Role of Th1/Th17 balance regulated by T-bet in a mouse model of Mycobacterium avium complex disease.

Th1 immune responses are thought to be important in protection against intracellular pathogens. T-bet is a critical regulator for Th1 cell differentiation and Th1 cytokine production. The aim of this study was to determine the role of T-bet in host defense against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection.

Carbocisteine reduces virus-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice exposed to cigarette smoke.

Carbocisteine (S-CMC) inhibits viral infection and prevents acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We recently demonstrated the protective effects of NF-E2-related factor (Nrf) 2 against influenza virus (FluV)-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). In our current study, we investigated the effects of S-CMC on Nrf2 activation in cultured macrophages, and in mice infected with influenza after exposure to CS.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Part 6: design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of PDE4-inhibitory pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines with anti-inflammatory activity.

We previously identified KCA-1490 [(-)-6-(7-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-4-yl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-3-(2H)-pyridazinone], a dual PDE3/4 inhibitor. In the present study, we found highly potent selective PDE4 inhibitors derived from the structure of KCA-1490. Among them, N-(3,5-dichloropyridin-4-yl)-7-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-4-carboxamide (2a) had good anti-inflammatory effects in an animal model.

Transcription factors GATA-3 and RORγt are important for determining the phenotype of allergic airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma.

In refractory asthma, neutrophils, rather than eosinophils, often predominate in the airways. Neutrophilic airway inflammation appears to be resistant to steroids and may be related to the Th17, rather than the Th2, cytokine milieu. However, the role of GATA-3 and RORγt, transcription factors for Th2 and Th17 cell differentiation, respectively, in the pathogenesis of steroid-insensitive asthma remains unclear.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Part 5: hybrid PDE3/4 inhibitors as dual bronchorelaxant/anti-inflammatory agents for inhaled administration.

(-)-6-(7-Methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-4-yl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3(2H)-one (KCA-1490) exhibits moderate dual PDE3/4-inhibitory activity and promises as a combined bronchodilatory/anti-inflammatory agent. N-alkylation of the pyridazinone ring markedly enhances potency against PDE4 but suppresses PDE3 inhibition. Addition of a 6-aryl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3(2H)-one extension to the N-alkyl group facilitates both enhancement of PDE4-inhibitory activity and restoration of potent PDE3 inhibition.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Part 4: design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships of dual PDE3/4-inhibitory fused bicyclic heteroaromatic-4,4-dimethylpyrazolones.

(-)-6-(7-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-4-yl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-3-(2H)-pyridazinone (KCA-1490) is a dual PDE3/4 inhibitor that exhibits potent combined bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory activity. Here we show that a 4,4-dimethylpyrazolone subunit serves as an effective surrogate for the 5-methyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3(2H)-one ring of KCA-1490 whilst lacking a stereogenic centre. The 2- and 7-substituents in the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine subunit markedly influence the PDE-inhibitory profile and can be adjusted to afford either potent PDE4-selective inhibitors or dual PDE3/4 inhibitors.

Role of Nrf2 in host defense against influenza virus in cigarette smoke-exposed mice.

Influenza virus is a common respiratory tract viral infection. Although influenza can be fatal in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, its pathogenesis is not fully understood. The Nrf2-mediated antioxidant system is essential to protect the lungs from oxidative injury and inflammation.

Aggravation of bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mice lacking peroxiredoxin I.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis. Peroxiredoxin (Prx) I is a cellular antioxidant enzyme induced under stress conditions. In the present study, the protective effects of Prx I on the development of bleomycin-induced acute pulmonary inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis were investigated using Prx I-deficient mice.

Nrf2 protects against pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the lung oxidant level and Th1/Th2 balance.

Background: Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and lethal disorder. Although the precise mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis are not fully understood, oxidant/antioxidant and Th1/Th2 balances may play an important role in many of the processes of inflammation and fibrosis. The transcription factor Nrf2 acts as a critical regulator for various inflammatory and immune responses by controlling oxidative stress.

Intracisternal, but not intrathecal, injection of naloxone inhibits cutaneous itch-related response in mice.

The present study was conducted to determine whether cutaneous itch involves mu-opioid receptors in either of the spinal cord or lower brainstem or in both regions in mice. An intraplantar injection of serotonin hydrochloride (100 nmol/site) induced biting, an itch-related behavior. The behavior was inhibited by subcutaneous (0.

Evidence for separate involvement of different mu-opioid receptor subtypes in itch and analgesia induced by supraspinal action of opioids.

The common adverse effect of centrally-injected mu-opioid receptor (mu-OR) agonists is pruritus. This study was conducted using mice to examine whether different subtypes of mu-OR would be responsible for pruritus and analgesia. Intracisternal injections of morphine and morphine-6beta-glucronide (M6G), but not M3G, produced an antinociceptive effect.

Pharmacological effects of imidafenacin (KRP-197/ONO-8025), a new bladder selective anti-cholinergic agent, in rats. Comparison of effects on urinary bladder capacity and contraction, salivary secretion and performance in the Morris water maze task.

Imidafenacin (CAS 170105-16-5, KRP-197, ONO-8025) has been developed for the treatment of overactive bladder as a new anti-cholinergic with high affinities for muscarinic acetylcholine M3 and M1 receptors. The pharmacological profiles of imidafenacin on the urinary bladder function by determining carbamylcholine (CCh)-induced decrease in bladder capacity and distention-induced rhythmic bladder contraction in conscious rats were investigated. In addition, effects of imidafenacin on CCh-induced salivary secretion and performance in the Morris water maze task in rats were investigated to evaluate side effects, such as dry mouth and cognitive dysfunction in the central nervous system (CNS).

Effects of imidafenacin (KRP-197/ONO-8025), a new anti-cholinergic agent, on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. High affinities for M3 and M1 receptor subtypes and selectivity for urinary bladder over salivary gland.

Imidafenacin (CAS 170105-16-5, KRP-197, ONO-8025) is an antagonist for the muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor currently under development for the treatment of overactive bladder. Affinities of imidafenacin and other drugs for muscarinic ACh receptor subtypes were investigated by examining inhibitory effects on ACh release in the rat urinary bladder and K+ efflux in the rat salivary gland in functional and binding assays. In the functional assay, imidafenacin had higher affnities for M3 and M1 receptors than for the M2 receptor.

Intradermal nociceptin elicits itch-associated responses through leukotriene B(4) in mice.

Nociceptin, the endogenous peptide ligand for opioid receptor like-1 (ORL1) receptor, has been implicated in the inflammation and pain in the skin. We examined whether nociceptin is a pruritogen in mice. Intradermal injections of nociceptin (1-100 nmol per site) concentration dependently increased scratching in ICR mice; the effect started within 1 min, peaked at 10-20 min, and almost subsided by 30 min.