gw0742 and Disease-Models--Animal

We synthesized a directed library of compounds to explore the structure-activity relationships of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) activation relative to mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) osteogenesis. Our scaffold used para-substituted cinnamic acids as a polar headgroup, a heteroatom and heterocycle core connecting units, and substituted phenyl groups for the lipophilic tail. Compounds were screened for their ability to increase osteogenesis in MSCs, and the most promising were examined for subunit specificity using a quantitative PPAR transactivation assay. Six compounds were selected for in vivo studies in an ovariectomized mouse model of human postmenopausal osteoporosis. Four compounds improved bone density in vivo, with two (

Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Design; Female; Femur; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Osteogenesis; Osteoporosis; PPAR delta; Structure-Activity Relationship; Thiazoles; X-Ray Microtomography

Topics: Animals; Benzylamines; Capillary Permeability; Cell Line; Diabetic Retinopathy; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Design; Drug Discovery; Humans; PPAR alpha; Rats; Retinal Diseases; Streptozocin

When Zika virus emerged as a public health emergency there were no drugs or vaccines approved for its prevention or treatment. We used a high-throughput screen for Zika virus protease inhibitors to identify several inhibitors of Zika virus infection. We expressed the NS2B-NS3 Zika virus protease and conducted a biochemical screen for small-molecule inhibitors. A quantitative structure-activity relationship model was employed to virtually screen ∼138,000 compounds, which increased the identification of active compounds, while decreasing screening time and resources. Candidate inhibitors were validated in several viral infection assays. Small molecules with favorable clinical profiles, especially the five-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor, MK-591, inhibited the Zika virus protease and infection in neural stem cells. Members of the tetracycline family of antibiotics were more potent inhibitors of Zika virus infection than the protease, suggesting they may have multiple mechanisms of action. The most potent tetracycline, methacycline, reduced the amount of Zika virus present in the brain and the severity of Zika virus-induced motor deficits in an immunocompetent mouse model. As Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs, the tetracyclines could be quickly translated to the clinic. The compounds identified through our screening paradigm have the potential to be used as prophylactics for patients traveling to endemic regions or for the treatment of the neurological complications of Zika virus infection.

Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Artificial Intelligence; Chlorocebus aethiops; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; High-Throughput Screening Assays; Immunocompetence; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Methacycline; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Protease Inhibitors; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship; Small Molecule Libraries; Vero Cells; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection

Women with systemic lupus erythematosus exhibit a high prevalence of hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and renal injury. We tested whether GW0742, a peroxisome proliferator activator receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) agonist, ameliorates disease activity and cardiovascular complications in a female mouse model of lupus. Thirty-week-old NZBWF1 (lupus) and NZW/LacJ (control) mice were treated with GW0742 or with the PPARβ/δ antagonist GSK0660 plus GW0742 for 5 weeks. Blood pressure, plasma double-stranded DNA autoantibodies and cytokines, nephritis, hepatic opsonins, spleen lymphocyte populations, endothelial function, and vascular oxidative stress were compared in treated and untreated mice. GW0742 treatment reduced lupus disease activity, blood pressure, cardiac and renal hypertrophy, splenomegaly, albuminuria, and renal injury in lupus mice, but not in control. GW0742 increased hepatic opsonins mRNA levels in lupus mice and reduced the elevated T, B, Treg, and Th1 cells in spleens from lupus mice. GW0742 lowered the higher plasma concentration of proinflammatory cytokines observed in lupus mice. Aortae from lupus mice showed reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to acetylcholine and increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-driven vascular reactive oxygen species production, which were normalized by GW0742 treatment. All these effects of GW0742 were inhibited by PPARβ/δ blockade with GSK0660. Pharmacological activation of PPARβ/δ reduced hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and organ damage in severe lupus mice, which was associated with reduced plasma antidouble-stranded DNA autoantibodies and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in target tissues. Our findings identify PPARβ/δ as a promising target for an alternative approach in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and its associated vascular damage.

Topics: Animals; Blood Pressure; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelium, Vascular; Enzyme Activation; Female; Hypertension; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Mice; Mice, Inbred NZB; PPAR delta; Thiazoles

Pulmonary emphysema is a disease in which lung alveoli are irreversibly damaged, thus compromising lung function. Our previous study revealed that all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) induces the differentiation of human lung alveolar epithelial type 2 progenitor cells and repairs the alveoli of emphysema model mice. ATRA also reportedly has the ability to activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ. A selective PPARβ/δ ligand has been reported to induce the differentiation of human keratinocytes during wound repair. Here, we demonstrate that treatment using a high-affinity PPARβ/δ agonist, GW0742, reverses the lung tissue damage induced by elastase in emphysema-model mice and improves respiratory function. Mice treated with elastase, which collapsed their alveoli, were then treated with either 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in saline (control group) or GW0742 (1.0 mg/kg twice a week) by pulmonary administration. Treatment with GW0742 for 2 weeks increased the in vivo expression of surfactant proteins A and D, which are known alveolar type II epithelial cell markers. GW0742 treatment also shortened the average distance between alveolar walls in the lungs of emphysema model mice, compared with a control group treated with 10% DMSO in saline. Treatment with GW0742 for 3 weeks also improved tissue elastance (cm H2O/mL), as well as the ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first 0.05 s to the forced vital capacity (FEV 0.05/FVC). In each of these experiments, GW0742 treatment reversed the damage caused by elastase. In conclusion, PPARβ/δ agonists are potential therapeutic agents for pulmonary emphysema.

Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Forced Expiratory Volume; Lung; Mice; Pancreatic Elastase; PPAR delta; PPAR-beta; Pulmonary Emphysema; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B; Thiazoles; Vital Capacity

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder associated with the accumulation of soluble forms of beta-amyloid (Aβ) and its subsequent deposition into plaques. One of the major contributors to neuronal death is chronic and uncontrolled inflammatory activation of microglial cells around the plaques and their secretion of neurotoxic molecules. A shift in microglial activation towards a phagocytic phenotype has been proposed to confer benefit in models of AD. Peroxisome proliferator activator receptor δ (PPARδ) is a transcription factor with potent anti-inflammatory activation properties and PPARδ agonism leads to reduction in brain Aβ levels in 5XFAD mice. This study was carried out to elucidate the involvement of microglial activation in the PPARδ-mediated reduction of Aβ burden and subsequent outcome to neuronal survival in a 5XFAD mouse model of AD.. 5XFAD mice were orally treated with the PPARδ agonist GW0742 for 2 weeks. The brain Aβ load, glial activation, and neuronal survival were assessed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. In addition, the ability of GW0742 to prevent direct neuronal death as well as inflammation-induced neuron death was analyzed in vitro.. Our results show for the first time that a short treatment period of 5XFAD mice was effective in reducing the parenchymal Aβ load without affecting the levels of intraneuronal Aβ. This was concomitant with a decrease in overall microglial activation and reduction in proinflammatory mediators. Instead, microglial immunoreactivity around Aβ deposits was increased. Importantly, the reduction in the proinflammatory milieu elicited by GW0742 treatment resulted in attenuation of neuronal loss in vivo in the subiculum of 5XFAD mice. In addition, whereas GW0742 failed to protect primary neurons against glutamate-induced cell death, it prevented inflammation-induced neuronal death in microglia-neuron co-cultures in vitro.. This study demonstrates that GW0742 treatment has a prominent anti-inflammatory effect in 5XFAD mice and suggests that PPARδ agonists may have therapeutic utility in treating AD.

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cells, Cultured; Complement C1q; Complement C3; Disease Models, Animal; Embryo, Mammalian; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Microfilament Proteins; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; PPAR delta; Thiazoles

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a robust inflammatory response elicited by the accumulation and subsequent deposition of amyloid (Aβ) within the brain. The brain's immune cells migrate to and invest their processes within Aβ plaques but are unable to efficiently phagocytose and clear plaques from the brain. Previous studies have shown that treatment of myeloid cells with nuclear receptor agonists increases expression of phagocytosis-related genes. In this study, we elucidate a novel mechanism by which nuclear receptors act to enhance phagocytosis in the AD brain. Treatment of murine models of AD with agonists of the nuclear receptors PPARγ, PPARδ, LXR, and RXR stimulated microglial phagocytosis in vitro and rapidly induced the expression of the phagocytic receptors Axl and MerTK. In murine models of AD, we found that plaque-associated macrophages expressed Axl and MerTK and treatment of the cells with an RXR agonist further induced their expression, coincident with the rapid reduction in plaque burden. Further characterization of MerTK(+)/Axl(+) macrophages revealed that they also expressed the phagocytic receptor TREM2 and high levels of CD45, consistent with a peripheral origin of these cells. Importantly, in an ex vivo slice assay, nuclear receptor agonist treatment reversed the AD-related suppression of phagocytosis through a MerTK-dependent mechanism. Thus, nuclear receptor agonists increase MerTK and Axl expression on plaque-associated immune cells, consequently licensing their phagocytic activity and promoting plaque clearance.

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Axl Receptor Tyrosine Kinase; Benzoates; Benzylamines; Bexarotene; c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Regulation; Leukocyte Common Antigens; Macrophages; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins; Mice; Microglia; Myeloid Cells; Phagocytosis; Pioglitazone; Plaque, Amyloid; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Receptors, Immunologic; Tetrahydronaphthalenes; Thiazoles; Thiazolidinediones

Emerging data have demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) activation confers a potentially neuroprotective role in some neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether PPARδ is involved in depression is unknown.. In this study, PPARδ was firstly investigated in the chronic mild stress (CMS) and learned helplessness (LH) models of depression. The changes in depressive behaviors and hippocampal neurogenesis were investigated after PPARδ overexpression by microinfusion of the lentiviral vector, containing the coding sequence of mouse PPARδ (LV-PPARδ), into the bilateral dentate gyri of the hippocampus or PPARδ activation by repeated systemic administration of PPARδ agonist GW0742 (5 or 10mg/kg.d, i.p., for 21 d).. We found that both CMS and LH resulted in a significant decrease in the PPARδ expression in the hippocampi of mice, and this change was reversed by treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine. PPARδ overexpression and PPARδ activation each suppressed the CMS- and LH-induced depressive-like behavior and produced an antidepressive effect. In vivo or in vitro studies also showed that both overexpression and activation of PPARδ enhanced proliferation or differentiation of neural stem cells in the hippocampi of mice.. These results suggest that hippocampal PPARδ upregulation represses stress-induced depressive behaviors, accompanied by enhancement of neurogenesis.

Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Depression; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Regulation; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Hindlimb Suspension; Hippocampus; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Neural Stem Cells; Neurogenesis; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; PPAR delta; Sincalide; Stress, Psychological; Thiazoles; Time Factors; Transduction, Genetic

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with higher risk of cognitive impairment that may lead to memory loss, confusion, and decreased attention span. In this study, we have investigated the effect of GW0742, a PPAR-β/δ agonist in rat model of cognitive impairment associated with PD. Bilateral intranigral administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (100 µg/1 µl/side) produced significant cognitive dysfunctions. PPAR-β/δ agonist GW0742 at a dose of 30 and 100 µg/kg showed significant improvement in cognitive impairments caused by MPTP in rat model of PD as evident from passive avoidance and Morris water maze test. MPTP-induced massive oxidative damage and DNA fragmentation was ameliorated by GW0742 treatment as observed after MDA and GSH estimation and TUNEL assay. Tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons were decreased by 25% of normal control in MPTP group and GW0742 treatment restored tyrosine hydroxylase levels showing neuroprotective nature. Further, we performed physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling study using GastroPlus to characterize the kinetics of GW0742 in the brain. The predicted amounts of GW0742 in brain suggest that it has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier. This study implicates the involvement of PPAR-β/δ in PD induced cognitive impairment.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Western; Brain; Cognition; Disease Models, Animal; DNA Fragmentation; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Male; Maze Learning; Neurons; Neuroprotective Agents; Parkinsonian Disorders; PPAR delta; PPAR-beta; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Thiazoles

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-β/δ is a transcription factor that belongs to the PPAR family, but the role of PPAR-β/δ in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by hyperbaric oxygen is unknown. In this study we investigated if PPAR-β/δ activation protects from hyperoxia-induced ALI in a rat model. ALI was induced by prolonged hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) (2.3ATA, 100% O2) for 8h. Administration of PPAR-β/δ agonist GW0742 (0.3mg/kg, i.p.) at 1 and 6h prior to HBO2 exposure significantly reduced the (1) lung injury, (2) proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), (3) apoptosis (Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved-caspase-3 and TUNEL), (4) nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression level and DNA binding activity in the nucleus, and (5) extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation and markedly elevated (6) superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as (7) IκB expression. However, administration of the PPAR-β/δ antagonist GSK0660 abolished these protective effects. These findings indicate that activation of PPAR-β/δ ameliorates hyperoxia-induced ALI in rats by up-regulating antioxidant enzyme activity as well as suppressing inflammation and apoptosis.

Topics: Acute Lung Injury; Animals; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Hyperoxia; Lung; Male; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Neuroprotective Agents; NF-kappa B; PPAR delta; PPAR-beta; Pressure; Random Allocation; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Respiratory System Agents; Sulfones; Thiazoles; Thiophenes; Time Factors

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ and PPARα have shown neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson's disease (PD). The role of the third, more ubiquitous isoform PPARδ has not been fully explored. This study investigated the role of PPARδ in PD using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to model the dopaminergic neurodegeneration of PD. In vitro administration of the PPARδ antagonist GSK0660 (1 μM) increased the detrimental effect of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide (MPP⁺) on cell viability, which was reversed by co-treatment with agonist GW0742 (1 μM). GW0742 alone did not affect MPP⁺ toxicity. PPARδ was expressed in the nucleus of dopaminergic neurons and in astrocytes. Striatal PPARδ levels were increased (over two-fold) immediately after MPTP treatment (30 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days) compared to saline-treated mice. PPARδ heterozygous mice were not protected against MPTP toxicity. Intra-striatal infusion of GW0742 (84 μg/day) reduced the MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons (5036±195) when compared to vehicle-infused mice (3953±460). These results indicate that agonism of PPARδ provides protection against MPTP toxicity, in agreement with the effects of other PPAR agonists.

Topics: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; Animals; Cell Count; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Dopamine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Humans; Macrophage-1 Antigen; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Neuroprotective Agents; Parkinsonian Disorders; PPAR delta; Rats; Sulfones; Thiazoles; Thiophenes; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

To develop new therapies against ocular neovascularization (NV), we tested the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPAR-β/δ) agonism and antagonism on angiogenic behaviors and in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC) and on preretinal NV in rat oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR).. HRMECs were treated with the PPAR-β/δ agonist GW0742 and the antagonist GSK0660. Messenger RNA levels of a PPAR-β/δ target gene, angiopoietin-like-4 (angptl4) were assayed by qRT-PCR. HRMEC proliferation and tube formation were assayed according to standard protocols. OIR was induced in newborn rats by exposing them to alternating 24-hour episodes of 50% and 10% oxygen for 14 days. OIR rats were treated with GW0742 or GSK0660. Angptl4 protein levels were assessed by ELISA and preretinal NV was quantified by adenosine diphosphatase staining.. GW0742 significantly increased angptl4 mRNA, and GSK0660 significantly decreased angptl4 mRNA. GW0742 had no effect on HRMEC proliferation, but caused a significant and dose-responsive increase in tube formation. GSK0660 significantly reduced serum-induced HRMEC proliferation and tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. Intravitreal injection of GW0742 significantly increased total retinal Angptl4 protein, but intravitreal injection of GSK0660 had no effect. Intravitreal injection of GW0742 significantly increased retinal NV, as did GW0742 administered by oral gavage. Conversely, both intravitreal injection and intraperitoneal injection of GSK0660 significantly reduced retinal NV.. PPAR-β/δ activation exacerbates, and its inhibition reduces, preretinal NV. PPAR-β/δ may regulate preretinal NV through a prodifferentiation/maturation mechanism that depends on Angptl4. Pharmacologic inhibition of PPAR-β/δ may provide a rational basis for therapeutic targeting of ocular NV.

Topics: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelial Cells; Humans; Oxygen; PPAR delta; PPAR-beta; Rats; Retinal Diseases; Retinal Neovascularization; Retinal Vessels; Sulfones; Thiazoles; Thiophenes

Neointimal hyperplasia after the percutaneous coronary intervention is still a clinically serious problem, associated with the risk of thrombosis due to delayed reendothelization. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPAR-β/δ) belongs to a family of ligand-activated transcription factors.. In this study, we investigated the effects of GW-0742, a synthetic high-affinity PPAR-β/δ agonist, on neointimal hyperplasia after arterial injury. Using C57BL/6J mice, we made a wire-injury model and intraperitoneally injected GW-0742 or vehicle once a day. The arteries were harvested for pathological and molecular analysis on day 14 after injury. In vitro, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), macrophages and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured, and GW-0742 effects on the cells proliferation were measured.. The vehicle-treated injured arteries showed significantly thickened intima, while GW-0742 suppressed it. GW-0742 significantly suppressed IL-6 protein production, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the neointima and enhanced CD31 expression. In vitro, GW-0742 attenuated VSMC proliferation triggered by cytokines or macrophages. The drug also induced endothelial regeneration after denudation injury.. The data suggest that the PPAR-β/δ agonist is effective for atten- uation of neointimal hyperplasia by suppressing VSMC proliferation and accelerating reendothelization.

Topics: Animals; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Hyperplasia; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Neointima; PPAR delta; PPAR-beta; Regeneration; Thiazoles

Although high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS-55) is the major sweetener in foods and soft-drinks, its potential role in the pathophysiology of diabetes and obesity ("diabesity") remains unclear. Peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-δ agonists have never been tested in models of sugar-induced metabolic abnormalities. This study was designed to evaluate (i) the metabolic and renal consequences of HFCS-55 administration (15% wt/vol in drinking water) for 30 weeks on male C57Bl6/J mice and (ii) the effects of the selective PPAR-δ agonist GW0742 (1 mg/kg/day for 16 weeks) in this condition. HFCS-55 caused (i) hyperlipidemia, (ii) insulin resistance, and (iii) renal injury/inflammation. In the liver, HFCS-55 enhanced the expression of fructokinase resulting in hyperuricemia and caused abnormalities in known insulin-driven signaling events. In the kidney, HFCS-55 enhanced the expression of the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich-repeat-protein 3) inflammasome complex, resulting in caspase-1 activation and interleukin-1β production. All of the above effects of HFCS-55 were attenuated by the specific PPAR-δ agonist GW0742. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that the specific PPAR-δ agonist GW0742 attenuates the metabolic abnormalities and the renal dysfunction/inflammation caused by chronic HFCS-55 exposure by preventing upregulation of fructokinase (liver) and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome (kidney).

Topics: Animals; Carrier Proteins; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Nephropathies; Dietary Carbohydrates; Disease Models, Animal; Fructokinases; Fructose; Glucose; Hypoglycemic Agents; Inflammasomes; Kidney; Liver; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; PPAR gamma; Seeds; Thiazoles; Zea mays

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand activated transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. PPARs activation has a profound impact on the local immune response with consequences affecting the progression of chronic inflammatory diseases. Relatively little is known on the role of PPAR-β/δ in the regulation of inflammatory responses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of PPAR-β/δ receptor in a model of edematous pancreatitis induced in mice by administration of cerulein at supramaximal doses, as well as in necrohemorrhagic model induced by intraductal administration of sodium taurocholate (STC).. Mice were treated with cerulein (50 μg/kg) or STC (5%). GW0742 (0.3 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered 1 and 6 hours after cerulein injection or was injected 2 hours before STC infusion. The pancreas and exopancreatic organs were carefully removed for microscopic examination. Pancreatic weight, serum amylase, lipase, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β levels, as well as cytokines, adhesion molecules, nitrotyrosine, poly (ADP-ribose), inducible nitric oxide, FAS ligand, Bax, Bcl-2 expression by immunohistochemistry, and myeloperoxidase activity of the pancreas were assayed. Moreover, the involvement of nuclear factor-κB pathway was investigated by Western blot analysis.. Intraperitoneal injection of cerulein in mice resulted in severe, acute pancreatitis characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration and apoptosis, and elevated serum levels of amylase and lipase. Taurocholate challenge caused a clear increase in serum amylase, neutrophil infiltration, and tissue damage in the pancreas. Tissue and inflammatory changes in the pancreata were significantly less in GW0742 group than in cerulein or STC groups. In addition, the pancreatic water content was reduced in mice treated with PPAR-β/δ agonist. In the mild pancreatitis, GW0742 was also able to decrease the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and enzymes, as well as of proteins involved in apoptosis and nuclear factor-Kappa B pathway.. GW0742 attenuated pancreatic damage in 2 different experimental models of pancreatitis in mice.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amylases; Animals; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cell Movement; Ceruletide; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Lipase; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Neutrophils; Pancreatitis; PPAR delta; PPAR-beta; Taurocholic Acid; Thiazoles; Time Factors

Activation of nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ) has been shown to improve insulin resistance and plasma high-density lipoprotein levels, but nothing is known about its effects in genetic hypertension. We studied whether the PPARβ agonist GW0742 might exert antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The rats were divided into 4 groups, Wistar Kyoto rat-control, Wistar Kyoto rat-treated (GW0742, 5 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1) by oral gavage), SHR-control, and SHR-treated, and followed for 5 weeks. GW0742 induced a progressive reduction in systolic arterial blood pressure and heart rate in SHRs and reduced the mesenteric arterial remodeling, the increased aortic vasoconstriction to angiotensin II, and the endothelial dysfunction characteristic of SHRs. These effects were accompanied by a significant increase in endothelial NO synthase activity attributed to upregulated endothelial NO synthase and downregulated caveolin 1 protein expression. Moreover, GW0742 inhibited vascular superoxide production, downregulated p22(phox) and p47(phox) proteins, decreased both basal and angiotensin II-stimulated NADPH oxidase activity, inhibited extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 activation, and reduced the expression of the proinflammatory and proatherogenic genes, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, or intercellular adhesion molecule 1. None of these effects were observed in Wistar Kyoto rats. PPARβ activation, both in vitro and in vivo, increased the expression of the regulators of G protein-coupled signaling proteins RGS4 and RGS5, which negatively modulated the vascular actions of angiotensin II. PPARβ activation exerted antihypertensive effects, restored the vascular structure and function, and reduced the oxidative, proinflammatory, and proatherogenic status of SHRs. We propose PPARβ as a new therapeutic target in hypertension.

Topics: Animals; Blood Pressure; Caveolin 1; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelium, Vascular; GTP-Binding Proteins; Heart Rate; Hypertension; Male; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; PPAR-beta; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Wistar; Reactive Oxygen Species; Thiazoles

Ligand activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-beta/delta and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can attenuate skin tumorigenesis. There is also evidence that attenuation of skin tumorigenesis by inhibition of COX-2 activity occurs through PPARbeta/delta-independent mechanisms. The present study examined the hypothesis that combining ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta with inhibition of COX-2 activity will cooperatively inhibit chemically induced skin tumor progression using both in vivo and ex vivo models. A two-stage chemical carcinogenesis bioassay was performed in wild-type and Pparbeta/delta-null mice. After 22 weeks, cohorts of both mouse lines were divided into four experimental groups: (1) control, (2) topical application of the PPARbeta/delta ligand GW0742, (3) dietary administration of the COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide, or (4) both GW0742 and nimesulide. Ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta did not influence skin tumor progression, while a modest decrease in skin tumor multiplicity was observed with dietary nimesulide. Interestingly, the combined treatment of GW0742 and nimesulide increased the efficacy of the decrease in papilloma multiplicity for 6 weeks in wild-type mice, but this effect was not found at later time points and was not found in similarly treated Pparbeta/delta-null mice. Neoplastic keratinocyte lines cultured with GW0742 and nimesulide also exhibited enhanced inhibition of cell proliferation coincident with increased expression of Keratin messenger RNAs. Results from these studies support the hypothesis that combining ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta with inhibition of COX-2 activity can inhibit chemically induced skin tumor progression by modulating differentiation.

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Dinoprostone; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Keratinocytes; Keratins; Keratoacanthoma; Ligands; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Papilloma; PPAR delta; PPAR-beta; RNA, Messenger; Skin Neoplasms; Sulfonamides; Thiazoles; Time Factors

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-β/δ is a transcription factor that belongs to the PPAR nuclear hormone receptor family, but the role of PPAR-β/δ in sepsis is unknown.. We investigated the role of PPAR-β/δ in murine models of LPS-induced organ injury and dysfunction and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced polymicrobial sepsis.. Wild-type (WT) and PPAR-β/δ knockout (KO) mice and C57BL/6 mice were subjected to LPS for 16 hours. C57BL/6 mice received the PPAR-β/δ agonist GW0742 (0.03 mg/kg intravenously, 1 h after LPS) or GW0742 plus the PPAR-β/δ antagonist GSK0660 (0.1 mg/kg intravenously, 30 min before LPS). CD-1 mice subjected to CLP received GW0742 or GW0742 plus GSK0660.. In PPAR-β/δ KO mice, endotoxemia exacerbated organ injury and dysfunction (cardiac, renal, and hepatic) and inflammation (lung) compared with WT mice. In C57BL/6 mice subjected to endotoxemia, GW0742 significantly (1) attenuated organ (cardiac and renal) dysfunction and inflammation (lung); (2) increased the phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β; (3) attenuated the increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 phosphorylation; and (4) attenuated the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In CD-1 mice subjected to CLP, GW0742 improved 10-day survival. All the observed beneficial effects of GW0742 were attenuated by the PPAR-β/δ antagonist GSK0660.. PPAR-β/δ protects against multiple organ injury and dysfunction, and inflammation caused by endotoxic shock and improves survival in polymicrobial sepsis by a mechanism that may involve activation of Akt and inhibition of GSK-3β and NF-κB.

Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-kappa B; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Phosphorylation; PPAR delta; PPAR-beta; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Shock, Septic; Signal Transduction; Sulfones; Thiazoles; Thiophenes

The nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) is an important regulator of lipid metabolism. In contrast to its known effects on energy homeostasis, its biological role on inflammation is not well understood. We investigated the role of PPARδ in the modulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-driven inflammatory response to polymicrobial sepsis in vivo and in macrophages in vitro. We demonstrated that administration of GW0742, a specific PPARδ ligand, provided beneficial effects to rats subjected to cecal ligation and puncture, as shown by reduced systemic release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration in lung, liver, and cecum, when compared with vehicle treatment. Molecular analysis revealed that treatment with GW0742 reduced NF-κB binding to DNA in lung and liver. In parallel experiments, heterozygous PPARδ-deficient mice suffered exaggerated lethality when subjected to cecal ligation and puncture and exhibited severe lung injury and higher levels of circulating tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and keratinocyte-derived chemokine than wild-type mice. Furthermore, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated J774.A1 macrophages, GW0742 reduced TNFα production by inhibiting NF-κB activation. RNA silencing of PPARδ abrogated the inhibitory effects of GW0742 on TNFα production. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that PPARδ displaced the NF-κB p65 subunit from the κB elements of the TNFα promoter, while recruiting the co-repressor BCL6. These data suggest that PPARδ is a crucial anti-inflammatory regulator, providing a basis for novel sepsis therapies.

Topics: Animals; Bacteremia; Blotting, Western; Cecum; Cell Nucleus; Cells, Cultured; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; Disease Models, Animal; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Hypotension; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Inflammation; Luciferases; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; NF-kappa B; PPAR delta; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sepsis; Signal Transduction; Survival Rate; Thiazoles

Macrophages rapidly engulf apoptotic cells to limit the release of noxious cellular contents and to restrict autoimmune responses against self antigens. Although factors participating in recognition and engulfment of apoptotic cells have been identified, the transcriptional basis for the sensing and the silent disposal of apoptotic cells is unknown. Here we show that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPAR-delta) is induced when macrophages engulf apoptotic cells and functions as a transcriptional sensor of dying cells. Genetic deletion of PPAR-delta decreases expression of opsonins such as complement component-1qb (C1qb), resulting in impairment of apoptotic cell clearance and reduction in anti-inflammatory cytokine production. This increases autoantibody production and predisposes global and macrophage-specific Ppard(-/-) mice to autoimmune kidney disease, a phenotype resembling the human disease systemic lupus erythematosus. Thus, PPAR-delta has a pivotal role in orchestrating the timely disposal of apoptotic cells by macrophages, ensuring that tolerance to self is maintained.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Autoantibodies; Autoimmune Diseases; Autoimmunity; CD11b Antigen; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Fluoresceins; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Hyaluronan Receptors; Immune Tolerance; Macrophages; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Knockout; Mitochondrial Proteins; Opsonin Proteins; Phagocytosis; PPAR delta; Promoter Regions, Genetic; RNA, Messenger; Thiazoles; Thymus Gland; Time Factors

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-delta is a transcription factor that belongs to the PPAR family. PPAR-delta is abundantly expressed in the heart, and its role in the heart is largely unknown. We tested whether pharmacological activation of PPAR-delta protects the heart from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in male Zucker fatty rats, a rodent model of obesity and dyslipidemia. A highly selective PPAR-delta agonist, [4-[[[2-[3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-methyl-5-thiazolyl]methyl] thio]-2-methylphenoxy]acetic acid (GW0742), was administered for 7 days at 10 mg/kg/day (p.o., once a day). Ischemic injury was produced by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion for up to 24 h. Treatment with GW0742 reduced serum levels of cardiac troponin-I and infarct size by 63% (p < 0.01) and 32% (p < 0.01), respectively, and improved left ventricular function. Treatment with GW0742 up-regulated gene expression involved in cardiac fatty acid oxidation, increased fat use in the heart, and reduced serum levels of free fatty acids. The enhanced cardiac expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 induced by I/R were significantly attenuated by GW0742. Treatment with GW0742 also reduced apoptotic cardiomyocytes by 34% and cardiac caspase-3 activity by 61% (both p < 0.01 versus vehicle). GW0742 differentially regulated Bcl family members, favoring cell survival, and attenuated I/R-induced cardiac mitochondrial damage. In addition, GW0742 treatment augmented the cardiac Akt signaling pathway, as reflected by enhanced phospho-3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 and p-Akt. The results indicate that activation of PPAR-delta protected the heart from I/R injury in Zucker fatty rats, and multiple mechanisms including amelioration of lipotoxicity, anti-inflammation, and up-regulation of prosurvival signaling contribute together to the cardioprotection.

Topics: Animals; Blood Pressure; Cardiotonic Agents; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Fatty Acids; Heart; Ketones; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury; PPAR delta; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Rats; Rats, Zucker; RNA, Messenger; Thiazoles; Troponin I

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) beta/delta and gamma have overlapping roles in the negative regulation of inflammatory response genes. Ligand activation of PPARgamma protects against experimental colitis in mice. PPARbeta/delta can negatively regulate inflammation and is highly expressed in the epithelial cells of the colon, therefore PPARbeta/delta may also have a role in experimental colitis. In these studies, colitis was induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treatment in wild-type and PPARbeta/delta-null mice, with and without the PPARbeta/delta specific ligand GW0742. PPARbeta/delta-null mice exhibited increased sensitivity to DSS-induced colitis, as shown by marked differences in body weight loss, colon length, colonic morphology, myeloperoxidase activity and increased expression of mRNAs encoding the inflammatory markers interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 compared to similarly treated wild-type mice. Interestingly, these differences were not affected by ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta in either genotype. These studies demonstrate that PPARbeta/delta expression in the colonic epithelium inhibits inflammation and protects against DSS-induced colitis through a ligand-independent mechanism.

Topics: Animals; Colitis; Colon; Dextran Sulfate; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Progression; Enterocytes; Female; Gene Expression; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-6; Ligands; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Peroxidase; Plasma Substitutes; Polymerase Chain Reaction; PPAR delta; PPAR-beta; RNA, Messenger; Severity of Illness Index; Thiazoles; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Interleukin-10 knockout (IL-10(-/-)) mice spontaneously develop colitis characterized by T-helper cell type 1-polarized inflammation. We tested the possible therapeutic activity of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) ligand fenofibrate, and the PPARdelta ligand GW0742, in IL-10(-/-) mice and investigated the cellular/molecular mechanisms for fenofibrate action.. The effect of fenofibrate or GW0742 on the progression of colitis in C3H.IL-10(-/-) mice was evaluated. Effects of fenofibrate on cytokine and chemokine gene expression were studied in cultured splenocytes, pathogenic T cells isolated from C3H/HeJBir mice, and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells.. Treatment of C3H.IL-10(-/-) mice with fenofibrate delayed the onset of colitis, decreased the colonic histopathology score, and decreased colonic expression of genes encoding the inflammatory cytokines interferon-gamma and interleukin (IL)-17. The target for fenofibrate, PPARalpha, was expressed in lymphocytes, macrophages, and crypt and surface epithelial cells of the colon. The mean number of lymphocytes was decreased by more than 75% in colonic sections of fenofibrate-treated as compared with control IL-10(-/-) mice, and fenofibrate repressed interferon-gamma and IL-17 expression in isolated T cells. Fenofibrate also repressed the expression of the genes encoding 3 chemokines, CXCL10, CCL2, and CCL20, and repressed CXCL10 gene promoter activity in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-treated HT-29 cells. In contrast to the beneficial effect of fenofibrate, the PPARdelta ligand GW0742 accelerated the onset of colitis in IL-10(-/-) mice.. The immunopathology observed in IL-10(-/-) mice resembles that seen in Crohn's disease. The novel therapeutic activity of fenofibrate in this mouse model suggests that it may also have activity in Crohn's disease.

Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Cell Count; Chemokine CXCL10; Chemokines, CXC; Colitis; Crohn Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Fenofibrate; Gene Expression; HT29 Cells; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-17; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Mice, Knockout; PPAR alpha; Spleen; Th1 Cells; Thiazoles

Agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) exert anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects which led to testing of these drugs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for multiple sclerosis. In contrast, the effect of PPARdelta (PPARdelta) agonists in EAE is not yet known. We show that oral administration of the selective PPARdelta agonist GW0742 reduced clinical symptoms in C57BL/6 mice that had been immunized with encephalitogenic myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide. In contrast to previous results with PPARgamma agonists, GW0742 only modestly attenuated clinical symptoms when the drug was provided simultaneously with immunization, but a greater reduction was observed if administered during disease progression. Reduced clinical symptoms were accompanied by a reduction in the appearance of new cortical lesions, however cerebellar lesion load was not reduced. Treatment of T-cells with GW0742 either in vivo or in vitro did not reduce IFNgamma production; however GW0742 reduced astroglial and microglial inflammatory activation and IL-1beta levels in EAE brain. RTPCR analysis showed that GW0742 increased expression of some myelin genes. These data demonstrate that PPARdelta agonists, like other PPAR ligands, can exert protective actions in an autoimmune model of demyelinating disease.

Topics: Animals; Brain; Concanavalin A; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Glycoproteins; Immunohistochemistry; Interferon-gamma; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myelin Basic Protein; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Neuroglia; Peptide Fragments; PPAR delta; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Severity of Illness Index; Thiazoles; Time Factors