piperidines and Hyperplasia

Although tamoxifen appears to markedly reduce breast cancer risk in women with a prior diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia or in situ carcinoma, it is not clear what other groups of women receive substantial benefit. Major breast chemoprevention priorities are to (1) develop new agents that (a) have fewer side effects, (b) are effective in ER--as well as tamoxifen-resistant precancerous tissue, and (c) are compatible with hormone therapy; and (2) develop efficient clinical strategies including prognostic and predictive morphologic and molecular biomarkers. Breast tissue may be repeatedly sampled for evidence of intraepithelial neoplasia by fine needle aspiration, ductal lavage, or needle biopsy to select candidates at highest short-term risk as well as to monitor response in small proof of principle studies prior to a large cancer incidence trial. Molecular marker expression may also be used to select a cohort most likely to respond to a particular agent. A large number of new agents are attractive as potential prevention agents and some are already in clinical prevention testing. Compounds which should be effective in ER + precancerous tissue but may have a better side-effect profile include new selective estrogen receptor modulators which lack uterine estrogen agonist activity, isoflavones, aromatase inactivators/inhibitors for postmenopausal women, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone regimens for premenopausal women. Retinoids, rexinoids, and deltanoids may be efficacious in ER+ tissue resistant to tamoxifen. Agents which should theoretically have activity in ER- or ER+ precancerous tissue include polyamine synthesis inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, combined demethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors, as well as metalloprotease and angiogenesis inhibitors. Sample Phase I and Phase II clinical trial designs are reviewed using modulation of molecular markers and breast intraepithelial neoplasia as the major endpoints.

Topics: Aneuploidy; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Apoptosis; Aromatase Inhibitors; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma in Situ; Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Disease Progression; Eflornithine; Endpoint Determination; Enzyme Inhibitors; Estrogens; Female; Fenretinide; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Hyperplasia; Isoflavones; Neoplasm Proteins; Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent; Phenotype; Piperidines; Polyamines; Precancerous Conditions; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Receptors, Estrogen; Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; Tamoxifen; Thiophenes; Uterine Neoplasms

Mutations in DDX58 (DExD/H-box helicase 58), which encodes the cytoplasmic RNA sensor retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), were recently identified in the rare autoimmune disease Singleton-Merten syndrome (SMS). We report the spontaneous development of psoriasis-like skin lesions as an SMS-like symptom in transgenic mice harboring one of the RIG-I SMS variants, E373A. Histological analysis revealed typical characteristics of psoriasis, including the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes leading to epidermal hyperplasia, and infiltrates consisting of neutrophils, dendritic cells and T cells. Levels of the IL-23/IL-17 immune axis cytokines were high in the skin lesions. Rag2-/- transgenic mice showed partial amelioration of the phenotype, with down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17A, suggesting the importance of lymphocytes for the pathogenesis similar to that of human psoriasis. Of note, IL-17A deficiency abolished the skin phenotype, and treatment using the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib not only prevented onset, but also improved the skin manifestations even after onset. Our study provides further evidence for the involvement of RIG-I activation in the onset and progression of psoriasis via type I interferon signaling and the IL-23/IL-17 axis.

Topics: Animals; Aortic Diseases; DEAD Box Protein 58; Dendritic Cells; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia; DNA-Binding Proteins; Epidermis; Hyperplasia; Interferon Type I; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; Janus Kinase Inhibitors; Janus Kinases; Keratinocytes; Metacarpus; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Muscular Diseases; Neutrophils; Odontodysplasia; Osteoporosis; Piperidines; Psoriasis; Pyrimidines; T-Lymphocytes; Vascular Calcification

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Tofacitinib preferentially inhibits receptor signaling through JAK3 and JAK1, relative to JAK2. In the 2-year rat carcinogenicity study, there were tofacitinib, dose-related increases in the incidences of testicular Leydig cell hyperplasia and benign adenomas in male rats, and decreased incidences of mammary tumors and duct dilatation/galactocele in female rats. Such findings in rats are typical of agents, such as dopamine agonists, which decrease prolactin (PRL) activity. Since prolactin signals through the JAK2 pathway, we hypothesized that these findings were off-target effects due to inhibition of PRL signaling via JAK2. The studies reported here were designed to investigate the interruption of PRL signaling pathways in Leydig cells. In isolated primary rat Leydig cells, PRL increased phosphorylated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-5 protein, and mRNA levels for luteinizing hormone receptor. Tofacitinib, at concentrations observed in the rat carcinogenicity study, dose-dependently inhibited these effects. These observations illustrate a novel mechanism, the inhibition of prolactin signaling by which modulation of JAK activity can modulate PRL signaling pathways to induce Leydig cell tumors in rats. Since human Leydig cells lack this PRL dependence for normal function, these rodent tumors do not indicate a health risk to human patients.

Topics: Adenoma; Animals; Hyperplasia; Leydig Cells; Male; Piperidines; Prolactin; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyrimidines; Pyrroles; Rats; Signal Transduction; Testis

Vandetanib (ZactimaTM) is a novel, orally available inhibitor of both vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. In the present study, a line of transgenic mice with a mouse Egfr gene mutation (delE748-A752) corresponding to a human EGFR mutation (delE746-A750) was established. The transgenic mice developed atypical adenomatous hyperplasia to adenocarcinoma of the lung at around 5 weeks of age and died of lung tumors at approximately 17 weeks of age. In the mice treated with vandetanib (6mg/kg/day), these lung tumors disappeared and the phosphorylations of EGFR and VEGFR-2 were reduced in lung tissues to levels comparable to those of non-transgenic control mice. The median overall survival time of the transgenic mice was 28 weeks in the vandetanib-treated group and 17 weeks in the vehicle-treated group. Vandetanib significantly prolonged the survival of the transgenic mice (log-rank test, p＜ 0.01); resistance to vandetanib occurred at 20 weeks of age and the animals died from their lung tumors at about 28 weeks of age. These data suggest that vandetanib could suppress the progression of tumors harboring an activating EGFR mutation.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinogenesis; Carcinoma; ErbB Receptors; Gene Expression Regulation; Hyperplasia; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Mutation; Piperidines; Quinazolines; Signal Transduction; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Three major processes, constrictive vessel remodeling, intimal hyperplasia (IH), and retarded re-endothelialization, contribute to restenosis after vascular reconstructions. Clinically used drugs inhibit IH but delay re-endothelialization and also cause constrictive remodeling. Here we have examined halofuginone, an herbal derivative, for its beneficial effects on vessel remodeling and differential inhibition of IH versus re-endothelialization.. Two weeks after perivascular application to balloon-injured rat common carotid arteries, halofuginone versus vehicle (n=6 animals) enlarged luminal area 2.14-fold by increasing vessel size (adaptive remodeling; 123%), reducing IH (74.3%) without inhibiting re-endothelialization. Consistent with its positive effect on vessel expansion, halofuginone reduced collagen type 1 (but not type 3) production in injured arteries as well as that from adventitial fibroblasts in vitro. In support of its differential effects on IH versus re-endothelialization, halofuginone produced greater inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell versus endothelial cell proliferation at concentrations ≈50 nmol/L. Furthermore, halofuginone at 50 nmol/L effectively blocked Smad3 phosphorylation in smooth muscle cells, which is known to promote smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and IH, but halofuginone had no effect on phospho-Smad3 in endothelial cells.. Periadventitial delivery of halofuginone dramatically increased lumen patency via adaptive remodeling and selective inhibition of IH without affecting endothelium recovery. Halofuginone is the first reported small molecule that has favorable effects on all 3 major processes involved in restenosis.

Topics: Adaptation, Biological; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Angioplasty, Balloon; Animals; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Artery Injuries; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Collagen Type I; Endothelium, Vascular; Fibroblasts; Humans; Hyperplasia; Male; Models, Animal; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Organ Specificity; Piperidines; Postoperative Complications; Quinazolinones; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Smad3 Protein; Vascular Remodeling

The effect of CP-690550 (tofacitinib), a new Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, was evaluated in chronic allergic dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis was induced in rat ears by repeated application of oxazolone. This dermatitis was accompanied by sustained ear swelling and marked epidermal hyperplasia. In the induced ear, a lot of inflammatory cells infiltrated into the dermis site and the amounts of interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-22 were elevated. Orally administered CP-690550 significantly suppressed ear swelling as well as epidermal thickening, and the effect at 10 mg/kg was comparable to that of cyclosporin A and etanercept. These results suggest a great potential of CP-690550, a JAK inhibitor, as a treatment for chronic dermatitis featuring epidermal hyperplasia (in the pathogenesis of which IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-22 play a role) such as psoriasis and chronic atopic dermatitis.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Ear; Female; Hyperplasia; Janus Kinases; Oxazolone; Piperidines; Pyrimidines; Pyrroles; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Skin

Mesangial cell growth is a key feature of several glomerular diseases. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen of vascular endothelial cells and promoter of vascular permeability. Here, we examined the ability of vasopressin (AVP), which causes mesangial cell proliferation and hypertrophy, to stimulate VEGF secretion from cultured rat mesangial cells. AVP potently induced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in VEGF secretion in these cells, which was then inhibited by a V(1A) receptor-selective antagonist, confirming this is a V(1A) receptor-mediated event. VEGF also induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy in mesangial cells, which was completely abolished by an anti-VEGF antibody. In addition, AVP-induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy were completely inhibited by the V(1A) receptor-selective antagonist and partially abolished by the anti-VEGF antibody. These results indicate that AVP increases VEGF secretion in rat mesangial cells via V(1A) receptors and modulates mesangial cell growth not only by direct action but also through stimulation of VEGF secretion. This autocrine mechanism might contribute to glomerulosclerosis in renal diseases such as diabetic nephropathy.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; Autocrine Communication; Benzazepines; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Collagen Type IV; Hyperplasia; Hypertrophy; Male; Mesangial Cells; Piperidines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Vasopressin; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Vasopressins

The study was undertaken to explore the antiproliferative mechanism of action of 2-[piperidinoethoxyphenyl]-3-[4-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzo(b)pyran (K-1) in estradiol-induced rat uterine hyperplasia.. Adult ovariectomized rats received vehicle or estradiol alone (20 μg/kg) or estradiol along with K-1 (100 or 200 μg/kg) for 14 days. Uterine histomorphometric analysis and immunoblotting were performed. Caspase-3 activity and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end-labeling staining were performed to analyze the apoptotic potential of compound.. Compound inhibited estradiol-induced uterine weight and histomorphometric changes pertaining to endometrial growth and down-regulated the expression of estrogen response element and activator protein-1 regulated genes and transcription factors. The compound significantly induced apoptosis, interfered with Akt activation, decreased X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein expression leading to an increased cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3, poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase, increased Bax/Bcl2 ratio, and caspase-3 activity.. K-1 inhibits endometrial proliferation via nonclassical estrogen receptor signaling mechanisms. It interfered with Akt activation and induced apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway and inhibited estradiol-induced hyperplasia formation in rat uterus.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Benzopyrans; Female; Hyperplasia; Piperidines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Uterus

Recent studies suggested the involvement of the endocannabinoid pathway on insulin secretion in RINm5F cells or rat islets. Animal and clinical studies have reported beneficial effects of the selective cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonist rimonabant on glucose homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo effects of rimonabant on pancreatic function in Zucker Fatty rats. Zucker Fatty rats were treated with rimonabant (10 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) or vehicle for up to 3 months. Pancreatic function was assessed by oral glucose tolerance test and by static incubation of islets in the presence of different glucose concentrations. Islet morphology was assessed by immuno-histochemistry on pancreatic sections. After 3 months, there was no difference in fasting glycaemia or AUC(glucose) during oral glucose tolerance test between rimonabant- and vehicle-treated animals. However, vehicle-treated rats developed a marked hyperinsulinaemia with time in contrast to rimonabant-treated animals, which maintained at 3 months significantly lower fasting insulin levels (7.76+/-0.67 microg l(-1) vs. 5.59+/-0.59 microg l(-1), P<0.01) and lower AUC(insulin) (1380+/-98 microg l(-1)min vs. 926+/-58 microg l(-1)min, respectively, P<0.001). In static incubation, rimonabant significantly decreased insulin secretion in response to low glucose concentration (3 months: 7.68+/-1.29 vs. 12.25+/-2.01 microg l(-1) 5 islets(-1) 45 min(-1) in rimonabant and vehicle respectively, P<0.01), resulting in a trend to increase stimulation index in the presence of 16.7 mM glucose (10.64+/-0.92 vs. 8.52+/-1.70 respectively). Morphological analysis at 3 months showed that rimonabant reduced islet-cell surface (-60%) and the percentage of disorganized islets (-54%).In conclusion, our data suggest that rimonabant has a protective role against the development of hyperinsulinaemia, beta-cell dysfunction and islet modification in Zucker Fatty rats.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; Cattle; Eating; Fasting; Glucose; Glucose Tolerance Test; Homeostasis; Hyperinsulinism; Hyperplasia; Insulin; Insulin Secretion; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Male; Pancreas; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Rats; Rats, Zucker; Rimonabant; Time Factors

Myointimal hyperplasia (MIH) cells are related to permanent upregulated proliferation as tumor-like cells. The aim of this study is to assess whether treatment of cells after hypoxia by Iroxanadine heat-shock protein (HSP-coinducer) predicts recovery through cell proliferation.. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and brain capillary endothelial cells (HBEC) were isolated from human origin and MIH-cells from early carotid restenosis after surgery. Cell proliferation was quantified by bromuridine (BrdU) incorporation after hypoxia/reoxygenation. HSP72 and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDKN1A) mRNA expression was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry (FACS) analysis.. After hypoxia/reoxygenation, the proliferation of MIH-cells increased, whereas endothelial cells decreased (MIH: 0.266+/-0.016 versus 0.336+/-0.024; P<0.05; HBEC: 1.249+/-0.10 versus 0.878+/-0.11; P<0.05). Whereas augmented proliferation of MIH-cells was reduced (40% to 45%) by HSP-coinducer, diminished HBEC proliferation increased (46.2%). Stress-activated-protein-kinase (SAPK)p38-dependent cell cycle redistribution was generated by an increase in HSP72 and CDKN1A mRNA levels in MIH-cells.. The 2 key players of early restenosis (MIH, EC) were oppositely regulated and correspondingly after treatment by HSP-coinducer reverse recovered. Drug candidate may have therapeutic potential in (re)restenosis.

Topics: Aged; Brain; Capillaries; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Endothelial Cells; Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Hyperplasia; Hypoxia; Middle Aged; Oxazines; Piperidines; Tunica Intima

Histamine regulates many functions by binding to four histamine G-coupled receptor proteins (H1R, H2R, H3R and H4R). As H3R exerts their effects by coupling to Galpha(i/o) proteins reducing adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) levels (a key player in the modulation of cholangiocyte hyperplasia/damage), we evaluated the role of H3R in the regulation of biliary growth. We posed the following questions: (1) Do cholangiocytes express H3R? (2) Does in vivo administration of (R)-(alpha)-(-)-methylhistamine dihydrobromide (RAMH) (H3R agonist), thioperamide maleate (H3R antagonist) or histamine, in the absence/presence of thioperamide maleate, to bile duct ligated (BDL) rats regulate cholangiocyte proliferation? and (3) Does RAMH inhibit cholangiocyte proliferation by downregulation of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of protein kinase A (PKA)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)/ets-like gene-1 (Elk-1)? The expression of H3R was evaluated in liver sections by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and by real-time PCR in cholangiocyte RNA from normal and BDL rats. BDL rats (immediately after BDL) were treated daily with RAMH, thioperamide maleate or histamine in the absence/presence of thioperamide maleate for 1 week. Following in vivo treatment of BDL rats with RAMH for 1 week, and in vitro stimulation of BDL cholangiocytes with RAMH, we evaluated cholangiocyte proliferation, cAMP levels and PKA, ERK1/2 and Elk-1 phosphorylation. Cholangiocytes from normal and BDL rats express H3R. The expression of H3R mRNA increased in BDL compared to normal cholangiocytes. Histamine decreased cholangiocyte growth of BDL rats to a lower extent than that observed in BDL RAMH-treated rats; histamine-induced inhibition of cholangiocyte growth was partly blocked by thioperamide maleate. In BDL rats treated with thioperamide maleate, cholangiocyte hyperplasia was slightly higher than that of BDL rats. In vitro, RAMH inhibited the proliferation of BDL cholangiocytes. RAMH inhibition of cholangiocyte growth was associated with decreased cAMP levels and PKA/ERK1/2/Elk-1 phosphorylation. Downregulation of cAMP-dependent PKA/ERK1/2/Elk-1 phosphorylation (by activation of H3R) is important in the inhibition of cholangiocyte growth in liver diseases.

Topics: Animals; Bile Ducts; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Cell Proliferation; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; Drug Therapy, Combination; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Histamine; Histamine Agonists; Hyperplasia; Ligation; Liver; Male; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Methylhistamines; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphorylation; Piperidines; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Receptor, EphA8; Receptors, Histamine H3

Mesangial cell growth constitutes a key feature of progressive glomerular injury. Vasopressin (AVP), a potent peptide vasoconstrictor, acts on mesangial cells through the V(1A) receptors, inducing contraction and cell proliferation. This study examined the effects of YM218, a nonpeptide AVP V(1A) receptor-selective antagonist, on the mitogenic and hypertrophic effects of AVP in rat mesangial cells. When added to mesangial cells whose growth was arrested, AVP concentration-dependently induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy. YM218 potently prevented AVP-induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy of these cells. Furthermore, AVP stimulated endothelin (ET)-1 secretion from mesangial cells in a concentration-dependent manner and this effect was potently inhibited by YM218. ET-1 also induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy in mesangial cells and this effect was completely abolished by ET(A) receptor-selective antagonist YM598. In addition, AVP-induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy were partly inhibited by YM598. These results suggest that AVP may modulate mesangial cell growth not only by its direct action but also through the stimulation of ET-1 secretion. YM218 displays high potency in inhibiting the AVP-induced physiologic responses of mesangial cells via the V(1A) receptors and is a potent pharmacologic probe for investigating the physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of AVP in several renal diseases.

Topics: Animals; Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; Arginine Vasopressin; Benzazepines; Cell Proliferation; Cell Size; Cells, Cultured; DNA Replication; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelin-1; Hyperplasia; Male; Mesangial Cells; Piperidines; Protein Biosynthesis; Pyrimidines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptor, Endothelin A; Receptors, Vasopressin; Sulfonamides

Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) mediates signal transduction from cytokine receptors using the common gamma chain. The rationally designed inhibitor of JAK3, CP-690,550, prevents acute allograft rejection in rodents and in nonhuman primates. Here we investigated the ability of CP-690,550, to prevent allograft vasculopathy in a rodent model of aorta transplantation. Aortas from AxC Irish (RT1(a)) or Lewis (RT1(l)) rats were heterotopically transplanted into the infra-renal aorta of Lewis recipients and harvested at 28 or 56 days. Treated recipients received CP-690,550 by osmotic pumps (mean drug exposure of 110 +/- 38 ng/ml). Significant intimal hyperplasia was demonstrated in untreated allografts when compared with isografts at 28 days (2.08 +/- 0.85% vs. 0.43 +/- 0.2% luminal obliteration, respectively, P = 0.001) and 56 days (5.3 +/- 2.4% vs. 0.38 +/- 0.3%, P = 0.002). Treatment caused a 51% reduction in intimal hyperplasia at day 56. CP-690,550-treated animals also had a significant reduction of donor-specific IgG production and of the gene expression for suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 and with unchanged levels of expression of RANTES, IP-10 and transforming growth factor-beta1. These results are the first to show that JAK3 blockade by CP-690,550 effectively prevents allograft vasculopathy in this rat model of aorta transplantation.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Chemokine CCL5; Hyperplasia; Interferon-gamma; Janus Kinase 3; Killer Cells, Natural; Male; Piperidines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyrimidines; Pyrroles; Rats; Rats, Inbred ACI; Rats, Inbred Lew; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins; Transplantation, Homologous; Tunica Intima

Cytotoxic nitric oxide (NO) is produced during ischemia-reperfusion injury and acute and chronic rejection in allografts by expression of inducible (i) NO synthase (NOS). Therefore, continuous inhibition of iNOS may prevent early graft dysfunction and immune injury (rejection) and consequently improve graft survival. FR260330 is a potent and selective inhibitor of iNOS activity that works by preventing iNOS monomers from dimerization. In this study, the authors evaluated the effect of FR260330 in prevention of chronic rejection in a model of rat aortic allografts.. Male Lewis (LEW, RT1l) rats received male ACI (RT1a) aorta allografts or LEW aorta isografts. Fourteen groups (n > or = 6) were involved in this study. FR260330, tacrolimus, or both were administered orally for 14 or 90 days, according to protocol. The degree of intimal proliferation of graft aorta was determined by a computerized image system.. Both low and high doses of FR260330- or tacrolimus-treated grafts showed significantly decreased intima/(intima+media) ratios at day 90 compared with placebo controls. Combination therapy of low-dose FR260330 with low-dose tacrolimus produced a significant decrease of intima/(intima+media) ratios with intact endothelium compared with placebo controls. Anti-alpha-actin immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that one of the mechanisms of intimal proliferation is related to migration of vascular smooth muscle cells.. A selective inhibitor of NOS, FR260330 plays a protective role in chronic aortic allograft rejection in the rat. Combination therapy of low-dose FR260330 with tacrolimus produces significant protection of immune injury and may serve to improve long-term graft survival and function.

Topics: Actins; Animals; Aorta; Body Weight; Chronic Disease; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enzyme Inhibitors; Graft Rejection; Graft Survival; Hyperplasia; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Piperidines; Rats; Rats, Inbred ACI; Rats, Inbred Lew; Tacrolimus; Transplantation, Homologous; Tunica Intima; Tunica Media

Preinvasive mammary pathologies in humans and rat chemical carcinogenesis model systems have an increased microvascular density relative to normal tissue. This suggests the possibility of preventing invasive breast cancer by inhibiting angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic growth factor, commonly involved in tumor-induced angiogenesis. Here, we show that both VEGF and VEGFR2 expression increase with histological progression to invasive disease in the rat 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) model. Other VEGF receptors, VEGFR1, neuropilin 1 and neuropilin 2, are constitutively expressed throughout progression. To examine whether VEGF signaling is functionally relevant to tumor-induced endothelial tubule formation in vitro and for tumor formation in vivo, we utilized the VEGFR2 inhibitor, ZD6474. In vitro endothelial cell tubulogenesis induced by isolated mammary organoids or carcinoma in situ from DMBA-treated rats is inhibited by ZD6474, in a dose-dependent fashion. The administration of ZD6474 to DMBA-treated rats inhibits the formation of atypical ductal hyperplasia and carcinoma in situ by greater than 95% (P < 0.05), when administered 1 week or 6 weeks post-DMBA initiation. Invasive disease was absent in all ZD6474 cohorts. These data support the hypothesis that progression of DMBA-induced preinvasive mammary pathologies to palpable disease requires angiogenesis via a VEGF-dependent mechanism.

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Animals; Base Sequence; Carcinoma in Situ; DNA Primers; Female; Humans; Hyperplasia; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Piperidines; Quinazolines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2

Restenosis secondary to neointimal hyperplasia remains the major limiting factor after vascular interventions. Thrombin generated in high concentrations at the site of vascular injury plays a central role in thrombosis and hemostasis. Thrombin has also been implicated as a mitogen for smooth muscle cell proliferation that contributes to restenosis. This study was designed to determine the effects of a specific thrombin inhibitor on neointimal hyperplasia after balloon injury in a rat carotid artery model.. A total of 47 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. All groups underwent balloon injury of the left carotid artery. A specific thrombin inhibitor, inogatran, was given in four different regimens: low and high dose injections, short-term infusion for 3 h, and long-term infusion for 1 week. After 2 weeks the animals were killed and the carotid neointima/media area ratio and the luminal narrowing were calculated.. All treatments significantly reduced the neointimal hyperplasia. Inogatran given as a long-term infusion for 1 week had the lowest neointima/media ratio compared with the other groups. The percentage of lumen narrowing was also significantly lower in all treatment groups compared with the control group.. A specific direct thrombin inhibitor, inogatran, reduces neointimal hyperplasia after arterial injury in rats. A more prolonged administration of the thrombin inhibitor gave a further reduction of the neointimal hyperplasia. It seems that inhibition of thrombin activity is not only important early after injury, but also later. This could have clinical implications in the treatment of restenosis and needs to be further evaluated.

Topics: Animals; Antithrombins; Biomarkers; Disease Models, Animal; Glycine; Hyperplasia; Male; Models, Cardiovascular; Piperidines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tunica Intima

To investigate the effects of YM471, a non-peptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1A and V2 receptor antagonist, on the AVP-induced growth responses in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).. Binding of YM471 to V1A receptors on VSMCs was measured using [3H]AVP. Intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was measured by fura 2 fluorescence. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity was determined using the p42/p44 MAP kinase specific peptide and [gamma- 32P]ATP as substrates. The effect of AVP on hyperplasia and hypertrophy of VSMCs was determined by cell number and protein content measurements.. YM471 potently and concentration-dependently inhibited the specific binding of [ 3H]AVP to V1A receptors on VSMCs, exhibiting an inhibition constant (Ki ) of 0.35 nmol/l. YM471 inhibited the AVP-induced increase in intracellular free Ca concentration with an 50% inhibition concentration (IC50 ) of 2.01 nmol/l and inhibited the activation of MAP kinase with an IC50 of 6.11 nmol/l. In addition, AVP concentration-dependently induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy in VSMCs, but YM471 prevented these AVP-induced growth effects, exhibiting IC50 values of 2.31 and 0.23 nmol/l, respectively.. These results indicate that YM471 has high affinity for V receptors on, and potently inhibits AVP-induced physiologic responses of, human VSMCs.

Topics: Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; Aorta; Arginine Vasopressin; Azepines; Cells, Cultured; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Hyperplasia; Hypertrophy; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Piperidines; Receptors, Vasopressin

Halofuginone is a drug that has been shown to have an antifibrotic property in vitro and in vivo. Whereas halofuginone shows promise as a therapeutic agent for a variety of diseases including scleroderma, liver cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis, and certain types of cancer, the mechanism of action remains unknown. Using the tight skin mouse (TSK) model for scleroderma, we evaluated the ability of halofuginone to inhibit spontaneous development of dermal fibrosis. We found that administration of a low dose of halofuginone both in adult and newborn animals for 60 d prevented the development of cutaneous hyperplasia (dermal fibrosis). In vitro halofuginone was found to reduce the amount of collagen synthesized by fibroblasts. This effect was due to a reduction in the promoter activity of the type-I collagen genes as treatment of fibroblast cultures with 10(-8) M halofuginone reduced the level of alpha2(I) collagen message detectible by northern blot and greatly reduced the activity of a reporter construct under control of the -3200 to +54 bp alpha2(I) collagen promoter. In addition, analysis of transforming growth factor beta signaling pathways in fibroblasts revealed that halofuginone inhibited transforming-growth-factor-beta-induced upregulation of collagen protein and activity of the alpha2(I) collagen promoter. Further we found that halofuginone blocked the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of Smad3 after transforming growth factor beta stimulation. Apparently the inhibitory property was specific to Smad3 as there was no inhibitory effect on the activation of Smad2 after stimulation with transforming growth factor beta. Our results demonstrate that halofuginone is a specific inhibitor of type-I collagen synthesis and may elicit its effect via interference with the transforming growth factor beta signaling pathway.

Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Collagen; Collagen Type I; DNA-Binding Proteins; Fibroblasts; Gene Expression; Hyperplasia; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred Strains; Mice, Mutant Strains; Piperidines; Quinazolines; Quinazolinones; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; Sclerosis; Signal Transduction; Skin; Skin Diseases; Smad3 Protein; Trans-Activators; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Urinary bladder hypertrophy and hyperplasia is a common feature of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). The urinary bladder is known to synthesize endothelin-1 (ET-1). ET-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide with mitogenic properties. Using an animal model of partial BOO we investigated the potential role of ET-1 and its receptor subtypes [endothelin-A and -B (ET(A) and ET(B))] in bladder vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) proliferation. In the presence of 3-week-old BOO serum, ET(A) and ET(B) antagonists significantly (p = 0.008) inhibited detrusor and bladder neck SMC proliferation. Cell counts were significantly reduced from the detrusor (p = 0.03, p = 0.01 with ET(A) and ET(B) antagonists, respectively) and bladder neck (p = 0.01 for both ET(A) and ET(B) antagonists). These results suggest that ET-1 antagonists may prevent SMC hyperplasia associated with partial BOO.

Topics: Animals; Bromodeoxyuridine; Endothelin-1; Hyperplasia; Male; Oligopeptides; Peptides, Cyclic; Piperidines; Rabbits; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation is a critical component of neointimal formation in many models of vascular injury and in human lesions as well. Cell-cycle inhibition by gene transfer techniques can block SMC proliferation and lesion formation in animal models, although these methods are not yet applicable to the treatment of human disease. Flavopiridol is a recently identified, potent, orally available cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor.. Using human aortic SMCs, we found that flavopiridol in concentrations as low as 75 nmol/L resulted in nearly complete inhibition of basic fibroblast growth factor-induced and thrombin-induced proliferation. At this dose, flavopiridol inhibited cyclin-dependent kinase activity, as measured by histone H1 phosphorylation, but had no effect on mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Induction of the cell cycle-related proteins cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein was also blocked by flavopiridol. Flavopiridol had no effect on cellular viability. To test whether flavopiridol had a similar activity in vivo when administered orally, we examined neointimal formation in rat carotid arteries after balloon injury. Flavopiridol 5 mg/kg reduced neointimal area by 35% and 39% at 7 and 14 days, respectively, after injury.. Flavopiridol inhibits SMC growth in vitro and in vivo. Its oral availability and selectivity for cyclin-dependent kinases make it a potential therapeutic tool in the treatment of SMC-rich vascular lesions.

Topics: Animals; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Artery Injuries; Catheterization; Cell Cycle; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases; Enzyme Inhibitors; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Flavonoids; Growth Inhibitors; Humans; Hyperplasia; Male; Muscle Proteins; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Phosphorylation; Piperidines; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Thrombin; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Tunica Intima; Wound Healing

Although a number of pharmacologic agents have been shown to reduce intimal hyperplasia in animal models of restenosis, to date no systemic agent has conclusively been shown to be effective in humans. Recently, considerable attention has been directed towards endothelin (ET), a potent vasoconstrictor and a powerful mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells, as a mediator of intimal hyperplasia. Endothelin-1 has been shown to be mitogenic for human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells, and expression also is elevated in human vein graft stenosis. The aim of this study was the investigation of whether ET receptor antagonists can attenuate neointima formation in a laboratory model of vein graft intimal hyperplasia and the determination of whether the effects are mediated by a specific ET receptor subtype.. We used an organ culture of human saphenous vein, a well-validated model of vein graft intimal hyperplasia. Paired segments of human long saphenous vein were cultured with and without the following antagonists: bosentan, a nonselective ET receptor antagonist; BQ 123, a specific endothelin-A antagonist; or BQ 788, a specific endothelin-B (ETB) antagonist. After 14 days in the culture, the segments were fixed and processed and the sections were immunostained to facilitate the measurements of neointimal thickness with a computerized image analysis system.. The nonselective antagonist bosentan and the ETB selective antagonist BQ 788 significantly reduced neointima formation by 70% (P = .001) and 50% (P = .03), respectively, but the ETA antagonist BQ 123 had no significant effect on the reduction of neointima formation (P = 1.0).. The results of this study imply an important role for ET as a mediator of human vein graft intimal hyperplasia and imply further that a specific ETB antagonist may have a therapeutic potential for the prevention of vein graft stenosis.

Topics: Bosentan; Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; Humans; Hyperplasia; Oligopeptides; Organ Culture Techniques; Peptides, Cyclic; Piperidines; Receptor, Endothelin B; Receptors, Endothelin; Saphenous Vein; Sulfonamides; Tunica Intima

We examined the possibility that AVP and V1a receptors were involved in regulating cortisol production in a 49 year old man with ACTH-independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIMAH), and investigated the effects of a V1a receptor antagonist. An i.v. injection of a small dose (0.1 or 0.3 U) of AVP, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, upright posture tests, and oral administration of a V1a receptor antagonist (OPC-21268; 300 mg), and its repeated administration at a dose of 600 mg/day for 8 days were performed. An in vitro study of dispersed cells obtained from resected AIMAH tissue was also conducted. Plasma ACTH, AVP and cortisol levels and 24-h urinary free cortisol excretion were measured in the in vivo studies and cortisol concentrations in incubation media in the in vitro study. Injection of small doses of AVP stimulated cortisol secretion without any elevation of plasma ACTH. Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia caused a rise in plasma AVP followed by an increase in plasma cortisol. Although plasma cortisol levels were not affected by single or repeated administrations of OPC-21268, 24-h urinary free cortisol excretion was significantly decreased by the repeated treatment. In the in vitro study, more cortisol was stimulated by AVP from adrenal cells of the AIMAH tissue than from those of a normal adrenal gland, and this secretion was completely suppressed by OPC-21268. These results suggested that hypersensitivity to AVP may have contributed to overproduction of cortisol in this case of ACTH-independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia, and may have contributed to its pathogenesis.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; Arginine Vasopressin; Cells, Cultured; Cushing Syndrome; Diuretics; Drug Administration Schedule; Furosemide; Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hyperplasia; Injections, Intravenous; Insulin; Male; Middle Aged; Piperidines; Posture; Quinolones

Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components within the arterial wall in response to local injury are important etiologic factors in vascular proliferative disorders such as arteriosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. Fibrillar and nonfibrillar collagens are major constituents of the ECM that modulate cell shape and proliferative responses and thereby contribute to the pathogenesis of intimal hyperplasia. Halofuginone, an anticoccidial quinoazolinone derivative, inhibits collagen type I gene expression. We investigated the effect of halofuginone on (1) proliferation of bovine aortic endothelial cells and SMCs derived from the same specimen and maintained in vitro, (2) ECM deposition and collagen type I synthesis and gene expression, and (3) injury-induced intimal hyperplasia in vivo. DNA synthesis and proliferation of vascular SMCs in response to serum or basic fibroblast growth factor were abrogated in the presence of as little as 0.1 microgram/mL halofuginone; this inhibition was reversible upon removal of the compound. Under the same conditions, halofuginone exerted a relatively small antiproliferative effect on the respective vascular endothelial cells. Halofuginone also inhibited the synthesis and deposition of ECM components by vascular SMCs as indicated both by a substantial reduction in the amount of sulfated proteoglycans and collagen type I synthesis and gene expression. Local administration of halofuginone in the rabbit ear model of crush injury-induced arterial intimal hyperplasia resulted in a 50% reduction in intimal thickening as measured by a morphometric analysis of the neointima/media ratio. The differential inhibitory effect of halofuginone on vascular SMCs versus endothelial cells, its inhibition of ECM deposition and collagen type I synthesis, and its ability to attenuate injury-induced intimal hyperplasia may place halofuginone alone or in combination with other antiproliferative compounds as a potential candidate for prevention of arterial stenosis and accelerated atherosclerosis.

Topics: Animals; Arteries; Cattle; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Collagen; Humans; Hyperplasia; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Piperidines; Quinazolines; Quinazolinones; Rabbits; Tunica Intima

To determine if halofuginone hydrobromide, a specific type I collagen inhibitor, could prevent intimal hyperplasia at a vascular anastomosis.. Intimal hyperplasia is characterized by smooth muscle cell proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation. Halofuginone was used to block collagen production and smooth muscle cell proliferation in cell cultures and in a rabbit model of an end-to-end anastomosis of the right common carotid artery. Animals were fed a nontoxic dose of halofuginone. Eighteen rabbits were fed the inhibitor in a randomized blinded fashion and were examined after 4 weeks by harvesting the arteries after perfusion fixation at physiologic pressures.. Halofuginone inhibited smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro and had no effect on cell viability. Morphometric quantification verified that halofuginone treatment significantly attenuated anastomotic intimal thickness.. Oral administration of halofuginone inhibits intimal hyperplasia at vascular anastomoses. Intimal hyperplasia inhibition by halofuginone may be a therapeutic option for preventing arterial stenosis in vascular surgery.

Topics: Anastomosis, Surgical; Animals; Blotting, Northern; Carotid Artery, Common; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Collagen; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hyperplasia; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Piperidines; Procollagen; Quinazolines; Quinazolinones; Rabbits; RNA, Messenger; Tropoelastin; Tunica Intima

Topics: Acetamides; Acetanilides; Animals; Butanols; Carcinogens; Carcinoma, Papillary; Drug Synergism; Hyperplasia; Male; Morpholines; Neoplasms, Experimental; Nitrosamines; Piperidines; Rats; Succinimides; Thiocyanates; Tryptophan; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenocarcinoma; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Papillary; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Division; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Hyperplasia; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Nasal Mucosa; Neoplasms, Experimental; Nitroso Compounds; Nose Neoplasms; Papilloma; Piperidines; Rats; Thymidine; Tritium

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Body Weight; Carcinogens; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagus; Hyperplasia; Liver; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Neoplasms, Experimental; Nitroso Compounds; Organ Size; Papilloma; Piperidines; Rats