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Impellizzeri D, Maftei D, Severini C, Miele R, Balboni G, Siracusa R, Cordaro M, Di Paola R, Cuzzocrea S, Lattanzi R. Blocking prokineticin receptors attenuates synovitis and joint destruction in collagen-induced arthritis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:569-580. [PMID: 36988653 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02307-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease mediated by an interdependent network of proinflammatory molecules such as chemokines. Prokineticin 2 (PK2) is a chemokine-like peptide that modulates nociceptive threshold and immuno-inflammatory processes via two G-protein-linked receptors, prokineticin receptor 1 and 2 (PKR1 and PKR2). In the present study, we investigated the effects of the prokineticin receptor antagonist PC1 on arthritic pain and the inflammatory response in type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. We demonstrated that PC1, administered subcutaneously from day 25 to day 35 after CIA, improved clinical signs of arthritis such as paw edema, pain, and impaired locomotor activity. In CIA mice, PC1 was also able to lower plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, suggesting a role in reducing oxidative damage, as well as joint expression levels of PK2, PKRs, TNFα, IL-1β, CD4, CD8, and NF-kB. These results suggest that blocking PKRs may be a successful strategy to control arthritic pain and pathology development. KEY MESSAGES: PK2/PKRs expression levels strongly increase in the synovium of RA mice. PC1 treatment shows anti-arthritic activity and reduces arthritis-induced pain. PC1 treatment significantly lowers synovial PK2/PKRs levels. PC1 treatment lowers plasma MDA levels and synovial levels of TNFα and IL -1β PC1 treatment is a viable therapeutic option for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Maftei
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Severini
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Miele
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Balboni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Lattanzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Noda K, Dufner B, Ito H, Yoshida K, Balboni G, Straub RH. Differential inflammation-mediated function of prokineticin 2 in the synovial fibroblasts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with osteoarthritis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18399. [PMID: 34526577 PMCID: PMC8443611 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97809-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Prokineticin 2 (PK2) is a secreted protein involved in several pathological and physiological processes, including the regulation of inflammation, sickness behaviors, and circadian rhythms. Recently, it was reported that PK2 is associated with the pathogenesis of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. However, the role of PK2 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) remains unknown. In this study, we collected synovial tissue, plasma, synovial fluid, and synovial fibroblasts (SF) from RA and OA patients to analyze the function of PK2 using immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and tissue superfusion studies. PK2 and its receptors prokineticin receptor (PKR) 1 and 2 were expressed in RA and OA synovial tissues. PKR1 expression was downregulated in RA synovial tissue compared with OA synovial tissue. The PK2 concentration was higher in RA synovial fluid than in OA synovial fluid but similar between RA and OA plasma. PK2 suppressed the production of IL-6 from TNFα-prestimulated OA-SF, and this effect was attenuated in TNFα-prestimulated RA-SF. This phenomenon was accompanied by the upregulation of PKR1 in OA-SF. This study provides a new model to explain some aspects underlying the chronicity of inflammation in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Noda
- grid.411941.80000 0000 9194 7179Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Neuroendocrine Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Biopark I, Am Biopark 9, 93053 Regensburg, Germany ,grid.411898.d0000 0001 0661 2073Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Bianca Dufner
- grid.411941.80000 0000 9194 7179Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Neuroendocrine Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Biopark I, Am Biopark 9, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Haruyasu Ito
- grid.411898.d0000 0001 0661 2073Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Yoshida
- grid.411898.d0000 0001 0661 2073Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gianfranco Balboni
- grid.7763.50000 0004 1755 3242Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rainer H. Straub
- grid.411941.80000 0000 9194 7179Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Neuroendocrine Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Biopark I, Am Biopark 9, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Negri L, Ferrara N. The Prokineticins: Neuromodulators and Mediators of Inflammation and Myeloid Cell-Dependent Angiogenesis. Physiol Rev 2018. [PMID: 29537336 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00012.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian prokineticins family comprises two conserved proteins, EG-VEGF/PROK1 and Bv8/PROK2, and their two highly related G protein-coupled receptors, PKR1 and PKR2. This signaling system has been linked to several important biological functions, including gastrointestinal tract motility, regulation of circadian rhythms, neurogenesis, angiogenesis and cancer progression, hematopoiesis, and nociception. Mutations in PKR2 or Bv8/PROK2 have been associated with Kallmann syndrome, a developmental disorder characterized by defective olfactory bulb neurogenesis, impaired development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, and infertility. Also, Bv8/PROK2 is strongly upregulated in neutrophils and other inflammatory cells in response to granulocyte-colony stimulating factor or other myeloid growth factors and functions as a pronociceptive mediator in inflamed tissues as well as a regulator of myeloid cell-dependent tumor angiogenesis. Bv8/PROK2 has been also implicated in neuropathic pain. Anti-Bv8/PROK2 antibodies or small molecule PKR inhibitors ameliorate pain arising from tissue injury and inhibit angiogenesis and inflammation associated with tumors or some autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Negri
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy ; and University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Napoleone Ferrara
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy ; and University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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Zhao Y, Wu J, Wang X, Jia H, Chen DN, Li JD. Prokineticins and their G protein-coupled receptors in health and disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 161:149-179. [PMID: 30711026 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prokineticins are two conserved small proteins (~8kDa), prokineticin 1 (PROK1; also called EG-VEGF) and prokineticin 2 (PROK2; also called Bv8), with an N-terminal AVITGA sequence and 10 cysteines forming 5 disulfide bridges. PROK1 and PROK2 bind to two highly related G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), prokineticin receptor 1 (PROKR1) and prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2). Prokineticins and their receptors are widely expressed. PROK1 is predominantly expressed in peripheral tissues, especially steroidogenic organs, whereas PROK2 is mainly expressed in the central nervous system and nonsteroidogenic cells of the testes. Prokineticins signaling has been implicated in several important physiological functions, including gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction, circadian rhythm regulation, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, pain perception, mood regulation, and reproduction. Dysregulation of prokineticins signaling has been observed in a variety of diseases, such as cancer, ischemia, and neurodegeneration, in which prokineticins signaling seems to be a promising therapeutic target. Based on the phenotypes of knockout mice, PROKR2 and PROK2 have recently been identified as causative genes for idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a developmental disorder characterized by impaired development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons and infertility. In vitro functional studies with these disease-associated PROKR2 mutations uncovered some novel features for this receptor, such as biased signaling, which may be used to understand GPCR signaling regulation in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaguang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiayu Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinying Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hong Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dan-Na Chen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China.
| | - Jia-Da Li
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Ito H, Noda K, Yoshida K, Otani K, Yoshiga M, Oto Y, Saito S, Kurosaka D. Prokineticin 2 antagonist, PKRA7 suppresses arthritis in mice with collagen-induced arthritis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2016; 17:387. [PMID: 27609223 PMCID: PMC5016855 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-016-1243-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prokineticin 2 (PK2) expression is upregulated in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of PK2 inhibition on CIA. METHODS PK2, prokineticin receptor (PKR) 1, and PKR2 mRNA transcripts in the joints of CIA mice were measured by real-time PCR on Days 21, 28, and 35 (n = 15/day). Localization of PKR1 and PKR2 proteins was examined immunohistochemically. PKRA7, a PK2 antagonist, was administered intraperitoneally for 2 weeks to CIA mice, and the severity of arthritis was compared between treated (n = 12) and untreated (n = 12) mice. The gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and VEGF were also measured by real-time PCR and compared between treated (n = 6) and untreated (n = 6) CIA mice. The data was statistically analyzed, and P values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS In the thickened synovial membrane, PKR1 protein was expressed in infiltrating neutrophils, while PKR2 expression was found in macrophage-like mononuclear cells. PK2 gene expression was significantly more pronounced on Days 28 and 35 than on Day 21 (2.15 and 2.03 versus 1.00, P = 0.0311 and 0.0247; Dunn's multiple comparison). PKR2 gene expression levels were significantly higher on Days 28 and 35 compared to Day 21 (25.4 and 39.3 versus 1.0, P = 0.002 and < 0.0001; Dunn's multiple comparison). Administration of PKRA7 suppressed the severity of arthritis (P < 0.001; two-way analysis of variance). A gene expression analysis of inflammatory cytokines revealed significantly reduced IL-1β and lL-6 expression in the joints of PKRA7-treated mice compared to untreated mice (0.1 versus 1.0, P = 0.0043 and 0.04 versus 1.0, P = 0.0022, respectively; Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSIONS PK2 inhibition suppressed arthritis in mice with CIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruyasu Ito
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Noda
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Yoshida
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Otani
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yoshiga
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohsuke Oto
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saburo Saito
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Research Center for Medical Sciences, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daitaro Kurosaka
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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Lattanzi R, Sacerdote P, Franchi S, Canestrelli M, Miele R, Barra D, Visentin S, DeNuccio C, Porreca F, De Felice M, Guida F, Luongo L, de Novellis V, Maione S, Negri L. Pharmacological activity of a Bv8 analogue modified in position 24. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 166:950-63. [PMID: 22122547 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01797.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The amphibian peptide Bv8 induces potent nociceptive sensitization in rodents. Its mammalian homologue, prokineticin 2 (PROK2), is strongly up-regulated in inflamed tissues and is a major determinant in triggering inflammatory pain. Bv8 and PROK2 activate two closely related GPCRs, PK(1) and PK(2) , in a relatively non-selective fashion. To characterize better the roles of the two receptors in hyperalgesia and to obtain ligands whose binding affinity and efficacy differed for the two receptors, we modified the Bv8 molecule in regions essential for receptor recognition and activation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We modified the Bv8 molecule by substituting Trp in position 24 with Ala (A-24) and compared it with Bv8 for binding and activating PK(1) and PK(2) receptors in cell preparations and in affecting nociceptive thresholds in rodents. KEY RESULTS A-24 preferentially bound to PK(2) receptors and activated them with a lower potency (5-fold) than Bv8. When systemically injected, A-24 induced Bv8-like hyperalgesia in rats and in mice, at doses 100 times higher than Bv8. Locally and systemically injected at inactive doses, A-24 antagonized Bv8-induced hyperalgesia. In rat and mouse models of inflammatory and post-surgical pain, A-24 showed potent and long-lasting anti-hyperalgesic activity. Unlike Bv8, A-24 increased β-endorphin levels in mouse brain. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS A-24 induced its anti-hyperalgesic effect in rodents by directly blocking nociceptor PK(1) receptors and by activating the central opioid system and the descending pain control pathway through brain PK(2) receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lattanzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Bv8/PK2 and prokineticin receptors: a druggable pronociceptive system. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2012; 12:62-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2011.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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