Introduction to the Theme "Old and New Toxicology: Interfaces with Pharmacology"

The theme of Volume 61 is "Old and New Toxicology: Interfaces with Pharmacology." Old toxicology is exemplified by the authors of the autobiographical articles: B.M. Olivera's work on toxins and venoms from cone snails and P. Taylor's studies of acetylcholinesterase and the nicotinic cholinergic receptor, which serve as sites of action for numerous pesticides and venoms. Other articles in this volume focus on new understanding and new types of toxicology, including (a) arsenic toxicity, which is an ancient poison that, through evolution, has caused most multicellular organisms to express an active arsenic methyltransferase to methylate arsenite, which accelerates the excretion of arsenic from the body; (b) small molecules that react with lipid dicarbonyls, which are now considered the most toxic oxidative stress end products; (c) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which have revolutionized cancer therapy but have numerous immune-related adverse events, including cardiovascular complications; (d) autoimmunity caused by the environment; (e) idiosyncratic drug-induced liver disease, which together with the toxicity of ICIs represents new toxicology interfacing with pharmacology; and (f) sex differences in the development of cardiovascular disease, with men more susceptible than women to vascular inflammation that initiates and perpetuates disease. These articles and others in Volume 61 reflect the interface and close integration of pharmacology and toxicology that began long ago but continues today.

Ligand design for human acetylcholinesterase and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, extending beyond the conventional and canonical

We detail here distinctive departures from lead classical cholinesterase re-activators, the pyridinium aldoximes, to achieve rapid CNS penetration and reactivation of AChE in the CNS (brain and spinal cord). Such reactivation is consistent with these non-canonical re-activators enhancing survival parameters in both mice and macaques following exposure to organophosphates. Thus, the ideal cholinesterase re-activator should show minimal toxicity, limited inhibitory activity in the absence of an organophosphate, and rapid CNS penetration, in addition to its nucleophilic potential at the target, the conjugated AChE active center. These are structural properties directed to reactivity profiles at the conjugated AChE active center, reinforced by the pharmacokinetic and tissue disposition properties of the re-activator leads. In the case of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists and antagonists, with the many existing receptor subtypes in mammals, we prioritize subtype selectivity in their design. In contrast to nicotine and its analogues that react with panoply of AChR subtypes, the substituted di-2-picolyl amine pyrimidines possess distinctive ionization characteristics reflecting in selectivity for the orthosteric site at the α7 subtypes of receptor. Here, entry to the CNS should be prioritized for the therapeutic objectives of the nicotinic agent influencing aberrant CNS activity in development or in the sequence of CNS ageing (longevity) in mammals, along with general peripheral activities controlling inflammation.