Cl−/HCO3−anion exchanger 2 (AE2) participates in intracellular pH homeostasis and secretin-stimulated biliary bicarbonate secretion. AE2/SLC4A2 gene expression is reduced in liver and blood mononuclear cells from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Our previous findings of hepatic and immunological features mimicking PBC in Ae2-deficient mice strongly suggest that decreased AE2 expression might be involved in the pathogenesis of PBC. Here we tested the potential role of hsa-microRNA 506 (miR-506) – predicted as candidate to target AE2 mRNA – for the decreased expression of AE2 in PBC. Real-time qPCR showed that miR-506 expression is increased in PBC livers versus normal liver specimens. In situ hybridization in liver sections confirmed that miR-506 is upregulated in the intrahepatic bile ducts of PBC livers compared with normal and primary-sclerosing-cholangitis livers. Precursor-mediated overexpression of miR-506 in SV40-immortalized normal human cholangiocytes (H69 cells) led to decreased AE2 protein expression and activity, as indicated by immunoblotting and microfluorimetry, respectively. Moreover, miR-506 overexpression in 3D-cultured H69 cholangiocytes blocked the secretin-stimulated expansion of cystic structures developed under the three-dimensional conditions. Luciferase assays and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that miR-506 specifically may bind the 3’UTR region of AE2 mRNA and prevent protein translation. Finally, cultured PBC cholangiocytes showed decreased AE2 activity together with miR-506 overexpression compared to normal human cholangiocytes, and, transfection of PBC cholangiocytes with anti-miR-506 was able to improve their AE2 activity. Conclusion miR-506 is upregulated in cholangiocytes from PBC patients, binds the 3’UTR region of AE2 mRNA and prevents protein translation, leading to diminished AE2 activity and impaired biliary secretory functions. In view of the putative pathogenic role of decreased AE2 in PBC, miR-506 may constitute a potential therapeutic target for this disease.
Canalicular bile is modified along bile ducts through reabsorptive and secretory processes regulated by nerves, bile salts, and hormones such as secretin. Secretin stimulates ductular cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-dependent Cl ؊ efflux and subsequent biliary HCO 3 ؊ secretion, possibly via Cl ؊ /HCO 3 ؊ anion exchange (AE). However, the contribution of secretin to bile regulation in the normal rat, the significance of choleretic bile salts in secretin effects, and the role of Cl ؊ /HCO 3 ؊ exchange in secretin-stimulated HCO 3 ؊ secretion all remain unclear. Here, secretin was administered to normal rats with maintained bile acid pool via continuous taurocholate infusion. Bile flow and biliary HCO 3 ؊ and Cl ؊ excretion were monitored following intrabiliary retrograde fluxes of saline solutions with and without the Cl ؊ channel inhibitor 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB) or the Cl ؊ /HCO 3 ؊ exchange inhibitor 4,4 -diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2 -disulfonic acid (DIDS). Secretin increased bile flow and biliary excretion of HCO 3 ؊ and Cl ؊ . Interestingly, secretin effects were not observed in the absence of taurocholate. Whereas secretin effects were all blocked by intrabiliary NPPB, DIDS only inhibited secretin-induced increases in bile flow and HCO 3 ؊ excretion but not the increased Cl ؊ excretion, revealing a role of biliary Cl ؊ /HCO 3 ؊ exchange in secretininduced, bicarbonate-rich choleresis in normal rats. Finally, small hairpin RNA adenoviral constructs were used to demonstrate the involvement of the Na ؉ -independent anion exchanger 2 (AE2) through gene silencing in normal rat cholangiocytes. AE2 gene silencing caused a marked inhibition of unstimulated and secretin-stimulated Cl ؊ /HCO 3 ؊ exchange. In conclusion, maintenance of the bile acid pool is crucial for secretin to induce bicarbonate-rich choleresis in the normal rat and that this occurs via a chloride-bicarbonate exchange process consistent with AE2 function. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;43:266-275.) S ecretin is known to induce bicarbonate-rich hydrocholeresis in many animal species. 1-7 Its interaction with a G-protein-coupled receptor selectively localized to the epithelial bile duct cells 8 results in increased intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) [cAMP] i 7,9,10 and protein kinase A activation. 11,12 Phosphorylation and opening of a cAMP-dependent Cl Ϫ channel, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), 13 causes Cl Ϫ efflux to the ductular lumen. This appears to stimulate an apical Na ϩ -independent Cl Ϫ /HCO 3 Ϫ anion exchange (AE), 14 with HCO 3 Ϫ efflux and Cl Ϫ influx, that is facilitated by the outside to inside transmembrane gradient of Cl Ϫ at relatively high intracellular HCO 3 Ϫ concentration. [10][11][12]15,16 Several bicarbonate transporters, most of them encoded by the SLC4 and SLC26 gene families, 17 have been described to exert AE activity. A decade ago, we localized one of those polypeptides, the SLC4A2 or AE2, 18 to the apical membrane in...
Simultaneous inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) and histone deacetylases (HDAC) has recently been validated as a potentially novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease (AD). To further extend this concept, we designed and synthesized the first chemical series of dual acting PDE5 and HDAC inhibitors, and we validated this systems therapeutics approach. Following the implementation of structure- and knowledge-based approaches, initial hits were designed and were shown to validate our hypothesis of dual in vitro inhibition. Then, an optimization strategy was pursued to obtain a proper tool compound for in vivo testing in AD models. Initial hits were translated into molecules with adequate cellular functional responses (histone acetylation and cAMP/cGMP response element-binding (CREB) phosphorylation in the nanomolar range), an acceptable therapeutic window (>1 log unit), and the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to the identification of 7 as a candidate for in vivo proof-of-concept testing ( Cuadrado-Tejedor, M.; Garcia-Barroso, C.; Sánchez-Arias, J. A.; Rabal, O.; Mederos, S.; Ugarte, A.; Franco, R.; Segura, V.; Perea, G.; Oyarzabal, J.; Garcia-Osta, A. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016 , in press, doi: 10.1038/npp.2016.163 ).
Background & Aims Polycystic liver diseases (PLDs) are genetic disorders characterized by progressive biliary cystogenesis. Current therapies show short-term and/or modest beneficial effects. Cystic cholangiocytes hyperproliferate as a consequence of diminished intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i). Here, the therapeutic value of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was investigated. Methods Effect of UDCA was examined in vitro and in polycystic (PCK) rats. Hepatic cystogenesis and fibrosis, and the bile acid (BA) content were evaluated in liver, bile, serum and kidneys by HPLC-MS/MS. Results Chronic treatment of PCK rats with UDCA inhibits hepatic cystogenesis and fibrosis, and improves their motor behaviour. As compared to wild-type animals, PCK rats show increased BA concentration ([BA]) in liver, similar hepatic Cyp7a1 mRNA levels, and diminished [BA] in bile. Likewise, [BA] is increased in cystic fluid of PLD patients compared to their matched serum levels. In PCK rats, UDCA decreases the intrahepatic accumulation of cytotoxic BA, normalizes their diminished [BA] in bile, increases the BA secretion in bile and diminishes the increased [BA] in kidneys. In vitro, UDCA inhibits the hyperproliferation of polycystic human cholangiocytes via a PI3K/AKT/MEK/ERK1/2-dependent mechanism without affecting apoptosis. Finally, the presence of glycodeoxycholic acid promotes the proliferation of polycystic human cholangiocytes, which is inhibited by both UDCA and tauro-UDCA. Conclusions UDCA was able to halt the liver disease of a rat model of PLD through inhibiting cystic cholangiocyte hyperproliferation and decreasing the level of cytotoxic BA species in the liver, which suggests the use of UDCA as a potential therapeutic tool for PLD patients.
Different proinflammatory cytokines enhance the expression of miR-506 in biliary epithelial cells; miR-506 induces PBC-like features in cholangiocytes and promotes immune activation, representing a potential therapeutic target for PBC patients. (Hepatology 2018;67:1420-1440).
Na ؉ -independent anion exchangers (AE) mediate electroneutral exchange of Cl ؊ for HCO 3 ؊ ions across cell membranes, being involved in intracellular pH and cell volume regulation and in transepithelial hydroionic fluxes. Bicarbonate activation of adenylyl cyclase is known to be necessary for sperm motility and sperm capacitation, and a few studies have suggested a possible role of AE carriers in reproduction. Among the four AE genes identified in mammals thus far, only Ae2 (Slc4a2) has been determined to be expressed in the male reproductive system, especially in developing spermatozoa and in epididymal epithelium. Most AE genes drive alternative transcription, which in mouse Ae2 results in several Ae2 isoforms. Here, we generated mice carrying a targeted disruption of Ae2 that prevents the expression of the three AE2 isoforms (Ae2a, Ae2b1, and Ae2b2) normally found in mouse testes. Male Ae2 ؊/؊ mice (but not female Ae2 ؊/؊ mice) are infertile. Histopathological analysis of Ae2 ؊/؊ testes shows an interruption of spermiogenesis, with only a few late spermatids and a complete absence of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules. The number of apoptotic bodies is increased in the seminiferous tubules and in the epididymis, which also shows squamous metaplasia of the epididymal epithelium. Our findings reveal an essential role of Ae2 in mouse spermiogenesis and stress the recently postulated involvement of bicarbonate in germ-cell differentiation through the bicarbonate-sensitive soluble-adenylyl-cyclase pathway.
Epigenetic regulators that exhibit aberrant enzymatic activities or expression profiles are potential therapeutic targets for cancers. Specifically, enzymes responsible for methylation at histone-3 lysine-9 (like G9a) and aberrant DNA hypermethylation (DNMTs) have been implicated in a number of cancers. Recently, molecules bearing a 4-aminoquinoline scaffold were reported as dual inhibitors of these targets and showed a significant in vivo efficacy in animal models of hematological malignancies. Here, we report a detailed exploration around three growing vectors born by this chemotype. Exploring this chemical space led to the identification of features to navigate G9a and DNMT1 biological spaces: not only their corresponding exclusive areas, selective compounds, but also common spaces. Thus, we identified from selective G9a and first-in-class DNMT1 inhibitors, >1 log unit between their IC values, with IC < 25 nM (e.g., 43 and 26, respectively) to equipotent inhibitors with IC < 50 nM for both targets (e.g., 13). Their ADME/Tox profiling and antiproliferative efficacies, versus some cancer cell lines, are also reported.
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