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Huang P, Ho CK, Cao D, Inan S, Rawls SM, Li M, Huang B, Pagare PP, Townsend EA, Poklis JL, Halquist MS, Banks M, Zhang Y, Liu-Chen LY. NCP, a dual kappa and mu opioid receptor agonist, is a potent analgesic against inflammatory pain without reinforcing or aversive properties. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:JPET-AR-2023-001870. [PMID: 38409113 PMCID: PMC10949162 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
While agonists of mu (MOR) and kappa (KOR) opioid receptors have analgesic effects, they produce euphoria and dysphoria, respectively. Other side effects include respiratory depression and addiction for MOR agonists and sedation for KOR agonists. We reported that 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6β-{[4'-(2'-cyanopyridyl)]carboxamido}cmorphinan (NCP) displayed potent KOR full agonist and MOR partial agonist activities (58%) with 6.5x KOR-over-MOR selectivity in vitro Herein, we characterized pharmacological effects of NCP in rodents. In mice, NCP exerted analgesic effects against inflammatory pain in both the formalin test and the acetic acid writhing test, with A50 values of 47.6 and 14.4 microg/kg (s.c.), respectively. The analgesic effects in the acetic acid writhing test were mediated by the KOR. NCP at doses much higher than those effective in reducing inflammatory pain did not produce antinociception in the hot plate and tail flick tests, inhibit compound 48/80-induced scratching, cause conditioned place aversion (CPA) or preference, impair rotarod performance, inhibit locomotor activity, cause respiratory depression, or precipitate morphine withdrawal. However, NCP (10~100 microg/kg) inhibited gastrointestinal transit with a maximum of ~40% inhibition. In MOR knockout mice, NCP caused CPA, demonstrating that its lack of CPA is due to combined actions on the MOR and KOR. Following s.c. injection, NCP penetrated into the mouse brain. In rats trained to self-administer heroin, NCP (1~320 microg/kg/infusion) did not function as a reinforcer. Thus, NCP produces potent analgesic effects via KOR without side effects except constipation. Therefore, dual full KOR/partial MOR agonists with moderate KOR-over-MOR selectivity may be promising as non-addictive analgesics for inflammatory pain. Significance Statement Developing non-addictive analgesics is crucial for reducing opioid overdose deaths, minimizing drug misuse, and promoting safer pain management practices. Herein, pharmacology of a potential non-addictive analgesic, NCP, is reported. NCP has full KOR agonist / partial MOR agonist activities with a 6.5 x selectivity for KOR over MOR. Unlike MOR agonists, analgesic doses of NCP do not lead to self-administration or respiratory depression. Furthermore, NCP does not produce aversion, hypolocomotion, or motor incoordination, side effects typically associated with KOR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
| | - Conrad K Ho
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
| | - Danni Cao
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
| | - Saadet Inan
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, United States
| | - Scott M Rawls
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
| | - Mengchu Li
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, United States
| | - Boshi Huang
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, United States
| | - Piyusha P Pagare
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, United States
| | | | | | | | - Matthew Banks
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, United States
| | - Lee-Yuan Liu-Chen
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
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2
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Gooding SW, Whistler JL. A Balancing Act: Learning from the Past to Build a Future-Focused Opioid Strategy. Annu Rev Physiol 2024; 86:1-25. [PMID: 38029388 PMCID: PMC10987332 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-042022-015914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The harmful side effects of opioid drugs such as respiratory depression, tolerance, dependence, and abuse potential have limited the therapeutic utility of opioids for their entire clinical history. However, no previous attempt to develop effective pain drugs that substantially ameliorate these effects has succeeded, and the current opioid epidemic affirms that they are a greater hindrance to the field of pain management than ever. Recent attempts at new opioid development have sought to reduce these side effects by minimizing engagement of the regulatory protein arrestin-3 at the mu-opioid receptor, but there is significant controversy around this approach. Here, we discuss the ongoing effort to develop safer opioids and its relevant historical context. We propose a new model that reconciles results previously assumed to be in direct conflict to explain how different signaling profiles at the mu-opioid receptor contribute to opioid tolerance and dependence. Our goal is for this framework to inform the search for a new generation of lower liability opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer L Whistler
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California, USA;
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, USA
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3
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Zhang M, Xu B, Li N, Zhang Q, Chen D, Wu S, Yu B, Zhang X, Hu X, Zhang S, Jing Y, Yang Z, Jiang J, Fang Q. All-Hydrocarbon Stapled Peptide Multifunctional Agonists at Opioid and Neuropeptide FF Receptors: Highly Potent, Long-Lasting Brain Permeant Analgesics with Diminished Side Effects. J Med Chem 2023; 66:17138-17154. [PMID: 38095323 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Our previous study reported the multifunctional agonist for opioid and neuropeptide FF receptors DN-9, along with its cyclic peptide analogues c[D-Cys2, Cys5]-DN-9 and c[D-Lys2, Asp5]-DN-9. These analogues demonstrated potent antinociceptive effects with reduced opioid-related side effects. To develop more stable and effective analgesics, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated seven hydrocarbon-stapled cyclic peptides based on DN-9. In vitro calcium mobilization assays revealed that most of the stapled peptides, except 3, displayed multifunctional agonistic activities at opioid and neuropeptide FF receptors. Subcutaneous administration of all stapled peptides resulted in effective and long-lasting antinociceptive activities lasting up to 360 min. Among these stapled peptides, 1a and 1b emerged as the optimized compounds, producing potent central antinociception following subcutaneous, intracerebroventricular, and oral administrations. Additionally, subcutaneous administration of 1a and 1b caused nontolerance antinociception, with limited occurrence of constipation and addiction. Furthermore, 1a was selected as the final optimized compound due to its wider safety window compared to 1b.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengna Zhang
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Biao Xu
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Ning Li
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Qinqin Zhang
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Dan Chen
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Shuyuan Wu
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Bowen Yu
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Xiaodi Zhang
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Xuanran Hu
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Shichao Zhang
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Yuhong Jing
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Zhenyun Yang
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Jinhong Jiang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Rd, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Quan Fang
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
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D'Oliveira da Silva F, Robert C, Lardant E, Pizzano C, Bruchas MR, Guiard BP, Chauveau F, Moulédous L. Targeting Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ receptor to rescue cognitive symptoms in a mouse neuroendocrine model of chronic stress. Mol Psychiatry 2023:10.1038/s41380-023-02363-x. [PMID: 38123728 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02363-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress causes cognitive deficits, such as impairments in episodic-like hippocampus-dependent memory. Stress regulates an opioid-related neuropeptide named Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), the ligand of the G protein-coupled receptor NOP. Since this peptide has deleterious effects on memory, we hypothesized that the N/OFQ system could be a mediator of the negative effects of stress on memory. Chronic stress was mimicked by chronic exposure to corticosterone (CORT). The NOP receptor was either acutely blocked using selective antagonists, or knocked-down specifically in the hippocampus using genetic tools. Long-term memory was assessed in the object recognition (OR) and object location (OL) paradigms. Acute injection of NOP antagonists before learning had a negative impact on memory in naive mice whereas it restored memory performances in the chronic stress model. This rescue was associated with a normalization of neuronal cell activity in the CA3 part of the hippocampus. Chronic CORT induced an upregulation of the N/OFQ precursor in the hippocampus. Knock-down of the NOP receptor in the CA3/Dentate Gyrus region prevented memory deficits in the CORT model. These data demonstrate that blocking the N/OFQ system can be beneficial for long-term memory in a neuroendocrine model of chronic stress. We therefore suggest that NOP antagonists could be useful for the treatment of memory deficits in stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora D'Oliveira da Silva
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS UMR-5169, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Cathaline Robert
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS UMR-5169, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Emma Lardant
- IRBA (Army Biomedical Research Institute), Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Carina Pizzano
- Department of Anesthesiology; Center of Excellence in Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion (NAPE), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology; Center of Excellence in Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion (NAPE), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Bruno P Guiard
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS UMR-5169, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Frédéric Chauveau
- IRBA (Army Biomedical Research Institute), Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Lionel Moulédous
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), University of Toulouse, CNRS UMR-5169, UPS, Toulouse, France.
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Miao Z, Zhong Y, Gan Y, Fu K, Liu W, Cao Z, Zhao T, Li Z, Hai A, Peng Y, Zuo Z, Zhang T, Hu S, Chen C, Kang T, Huang T, Guo D, Ke B. A Novel Bifunctional μOR Agonist and σ 1R Antagonist with Potent Analgesic Responses and Reduced Adverse Effects. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16257-16275. [PMID: 38015878 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Bifunctional ligands possessing both μOR agonism and σ1R antagonism have shown promise in producing strong analgesic effects with reduced opioid-related side effects. However, the μOR agonism activity of most dual ligands diminishes compared with classical opioids, raising concern about their effectiveness in managing nociceptive pain. In this study, a new class of dual μOR agonist/σ1R antagonist was reported. Through structure-activity relationship analyses, we identified the optimal compound, 4x, which displayed picomolar μOR agonism activity (EC50: 0.6 ± 0.2 nM) and good σ1R inhibitory activity (Ki: 363.7 ± 5.6 nM) with excellent selectivity. Compound 4x exhibited robust analgesic effects in various pain models, with significantly reduced side effects. Importantly, compound 4x also possessed good safety profiles and no abnormalities were observed in biological parameters even under a high dosage. Our findings suggest that 4x may be a promising lead compound for developing safer opioids and warrants further in-depth studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Miao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuhan Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yu Gan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Kequan Fu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Wencheng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhihua Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tiantian Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ziyuan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ao Hai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yanlai Peng
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zeping Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shilong Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chunxia Chen
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ting Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tianguang Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dong Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Bowen Ke
- Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Rehrauer KJ, Cunningham CW. IUPHAR Review - Bivalent and bifunctional opioid receptor ligands as novel analgesics. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106966. [PMID: 37865129 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Though efficacious in managing chronic, severe pain, opioid analgesics are accompanied by significant adverse effects including constipation, tolerance, dependence, and respiratory depression. The life-threatening risks associated with µ opioid receptor agonist-based analgesics challenges their use in clinic. A rational approach to combatting these adverse effects is to develop agents that incorporate activity at a second pharmacologic target in addition to µ opioid receptor activation. The promise of such bivalent or bifunctional ligands is the development of an analgesic with an improved side effect profile. In this review, we highlight ongoing efforts in the development of bivalent and bifunctional analgesics that combine µ agonism with efficacy at κ and δ opioid receptors, the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, σ receptors, and cannabinoid receptors. Several examples of bifunctional analgesics in preclinical and clinical development are highlighted, as are strategies being employed toward the rational design of novel agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Rehrauer
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53092, USA
| | - Christopher W Cunningham
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53092, USA; CUW Center for Structure-Based Drug Discovery and Development, Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53092, USA.
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7
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Meyer ME, Doshi A, Polgar WE, Zaveri NT. Discovery and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of a novel class of 2-substituted N-piperidinyl indole-based nociceptin opioid receptor ligands. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 92:117421. [PMID: 37573822 PMCID: PMC10491432 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The development of SAR around substituted N-piperidinyl indole-based nociceptin opioid receptor (NOP) ligands led to the discovery of a novel series of 2-substituted N-piperidinyl indoles that provide both selective NOP full agonists and bifunctional NOP full agonists-μ opioid (MOP) receptor partial agonists. 2-substituted N-piperidinyl indoles have improved potency at the NOP receptor and are NOP full agonists, compared to our previously reported 3-substituted N-piperidinyl indoles that are selective NOP partial agonists. SAR in this series of 2-substituted N-piperidinyl indoles shows that 2-substitution versus 3-substitution on the indole moiety affects their intrinsic activity and opioid receptor selectivity. Molecular docking of these 2-substituted N-piperidinyl indoles in an active-state NOP homology model and MOP receptor structures provides a rationale for the differences observed in the binding, functional profiles and selectivity of 2-substituted versus 3-substituted N-piperidinyl indoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Meyer
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Ave, Suite 142, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Arpit Doshi
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Ave, Suite 142, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Willma E Polgar
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Ave, Suite 142, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Nurulain T Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Ave, Suite 142, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.
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Badshah I, Anwar M, Murtaza B, Khan MI. Molecular mechanisms of morphine tolerance and dependence; novel insights and future perspectives. Mol Cell Biochem 2023:10.1007/s11010-023-04810-3. [PMID: 37470850 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04810-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a devastating condition that poses a serious burden on the society. The use of some drugs like morphine for their tremendous analgesic properties is also accompanied with developing tolerance, dependence and the withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are frequently severe enough to reinforce the person in recovery to start over the use of drug again and hinder the clinical use of drugs like morphine for chronic pain. Research into opioid receptors and related molecular pathways has seen resurgence in the wake of the growing opioid epidemic. The current study provides a comprehensive scientific exploration of the molecular mechanisms and underlying signalling in morphine tolerance and dependence. It also critically evaluates current therapeutic approaches, shedding light on their efficacy and limitations, and future prospects. The graphical abstract depicts an overview of the pathways involved in the emergence of morphine-related tolerance and dependence including NMDA, Nitric oxide, and PPAR, as well as behavioural sensitization along with present and future innovative treatment strategies including stem cell therapy that have been discussed in the current manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Badshah
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G-7/4 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Maira Anwar
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G-7/4 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Babar Murtaza
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G-7/4 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Imran Khan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pak Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
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Hsu YT, Chen SR, Chang YC, Chang HF, Yeh TK, Chuang JY, Loh HH, Hsieh HP, Ueng SH, Yeh SH. A dual nociceptin and mu opioid receptor agonist exhibited robust antinociceptive effect with decreased side effects. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115608. [PMID: 37437352 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The compelling demand of a consummate analgesic medication without addiction is rising due to the clinical mistreatment. Additionally, the series of severe untoward effects usually deterred the utilization while coping with serious pain. As a possible turning point, we revealed that compound 14 is a dual agonist of mu opioid receptor (MOR) and nociceptin-orphanin FQ opioid peptide (NOP) receptor in this study. More importantly, compound 14 achieves pain relieving at very small doses, meanwhile, reduces several unwanted side effects such as constipation, reward, tolerance and withdrawal effects. Here, we evaluated the antinociception and side effects of this novel compound from wild type and humanized mice to further develop a safer prescription analgesic drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ting Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC; The Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shen-Ren Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yung-Chiao Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsiao-Fu Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Teng-Kuang Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jian-Ying Chuang
- The Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Horace H Loh
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, 10005, China; Department of Pharmacology, Medical School University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455-0217, USA
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shau-Hua Ueng
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC; School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Shiu-Hwa Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC; The Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan, ROC.
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10
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Ding H, Kiguchi N, Dobbins M, Romero-Sandoval EA, Kishioka S, Ko MC. Nociceptin Receptor-Related Agonists as Safe and Non-addictive Analgesics. Drugs 2023; 83:771-793. [PMID: 37209211 PMCID: PMC10948013 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01878-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
As clinical use of currently available opioid analgesics is often impeded by dose-limiting adverse effects, such as abuse liability and respiratory depression, new approaches have been pursued to develop safe, effective, and non-addictive pain medications. After the identification of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor more than 25 years ago, NOP receptor-related agonists have emerged as a promising target for developing novel and effective opioids that modulate the analgesic and addictive properties of mu-opioid peptide (MOP) receptor agonists. In this review, we highlight the effects of the NOP receptor-related agonists compared with those of MOP receptor agonists in experimental rodent and more translational non-human primate (NHP) models and the development status of key NOP receptor-related agonists as potential safe and non-addictive analgesics. Several lines of evidence demonstrated that peptidic and non-peptidic NOP receptor agonists produce potent analgesic effects by intrathecal delivery in NHPs. Moreover, mixed NOP/MOP receptor partial agonists (e.g., BU08028, BU10038, and AT-121) display potent analgesic effects when administered intrathecally or systemically, without eliciting adverse effects, such as respiratory depression, itch behavior, and signs of abuse liability. More importantly, cebranopadol, a mixed NOP/opioid receptor agonist with full efficacy at NOP and MOP receptors, produces robust analgesic efficacy with reduced adverse effects, conferring promising outcomes in clinical studies. A balanced coactivation of NOP and MOP receptors is a strategy that warrants further exploration and refinement for the development of novel analgesics with a safer and effective profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Ding
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Norikazu Kiguchi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, 640-8156, Japan
| | - MaryBeth Dobbins
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - E Alfonso Romero-Sandoval
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Shiroh Kishioka
- Faculty of Wakayama Health Care Sciences, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care, Wakayama, 640-8392, Japan
| | - Mei-Chuan Ko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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11
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Zhang G, Cui M, Ji R, Zou S, Song L, Fan B, Yang L, Wang D, Hu S, Zhang X, Fang T, Yu X, Yang JX, Chaudhury D, Liu H, Hu A, Ding HL, Cao JL, Zhang H. Neural and Molecular Investigation into the Paraventricular Thalamic-Nucleus Accumbens Circuit for Pain Sensation and Non-opioid Analgesia. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106776. [PMID: 37084858 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The paucity of medications with novel mechanisms for pain treatment combined with the severe adverse effects of opioid analgesics has led to an imperative pursuit of non-opioid analgesia and a better understanding of pain mechanisms. Here, we identify the putative glutamatergic inputs from the paraventricular thalamic nucleus to the nucleus accumbens (PVTGlut→NAc) as a novel neural circuit for pain sensation and non-opioid analgesia. Our in vivo fiber photometry and in vitro electrophysiology experiments found that PVTGlut→NAc neuronal activity increased in response to acute thermal/mechanical stimuli and persistent inflammatory pain. Direct optogenetic activation of these neurons in the PVT or their terminals in the NAc induced pain-like behaviors. Conversely, inhibition of PVTGlut→NAc neurons or their NAc terminals exhibited a potent analgesic effect in both naïve and pathological pain mice, which could not be prevented by pretreatment of naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist. Anterograde trans-synaptic optogenetic experiments consistently demonstrated that the PVTGlut→NAc circuit bi-directionally modulates pain behaviors. Furthermore, circuit-specific molecular profiling and pharmacological studies revealed dopamine receptor 3 as a candidate target for pain modulation and non-opioid analgesic development. Taken together, these findings provide a previously unknown neural circuit for pain sensation and non-opioid analgesia and a valuable molecular target for developing future safer medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangchao Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Mengqiao Cui
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Ran Ji
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Shiya Zou
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Lingzhen Song
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Bingqian Fan
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Li Yang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Di Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Suwan Hu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Wuxi NO.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi NO.2 People's Hospital, Wuxi 214000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tantan Fang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Xiaolu Yu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Jun-Xia Yang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Dipesh Chaudhury
- Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - He Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, China
| | - Ankang Hu
- The Animal Facility of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Hai-Lei Ding
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Department of Anesthesiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
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12
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Varga B, Streicher JM, Majumdar S. Strategies towards safer opioid analgesics-A review of old and upcoming targets. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:975-993. [PMID: 34826881 PMCID: PMC9133275 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids continue to be of use for the treatment of pain. Most clinically used analgesics target the μ opioid receptor whose activation results in adverse effects like respiratory depression, addiction and abuse liability. Various approaches have been used by the field to separate receptor-mediated analgesic actions from adverse effects. These include biased agonism, opioids targeting multiple receptors, allosteric modulators, heteromers and splice variants of the μ receptor. This review will focus on the current status of the field and some upcoming targets of interest that may lead to a safer next generation of analgesics. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Advances in Opioid Pharmacology at the Time of the Opioid Epidemic. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.7/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balazs Varga
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - John M. Streicher
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
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13
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Morairty SR, Sun Y, Toll L, Bruchas MR, Kilduff TS. Activation of the nociceptin/orphanin-FQ receptor promotes NREM sleep and EEG slow wave activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2214171120. [PMID: 36947514 PMCID: PMC10068791 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2214171120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep/wake control involves several neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems yet the coordination of the behavioral and physiological processes underlying sleep is incompletely understood. Previous studies have suggested that activation of the Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptor (NOPR) reduces locomotor activity and produces a sedation-like effect in rodents. In the present study, we systematically evaluated the efficacy of two NOPR agonists, Ro64-6198 and SR16835, on sleep/wake in rats, mice, and Cynomolgus macaques. We found a profound, dose-related increase in non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep and electroencephalogram (EEG) slow wave activity (SWA) and suppression of Rapid Eye Movement sleep (REM) sleep in all three species. At the highest dose tested in rats, the increase in NREM sleep and EEG SWA was accompanied by a prolonged inhibition of REM sleep, hypothermia, and reduced locomotor activity. However, even at the highest dose tested, rats were immediately arousable upon sensory stimulation, suggesting sleep rather than an anesthetic state. NOPR agonism also resulted in increased expression of c-Fos in the anterodorsal preoptic and parastrial nuclei, two GABAergic nuclei that are highly interconnected with brain regions involved in physiological regulation. These results suggest that the N/OFQ-NOPR system may have a previously unrecognized role in sleep/wake control and potential promise as a therapeutic target for the treatment of insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R. Morairty
- Biosciences Division, Center for Neuroscience, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA94025
| | - Yu Sun
- Biosciences Division, Center for Neuroscience, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA94025
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Biosciences Division, Center for Neuroscience, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA94025
| | - Michael R. Bruchas
- Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
| | - Thomas S. Kilduff
- Biosciences Division, Center for Neuroscience, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA94025
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14
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Smith MT, Kong D, Kuo A, Imam MZ, Williams CM. Multitargeted Opioid Ligand Discovery as a Strategy to Retain Analgesia and Reduce Opioid-Related Adverse Effects. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3746-3784. [PMID: 36856340 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The global "opioid crisis" has placed enormous pressure on the opioid ligand discovery community to produce novel opioid analgesics with superior opioid-related adverse-effect profiles compared with morphine. In this Perspective, the multitargeted opioid ligand strategy for the discovery of opioid analgesics with superior preclinical therapeutic indices relative to morphine is reviewed and discussed. Dual-targeted μ-opioid (MOP)/δ-opioid (DOP) ligands in which the in vitro DOP antagonist potency at least equals that of the MOP agonist activity, and are devoid of DOP or κ-opioid (KOP) agonist activity, are sufficiently promising candidates to warrant further investigation. Dual-targeted MOP/NOP partial agonists have superior preclinical therapeutic indices to morphine and/or fentanyl in nonhuman primates and are also considered promising. Based on the poor preclinical and clinical therapeutic indices of cebranopadol, which is a full agonist at MOP, DOP, and NOP receptors and a partial agonist at the KOP receptor, this pharmacologic template should be avoided.
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15
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Ding H, Kiguchi N, Mabry KM, Kishioka S, Ko MC. Functional consequences of short-term exposure to opioids versus cannabinoids in nonhuman primates. Neuropharmacology 2023; 223:109328. [PMID: 36356937 PMCID: PMC9742330 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Opioids provide pain relief but are associated with several adverse effects. Researchers are exploring cannabis-based medicine as an alternative. However, little is known about the tendency for physical dependence on cannabinoids in comparison with that on opioids in primates. The aim of this study was to compare the potency of heroin and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in eliciting analgesic effects and the development of physical dependence between opioids and cannabinoids in both male and female rhesus monkeys. Systemic administration of either heroin (0.03-0.18 mg/kg) or THC (0.3-1.8 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner produced antinociceptive effects against an acute thermal nociceptive stimulus. The μ-opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (0.01 mg/kg) and the cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A (0.3 mg/kg) produced the same degree of rightward shift in the dose-response curves for heroin- and THC-induced antinociception, respectively. Monkeys implanted with telemetry devices were subjected to short-term repeated administrations (two injections per day for 1-3 days) of either heroin (0.18 mg/kg), morphine (1.8 mg/kg), THC (1.8 mg/kg), or CP 55,940 (0.032 mg/kg). Administration of naltrexone (0.01 mg/kg) increased respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure in heroin- or morphine-treated monkeys. In contrast, administration of SR141716A (0.3 mg/kg) did not cause a significant change in these physiological parameters in THC- or CP 55,940-treated monkeys. Additionally, morphine, but not CP 55,940, enhanced the monkeys' hypersensitivity to the algogen capsaicin. Collectively, these results demonstrate that in nonhuman primates, both opioids and cannabinoids exert comparable antinociception; however, physical dependence on opioids, but not cannabinoids, at their antinociceptive doses, occurs following short-term exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Ding
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, USA.
| | - Norikazu Kiguchi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, 640-8156, Japan
| | - Kelsey M Mabry
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, USA
| | - Shiroh Kishioka
- Faculty of Wakayama Health Care Sciences, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care, Wakayama, 640-8392, Japan
| | - Mei-Chuan Ko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, USA
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16
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Wang Y, Zhuang Y, DiBerto JF, Zhou XE, Schmitz GP, Yuan Q, Jain MK, Liu W, Melcher K, Jiang Y, Roth BL, Xu HE. Structures of the entire human opioid receptor family. Cell 2023; 186:413-427.e17. [PMID: 36638794 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are effective analgesics, but their use is beset by serious side effects, including addiction and respiratory depression, which contribute to the ongoing opioid crisis. The human opioid system contains four opioid receptors (μOR, δOR, κOR, and NOPR) and a set of related endogenous opioid peptides (EOPs), which show distinct selectivity toward their respective opioid receptors (ORs). Despite being key to the development of safer analgesics, the mechanisms of molecular recognition and selectivity of EOPs to ORs remain unclear. Here, we systematically characterize the binding of EOPs to ORs and present five structures of EOP-OR-Gi complexes, including β-endorphin- and endomorphin-bound μOR, deltorphin-bound δOR, dynorphin-bound κOR, and nociceptin-bound NOPR. These structures, supported by biochemical results, uncover the specific recognition and selectivity of opioid peptides and the conserved mechanism of opioid receptor activation. These results provide a structural framework to facilitate rational design of safer opioid drugs for pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and the State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Youwen Zhuang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and the State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Jeffrey F DiBerto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - X Edward Zhou
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Gavin P Schmitz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Qingning Yuan
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and the State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; The Shanghai Advanced Electron Microscope Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Manish K Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Weiyi Liu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and the State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Karsten Melcher
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Yi Jiang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and the State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - H Eric Xu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and the State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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17
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Wtorek K, Ghidini A, Gentilucci L, Adamska-Bartłomiejczyk A, Piekielna-Ciesielska J, Ruzza C, Sturaro C, Calò G, Pieretti S, Kluczyk A, McDonald J, Lambert DG, Janecka A. Synthesis, Biological Activity and Molecular Docking of Chimeric Peptides Targeting Opioid and NOP Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12700. [PMID: 36293553 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, mixed opioid/NOP agonists came to the spotlight for their favorable functional profiles and promising outcomes in clinical trials as novel analgesics. This study reports on two novel chimeric peptides incorporating the fragment Tyr-c[D-Lys-Phe-Phe]Asp-NH2 (RP-170), a cyclic peptide with high affinity for µ and κ opioid receptors (or MOP and KOP, respectively), conjugated with the peptide Ac-RYYRIK-NH2, a known ligand of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NOP), yielding RP-170-RYYRIK-NH2 (KW-495) and RP-170-Gly3-RYYRIK-NH2 (KW-496). In vitro, the chimeric KW-496 gained affinity for KOP, hence becoming a dual KOP/MOP agonist, while KW-495 behaved as a mixed MOP/NOP agonist with low nM affinity. Hence, KW-495 was selected for further in vivo experiments. Intrathecal administration of this peptide in mice elicited antinociceptive effects in the hot-plate test; this action was sensitive to both the universal opioid receptor antagonist naloxone and the selective NOP antagonist SB-612111. The rotarod test revealed that KW-495 administration did not alter the mice motor coordination performance. Computational studies have been conducted on the two chimeras to investigate the structural determinants at the basis of the experimental activities, including any role of the Gly3 spacer.
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18
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Gerak LR, Maguire DR, Cami-Kobeci G, Olson KM, Traynor JR, Husbands SM, France CP, Acevedo L, Belli B, Flynn P. OREX-1038: a potential new treatment for pain with low abuse liability and limited adverse effects. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:377-394. [PMID: 35947066 PMCID: PMC9371589 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Drugs targeting mu opioid receptors are the mainstay of clinical practice for treating moderate-to-severe pain. While they can offer excellent analgesia, their use can be limited by adverse effects, including constipation, respiratory depression, tolerance, and abuse liability. Multifunctional ligands acting at mu opioid and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptors might provide antinociception with substantially improved adverse-effect profiles. This study explored one of these ligands, OREX-1038 (BU10038), in several assays in rodents and nonhuman primates. Binding and functional studies confirmed OREX-1038 to be a low-efficacy agonist at mu opioid and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptors and an antagonist at delta and kappa opioid receptors with selectivity for opioid receptors over other proteins. OREX-1038 had long-acting antinociceptive effects in postsurgical and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced thermal hyperalgesia assays in rats and a warm water tail-withdrawal assay in monkeys. OREX-1038 was active for at least 24 h in each antinociception assay, and its effects in monkeys did not diminish over 22 days of daily administration. This activity was coupled with limited effects on physiological signs (arterial pressure, heart rate, and body temperature) and no evidence of withdrawal after administration of naltrexone or discontinuation of treatment in monkeys receiving OREX-1038 daily. Over a range of doses, OREX-1038 was only transiently self-administered, which diminished rapidly to nonsignificant levels; overall, both OREX-1038 and buprenorphine maintained less responding than remifentanil. These results support the concept of dual mu and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor partial agonists having improved pharmacological profiles compared with opioids currently used to treat pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa R Gerak
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Addiction Research, Treatment & Training Center of Excellence, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - David R Maguire
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Addiction Research, Treatment & Training Center of Excellence, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Gerta Cami-Kobeci
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath
- Current address: School of Life Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK
| | - Keith M Olson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - John R Traynor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Stephen M Husbands
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Charles P France
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Addiction Research, Treatment & Training Center of Excellence, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | | | - Barbara Belli
- Orexigen Therapeutics Inc., La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Peter Flynn
- Orexigen Therapeutics Inc., La Jolla, California, USA
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19
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Zhang J, Song C, Dai J, Li L, Yang X, Chen Z. Mechanism of opioid addiction and its intervention therapy: Focusing on the reward circuitry and mu‐opioid receptor. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e148. [PMID: 35774845 PMCID: PMC9218544 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jia‐Jia Zhang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Chang‐Geng Song
- Department of Neurology Xijing Hospital The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Ji‐Min Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery Xijing Hospital The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Ling Li
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Xiang‐Min Yang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
| | - Zhi‐Nan Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an China
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20
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Cippitelli A, Martinez M, Zribi G, Cami-Kobeci G, Husbands SM, Toll L. PPL-138 (BU10038): A bifunctional NOP/mu partial agonist that reduces cocaine self-administration in rats. Neuropharmacology 2022; 211:109045. [PMID: 35378170 PMCID: PMC9074796 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The search for new and effective treatments for cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a priority. We determined whether PPL-138 (BU10038), a compound with partial agonist activity at both nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) and mu-opioid receptors, reduces cocaine consumption, reinstatement, and whether the compound itself produces reinforcing effects in rats. Using an intermittent access (IntA) cocaine self-administration procedure, we found that PPL-138 (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) effectively decreased the total number of cocaine infusions and burst-like cocaine intake in both male and female rats. Responses for food in an IntA model of food self-administration were not altered for either sex, although locomotor activity was increased in female but not male rats. Blockade of NOP receptors with the selective antagonist J-113397 (5 mg/kg) did not prevent the PPL-138-induced suppression of cocaine self-administration, whereas blockade of mu-opioid receptors by naltrexone (1 mg/kg) reversed such effect. Consistently, treatment with morphine (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced IntA cocaine self-administration measures. PPL-138 also reduced reinstatement of cocaine seeking at all doses examined. Although an initial treatment with PPL-138 (2.5, 10, and 40 μg/kg/infusion) appeared rewarding, the compound did not maintain self-administration behavior. Animals treated with PPL-138 showed initial suppression of cocaine self-administration, which was eliminated following repeated daily dosing. However, suppression of cocaine self-administration was retained when subsequent PPL-138 treatments were administered 48 h apart. These findings demonstrate that the approach of combining partial NOP/mu-opioid activation successfully reduces cocaine use, but properties of PPL-138 seem to depend on the timing of drug administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cippitelli
- Biomedical Science Department, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States.
| | - Madeline Martinez
- Biomedical Science Department, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
| | - Gilles Zribi
- Biomedical Science Department, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
| | - Gerta Cami-Kobeci
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science, University of Bedfordshire Luton, Luton, UK
| | | | - Lawrence Toll
- Biomedical Science Department, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
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21
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Coluzzi F, Rullo L, Scerpa MS, Losapio LM, Rocco M, Billeci D, Candeletti S, Romualdi P. Current and Future Therapeutic Options in Pain Management: Multi-mechanistic Opioids Involving Both MOR and NOP Receptor Activation. CNS Drugs 2022; 36:617-632. [PMID: 35616826 PMCID: PMC9166888 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00924-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Opioids are widely used in chronic pain management, despite major concerns about their risk of adverse events, particularly abuse, misuse, and respiratory depression from overdose. Multi-mechanistic opioids, such as tapentadol and buprenorphine, have been widely studied as a valid alternative to traditional opioids for their safer profile. Special interest was focused on the role of the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor in terms of analgesia and improved tolerability. Nociceptin opioid peptide receptor agonists were shown to reinforce the antinociceptive effect of mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists and modulate some of their adverse effects. Therefore, multi-mechanistic opioids involving both MOR and NOP receptor activation became a major field of pharmaceutical and clinical investigations. Buprenorphine was re-discovered in a new perspective, as an atypical analgesic and as a substitution therapy for opioid use disorders; and buprenorphine derivatives have been tested in animal models of nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Similarly, cebranopadol, a full MOR/NOP receptor agonist, has been clinically evaluated for its potent analgesic efficacy and better tolerability profile, compared with traditional opioids. This review overviews pharmacological mechanisms of the NOP receptor system, including its role in pain management and in the development of opioid tolerance. Clinical data on buprenorphine suggest its role as a safer alternative to traditional opioids, particularly in patients with non-cancer pain; while data on cebranopadol still require phase III study results to approve its introduction on the market. Other bifunctional MOR/NOP receptor ligands, such as BU08028, BU10038, and AT-121, are currently under pharmacological investigations and could represent promising analgesic agents for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaminia Coluzzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy
- Unit Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Rullo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Maria Sole Scerpa
- Unit Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Maria Losapio
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Monica Rocco
- Department of Surgical and Medical Science and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Sanzio Candeletti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Romualdi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, Bologna, 40126, Italy
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22
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Dasgupta P, Mann A, Polgar WE, Reinscheid RK, Zaveri NT, Schulz S. Attenuated G protein signaling and minimal receptor phosphorylation as a biochemical signature of low side-effect opioid analgesics. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7154. [PMID: 35504962 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11189-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-receptor targeting has been proposed as a promising strategy for the development of opioid analgesics with fewer side effects. Cebranopadol and AT-121 are prototypical bifunctional ligands targeting the nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor (NOP) and µ-opioid receptor (MOP) that elicit potent analgesia in humans and nonhuman primates, respectively. Cebranopadol was reported to produce typical MOP-related side effects such as respiratory depression and reward, whereas AT-121 appeared to be devoid of these liabilities. However, the molecular basis underlying different side effect profiles in opioid analgesics remains unknown. Here, we examine agonist-induced receptor phosphorylation and G protein signaling profiles of a series of chemically diverse mixed MOP/NOP agonists, including cebranopadol and AT-121. We found that these compounds produce strikingly different MOP phosphorylation profiles. Cebranopadol, AT-034 and AT-324 stimulated extensive MOP phosphorylation, whereas AT-201 induced selective phosphorylation at S375 only. AT-121, on the other hand, did not promote any detectable MOP phosphorylation. Conversely, none of these compounds was able to elicit strong NOP phosphorylation and low NOP receptor phosphorylation correlated with partial agonism in a GIRK-channel assay. Our results suggest a close correlation between MOP receptor phosphorylation and side effect profile. Thus, bifunctional MOP/NOP opioid ligands combining low efficacy G protein signaling at both NOP and MOP with no detectable receptor phosphorylation appear to be devoid of side-effects such as respiratory depression, abuse liability or tolerance development, as with AT-121.
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23
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Kiguchi N, Ding H, Park SH, Mabry KM, Kishioka S, Shiozawa Y, Alfonso Romero-Sandoval E, Peters CM, Ko MC. Functional roles of neuromedin B and gastrin-releasing peptide in regulating itch and pain in the spinal cord of non-human primates. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 198:114972. [PMID: 35189108 PMCID: PMC10980179 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite accumulating evidence in rodents, the functional role of neuromedin B (NMB) in regulating somatosensory systems in primate spinal cord is unknown. We aimed to compare the expression patterns of NMB and its receptor (NMBR) and the behavioral effects of intrathecal (i.t.) NMB with gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on itch or pain in non-human primates (NHPs). We used six adult rhesus monkeys. The mRNA or protein expressions of NMB, GRP, and their receptors were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, or in situ hybridization. We determined the behavioral effects of NMB or GRP via acute thermal nociception, capsaicin-induced thermal allodynia, and itch scratching response assays. NMB expression levels were greater than those of GRP in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal dorsal horn. Conversely, NMBR expression was significantly lower than GRP receptor (GRPR). I.t. NMB elicited only mild scratching responses, whereas GRP caused robust scratching responses. GRP- and NMB-elicited scratching responses were attenuated by GRPR (RC-3095) and NMBR (PD168368) antagonists, respectively. Moreover, i.t. NMB and GRP did not induce thermal hypersensitivity and GRPR and NMBR antagonists did not affect peripherally elicited thermal allodynia. Consistently, NMBR expression was low in both itch- and pain-responsive neurons in the spinal dorsal horn. Spinal NMB-NMBR system plays a minimal functional role in the neurotransmission of itch and pain in primates. Unlike the functional significance of the GRP-GRPR system in itch, drugs targeting the spinal NMB-NMBR system may not effectively alleviate non-NMBR-mediated itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norikazu Kiguchi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama City, Wakayama 640-8156, Japan.
| | - Huiping Ding
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Sun H Park
- Department of Cancer Biology and Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Kelsey M Mabry
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Shiroh Kishioka
- Faculty of Wakayama Health Care Sciences, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care, Wakayama City, Wakayama 640-8392, Japan
| | - Yusuke Shiozawa
- Department of Cancer Biology and Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | | | - Christopher M Peters
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Mei-Chuan Ko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
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24
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Cox BM, Toll L. Contributions of the International Narcotics Research Conference to Opioid Research Over the Past 50 years. Adv Drug Alcohol Res 2022; 2:10115. [PMID: 38390618 PMCID: PMC10880772 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2022.10115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The International Narcotics Research Conference (INRC), founded in 1969, has been a successful forum for research into the actions of opiates, with an annual conference since 1971. Every year, scientists from around the world have congregated to present the latest data on novel opiates, opiate receptors and endogenous ligands, mechanisms of analgesic activity and unwanted side effects, etc. All the important discoveries in the opiate field were discussed, often first, at the annual INRC meeting. With an apology to important events and participants not discussed, this review presents a short history of INRC with a discussion of groundbreaking discoveries in the opiate field and the researchers who presented from the first meeting up to the present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Cox
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
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25
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Abstract
Opioids remain the major drug class for the treatment of acute, chronic and cancer pain, but have major harmful effects such as dependence and opioid-induced ventilatory impairment. Although no new typical opioids have come onto the market in the past almost 50 years, a plethora of new innovative formulations has been developed to meet the clinical need. This review is intended to shed light on new understanding of the molecular pharmacology of opioids, which has arisen largely due to the genomic revolution, and what new drugs may become available in the coming years. Atypical opioids have and are being developed which not only target the mu opioid receptor but other targets in the pain pathway. Biased mu agonists have been developed but remain 'unbiased' clinically. The contribution of drugs targeting non-mu opioid receptors either alone or as heterodimers shows potential promise but remains understudied. That gene splice variants of the mu opioid receptor produce multiple receptor isoforms in different brain regions, and may change with pain chronicity and phenotype, presents new challenges but also opportunities for precision pain medicine. Finally, that opioids also have pro-inflammatory effects not aligned with mu opioid receptor binding affinity implicates a fresh understanding of their role in chronic pain, whether cancer or non-cancer. Hopefully, a new understanding of opioid analgesic drug action may lead to new drug development and better precision medicine in acute and chronic pain relief with less patient harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Somogyi
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Stefan T Musolino
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Daniel T Barratt
- Discipline of Physiology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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26
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Bird MF, McDonald J, Horley B, O’Doherty JP, Fraser B, Gibson CL, Guerrini R, Caló G, Lambert DG. MOP and NOP receptor interaction: Studies with a dual expression system and bivalent peptide ligands. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0260880. [PMID: 35061679 PMCID: PMC8782398 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids targeting mu;μ (MOP) receptors produce analgesia in the peri-operative period and palliative care. They also produce side effects including respiratory depression, tolerance/dependence and addiction. The N/OFQ opioid receptor (NOP) also produces analgesia but is devoid of the major MOP side effects. Evidence exists for MOP-NOP interaction and mixed MOP-NOP ligands produce analgesia with reduced side effects. We have generated a HEKMOP/NOP human expression system and used bivalent MOP-NOP and fluorescent ligands to (i) probe for receptor interaction and (ii) consequences of that interaction. We used HEKMOP/NOP cells and two bivalent ligands; Dermorphin-N/OFQ (MOP agonist-NOP agonist; DeNO) and Dermorphin-UFP101 (MOP agonist-NOP antagonist; De101). We have determined receptor binding profiles, GTPγ[35S] binding, cAMP formation and ERK1/2 activation. We have also probed MOP and NOP receptor interactions in HEK cells and hippocampal neurones using the novel MOP fluorescent ligand, DermorphinATTO488 and the NOP fluorescent ligand N/OFQATTO594. In HEKMOP/NOP MOP ligands displaced NOP binding and NOP ligands displaced MOP binding. Using fluorescent probes in HEKMOP/NOP cells we demonstrated MOP-NOP probe overlap and a FRET signal indicating co-localisation. MOP-NOP were also co-localised in hippocampal tissue. In GTPγ[35S] and cAMP assays NOP stimulation shifted the response to MOP rightwards. At ERK1/2 the response to bivalent ligands generally peaked later. We provide evidence for MOP-NOP interaction in recombinant and native tissue. NOP activation reduces responsiveness of MOP activation; this was shown with conventional and bivalent ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. F. Bird
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - J. McDonald
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - B. Horley
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - J. P. O’Doherty
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - B. Fraser
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - C. L. Gibson
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Psychology Building, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - R. Guerrini
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - G. Caló
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - D. G. Lambert
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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27
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El Daibani A, Che T. Spotlight on Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptor in the Treatment of Pain. Molecules 2022; 27:595. [PMID: 35163856 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In our society today, pain has become a main source of strain on most individuals. It is crucial to develop novel treatments against pain while focusing on decreasing their adverse effects. Throughout the extent of development for new pain therapies, the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NOP receptor) has appeared to be an encouraging focal point. Concentrating on NOP receptor to treat chronic pain with limited range of unwanted effects serves as a suitable alternative to prototypical opioid morphine that could potentially lead to life-threatening effects caused by respiratory depression in overdose, as well as generate abuse and addiction. In addition to these harmful effects, the uprising opioid epidemic is responsible for becoming one of the most disastrous public health issues in the US. In this article, the contributing molecular and cellular structure in controlling the cellular trafficking of NOP receptor and studies that support the role of NOP receptor and its ligands in pain management are reviewed.
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28
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Griffith JI, Kim M, Bruce DJ, Peterson CD, Kitto KF, Mohammad AS, Rathi S, Fairbanks CA, Wilcox GL, Elmquist WF. Central Nervous System Distribution of an Opioid Agonist Combination with Synergistic Activity. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 380:34-46. [PMID: 34663676 PMCID: PMC8969136 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel combinations of specific opioid agonists like loperamide and oxymorphindole targeting the µ- and δ-opioid receptors, respectively, have shown increased potency with minimized opioid-associated risks. However, whether their interaction is pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic in nature has not been determined. This study quantitatively determined whether these drugs have a pharmacokinetic interaction that alters systemic disposition or central nervous system (CNS) distribution. We performed intravenous and oral in vivo pharmacokinetic assessments of both drugs after discrete dosing and administration in combination to determine whether the combination had any effect on systemic pharmacokinetic parameters or CNS exposure. Drugs were administered at 5 or 10 mg/kg i.v. or 30 mg/kg orally to institute for cancer research (ICR) mice and 5 mg/kg i.v. to Friend leukemia virus strain B mice of the following genotypes: wild-type, breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp-/- ) (Bcrp knockout), Mdr1a/b-/- [P-glycoprotein (P-gp) knockout], and Bcrp-/- Mdr1a/b-/- (triple knockout). In the combination, clearance of oxymorphindole (OMI) was reduced by approximately half, and the plasma area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) increased. Consequently, brain and spinal cord AUCs for OMI in the combination also increased proportionately. Both loperamide and OMI are P-gp substrates, but administration of the two drugs in combination does not alter efflux transport at the CNS barriers. Because OMI alone shows appreciable brain penetration but little therapeutic efficacy on its own, and because loperamide's CNS distribution is unchanged in the combination, the mechanism of action for the increased potency of the combination is most likely pharmacodynamic and most likely occurs at receptors in the peripheral nervous system. This combination has favorable characteristics for future development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Opioids have yet to be replaced as the most effective treatments for moderate-to-severe pain and chronic pain, but their side effects are dangerous. Combinations of opioids with peripheral activity, such as loperamide and oxymorphindole, would be valuable in that they are effective at much lower doses and have reduced risks for dangerous side effects because the µ-opioid receptor agonist is largely excluded from the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica I Griffith
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Minjee Kim
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Daniel J Bruce
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Cristina D Peterson
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kelley F Kitto
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Afroz S Mohammad
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Sneha Rathi
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Carolyn A Fairbanks
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - George L Wilcox
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - William F Elmquist
- Brain Barriers Research Center (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmaceutics (J.I.G., M.K., A.S.M., S.R., C.A.F., W.F.E.), Department of Pharmacology (D.J.B., C.A.F., G.L.W.), Department of Neuroscience (C.D.P., K.F.K., C.A.F., G.L.W.), and Department of Dermatology (G.L.W.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Elmquist Laboratory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (KOR)-related ligands have been demonstrated in preclinical studies for several therapeutic potentials. This chapter highlights (1) how non-human primates (NHP) studies facilitate the research and development of ligands targeting the KOR, (2) effects of the endogenous opioid peptide, dynorphin A-(1-17), and its analogs in NHP, and (3) pleiotropic effects and therapeutic applications of KOR-related ligands. In particular, synthetic ligands targeting the KOR have been extensively studied in NHP in three therapeutic areas, i.e., the treatment for itch, pain, and substance use disorders. As the KORs are widely expressed in the peripheral and central nervous systems, pleiotropic effects of KOR-related ligands, such as discriminative stimulus effects, neuroendocrine effects (e.g., prolactin release and stimulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), and diuresis, in NHP are discussed. Centrally acting KOR agonists are known to produce adverse effects including dysphoria, hallucination, and sedation. Nonetheless, with strategic advances in medicinal chemistry, three classes of KOR-related agonists, i.e., peripherally restricted KOR agonists, mixed KOR/mu opioid receptor partial agonists, and G protein-biased KOR agonists, warrant additional NHP studies to improve our understanding of their functional efficacy, selectivity, and tolerability. Pharmacological studies in NHP which carry high translational significance will facilitate future development of KOR-based medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Chuan Ko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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30
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Abstract
Although μ-opioid peptide (MOP) receptor agonists are effective analgesics available in clinical settings, their serious adverse effects put limits on their use. The marked increase in abuse and misuse of prescription opioids for pain relief and opioid overdose mortality in the past decade has seriously impacted society. Therefore, safe analgesics that produce potent analgesic effects without causing MOP receptor-related adverse effects are needed. This review highlights the potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of opioid abuse and pain based on available evidence generated through preclinical studies and clinical trials. To ameliorate the abuse-related effects of opioids, orexin-1 receptor antagonists and mixed nociceptin/MOP partial agonists have shown promising results in translational aspects of animal models. There are several promising non-opioid targets for selectively inhibiting pain-related responses, including nerve growth factor inhibitors, voltage-gated sodium channel inhibitors, and cannabinoid- and nociceptin-related ligands. We have also discussed several emerging and novel targets. The current medications for opioid abuse are opioid receptor-based ligands. Although neurobiological studies in rodents have discovered several non-opioid targets, there is a translational gap between rodents and primates. Given that the neuroanatomical aspects underlying opioid abuse and pain are different between rodents and primates, it is pivotal to investigate the functional profiles of these non-opioid compounds compared to those of clinically used drugs in non-human primate models before initiating clinical trials. More pharmacological studies of the functional efficacy, selectivity, and tolerability of these newly discovered compounds in non-human primates will accelerate the development of effective medications for opioid abuse and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norikazu Kiguchi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan.
| | - Mei-Chuan Ko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
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31
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Scholz O, Otter S, Welters A, Wörmeyer L, Dolenšek J, Klemen MS, Pohorec V, Eberhard D, Mrugala J, Hamacher A, Koch A, Sanz M, Hoffmann T, Hogeback J, Herebian D, Klöcker N, Piechot A, Mayatepek E, Meissner T, Stožer A, Lammert E. Peripherally active dextromethorphan derivatives lower blood glucose levels by targeting pancreatic islets. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1474-1488.e7. [PMID: 34118188 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dextromethorphan (DXM) acts as cough suppressant via its central action. Cell-protective effects of this drug have been reported in peripheral tissues, making DXM potentially useful for treatment of several common human diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Pancreatic islets are among the peripheral tissues that positively respond to DXM, and anti-diabetic effects of DXM were observed in two placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials in humans with T2DM. Since these effects were associated with central side effects, we here developed chemical derivatives of DXM that pass the blood-brain barrier to a significantly lower extent than the original drug. We show that basic nitrogen-containing residues block central adverse events of DXM without reducing its anti-diabetic effects, including the protection of human pancreatic islets from cell death. These results show how to chemically modify DXM, and possibly other morphinans, as to exclude central side effects, while targeting peripheral tissues, such as pancreatic islets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okka Scholz
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Center of Competence for Innovative Diabetes Therapy (KomIT), German Diabetes Center (DDZ), 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Silke Otter
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Center of Competence for Innovative Diabetes Therapy (KomIT), German Diabetes Center (DDZ), 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alena Welters
- Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Laura Wörmeyer
- Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jurij Dolenšek
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Maša Skelin Klemen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Viljem Pohorec
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Daniel Eberhard
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jessica Mrugala
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Anna Hamacher
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Angela Koch
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Miguel Sanz
- Center of Competence for Innovative Diabetes Therapy (KomIT), German Diabetes Center (DDZ), 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Taros Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Torsten Hoffmann
- Center of Competence for Innovative Diabetes Therapy (KomIT), German Diabetes Center (DDZ), 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Taros Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jens Hogeback
- A&M Labor für Analytik und Metabolismusforschung Service GmbH, 50126 Bergheim, Germany
| | - Diran Herebian
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nikolaj Klöcker
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Piechot
- Center of Competence for Innovative Diabetes Therapy (KomIT), German Diabetes Center (DDZ), 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Taros Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ertan Mayatepek
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Meissner
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andraž Stožer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Eckhard Lammert
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Center of Competence for Innovative Diabetes Therapy (KomIT), German Diabetes Center (DDZ), 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
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Varshneya NB, Hassanien SH, Holt MC, Stevens DL, Layle NK, Bassman JR, Iula DM, Beardsley PM. Respiratory depressant effects of fentanyl analogs are opioid receptor-mediated. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 195:114805. [PMID: 34673011 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Opioid-related fatalities involving synthetic opioids have reached unprecedented levels. This study evaluated the respiratory depressant effects of seven fentanyl analogs that have either emerged in the illicit drug supply or been identified in toxicological analyses following fatal or non-fatal intoxications. Adult male Swiss Webster mice were administered fentanyl analogs (isobutyrylfentanyl, crotonylfentanyl, para-methoxyfentanyl, para-methoxybutyrylfentanyl, 3-furanylfentanyl, thiophenefentanyl, and benzodioxolefentanyl) and their effects on minute volume as compared to mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist standards (fentanyl, morphine, and buprenorphine) were measured using whole body plethysmography (WBP). All drugs elicited significant (p ≤ 0.05) hypoventilation relative to vehicle for at least one dose tested: morphine (1, 3.2, 10, 32 mg/kg), buprenorphine, (0.032, 0.1, 0.32, 1, 3.2 mg/kg), fentanyl (0.0032, 0.01, 0.032, 0.1, 1, 32 mg/kg), isobutyrylfentanyl (0.1, 0.32, 1, 3.2, 10 mg/kg), crotonylfentanyl (0.1, 0.32, 1, 3.2, 10 mg/kg), para-methoxyfentanyl (0.1, 0.32, 1, 3.2, 10 mg/kg), para-methoxybutyrylfentanyl (0.32, 1, 3.2, 10 mg/kg), 3-furanylfentanyl (0.1, 0.32, 1, 3.2, 10 mg/kg), thiophenefentanyl (1, 3.2, 10, 32, 100 mg/kg), and benzodioxolefentanyl (3.2, 10, 32, 100 mg/kg). The ED50 values for hypoventilation showed a rank order of potency as follows: fentanyl (ED50 = 0.96 mg/kg) > 3-furanylfentanyl (ED50 = 2.60 mg/kg) > crotonylfentanyl (ED50 = 2.72 mg/kg) > para-methoxyfentanyl (ED50 = 3.31 mg/kg) > buprenorphine (ED50 = 10.8 mg/kg) > isobutyrylfentanyl (ED50 = 13.5 mg/kg) > para-methoxybutyrylfentanyl (ED50 = 16.1 mg/kg) > thiophenefentanyl (ED50 = 18.0 mg/kg) > morphine (ED50 = 55.3 mg/kg) > benzodioxolefentanyl (ED50 = 10,168 mg/kg). A naloxone pretreatment (10 mg/kg) attenuated the hypoventilatory effects of all drugs. These results establish that the respiratory depressant effects of these fentanyl analogs are at least in part mediated by the MOR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil B Varshneya
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Sherif H Hassanien
- Forensic Chemistry Division, Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Melissa C Holt
- Forensic Chemistry Division, Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David L Stevens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Nathan K Layle
- Forensic Chemistry Division, Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jonathon R Bassman
- Forensic Chemistry Division, Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Donna M Iula
- Forensic Chemistry Division, Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Patrick M Beardsley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA; Center for Biomarker Research & Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, USA
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Noble F, Marie N. Biased Opioid Ligands: Revolution or Evolution? Front Pain Res 2021; 2:722820. [PMID: 35295469 PMCID: PMC8915667 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2021.722820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid are the most powerful analgesics ever but their use is still limited by deleterious side effects such as tolerance, dependence, and respiratory depression that could eventually lead to a fatal overdose. The opioid crisis, mainly occurring in north America, stimulates research on finding new opioid ligands with reduced side effects. Among them, biased ligands are likely the most promising compounds. We will review some of the latest discovered biased opioid ligands and see if they were able to fulfill these expectations.
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Bossert JM, Townsend EA, Altidor LKP, Fredriksson I, Shekara A, Husbands S, Sulima A, Rice KC, Banks ML, Shaham Y. Sex differences in the effect of chronic delivery of the buprenorphine analogue BU08028 on heroin relapse and choice in a rat model of opioid maintenance. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:227-241. [PMID: 34505281 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Maintenance treatment with opioid agonists (buprenorphine, methadone) decreases opioid use and relapse. We recently modelled maintenance treatment in rats and found that chronic delivery of buprenorphine or the μ opioid receptor partial agonist TRV130 decreased relapse to oxycodone seeking and taking. Here, we tested the buprenorphine analogue BU08028 on different heroin relapse-related measures and heroin versus food choice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH For relapse assessment, we trained male and female rats to self-administer heroin (6 h·day-1 , 14 days) in Context A and then implanted osmotic minipumps containing BU08028 (0, 0.03 or 0.1 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 ). Effects of chronic BU08028 delivery were tested on (1) incubation of heroin-seeking in a non-drug Context B, (2) extinction responding reinforced by heroin-associated discrete cues in Context B, (3) reinstatement of heroin-seeking induced by re-exposure to Context A and (4) re-acquisition of heroin self-administration in Context A. For choice assessment, we tested the effect of chronic BU08028 delivery on heroin versus food choice. KEY RESULTS Chronic BU08028 delivery decreased incubation of heroin seeking. Unexpectedly, BU08028 increased re-acquisition of heroin self-administration selectively in females. Chronic BU08028 had minimal effects on context-induced reinstatement and heroin versus food choice in both sexes. Finally, exploratory post hoc analyses suggest that BU08028 decreased extinction responding selectively in males. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Chronic BU08028 delivery had both beneficial and detrimental, sex-dependent, effects on different triggers of heroin relapse and minimal effects on heroin choice in both sexes. Results suggest that BU08028 would not be an effective opioid maintenance treatment in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E Andrew Townsend
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Ida Fredriksson
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aniruddha Shekara
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephen Husbands
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Chemical Biology Research Branch, IRP/NIAAA/NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Chemical Biology Research Branch, IRP/NIAAA/NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Yavin Shaham
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Cebranopadol, a mixed nociceptin/opioid receptor full agonist, can effectively relieve pain in rodents and humans. However, it is unclear to what degree different opioid receptor subtypes contribute to its antinociception and whether cebranopadol lacks acute opioid-associated side effects in primates. The authors hypothesized that coactivation of nociceptin receptors and μ receptors produces analgesia with reduced side effects in nonhuman primates. METHODS The antinociceptive, reinforcing, respiratory-depressant, and pruritic effects of cebranopadol in adult rhesus monkeys (n = 22) were compared with μ receptor agonists fentanyl and morphine using assays, including acute thermal nociception, IV drug self-administration, telemetric measurement of respiratory function, and itch-scratching responses. RESULTS Subcutaneous cebranopadol (ED50, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.8 to 4.6] μg/kg) potently produced antinociception compared to fentanyl (15.8 [14.6 to 17.1] μg/kg). Pretreatment with antagonists selective for nociceptin and μ receptors, but not δ and κ receptor antagonists, caused rightward shifts of the antinociceptive dose-response curve of cebranopadol with dose ratios of 2 and 9, respectively. Cebranopadol produced reinforcing effects comparable to fentanyl, but with decreased reinforcing strength, i.e., cebranopadol (mean ± SD, 7 ± 3 injections) versus fentanyl (12 ± 3 injections) determined by a progressive-ratio schedule of reinforcement. Unlike fentanyl (8 ± 2 breaths/min), systemic cebranopadol at higher doses did not decrease the respiratory rate (17 ± 2 breaths/min). Intrathecal cebranopadol (1 μg) exerted full antinociception with minimal scratching responses (231 ± 137 scratches) in contrast to intrathecal morphine (30 μg; 3,009 ± 1,474 scratches). CONCLUSIONS In nonhuman primates, the μ receptor mainly contributed to cebranopadol-induced antinociception. Similar to nociceptin/μ receptor partial agonists, cebranopadol displayed reduced side effects, such as a lack of respiratory depression and pruritus. Although cebranopadol showed reduced reinforcing strength, its detectable reinforcing effects and strength warrant caution, which is critical for the development and clinical use of cebranopadol. EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Ding
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Norikazu Kiguchi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 640-8156, Japan
| | - Fang-Chi Hsu
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Girolamo Caló
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Mei-Chuan Ko
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- W.G. Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, North Carolina, USA
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36
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Dahan A, Olofsen E. Does Divergence Exist between Animal and Human Data on the Effect of Cebranopadol? Anesthesiology 2021; 135:382-3. [PMID: 34329373 DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000003885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Chakraborty S, Uprety R, Daibani AE, Rouzic VL, Hunkele A, Appourchaux K, Eans SO, Nuthikattu N, Jilakara R, Thammavong L, Pasternak GW, Pan YX, McLaughlin JP, Che T, Majumdar S. Kratom Alkaloids as Probes for Opioid Receptor Function: Pharmacological Characterization of Minor Indole and Oxindole Alkaloids from Kratom. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2661-2678. [PMID: 34213886 PMCID: PMC8328003 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dry leaves of kratom (mitragyna speciosa) are anecdotally consumed as pain relievers and antidotes against opioid withdrawal and alcohol use disorders. There are at least 54 alkaloids in kratom; however, investigations to date have focused around mitragynine, 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7OH), and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP). Herein, we probe a few minor indole and oxindole based alkaloids, reporting the receptor affinity, G-protein activity, and βarrestin-2 signaling of corynantheidine, corynoxine, corynoxine B, mitraciliatine, and isopaynantheine at mouse and human opioid receptors. We identify corynantheidine as a mu opioid receptor (MOR) partial agonist, whereas its oxindole derivative corynoxine was an MOR full agonist. Similarly, another alkaloid mitraciliatine was found to be an MOR partial agonist, while isopaynantheine was a KOR agonist which showed reduced βarrestin-2 recruitment. Corynantheidine, corynoxine, and mitraciliatine showed MOR dependent antinociception in mice, but mitraciliatine and corynoxine displayed attenuated respiratory depression and hyperlocomotion compared to the prototypic MOR agonist morphine in vivo when administered supraspinally. Isopaynantheine on the other hand was identified as the first kratom derived KOR agonist in vivo. While these minor alkaloids are unlikely to play the majority role in the biological actions of kratom, they represent excellent starting points for further diversification as well as distinct efficacy and signaling profiles with which to probe opioid actions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Chakraborty
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Rajendra Uprety
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Amal E Daibani
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Valerie L Rouzic
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Amanda Hunkele
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Kevin Appourchaux
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Shainnel O Eans
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 032610, United States
| | - Nitin Nuthikattu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Rahul Jilakara
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Lisa Thammavong
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Gavril W Pasternak
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Ying-Xian Pan
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, United States
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 032610, United States
| | - Tao Che
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
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Hill R, Canals M. Experimental considerations for the assessment of in vivo and in vitro opioid pharmacology. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 230:107961. [PMID: 34256067 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Morphine and other mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists remain the mainstay treatment of acute and prolonged pain states worldwide. The major limiting factor for continued use of these current opioids is the high incidence of side effects that result in loss of life and loss of quality of life. The development of novel opioids bereft, or much less potent, at inducing these side effects remains an intensive area of research, with multiple pharmacological strategies being explored. However, as with many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), translation of promising candidates from in vitro characterisation to successful clinical candidates still represents a major challenge and attrition point. This review summarises the preclinical animal models used to evaluate the key opioid-induced behaviours of antinociception, respiratory depression, constipation and opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance. We highlight the influence of distinct variables in the experimental protocols, as well as the potential implications for differences in receptor reserve in each system. Finally, we discuss how methods to assess opioid action in vivo and in vitro relate to each other in the context of bridging the translational gap in opioid drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Hill
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands, United Kingdom.
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands, United Kingdom.
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Kiguchi N, Ding H, Kishioka S, Ko MC. Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Peptide Receptor-Related Ligands as Novel Analgesics. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:2878-2888. [PMID: 32384033 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200508082615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite similar distribution patterns and intracellular events observed in the nociceptin/ orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor and other opioid receptors, NOP receptor activation displays unique pharmacological profiles. Several researchers have identified a variety of peptide and nonpeptide ligands to determine the functional roles of NOP receptor activation and observed that NOP receptor- related ligands exhibit pain modality-dependent pain processing. Importantly, NOP receptor activation results in anti-nociception and anti-hypersensitivity at the spinal and supraspinal levels regardless of the experimental settings in non-human primates (NHPs). Given that the NOP receptor agonists synergistically enhance mu-opioid peptide (MOP) receptor agonist-induced anti-nociception, it has been hypothesized that dual NOP and MOP receptor agonists may display promising functional properties as analgesics. Accumulating evidence indicates that the mixed NOP/opioid receptor agonists demonstrate favorable functional profiles. In NHP studies, bifunctional NOP/MOP partial agonists (e.g., AT-121, BU08028, and BU10038) exerted potent anti-nociception via NOP and MOP receptor activation; however, dose-limiting adverse effects associated with the MOP receptor activation, including respiratory depression, itch sensation, physical dependence, and abuse liability, were not observed. Moreover, a mixed NOP/opioid receptor agonist, cebranopadol, presented promising outcomes in clinical trials as a novel analgesic. Collectively, the dual agonistic actions on NOP and MOP receptors, with appropriate binding affinities and efficacies, may be a viable strategy to develop innovative and safe analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norikazu Kiguchi
- Department of Pharmacology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Huiping Ding
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States
| | - Shiroh Kishioka
- Department of Pharmacology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Mei-Chuan Ko
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States
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Kibaly C, Alderete JA, Liu SH, Nasef HS, Law PY, Evans CJ, Cahill CM. Oxycodone in the Opioid Epidemic: High 'Liking', 'Wanting', and Abuse Liability. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 41:899-926. [PMID: 33245509 PMCID: PMC8155122 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-01013-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It is estimated that nearly a third of people who abuse drugs started with prescription opioid medicines. Approximately, 11.5 million Americans used prescription drugs recreationally in 2016, and in 2018, 46,802 Americans died as the result of an opioid overdose, including prescription opioids, heroin, and illicitly manufactured fentanyl (National Institutes on Drug Abuse (2020) Opioid Overdose Crisis. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis . Accessed 06 June 2020). Yet physicians will continue to prescribe oral opioids for moderate-to-severe pain in the absence of alternative therapeutics, underscoring the importance in understanding how drug choice can influence detrimental outcomes. One of the opioid prescription medications that led to this crisis is oxycodone, where misuse of this drug has been rampant. Being one of the most highly prescribed opioid medications for treating moderate-to-severe pain as reflected in the skyrocketed increase in retail sales of 866% between 1997 and 2007, oxycodone was initially suggested to be less addictive than morphine. The false-claimed non-addictive formulation of oxycodone, OxyContin, further contributed to the opioid crisis. Abuse was often carried out by crushing the pills for immediate burst release, typically by nasal insufflation, or by liquefying the pills for intravenous injection. Here, we review oxycodone pharmacology and abuse liability as well as present the hypothesis that oxycodone may exhibit a unique pharmacology that contributes to its high likability and abuse susceptibility. We will discuss various mechanisms that likely contribute to the high abuse rate of oxycodone including clinical drug likability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, differences in its actions within mesolimbic reward circuity compared to other opioids, and the possibility of differential molecular and cellular receptor interactions that contribute to its selective effects. We will also discuss marketing strategies and drug difference that likely contributes to the oxycodone opioid use disorders and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherkaouia Kibaly
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Jacob A Alderete
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven H Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hazem S Nasef
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ping-Yee Law
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher J Evans
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Catherine M Cahill
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Abstract
Neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels play a pivotal role in the conversion of electrical signals into calcium entry into nerve endings that is required for the release of neurotransmitters. They are under the control of a number of cellular signaling pathways that serve to fine tune synaptic activities, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the opioid system. Besides modulating channel activity via activation of second messengers, GPCRs also physically associate with calcium channels to regulate their function and expression at the plasma membrane. In this mini review, we discuss the mechanisms by which calcium channels are regulated by classical opioid and nociceptin receptors. We highlight the importance of this regulation in the control of neuronal functions and their implication in the development of disease conditions. Finally, we present recent literature concerning the use of novel μ-opioid receptor/nociceptin receptor modulators and discuss their use as potential drug candidates for the treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Weiss
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gerald W Zamponi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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De Neve J, Barlow TMA, Tourwé D, Bihel F, Simonin F, Ballet S. Comprehensive overview of biased pharmacology at the opioid receptors: biased ligands and bias factors. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:828-870. [PMID: 34223156 PMCID: PMC8221262 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00041a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main challenges in contemporary medicinal chemistry is the development of safer analgesics, used in the treatment of pain. Currently, moderate to severe pain is still treated with the "gold standard" opioids whose long-term often leads to severe side effects. With the discovery of biased agonism, the importance of this area of pharmacology has grown exponentially over the past decade. Of these side effects, tolerance, opioid misuse, physical dependence and substance use disorder (SUD) stand out, since these have led to many deaths over the past decades in both USA and Europe. New therapeutic molecules that induce a biased response at the opioid receptors (MOR, DOR, KOR and NOP receptor) are able to circumvent these side effects and, consequently, serve as more advantageous therapies with great promise. The concept of biased signaling extends far beyond the already sizeable field of GPCR pharmacology and covering everything would be vastly outside the scope of this review which consequently covers the biased ligands acting at the opioid family of receptors. The limitation of quantifying bias, however, makes this a controversial subject, where it is dependent on the reference ligand, the equation or the assay used for the quantification. Hence, the major issue in the field of biased ligands remains the translation of the in vitro profiles of biased signaling, with corresponding bias factors to in vivo profiles showing the presence or the lack of specific side effects. This review comprises a comprehensive overview of biased ligands in addition to their bias factors at individual members of the opioid family of receptors, as well as bifunctional ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien De Neve
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Thomas M A Barlow
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Frédéric Bihel
- Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR 7200, CNRS Université de Strasbourg Illkirch France
| | - Frédéric Simonin
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg Illkirch France
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
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Wang Z, Jiang C, He Q, Matsuda M, Han Q, Wang K, Bang S, Ding H, Ko MC, Ji RR. Anti-PD-1 treatment impairs opioid antinociception in rodents and nonhuman primates. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/531/eaaw6471. [PMID: 32075945 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaw6471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Emerging immunotherapies with monoclonal antibodies against programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) have shown success in treating cancers. However, PD-1 signaling in neurons is largely unknown. We recently reported that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) primary sensory neurons express PD-1 and activation of PD-1 inhibits neuronal excitability and pain. Opioids are mainstay treatments for cancer pain, and morphine produces antinociception via mu opioid receptor (MOR). Here, we report that morphine antinociception and MOR signaling require neuronal PD-1. Morphine-induced antinociception after systemic or intrathecal injection was compromised in Pd1 -/- mice. Morphine antinociception was also diminished in wild-type mice after intravenous or intrathecal administration of nivolumab, a clinically used anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody. In mouse models of inflammatory, neuropathic, and cancer pain, spinal morphine antinociception was compromised in Pd1 -/- mice. MOR and PD-1 are coexpressed in sensory neurons and their axons in mouse and human DRG tissues. Morphine produced antinociception by (i) suppressing calcium currents in DRG neurons, (ii) suppressing excitatory synaptic transmission, and (iii) inducing outward currents in spinal cord neurons; all of these actions were impaired by PD-1 blockade in mice. Loss of PD-1 also enhanced opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance and potentiates opioid-induced microgliosis and long-term potentiation in the spinal cord in mice. Last, intrathecal infusion of nivolumab inhibited intrathecal morphine-induced antinociception in nonhuman primates. Our findings demonstrate that PD-1 regulates opioid receptor signaling in nociceptive neurons, leading to altered opioid-induced antinociception in rodents and nonhuman primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Wang
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Changyu Jiang
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Qianru He
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Megumi Matsuda
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Qingjian Han
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kaiyuan Wang
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sangsu Bang
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Huiping Ding
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Mei-Chuan Ko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.,W. G. Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, NC 28144, USA
| | - Ru-Rong Ji
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. .,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Toll L, Cippitelli A, Ozawa A. The NOP Receptor System in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders: Discrepancies, Peculiarities and Clinical Progress in Developing Targeted Therapies. CNS Drugs 2021; 35:591-607. [PMID: 34057709 PMCID: PMC8279133 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-021-00821-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor and its endogenous ligand nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) are the fourth members of the opioid receptor and opioid peptide families. Although they have considerable sequence homology to the other family members, they are not considered opioid per se because they do not have pharmacological profiles similar to the other family members. The number of NOP receptors in the brain is higher than the other family members, and NOP receptors can be found throughout the brain. Because of the widespread distribution of NOP receptors, N/OFQ and other peptide and small molecule agonists and antagonists have extensive CNS activities. Originally thought to be anti-opioid, NOP receptor agonists block some opioid activities, potentiate others, and modulate other activities not affected by traditional opiates. Because the effect of receptor activation can be dependent upon site of administration, state of the animal, and other variables, the study of NOP receptors has been fraught with contradictions and inconsistencies. In this article, the actions and controversies pertaining to NOP receptor activation and inhibition are discussed with respect to CNS disorders including pain (acute, chronic, and migraine), drug abuse, anxiety and depression. In addition, progress towards clinical use of NOP receptor-directed compounds is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Toll
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.
| | - Andrea Cippitelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Akihiko Ozawa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
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Dumitrascuta M, Bermudez M, Trovato O, De Neve J, Ballet S, Wolber G, Spetea M. Antinociceptive Efficacy of the µ-Opioid/Nociceptin Peptide-Based Hybrid KGNOP1 in Inflammatory Pain without Rewarding Effects in Mice: An Experimental Assessment and Molecular Docking. Molecules 2021; 26:3267. [PMID: 34071603 PMCID: PMC8198056 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioids are the most effective analgesics, with most clinically available opioids being agonists to the µ-opioid receptor (MOR). The MOR is also responsible for their unwanted effects, including reward and opioid misuse leading to the current public health crisis. The imperative need for safer, non-addictive pain therapies drives the search for novel leads and new treatment strategies. In this study, the recently discovered MOR/nociceptin (NOP) receptor peptide hybrid KGNOP1 (H-Dmt-D-Arg-Aba-β-Ala-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Ile-Lys-NH2) was evaluated following subcutaneous administration in mouse models of acute (formalin test) and chronic inflammatory pain (Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced paw hyperalgesia), liabilities of spontaneous locomotion, conditioned place preference, and the withdrawal syndrome. KGNOP1 demonstrated dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in the formalin test, and efficacy in attenuating thermal hyperalgesia with prolonged duration of action. Antinociceptive effects of KGNOP1 were reversed by naltrexone and SB-612111, indicating the involvement of both MOR and NOP receptor agonism. In comparison with morphine, KGNOP1 was more potent and effective in mouse models of inflammatory pain. Unlike morphine, KGNOP1 displayed reduced detrimental liabilities, as no locomotor impairment nor rewarding and withdrawal effects were observed. Docking of KGNOP1 to the MOR and NOP receptors and subsequent 3D interaction pattern analyses provided valuable insights into its binding mode. The mixed MOR/NOP receptor peptide KGNOP1 holds promise in the effort to develop new analgesics for the treatment of various pain states with fewer MOR-mediated side effects, particularly abuse and dependence liabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dumitrascuta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.D.); (O.T.)
| | - Marcel Bermudez
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, D-14195 Berlin, Germany; (M.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Olga Trovato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.D.); (O.T.)
| | - Jolien De Neve
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; (J.D.N.); (S.B.)
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; (J.D.N.); (S.B.)
| | - Gerhard Wolber
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, D-14195 Berlin, Germany; (M.B.); (G.W.)
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.D.); (O.T.)
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Deng J, Hou W, Dong X, Hajagos J, Saltz M, Saltz J, Wang F. A Large-Scale Observational Study on the Temporal Trends and Risk Factors of Opioid Overdose: Real-World Evidence for Better Opioids. Drugs Real World Outcomes 2021; 8:393-406. [PMID: 34037960 DOI: 10.1007/s40801-021-00253-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The USA is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. To address the epidemic, we conducted a large-scale population study on opioid overdose. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the temporal trends and risk factors of inpatient opioid overdose. Based on its patterns, the secondary objective was to examine the innate properties of opioid analgesics underlying reduced overdose effects. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted based on a large-scale inpatient electronic health records database, Cerner Health Facts®, with (1) inclusion criteria for participants as patients admitted between 1 January, 2009 and 31 December, 2017 and (2) measurements as opioid overdose prevalence by year, demographics, and prescription opioid exposures. Results A total of 4,720,041 patients with 7,339,480 inpatient encounters were retrieved from Cerner Health Facts®. Among them, 30.2% patients were aged 65+ years, 57.0% female, 70.1% Caucasian, 42.3% single, 32.0% from the South, and 80.8% in an urban area. From 2009 to 2017, annual opioid overdose prevalence per 1000 patients significantly increased from 3.7 to 11.9 with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–1.16. Compared to the major demographic counterparts, being in (1) age group: 41–50 years (overall aOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.31–1.40) or 51–64 years (overall aOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.32–1.39), (2) marital status: divorced (overall aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.15–1.23), and (3) census region: West (overall aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.28–1.36) were significantly associated with a higher odds of opioid overdose. Prescription opioid exposures were also associated with an increased odds of opioid overdose, such as meperidine (overall aOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.06–1.13) and tramadol (overall aOR 2.20, 95% CI 2.14–2.27). Examination on the relationships between opioid analgesic properties and their association strengths, aORs, and opioid overdose showed that lower aOR values were significantly associated with (1) high molecular weight, (2) non-interaction with multi-drug resistance protein 1 or interaction with cytochrome P450 3A4, and (3) non-interaction with the delta opioid receptor or kappa opioid receptor. Conclusions The significant increasing trends of opioid overdose at the inpatient care setting from 2009 to 2017 suggested an ongoing need for efforts to combat the opioid overdose epidemic in the USA. Risk factors associated with opioid overdose included patient demographics and prescription opioid exposures. Moreover, there are physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties underlying reduced overdose effects, which can be utilized to develop better opioids. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40801-021-00253-8.
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Pacifico S, Albanese V, Illuminati D, Marzola E, Fabbri M, Ferrari F, Holanda VAD, Sturaro C, Malfacini D, Ruzza C, Trapella C, Preti D, Lo Cascio E, Arcovito A, Della Longa S, Marangoni M, Fattori D, Nassini R, Calò G, Guerrini R. Novel Mixed NOP/Opioid Receptor Peptide Agonists. J Med Chem 2021; 64:6656-6669. [PMID: 33998786 PMCID: PMC8279409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
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The nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ)/N/OFQ receptor (NOP) system
controls different biological functions including pain and cough reflex.
Mixed NOP/opioid receptor agonists elicit similar effects to strong
opioids but with reduced side effects. In this work, 31 peptides with
the general sequence [Tyr/Dmt1,Xaa5]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 were synthesized and pharmacologically characterized for
their action at human recombinant NOP/opioid receptors. The best results
in terms of NOP versus mu opioid receptor potency were obtained by
substituting both Tyr1 and Thr5 at the N-terminal
portion of N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 with the noncanonical amino
acid Dmt. [Dmt1,5]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 has been identified
as the most potent dual NOP/mu receptor peptide agonist so far described.
Experimental data have been complemented by in silico studies to shed light on the molecular mechanisms by which the peptide
binds the active form of the mu receptor. Finally, the compound exerted
antitussive effects in an in vivo model of cough.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Valentina Albanese
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Davide Illuminati
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Erika Marzola
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Martina Fabbri
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Victor A D Holanda
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Chiara Sturaro
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Largo Meneghetti 2, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy.,Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, via Fossato di Mortara 70, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy.,Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, via Fossato di Mortara 70, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Delia Preti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Ettore Lo Cascio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, Roma 00168, Italy
| | - Alessandro Arcovito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, Roma 00168, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo F. Vito 1, Roma 00168, Italy
| | - Stefano Della Longa
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Pza S. Tommasi 1, L'Aquila 67100, Italy
| | - Martina Marangoni
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Davide Fattori
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Romina Nassini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Largo Meneghetti 2, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy.,Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, via Fossato di Mortara 70, Ferrara 44121, Italy
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48
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Meyer ME, Doshi A, Yasuda D, Zaveri NT. Structure-Based SAR in the Design of Selective or Bifunctional Nociceptin (NOP) Receptor Agonists. AAPS J 2021; 23:68. [PMID: 33974173 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-021-00589-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The nociceptin opioid receptor (NOP), the fourth member of the opioid receptor family, and its endogenous peptide ligand, nociceptin or orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), play a vital role in several central nervous system pathways regulating pain, reward, feeding, anxiety, motor control and learning/memory. Both selective NOP agonists as well as bifunctional agonists at the NOP and mu opioid receptor (MOP) have potential therapeutic applications in CNS disorders related to these processes. Using Surflex-Dock protocols, we conducted a computational structure-activity study of four scaffold classes of NOP ligands with varying NOP-MOP selectivity. By docking these compounds into the orthosteric binding sites within an active-state NOP homology model, and an active-state MOP crystal structure, the goal of this study was to use a structure-based drug design approach to modulate NOP affinity and NOP vs. MOP selectivity. We first docked four parent compounds (no side chain) to determine their binding interactions within the NOP and MOP binding pockets. Various polar sidechains were added to the heterocyclic A-pharmacophore to modulate NOP ligand affinity. The substitutions mainly contained a 1-2 carbon chain with a polar substituent such as an amine, alcohol, sulfamide, or guanidine. The SAR analysis is focused on the impact of structural changes in the sidechain, such as chain length, hydrogen bonding capability, and basic vs neutral functional groups on binding affinity and selectivity at both NOP and MOP receptors. This study highlights structural modifications that can be leveraged to rationally design both selective NOP and bifunctional NOP-MOP agonists with different ratios of functional efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Meyer
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, California, 94043, USA
| | - Arpit Doshi
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, California, 94043, USA
| | - Dennis Yasuda
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, California, 94043, USA
| | - Nurulain T Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, California, 94043, USA.
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49
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Lu JJ, Polgar WE, Mann A, Dasgupta P, Schulz S, Zaveri NT. Differential In Vitro Pharmacological Profiles of Structurally Diverse Nociceptin Receptor Agonists in Activating G Protein and Beta-Arrestin Signaling at the Human Nociceptin Opioid Receptor. Mol Pharmacol 2021; 100:7-18. [PMID: 33958480 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.120.000076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Agonists at the nociceptin opioid peptide receptor (NOP) are under investigation as therapeutics for nonaddicting analgesia, opioid use disorder, Parkinson's disease, and other indications. NOP full and partial agonists have both been of interest, particularly since NOP partial agonists show a reduced propensity for behavioral disruption than NOP full agonists. Here, we investigated the in vitro pharmacological properties of chemically diverse NOP receptor agonists in assays measuring functional activation of the NOP receptor such as guanosine 5'-O-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTPγS) binding, cAMP inhibition, G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channel activation, phosphorylation, β-arrestin recruitment and receptor internalization. When normalized to the efficacy of the natural agonist nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), we found that different functional assays that measure intrinsic activity produce inconsistent levels of agonist efficacy, particularly for ligands that were partial agonists. Agonist efficacy obtained in the GTPγS assay tended to be lower than that in the cAMP and GIRK assays. These structurally diverse NOP agonists also showed differential receptor phosphorylation profiles at the phosphosites we examined and induced varying levels of receptor internalization. Interestingly, although the rank order for β-arrestin recruitment by these NOP agonists was consistent with their ability to induce receptor internalization, their phosphorylation signatures at the time point we investigated were not indicative of the levels of β-arrestin recruitment or internalization induced by these agonists. It is possible that other phosphorylation sites, yet to be identified, drive the recruitment of NOP receptor ensembles and subsequent receptor trafficking by some nonpeptide NOP agonists. These findings potentially help understand NOP agonist pharmacology in the context of ligand-activated receptor trafficking. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Chemically diverse agonist ligands at the nociceptin opioid receptor G protein-coupled receptor showed differential efficacy for activating downstream events after receptor binding, in a suite of functional assays measuring guanosine 5'-O-[gamma-thio]triphosphate binding, cAMP inhibition, G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying protein channel activation, β-arrestin recruitment, receptor internalization and receptor phosphorylation. These analyses provide a context for understanding nociceptin opioid peptide receptor (NOP) agonist pharmacology driven by ligand-induced differential NOP receptor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Lu
- Astraea Therapeutics, Mountain View, California (J.J.L., W.E.P., N.T.Z.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (A.M., P.D., S.S.)
| | - Willma E Polgar
- Astraea Therapeutics, Mountain View, California (J.J.L., W.E.P., N.T.Z.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (A.M., P.D., S.S.)
| | - Anika Mann
- Astraea Therapeutics, Mountain View, California (J.J.L., W.E.P., N.T.Z.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (A.M., P.D., S.S.)
| | - Pooja Dasgupta
- Astraea Therapeutics, Mountain View, California (J.J.L., W.E.P., N.T.Z.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (A.M., P.D., S.S.)
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Astraea Therapeutics, Mountain View, California (J.J.L., W.E.P., N.T.Z.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (A.M., P.D., S.S.)
| | - Nurulain T Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics, Mountain View, California (J.J.L., W.E.P., N.T.Z.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (A.M., P.D., S.S.)
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50
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Abstract
Opioids such as morphine and oxycodone are analgesics frequently prescribed for the treatment of moderate or severe pain. Unfortunately, these medications are associated with exceptionally high abuse potentials and often cause fatal side effects, mainly through the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). Efforts to discover novel, safer, and more efficacious analgesics targeting MOR have encountered challenges. In this review, we summarize alternative strategies and targets that could be used to develop safer nonopioid analgesics. A molecular understanding of G protein-coupled receptor activation and signaling has illuminated not only the complexities of receptor pharmacology but also the potential for pathway-selective agonists and allosteric modulators as safer medications. The availability of structures of pain-related receptors, in combination with high-throughput computational tools, has accelerated the discovery of multitarget ligands with promising pharmacological profiles. Emerging clinical evidence also supports the notion that drugs targeting peripheral opioid receptors have potential as improved analgesic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Che
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA; .,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA;
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