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José RJ, Williams A, Manuel A, Brown JS, Chambers RC. Targeting coagulation activation in severe COVID-19 pneumonia: lessons from bacterial pneumonia and sepsis. Eur Respir Rev 2020; 29:29/157/200240. [PMID: 33004529 PMCID: PMC7537941 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0240-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread throughout the world, resulting in a pandemic with high mortality. There are no effective treatments for the management of severe COVID-19 and current therapeutic trials are focused on antiviral therapy and attenuation of hyper-inflammation with anti-cytokine therapy. Severe COVID-19 pneumonia shares some pathological similarities with severe bacterial pneumonia and sepsis. In particular, it disrupts the haemostatic balance, which results in a procoagulant state locally in the lungs and systemically. This culminates in the formation of microthrombi, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi-organ failure. The deleterious effects of exaggerated inflammatory responses and activation of coagulation have been investigated in bacterial pneumonia and sepsis and there is recognition that although these pathways are important for the host immune response to pathogens, they can lead to bystander tissue injury and are negatively associated with survival. In the past two decades, evidence from preclinical studies has led to the emergence of potential anticoagulant therapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with pneumonia, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, and some of these anticoagulant approaches have been trialled in humans. Here, we review the evidence from preclinical studies and clinical trials of anticoagulant treatment strategies in bacterial pneumonia and sepsis, and discuss the importance of these findings in the context of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo J José
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, University College London, London, UK .,Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
| | - Andrew Williams
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ari Manuel
- University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jeremy S Brown
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, University College London, London, UK.,Dept of Thoracic Medicine, University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Rachel C Chambers
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, University College London, London, UK
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2
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Sofian ZM, Benaouda F, Wang JTW, Lu Y, Barlow DJ, Royall PG, Farag DB, Rahman KM, Al-Jamal KT, Forbes B, Jones SA. A Cyclodextrin-Stabilized Spermine-Tagged Drug Triplex that Targets Theophylline to the Lungs Selectively in Respiratory Emergency. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020; 3:2000153. [PMID: 33043128 PMCID: PMC7536984 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ion‐pairing a lifesaving drug such as theophylline with a targeting moiety could have a significant impact on medical emergencies such as status asthmaticus or COVID‐19 induced pneumomediastinum. However, to achieve rapid drug targeting in vivo the ion‐pair must be protected against breakdown before the entry into the target tissue. This study aims to investigate if inserting theophylline, when ion‐paired to the polyamine transporter substrate spermine, into a cyclodextrin (CD), to form a triplex, could direct the bronchodilator to the lungs selectively after intravenous administration. NMR demonstrates that upon the formation of the triplex spermine protruded from the CD cavity and this results in energy‐dependent uptake in A549 cells (1.8‐fold enhancement), which persists for more than 20 min. In vivo, the triplex produces a 2.4‐fold and 2.2‐fold increase in theophylline in the lungs 20 min after injection in rats and mice, respectively (p < 0.05). The lung targeting is selective with no increase in uptake into the brain or the heart where the side‐effects of theophylline are treatment‐limiting. Selectively doubling the concentration of theophylline in the lungs could improve the benefit‐risk ratio of this narrow therapeutic index medicine, which continues to be important in critical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zarif M Sofian
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK.,Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Faculty of Pharmacy Universiti Malaya Kuala Lumpur 50603 Malaysia
| | - Faiza Benaouda
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
| | - Julie Tzu-Wen Wang
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
| | - Yuan Lu
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
| | - David J Barlow
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
| | - Paul G Royall
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
| | - Doaa B Farag
- Faculty of Pharmacy Misr International University Cairo 11431 Egypt
| | - Khondaker Miraz Rahman
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
| | - Khuloud T Al-Jamal
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
| | - Ben Forbes
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
| | - Stuart A Jones
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King's College London Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
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Benítez J, García D, Romero N, González A, Martínez-Oyanedel J, Figueroa M, Salas M, López V, García-Robles M, Dodd PR, Schenk G, Carvajal N, Uribe E. Metabolic strategies for the degradation of the neuromodulator agmatine in mammals. Metabolism 2018; 81:35-44. [PMID: 29162499 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine (1-amino-4-guanidinobutane), a precursor for polyamine biosynthesis, has been identified as an important neuromodulator with anticonvulsant, antineurotoxic and antidepressant actions in the brain. In this context it has emerged as an important mediator of addiction/satiety pathways associated with alcohol misuse. Consequently, the regulation of the activity of key enzymes in agmatine metabolism is an attractive strategy to combat alcoholism and related addiction disorders. Agmatine results from the decarboxylation of L-arginine in a reaction catalyzed by arginine decarboxylase (ADC), and can be converted to either guanidine butyraldehyde by diamine oxidase (DAO) or putrescine and urea by the enzyme agmatinase (AGM) or the more recently identified AGM-like protein (ALP). In rat brain, agmatine, AGM and ALP are predominantly localised in areas associated with roles in appetitive and craving (drug-reinstatement) behaviors. Thus, inhibitors of AGM or ALP are promising agents for the treatment of addictions. In this review, the properties of DAO, AGM and ALP are discussed with a view to their role in the agmatine metabolism in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Benítez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - David García
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Nicol Romero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Arlette González
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - José Martínez-Oyanedel
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Maximiliano Figueroa
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Mónica Salas
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Vasthi López
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - María García-Robles
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Peter R Dodd
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Gerhard Schenk
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nelson Carvajal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Elena Uribe
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
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Benaouda F, Jones SA, Chana J, Dal Corno BM, Barlow DJ, Hider RC, Page CP, Forbes B. Ion-Pairing with Spermine Targets Theophylline To the Lungs via the Polyamine Transport System. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:861-870. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Benaouda
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart A. Jones
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Jasminder Chana
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Benedetta M. Dal Corno
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Barlow
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Robert C. Hider
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Clive P. Page
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Forbes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
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Milestones and recent discoveries on cell death mediated by mitochondria and their interactions with biologically active amines. Amino Acids 2016; 48:2313-26. [PMID: 27619911 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2323-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria represent cell "powerhouses," being involved in energy transduction from the electrochemical gradient to ATP synthesis. The morphology of their cell types may change, according to various metabolic processes or osmotic pressure. A new morphology of the inner membrane and mitochondrial cristae, significantly different from the previous one, has been proposed for the inner membrane and mitochondrial cristae, based on the technique of electron tomography. Mitochondrial Ca(2+) transport (the transporter has been isolated) generates reactive oxygen species and induces the mitochondrial permeability transition of both inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, leading to induction of necrosis and apoptosis. In the mitochondria of several cell types (liver, kidney, and heart), mitochondrial oxidative stress is an essential step in the induction of cell death, although not in brain, in which the phenomenon is caused by a different mechanism. Mitochondrial permeability transition drives both apoptosis and necrosis, whereas mitochondrial outer membrane permeability is characteristic of apoptosis. Adenine nucleotide translocase remains the most important component involved in membrane permeability, with the opening of the transition pore, although other proteins, such as ATP synthase or phosphate carriers, have been proposed. Intrinsic cell death is triggered by the release from mitochondria of proteic factors, such as cytochrome c, apoptosis inducing factor, and Smac/DIABLO, with the activation of caspases upon mitochondrial permeability transition or mitochondrial outer membrane permeability induction. Mitochondrial permeability transition induces the permeability of the inner membrane in sites in contact with the outer membrane; mitochondrial outer membrane permeability forms channels on the outer membrane by means of various stimuli involving Bcl-2 family proteins. The biologically active amines, spermine, and agmatine, have specific functions on mitochondria which distinguish them from other amines. Enzymatic oxidative deamination of spermine by amine oxidases in tumor cells may produce reactive oxygen species, leading to transition pore opening and apoptosis. This process could be exploited as a new therapeutic strategy to combat cancer.
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Ramos-Molina B, López-Contreras AJ, Lambertos A, Dardonville C, Cremades A, Peñafiel R. Influence of ornithine decarboxylase antizymes and antizyme inhibitors on agmatine uptake by mammalian cells. Amino Acids 2015; 47:1025-34. [PMID: 25655388 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-1931-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine (4-aminobutylguanidine), a dicationic molecule at physiological pH, exerts relevant modulatory actions at many different molecular target sites in mammalian cells, having been suggested that the administration of this compound may have therapeutic interest. Several plasma membrane transporters have been implicated in agmatine uptake by mammalian cells. Here we report that in kidney-derived COS-7 cell line, at physiological agmatine levels, the general polyamine transporter participates in the plasma membrane translocation of agmatine, with an apparent Km of 44 ± 7 µM and Vmax of 17.3 ± 3.3 nmol h(-1) mg(-1) protein, but that at elevated concentrations, agmatine can be also taken up by other transport systems. In the first case, the physiological polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine), several diguanidines and bis(2-aminoimidazolines) and the polyamine transport inhibitor AMXT-1501 markedly decreased agmatine uptake. In cells transfected with any of the three ornithine decarboxylase antizymes (AZ1, AZ2 and AZ3), agmatine uptake was dramatically reduced. On the contrary, transfection with antizyme inhibitors (AZIN1 and AZIN2) markedly increased the transport of agmatine. Furthermore, whereas putrescine uptake was significantly decreased in cells transfected with ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the accumulation of agmatine was stimulated, suggesting a trans-activating effect of intracellular putrescine on agmatine uptake. All these results indicate that ODC and its regulatory proteins (antizymes and antizyme inhibitors) may influence agmatine homeostasis in mammalian tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
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7
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Spronk HMH, de Jong AM, Crijns HJ, Schotten U, Van Gelder IC, ten Cate H. Pleiotropic effects of factor Xa and thrombin: what to expect from novel anticoagulants. Cardiovasc Res 2014; 101:344-51. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvt343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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8
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Molderings GJ, Haenisch B. Agmatine (decarboxylated l-arginine): Physiological role and therapeutic potential. Pharmacol Ther 2012; 133:351-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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9
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Arndt MA, Battaglia V, Parisi E, Lortie MJ, Isome M, Baskerville C, Pizzo DP, Ientile R, Colombatto S, Toninello A, Satriano J. The arginine metabolite agmatine protects mitochondrial function and confers resistance to cellular apoptosis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2009; 296:C1411-9. [PMID: 19321739 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00529.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous metabolite of arginine, selectively suppresses growth in cells with high proliferative kinetics, such as transformed cells, through depletion of intracellular polyamine levels. In the present study, we depleted intracellular polyamine content with agmatine to determine if attrition by cell death contributes to the growth-suppressive effects. We did not observe an increase in necrosis, DNA fragmentation, or chromatin condensation in Ha-Ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells administered agmatine. In response to Ca(2+)-induced oxidative stress in kidney mitochondrial preparations, agmatine demonstrated attributes of a free radical scavenger by protecting against the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups and decreasing hydrogen peroxide content. The functional outcome was a protective effect against Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial swelling and mitochondrial membrane potential collapse. We also observed decreased expression of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members and of execution caspase-3, implying antiapoptotic potential. Indeed, we found that apoptosis induced by camptothecin or 5-fluorourocil was attenuated in cells administered agmatine. Agmatine may offer an alternative to the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor difluoromethyl ornithine for depletion of intracellular polyamine content while avoiding the complications of increasing polyamine import and reducing the intracellular free radical scavenger capacity of polyamines. Depletion of intracellular polyamine content with agmatine suppressed cell growth, yet its antioxidant capacity afforded protection from mitochondrial insult and resistance to cellular apoptosis. These results could explain the beneficial outcomes observed with agmatine in models of injury and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Ann Arndt
- Division of Nephrology-Hypertension, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
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Isome M, Lortie MJ, Murakami Y, Parisi E, Matsufuji S, Satriano J. The antiproliferative effects of agmatine correlate with the rate of cellular proliferation. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2007; 293:C705-11. [PMID: 17475661 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00084.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Polyamines are small cationic molecules required for cellular proliferation. Agmatine is a biogenic amine unique in its capacity to arrest proliferation in cell lines by depleting intracellular polyamine levels. We previously demonstrated that agmatine enters mammalian cells via the polyamine transport system. As polyamine transport is positively correlated with the rate of cellular proliferation, the current study examines the antiproliferative effects of agmatine on cells with varying proliferative kinetics. Herein, we evaluate agmatine transport, intracellular accumulation, and its effects on antizyme expression and cellular proliferation in nontransformed cell lines and their transformed variants. H-ras- and Src-transformed murine NIH/3T3 cells (Ras/3T3 and Src/3T3, respectively) that were exposed to exogenous agmatine exhibit increased uptake and intracellular accumulation relative to the parental NIH/3T3 cell line. Similar increases were obtained for human primary foreskin fibroblasts relative to a human fibrosarcoma cell line, HT1080. Agmatine increases expression of antizyme, a protein that inhibits polyamine biosynthesis and transport. Ras/3T3 and Src/3T3 cells demonstrated augmented increases in antizyme protein expression relative to NIH/3T3 in response to agmatine. All transformed cell lines were significantly more sensitive to the antiproliferative effects of agmatine than nontransformed lines. These effects were attenuated in the presence of exogenous polyamines or inhibitors of polyamine transport. In conclusion, the antiproliferative effects of agmatine preferentially target transformed cell lines due to the increased agmatine uptake exhibited by cells with short cycling times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Isome
- University of California San Diego and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Division of Nephrology-Hypertension, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
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Goracke-Postle CJ, Overland AC, Stone LS, Fairbanks CA. Agmatine transport into spinal nerve terminals is modulated by polyamine analogs. J Neurochem 2007; 100:132-41. [PMID: 17227436 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04193.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine (decarboxylated arginine) is an endogenous amine found in the CNS that antagonizes NMDA receptors and inhibits nitric oxide synthase. Intrathecally administered agmatine inhibits hyperalgesia evoked by inflammation, nerve injury and intrathecally administered NMDA. These actions suggest an antiglutamatergic neuromodulatory role for agmatine in the spinal cord. Such a function would require a mechanism of regulated clearance of agmatine such as neuronal or glial uptake. Consistent with this concept, radiolabeled agmatine has been shown to accumulate in synaptosomes, but the mechanism of this transport has not been fully characterized. The present study describes an agmatine uptake system in spinal synaptosomes that appears driven by a polyamine transporter. [(3)H]Agmatine uptake was Ca(2+), energy and temperature dependent. [(3)H]Agmatine transport was not moderated by L-arginine, L-glutamate, glycine, GABA, norepinephrine or serotonin. In contrast, [(3)H]agmatine uptake was concentration dependently inhibited by unlabeled putrescine and by unlabeled spermidine (at significantly higher concentrations). Similarly, [(3)H]putrescine uptake was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by unlabeled agmatine and spermidine. The polyamine analogs paraquat and methylglyoxal bis (guanylhydrazone) inhibited, whereas the polyamine transport enhancer difluoromethylornithine increased, [(3)H]agmatine transport. Taken together, these results suggest that agmatine transport into spinal synaptosomes may be governed by a polyamine transport mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J Goracke-Postle
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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12
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Salvi M, Battaglia V, Mancon M, Colombatto S, Cravanzola C, Calheiros R, Marques M, Grillo M, Toninello A. Agmatine is transported into liver mitochondria by a specific electrophoretic mechanism. Biochem J 2006; 396:337-45. [PMID: 16509824 PMCID: PMC1462718 DOI: 10.1042/bj20060003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine, a divalent diamine with two positive charges at physiological pH, is transported into the matrix of liver mitochondria by an energy-dependent mechanism the driving force of which is DeltaPsi (electrical membrane potential). Although this process showed strict electrophoretic behaviour, qualitatively similar to that of polyamines, agmatine is most probably transported by a specific uniporter. Shared transport with polyamines by means of their transporter is excluded, as divalent putrescine and cadaverine are ineffective in inhibiting agmatine uptake. Indeed, the use of the electroneutral transporter of basic amino acids can also be discarded as ornithine, arginine and lysine are completely ineffective at inducing the inhibition of agmatine uptake. The involvement of the monoamine transporter or the existence of a leak pathway are also unlikely. Flux-voltage analysis and the determination of activation enthalpy, which is dependent upon the valence of agmatine, are consistent with the hypothesis that the mitochondrial agmatine transporter is a channel or a single-binding centre-gated pore. The transport of agmatine was non-competitively inhibited by propargylamines, in particular clorgilyne, that are known to be inhibitors of MAO (monoamine oxidase). However, agmatine is normally transported in mitoplasts, thus excluding the involvement of MAO in this process. The I2 imidazoline receptor, which binds agmatine to the mitochondrial membrane, can also be excluded as a possible transporter since its inhibitor, idazoxan, was ineffective at inducing the inhibition of agmatine uptake. Scatchard analysis of membrane binding revealed two types of binding site, S1 and S2, both with mono-co-ordination, and exhibiting high-capacity and low-affinity binding for agmatine compared with polyamines. Agmatine transport in liver mitochondria may be of physiological importance as an indirect regulatory system of cytochrome c oxidase activity and as an inducer mechanism of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Salvi
- *Dipartimento di Chimica Biologica, Università di Padova, Istituto di Neuroscienze del C.N.R., Unità per lo studio delle Biomembrane, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Battaglia
- *Dipartimento di Chimica Biologica, Università di Padova, Istituto di Neuroscienze del C.N.R., Unità per lo studio delle Biomembrane, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Mario Mancon
- *Dipartimento di Chimica Biologica, Università di Padova, Istituto di Neuroscienze del C.N.R., Unità per lo studio delle Biomembrane, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Colombatto
- †Dipartimento di Medicina e Oncologia Sperimentale, Sezione di Biochimica, Università di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Carlo Cravanzola
- †Dipartimento di Medicina e Oncologia Sperimentale, Sezione di Biochimica, Università di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Rita Calheiros
- ‡Unidade de Quimica-Fisica Molecular, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria P. M. Marques
- ‡Unidade de Quimica-Fisica Molecular, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria A. Grillo
- †Dipartimento di Medicina e Oncologia Sperimentale, Sezione di Biochimica, Università di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Antonio Toninello
- *Dipartimento di Chimica Biologica, Università di Padova, Istituto di Neuroscienze del C.N.R., Unità per lo studio delle Biomembrane, 35121 Padova, Italy
- To whom correspondence should be addressed (email )
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Feistritzer C, Mosheimer BA, Sturn DH, Riewald M, Patsch JR, Wiedermann CJ. Endothelial protein C receptor-dependent inhibition of migration of human lymphocytes by protein C involves epidermal growth factor receptor. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2006; 176:1019-25. [PMID: 16393989 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.2.1019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The protein C pathway is an important regulator of the blood coagulation system. Protein C may also play a role in inflammatory and immunomodulatory processes. Whether protein C or activated protein C affects lymphocyte migration and possible mechanisms involved was tested. Lymphocyte migration was studied by micropore filter assays. Lymphocytes that were pretreated with protein C (Ceprotin) or activated protein C (Xigris) significantly reduced their migration toward IL-8, RANTES, MCP-1, and substance P, but not toward sphingosine-1-phosphate. The inhibitory effects of protein C or activated protein C were reversed by Abs against endothelial protein C receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor. Evidence for the synthesis of endothelial protein C receptor by lymphocytes is shown by demonstration of receptor mRNA expression and detection of endothelial protein C receptor immunoreactivity on the cells' surface. Data suggest that an endothelial protein C receptor is expressed by lymphocytes whose activation with protein C or activated protein C arrests directed migration. Exposure of lymphocytes to protein C or activated protein C stimulates phosphorylation of Tyr845 of epidermal growth factor receptor, which may be relevant for cytoprotective effects of the protein C pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Feistritzer
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Navarro JF, Luna G. An ethopharmacological assessment of agmatine's effects on agonistic encounters between male mice. Aggress Behav 2005. [DOI: 10.1002/ab.20088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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15
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Abstract
Agmatine is a metabolite of L-arginine. It is formed by the decarboxylation of L-arginine via arginine decarboxylase in bacteria, plants and mammals. It is becoming clear that it has multiple physiological functions as a potential transmitter. Agmatine binds to alpha2-adrenoceptors and to imidazoline binding sites. It blocks NMDA receptors and other ligand-gated cation channels. It also inhibits nitric oxide synthase, induces release of peptide hormones and antizyme and plays a role during cell proliferation by interacting with the generation and transport of polyamines. Although the precise function of endogenously released agmatine is presently still unclear, this review will summarize several aspects concerning the biological function of agmatine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Berkels
- Institut für Pharmakologie, Klinikum der Universität zu Köln, Gleueler Str. 24, D-50931 Köln, Germany.
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Li YF, Gong ZH, Cao JB, Wang HL, Luo ZP, Li J. Antidepressant-like effect of agmatine and its possible mechanism. Eur J Pharmacol 2003; 469:81-8. [PMID: 12782188 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-2999(03)01735-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In mammalian brain, agmatine is an endogenous neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator, which is considered as an endogenous ligand for imidazoline receptors. In this study, the antidepressant-like action of agmatine administered p.o. or s.c. was evaluated in three behavioral models in mice or rats. Agmatine at doses 40 and 80 mg/kg (p.o.) reduced immobility time in the tail suspension test and forced swim test in mice or at dose 20 mg/kg (s.c.) in the forced swim test. Agmatine also reduced immobility time at 10 mg/kg (p.o.) or at 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg (s.c.) in the forced swim test in rats. These results firstly indicated that agmatine possessed an antidepressant-like action. With 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, 1, 10 and 100 microM agmatine or a classical antidepressant, 2.5 and 10 microM desipramine, protected PC12 cells from the lesion induced by 300 microM N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) treatment for 24 h. Using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD), it was found that the levels of monoamines including norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in PC12 cells decreased after the treatment with 200 microM NMDA for 24 h, while in the presence of 1 and 10 microM agmatine or 1 and 5 microM desipramine, the levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine or dopamine were elevated significantly while 5-HT did not change. Moreover, norepinephrine, 5-HT or dopamine had the same cytoprotective effect as agmatine at doses 0.1, 1 and 10 microM. In the fura-2/AM (acetoxymethyl ester) labeling assay, 1 and 10 microM agmatine, 1 and 5 microM desipramine or monoamines norepinephrine, 5-HT at doses 0.1 and 1 microM attenuated the intracellular Ca(2+) overloading induced by 200 microM NMDA treatment for 24 h in PC12 cells. In summary, we firstly demonstrated that agmatine has an antidepressant-like effect in mice and rats. A classical antidepressant, desipramine, as well as agmatine or monoamines protect the PC12 cells from the lesion induced by NMDA treatment. Agmatine reverses the NMDA-induced intracellular Ca(2+) overloading and the decrease of monoamines (including norepinephrine, epinephrine or dopamine) contents in PC12 cells, indicating that agmatine's antidepressant-like action may be related to its modulation of NMDA receptor activity and/or reversal of the decrease of monoamine contents and Ca(2+) overloading induced by NMDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Feng Li
- Division of Psychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China.
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