Pharmacology of a Novel, Orally Active PDE4 Inhibitor

Abstract

Background: Intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in inflammatory cells and airway smooth muscle is critical to the modulation of inflammatory response generation. Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), an enzyme that catalyzes cAMP degradation, is therefore being actively explored as a molecular target for the treatment of airway inflammation, particularly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The field has undergone major advances in optimizing generation of compounds with a safe therapeutic margin; however, most PDE4 inhibitors tested so far have unacceptable side effects, particularly nausea and vomiting. Methods: We evaluated NIS-62949 in a wide range of in vitro and ex vivo cell-based assays to ascertain its anti-inflammatory potential. The compound was evaluated in murine models of lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia and pulmonary neutrophilia. Parameters of airway inflammation, airway hyperreactivity and bronchoconstriction were evaluated in a guinea pig model of antigen-induced allergy. In order to assess the emetic potential, the compound was evaluated biochemically for binding to high-affinity rolipram-binding site. Subsequently, the compound was tested in a surrogate model for emesis, and the results obtained were correlated directly to tests conducted in a Beagle dog model. Results: NIS-62949 is a potent, highly selective PDE4 inhibitor. The compound demonstrated potent ability to inhibit tumor necrosis factor-α release from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. The in vitro profile of NIS-62949 prompted further evaluation of the compound in vivo and the compound was found to be comparable to roflumilast in several experimental models of pulmonary inflammation. Importantly, NIS-62949 displayed a safer profile compared to roflumilast. Conclusions: Our results report the development of a promising, novel PDE4 inhibitor, NIS-62949, with a wider therapeutic window as compared to second-generation PDE4 inhibitors such as roflumilast.

Anti-asthmatic effect of ASP3258, a novel phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor

“…7). These results for roflumilast and cilomilast were almost identical to those reported in a previous study using similar systems [30,31]. The glucocorticoid agent prednisolone has also been found to inhibit AHR in the same guinea pig model used in the present study [17].…”

Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors ameliorates cognitive deficits in deoxycorticosterone acetate induced hypertensive rats via cAMP/CREB signaling system

“…Also, in human studies, SAP was unaffected by roflumilast treatment (Louw et al, 2007). On the other hand, an increase in cAMP levels inhibited the pro-inflammatory and apoptotic responses and provided an anti-inflammatory milieu (Dastidar et al, 2009;Naderi et al, 2009;Hoyle, 2010;Kim et al, 2010). So, it could be concluded that inhibition of PDE-4 reversed the hypertension-induced cognitive deficits independent of blood pressure.…”

Immune-Based Therapies for Spinal Cord Injury

“…While recent clinical evaluation of rolipram has been hampered by side effects of nausea and vomiting, a new generation of PDE4 inhibitors with a less adverse side effect profile is under evaluation (Dastidar et al, 2009;Davis et al, 2009). …”