Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the adverse effects of exposure to sulfamonomethoxin(SMM) in pregnancy on the neurobehavioral development of male offspring. Methods Pregnant mice were randomly div...Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the adverse effects of exposure to sulfamonomethoxin(SMM) in pregnancy on the neurobehavioral development of male offspring. Methods Pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups: control‐(normal saline), low‐[10 mg/(kg.day)], middle‐[50 mg/(kg.day)], and high‐dose [200 mg/(kg.day)] groups, which received SMM by gavage daily during gestational days 1‐18. We measured the levels of short‐chain fatty acids(SCFAs) in feces from dams and male pups. Furthermore, we analyzed the mR NA and protein levels of genes involved in the mammalian target of rapamycin(m TOR) pathway in the hippocampus of male pups by RT‐PCR or Western blotting. Results Fecal SCFA concentrations were significantly decreased in dams. Moreover, the production of individual fecal SCFAs was unbalanced, with a tendency for an increased level of total fecal SCFAs in male pups on postnatal day(PND) 22 and 56. Furthermore, the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase(PI3 k)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mTOR or mT OR/ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1(S6 K1)/4 EBP1 signaling pathway was continuously upregulated until PND 56 in male offspring. In addition, the expression of Sepiapterin Reductase(SPR), a potential target of m TOR, was inhibited. Conclusion In utero exposure to SMM, persistent upregulation of the hippocampal mTOR pathway related to dysfunction of the gut(SCFA)‐brain axis may contribute to cognitive deficits in male offspring.展开更多
Most attempts at rational development of new analgesics have failed, in part because chronic pain involves multiple processes that remain poorly understood. To improve translational success, one strategy is to select ...Most attempts at rational development of new analgesics have failed, in part because chronic pain involves multiple processes that remain poorly understood. To improve translational success, one strategy is to select novel targets for which there is proof of clinical relevance, either genetically through heritable traits, or pharmacolog- ically. Such an approach by definition yields targets with high clinical validity. The biology of these targets can be elucidated in animal models before returning to the patients with a refined therapeutic. For optimal treatment, having biomarkers of drug action available is also a plus. Here we describe a case study in rational drug design： the use of controlled inhibition of peripheral tetrahydrobiopterin （BH4） synthesis to reduce abnormal chronic pain states without altering nociceptive-protective pain. Initially iden- tified in a population of patients with low back pain, the association between BH4 production and chronic pain has been confirmed in more than 12 independent cohorts, through a common haplotype （present in 25% of Cau- casians） of the rate-limiting enzyme for BH4 synthesis, GTP cyclohydrolase 1 （GCH1）. Genetic tools in mice have demonstrated that both injured sensory neurons and activated macrophages engage increased BH4 synthesis to cause chronic pain. GCH1 is an obligate enzyme for de novo BH4 production. Therefore, inhibiting GCH1 activity eliminates all BH4 production, affecting the synthesis of multiple neurotransmitters and signaling molecules and interfering with physiological function. In contrast, target- ing the last enzyme of the BH4 synthesis pathway, sepiapterin reductase （SPR）, allows reduction of patholog- ical BH4 production without completely blocking physio- logical BH4 synthesis. Systemic SPR inhibition in mice has not revealed any safety concerns to date, and available genetic and pharmacologic data suggest similar responses in humans. Finally, because it is present in vivo only when SPR is inhibited, sepiapterin serves as a reliable biomarker of target engagement, allowing potential quantification of drug efficacy. The emerging development of therapeutics that target BH4 synthesis to treat chronic pain illustrates the power of combining human and mouse genetics： human genetic studies for clinical selection of relevant targets, coupled with causality studies in mice, allowing the rational engineering of new analgesics.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81202209]Key Projects of Natural Science Research in Colleges and Universities of Anhui province [KJ2018A0164,KJ2017A189]
文摘Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the adverse effects of exposure to sulfamonomethoxin(SMM) in pregnancy on the neurobehavioral development of male offspring. Methods Pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups: control‐(normal saline), low‐[10 mg/(kg.day)], middle‐[50 mg/(kg.day)], and high‐dose [200 mg/(kg.day)] groups, which received SMM by gavage daily during gestational days 1‐18. We measured the levels of short‐chain fatty acids(SCFAs) in feces from dams and male pups. Furthermore, we analyzed the mR NA and protein levels of genes involved in the mammalian target of rapamycin(m TOR) pathway in the hippocampus of male pups by RT‐PCR or Western blotting. Results Fecal SCFA concentrations were significantly decreased in dams. Moreover, the production of individual fecal SCFAs was unbalanced, with a tendency for an increased level of total fecal SCFAs in male pups on postnatal day(PND) 22 and 56. Furthermore, the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase(PI3 k)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mTOR or mT OR/ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1(S6 K1)/4 EBP1 signaling pathway was continuously upregulated until PND 56 in male offspring. In addition, the expression of Sepiapterin Reductase(SPR), a potential target of m TOR, was inhibited. Conclusion In utero exposure to SMM, persistent upregulation of the hippocampal mTOR pathway related to dysfunction of the gut(SCFA)‐brain axis may contribute to cognitive deficits in male offspring.
基金supported by NIH grant DE022912supported by NIH grant NS074430
文摘Most attempts at rational development of new analgesics have failed, in part because chronic pain involves multiple processes that remain poorly understood. To improve translational success, one strategy is to select novel targets for which there is proof of clinical relevance, either genetically through heritable traits, or pharmacolog- ically. Such an approach by definition yields targets with high clinical validity. The biology of these targets can be elucidated in animal models before returning to the patients with a refined therapeutic. For optimal treatment, having biomarkers of drug action available is also a plus. Here we describe a case study in rational drug design： the use of controlled inhibition of peripheral tetrahydrobiopterin （BH4） synthesis to reduce abnormal chronic pain states without altering nociceptive-protective pain. Initially iden- tified in a population of patients with low back pain, the association between BH4 production and chronic pain has been confirmed in more than 12 independent cohorts, through a common haplotype （present in 25% of Cau- casians） of the rate-limiting enzyme for BH4 synthesis, GTP cyclohydrolase 1 （GCH1）. Genetic tools in mice have demonstrated that both injured sensory neurons and activated macrophages engage increased BH4 synthesis to cause chronic pain. GCH1 is an obligate enzyme for de novo BH4 production. Therefore, inhibiting GCH1 activity eliminates all BH4 production, affecting the synthesis of multiple neurotransmitters and signaling molecules and interfering with physiological function. In contrast, target- ing the last enzyme of the BH4 synthesis pathway, sepiapterin reductase （SPR）, allows reduction of patholog- ical BH4 production without completely blocking physio- logical BH4 synthesis. Systemic SPR inhibition in mice has not revealed any safety concerns to date, and available genetic and pharmacologic data suggest similar responses in humans. Finally, because it is present in vivo only when SPR is inhibited, sepiapterin serves as a reliable biomarker of target engagement, allowing potential quantification of drug efficacy. The emerging development of therapeutics that target BH4 synthesis to treat chronic pain illustrates the power of combining human and mouse genetics： human genetic studies for clinical selection of relevant targets, coupled with causality studies in mice, allowing the rational engineering of new analgesics.
