Infertility rates for both females and males have increased continuously in recent years. Currently, effective treatments for male infertility with defined mechanisms or targets are still lacking. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of drug targets, but their functions and the implications on therapeutic development for male infertility largely remain elusive. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that several members of the GPCR superfamily play crucial roles in the maintenance of ion-water homeostasis of the epididymis, development of the efferent ductules, formation of the blood-epididymal barrier, and maturation of sperm. Knowledge of the functions, genetic variations, and working mechanisms of such GPCRs, along with the drugs and ligands relevant to their specific functions, provide future directions and elicit great arsenal for potential therapy development for treating male infertility.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) together with polysulfides (H2Sn, n>2) are signaling molecules like nitric oxide (NO) with various physiological roles including regulation of neuronal transmission, vascular tone, inflammation, oxygen sensing etc. H2S and H2Sn diffuse to the target proteins to S-sulfurate their cysteine residues to induce the conformational changes to alter the activity. On the other hand, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase transfers sulfur from a substrate 3-mercaptopyruvate to the cysteine residues of acceptor proteins. A similar mechanism has also been identified in S-nitrosylation. S-sulfuration and S-nitrosylation by enzymes proceed only inside the cell, while reactions induced by H2S, H2Sn and NO even extend to the surrounding cells. Disturbance of signaling by these molecules as well as S-sulfuration and S-nitrosylation causes many neuronal diseases. This review focuses on the signaling by H2S and H2Sn with S-sulfuration compared with those of NO and S-nitrosynation, and discuss on their roles in physiology and pathophysiology.

Background: Post-ischemic inflammation contributes to worsening of ischemic brain injury and in this process, the inflammasomes play a key role. Inflammasomes are cytosolic multiprotein complexes which upon assembly activate the maturation and secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. However, participation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in ischemic stroke remains controversial. Our aims were to determine the role of NLRP3 in ischemia and to explore the mechanism involved in the potential protective effect of the neurovascular unit. Methods: WT and NLRP3 knock-out mice were subjected to ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion (60 minutes) with or without treatment with MCC950 at different time points post-stroke. Brain injury was measured histologically with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Results: We identified a time-dependent dual effect of NLRP3. While neither the pre-treatment with MCC950 nor the genetic approach (NLRP3 KO) proved to be neuroprotective, post-reperfusion treatment with MCC950 significantly reduced the infarct volume in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, MCC950 improved the neuro-motor function and reduced the expression of different pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), NLRP3 inflammasome components (NLRP3, pro-caspase-1), protease expression (MMP9) and endothelial adhesion molecules (ICAM, VCAM). We observed a marked protection of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which was also reflected in the recovery of the tight junctions proteins (ZO-1, Claudin-5). Additionally, MCC950 produced a reduction of the CCL2 chemokine in blood serum and in brain tissue, which lead to a reduction in the immune cell infiltration. Conclusions: These findings suggest that post-reperfusion NLRP3 inhibition may be an effective acute therapy for protecting the blood-brain barrier in cerebral ischemia with potential clinical translation.

Background and purpose: Regulator of G-protein signal 4 (RGS4) is a signal transduction protein that accelerates intrinsic GTPase activity of Gαi/o and Gαq subunits, suppressing GPCR signaling. Here we investigate whether RGS4 modulates nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid (NOP) receptor signaling and whether this modulation has relevance for L-Dopa induced dyskinesia. Experimental approach: HEK293T cells transfected with NOP, NOP/RGS4 or NOP/RGS19 were challenged with N/OFQ and the small molecule NOP agonist AT-403, using D1-stimulated cAMP levels as a readout. Primary rat striatal neurons and adult mouse striatal slices were challenged with N/OFQ or AT-403 in the presence of the RGS4 inhibitor, CCG-203920, and D1-stimulated cAMP or pERK responses were monitored. In vivo, CCG-203920 was co-administered with AT-403 and levodopa to 6-hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats, and dyskinetic movements, striatal biochemical correlates of dyskinesia (pERK and pGluR1 levels) and striatal RGS4 levels were measured. Key results: RGS4 expression reduced NOFQ and AT-403 potency and efficacy in HEK293T cells. CCG-203920 increased N/OFQ potency in primary rat striatal neurons, and potentiated AT-403 response in mouse striatal slices. CCG-203920 enhanced AT-403 mediated inhibition of dyskinesia and its biochemical correlates, without compromising its motor-improving effects. Unilateral dopamine depletion caused bilateral reduction of RGS4 levels which was reversed by levodopa. Levodopa acutely upregulated RGS4 in the lesioned striatum. Conclusions and Implications: RGS4 physiologically inhibits NOP receptor signaling and an RGS4 inhibitor enhances NOP responses. Furthermore, an RGS4 inhibitor improved the antidyskinetic potential of NOP receptor agonists, mitigating the effects of upregulation of striatal RGS4 levels occurring during dyskinesia expression.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by repeated and spontaneous epileptic seizures, which is not well controlled by current medication. Traditional theory supports that epilepsy results from the imbalance of excitatory glutamate neurons and inhibitory GABAergic neurons. Recently, shreds of evidence from available clinical and preclinical researches suggest that histamine in the central nervous system plays an important role in the modulation of neural excitability and pathogenesis of epilepsy. Many histamine receptor ligands show positive response in animal epilepsy models, among which the H3R antagonist pitolisant even has shown a good anti-epileptic effect in clinical trials. New insights are focusing on the potential action of histamine receptors to control and treat epilepsy. This review summarizes the findings from animal and clinical researches on the role of brain histamine and histamine receptor in epilepsy. Importantly, we further provide perspectives on some possible research directions for future studies.

Background and Purpose: New remedies are required for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) due to insufficient efficacy of available therapies. Here, we used chemogenetic approaches combined with in vivo pharmacology to elucidate the role of BLA astrocytes in DNP pathogenesis and provide new insights into DNP therapeutic strategies. Experimental Approach: A streptozotocin-induced DNP model was established. Designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) were used to regulate the activity of astrocytes. Mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed using the electronic von Frey test. Anxiety-like behaviors were detected by open field and elevated plus maze tests. Astrocytic activity was detected by immunofluorescence, and cytokine content was determined by ELISA. Key Results: BLA astrocytes were regulated by DREADDs, and inhibition of BLA astrocytes attenuated mechanical allodynia and anxiety-like behavior in DNP rats. Contrastively, temporary activation of BLA astrocytes induced allodynia without anxious behavior in naive rats. In addition, we found that koumine alleviates mechanical allodynia and anxiety-like behavior in DNP rats, inhibits the activation of BLA astrocytes and suppresses the inflammatory response. Furthermore, persistent activation of BLA astrocytes by chemogenetic mimics chronic pain, and koumine can alleviate its pain hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behavior. Conclusion and Implications: DREADDs bidirectionally regulate the activity of BLA astrocytes, which proves for the first time the role of BLA astrocytes activation in the pathogenesis of DNP and represents a novel therapeutic strategy for DNP. Koumine ameliorated DNP, perhaps by inhibiting the activation of BLA astrocytes and reveal KM as a potential candidate for treating DNP.

Background and Purpose Incubation of craving is associated with temporal changes in the activity of several structures involved in drug-seeking behavior. Hypodopaminergic activity, responsible for negative emotional states, has been reported in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) during cocaine abstinence. The neuroadaptations underlying the VTA hyperdopaminergic state after chronic cocaine is not well understood. In this work, we investigated the potential involvement of a VTA inhibiting circuit (amygdala-ventral pallidum (VP) pathway) in the hypodopaminergic state during abstinence from chronic cocaine. Experimental Approach In a model of cocaine self-administration, we performed in vivo electrophysiological recordings of DA VTA neurons and basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons from anesthetized rats during early and protracted abstinence and evaluated the involvement of the BLA-VP pathway using a pharmacological approach. Key Results We found a significant decrease of VTA DA population activity and a significant increase of BLA activity after 30 days of abstinence from chronic cocaine but not one day. The decrease in VTA DA activity was restored by pharmacological inhibition of the activity of either the BLA or the VP. Conclusion and Implications Our study sheds new lights on neuroadaptations occurring during incubation of craving leading to relapse. In particular, we described the involvement of the BLA-VP pathway in cocaine-induced decreases of DA activity in the VTA. This study adds an important building block to the characterization of specific brain network dysfunctions underlying hypodopaminergic activity during abstinence.

Background and Purpose: Heart failure can reflect impaired contractile function at the myofilament level. In healthy hearts, myofilaments become more sensitive to Ca2+ as cells are stretched. This represents a fundamental property of myocardium that contributes to the Frank-Starling response, although the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect remain unclear. Mavacamten is a drug that binds to myosin, which is under investigation as a potential therapy for cardiovascular disease. We tested how mavacamten affects the sarcomere-length dependence of Ca2+-sensitive isometric contraction to determine how mavacamten might modulate the Frank-Starling mechanism. Experimental Approach: Multicellular preparations from the left ventricular free wall of hearts procured from organ donors were chemically permeabilized and Ca2+-activated in the presence or absence of 0.5 μM mavacamten at 1.9 or 2.3 µm sarcomere length (37°C). Isometric force and frequency-dependent viscoelastic myocardial stiffness measurements were made. Key Results: At both sarcomere lengths, mavacamten reduced maximal force and Ca2+-sensitivity of contraction. In the presence and absence of mavacamten, Ca2+-sensitivity of force increased as sarcomere length increased. This suggests that the length-dependent activation response was maintained in human myocardium, even though mavacamten reduced Ca2+-sensitivity. There were subtle effects of mavacamten reducing force values under relaxed conditions (pCa 8.0), as well as slowing myosin cross-bridge recruitment and speeding cross-bridge detachment under maximally activated conditions (pCa 4.5). Conclusion and Implications: Mavacamten did not eliminate sarcomere length-dependent increases in the Ca2+-sensitivity of contraction in myocardial strips from organ donors at physiological temperature. Pharmaceuticals that modulate myofilament function may be useful therapies for cardiovascular disease.

Background and Purpose L-DOPA induced dyskinesia is a debilitating side effect of treating Parkinson’s disease with L-DOPA. There is a need to discover a treatment that has the same benefits as L-DOPA treatment without the associated side effects. Here, we demonstrate the anti-dyskinetic potential of doxycycline and the analog compound COL-3 (without antimicrobial activity) in hemiparkinsonian rats presenting L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. Experimental Approach Wistar adult male rats received a unilateral medial forebrain bundle injection of 6-hydroxydopamine and were then orally administered L-DOPA once a day for 14 days. This resulted in dyskinetic-like behavior. Key Results A single injection of doxycycline (intraperitoneal) or COL-3 (intracerebroventricular) together with L-DOPA attenuated the dyskinesia. Co-treatment with doxycycline from the first day of L-DOPA suppressed the onset of dyskinesia. The improved motor responses to L-DOPA remained intact in the presence of doxycycline or COL-3, indicating the preservation of the L-DOPA benefits. Doxycycline treatment was associated with decreased expression of FosB, cyclooxygenase-2, astrocytes, and microglia, which had previously been found to be elevated in the basal ganglia of rats exhibiting dyskinesia. In addition, metalloproteinase-2/-9 activity, metalloproteinase-3 expression, and production of reactive oxygen species in the basal ganglia of dyskinetic rats showed a significant positive correlation with the intensity of dyskinesia, which was decreased with the doxycycline treatment. Conclusion and Implications Given the long-established and safe use of doxycycline and the similar effect of COL-3 (without antimicrobial activity), this study indicates that both drugs should undergo testing for their ability to reduce signs of dyskinesia induced by L-DOPA in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Background and Purpose: Overexpression of astrocytic lactoferrin (Lf) was observed in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, whereas the role of astrocytic Lf in AD progression remains unexplored. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of astrocytic Lf on AD progression. Experimental Approach: The APP/PS1 mice with astrocytes overexpressing human Lf were developed to evaluate the effects of astrocytic Lf on AD progression, and the N2a-sw cells were employed to further uncover the mechanism of astrocytic Lf on β-amyloid (Aβ) production. Key Results: Astrocytic Lf overexpression increased protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity, and reduced amyloid precursor protein (APP) phosphorylation, Aβ burden and tau hyperphosphorylation in APP/PS1 mice. Mechanistically, astrocytic Lf overexpression promoted the astrocytic Lf secretion into neurons in APP/PS1 mice, and the conditional medium from astrocytes overexpressing Lf inhibited the p-APP(Thr668) expression in N2a-sw cells. Furthermore, the recombinant human Lf (hLf) also significantly enhanced PP2A activity and inhibited p-APP expression, while inhibitions of p38 or PP2A activities abrogated the hLf-induced p-APP downregulation in N2a-sw cells. Additionally, hLf promoted the interaction of p38 and PP2A via p38 activation, thereby enhancing PP2A activity; and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) knockdown significantly reversed the hLf-induced p38 activation and p-APP downregulation. Conclusions and Implications: Our data suggested that astrocytic Lf promoted neuronal p38 activation via targeting to LRP1, subsequently promoting p38 binds to PP2A to enhance PP2A activity, which finally inhibited Aβ production via APP dephosphorylation. Therefore, promoting astrocytic Lf expression may be a potential strategy against AD.

Background and purpose Statins, inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, are mainstay treatment for hypercholesterolemia. However, muscle pain and weakness prevent many patients from benefiting from their cardioprotective effects. We previously demonstrated that simvastatin activates skeletal ryanodine receptors (RyR1), an effect that could be important in initiating myopathy. We therefore investigated if RyR1 activation is a standard property of commonly-prescribed statins. Using a range of structurally-diverse statin analogues we examined structural features associated with RyR1 activation, aiming to identify statins lacking this property. Experimental Approach Compounds were screened for RyR1 activity utilising [3H]ryanodine binding. Mechanistic insight into RyR1 activity was studied by incorporating RyR1 channels from sheep, mouse or rabbit skeletal muscle into bilayers. Key Results All UK-prescribed statins activated RyR1 at nanomolar concentrations. Cerivastatin, withdrawn from the market due to life-threatening muscle-related side effects, was more effective than currently-prescribed statins and possessed the unique ability to open RyR1 channels independently of cytosolic Ca2+. We synthesised the statin pharmacophore and it did not activate RyR1. We also identified five analogues retaining potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibition that inhibited RyR1 and four analogues that lacked the ability to activate RyR1. Conclusion and Implications That cervistatin activates RyR1 most strongly supports the hypothesis that RyR1 activation is implicated in statin-induced myopathy. Demonstrating that statin-regulation of RyR1 and HMG-CoA reductase are separable effects allows the role of RyR1 in statin-induced myopathy to be further elucidated by the tool compounds identified, thus paving the way for the development of effective cardioprotective statins with improved patient tolerance.

Background and Purpose: Local anesthetics block sodium and a variety of potassium channels. Although previous studies identified a residue in the pore signature sequence together with three residues in the S6 segment as a putative binding site, the precise molecular basis of Kv potassium channel inhibition by local anesthetics remained unknown. Kv crystal structures predict that some of these residues point away from the central cavity and face into a drug binding site called ‘side pockets´. Thus, the question arises whether the binding site of local anesthetics is exclusively located in the central cavity or also involves the ‘side pockets´. Experimental Approach: A systematic functional alanine mutagenesis approach, scanning 58 mutants, in concert with in silico docking experiments and molecular dynamics simulations were utilized to elucidate the binding site of bupivacaine and ropivacaine. Key Results: Kv1.5 inhibition by local anesthetics requires binding to the central cavity and the ‘side pockets´, where the latter requires interactions with residues of the S5 and the backside of the S6 segment. Mutations in the ‘side pockets´ remove stereoselectivity of Kv1.5 inhibition by bupivacaine. Strikingly, while we found that binding to the ‘side pockets´ is conserved for the different local anesthetics, the binding mode in the central cavity and the ‘side pockets´ shows considerable variations. Conclusion and Implications: Local anesthetics bind to the central cavity and the ‘side pockets´ which provides a crucial key for the molecular understanding of their Kv channel affinity and stereoselectivity, as well as their spectrum of side effects.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most common but still poorly treated psychiatric conditions. Developing new treatments requires a better understanding of the aetiology of symptoms and evaluation of novel therapeutic targets in preclinical studies. Recent developments in our understanding of the reinforcement-based cognitive biases (RBCBs) that contribute to the development of AUD and its treatment offer new opportunities for both clinical and preclinical research. In this review, we first briefly describe psychological and cognitive theories that implicate various aspects of reinforcement sensitivity in the development, maintenance, and recurrence of alcohol addiction. Furthermore, in separate sections, we describe studies investigating RBCBs and their neural, neurochemical, and pharmacological correlates, and we discuss possible interactions between RBCBs and trajectories of AUD. Finally, we describe how recent translational studies using state-of-the-art animal models can facilitate our understanding of the role of reinforcement sensitivity and RBCBs in various aspects of AUD.

The access of drugs into the central nervous system (CNS) is regulated by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB). A large body of evidence supports perturbation of these barriers in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Modifications to the BBB and BSCB are also reported in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), albeit these modifications have received less attention relative to those in other neurodegenerative diseases. Such alterations to the BBB and BSCB have the potential to impact on CNS exposure of drugs in ALS, modulating the effectiveness of drugs intended to reach the brain and the toxicity of drugs that are not intended to reach the brain. Given the clinical importance of these phenomena, this review will summarise reported modifications to the BBB and BSCB in ALS, discuss their impact on CNS drug exposure and suggest further research directions so as to optimise medicine use in people with ALS.

Background and Purpose: Resurgence in the use of chloroquine as a putative treatment for COVID-19 has seen recent cases of fatal toxicity due to unintentional overdoses. Protocols for the management of poisoning recommend diazepam, although there are uncertainties in its pharmacology and efficacy in this context. The aim was to assess the effects of diazepam in experimental models of chloroquine cardiotoxicity. Experimental Approach: In vitro experiments involved cardiac tissues isolated from rats and incubated with chloroquine, alone, or in combination with diazepam. In vivo models of toxicity involved chloroquine administered intravenously to pentobarbitone-anaesthetised rats and rabbits. Randomised, controlled interventional studies in rats assessed diazepam, clonazepam and Ro5-4864 administered: (i) prior, (ii) during, and (iii) after chloroquine; and the effects of diazepam: (iv) at high dose, (v) in urethane-anaesthetised rats, and (vi) co-administered with adrenaline. Key Results: Chloroquine decreased the developed tension of left atria, prolonged the effective refractory period of atria, ventricular tissue and right papillary muscles, and caused dose-dependent impairment of haemodynamic and electrocardiographic parameters. Cardiac arrhythmias indicated impairment of atrioventricular conduction. Studies (i), (ii) and (v) showed no differences between interventions and control. Diazepam increased heart rate in study (iv) and, as with clonazepam, also prolonged the QTc interval in study (iii). Combined administration of diazepam and adrenaline in study (vi) improved cardiac contractility but caused hypokalaemia. Conclusion and Implications: Neither diazepam, nor other ligands for benzodiazepine binding sites, protect against or attenuate chloroquine cardiotoxicity. However, diazepam may augment the effects of positive inotropes in reducing chloroquine cardiotoxicity.

Background: Vascular TRPV channels have emerged as important regulators of vascular tone. TRPV1 and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are independently associated with the pathophysiology of coronary vasospasm but the relationship between their vasomotor functions remains unclear. We characterized the vasomotor function of TRPV1 channels in human arterioles and investigated regulation of their vasomotor function by ET-1. Approach: Arterioles were threaded on two metal wires, equilibrated in a physiological buffer at 37 oC and exposed to increasing concentrations of capsaicin in the absence or presence of SB366791 (TRPV1-selective inhibitor) or GF109203X (PKC-selective inhibitor). Some arterioles were preconstricted with ET-1 or phenylephrine or high K+ buffer. TRPV1 mRNA and protein expression in human arteries were assessed. Results: TRPV1 transcripts and proteins were detected in human resistance arteries. Capsaicin (1 µM) induced concentration-dependent constriction of endothelium-intact (35 ± 8 %) and endothelium-denuded (43 ± 11 %) human adipose arterioles (HAA), which was significantly inhibited by SB366791 (0.2 ± 0.1 %). Preconstriction of HAA with ET-1, but not high potassium buffer or phenylephrine, significantly potentiated capsaicin-induced constriction (33 ± 7 % vs 12 ± 8 %). GF109203X significantly inhibited potentiation of capsaicin-induced constriction by ET-1. Conclusion: TRPV1 channels are expressed in the human vasculature and can influence vascular tone of human arterioles upon activation. Their vasomotor function is modulated by ET-1, mediated in part by PKC.. These findings reveal a novel interplay between ET-1 signaling and TRPV1 channels in human VSMC, adding to our understanding of the ion channel mechanisms that regulate human arteriolar tone and may also contribute to the pathophysiology of coronary vasospasm.

Cancer cachexia is one of the most common causes of death among cancer patients, no effective anti-cachectic treatment is currently available. In experimental cachectic animal models, aberrant activation of STAT3 in skeletal muscle has been found to contribute to muscle wasting. However, its clinical association, the factors regulating STAT3 activation, and the molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that an enhanced interaction between activated STAT3 and HSP90, which were observed in the skeletal muscle of cancer cachexia patients, is a crucial event for the development of cachectic muscle wasting. Administration of HSP90 inhibitors 17DMAG and PU-H71 alleviated the muscle wasting in C26 tumor-bearing cachectic mice or the myotube atrophy of C2C12 cells induced by C26 conditional medium. A mechanistic study indicated that in cachectic skeletal muscle, prolonged STAT3 activation transactivated FOXO1 by binding directly to its promoter and triggered the muscle wasting in a FOXO1-dependent manner; Our results demonstrate that the HSP90/STAT3/FOXO1 axis plays a critical role in the cachectic muscle wasting, which might serve as potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer cachexia.

Since cell penetrating peptides are promising tools for delivery of cargo into cells, factors limiting or facilitating their cellular uptake are intensely studied. Using labeling with pH-insensitive and pH-sensitive dyes we report that escape of penetratin from acidic endo-lysosomal compartments is retarded compared to its total cellular uptake. The membrane dipole potential, known to alter transmembrane transport of charged molecules, is shown to be negatively correlated with the concentration of penetratin in the cytoplasmic compartment. Treatment of cells with therapeutically relevant concentrations of atorvastatin, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol synthesis, significantly increased endosomal escape of penetratin in two different cell types. This effect of atorvastatin correlated with its ability to decrease the membrane dipole potential. These results highlight the importance of the dipole potential in regulating cellular uptake of cell penetrating peptides and suggest a clinically relevant way of boosting this process.