To investigate the role of opioids as direct modulators of the immune response, we have searched for expression of the recently cloned 6,/~ and K opioid receptors in immune cells. We have devised a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction strategy which specifically detects a region spanning putative transmembrane regions 2 to 7 for each transcript in both human and mouse immune cells. In human peripheral blood lymphocyte and monocyte preparations, 6 was undetectable while the g transcript was present. The analysis of human cell lines revealed low but significant levels of 6 opioid receptor transcripts in T, B or monocyte cell lines while the K transcript was found in B cell lines only. Investigation of routine cells showed the presence of transcript for the 6 receptor in splenocytes and in some T and B cell lines. Unexpectedly, no expression of the bt receptor was detected. Sequence analysis of PCR products demonstrated nucleotide identity between immune and neuronal transcripts, indicating that they derive from the same genes. In conclusion, our results lead to the identification of K and 6 opioid receptor transcripts in immune cells.
Summary SDZ 280-446 is a semi-synthetic derivative of a natural cyclic peptolide. Its ability to sensitise in vitro tumour cells whose resistance is due to P-glycoprotein-mediated anticancer-drug efflux was shown using four different pairs of parental drug-sensitive (Par-) and multidrug-resistant (MDR-) cell lines, from three different species (mouse, human, Chinese hamster) representing four different cell lineages (monocytic leukaemia, nasopharyngeal epithelial carcinoma, colon epithelial carcinoma, ovary fibroblastoid carcinoma), and using four different drug classes (colchicine, vincristine, daunomycin/doxorubicin and etoposide). By measuring its capacity to restore normal drug sensitivity of MDR-cells in culture in vitro, it appeared that SDZ 280-446 belongs to the same class of very potent chemosensitisers as the cyclosporin derivative SDZ PSC 833: both are about one order of magnitude more active than cyclosporin A (CsA), which is itself about one order of magnitude more active than other known chemosensitisers (including verapamil, quinidine and amiodarone which have already entered clinical trials in MDR reversal). Low concentrations of SDZ 280-446 could also restore cellular daunomycin retention in MDR-P388 cells to the levels found in the Par-P388 cells. SDZ 280-446 was also effective as a chemosensitiser when given orally in vivo. In a syngeneic mouse model, combined therapy with vinca alkaloids given i.p. and SDZ 280-446 given per os for 5 consecutive days significantly prolonged the survival of MDR-P388 tumour-bearing mice, when compared with mice receiving vinca alkaloids alone. Another protocol, using three cycles of i.p. doxorubicin at 4 day intervals, could also not increase MDR-P388 tumour-bearing mouse survival unless the mice received SDZ 280-446 orally 4h before each doxorubicin injection. Though only very few combined therapy treatment protocols have been tested so far, clear increases in survival time of MDR-tumour-bearing mice were regularly obtained, leaving hope for major improvement of the therapy using other dosing schedules.
A series of derivatives of the novel cyclopeptolide 1 was prepared, and their ability to chemosensitize multi drug resistant CHO and KB cells in vitro was evaluated. In contrast to the parent compound, several of the derivatives were found to be highly active. In particular, conversion of the R-lactic acid residue of 1 into its S-isomer via lactone ring cleavage and recyclization with inversion resulted in a marked enhancement of activity. Some of these derivatives (e.g., 15a, SDZ 280.446) belong to the most potent resistance modulating compounds known so far.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.