scholarly journals Do Small Molecules Activate the TrkB Receptor in the Same Manner as BDNF? Limitations of Published TrkB Low Molecular Agonists and Screening for Novel TrkB Orthosteric Agonists

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 704
Author(s):  
Piotr Pankiewicz ◽  
Marcin Szybiński ◽  
Katarzyna Kisielewska ◽  
Filip Gołębiowski ◽  
Patryk Krzemiński ◽  
...  

TrkB is a tyrosine kinase receptor that is activated upon binding to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). To date, the search for low-molecular-weight molecules mimicking BDNF’s action has been unsuccessful. Several molecules exerting antidepressive effects in vivo, such as 7,8-DHF, have been suggested to be TrkB agonists. However, more recent publications question this hypothesis. In this study, we developed a set of experimental procedures including the evaluation of direct interactions, dimerization, downstream signaling, and cytoprotection in parallel with physicochemical and ADME methods to verify the pharmacology of 7,8-DHF and other potential reference compounds, and perform screening for novel TrkB agonists. 7,8 DHF bound to TrkB with Kd = 1.3 μM; however, we were not able to observe any other activity against the TrkB receptor in SN56 T48 and differentiated SH-SY5Y cell lines. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of 7,8-DHF at doses of 1 and 50 mg/kg were examined in mice after i.v and oral administration, respectively. The poor pharmacokinetic properties and lack of observed activation of TrkB-dependent signaling in the brain confirmed that 7,8-DHF is not a relevant tool for studying TrkB activation in vivo. The binding profile for 133 molecular targets revealed a significant lack of selectivity of 7,8-DHF, suggesting a distinct functional profile independent of interaction with TrkB. Additionally, a compound library was screened in search of novel low-molecular-weight orthosteric TrkB agonists; however, we were not able to identify reliable drug candidates. Our results suggest that published reference compounds including 7,8-DHF do not activate TrkB, consistent with canonical dogma, which indicates that the reported pharmacological activity of these compounds should be interpreted carefully in a broad functional context.

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1433-1444 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Eugenia Giorgi ◽  
Rosalía Agusti ◽  
Rosa M de Lederkremer

Conjugation with polyethylene glycol (PEG), known as PEGylation, has been widely used to improve the bioavailability of proteins and low molecular weight drugs. The covalent conjugation of PEG to the carbohydrate moiety of a protein has been mainly used to enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of the attached protein while yielding a more defined product. Thus, glycoPEGylation was successfully applied to the introduction of a PEGylated sialic acid to a preexisting or enzymatically linked glycan in a protein. Carbohydrates are now recognized as playing an important role in host–pathogen interactions in protozoal, bacterial and viral infections and are consequently candidates for chemotherapy. The short in vivo half-life of low molecular weight glycans hampered their use but methods for the covalent attachment of PEG have been less exploited. In this review, information on the preparation and application of PEG-carbohydrates, in particular multiarm PEGylation, is presented.


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (06) ◽  
pp. 942-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Landolfi ◽  
Erica De Candia ◽  
Bianca Rocca ◽  
Giovanni Ciabattoni ◽  
Armando Antinori ◽  
...  

SummarySeveral “in vitro” and “in vivo” studies indicate that heparin administration may affect platelet function. In this study we investigated the effects of prophylactic heparin on thromboxane (Tx)A2 biosynthesis “in vivo”, as assessed by the urinary excretion of major enzymatic metabolites 11-dehydro-TxB2 and 2,3-dinor-TxB2. Twenty-four patients who were candidates for cholecystectomy because of uncomplicated lithiasis were randomly assigned to receive placebo, unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin or unfractionaed heparin plus 100 mg aspirin. Measurements of daily excretion of Tx metabolites were performed before and during the treatment. In the groups assigned to placebo and to low molecular weight heparin there was no statistically significant modification of Tx metabolite excretion while patients receiving unfractionated heparin had a significant increase of both metabolites (11-dehydro-TxB2: 3844 ± 1388 vs 2092 ±777, p <0.05; 2,3-dinor-TxB2: 2737 ± 808 vs 1535 ± 771 pg/mg creatinine, p <0.05). In patients randomized to receive low-dose aspirin plus unfractionated heparin the excretion of the two metabolites was largely suppressed thus suggesting that platelets are the primary source of enhanced thromboxane biosynthesis associated with heparin administration. These data indicate that unfractionated heparin causes platelet activation “in vivo” and suggest that the use of low molecular weight heparin may avoid this complication.


1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (03) ◽  
pp. 612-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Schmitz-Huebner ◽  
L Balleisen ◽  
F Asbeck ◽  
J van de Loo

SummaryHigh and low molecular weight heparin fractions obtained by gel filtration chromatography of sodium mucosal heparin were injected subcutaneously into six healthy volunteers and compared with the unfractionated substance in a cross-over trial. Equal doses of 5,000 U were administered twice daily over a period of three days and heparin activity was repeatedly controlled before and 2, 4, 8 hrs after injection by means of the APTT, the anti-Xa clotting test and a chromogenic substrate assay. In addition, the in vivo effect of subcutaneously administered fractionated heparin on platelet function was examined on three of the volunteers. The results show that s.c. injections of the low molecular weight fraction induced markedly higher anti-Xa activity than injections of the other preparations. At the same time, APTT results did not significantly differ. Unfractionated heparin and the high molecular weight fraction enhanced ADP-induced platelet aggregation and collagen-mediated MDA production, while the low molecular weight fraction hardly affected these assays, but potently inhibited thrombin-induced MDA production. All heparin preparations stimulated the release of platelet Factor 4 in plasma. During the three-day treatment periods, no side-effects and no significant changes in the response to heparin injections were detected.


1986 ◽  
Vol 56 (03) ◽  
pp. 318-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Diness ◽  
P B Østergaard

SummaryThe neutralization of a low molecular weight heparin (LHN-1) and conventional heparin (CH) by protamine sulfate has been studied in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the APTT activity of CH was completely neutralized in parallel with the anti-Xa activity. The APTT activity of LHN-1 was almost completely neutralized in a way similar to the APTT activity of CH, whereas the anti-Xa activity of LHN-1 was only partially neutralized.In vivo, CH 3 mg/kg and LHN-1 7.2 mg/kg was given intravenously in rats. The APTT and anti-Xa activities, after neutralization by protamine sulfate in vivo, were similar to the results in vitro. In CH treated rats no haemorrhagic effect in the rat tail bleeding test and no antithrombotic effect in the rat stasis model was found at a protamine sulfate to heparin ratio of about 1, which neutralized APTT and anti-Xa activities. In LHN-1 treated rats the haemorrhagic effect was neutralized when APTT was close to normal whereas higher doses of protamine sulfate were required for neutralization of the antithrombotic effect. This probably reflects the fact that in most experimental models higher doses of heparin are needed to induce bleeding than to prevent thrombus formation. Our results demonstrate that even if complete neutralization of APTT and anti-Xa activities were not seen in LHN-1 treated rats, the in vivo effects of LHN-1 could be neutralized as efficiently as those of conventional heparin. The large fall in blood pressure caused by high doses of protamine sulfate alone was prevented by the prior injection of LHN-1.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 1356-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara P. Schick ◽  
David Maslow ◽  
Adrianna Moshinski ◽  
James D. San Antonio

Abstract Patients given unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for prophylaxis or treatment of thrombosis sometimes suffer serious bleeding. We showed previously that peptides containing 3 or more tandem repeats of heparin-binding consensus sequences have high affinity for LMWH and neutralize LMWH (enoxaparin) in vivo in rats and in vitro in citrate. We have now modified the (ARKKAAKA)n tandem repeat peptides by cyclization or by inclusion of hydrophobic tails or cysteines to promote multimerization. These peptides exhibit high-affinity binding to LMWH (dissociation constant [Kd], ≈ 50 nM), similar potencies in neutralizing anti–Factor Xa activity of UFH and enoxaparin added to normal plasma in vitro, and efficacy equivalent to or greater than protamine. Peptide (ARKKAAKA)3VLVLVLVL was most effective in all plasmas from enoxaparin-treated patients, and was 4- to 20-fold more effective than protamine. Several other peptide structures were effective in some patients' plasmas. All high-affinity peptides reversed inhibition of thrombin-induced clot formation by UFH. These peptides (1 mg/300 g rat) neutralized 1 U/mL anti–Factor Xa activity of enoxaparin in rats within 1 to 2 minutes. Direct blood pressure and heart rate measurements showed little or no hemodynamic effect. These heparin-binding peptides, singly or in combination, are potential candidates for clinical reversal of UFH and LMWH in humans.


2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 6648-6652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Giles ◽  
Charles Czuprynski

ABSTRACT In this study we found that serum inhibitory activity against Blastomyces dermatitidis was principally mediated by albumin. This was confirmed in experiments using albumin from several mammalian species. Analbuminemic rat serum did not inhibit B. dermatitidis growth in vivo; however, the addition of albumin restored inhibitory activity. Inhibitory activity does not require albumin domain III and appears to involve binding of a low-molecular-weight yeast-derived growth factor.


1999 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 794-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroko TANINO ◽  
Jun-ichi YOSHIDA ◽  
Ryoji YAMAMOTO ◽  
Yumi KOBAYASHI ◽  
Shun SHIMOHAMA ◽  
...  

Molecules ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxiao Liu ◽  
Yong Liu ◽  
Jiejie Hao ◽  
Xiaoliang Zhao ◽  
Yinzhi Lang ◽  
...  

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