Induction of apoptosis by apicularen A in human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60

Apicularen A, a macrolide isolated from the myxobacterial genus Chondromyces, suppressed the proliferation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60 cells), increased the release of lactate dehydrogenase and induced condensation and fragmentation of chromatin at 1 to 100 nM. In addition, it induced the DNA fragmentation, increased the percentage of annexin V-stained cells, and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), a substrate of caspase. In contrast, apicularen B, an N-acetylglucosamine glycoside of apicularen A, had no such effects at 100 nM. These findings indicated that apicularen A induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells by activating caspases. Phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK, p38 MAPK and Akt was not induced by apicularen A at 100 nM, suggesting that the apicularen A-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells is not regulated by the activation of p44/42 MAPK, p38 MAPK or Akt. Furthermore, by acridine orange staining of the cells, it was suggested that apicularen A but not apicularen B inhibits vacuolar-type H+-ATPase.     

Different inhibitory actions of cyclosporine A and cyclosporine A-acetate on lipopolysaccharide-, interleukin 1-, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3- and parathyroid hormone-stimulated calcium and lysosomal enzyme release from mouse calvaria in vitro.

The effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) and one of its immunologically inactive structural analogues, cyclosporine A acetate (CsA-A) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, interleukin-1 (IL-1)-, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25 D3)- and parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated bone resorption were tested in mouse calvaria cultures. The release of calcium and a lysosomal enzyme, N-acetylglycosaminidase (NAG) was determined after 3 days of culture. All bone resorbing agents potently stimulated calcium and NAG release. At therapeutic concentration levels of 0.1 and 1.0 micrograms/ml, the immunologically active CsA was significantly more potent than the inactive CsA-A against LPS- and 1,25 D3-induced calcium and NAG release. The inhibition by both cyclosporines of IL-1 and PTH stimulated calcium release was not significantly different. CsA was however more potent than CsA-A against IL-1 stimulated NAG release. PTH-stimulated NAG release was not inhibited by CsA or CsA-A. These findings suggest that both cyclosporines interfere with more than one mechanism of activation of bone resorption. The specific effect of CsA against LPS and 1,25 D3 may be related to its known inhibition of immune cell derived cytokine expression.     

Divergent effects of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide I (GF109203X) on bone resorption

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) has been suggested to play a role in bone resorption. However, phorbol esters, which activate PKC, have been reported to have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on bone resorption. To study the role of PKC in bone resorption further, we have measured calcium release elicited by bone-resorbing hormones from isolated bones incubated with the PKC inhibitors staurosporine (ST) and the more PKC-selective ST analog bisindolylmaleimide I (GF109203X; GF). In fetal rat limb bone organ cultures, ST (1 microM) or GF (1 microM) significantly reduced the bone resorption induced by maximal concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH). However, when submaximal concentrations of PTH were used, lower concentrations of the two antagonists had divergent effects. GF (20-300 nM) acted solely as an antagonist, whereas ST (10-100 nM) significantly enhanced resorptive responses to PTH. ST also enhanced the bone resorption elicited by alpha-thrombin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and thyroxin (T4). ST alone had small stimulatory effects in some experiments. GF prevented the stimulatory effects of ST alone as well as the enhancing effect of ST on PTH-stimulated resorption. The divergent effects of ST and GF on the responses of bone to low concentrations of PTH and the ability of GF to antagonize the stimulatory effects of ST suggest that PKC isozymes have complex and even antagonistic effects on bone resorption.     

Induction of apoptosis of RAW 264.7 cells by the cytostatic macrolide apicularen A

In RAW 264.7 cells, a mouse leukaemic monocyte cell line, apicularen A decreased cell growth and survival as assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in a concentration-dependent manner at 10-1000 nM. Apicularen B, an N-acetyl-glucosamine glycoside of apicularen A, was 10-100-fold less effective than apicularen A. Apicularen A induced a DNA ladder, an increase in the percentage of sub-G(1) cells and annexin V-binding cells, and promoted the activation of caspase as revealed by the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, indicating that apicularen A induced apoptosis in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, apicularen A phosphorylated p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38 MAPK. The p44/42 MAPK inhibitor PD98059 rescued the cells from apicularen-induced decrease in cell growth and survival as determined by the MTT assay, while the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 augmented the effect of apicularen A. This suggested the activation of p44/42 MAPK to be pro-apoptotic and the activation of p38 MAPK antiapoptotic in apicularen A-treated RAW 264.7 cells.     

Effects of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, on bone resorption and osteoclastogenesis in vitro

The effects of an important new anti-inflammatory agent, the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib, on bone resorption and osteoclastogenesis elicited by the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the systemic hormones 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and parathyroid hormone were examined in vitro. Bone resorption was evaluated by measuring calcium released into the culture medium in a neonatal mouse calvarial bone organ culture. Osteoclastogenesis was evaluated by measuring tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in the cells in cocultures of bone marrow cells and osteoblastic cells and in macrophage-colony-stimulating factor-dependent bone marrow cell cultures. Celecoxib (0.1 microM) completely inhibited the calcium release induced by IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and LPS. The resorptive effect of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) was inhibited partially by celecoxib. In contrast, celecoxib did not inhibit the calcium release elicited by parathyroid hormone or prostaglandin E(2). Celecoxib (0.1 microM) also markedly inhibited osteoclastogenesis induced by these stimulators of bone resorption except for PGE(2) in the coculture system, whereas it failed to inhibit osteoclastogenesis in macrophage-colony-stimulating factor-dependent bone marrow cell cultures. These results indicate that, under certain conditions, cyclooxygenase-2-dependent prostaglandin synthesis is critical for the bone resorption induced by IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and LPS, and for the osteoclastogenesis induced by these pro-inflammatory molecules and calciotropic hormones. The prevention of prostaglandin synthesis by inflammatory cytokines in bone cells could contribute to the efficacy of celecoxib in preventing bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis.     

Targeting V-ATPase in primary human monocytes by archazolid potently represses the classical secretion of cytokines due to accumulation at the endoplasmic reticulum

The macrolide archazolid inhibits vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase), a proton-translocating enzyme involved in protein transport and pH regulation of cell organelles, and potently suppresses cancer cell growth at low nanomolar concentrations. In view of the growing link between inflammation and cancer, we investigated whether inhibition of V-ATPase by archazolid may affect primary human monocytes that can promote cancer by sustaining inflammation through the release of tumor-promoting cytokines. Human primary monocytes express V-ATPase, and archazolid (10–100 nM) increases the vesicular pH in these cells. Archazolid (10 nM) markedly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, interleukin-6 and -8) but also of anti-inflammatory (interleukin-10) cytokines in monocytes stimulated with LPS, without affecting cell viability up to 1000 nM. Of interest, secretion of interleukin-1β was increased by archazolid. Comparable effects were obtained by the V-ATPase inhibitors bafilomycin and apicularen. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK-1/2, Akt, SAPK/JNK or of the inhibitor of NFκB (IκBα) as well as mRNA expression of IL-8 were not altered by archazolid in LPS-stimulated monocytes. Instead, archazolid caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response visualized by increased BiP expression and accumulation of IL-8 (and TNF-α) at the ER, indicating a perturbation of protein secretion. In conclusion, by interference with V-ATPase, archazolid significantly affects the secretion of cytokines due to accumulation at the ER which might be of relevance when using these agents for cancer therapy.     

Comparison of incadronate and alfacalcidol on increased bone turnover caused by ovariectomy in rats

Mineral density of trabecular bone at the metaphyses of right tibiae was measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) in ovariectomized rats. Bone mineral density (BMD) decreased dramatically in the 4 weeks following ovariectomy, suggesting that the method is sensitive enough to detect decreased bone mineral density within a short period. Orally administered incadronate dose dependently inhibited the decrease in trabecular bone mineral density induced by ovariectomy, as assessed 4 weeks after surgery. Significant inhibition was observed at doses of more than 0.3 mg/kg/day. Moreover, incadronate at doses of 1 mg/kg or more inhibited the increase in urinary deoxypyridinoline levels induced by ovariectomy, and although slightly increased serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were observed, no significant alteration in serum calcium ion levels or urinary calcium excretion occurred. In contrast, while alfacalcidol inhibited the decrease in bone mineral density and the increase in urinary deoxypyridinoline levels at a dose of 300 ng/kg, it significantly lowered serum intact PTH levels and elevated serum free calcium levels as well as urinary calcium excretion. These results suggest that incadronate exerts its pharmacological effect (inhibition of bone resorption and increase in bone mass) by a mechanism different from that of alfacacidol.     

Inhibition of C5a-induced neutrophil chemotaxis and macrophage cytokine production in vitro by a new C5a receptor antagonist

A cyclic peptide, Phe-[Orn-Pro-D-Cyclohexylalanine-Trp-Arg] (F-[OPdChaWR]), was recently shown in vitro to antagonise the binding of C5a to its receptor (CD88) on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and in vivo to inhibit the neutropenia associated with septic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. The aim of this study was to investigate whether F-[OPdChaWR] inhibits C5a-mediated chemotaxis of human PMNs using a modified Boyden chamber and C5a-stimulated release of cytokines from human monocytes in vitro. Approximately 50% of the chemotactic activity induced by 10 nM C5a was inhibited by 76 nM F-[OPdChaWR]. This correlated with inhibition of C5a-induced polarisation of PMNs by F-[OPdChaWR]. C5a alone failed to induce release of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-1beta, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-6 from human monocytes at concentrations up to 100 nM. However, in the presence of low concentrations of LPS (50 ng/mL), both IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were stimulated by 1 nM C5a. This co-stimulation was inhibited by F-[OPdChaWR] with IC(50)s of 0.8 and 6.9 nM for release of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, respectively. No agonist activity was detected for F-[OPdChaWR] in either the chemotaxis or cytokine release assays at concentrations up to 50 microM. These results show that F-[OPdChaWR] inhibits several important inflammatory activities of C5a and suggest that C5a receptor antagonists may be effective in the treatment of inflammatory diseases mediated by C5a.     

Inhibition of bone resorption in culture by (+)-catechin

A pretreatment with (+)-catechin renders embryonic mouse calvaria in culture resistant to the action of bone resorbing agents, either parathyroid hormone (PTH), prostaglandin E2 or retinoic acid, and inhibits in a parallel way the enhanced excretion of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, a reference lysosomal enzyme, induced by these agents; it has, however, no effect on the small spontaneous leakage of lactate dehydrogenase from the explants. Moreover, the resorption induced in calvaria by a pretreatment with PTH or retinoic acid is inhibited by a further culture with catechin. This inhibition of bone resorption is discussed in relation with the collagen-stabilizing properties of (+)-catechin.     

The effect of kampo formulae on bone resorption in vitro and in vivo. II. Detailed study of berberine.

We previously isolated berberine from aqueous extracts of tsu-kan-gan, a Kampo formula used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Berberine caused an inhibitory effect on parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated bone resorption in neonatal mouse bone. In this report we describe the inhibitory effect of berberine on the formation of osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) in the co-culture of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells in the presence of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1alpha,25(OH)2D3], PTH and interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha). Berberine dose-dependently inhibited the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive OCLs induced by 1alpha25(OH)2D3, PTH and IL-1alpha. We prepared OCLs in the co-culture of osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells. The effect of berberine on pit formation by OCLs was examined using dentin slices. As OCLs are terminally differentiated multinucleated cells, the survival of OCLs affects the bone-resorbing activity of OCLs. This prompted us to count the number of TRAP-positive OCLs on the slices. Berberine dose-dependently inhibited pit formation and caused a decrease in the number of TRAP-positive OCLs. Calcitonin (CT) inhibited pit formation without affecting the number of OCLs. Berberine accelerated the cell death in OCLs cultivated on a culture plate, but CT did not affect the cell death of OCLs. This suggests that the decrease in the number of OCLs on dentin slices may be due to apoptotic cell death in OCLs. In fact, Hoechst 33258 staining revealed that the treatment of OCLs with berberine resulted in condensed nuclei and a decrease in cell size. Oral administration of the berberine (30 and 50 mg/kg/d) to ovariectomized rats prevented a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebra without affecting the weight of the uterus and plasma concentration of estradiol. These results suggested that berberine prevented a decrease in BMD in vivo by inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption.     

Autoregulation of bradykinin receptors: agonists in the presence of interleukin-1beta shift the repertoire of receptor subtypes from B2 to B1 in human lung fibroblasts.

Elevated formation of bradykinin (BK) and Lys-BK or kallidin (KD) and their carboxypeptidase metabolites desArg(9)BK and desArg(10)KD is evident at sites of inflammation. Moreover, B2 receptors (B2R), which mediate the action of BK and KD, participates in the acute stage of the inflammatory and pain response, whereas B1 receptors (B1R), through which desArg(9)BK and desArg(10)KD act, partake in the chronic stage. We hypothesized that kinins autoregulate B2R and B1R expression in favor of B1R. Incubation of IMR-90 cells with BK (100 nM) led to a loss (89%) of B2R with a half-life (T(1/2)) of 7.0 min. Concomitantly, BK increased B1R (2- to 3-fold) with a T(1/2) of 120 min. DesArg(10)KD (100 nM) had no effect on B2R but increased B1R (3- to 4-fold) with the same rate as BK. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta; 500 pg/ml) also increased B1R (4- to 6-fold). Although both desArg(10)KD and BK increased the level of IL-1beta mRNA, IL-1beta receptor antagonist inhibited the increase in B1R only in response to BK. DesArg(10)KD and BK synergistically increased B1R (9-fold), which was further increased by inclusion of IL-1beta (36-fold). Therefore, kinin metabolism and kinin-stimulated production of cytokines may play a pivotal role in shifting the repertoire of kinin receptor subtypes in favor of B1R during inflammation.     

CGH2466, a combined adenosine receptor antagonist, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor with potent in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities

Theophylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and adenosine receptor antagonist, is used in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. However, the relatively low effectiveness of theophylline have recently led to reduced usage. The goal of the present study was to identify a theophylline-like compound with improved effectiveness. We discovered CGH2466, which not only antagonised the adenosine A1, A2b and A3 receptors with IC50 values of 19 +/- 4, 21 +/- 3 and 80 +/- 14 nM, respectively, but also inhibited the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases alpha and beta and the phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) isoenzyme with IC50 values of 187 +/- 18, 400 +/- 38 and 22 +/- 5 nM, respectively. Despite similar potencies on individual targets, CGH2466 inhibited the production of cytokines and oxygen radicals by human peripheral blood leucocytes in vitro, more potently (IC50 values between 30 and 50 nM) than the standard p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 (30 nM to >1 microM), the PDE4 inhibitor cilomilast (120-400 nM) and the broad spectrum adenosine receptor antagonist CGS15943 (>10 microM). When given either orally or locally into the lungs, CGH2466 (3 to 10 mg kg(-1)) inhibited the ovalbumin- or lipopolysaccharide-induced airway inflammation in mice more potently than the single receptor antagonists or enzyme inhibitors used alone. In conclusion, CGH2466 through its combined activities at multiple targets exerted a powerful anti-inflammatory effect and therefore may have beneficial therapeutic value in diseases such as asthma and COPD.     

Evaluation of beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes in the human prostate cancer cell line-LNCaP

The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of catecholamines, agonists, and antagonists of beta-adrenergic receptors (AR) in the LNCaP cell line. Changes in cellular cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) levels were quantified by the use of a 6 cAMP response element (CRE)-luciferase reporter gene assay. LNCaP cells were transiently transfected with this gene construct, incubated in 96-well microtiter plates for 24 hr, and then treated with beta-AR agonists and/or antagonists for 4 hr. The rank order of potency for catecholamines and known beta-AR agonists was terbutaline(3.31 nM)>isoproterenol(8.31 nM)> or =fenoterol(15 nM)=epinephrine(16.2 nM)>norepinephrine(77.5 nM)>BRL-37344 [(R(*),R(*))-(+/-)4-[2-[(2-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl)amino]propyl]phenoxy acetic acid, sodium salt] (1000 nM)>dobutamine(1770 nM)>CGP12177 (4-[3-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazole-2-one hydrochloride) (inactive). The non-selective beta(1)-/-beta(2)-AR antagonists; propranolol and CGP 12177, at 10(-7)M, inhibited luciferase activity induced by these agonists by 80-96%. Propranolol blocked isoproterenol-induced luciferase responses in a competitive manner (K(B)=1.4 nM). In addition, isoproterenol-activated luciferase expression was blocked more potently by ICI 118,551 [(+/-)-1-[2,3-(dihydro-7-methyl-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy]-3-[(1-methylethy) amino]-2-butanol], a beta(2)-AR antagonist than by ICI 89,406 [(+/-)-N-[2-[3-(2-cyanophenoxy-)]-2-hydroxypropylamino]ethyl-N-phenylurea], a beta(1)-AR antagonist, giving K(B) values of 1.07 and 161nM, respectively. These results suggest that the beta(2)-AR is the major subtype mediating catecholamine-induced cAMP changes in LNCaP cells.     

Inhibition by licochalcone A, a novel flavonoid isolated from liquorice root, of IL-1beta-induced PGE2 production in human skin fibroblasts

Licochalcone A, a novel flavonoid isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata, has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in animal models. In this study, we examined the effect of licochalcone A on the production of chemical mediators such as prostaglandin (PG)E2 and cytokines by interleukin (IL)-1beta in human skin fibroblasts. Licochalcone A (IC50 15.0 nM) inhibited PGE2 production, but not IL-6 and IL-8 production, in response to IL-1beta. NS-398 (IC50 1.6 nM), a COX-2 selective inhibitor, also suppressed the PGE2 production. Furthermore, licochalcone A and NS-398 suppressed PGF(2alpha) production by IL-1beta. However, licochalcone A (1 microM) had no effect on increased levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein in cells. Dexamethasone (100 nM) not only inhibited PGE2, PGF(2alpha), IL-6 and IL-8 production but also strongly suppressed the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein. Licochalcone A had no effect on COX-1-dependent PGE2 production, whereas indometacin (100 nM), a dual inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2, was very effective. These results suggest that licochalcone A induces an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of COX-2-dependent PGE2 production. Furthermore, it appears that the inhibitory effect of licochalcone A on PGE2 production in response to IL-1beta is quite different from that of the steroid.     

Evidence that the plant cannabinoid Delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin is a cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonist

Delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) displaced [(3)H]CP55940 from specific binding sites on mouse brain and CHO-hCB(2) cell membranes (K(i)=75.4 and 62.8 nM, respectively).THCV (1 microM) also antagonized CP55940-induced stimulation of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding to these membranes (apparent K(B)=93.1 and 10.1 nM, respectively).In the mouse vas deferens, the ability of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to inhibit electrically evoked contractions was antagonized by THCV, its apparent K(B)-value (96.7 nM) approximating the apparent K(B)-values for its antagonism of CP55940- and R-(+)-WIN55212-induced stimulation of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding to mouse brain membranes. THCV also antagonized R-(+)-WIN55212, anandamide, methanandamide and CP55940 in the vas deferens, but with lower apparent K(B)-values (1.5, 1.2, 4.6 and 10.3 nM, respectively).THCV (100 nM) did not oppose clonidine, capsaicin or (-)-7-hydroxy-cannabidiol-dimethylheptyl-induced inhibition of electrically evoked contractions of the vas deferens.Contractile responses of the vas deferens to phenylephrine hydrochloride or beta,gamma-methylene-ATP were not reduced by 1microM THCV or R-(+)-WIN55212, suggesting that THCV interacts with R-(+)-WIN55212 at prejunctional sites.At 32 microM, THCV did reduce contractile responses to phenylephrine hydrochloride and beta,gamma-methylene-ATP, and above 3 microM it inhibited electrically evoked contractions of the vas deferens in an SR141716A-independent manner.In conclusion, THCV behaves as a competitive CB(1) and CB(2) receptor antagonist. In the vas deferens, it antagonized several cannabinoids more potently than THC and was also more potent against CP55940 and R-(+)-WIN55212 in this tissue than in brain membranes. The bases of these agonist- and tissue-dependent effects remain to be established.     

Inhibitory effect of beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc on bone resorption in tissue culture.

The inhibitory effect of beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc (AHZ) on bone resorption in tissue culture was investigated. Calvaria were removed from weanling rats (3-week-old male) and cultured for periods up to 48 h in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (high glucose, 4.5%) supplemented with antibiotics and bovine serum albumin. The experimental cultures contained 10(-7) to 10(-4) mol/l AHZ. The bone-resorbing factors, parathyroid hormone (1-34) (PTH; 10(-7) mol/l), prostaglandin E2 (10(-5) mol/l), interleukin-1 alpha (IL1 alpha; 50 U/ml), and lipopolysaccharide (10 micrograms/ml), caused a significant decrease in bone calcium content. The decreases in bone calcium content induced by bone-resorbing factors were completely inhibited by the coexistence of AHZ (10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/l). Also, AHZ (10(-5) mol/l) completely inhibited the PTH (10(-7) mol/l) or IL1 alpha (50 U/ml)-induced increase in medium glucose consumption and lactic acid production by bone tissue. Furthermore, AHZ (10(-5) mol/l) fairly blocked both PTH (10(-7) mol/l)-increased acid phosphatase and decreased alkaline phosphatase activities of bone tissue. The inhibitory effect of AHZ (10(-5) mol/l) on PTH (10(-7) mol/l)-stimulated bone resorption was clearly prevented by the presence of 10(-4) mol/l dipicolinate, a chelator of zinc. However, zinc sulfate (10(-7) to 10(-4) mol/l) did not inhibit the PTH (10(-7) mol/l)-stimulated bone resorption in tissue culture. These findings indicate that AHZ had a direct inhibitory effect on bone resorption in vitro, and the AHZ effect was found in the chemical form of zinc-chelated dipeptide.     

Effect of a kinin B2 receptor antagonist on LPS- and cytokine-induced neutrophil migration in rats

1 This study examines the involvement of kinins in neutrophil migration into rat subcutaneous air pouches triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as the putative roles played by kinin B(1) and B(2) receptors, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and selectins in this response. 2 LPS (5 ng to 10 micro g cavity(-1)) injected into the 6-day-old pouch induced a dose- and time-dependent neutrophil migration which peaked between 4 and 6 h, and was maximal following the dose of 100 ng cavity(-1) (saline: 0.46+/-0.1; LPS: 43+/-3.70 x 10(6) cells cavity(-1) at 6 h). 3 Bradykinin (BK) (600 nmol) injected into the pouch of saline-treated rats induced only modest neutrophil migration (0.73+/-0.16 x 10(6) cells cavity(-1)). A more robust response to BK (3.2+/-0.25 x 10(6) cells cavity(-1)) was seen in animals pretreated with captopril, but this was still smaller than the responses to IL-1beta or TNF-alpha (15 pmol: 23+/-2.2 x 10(6) and 75 pmol: 29.5+/-2 x 10(6) cells cavity(-1), respectively). Nevertheless, the B(1) agonist des-Arg(9)-BK (600 nmol) failed to induce neutrophil migration. 4 HOE-140 (1 and 2 mg kg(-1)), a B(2) receptor antagonist, reduced LPS-induced neutrophil migration. HOE-140 also reduced the neutrophil migration induced by BK, but had no effect on the migration promoted by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. des-Arg(9)-[Leu(8)]-BK, B(1) receptor antagonist was ineffective in changing neutrophil migration caused by any of these stimuli. 5 Neutrophil migration induced by LPS or BK was reduced by interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) (1 mg kg(-1)), sheep anti-rat TNF serum (anti-TNF serum) (0.3 ml cavity(-1)), and the nonspecific selectin inhibitor fucoidin (10 mg kg(-1)). 6 TNF-alpha levels in the pouch fluid were increased by LPS or BK injection, peaking at 0.5-1 h and gradually declining thereafter up to 6 h. IL-1beta levels increased steadily throughout the 6 h period. HOE-140 markedly inhibited the rise in IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in pouch fluid triggered by both stimuli. 7 These results indicate that BK participates importantly in selectin-dependent neutrophil migration into the air pouch triggered by LPS in the rat, by stimulating B(2) receptors coupled to synthesis/release of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.     

Interleukin-1 beta inhibits long-term potentiation in the CA3 region of mouse hippocampal slices

The effect of recombinant human interleukin 1-beta (IL-1 beta) on long-term potentiation (LTP) in the mossy fiber-CA3 pathway of mouse hippocampal slice preparations was investigated. IL-1 beta significantly inhibited LTP in concentrations as low as 2.9 pM (50 pg/ml). This effect of IL-1 beta was blocked by concurrent application of 100 nM Lys-D-Pro-Thr, a tripeptide analogue of IL-1 beta. This is the first evidence that IL-1 beta can regulate LTP of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus.     

Novel indolylindazolylmaleimides as inhibitors of protein kinase C-beta: synthesis, biological activity, and cardiovascular safety

Novel indolylindazolylmaleimides were synthesized and examined for kinase inhibition. We identified low-nanomolar inhibitors of PKC-beta with good to excellent selectivity vs other PKC isozymes and GSK-3beta. In a cell-based functional assay, 8f and 8i effectively blocked IL-8 release induced by PKC-betaII (IC(50) = 20-25 nM). In cardiovascular safety assessment, representative lead compounds bound to the hERG channel with high affinity, potently inhibited ion current in a patch-clamp experiment, and caused a dose-dependent increase of QT(c) in guinea pigs.     

A novel prodigiosin-like immunosuppressant from an alkalophilic Micrococcus sp

A novel red pigment, 2,2'-[3-methoxy-1'amyl-5'-methyl-4-(1-pyrryl)] dipyrryl-methene (MAMPDM), which has properties similar to those of prodigiosins, has been isolated for the first time from a bacterium putatively identified as Micrococcus sp. Our studies showed that MAMPDM inhibited proliferation of both human T as well as B cells and murine T cells, in response to polyclonal mitogens, in a concentration-dependent manner while murine B cell proliferation induced by lipopolysaccharide was inhibited only at high concentration. The effect of MAMPDM on constitutive cell cycling was ascertained using four mouse and human tumour cell lines. At 100 nM, the concentration that inhibited con A induced proliferation of mouse spleen cells, the viability of these cell lines was not affected. At 10-100-fold higher concentration of MAMPDM, however, there was a decrease in cell viability with T cell-derived cell lines being more sensitive. MAMPDM did not block the secretion of IL-2 or expression of CD25 though it inhibited the proliferation of con A stimulated T cells. The higher amount of IL-2 in the supernatant of the con A stimulated T cells, cultured in the presence of the immunomodulator, indicated accumulation of IL-2 due to its reduced utilisation. At inhibitory concentration, MAMPDM induced apoptosis in con A stimulated cells. Thus, MAMPDM may have considerable and selective T cell immunosuppressive potential and appears to act by a mechanism distinct from that of other known immunosuppressors.