Modulation of endothelial cell proliferation by retinoid x receptor agonists

One feature that contraindicates the wide therapeutic use of natural retinoids is their adverse effects during systemic use and the lack of receptor selectivity. In contrast, synthetic retinoids are distinguishable from each other on the basis of their partial or exclusive preference in binding and activation of selective retinoid receptors. We examined the inhibitory activities of natural and synthetic retinoids for their ability to reverse basic fibroblast growth factor-induced endothelial cell proliferation. Both the naturally occurring retinoids at nanomolar concentrations reversed basic fibroblast growth factor-induced endothelial cell proliferation. Among the synthetic retinoids tested, retinoic acid receptor/retinoid x receptor pan-agonist AGN 191659 [(E)-5-[2-(5,6,7, 8-tetrahydro-3, 5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-2-naphtyl) propen-1-yl]-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid] and retinoid x receptor pan-agonist AGN 191701 [(E)-2-[2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3, 5,5,8, 8-pentamethyl-2-naphthyl) propen-1-yl]-4-thiophenecarboxylic acid] at nanomolar concentrations reversed the basic fibroblast growth factor-induced endothelial cell proliferation. Since none of the retinoic acid receptor agonists tested had any effect, the inhibitory effect of AGN 191659 could be attributed to its retinoid x receptor receptor activity. These results suggest that retinoid x receptor agonists may be more selective anti-angiogenic agents due to their ability to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation.     

Synergistic teratogenic effects induced by retinoids in mice by coadministration of a RARalpha- or RARgamma-selective agonist with a RXR-selective agonist

To study the interaction of retinoid-induced limb defects and cleft palate on day 11 of gestation, a RXR-selective agonist (AGN191701, an arylpropenyl-thiophene-carboxylic acid derivative, 20 mg/kg orally) was coadministered with a RARalpha-agonist (Am580, an arylcarboxamidobenzoic acid derivative, 5 mg/kg orally) to NMRI mice. AGN191701 was neither fetotoxic nor teratogenic at the dose used but potentiated Am580-induced limb defects and cleft palate and prevented Am580-induced fetal weight retardation. These results suggest that Am580-induced limb defects and probably cleft palate on day 11 of gestation may be mediated via RARalpha-RXR heterodimerization, particularly in the absence of toxicokinetic interactions. AGN191701 was also coadministered with a RARgamma-agonist (CD437, an adamantyl-hydroxyphenyl naphthoic acid derivative, 15 mg/kg orally) on days 8 and 11 of gestation to investigate which CD437-induced defects are mediated via RARgamma-RXR heterodimerization. On day 8 of gestation, AGN191701 potentiated CD437-induced embryolethality, exencephaly, spina bifida aperta, cleft palate, and tail defects, as well as visceral and skeletal defects, but not micrognathia. On day 11 of gestation, the incidence of CD437-induced cleft palate and limb defects was also potentiated when coadministered with the RXR agonist. These results suggest that synergistic teratogenic effects can be induced by coadministration of two receptor-selective retinoids, indicating the importance of RARalpha-RXR and RARgamma-RXR heterodimers in producing structural defects during organogenesis.     

Retinoid X receptor agonist elevation of serum triglycerides in rats by potentiation of retinoic acid receptor agonist induction or by action as single agents.

Hypertriglyceridemia is a major side-effect of retinoid therapy in humans. We previously reported that agonists for the retinoic acid receptors (RARs), but not the retinoid X receptors (RXRs), elevate serum triglycerides in male Fischer rats, and that, surprisingly, the RAR/RXR pan-agonists 9-cis-retinoic acid and AGN 191659 [(E)-5-[2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-2-naphthyl)propen-1-yl]-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid] induce 2- to 3-fold higher levels of serum triglycerides than the RAR-selective agonists alone. We have now demonstrated that hypertriglyceridemia induced by an RAR agonist, AGN 190121 [4-[4-(2',6',6'-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)-but-1-yne-3-enyl]benzoic acid], is substantially potentiated by the RXR-selective agonists AGN 191701 [(E) 2-[2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-2-naphthyl)propen-1-yl]-4-thiophene-carboxylic acid] and AGN 192849 [(3,5,5,8,8,-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl) (5 carboxypyrid-2-yl)sulfide] in a dose-dependent manner. RXR-specific retinoids, as previously reported, had no independent effect on serum triglycerides when tested at 24 hr after final dosing, but did elicit a reversible hypertriglyceridemia at 2.5 and 5 hr. This induction of serum triglycerides could not be blocked by the potent RAR-specific antagonist AGN 193109 [4-[(5,6-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-8-(4-methylphenyl)-2-naphthalenyl)-ethynyl] benzoic acid]. The RXR ligand-induced hypertriglyceridemia was independent of the effect of feeding or fasting. The relative potencies of RXR-specific retinoids for acute triglyceride elevation (AGN 194204 [3,7-dimethyl-6S,7S-methano-7-[1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphth-7-yl] 2(E),4(E) heptadienoic acid] > AGN 192849 approximately AGN 191701) approximately correlated with potencies in the activation of the RXR receptors. The RAR/RXR pan-agonist effect included >50% inhibition of total heparin-releasable lipase activity in serum, consistent with inhibition of lipase-mediated triglyceride disposal. These data also indicate that RAR and RXR ligands can act synergistically to induce hypertriglyceridemia through distinct mechanisms of action.     

Differential regulation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene in normal human tracheobronchial epithelial and lung carcinoma cells by retinoids

In this study, we analyze the effect of several retinoids on the expression of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene (NAG-1) in normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (HTBE) cells and several lung carcinoma cell lines. The retinoid 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (AHPN) greatly enhances the expression of NAG-1 mRNA and protein in a time- and dose-dependent manner in human lung adenocarcinoma H460 cells and several other carcinoma cell lines. This induction was specific for AHPN because retinoic acid, a retinoic acid receptor-, and a retinoid X receptor pan-agonist were unable to induce NAG-1, suggesting that this induction is not mediated through activation of retinoid receptors. Although NAG-1 is a p53-responsive gene, AHPN-induced NAG-1 expression does not require p53. The induction of NAG-1 expression by AHPN is caused at least in part by an 8-fold increase in the stability of NAG-1 mRNA. In contrast to carcinoma cells, NAG-1 expression is effectively induced by retinoic acid and the RAR-selective pan-agonist in normal HTBE cells and accompanies the inhibition of squamous differentiation and the initiation of normal differentiation. In vivo, NAG-1 expression was observed in the normal tracheobronchial epithelium, whereas no expression was found in either squamous metaplastic tracheal epithelium or in sections of human lung tumors. Our results suggest that the induction of NAG-1 expression by retinoids in normal HTBE and lung carcinoma cells is regulated by distinct mechanisms and is associated with different biological processes. The linkage between AHPN treatment and NAG-1 expression revealed in this study provides a new mechanism for the antitumorigenic activity of AHPN.     

Recent developments of retinoids as therapeutic agents

Retinoids, a group of natural and synthetic retinol (vitamin A) analogues, play an important role in regulating pleiotropic biological events, including growth, differentiation and death of normal, premalignant and malignant cell types, which appears to account for their therapeutic or preventive effects in acne, psoriasis, photoageing, cancer and other diseases. Nuclear retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X receptors are thought to mediate the majority of retinoid biological effects. One effective strategy is to design and synthesise retinoids with receptor selectivity restricted to specific retinoic acid receptors or retinoid X receptor subtypes (α, β and γ) in order to develop novel retinoids with a more favourable therapeutic index and with reduced adverse effects and teratogenic risk. Indeed, retinoid medicinal chemistry has identified ligands that include highly specific antagonists for one of the three RAR subtypes and for retinoid X receptors. Since the retinoid X receptors also serve as heterodimer partners for several other nuclear receptors, including thyroid hormone receptors, vitamin D receptors, peroxisomal proliferator-activator receptors, Farnesoid X receptors and liver X receptors, retinoid X receptor-selective retinoids may have clinical applications for the prevention and treatment of diseases other than dermatological diseases and cancer, such as diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis.     

A new generation of retinoid drugs for the treatment of dermatological diseases

Dermatological diseases such as acne, psoriasis, and various skin cancers affect approximately 24 million people in the US (17 million acne, 6.4 million psoriasis and 0.7 million skin cancer). In many cases, particularly for acne and psoriasis, these diseases have exhibited favourable responses to single agent or adjuvant retinoid therapy. When administered as both chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agents, they offer a viable alternative to classical cancer chemotherapy. Although retinoid treatment has shown considerable promise, certain side-effects have limited their utility for chronic administration. Accordingly, there is considerable interest in developing novel retinoids that exhibit improvements in the side-effect profile, particularly for diseases that require chronic administration. Retinoids are potent biological modulators that exert their effects through intracellular receptors (retinoic acid receptors [RARs] and retinoid X receptors [RXRs]) where they regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation and programmed cell death. Currently, using a combination of molecular biology and synthetic chemistry, efforts are underway to fully characterise the biological role of individual retinoid receptor subtypes. Using receptor-selective retinoids, recent discoveries have assisted in clarifying the mechanism and biological function of retinoids and their receptors. It now appears that the RARs are implicated in the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation, whereas the RXRs function as modulators of programmed cell death or apoptosis. This suggests that diseases that are associated with abnormal proliferation and/or differentiation may be treatable with RAR active compounds. In fact, the data are supported by successful treatment of psoriasis, epithelial cancer and leukaemia with retinoids that preferentially activate the RARs. In contrast, retinoids that preferentially activate RXRs may be desirable for treatment of diseases for which enhancement of apoptosis is required. For example, they are potentially useful for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and as chemopreventive agents [1]. The mechanisms of action of these RXR mediated effects are under investigation. Finally, certain receptor subtypes are implicated in retinoid side-effects. For example, it has become increasingly evident that side-effects such as triglyceridaemia [2] and teratogenesis [3,4] can be correlated to activation of the RARs and not the RXR. These findings offer opportunities for developing a new generation of retinoids which exhibit improved therapeutic indices. Recently, novel treatment strategies have evolved including the application of receptor-selective synthetic retinoids, combination therapies with other hormones or chemotherapeutic agents, and novel formulations. This has resulted in a new generation of retinoids and retinoid treatments which are in clinical development and which exhibit improvements in the therapeutic index.     

N-(4-羟基苯基)维生素甲酰胺诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的机制

N-(4-羟基苯基)维生素甲酰胺(4-HPR)是一种维甲酸类化合物，通过诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡抑制肿瘤生长，其诱导凋亡的机制包括升高活性氧、神经酰胺的水平和增加Caspase活性等不依赖受体的机制和依赖维甲酸受体的机制，以及在其中发挥作用的其他因素。     

Stimulation of vitamin A(1) acid signaling by the HIV protease inhibitor indinavir

HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) are effective drugs for the treatment of AIDS. However, PI therapy is sometimes associated with side-effects including increased plasma lipids and altered body fat distribution, although fat redistribution may occur in some patients not treated with PIs. Overdosage with vitamin A(1) acid (all-trans-retinoic acid, ATRA) or its metabolites may cause similar changes in lipid metabolism. Moreover, the PI indinavir and retinoids have been associated with nail, skin, and hair defects, suggesting that indinavir and retinoids may exert their effects through similar molecular mechanisms. This hypothesis was tested by examining the effects of PIs on retinoid signaling in vitro. Mesenchymal stem cells (C3H10T1/2) were cultured in the presence of various PIs (amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir) and synthetic retinoids, and the metabolic response was assessed by measuring the activity of a retinoid-regulated protein, alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Of the PIs tested, only indinavir stimulated ATRA-dependent ALP activity and altered stem cell morphology; the effects of indinavir occurred in the presence of ATRA, but not in its absence. Moreover, indinavir increased the effects of ATRA on lipid accumulation during fat cell differentiation. AGN 193109 (4-[[5,6-dihydro-5, 5-dimethyl-8-(4-methylphenyl)-2-naphthalenyl]ethynyl]-benzoic acid), a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist, inhibited the synergistic effects of indinavir and ATRA, indicating that indinavir increases RAR signaling. However, indinavir did not potentiate ALP activity in the presence of the RAR agonist CH55 (3,5-di-tert-butylchalcone 4'-carboxylic acid). Unlike ATRA, CH55 does not bind to cytosolic retinoic acid binding protein (CRABP), suggesting that CRABP may regulate the effects of indinavir on RAR signaling. These observations support the proposal that altered retinoid signaling promotes some of the adverse reactions associated with indinavir therapy, such as altered lipid metabolism.     

Selective agonists of retinoic acid receptors: comparative toxicokinetics and embryonic exposure

Three biologically active synthetic retinoids were investigated that bind selectively to retinoic acid receptors RARs (alpha, beta and gamma). The retinoids were previously demonstrated to have different teratogenic effects in the mouse in terms of potency and regioselectivity. The teratogenic potency rank order (alpha >beta >gamma) was found to be more or less compatible with the receptor binding affinities and transactivation potencies of the retinoid ligands to their respective receptors. The RARalpha agonist (Am580; CD336) induced a wide spectrum of malformations; CD2019 (RARbeta agonist) and especially CD437 (RARgamma agonist) produced more restricted defects. In the current study we tried to address whether the differences in teratogenic effects are solely related to binding affinity and transactivation differences or also due to differences in embryonic exposure. Therefore, transplacental kinetics of the ligands were assessed following administration of a single oral dose of 15 mg/kg of either retinoid given to NMRI mice on day 11 of gestation. Am580 was rapidly transferred to the embryo resulting in the highest embryonic exposure [embryo to maternal plasma area under the time vs concentration curve (AUC)(0-24 h )ratio (E/M) was 1.7], in accordance with its highest teratogenic potency. The low placental transfer of CD2019 (E/M of 0.3) was compatible with its lower teratogenic potential. Of major interest was the finding that the CD437, though being least teratogenic, exhibited considerable embryonic exposure (E/M of 0.6). These findings suggest that both the embryonic exposure and receptor binding transactivation selectivity are crucial determinants of the teratogenicity of these retinoid ligands.     

Celecoxib in combination with retinoid CD437 inhibits melanoma A375 cell in vitro

This study aimed to investigate the effects of celecoxib, synthetic retinoid 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalenecarboxylicacid (CD437) and the combination of the two on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle arrest of human malignant melanoma A375 cells. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay (MTT assay) was applied to determine the anti-proliferative effects of the drugs on human malignant melanoma A375 cells. Flow cytometry was performed to investigate the influence of the drugs on cell cycle and cell apoptosis. Both celecoxib and CD437 could inhibit the growth of human malignant melanoma A375 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Celecoxib at 80 μmol/L inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis and G₂/M cell cycle arrest of human malignant melanoma A375 cells after treatment for 24 h [proliferation inhibiting rate: (50.2 ± 2.51)%, apoptosis rate: (35.91 ± 1.80)%]. CD437 at 10 μmol/L inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis and G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest of human malignant melanoma A375 cells after treatment for 24 h [proliferation inhibiting rate: (58.6 ± 2.38)%, apoptosis rate: (28.03 ± 0.77)%]. Celecoxib in combination with CD437 could significantly enhance the effects of inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of human malignant melanoma A375 cells 24 h after treatment compared with the drug alone [proliferation inhibiting rate: (68.92 ± 1.72)%, apoptosis rate: (42.09 ± 1.05)%, both P<0.05] and decrease the proportion of the S phase in the cell cycle. Celecoxib could inhibit the growth of human malignant melanoma A375 cells by inducing apoptosis and G₂/M cycle arrest. CD437 could inhibit the growth of human malignant melanoma A375 cells by inducing apoptosis and G₀/G₁ cycle arrest. Celecoxib exhibited additive effects with CD437 on retarding the growth and inducing apoptosis of human malignant melanoma A375 cells. Celecoxib in combination with CD437 may become an effective method for prevention and treatment of human melanoma.     

Retinoid related molecules an emerging class of apoptotic agents with promising therapeutic potential in oncology: pharmacological activity and mechanisms of action

Retinoic acid and derivatives (retinoids) exert their anti-neoplastic action through three different, though partially overlapping mechanisms: growth-inhibition, cyto-differentiation and apoptosis. Retinoid related molecules (RRMs) are a promising class of synthetic retinoic acid derivatives endowed with selective apoptotic activity on a large variety of leukemic and solid tumor cells. The in vitro apoptotic activity of RRMs translates into in vivo efficacy in a number of experimental models of neoplasia. The prototype of this novel family of cytotoxic agents is CD437, a conformation restricted retinoid originally developed as a selective RARgamma agonist. A number of new RRM congeners, including ST1926, MM002, MM11453 and MX-3350-1, have been recently reported in the literature. Some of these compounds have a stronger apoptotic potential, a lower level of toxicity and a better pharmacokinetic profile than CD437. RRMs have a molecular mechanism of action that is entirely different from that of many other known chemotherapeutics. These compounds induce apoptosis in retinoic acid- and multi-drug-resistant neoplastic cells. The apoptotic process triggered by RRMs is independent of p53 activation and proceeds through a novel pathway in which the mitochondrion seems to play a pivotal role. RRMs show only very limited cross-resistance with other classes of chemotherapeutic agents and show synergistic interactions with a number of classical cyto-toxic agents. The article presents a critical overview of the current knowledge on the pharmacology of RRMs focussing on such issues as the spectrum of cytotoxic activity, the molecular mechanisms of action and the pre-clinical basis of clinical development.     

Systemic pharmacokinetics of acitretin, etretinate, isotretinoin, and acetylenic retinoids in guinea pigs and obese rats.

Etretinate, a highly lipophilic retinoid, is known to accumulate in the human body with a slow systemic elimination (half-life approximately 100 days) after long-term treatment. Retinoids with high lipophilicity and slow body elimination have the propensity of eliciting teratogenic effects. Therefore, synthetic retinoids with reduced systemic retention are desired. In this study, we evaluated the systemic pharmacokinetics of acitretin, etretinate, isotretinoin, synthetic acetylenic retinoic acids (AGN 190121, AGN 190186, and AGN 190299), and acetylenic retinoates (AGN 190073, AGN 190089, and AGN 190168) in guinea pigs following iv doses. Their pharmacokinetics were also measured in obese rats to probe the effect of body fat on the drug disposition of retinoids. The acetylenic retinoates were hydrolyzed to their corresponding free acids at a much faster rate than etretinate in both animal species. All retinoates showed faster body clearance and larger volume of distribution than their free acids. In the obese rats, longer elimination half-lives and slower body clearance of the retinoids, except isotretinoin, were observed as compared to those in the normal rats. These results suggest that body fat has a significant effect on drug disposition and slows down the systemic clearance of retinoids. Since the synthetic acetylenic retinoates rapidly converted to their less lipophilic free acids after systemic absorption, the potential accumulation of these retinoids, as reported for lipophilic etretinate, were unlikely to occur in humans and animals.     

Antitumor activity of the retinoid-related molecules (E)-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-adamantylbiphenyl-4-yl)acrylic acid (ST1926) and 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (CD437) in F9 teratocarcinoma: Role of retinoic acid receptor gamma and retinoid-independent pathways

The retinoid-related molecules (RRMs) ST1926 [(E)-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-adamantylbiphenyl-4-yl)acrylic acid] and CD437 (6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid) are promising anticancer agents. We compared the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) trans-activating properties of the two RRMs and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). ST1926 and CD437 are better RARgamma agonists than ATRA. We used three teratocarcinoma cell lines to evaluate the significance of RARgamma in the activity of RRMs: F9-wild type (WT); F9gamma-/-, lacking the RARgamma gene; F9gamma51, aF9gamma-/-derivative, complemented for the RARgamma deficit. Similar to ATRA, ST1926 and CD437 activate cytodifferentiation only in F9-WT cells. Unlike ATRA, ST1926 and CD437 arrest cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and induce apoptosis in all F9 cell lines. Our data indicate that RARgamma and the classic retinoid pathway are not relevant for the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of RRMs in vitro. Increases in cytosolic calcium are fundamental for apoptosis, in that intracellular calcium chelators abrogate the process. Comparison of the gene expression profiles associated with ST1926 and ATRA in F9-WT and F9gamma-/-indicates that the RRM activates a conspicuous nonretinoid response in addition to the classic and RAR-dependent pathway. The pattern of genes regulated by ST1926 selectively, in a RARgamma-independent manner, provides novel insights into the possible molecular determinants underlying the activity of RRMs in vitro. Furthermore, it suggests that RARgamma-dependent responses are relevant to the activity of RRMs in vivo. Indeed, the receptor hinders the antitumor activity in vivo, in that both syngeneic and immunosuppressed SCID mice bearing F9gamma-/- tumors have increased life spans after treatment with ST1926 and CD437 relative to their F9-WT counterparts.