural motif descriptors, and the biological function (i.e., receptor binding affinities of the GHRH agonists and antagonists). The simplicity, ease, and high throughput of the proposed workflow based on the structural motif descriptors can significantly reduce the cost and time during screening of new synthetic peptide analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Jeanne Dit Fouque
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International
University, 11200 SW 8th Street, AHC4-233, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Luis M. Salgueiro
- Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Research Service (151), Room
2A103C, Miami, Florida 33125, United States
- Departments
of Pathology and Medicine, Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Endocrinology,
Miller School of Medicine, University of
Miami, 1600 NW 10th Avenue
#1140, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Research Service (151), Room
2A103C, Miami, Florida 33125, United States
- Departments
of Pathology and Medicine, Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Endocrinology,
Miller School of Medicine, University of
Miami, 1600 NW 10th Avenue
#1140, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Wei Sha
- Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Research Service (151), Room
2A103C, Miami, Florida 33125, United States
- Departments
of Pathology and Medicine, Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Endocrinology,
Miller School of Medicine, University of
Miami, 1600 NW 10th Avenue
#1140, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Andrew V. Schally
- Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Research Service (151), Room
2A103C, Miami, Florida 33125, United States
- Departments
of Pathology and Medicine, Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Endocrinology,
Miller School of Medicine, University of
Miami, 1600 NW 10th Avenue
#1140, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Francisco Fernandez-Lima
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International
University, 11200 SW 8th Street, AHC4-233, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- Biomolecular
Sciences Institute, Florida International
University, 11200 SW 8th Street, AHC4-211, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- E-mail:
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27
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Cui T, Schally AV. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and its agonists inhibit hepatic and tumoral secretion of IGF-1. Oncotarget 2018; 9:28745-28756. [PMID: 29983893 PMCID: PMC6033336 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary is well established. However, direct effects of GHRH and its agonistic analogs on extra-pituitary cells and tissues have not been completely elucidated. In the present study, we first demonstrated that human and rat hepatocytes express receptors for GHRH. We then showed that GHRH(1-29)NH 2 and GHRH agonist, MR-409, downregulated mRNA levels for IGF-1 in human cancer cell lines and inhibited IGF-1 secretion in vitro when these cancer lines were exposed to rhGH. Another GHRH agonist, MR-356, lowered serum IGF-l and inhibited tumor growth in nude mice bearing xenografted NCI-N87 human stomach cancers. GHRH(1-29)NH 2 and MR-409 also suppressed the expression of mRNA for IGF-1 and IGF-2 in rat and human hepatocytes, decreased the secretion of IGF-1 in vitro from rat hepatocytes stimulated with rhGH, and lowered serum IGF-l levels in hypophysectomized rats injected with rhGH. Vasoactive intestinal peptide had no effect on the release of IGF-1 from the hepatocytes. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with MR-409 reduced serum levels of IGF-l from days 1 to 5. These results show that GHRH and its agonists can, by a direct action, inhibit the secretion of IGF-1 from the liver and from tumors. The inhibitory effect of GHRH appears to be mediated by the GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) and GH receptor (GHR), with the involvement of JAK2/STAT5 pathways. Further studies are required to investigate the possible physiopathological role of GHRH in the control of secretion of IGF-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengjiao Cui
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Hematology, Oncology and Endocrinology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Andrew V. Schally
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Hematology, Oncology and Endocrinology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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28
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Shen J, Zhang N, Lin YN, Xiang P, Liu XB, Shan PF, Hu XY, Zhu W, Tang YL, Webster KA, Cai R, Schally AV, Wang J, Yu H. Regulation of Vascular Calcification by Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Its Agonists. Circ Res 2018; 122:1395-1408. [PMID: 29618597 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.117.312418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Vascular calcification (VC) is a marker of the severity of atherosclerotic disease. Hormones play important roles in regulating calcification; estrogen and parathyroid hormones exert opposing effects, the former alleviating VC and the latter exacerbating it. To date no treatment strategies have been developed to regulate clinical VC. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and its agonist (GHRH-A) on the blocking of VC in a mouse model. METHODS AND RESULTS Young adult osteoprotegerin-deficient mice were given daily subcutaneous injections of GHRH-A (MR409) for 4 weeks. Significant reductions in calcification of the aortas of MR409-treated mice were paralleled by markedly lower alkaline phosphatase activity and a dramatic reduction in the expression of transcription factors, including the osteogenic marker gene Runx2 and its downstream factors, osteonectin and osteocalcin. The mechanism of action of GHRH-A was dissected in smooth muscle cells isolated from human and mouse aortas. Calcification of smooth muscle cells induced by osteogenic medium was inhibited in the presence of GHRH or MR409, as evidenced by reduced alkaline phosphatase activity and Runx2 expression. Inhibition of calcification by MR409 was partially reversed by MIA602, a GHRH antagonist, or a GHRH receptor-selective small interfering RNA. Treatment with MR409 induced elevated cytosolic cAMP and its target, protein kinase A which in turn blocked nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity and reduced production of reactive oxygen species, thus blocking the phosphorylation of nuclear factor κB (p65), a key intermediate in the ligand of receptor activator for nuclear factor-κ B-Runx2/alkaline phosphatase osteogenesis program. A protein kinase A-selective small interfering RNA or the chemical inhibitor H89 abolished these beneficial effects of MR409. CONCLUSIONS GHRH-A controls osteogenesis in smooth muscle cells by targeting cross talk between protein kinase A and nuclear factor κB (p65) and through the suppression of reactive oxygen species production that induces the Runx2 gene and alkaline phosphatase. Inflammation-mediated osteogenesis is thereby blocked. GHRH-A may represent a new pharmacological strategy to regulate VC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Shen
- From the Departments of Cardiology (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
- Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China; Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, PR China (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
| | - Ning Zhang
- From the Departments of Cardiology (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
- Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China; Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, PR China (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
| | - Yi-Nuo Lin
- From the Departments of Cardiology (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
- Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China; Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, PR China (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
| | - PingPing Xiang
- From the Departments of Cardiology (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
- Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China; Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, PR China (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
| | - Xian-Bao Liu
- From the Departments of Cardiology (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
- Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China; Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, PR China (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
| | | | - Xin-Yang Hu
- From the Departments of Cardiology (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
- Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China; Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, PR China (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
| | - Wei Zhu
- From the Departments of Cardiology (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
- Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China; Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, PR China (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
| | - Yao-Liang Tang
- Vascular Biology Center, Georgia Regents University, Augusta (Y.-l.T.)
| | - Keith A Webster
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology and the Vascular Biology Institute (K.A.W., R.C., A.V.S.)
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology and the Vascular Biology Institute (K.A.W., R.C., A.V.S.)
- Divisions of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine (R.C., A.V.S.)
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, FL; and Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL (R.C., A.V.S.)
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology and the Vascular Biology Institute (K.A.W., R.C., A.V.S.)
- Divisions of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine (R.C., A.V.S.)
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, FL; and Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL (R.C., A.V.S.)
| | - Jian'an Wang
- From the Departments of Cardiology (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
- Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China; Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, PR China (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
| | - Hong Yu
- From the Departments of Cardiology (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
- Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China; Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, PR China (J.S., N.Z., Y.-N.L., P.P.X., X.-b.L., X.-y.H., W.Z., J.W., H.Y.)
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29
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Cui T, Jimenez JJ, Block NL, Badiavas EV, Rodriguez-Menocal L, Vila Granda A, Cai R, Sha W, Zarandi M, Perez R, Schally AV. Agonistic analogs of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) promote wound healing by stimulating the proliferation and survival of human dermal fibroblasts through ERK and AKT pathways. Oncotarget 2018; 7:52661-52672. [PMID: 27494841 PMCID: PMC5288139 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Decreased or impaired proliferation capability of dermal fibroblasts interferes with successful wound healing. Several growth factors tested failed to fully restore the growth of fibroblasts, possibly due to their rapid degradation by proteases. It is therefore critical to find new agents which have stimulatory effects on fibroblasts while being highly resistant to degradation. In such a scenario, the activities of two agonistic analogs of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), MR-409 and MR-502, were evaluated for their impact on proliferation and survival of primary human dermal fibroblasts. In vitro, both analogs significantly stimulated cell growth by more than 50%. Under serum-depletion induced stress, fibroblasts treated with MR-409 or MR-502 demonstrated better survival rates than control. These effects can be inhibited by either PD98059 or wortmannin. Signaling through MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT in an IGF-1 receptor-independent manner is required. In vivo, MR-409 promoted wound closure. Animals treated topically with MR-409 healed earlier than controls in a dose-dependent manner. Histologic examination revealed better wound contraction and less fibrosis in treated groups. In conclusion, MR-409 is a potent mitogenic and anti-apoptotic factor for primary human dermal fibroblasts. Its beneficial effects on wound healing make it a promising agent for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengjiao Cui
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Joaquin J Jimenez
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Norman L Block
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Evangelos V Badiavas
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Luis Rodriguez-Menocal
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ailin Vila Granda
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Wei Sha
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Marta Zarandi
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Roberto Perez
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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30
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Protective effects of agonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in early experimental diabetic retinopathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:13248-13253. [PMID: 29180438 PMCID: PMC5740669 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1718592114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The studies described here are relevant to the cure of diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness with currently limited therapeutic options. Here we provided evidence showing that agonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) can significantly diminish retinal neurovascular injury characterizing the early stages of diabetic retinopathy through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The results of the presented studies provide information on the potential therapeutic effects of GHRH agonists and shed light on the role of hypothalamic hormones in retinal physiology and their effect on visual disorders. In addition, our findings suggest protective effects of GHRH analogs in other disease conditions affecting retinal neuronal cells and, possibly, other nonretinal neurons. The potential therapeutic effects of agonistic analogs of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and their mechanism of action were investigated in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-rats) were treated with 15 μg/kg GHRH agonist, MR-409, or GHRH antagonist, MIA-602. At the end of treatment, morphological and biochemical analyses assessed the effects of these compounds on retinal neurovascular injury induced by hyperglycemia. The expression levels of GHRH and its receptor (GHRH-R) measured by qPCR and Western blotting were significantly down-regulated in retinas of STZ-rats and in human diabetic retinas (postmortem) compared with their respective controls. Treatment of STZ-rats with the GHRH agonist, MR-409, prevented retinal morphological alteration induced by hyperglycemia, particularly preserving survival of retinal ganglion cells. The reverse, using the GHRH antagonist, MIA-602, resulted in worsening of retinal morphology and a significant alteration of the outer retinal layer. Explaining these results, we have found that MR-409 exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in retinas of the treated rats, as shown by up-regulation of NRF-2-dependent gene expression and down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. MR-409 also significantly down-regulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor while increasing that of pigment epithelium-derived factor in diabetic retinas. These effects correlated with decreased vascular permeability. In summary, our findings suggest a neurovascular protective effect of GHRH analogs during the early stage of diabetic retinopathy through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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31
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Growth hormone-releasing hormone attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and improves heart function in pressure overload-induced heart failure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:12033-12038. [PMID: 29078377 PMCID: PMC5692579 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1712612114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological cardiac hypertrophy, characterized by heart growth in response to pressure or volume overload, such as in the setting of hypertension, is the main risk factor for heart failure (HF). The identification of therapeutic strategies to prevent or reverse cardiac hypertrophy is therefore a priority for curing HF. It is known that growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) displays cardioprotective functions; however, its therapeutic potential in hypertrophy and HF is unknown. Here we show that GHRH reduces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro through inhibition of hypertrophic pathways. In vivo, the GHRH analog MR-409 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy in mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction and improves cardiac function. These findings suggest therapeutic use of GHRH analogs for treatment of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and HF. It has been shown that growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) reduces cardiomyocyte (CM) apoptosis, prevents ischemia/reperfusion injury, and improves cardiac function in ischemic rat hearts. However, it is still not known whether GHRH would be beneficial for life-threatening pathological conditions, like cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure (HF). Thus, we tested the myocardial therapeutic potential of GHRH stimulation in vitro and in vivo, using GHRH or its agonistic analog MR-409. We show that in vitro, GHRH(1-44)NH2 attenuates phenylephrine-induced hypertrophy in H9c2 cardiac cells, adult rat ventricular myocytes, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived CMs, decreasing expression of hypertrophic genes and regulating hypertrophic pathways. Underlying mechanisms included blockade of Gq signaling and its downstream components phospholipase Cβ, protein kinase Cε, calcineurin, and phospholamban. The receptor-dependent effects of GHRH also involved activation of Gαs and cAMP/PKA, and inhibition of increase in exchange protein directly activated by cAMP1 (Epac1). In vivo, MR-409 mitigated cardiac hypertrophy in mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction and improved cardiac function. Moreover, CMs isolated from transverse aortic constriction mice treated with MR-409 showed improved contractility and reversal of sarcolemmal structure. Overall, these results identify GHRH as an antihypertrophic regulator, underlying its therapeutic potential for HF, and suggest possible beneficial use of its analogs for treatment of pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
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32
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Favorable outcome of experimental islet xenotransplantation without immunosuppression in a nonhuman primate model of diabetes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:11745-11750. [PMID: 29078330 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1708420114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of pancreatic islets for treating type 1 diabetes is restricted to patients with critical metabolic lability resulting from the need for immunosuppression and the shortage of donor organs. To overcome these barriers, we developed a strategy to macroencapsulate islets from different sources that allow their survival and function without immunosuppression. Here we report successful and safe transplantation of porcine islets with a bioartificial pancreas device in diabetic primates without any immune suppression. This strategy should lead to pioneering clinical trials with xenotransplantation for treatment of diabetes and, thereby, represents a previously unidentified approach to efficient cell replacement for a broad spectrum of endocrine disorders and other organ dysfunctions.
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33
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Dubovy SR, Fernandez MP, Echegaray JJ, Block NL, Unoki N, Perez R, Vidaurre I, Lee RK, Nadji M, Schally AV. Expression of hypothalamic neurohormones and their receptors in the human eye. Oncotarget 2017; 8:66796-66814. [PMID: 28977997 PMCID: PMC5620137 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrapituitary roles for hypothalamic neurohormones have recently become apparent and clinically relevant, based on the use of synthetic peptide analogs for the treatment of multiple conditions including cancers, pulmonary edema and myocardial infarction. In the eye, it has been suggested that some of these hormones and their receptors may be present in the ciliary body, iris, trabecular meshwork and retina, but their physiological role has yet to be elucidated. Our study intends to comprehensively demonstrate the expression of some hypothalamic neuroendocrine hormones and their receptors within different retinal and extraretinal structures of the human eye. Immunofluorescence, Western blot analysis, and RT-PCR were used to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative expression of Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH), Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH), Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH), Gastrin Releasing Peptide (GRP) and Somatostatin as well as their respective receptors (LHRH-R, GHRH-R, TRH-R, GRP-R, SST-R1) in cadaveric human eye tissue and in paraffinized human eye tissue sections. The hypothalamic hormones LHRH, GHRH, TRH, GRP and Somatostatin and their respective receptors (LHRH-R, GHRH-R, TRH-R, GRPR/BB2 and SST-R1), were expressed in the conjunctiva, cornea, trabecular meshwork, ciliary body, lens, retina, and optic nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander R Dubovy
- Florida Lions Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Maria P Fernandez
- Florida Lions Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jose J Echegaray
- Florida Lions Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Norman L Block
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Divisions of Hematology/Oncology, Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Noriyuki Unoki
- Florida Lions Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Roberto Perez
- Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida, USA.,Divisions of Hematology/Oncology, Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Richard K Lee
- Florida Lions Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mehrdad Nadji
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Divisions of Hematology/Oncology, Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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34
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Fabresse N, Grassin-Delyle S, Etting I, Alvarez JC. Identification d’un analogue peptidique de la GHRH, le CJC-1295, par CL-SM/SMHR. TOXICOLOGIE ANALYTIQUE ET CLINIQUE 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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35
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Chu WK, Law KS, Chan SO, Yam JCS, Chen LJ, Zhang H, Cheung HS, Block NL, Schally AV, Pang CP. Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor induce apoptosis specifically in retinoblastoma cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:14396-14401. [PMID: 27911838 PMCID: PMC5167144 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1617427113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular cancer in children worldwide. Current treatments mainly involve combinations of chemotherapies, cryotherapies, and laser-based therapies. Severe or late-stage disease may require enucleation or lead to fatality. Recently, RB has been shown to arise from cone precursor cells, which have high MDM2 levels to suppress p53-mediated apoptosis. This finding leads to the hypothesis that restoring apoptosis mechanisms in RBs could specifically kill the cancer cells without affecting other retinal cells. We have previously reported involvement of an extrapituitary signaling pathway of the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in the retina. Here we show that the GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) is highly expressed in RB cells but not in other retinal cells. We induced specific apoptosis with two different GHRH-R antagonists, MIA-602 and MIA-690. Importantly, these GHRH-R antagonists do not trigger apoptosis in other retinal cells such as retinal pigmented epithelial cells. We delineated the gene expression profiles regulated by GHRH-R antagonists and found that cell proliferation genes and apoptotic genes are down- and up-regulated, respectively. Our results reveal the involvement of GHRH-R in survival and proliferation of RB and demonstrate that GHRH-R antagonists can specifically kill the RB cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Kit Chu
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ka Sin Law
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Sun On Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jason Cheuk Sing Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Li Jia Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Hao Zhang
- Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Biotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Tumor Tissue Bank, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Herman S Cheung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146
| | - Norman L Block
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Medical School, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Medical School, Miami, FL 33136;
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Hematology and Oncology and Endocrinology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Chi Pui Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong;
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36
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Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Its Analogues: Significance for MSCs-Mediated Angiogenesis. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:8737589. [PMID: 27774107 PMCID: PMC5059609 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8737589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for regenerative medicine because of their multipotency, immune-privilege, and paracrine properties including the potential to promote angiogenesis. Accumulating evidence suggests that the inherent properties of cytoprotection and tissue repair by native MSCs can be enhanced by various preconditioning stimuli implemented prior to cell transplantation. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), a stimulator in extrahypothalamus systems including tumors, has attracted great attentions in recent years because GHRH and its agonists could promote angiogenesis in various tissues. GHRH and its agonists are proangiogenic in responsive tissues including tumors, and GHRH antagonists have been tested as antitumor agents through their ability to suppress angiogenesis and cell growth. GHRH-R is expressed by MSCs and evolving work from our laboratory indicates that treatment of MSCs with GHRH agonists prior to cell transplantation markedly enhanced the angiogenic potential and tissue reparative properties of MSCs through a STAT3 signaling pathway. In this review we summarized the possible effects of GHRH analogues on cell growth and development, as well as on the proangiogenic properties of MSCs. We also discussed the relationship between GHRH analogues and MSC-mediated angiogenesis. The analyses provide new insights into molecular pathways of MSCs-based therapies and their augmentation by GHRH analogues.
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37
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Kiscsatári L, Varga Z, Schally AV, Gáspár R, Nagy CT, Giricz Z, Ferdinandy P, Fábián G, Kahán Z, Görbe A. Protection of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes against radiation-induced damage with agonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone. Pharmacol Res 2016; 111:859-866. [PMID: 27480202 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite the great clinical significance of radiation-induced cardiac damage, experimental investigation of its mechanisms is an unmet need in medicine. Beneficial effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) agonists in regeneration of the heart have been demonstrated. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the potential of modern GHRH agonistic analogs in prevention of radiation damage in an in vitro cardiac myocyte-based model. Cultures of cardiac myocytes isolated from newborn rats (NRVM) were exposed to a radiation dose of 10Gy. The effects of the agonistic analogs, JI-34 and MR-356, of human GHRH on cell viability, proliferation, their mechanism of action and the protein expression of the GHRH/SV1 receptors were studied. JI-34 and MR-356, had no effect on cell viability or proliferation in unirradiated cultures. However, in irradiated cells JI-34 showed protective effects on cell viability at concentrations of 10 and 100nM, and MR-356 at 500nM; but no such protective effect was detected on cell proliferation. Both agonistic analogs decreased radiation-induced ROS level and JI-34 interfered with the activation of SAFE/RISK pathways. Using Western blot analysis, a 52kDa protein isoform of GHRHR was detected in the samples in both irradiated and unirradiated cells. Since GHRH agonistic analogs, JI-34 and MR-356 alleviated radiation-induced damage of cardiac myocytes, they should be tested in vivo as potential protective agents against radiogenic heart damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kiscsatári
- Department of Oncotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Varga
- Department of Oncotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami FL, USA and Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Divisions of Hematology/Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Renáta Gáspár
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csilla Terézia Nagy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Giricz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Fábián
- Department of Oncotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Kahán
- Department of Oncotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anikó Görbe
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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38
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Granata R. Peripheral activities of growth hormone-releasing hormone. J Endocrinol Invest 2016; 39:721-7. [PMID: 26891937 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-016-0440-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) is produced by the hypothalamus and stimulates GH synthesis and release in the anterior pituitary gland. In addition to its endocrine role, GHRH exerts a wide range of extrapituitary effects which include stimulation of cell proliferation, survival and differentiation, and inhibition of apoptosis. Accordingly, expression of GHRH, as well as the receptor GHRH-R and its splice variants, has been demonstrated in different peripheral tissues and cell types. Among the direct peripheral activities, GHRH regulates pancreatic islet and β-cell survival and function and endometrial cell proliferation, promotes cardioprotection and wound healing, influences the immune and reproductive systems, reduces inflammation, indirectly increases lifespan and adiposity and acts on skeletal muscle cells to inhibit cell death and atrophy. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly clear that GHRH exerts important extrapituitary functions, suggesting potential therapeutic use of the peptide and its analogs in a wide range of medical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Granata
- Lab of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Corso Dogliotti, 14, 10126, Turin, Italy.
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39
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Kanashiro-Takeuchi RM, Szalontay L, Schally AV, Takeuchi LM, Popovics P, Jaszberenyi M, Vidaurre I, Zarandi M, Cai RZ, Block NL, Hare JM, Rick FG. New therapeutic approach to heart failure due to myocardial infarction based on targeting growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor. Oncotarget 2016; 6:9728-39. [PMID: 25797248 PMCID: PMC4496393 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We previously showed that growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) agonists are cardioprotective following myocardial infarction (MI). Here, our aim was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo activities of highly potent new GHRH agonists, and elucidate their mechanisms of action in promoting cardiac repair. Methods and Results H9c2 cells were cultured in serum-free medium, mimicking nutritional deprivation. GHRH agonists decreased calcium influx and significantly improved cell survival. Rats with cardiac infarction were treated with GHRH agonists or placebo for four weeks. MI size was reduced by selected GHRH agonists (JI-38, MR-356, MR-409); this accompanied an increased number of cardiac c-kit+ cells, cellular mitotic divisions, and vascular density. One week post-MI, MR-409 significantly reduced plasma levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α compared to placebo. Gene expression studies revealed favorable outcomes of MR-409 treatment partially result from inhibitory activity on pro-apoptotic molecules and pro-fibrotic systems, and by elevation of bone morphogenetic proteins. Conclusions Treatment with GHRH agonists appears to reduce the inflammatory responses post-MI and may consequently improve mechanisms of healing and cardiac remod eling by regulating pathways involved in fibrosis, apoptosis and cardiac repair. Patients with cardiac dysfunction could benefit from treatment with novel GHRH agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemeire M Kanashiro-Takeuchi
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Florida, United States of America
| | - Luca Szalontay
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Medicine, Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Endocrinology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lauro M Takeuchi
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Petra Popovics
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany.,Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Miklos Jaszberenyi
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Irving Vidaurre
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Marta Zarandi
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ren-Zhi Cai
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Norman L Block
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Medicine, Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Endocrinology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Joshua M Hare
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ferenc G Rick
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Urology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
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40
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Wootten D, Miller LJ, Koole C, Christopoulos A, Sexton PM. Allostery and Biased Agonism at Class B G Protein-Coupled Receptors. Chem Rev 2016; 117:111-138. [PMID: 27040440 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Class B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) respond to paracrine or endocrine peptide hormones involved in control of bone homeostasis, glucose regulation, satiety, and gastro-intestinal function, as well as pain transmission. These receptors are targets for existing drugs that treat osteoporosis, hypercalcaemia, Paget's disease, type II diabetes, and obesity and are being actively pursued as targets for numerous other diseases. Exploitation of class B receptors has been limited by difficulties with small molecule drug discovery and development and an under appreciation of factors governing optimal therapeutic efficacy. Recently, there has been increasing awareness of novel attributes of GPCR function that offer new opportunity for drug development. These include the presence of allosteric binding sites on the receptor that can be exploited as drug binding pockets and the ability of individual drugs to enrich subpopulations of receptor conformations to selectively control signaling, a phenomenon termed biased agonism. In this review, current knowledge of biased signaling and small molecule allostery within class B GPCRs is discussed, highlighting areas that have progressed significantly over the past decade, in addition to those that remain largely unexplored with respect to these phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Wootten
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University , Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laurence J Miller
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic , Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, United States
| | - Cassandra Koole
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University , Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia.,Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Signal Transduction, The Rockefeller University , New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Arthur Christopoulos
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University , Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patrick M Sexton
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University , Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
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Ma Q, Xia X, Tao Q, Lu K, Shen J, Xu Q, Hu X, Tang Y, Block NL, Webster KA, Schally AV, Wang J, Yu H. Profound Actions of an Agonist of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone on Angiogenic Therapy by Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2016; 36:663-672. [PMID: 26868211 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.116.307126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The efficiency of cell therapy is limited by poor cell survival and engraftment. Here, we studied the effect of the growth hormone-releasing hormone agonist, JI-34, on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) survival and angiogenic therapy in a mouse model of critical limb ischemia. APPROACH AND RESULTS Mouse bone marrow-derived MSCs were incubated with or without 10(-8) mol/L JI-34 for 24 hours. MSCs were then exposed to hypoxia and serum deprivation to detect the effect of preconditioning on cell apoptosis, migration, and tube formation. For in vivo tests, critical limb ischemia was induced by femoral artery ligation. After surgery, mice received 50 μL phosphate-buffered saline or with 1×10(6) MSCs or with 1×10(6) JI-34-reconditioned MSCs. Treatment of MSCs with JI-34 improved MSC viability and mobility and markedly enhanced their capability to promote endothelial tube formation in vitro. These effects were paralleled by an increased phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. In vivo, JI-34 pretreatment enhanced the engraftment of MSCs into ischemic hindlimb muscles and augmented reperfusion and limb salvage compared with untreated MSCs. Significantly more vasculature and proliferating CD31(+) and CD34(+) cells were detected in ischemic muscles that received MSCs treated with JI-34. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate a novel role for JI-34 to markedly improve therapeutic angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemia by increasing the viability and mobility of MSCs. These findings support additional studies to explore the full potential of growth hormone-releasing hormone agonists to augment cell therapy in the management of ischemia.
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MESH Headings
- Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
- Animals
- Antigens, CD34/metabolism
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cells, Cultured
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone/agonists
- Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone/analogs & derivatives
- Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone/metabolism
- Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone/pharmacology
- Hindlimb
- Ischemia/metabolism
- Ischemia/physiopathology
- Ischemia/therapy
- Male
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Muscle, Skeletal/blood supply
- Neovascularization, Physiologic
- Peptide Fragments/pharmacology
- Phosphorylation
- Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism
- Receptors, Neuropeptide/agonists
- Receptors, Neuropeptide/metabolism
- Receptors, Pituitary Hormone-Regulating Hormone/agonists
- Receptors, Pituitary Hormone-Regulating Hormone/metabolism
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Time Factors
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Communal online folk pharmacology fuels the drive for short cuts in attaining muscle enhancement, fat loss, and youthful skin. OBJECTIVES The study used "netnography" to explore female use of CJC-1295, a synthetic growth hormone analogue from the perspectives contained in Internet forum activity. METHODS A systematic Internet search was conducted using variation of the term "CJC-1295"; and combined with "forum." Ninety-six hits related to bodybuilding websites where CJC-1295 was mentioned. Following application of exclusion criteria to confine to female use and evidence of forum activity, 9 sites remained. These were searched internally for reference to CJC-1295. Twenty-three discussion threads relating to female use of CJC-1295 formed the end data set, and analyzed using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method. RESULTS Forum users appeared well versed and experienced in the poly use of performance and image drug supplementation. Choice to use CJC-1295 centered on weight loss, muscle enhancement, youthful skin, improved sleep, and injury healing. Concerns were described relating to female consequences of use given gender variations in growth hormone pulses affecting estimation of dosage, cycling, and long-term consequences. CONCLUSIONS Public health interventions should consider female self-medicating use of synthetic growth hormone within a repertoire of product supplementation, and related adverse health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Claire Van Hout
- a Waterford Institute of Technology , Health, Sport and Exercise Science , Waterford , Ireland
| | - Evelyn Hearne
- b Liverpool John Moore's University , Liverpool , United Kingdom
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Fridlyand LE, Tamarina NA, Schally AV, Philipson LH. Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone in Diabetes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2016; 7:129. [PMID: 27777568 PMCID: PMC5056186 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2016.00129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is produced by the hypothalamus and stimulates growth hormone synthesis and release in the anterior pituitary gland. In addition, GHRH is an important regulator of cellular functions in many cells and organs. Expression of GHRH G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GHRHR) has been demonstrated in different peripheral tissues and cell types, including pancreatic islets. Among the peripheral activities, recent studies demonstrate a novel ability of GHRH analogs to increase and preserve insulin secretion by beta-cells in isolated pancreatic islets, which makes them potentially useful for diabetes treatment. This review considers the role of GHRHR in the beta-cell and addresses the unique engineered GHRH agonists and antagonists for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We discuss the similarity of signaling pathways activated by GHRHR in pituitary somatotrophs and in pancreatic beta-cells and possible ways as to how the GHRHR pathway can interact with glucose and other secretagogues to stimulate insulin secretion. We also consider the hypothesis that novel GHRHR agonists can improve glucose metabolism in Type 2 diabetes by preserving the function and survival of pancreatic beta-cells. Wound healing and cardioprotective action with new GHRH agonists suggest that they may prove useful in ameliorating certain diabetic complications. These findings highlight the future potential therapeutic effectiveness of modulators of GHRHR activity for the development of new therapeutic approaches in diabetes and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid E. Fridlyand
- Department of Medicine, Kovler Diabetes Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- *Correspondence: Leonid E. Fridlyand,
| | - Natalia A. Tamarina
- Department of Medicine, Kovler Diabetes Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrew V. Schally
- VA Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Louis H. Philipson
- Department of Medicine, Kovler Diabetes Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Schally AV, Perez R, Block NL, Rick FG. Potentiating effects of GHRH analogs on the response to chemotherapy. Cell Cycle 2015; 14:699-704. [PMID: 25648497 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1010893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) from hypothalamus nominatively stimulates growth hormone release from adenohypophysis. GHRH is also produced by cancers, acting as an autocrine/paracrine growth factor. This growth factor function is seen in lymphoma, melanoma, colorectal, liver, lung, breast, prostate, kidney, bladder cancers. Pituitary type GHRH receptors and their splice variants are also expressed in these malignancies. Synthetic antagonists of the GHRH receptor inhibit proliferation of cancers. Besides direct inhibitory effects on tumors, GHRH antagonists also enhance cytotoxic chemotherapy. GHRH antagonists potentiate docetaxel effects on growth of H460 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and MX-1 breast cancer plus suppressive action of doxorubicin on MX-1 and HCC1806 breast cancer. We investigated mechanisms of antagonists on tumor growth, inflammatory signaling, doxorubicin response, expression of drug resistance genes, and efflux pump function. Triple negative breast cancer cell xenografted into nude mice were treated with GHRH antagonist, doxorubicin, or their combination. The combination reduced tumor growth, inflammatory gene expression, drug-resistance gene expression, cancer stem-cell marker expression, and efflux-pump function. Thus, antagonists increased the efficacy of doxorubicin in HCC1806 and MX-1 tumors. Growth inhibition of H460 NSCLC by GHRH antagonists induced marked downregulation in expression of prosurvival proteins K-Ras, COX-2, and pAKT. In HT-29, HCT-116 and HCT-15 colorectal cancer lines, GHRH antagonist treatment caused cellular arrest in S-phase of cell cycle, potentiated inhibition of in vitro proliferation and in vivo growth produced by S-phase specific cytotoxic agents, 5-FU, irinotecan and cisplatin. This enhancement of cytotoxic therapy by GHRH antagonists should have clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew V Schally
- a Veterans Affairs Medical Center and South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education ; Miami , FL USA
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Beneficial effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone agonists on rat INS-1 cells and on streptozotocin-induced NOD/SCID mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:13651-6. [PMID: 26474831 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1518540112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Agonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) have been previously reported to promote growth, function, and engraftment of islet cells following transplantation. Here we evaluated recently synthesized GHRH agonists on the proliferation and biological functions of rat pancreatic β-cell line (INS-1) and islets. In vitro treatment of INS-1 cells with GHRH agonists increased cell proliferation, the expression of cellular insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1), and GHRH receptor, and also stimulated insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge. Exposure of INS-1 cells to GHRH agonists, MR-356 and MR-409, induced activation of ERK and AKT pathways. Agonist MR-409 also significantly increased the levels of cellular cAMP and the phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in INS-1 cells. Treatment of rat islets with agonist, MR-409 significantly increased cell proliferation, islet size, and the expression of insulin. In vivo daily s.c. administration of 10 μg MR-409 for 3 wk dramatically reduced the severity of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice. The maximal therapeutic benefits with respect to the efficiency of engraftment, ability to reach normoglycemia, gain in body weight, response to high glucose challenge, and induction of higher levels of serum insulin and IGF1 were observed when diabetic mice were transplanted with rat islets preconditioned with GHRH agonist, MR-409, and received additional treatment with MR-409 posttransplantation. This study provides an improved approach to the therapeutic use of GHRH agonists in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
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Schally AV. Endocrine approaches to treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions: Part I: Some recollections of my association with Dr. Abba Kastin: A tale of successful collaboration. Peptides 2015; 72:154-63. [PMID: 25843023 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew V Schally
- Endocrine, Polypeptide and Cancer Institute, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, United States; South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL, United States; Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.
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Gallo D, Gesmundo I, Trovato L, Pera G, Gargantini E, Minetto MA, Ghigo E, Granata R. GH-Releasing Hormone Promotes Survival and Prevents TNF-α-Induced Apoptosis and Atrophy in C2C12 Myotubes. Endocrinology 2015; 156:3239-52. [PMID: 26110916 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle atrophy is a consequence of different chronic diseases, including cancer, heart failure, and diabetes, and also occurs in aging and genetic myopathies. It results from an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic processes, and inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, have been found elevated in muscle atrophy and implicated in its pathogenesis. GHRH, in addition to stimulating GH secretion from the pituitary, exerts survival and antiapoptotic effects in different cell types. Moreover, we and others have recently shown that GHRH displays antiapoptotic effects in isolated cardiac myocytes and protects the isolated heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury and myocardial infarction in vivo. On these bases, we investigated the effects of GHRH on survival and apoptosis of TNF-α-treated C2C12 myotubes along with the underlying mechanisms. GHRH increased myotube survival and prevented TNF-α-induced apoptosis through GHRH receptor-mediated mechanisms. These effects involved activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway and inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β, whereas mammalian target of rapamycin was unaffected. GHRH also increased the expression of myosin heavy chain and the myogenic transcription factor myogenin, which were both reduced by the cytokine. Furthermore, GHRH inhibited TNF-α-induced expression of nuclear factor-κB, calpain, and muscle ring finger1, which are all involved in muscle protein degradation. In summary, these results indicate that GHRH exerts survival and antiapoptotic effects in skeletal muscle cells through the activation of anabolic pathways and the inhibition of proteolytic routes. Overall, our findings suggest a novel therapeutic role for GHRH in the treatment of muscle atrophy-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Gallo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., R.G.), and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., M.A.M., E.Gh., R.G.), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Iacopo Gesmundo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., R.G.), and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., M.A.M., E.Gh., R.G.), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Letizia Trovato
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., R.G.), and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., M.A.M., E.Gh., R.G.), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Pera
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., R.G.), and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., M.A.M., E.Gh., R.G.), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Eleonora Gargantini
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., R.G.), and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., M.A.M., E.Gh., R.G.), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Alessandro Minetto
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., R.G.), and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., M.A.M., E.Gh., R.G.), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Ezio Ghigo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., R.G.), and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., M.A.M., E.Gh., R.G.), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Riccarda Granata
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., R.G.), and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (D.G., I.G., L.T., G.P., E.Ga., M.A.M., E.Gh., R.G.), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
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Zhou D, You J, Li QY, Li HZ, Wu WF, Zhang XD, Zhang JH, Tang SS, Wang YK, Liu T. Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel structure-related hGHRH agonistic analogs. Growth Factors 2015; 33:160-8. [PMID: 25798996 DOI: 10.3109/08977194.2015.1010644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Activity and half-life play key roles in the application of GHRH analogues. The GHRH monomers produced in a solid synthesizer were incubated, respectively, in NH4OH solution and lyophilized to obtain their dimers. The activities, specificities, and receptor affinities of the GHRH dimers were evaluated in rGH release/inhibition, rACTH/LH/PRL release, pituitary homogenate binding, and fluorescent staining. Compared to hGHRH(1-44)NH2 (S), PP-hGHRH(1-44)-GGC-CGG-hGHRH(44-1)-PP (2D), P-hGHRH(1-44)-GGC-CGG-hGHRH(44-1)-P (2E), (1)P-hGHRH(2-44)-GGC-CGG-hGHRH(44-2)-(1)P (2F), or hGHRH(1-44)-GGC-CGG-hGHRH(44-1) (2Y) had potency of 104 ± 16.7%, 94 ± 32.6%, 114 ± 16.6%, or 122 ± 14.5% and similar specificities. The inhibition effect of GHIH on rGH stimulated by GHRH dimer was in dose-/time-dependent manner. The staining of FITC-labeled dimer showed cytomembrane distribution and the binding ranking was 2F>2D>2Y>2E>S. 2F presents the strongest activity and the highest affinity to pituitary cells. The dimer with (1)Pro-GHRH stimulates stronger rGH release than that with (1)Tyr-GHRH and the N-terminal single cyclic amino acid is required for the stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Courses, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University , Guangzhou , China
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Bagno LL, Kanashiro-Takeuchi RM, Suncion VY, Golpanian S, Karantalis V, Wolf A, Wang B, Premer C, Balkan W, Rodriguez J, Valdes D, Rosado M, Block NL, Goldstein P, Morales A, Cai RZ, Sha W, Schally AV, Hare JM. Growth hormone-releasing hormone agonists reduce myocardial infarct scar in swine with subacute ischemic cardiomyopathy. J Am Heart Assoc 2015; 4:jah3883. [PMID: 25827134 PMCID: PMC4579962 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.114.001464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growth hormone-releasing hormone agonists (GHRH-As) stimulate cardiac repair following myocardial infarction (MI) in rats through the activation of the GHRH signaling pathway within the heart. We tested the hypothesis that the administration of GHRH-As prevents ventricular remodeling in a swine subacute MI model. METHODS AND RESULTS Twelve female Yorkshire swine (25 to 30 kg) underwent transient occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (MI). Two weeks post MI, swine were randomized to receive injections of either 30 μg/kg GHRH-A (MR-409) (GHRH-A group; n=6) or vehicle (placebo group; n=6). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and pressure-volume loops were obtained at multiple time points. Infarct, border, and remote (noninfarcted) zones were assessed for GHRH receptor by immunohistochemistry. Four weeks of GHRH-A treatment resulted in reduced scar mass (GHRH-A: -21.9 ± 6.42%; P=0.02; placebo: 10.9 ± 5.88%; P=0.25; 2-way ANOVA; P=0.003), and scar size (percentage of left ventricular mass) (GHRH-A: -38.38 ± 4.63; P=0.0002; placebo: -14.56 ± 6.92; P=0.16; 2-way ANOVA; P=0.02). This was accompanied by improved diastolic strain. Unlike in rats, this reduced infarct size in swine was not accompanied by improved cardiac function as measured by serial hemodynamic pressure-volume analysis. GHRH receptors were abundant in cardiac tissue, with a greater density in the border zone of the GHRH-A group compared with the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS Daily subcutaneous administration of GHRH-A is feasible and safe in a large animal model of subacute ischemic cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, GHRH-A therapy significantly reduced infarct size and improved diastolic strain, suggesting a local activation of the GHRH pathway leading to the reparative process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza L Bagno
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - Rosemeire M Kanashiro-Takeuchi
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.) Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (R.M.K.T., C.P., J.M.H.)
| | - Viky Y Suncion
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - Samuel Golpanian
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - Vasileios Karantalis
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - Ariel Wolf
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - Bo Wang
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - Courtney Premer
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.) Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (R.M.K.T., C.P., J.M.H.)
| | - Wayne Balkan
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - Jose Rodriguez
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - David Valdes
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - Marcos Rosado
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.)
| | - Norman L Block
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (N.L.B., A.M., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S., J.M.H.) Bruce A. Carter Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Miami, FL (N.L.B., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S.)
| | | | - Azorides Morales
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (N.L.B., A.M., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S., J.M.H.)
| | - Ren-Zhi Cai
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (N.L.B., A.M., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S., J.M.H.) Bruce A. Carter Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Miami, FL (N.L.B., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S.)
| | - Wei Sha
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (N.L.B., A.M., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S., J.M.H.) Bruce A. Carter Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Miami, FL (N.L.B., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S.)
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (N.L.B., A.M., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S., J.M.H.) Bruce A. Carter Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Miami, FL (N.L.B., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S.)
| | - Joshua M Hare
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (L.L.B., R.M.K.T., V.Y.S., S.G., V.K., A.W., B.W., C.P., W.B., J.R., D.V., M.R., J.M.H.) Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (N.L.B., A.M., R.Z.C., W.S., A.V.S., J.M.H.) Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL (R.M.K.T., C.P., J.M.H.)
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Thevis M, Schänzer W. Analytical approaches for the detection of emerging therapeutics and non-approved drugs in human doping controls. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2014; 101:66-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2014.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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