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Fotio Y, Mabou Tagne A, Squire E, Lee HL, Phillips CM, Chang K, Ahmed F, Greenberg AS, Villalta SA, Scarfone VM, Spadoni G, Mor M, Piomelli D. NAAA-regulated lipid signaling in monocytes controls the induction of hyperalgesic priming in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1705. [PMID: 38402219 PMCID: PMC10894261 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46139-5] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Circulating monocytes participate in pain chronification but the molecular events that cause their deployment are unclear. Using a mouse model of hyperalgesic priming (HP), we show that monocytes enable progression to pain chronicity through a mechanism that requires transient activation of the hydrolase, N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA), and the consequent suppression of NAAA-regulated lipid signaling at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α). Inhibiting NAAA in the 72 hours following administration of a priming stimulus prevented HP. This effect was phenocopied by NAAA deletion and depended on PPAR-α recruitment. Mice lacking NAAA in CD11b+ cells - monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils - were resistant to HP induction. Conversely, mice overexpressing NAAA or lacking PPAR-α in the same cells were constitutively primed. Depletion of monocytes, but not resident macrophages, generated mice that were refractory to HP. The results identify NAAA-regulated signaling in monocytes as a control node in the induction of HP and, potentially, the transition to pain chronicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Fotio
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alex Mabou Tagne
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Erica Squire
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Hye-Lim Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Connor M Phillips
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kayla Chang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Faizy Ahmed
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - S Armando Villalta
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Vanessa M Scarfone
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università di Urbino "Carlo Bo,", Urbino, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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2
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Maccarrone M, Di Marzo V, Gertsch J, Grether U, Howlett AC, Hua T, Makriyannis A, Piomelli D, Ueda N, van der Stelt M. Goods and Bads of the Endocannabinoid System as a Therapeutic Target: Lessons Learned after 30 Years. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:885-958. [PMID: 37164640 PMCID: PMC10441647 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The cannabis derivative marijuana is the most widely used recreational drug in the Western world and is consumed by an estimated 83 million individuals (∼3% of the world population). In recent years, there has been a marked transformation in society regarding the risk perception of cannabis, driven by its legalization and medical use in many states in the United States and worldwide. Compelling research evidence and the Food and Drug Administration cannabis-derived cannabidiol approval for severe childhood epilepsy have confirmed the large therapeutic potential of cannabidiol itself, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids). Of note, our body has a complex endocannabinoid system (ECS)-made of receptors, metabolic enzymes, and transporters-that is also regulated by phytocannabinoids. The first endocannabinoid to be discovered 30 years ago was anandamide (N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine); since then, distinct elements of the ECS have been the target of drug design programs aimed at curing (or at least slowing down) a number of human diseases, both in the central nervous system and at the periphery. Here a critical review of our knowledge of the goods and bads of the ECS as a therapeutic target is presented to define the benefits of ECS-active phytocannabinoids and ECS-oriented synthetic drugs for human health. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The endocannabinoid system plays important roles virtually everywhere in our body and is either involved in mediating key processes of central and peripheral diseases or represents a therapeutic target for treatment. Therefore, understanding the structure, function, and pharmacology of the components of this complex system, and in particular of key receptors (like cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2) and metabolic enzymes (like fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase), will advance our understanding of endocannabinoid signaling and activity at molecular, cellular, and system levels, providing new opportunities to treat patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Uwe Grether
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Allyn C Howlett
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Tian Hua
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Natsuo Ueda
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
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3
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Mock ED, Gagestein B, van der Stelt M. Anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines: A class of signaling lipids with therapeutic opportunities. Prog Lipid Res 2023; 89:101194. [PMID: 36150527 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2022.101194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), including N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA), N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA, anandamide), N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA, synaptamide) and their oxygenated metabolites are a lipid messenger family with numerous functions in health and disease, including inflammation, anxiety and energy metabolism. The NAEs exert their signaling role through activation of various G protein-coupled receptors (cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, GPR55, GPR110, GPR119), ion channels (TRPV1) and nuclear receptors (PPAR-α and PPAR-γ) in the brain and periphery. The biological role of the oxygenated NAEs, such as prostamides, hydroxylated anandamide and DHEA derivatives, are less studied. Evidence is accumulating that NAEs and their oxidative metabolites may be aberrantly regulated or are associated with disease severity in obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, neuroinflammation and liver cirrhosis. Here, we comprehensively review NAE biosynthesis and degradation, their metabolism by lipoxygenases, cyclooxygenases and cytochrome P450s and the biological functions of these signaling lipids. We discuss the latest findings and therapeutic potential of modulating endogenous NAE levels by inhibition of their degradation, which is currently under clinical evaluation for neuropsychiatric disorders. We also highlight NAE biosynthesis inhibition as an emerging topic with therapeutic opportunities in endocannabinoid and NAE signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot D Mock
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and Oncode Institute, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Berend Gagestein
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and Oncode Institute, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and Oncode Institute, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands.
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4
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Li Y, Li Y, Xu S, Chen Y, Zhou P, Hu T, Li H, Liu Y, Xu Y, Ren J, Qiu Y, Lu C. N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) exacerbates psoriasis inflammation by enhancing dendritic cell (DCs) maturation. Pharmacol Res 2022; 185:106491. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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5
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Palese F, Pontis S, Realini N, Torrens A, Ahmed F, Assogna F, Pellicano C, Bossù P, Spalletta G, Green K, Piomelli D. Targeting NAAA counters dopamine neuron loss and symptom progression in mouse models of parkinsonism. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106338. [PMID: 35781057 PMCID: PMC9733952 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The lysosomal cysteine hydrolase N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) deactivates palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a lipid-derived PPAR-α agonist that is critically involved in the control of pain and inflammation. In this study, we asked whether NAAA-regulated PEA signaling might contribute to dopamine neuron degeneration and parkinsonism induced by the mitochondrial neurotoxins, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In vitro experiments showed that 6-OHDA and MPTP enhanced NAAA expression and lowered PEA content in human SH-SY5Y cells. A similar effect was observed in mouse midbrain dopamine neurons following intra-striatal 6-OHDA injection. Importantly, deletion of the Naaa gene or pharmacological inhibition of NAAA activity substantially attenuated both dopamine neuron death and parkinsonian symptoms in mice treated with 6-OHDA or MPTP. Moreover, NAAA expression was elevated in postmortem brain cortex and premortem blood-derived exosomes from persons with Parkinson's disease compared to age-matched controls. The results identify NAAA-regulated PEA signaling as a molecular control point for dopaminergic neuron survival and a potential target for neuroprotective intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Palese
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology University of California Irvine, 92697-1275 CA, USA
| | - Silvia Pontis
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Natalia Realini
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alexa Torrens
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology University of California Irvine, 92697-1275 CA, USA
| | - Faizy Ahmed
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology University of California Irvine, 92697-1275 CA, USA
| | - Francesca Assogna
- Laboratorio di Neuropsichiatria, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Clelia Pellicano
- Laboratorio di Neuropsichiatria, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bossù
- Laboratorio di Neuropsichiatria, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Spalletta
- Laboratorio di Neuropsichiatria, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Kim Green
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, 92697-1275 CA, USA
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology University of California Irvine, 92697-1275 CA, USA,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, 92697-1275 CA, USA,Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, 92697-1275 CA, USA
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6
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Cifelli P, Ruffolo G, Ceccanti M, Cambieri C, Libonati L, Palma E, Inghilleri M. Classical and Unexpected Effects of Ultra-Micronized PEA in Neuromuscular Function. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060758. [PMID: 35740883 PMCID: PMC9221058 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the endocannabinoid system has attracted growing attention from the scientific community for its involvement in homeostatic and pathological processes as they pertains to human physiology. Among the constituents of the endocannabinoid system, the molecule palmitoyl ethanolamide has particularly been studied for its ability to reduce several inflammatory processes involving the central nervous system. Here, we reviewed published literature and summarized the main targets of the palmitoyl ethanolamide, along with its unique possible mechanisms for restoring correct functioning of the central nervous system. Moreover, we have highlighted a less-known characteristic of palmitoyl ethanolamide, namely its ability to modulate the function of the neuromuscular junction by binding to acetylcholine receptors in different experimental conditions. Indeed, there are several studies that have highlighted how ultra-micronized palmitoyl ethanolamide is an interesting nutraceutical support for the treatment of pathological neuromuscular conditions, specifically when the normal activity of the acetylcholine receptor is altered. Although further multicentric clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of ultra-micronized palmitoyl ethanolamide in improving symptoms of neuromuscular diseases, all the literature reviewed here strongly supports the ability of this endocannabinoid-like molecule to modulate the acetylcholine receptors thus resulting as a valid support for the treatment of human neuromuscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierangelo Cifelli
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.C.); (M.I.)
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.R.); (E.P.)
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ceccanti
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Chiara Cambieri
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Laura Libonati
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.); (L.L.)
- Correspondence: (P.C.); (M.I.)
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7
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Xie X, Li Y, Xu S, Zhou P, Yang L, Xu Y, Qiu Y, Yang Y, Li Y. Genetic Blockade of NAAA Cell-specifically Regulates Fatty Acid Ethanolamides (FAEs) Metabolism and Inflammatory Responses. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:817603. [PMID: 35069223 PMCID: PMC8777083 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.817603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is a lysosomal enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of fatty acid ethanolamides (FAEs). However, the role of NAAA in FAEs metabolism and regulation of pain and inflammation remains mostly unknown. Here, we generated NAAA-deficient (NAAA-/-) mice using CRISPR-Cas9 technique, and found that deletion of NAAA increased PEA and AEA levels in bone marrow (BM) and macrophages, and elevated AEA levels in lungs. Unexpectedly, genetic blockade of NAAA caused moderately effective anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI), and poor analgesic effects in carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia and sciatic nerve injury (SNI)-induced mechanical allodynia. These data contrasted with acute (single dose) or chronic NAAA inhibition by F96, which produced marked anti-inflammation and analgesia in these models. BM chimera experiments indicated that these phenotypes were associated with the absence of NAAA in non-BM cells, whereas deletion of NAAA in BM or BM-derived cells in rodent models resulted in potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory phenotypes. When combined, current study suggested that genetic blockade of NAAA regulated FAEs metabolism and inflammatory responses in a cell-specifical manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,School of Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yitian Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Third Hospital of Mianyang/Sichuan Mental Health Center, Mianyang, China
| | - Sennan Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Pan Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Longhe Yang
- Technical Innovation Center for Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, China
| | - Yaping Xu
- Key Laboratory of Functional and Clinical Translational Medicine, Xiamen Medical College, Fujian Province University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yan Qiu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Third Hospital of Mianyang/Sichuan Mental Health Center, Mianyang, China
| | - Yungang Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,School of Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuhang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian, China.,Xiamen Institute of Rare-earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian, China
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8
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Huang D, Shen J, Zhai L, Chen H, Fei J, Zhu X, Zhou J. Insights Into the Prognostic Value and Immunological Role of NAAA in Pan-Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 12:812713. [PMID: 35069601 PMCID: PMC8772335 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.812713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Acylethanolamine Acid Amidase (NAAA) is an N-terminal cysteine hydrolase and plays a vital physiological role in inflammatory response. However, the roles of NAAA in tumor immunity are still unclear. By using a series of bioinformatics approaches, we study combined data from different databases, including the Cancer Genome Atlas, the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, Genotype Tissue-Expression, cBioPortal, Human Protein Atlas, TIMER, and ImmuCellAI to investigate the role of NAAA expression in prognosis and tumor immunity response. We would like to reveal the potential correlations between NAAA expression and gene alterations, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), DNA methylation, tumor microenvironment (TME), immune infiltration levels, and various immune-related genes across different cancers. The results show that NAAA displayed abnormal expression within most malignant tumors, and overexpression of NAAA was associated with the poor prognosis of tumor patients. Through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), we found that NAAA was significantly associated with cell cycle and immune regulation-related signaling pathways, such as in innate immune system, adaptive immune system, neutrophil degranulation, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways (TLRs). Further, the expression of NAAA was also confirmed to be correlated with tumor microenvironment and diverse infiltration of immune cells, especially tumor-associated macrophage (TAM). In addition to this, we found that NAAA is co-expressed with genes encoding major histocompatibility complex (MHC), immune activation, immune suppression, chemokine, and chemokine receptors. Meanwhile, we demonstrate that NAAA expression was correlated with TMB in 4 cancers and with MSI in 10 cancers. Our study reveals that NAAA plays an important role in tumorigenesis and cancer immunity, which may be used to function as a prognostic biomarker and potential target for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Huang
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiayu Shen
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lingyun Zhai
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huanhuan Chen
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Fei
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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9
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Li Y, Zhou P, Hu T, Ren J, Xu Y, Qiu Y, Lu C, Li Y. NAAA inhibitor F96 attenuates BBB disruption and secondary injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 912:174561. [PMID: 34655598 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death worldwide, for which there is currently no comprehensive treatment available. Preventing blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is crucial for TBI treatment. N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA)-regulated palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) signaling play an important role in the control of inflammation. However, the role of NAAA in BBB dysfunction following TBI remains unclear. In the present study, we found that TBI induces the increase of PEA levels in the injured cortex, which prevent the disruption of BBB after TBI. TBI also induces the infiltration of NAAA-contained neutrophils, increasing the contribution of NAAA to the PEA degradation. Neutrophil-derived NAAA weakens PEA/PPARα-mediated BBB protective effects after TBI, facilitates the accumulation of immune cells, leading to secondary expansion of tissue injury. Inactivation of NAAA increased PEA levels in injured site, prevents early BBB damage and improves secondary injury, thereby eliciting long-term functional improvements after TBI. This study identified a new role of NAAA in TBI, suggesting that NAAA is a new important target for BBB dysfunction related CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitian Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, And Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Third Hospital of Mianyang/Sichuan Mental Health Center, Mianyang, 621000, Sichuan, China
| | - Pan Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, And Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 China
| | - Ting Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, And Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; Xiamen Institute of Rare-earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian, 361005, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Yaping Xu
- Key Laboratory of Functional and Clinical Translational Medicine, Fujian Province University, Xiamen Medical College, China
| | - Yan Qiu
- Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Canzhong Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, And Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; Xiamen Institute of Rare-earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian, 361005, China
| | - Yuhang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, And Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; Xiamen Institute of Rare-earth Materials, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian, 361005, China; Key Laboratory of Functional and Clinical Translational Medicine, Fujian Province University, Xiamen Medical College, China.
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10
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Sgroi S, Romeo E, Fruscia PD, Porceddu PF, Russo D, Realini N, Albanesi E, Bandiera T, Bertozzi F, Reggiani A. Inhibition of N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase reduces T cell infiltration in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105816. [PMID: 34391933 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), in which myeloid cells sustain inflammation, take part in priming, differentiation, and reactivation of myelin-specific T cells, and cause direct myelin damage. N-Acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) is a proinflammatory enzyme induced by phlogosis and overexpressed in macrophages and microglia of EAE mice. Targeting these cell populations by inhibiting NAAA may be a promising pharmacological strategy to modulate the inflammatory aspect of MS and manage disease progression. To address this goal, we used ARN16186, a small molecule specifically designed and synthesized as a pharmacological tool to inhibit NAAA. We assessed whether enzyme inhibition affected the severity of neurological symptoms and modulated immune cell infiltration into the central nervous system of EAE mice. We found that preventive chronic treatment with ARN16186 was efficacious in slowing disease progression and preserving locomotor activity in EAE mice. Furthermore, NAAA inhibition reduced the number of immune cells infiltrating the spinal cord and modulated the overactivation of NF-kB and STAT3 transcription factors, leading to less expansion of Th17 cells over the course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Sgroi
- D3-Validation, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Elisa Romeo
- D3-Validation, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Paolo Di Fruscia
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | | | - Debora Russo
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Natalia Realini
- D3-Validation, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Ennio Albanesi
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Neurofacility, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Tiziano Bandiera
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Fabio Bertozzi
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Angelo Reggiani
- D3-Validation, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy.
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11
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Ghidini A, Scalvini L, Palese F, Lodola A, Mor M, Piomelli D. Different roles for the acyl chain and the amine leaving group in the substrate selectivity of N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 36:1411-1423. [PMID: 34256657 PMCID: PMC8279155 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1912035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is an N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolase that catalyses the intracellular deactivation of the endogenous analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). NAAA inhibitors counteract this process and exert marked therapeutic effects in animal models of pain, inflammation and neurodegeneration. While it is known that NAAA preferentially hydrolyses saturated fatty acid ethanolamides (FAEs), a detailed profile of the relationship between catalytic efficiency and fatty acid-chain length is still lacking. In this report, we combined enzymatic and molecular modelling approaches to determine the effects of acyl chain and polar head modifications on substrate recognition and hydrolysis by NAAA. The results show that, in both saturated and monounsaturated FAEs, the catalytic efficiency is strictly dependent upon fatty acyl chain length, whereas there is a wider tolerance for modifications of the polar heads. This relationship reflects the relative stability of enzyme-substrate complexes in molecular dynamics simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ghidini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Palese
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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12
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Abstract
In this review, the state of the art for compounds affecting the endocannabinoid (eCB) system is described with a focus on the treatment of pain. Amongst directly acting CB receptor ligands, clinical experience with ∆9 -tetrahydracannabinol and medical cannabis in chronic non-cancer pain indicates that there are differences between the benefits perceived by patients and the at best modest effect seen in meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. The reason for this difference is not known but may involve differences in the type of patients that are recruited, the study conditions that are chosen and the degree to which biases such as reporting bias are operative. Other directly acting CB receptor ligands such as biased agonists and allosteric receptor modulators have not yet reached the clinic. Amongst indirectly acting compounds targeting the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and catabolism of the eCBs anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors have been investigated clinically but were per se not useful for the treatment of pain, although they may be useful for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and cannabis use disorder. Dual-acting compounds targeting this enzyme and other targets such as cyclooxygenase-2 or transient potential vanilloid receptor 1 may be a way forward for the treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Fowler
- From the, Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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13
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Fotio Y, Sasso O, Ciccocioppo R, Piomelli D. Antinociceptive Profile of ARN19702, (2-Ethylsulfonylphenyl)-[(2S)-4-(6-fluoro-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperazin-1-yl]methanone, a Novel Orally Active N-Acylethanolamine Acid Amidase Inhibitor, in Animal Models. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 378:70-76. [PMID: 33986036 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is an N-terminal cysteine hydrolase that stops the physiologic actions of palmitoylethanolamide, an endogenous lipid messenger that activates the transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α We have previously reported that the compound ARN19702 [(2-ethylsulfonylphenyl)-[(2S)-4-(6-fluoro-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperazin-1-yl]methanone] is an orally active, reversible NAAA inhibitor (IC50 on human NAAA = 230 nM) that produces remarkable protective effects against multiple sclerosis in mice. In the present study, we assessed the profile of ARN19702 in mouse and rat models of acute and neuropathic pain. Oral administration in male mice attenuated in a dose-dependent manner the spontaneous nocifensive response elicited by intraplantar formalin injection and the hypersensitivity caused by intraplantar carrageenan injection, paw incision, or sciatic nerve ligation. In male rats, ARN19702 reduced nociception associated with paclitaxel-induced neuropathy without development of subacute antinociceptive tolerance. Finally, ARN19702 (30 mg/kg, oral) did not produce place preference or alter exploratory motor behavior in male mice. The findings support the conclusion that NAAA is a suitable molecular target for the discovery of efficacious analgesic drugs devoid of rewarding potential. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study evaluated the pharmacological profile of the orally bioavailable N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) inhibitor (2-ethylsulfonylphenyl)-[(2S)-4-(6-fluoro-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperazin-1-yl]methanone (ARN19702) in mouse and rat models of neurogenic and inflammatory pain. The compound's potential rewarding and sedative effects were also examined. It is concluded that ARN19702 exhibits a broad analgesic profile that can be generalized across rodent species. The findings point to NAAA as a control node in the processing of neuropathic and inflammatory pain and to ARN19702 as a lead to uncover novel pain therapeutics devoid of addictive potential .
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Fotio
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology (Y.F., D.P.), Biological Chemistry (D.P.), and Pharmaceutical Sciences (D.P.), University of California, Irvine, California; Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Technologia, Genova, Italy (O.S.); and School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Oscar Sasso
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology (Y.F., D.P.), Biological Chemistry (D.P.), and Pharmaceutical Sciences (D.P.), University of California, Irvine, California; Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Technologia, Genova, Italy (O.S.); and School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology (Y.F., D.P.), Biological Chemistry (D.P.), and Pharmaceutical Sciences (D.P.), University of California, Irvine, California; Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Technologia, Genova, Italy (O.S.); and School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy (R.C.)
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology (Y.F., D.P.), Biological Chemistry (D.P.), and Pharmaceutical Sciences (D.P.), University of California, Irvine, California; Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Technologia, Genova, Italy (O.S.); and School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy (R.C.)
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14
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Malamas MS, Pavlopoulos S, Alapafuja SO, Farah SI, Zvonok A, Mohammad KA, West J, Perry NT, Pelekoudas DN, Rajarshi G, Shields C, Chandrashekhar H, Wood J, Makriyannis A. Design and Structure-Activity Relationships of Isothiocyanates as Potent and Selective N-Acylethanolamine-Hydrolyzing Acid Amidase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5956-5972. [PMID: 33900772 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
N-Acylethanolamines are signaling lipid molecules implicated in pathophysiological conditions associated with inflammation and pain. N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) favorably hydrolyzes lipid palmitoylethanolamide, which plays a key role in the regulation of inflammatory and pain processes. The synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies encompassing the isothiocyanate pharmacophore have produced potent low nanomolar inhibitors for hNAAA, while exhibiting high selectivity (>100-fold) against other serine hydrolases and cysteine peptidases. We have followed a target-based structure-activity relationship approach, supported by computational methods and known cocrystals of hNAAA. We have identified systemically active inhibitors with good plasma stability (t1/2 > 2 h) and microsomal stability (t1/2 ∼ 15-30 min) as pharmacological tools to investigate the role of NAAA in inflammation, pain, and drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Spiro Pavlopoulos
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Shakiru O Alapafuja
- MAK Scientific LLC, 151 South Bedford Street, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, United States
| | - Shrouq I Farah
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Alexander Zvonok
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Khadijah A Mohammad
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jay West
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nicholas Thomas Perry
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Dimitrios N Pelekoudas
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Girija Rajarshi
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Christina Shields
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Honrao Chandrashekhar
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jodi Wood
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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15
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N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) inhibition decreases the motivation for alcohol in Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:249-258. [PMID: 33037452 PMCID: PMC7796956 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05678-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is an intracellular cysteine hydrolase that terminates the biological actions of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), two endogenous lipid-derived agonists of the nuclear receptor, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α. OEA and PEA are important regulators of energy balance, pain, and inflammation, but recent evidence suggests that they might also contribute to the control of reward-related behaviors. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS In the present study, we investigated the effects of systemic and intracerebral NAAA inhibition in the two-bottle choice model of voluntary alcohol drinking and on operant alcohol self-administration. RESULTS Intraperitoneal injections of the systemically active NAAA inhibitor ARN19702 (3 and 10 mg/kg) lowered voluntary alcohol intake in a dose-dependent manner, achieving ≈ 47% reduction at the 10 mg/kg dose (p < 0.001). Water, food, or saccharin consumption was not affected by the inhibitor. Similarly, ARN19702 dose-dependently attenuated alcohol self-administration under both fixed ratio 1 (FR-1) and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement. Furthermore, microinjection of ARN19702 (1, 3 and 10 μg/μl) or of two chemically different NAAA inhibitors, ARN077 and ARN726 (both at 3 and 10 μg/μl), into the midbrain ventral tegmental area produced dose-dependent decreases in alcohol self-administration under FR-1 schedule. Microinjection of ARN19702 into the nucleus accumbens had no such effect. CONCLUSION Collectively, the results point to NAAA as a possible molecular target for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
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16
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Lu Y, Yin Y, Gong L. Meibomian gland dysfunction model induced with complete Freund's adjuvant in C57BL/6 mice. Int J Ophthalmol 2020; 13:1705-1712. [PMID: 33214999 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2020.11.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To establish a new inflammatory animal model of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in C57BL/6 mice. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) group (14 animals, 14 eyes), naphthazolin hydrochloride (NH) group (14 animals, 14 eyes) and control group (14 animals, 14 eyes). In CFA group, CFA was used in eyelid conjunctiva injection; in NH group, NH eye drops were used twice a day; control group was injected with equal dose of saline at the same time point and same site with animals in CFA group. The meibomian gland orifices score (MGOS) was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 3 in the middle five meibomian gland orifices of the upper and lower eyelid using slit lamp. After the successful induction of each animal model, intense pulsed light (IPL) was introduced on each mouse in CFA and NH group. Oil red O (ORO), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were performed before and after successful induction of CFA, NH and control group. RESULTS At 12wk after CFA injection, inflammatory cell infiltration and fiber necrosis was observed, with acinar density and duct dilatation significantly lower compared with control group. In NH group, the meibomian gland acini were relatively smaller and deformed compared with control group, the number of meibomian gland acini was also slightly lower. No inflammatory cell or fiber necrosis was observed in NH group. After three times of IPL treatment (5/10 mice in each group, and the other 5 mice served as non-IPL control), MGOS was significantly lower in IPL-treated mice in NH group (P<0.01). After three times of IPL treatment, the MGOS of NH group was significantly lower than that in the CFA group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION We develop a novel animal model that studies the role of inflammation in the development of MGD and IPL treatment. This model indicates that persistent inflammatory state may be the cause of MGD and weaken the therapeutic effect of IPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye&ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye&ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lan Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye&ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
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17
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The Basal Pharmacology of Palmitoylethanolamide. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21217942. [PMID: 33114698 PMCID: PMC7662788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA, N-hexadecanoylethanolamide) is an endogenous compound belonging to the family of N-acylethanolamines. PEA has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and is very well tolerated in humans. In the present article, the basal pharmacology of PEA is reviewed. In terms of its pharmacokinetic properties, most work has been undertaken upon designing formulations for its absorption and upon characterising the enzymes involved in its metabolism, but little is known about its bioavailability, tissue distribution, and excretion pathways. PEA exerts most of its biological effects in the body secondary to the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), but PPAR-α-independent pathways involving other receptors (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), GPR55) have also been identified. Given the potential clinical utility of PEA, not least for the treatment of pain where there is a clear need for new well-tolerated drugs, we conclude that the gaps in our knowledge, in particular those relating to the pharmacokinetic properties of the compound, need to be filled.
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18
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Yang L, Ji C, Li Y, Hu F, Zhang F, Zhang H, Li L, Ren J, Wang Z, Qiu Y. Natural Potent NAAA Inhibitor Atractylodin Counteracts LPS-Induced Microglial Activation. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:577319. [PMID: 33117168 PMCID: PMC7565389 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.577319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) is a lysosomal enzyme that inhibits the degradation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endogenous lipid that induces analgesic, anti-inflammation, and anti-multiple sclerosis through PPARα activation. Only a few potent NAAA inhibitors have been reported to date, which is mainly due to the restricted substrate-binding site of NAAA. Here, we established a high-throughput fluorescence-based assay for NAAA inhibitor screening. Several new classes of NAAA inhibitors were discovered from a small library of natural products. One of these is atractylodin, a polyethylene alkyne compound from the root of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb) DC., which significantly inhibits NAAA activity and has an IC50 of 2.81 µM. Kinetic analyses and dialysis assays suggested that atractylodin engages in competitive inhibition via reversible reaction to the enzyme. Docking assays revealed that atractylodin occupies the catalytic cavity of NAAA, where the atractylodin furan head group has a hydrophobic-related interaction with the backbone of the Trp181 and Leu152 residues of human NAAA. Further investigation indicated that atractylodin significantly increases PEA and OEA levels and dose-dependently inhibits LPS-induced nitrate, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 pro-inflammatory cytokine release in BV-2 microglia. Our results show that atractylodin elevates cellular PEA levels and inhibits microglial activation by inhibiting NAAA activity, which in turn could contribute to NAAA functional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longhe Yang
- Technical Innovation Center for Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, China
| | - Chunyan Ji
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yitian Li
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Fan Hu
- Technical Innovation Center for Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Technical Innovation Center for Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, China
| | - Haiping Zhang
- Center for High Performance Computing, Joint Engineering Research Center for Health Big Data Intelligent Analysis Technology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Long Li
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhaokai Wang
- Technical Innovation Center for Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, China
| | - Yan Qiu
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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19
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Zhan X, Wu H, Wu H. Joint Synovial Fluid Metabolomics Method to Decipher the Metabolic Mechanisms of Adjuvant Arthritis and Geniposide Intervention. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:3769-3778. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhan
- The College of Pharmacy of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230038, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Huan Wu
- The College of Pharmacy of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230038, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Hong Wu
- The College of Pharmacy of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230038, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei 230012, China
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20
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N-Acylethanolamine Acid Amidase contributes to disease progression in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105064. [PMID: 32634582 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) deactivates the endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) agonist palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). NAAA-regulated PEA signaling participates in the control of peripheral inflammation, but evidence suggests also a role in the modulation of neuroinflammatory pathologies such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we show that disease progression in the mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS is accompanied by induction of NAAA expression in spinal cord, which in presymptomatic animals is confined to motor neurons and oligodendrocytes but, as EAE progresses, extends to microglia/macrophages and other cell types. As previously reported for NAAA inhibition, genetic NAAA deletion delayed disease onset and attenuated symptom intensity in female EAE mice, suggesting that accrued NAAA expression may contribute to pathology. To further delineate the role of NAAA in EAE, we generated a mouse line that selectively overexpresses the enzyme in macrophages, microglia and other monocyte-derived cells. Non-stimulated alveolar macrophages from these NaaaCD11b+ mice contain higher-than-normal levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and display an activated morphology. Furthermore, intranasal lipopolysaccharide injections cause greater alveolar leukocyte accumulation in NaaaCD11b+ than in control mice. NaaaCD11b+ mice also display a more aggressive clinical response to EAE induction, compared to their wild-type littermates. The results identify NAAA as a critical control step in EAE pathogenesis, and point to this enzyme as a possible target for the treatment of MS.
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21
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Piomelli D, Scalvini L, Fotio Y, Lodola A, Spadoni G, Tarzia G, Mor M. N-Acylethanolamine Acid Amidase (NAAA): Structure, Function, and Inhibition. J Med Chem 2020; 63:7475-7490. [PMID: 32191459 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is an N-terminal cysteine hydrolase primarily found in the endosomal-lysosomal compartment of innate and adaptive immune cells. NAAA catalyzes the hydrolytic deactivation of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a lipid-derived peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) agonist that exerts profound anti-inflammatory effects in animal models. Emerging evidence points to NAAA-regulated PEA signaling at PPAR-α as a critical control point for the induction and the resolution of inflammation and to NAAA itself as a target for anti-inflammatory medicines. The present Perspective discusses three key aspects of this hypothesis: the role of NAAA in controlling the signaling activity of PEA; the structural bases for NAAA function and inhibition by covalent and noncovalent agents; and finally, the potential value of NAAA-targeting drugs in the treatment of human inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4625, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4625, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4625, United States
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Yannick Fotio
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4625, United States
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Piazza Rinascimento 6, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tarzia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Piazza Rinascimento 6, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
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22
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Chen Q, Ji C, Zheng R, Yang L, Ren J, Li Y, Han Y, Zhou P, Liu Z, Qiu Y. N-Palmitoylethanolamine Maintains Local Lipid Homeostasis to Relieve Sleep Deprivation-Induced Dry Eye Syndrome. Front Pharmacol 2020; 10:1622. [PMID: 32047441 PMCID: PMC6997544 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep loss is a key factor associated with dry eye. Use of a “stick over water” mouse model revealed that sleep deprivation induces accumulation of lipids, hypertrophy, and dysfunction of the lacrimal gland. These changes result in decreased tear production and dry eye clinical signs. The specific pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to dry eye remain unclear. In this study, we found that sleep deprivation decreased endogenous lipid palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) expression in the lacrimal gland. The reduced expression was mainly attributed to the decreased expression of N-acylated phosphatidylethanolamine–phospholipase D, the synthetic enzyme of PEA. Exogenous PEA treatment restored local lipid metabolism homeostasis in the lacrimal gland. This change was accompanied by reduced lipid deposition, maintenance of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial morphology, and improved acinar cell secretory function. PEA treatment also prevented damage to corneal barrier function and improved the dry eye clinical signs caused by sleep deprivation. The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) was found to mediate the PEA-associated improvements. We describe here for the first time that PEA is involved in sleep deprivation–induced lacrimal gland pathogenesis and dry eye development. PEA and its metabolizing enzymes may serve as adjunctive therapeutic targets for treatment of dry eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen University Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen, China
| | - Chunyan Ji
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ruihe Zheng
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Longhe Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Marine Biological Resource Comprehensive Utilization, Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yitian Li
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yun Han
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen University Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen, China
| | - Pan Zhou
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zuguo Liu
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen University Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen, China
| | - Yan Qiu
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen University Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen, China
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23
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Cordaro M, Siracusa R, Impellizzeri D, D' Amico R, Peritore AF, Crupi R, Gugliandolo E, Fusco R, Di Paola R, Schievano C, Cuzzocrea S. Safety and efficacy of a new micronized formulation of the ALIAmide palmitoylglucosamine in preclinical models of inflammation and osteoarthritis pain. Arthritis Res Ther 2019; 21:254. [PMID: 31779692 PMCID: PMC6883534 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-019-2048-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Osteoarthritis is increasingly recognized as the result of a complex interplay between inflammation, chrondrodegeneration, and pain. Joint mast cells are considered to play a key role in orchestrating this detrimental triad. ALIAmides down-modulate mast cells and more generally hyperactive cells. Here we investigated the safety and effectiveness of the ALIAmide N-palmitoyl-d-glucosamine (PGA) in inflammation and osteoarthritis pain. Methods Acute toxicity of micronized PGA (m-PGA) was assessed in rats following OECD Guideline No.425. PGA and m-PGA (30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) were orally administered to carrageenan (CAR)-injected rats. Dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg was used as reference. Paw edema and thermal hyperalgesia were measured up to 6 h post-injection, when also myeloperoxidase activity and histological inflammation score were assessed. Rats subjected to intra-articular injection of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) were treated three times per week for 21 days with PGA or m-PGA (30 mg/kg). Mechanical allodynia and motor function were evaluated at different post-injection time points. Joint histological and radiographic damage was scored, articular mast cells were counted, and macrophages were immunohistochemically investigated. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, NGF, and MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 were measured in serum using commercial colorimetric ELISA kits. One- or two-way ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test for multiple comparisons was used. Results Acute oral toxicity of m-PGA resulted in LD50 values in excess of 2000 mg/kg. A single oral administration of PGA and m-PGA significantly reduced CAR-induced inflammatory signs (edema, inflammatory infiltrate, and hyperalgesia), and m-PGA also reduced the histological score. Micronized PGA resulted in a superior activity to PGA on MIA-induced mechanical allodynia, locomotor disability, and histologic and radiographic damage. The MIA-induced increase in mast cell count and serum level of the investigated markers was also counteracted by PGA and to a significantly greater extent by m-PGA. Conclusions The results of the present study showed that PGA is endorsed with anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and joint-protective effects. Moreover, it proved that particle size reduction greatly enhances the activity of PGA, particularly on joint pain and disability. Given these results, m-PGA could be considered a valuable option in the management of osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Cordaro
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Ramona D' Amico
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Filippo Peritore
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Schievano
- Innovative Statistical Research srl, Prato Della Valle 24, I-35123, Padova, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. .,Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, USA.
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24
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Malamas MS, Farah SI, Lamani M, Pelekoudas DN, Perry NT, Rajarshi G, Miyabe CY, Chandrashekhar H, West J, Pavlopoulos S, Makriyannis A. Design and synthesis of cyanamides as potent and selective N-acylethanolamine acid amidase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 28:115195. [PMID: 31761726 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) inhibition represents an exciting novel approach to treat inflammation and pain. NAAA is a cysteine amidase which preferentially hydrolyzes the endogenous biolipids palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA). PEA is an endogenous agonist of the nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), which is a key regulator of inflammation and pain. Thus, blocking the degradation of PEA with NAAA inhibitors results in augmentation of the PEA/PPAR-α signaling pathway and regulation of inflammatory and pain processes. We have prepared a new series of NAAA inhibitors exploring the azetidine-nitrile (cyanamide) pharmacophore that led to the discovery of highly potent and selective compounds. Key analogs demonstrated single-digit nanomolar potency for hNAAA and showed >100-fold selectivity against serine hydrolases FAAH, MGL and ABHD6, and cysteine protease cathepsin K. Additionally, we have identified potent and selective dual NAAA-FAAH inhibitors to investigate a potential synergism between two distinct anti-inflammatory molecular pathways, the PEA/PPAR-α anti-inflammatory signaling pathway,1-4 and the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 pathways which are known for their antiinflammatory and antinociceptive properties.5-8 Our ligand design strategy followed a traditional structure-activity relationship (SAR) approach and was supported by molecular modeling studies of reported X-ray structures of hNAAA. Several inhibitors were evaluated in stability assays and demonstrated very good plasma stability (t1/2 > 2 h; human and rodents). The disclosed cyanamides represent promising new pharmacological tools to investigate the potential role of NAAA inhibitors and dual NAAA-FAAH inhibitors as therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammation and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Malamas
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Shrouq I Farah
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Manjunath Lamani
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Dimitrios N Pelekoudas
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Nicholas Thomas Perry
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Girija Rajarshi
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Christina Yume Miyabe
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Honrao Chandrashekhar
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Jay West
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Spiro Pavlopoulos
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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25
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Greco R, Demartini C, Zanaboni AM, Tumelero E, Reggiani A, Misto A, Piomelli D, Tassorelli C. FAAH inhibition as a preventive treatment for migraine: A pre-clinical study. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 134:104624. [PMID: 31629892 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is an intracellular serine hydrolase that catalyzes the cleavage of endogenous fatty-acid amides, including the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA). We previously reported that the peripherally restricted FAAH inhibitor URB937, which selectively increases AEA levels outside the central nervous system, reduces hyperalgesia and c-Fos expression in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) and the locus coeruleus in an animal model of migraine based on nitroglycerin (NTG) administration. AIM To further investigate the relevance of FAAH inhibition in the NTG animal model of migraine by testing the effects of the globally active FAAH inhibitor URB597. METHODS Our experimental approach involved mapping neuronal c-Fos protein expression, measurement of AEA levels in brain areas and in trigeminal ganglia, evaluation of pain-related behavior and quantification of molecular mediators in rats that received URB597 (2 mg/kg i.p.) either before or after NTG administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.). RESULTS Pre-treatment with URB597 significantly reduced c-Fos immunoreactivity in the TNC and inhibited NTG-induced hyperalgesia in the orofacial formalin test. This behavioral response was associated with a decrease in neuronal nitric oxide synthase, calcitonin gene-related peptide and cytokine gene expression levels in central and peripheral structures. Administration of URB597 after NTG had no such effect. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that global FAAH inhibition may offer a therapeutic approach to the prevention, but not the abortive treatment, of migraine attacks. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of FAAH inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Greco
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Integrative Autonomic Systems, Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation Pavia, Italy.
| | - Chiara Demartini
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Integrative Autonomic Systems, Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Zanaboni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Integrative Autonomic Systems, Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation Pavia, Italy; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Tumelero
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Integrative Autonomic Systems, Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation Pavia, Italy
| | - Angelo Reggiani
- Dept. of Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Misto
- Dept. of Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Cristina Tassorelli
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Integrative Autonomic Systems, Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation Pavia, Italy; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy
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26
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N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) inhibitor F215 as a novel therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis. Pharmacol Res 2019; 145:104264. [PMID: 31063807 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA), characterized by cartilage damage, synovitis inflammation and chronic pain, is a common degenerative joint disease that may lead to physical disability. In the present study, we first explored the association between N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) and OA progression, and then examined the capability of the NAAA inhibitor F215 to attenuate osteoarthritis. Increased NAAA expressions and decreased PEA levels in synovial membrane and lumbar spinal cord were observed in MIA induced osteoarthritic rats. F215 (i.a., and i.p.) significantly protected against cartilage damage and synovial inflammation by directly increasing PEA levels in joints, or normalization of PEA levels and resolution of inflammation in spinal cord. Moreover, F215 also markedly alleviated osteoarthritic pain in rats, and the therapeutic effects of F215 were blocked by the PPAR-α antagonist MK886. The results revealed that NAAA may has been implicated in OA progression, and treatment with NAAA inhibitor F215 alleviated OA development by preventing cartilage damage, reducing inflammation, and alleviating pain. Our study suggested that NAAA inhibitor might be a novel therapeutic agent for OA treatment.
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27
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Zhou P, Xiang L, Zhao D, Ren J, Qiu Y, Li Y. Synthesis, biological evaluation, and structure activity relationship (SAR) study of pyrrolidine amide derivatives as N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) inhibitors. MEDCHEMCOMM 2018; 10:252-262. [PMID: 30931090 DOI: 10.1039/c8md00432c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is one of the key enzymes involved in the degradation of fatty acid ethanolamides (FAEs), especially for palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). Pharmacological blockage of NAAA restores PEA levels, providing therapeutic benefits in the management of inflammation and pain. In the current work, we showed the structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies for pyrrolidine amide derivatives as NAAA inhibitors. A series of aromatic replacements or substituents for the terminal phenyl group of pyrrolidine amides were examined. SAR data showed that small lipophilic 3-phenyl substituents were preferable for optimal potency. The conformationally flexible linkers increased the inhibitory potency of pyrrolidine amide derivatives but reduced their selectivity toward fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The conformationally restricted linkers did not enhance the inhibitor potency toward NAAA but improved the selectivity over FAAH. Several low micromolar potent NAAA inhibitors were developed, including 4g bearing a rigid 4-phenylcinnamoyl group. Dialysis and kinetic analysis suggested that 4g inhibited NAAA via a competitive and reversible mechanism. Furthermore, 4g showed high anti-inflammatory activities in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute lung injury (ALI) model, and this effect was blocked by pre-treatment with the PPAR-α antagonist MK886. We anticipate that 4g (E93) will enable a new agent to treat inflammation and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhou
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University , Xiamen , Fujian 361102 , China.,Medical College , Xiamen University , Xiamen , Fujian 361102 , China
| | - Lei Xiang
- Medical College , Xiamen University , Xiamen , Fujian 361102 , China
| | - Dongsheng Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy , Quanzhou Medical College , China . Tel: Quanzhou 362100
| | - Jie Ren
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University , Xiamen , Fujian 361102 , China.,Medical College , Xiamen University , Xiamen , Fujian 361102 , China
| | - Yan Qiu
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University , Xiamen , Fujian 361102 , China.,Medical College , Xiamen University , Xiamen , Fujian 361102 , China
| | - Yuhang Li
- Xiamen Institute of Rare-earth Materials , Haixi Institutes , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Fujian 361005 , China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures , and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials , Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter , Chinese Academy of Sciences , China .
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28
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Molecular mechanism of activation of the immunoregulatory amidase NAAA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E10032-E10040. [PMID: 30301806 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1811759115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Palmitoylethanolamide is a bioactive lipid that strongly alleviates pain and inflammation in animal models and in humans. Its signaling activity is terminated through degradation by N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA), a cysteine hydrolase expressed at high levels in immune cells. Pharmacological inhibitors of NAAA activity exert profound analgesic and antiinflammatory effects in rodent models, pointing to this protein as a potential target for therapeutic drug discovery. To facilitate these efforts and to better understand the molecular mechanism of action of NAAA, we determined crystal structures of this enzyme in various activation states and in complex with several ligands, including both a covalent and a reversible inhibitor. Self-proteolysis exposes the otherwise buried active site of NAAA to allow catalysis. Formation of a stable substrate- or inhibitor-binding site appears to be conformationally coupled to the interaction of a pair of hydrophobic helices in the enzyme with lipid membranes, resulting in the creation of a linear hydrophobic cavity near the active site that accommodates the ligand's acyl chain.
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Tsuboi K, Uyama T, Okamoto Y, Ueda N. Endocannabinoids and related N-acylethanolamines: biological activities and metabolism. Inflamm Regen 2018; 38:28. [PMID: 30288203 PMCID: PMC6166290 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-018-0086-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The plant Cannabis sativa contains cannabinoids represented by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which exert psychoactivity and immunomodulation through cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, respectively, in animal tissues. Arachidonoylethanolamide (also referred to as anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are well known as two major endogenous agonists of these receptors (termed "endocannabinoids") and show various cannabimimetic bioactivities. However, only 2-AG is a full agonist for CB1 and CB2 and mediates retrograde signals at the synapse, strongly suggesting that 2-AG is physiologically more important than anandamide. The metabolic pathways of these two endocannabinoids are completely different. 2-AG is mostly produced from inositol phospholipids via diacylglycerol by phospholipase C and diacylglycerol lipase and then degraded by monoacylglycerol lipase. On the other hand, anandamide is concomitantly produced with larger amounts of other N-acylethanolamines via N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs). Although this pathway consists of calcium-dependent N-acyltransferase and NAPE-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, recent studies revealed the involvement of several new enzymes. Quantitatively major N-acylethanolamines include palmitoylethanolamide and oleoylethanolamide, which do not bind to cannabinoid receptors but exert anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anorexic effects through receptors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α. The biosynthesis of these non-endocannabinoid N-acylethanolamines rather than anandamide may be the primary significance of this pathway. Here, we provide an overview of the biological activities and metabolisms of endocannabinoids (2-AG and anandamide) and non-endocannabinoid N-acylethanolamines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhito Tsuboi
- 1Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793 Japan.,2Department of Pharmacology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192 Japan
| | - Toru Uyama
- 1Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793 Japan
| | - Yasuo Okamoto
- 2Department of Pharmacology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192 Japan
| | - Natsuo Ueda
- 1Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793 Japan
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Micronized palmitoylethanolamide reduces joint pain and glial cell activation. Inflamm Res 2018; 67:891-901. [PMID: 30121836 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-018-1179-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common painful condition in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Joint inflammation is believed to be a chief cause of pain in patients with TMD, through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that induce peripheral sensitization of nerve terminals followed by microglial stimulation. MATERIALS AND SUBJECT TMJ was induced in rats with the injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) emulsion into the left TMJ capsule. TREATMENT The present study would assess the effects of micronized palmitoylethanolamide (m-PEA) on glial activation and trigeminal hypersensitivity. METHODS Ten mg/kg m-PEA or corresponding vehicle was administered 1 h after CFA and mechanical allodynia and edema were evaluated at 24 and 72 h after CFA injection. RESULTS CFA-injected animals showed TMJ edema and ipsilateral mechanical allodynia accompanied by a robust growth in GFAP protein-positive satellite glial cells and activation of resident macrophages in the TG. Moreover, m-PEA administration significantly reduced the degree of TMJ damage and pain, macrophage activation in TG and up-regulation of Iba1. CONCLUSIONS The results confirm that m-PEA could represent a novel approach for monitoring pain during trigeminal nerve sensitization.
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Inflammation-restricted anti-inflammatory activities of a N -acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) inhibitor F215. Pharmacol Res 2018; 132:7-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Enhanced endocannabinoid tone as a potential target of pharmacotherapy. Life Sci 2018; 204:20-45. [PMID: 29729263 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is up-regulated in numerous pathophysiological states such as inflammatory, neurodegenerative, gastrointestinal, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, pain, and cancer. It has been suggested that this phenomenon primarily serves an autoprotective role in inhibiting disease progression and/or diminishing signs and symptoms. Accordingly, enhancement of endogenous endocannabinoid tone by inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of many diseases. Importantly, this allows for the avoidance of unwanted psychotropic side effects that accompany exogenously administered cannabinoids. The effects of endocannabinoid metabolic pathway modulation are complex, as endocannabinoids can exert their actions directly or via numerous metabolites. The two main strategies for blocking endocannabinoid degradation are inhibition of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes and inhibition of endocannabinoid cellular uptake. To date, the most investigated compounds are inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme that degrades the endocannabinoid anandamide. However, application of FAAH inhibitors (and consequently other endocannabinoid degradation inhibitors) in medicine became questionable due to a lack of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials and serious adverse effects evoked by one specific compound. In this paper, we discuss multiple pathways of endocannabinoid metabolism, changes in endocannabinoid levels across numerous human diseases and corresponding experimental models, pharmacological strategies for enhancing endocannabinoid tone and potential therapeutic applications including multi-target drugs with additional targets outside of the endocannabinoid system (cyclooxygenase-2, cholinesterase, TRPV1, and PGF2α-EA receptors), and currently used medicines or medicinal herbs that additionally enhance endocannabinoid levels. Ultimately, further clinical and preclinical studies are warranted to develop medicines for enhancing endocannabinoid tone.
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Bottemanne P, Muccioli GG, Alhouayek M. N-acylethanolamine hydrolyzing acid amidase inhibition: tools and potential therapeutic opportunities. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:1520-1529. [PMID: 29567427 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) (e.g., N-palmitoylethanolamine, N-arachidonoylethanolamine, N-oleoylethanolamine) are bioactive lipids involved in many physiological processes including pain, inflammation, anxiety, cognition and food intake. Two enzymes are responsible for the hydrolysis of NAEs and therefore regulate their endogenous levels and effects: fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA). As discussed here, extensive biochemical characterization of NAAA was carried out over the years that contributed to a better understanding of NAAA enzymology. An increasing number of studies describe the synthesis and pharmacological characterization of NAAA inhibitors. Recent medicinal chemistry efforts have led to the development of potent and stable inhibitors that enable studying the effects of NAAA inhibition in preclinical disease models, notably in the context of pain and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Bottemanne
- BPBL Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. E. Mounier 72, B1.72.01, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Giulio G Muccioli
- BPBL Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. E. Mounier 72, B1.72.01, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Mireille Alhouayek
- BPBL Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. E. Mounier 72, B1.72.01, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium.
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Sasso O, Summa M, Armirotti A, Pontis S, De Mei C, Piomelli D. The N-Acylethanolamine Acid Amidase Inhibitor ARN077 Suppresses Inflammation and Pruritus in a Mouse Model of Allergic Dermatitis. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 138:562-569. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.07.853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Britti D, Crupi R, Impellizzeri D, Gugliandolo E, Fusco R, Schievano C, Morittu VM, Evangelista M, Di Paola R, Cuzzocrea S. A novel composite formulation of palmitoylethanolamide and quercetin decreases inflammation and relieves pain in inflammatory and osteoarthritic pain models. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:229. [PMID: 28768536 PMCID: PMC5541643 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1151-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common progressive joint disease in dogs and cats. The goal of OA treatment is to reduce inflammation, minimize pain, and maintain joint function. Currently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., meloxicam) are the cornerstone of treatment for OA pain, but side effects with long-term use pose important challenges to veterinary practitioners when dealing with OA pain. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a naturally-occurring fatty acid amide, locally produced on demand by tissues in response to stress. PEA endogenous levels change during inflammatory and painful conditions, including OA, i.e., they are typically increased during acute conditions and decreased in chronic inflammation. Systemic treatment with PEA has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects in several disorders, yet data are lacking in OA. Here we tested a new composite, i.e., PEA co-ultramicronized with the natural antioxidant quercetin (PEA-Q), administered orally in two different rat models of inflammatory and OA pain, namely carrageenan paw oedema and sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA. Oral treatment with meloxicam was used as benchmark. RESULTS PEA-Q decreased inflammatory and hyperalgesic responses induced by carrageenan injection, as shown by: (i) paw oedema reduction, (ii) decreased severity in histological inflammatory score, (iii) reduced activity of myeloperoxidase, i.e., a marker of inflammatory cell infiltration, and (iv) decreased thermal hyperalgesia. Overall PEA-Q showed superior effects compared to meloxicam. In MIA-treated animals, PEA-Q exerted the following effects: (i) reduced mechanical allodynia and improved locomotor function, (ii) protected cartilage against MIA-induced histological damage, and (iii) counteracted the increased serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, metalloproteases 1, 3, 9 and nerve growth factor. The magnitude of these effects was comparable to, or even greater than, those of meloxicam. CONCLUSION The present findings shed new light on some of the inflammatory and nociceptive pathways and mediators targeted by PEA-Q and confirm its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects in rodent OA pain models. The translatability of these observations to canine and feline OA pain is currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Sciences V. le Europa, Campus S. Venuta, Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31-, I-98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31-, I-98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31-, I-98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31-, I-98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Schievano
- Innovative Statistical Research SRL, Prato Della Valle 24, I-35123, Padova, Italy
| | - Valeria Maria Morittu
- Department of Health Sciences V. le Europa, Campus S. Venuta, Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maurizio Evangelista
- Institute of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31-, I-98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31-, I-98166, Messina, Italy. .,Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary, School of Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Abstract
The identification of a number of families of lipid signal molecules since the 1990s created new therapeutic possibilities for a great number of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and pain. These lipid autacoids have been explored in a great variety of animal models related to inflammation, pain, (neuro-)protection, and repair. Based on the data from these models, as well as on a number of proof of principle studies in the clinic in indications such as neuropathic pain, a new chapter in medicine is about to begin. We would like to introduce the term “Autacoid Pain Medicine” for this chapter. There are, however, a number of methodological and strategic issues to overcome in this field. One of the roadblocks is related to patent strategies around families of these molecules. As this is not always recognized we will present a number of examples.
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Alhouayek M, Bottemanne P, Makriyannis A, Muccioli GG. N -acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase and fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibition differentially affect N -acylethanolamine levels and macrophage activation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2017; 1862:474-484. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 11/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Petracca R, Romeo E, Baggelaar MP, Artola M, Pontis S, Ponzano S, Overkleeft HS, van der Stelt M, Piomelli D. Novel activity-based probes for N-acylethanolamine acid amidase. Chem Commun (Camb) 2017; 53:11810-11813. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cc06838g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Two NAAA activity-based probes were generated as tool for the identification of new inhibitors and the investigation of NAAA physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Petracca
- School of Chemistry and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI)
- Trinity College Dublin
- The University of Dublin
- Dublin 2
- Ireland
| | - Elisa Romeo
- Drug Discovery and Development
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Italy
| | - Marc P. Baggelaar
- Department of Molecular Physiology
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry
- Leiden University
- Leiden
- The Netherlands
| | - Marta Artola
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry
- Leiden University
- Leiden
- The Netherlands
| | - Silvia Pontis
- Drug Discovery and Development
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Italy
| | - Stefano Ponzano
- Drug Discovery and Development
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Italy
| | - Herman S. Overkleeft
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry
- Leiden University
- Leiden
- The Netherlands
| | - Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Molecular Physiology
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry
- Leiden University
- Leiden
- The Netherlands
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry
- University of California
- Irvine
- USA
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A quantitative study on splice variants of N-acylethanolamine acid amidase in human prostate cancer cells and other cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2016; 1861:1951-1958. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2016.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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40
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Romeo E, Pontis S, Ponzano S, Bonezzi F, Migliore M, Di Martino S, Summa M, Piomelli D. Preparation and In Vivo Use of an Activity-based Probe for N-acylethanolamine Acid Amidase. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27911411 DOI: 10.3791/54652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) is a method for the identification of an enzyme of interest in a complex proteome through the use of a chemical probe that targets the enzyme's active sites. A reporter tag introduced into the probe allows for the detection of the labeled enzyme by in-gel fluorescence scanning, protein blot, fluorescence microscopy, or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Here, we describe the preparation and use of the compound ARN14686, a click chemistry activity-based probe (CC-ABP) that selectively recognizes the enzyme N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA). NAAA is a cysteine hydrolase that promotes inflammation by deactivating endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha agonists such as palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA). NAAA is synthesized as an inactive full-length proenzyme, which is activated by autoproteolysis in the acidic pH of the lysosome. Localization studies have shown that NAAA is predominantly expressed in macrophages and other monocyte-derived cells, as well as in B-lymphocytes. We provide examples of how ARN14686 can be used to detect and quantify active NAAA ex vivo in rodent tissues by protein blot and fluorescence microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Romeo
- Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
| | - Silvia Pontis
- Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
| | - Stefano Ponzano
- Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
| | - Fabiola Bonezzi
- Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
| | - Marco Migliore
- Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
| | | | - Maria Summa
- Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia; Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Pharmacology, and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine;
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