prolyl-glycyl-proline and Pneumonia

Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase (LTA4H) is a bifunctional zinc metalloenzyme that comprises both epoxide hydrolase and aminopeptidase activity, exerted by two overlapping catalytic sites. The epoxide hydrolase function of the enzyme catalyzes the biosynthesis of the pro-inflammatory lipid mediator leukotriene (LT) B4. Recent literature suggests that the aminopeptidase function of LTA4H is responsible for degradation of the tripeptide Pro-Gly-Pro (PGP) for which neutrophil chemotactic activity has been postulated. It has been speculated that the design of epoxide hydrolase selective LTA4H inhibitors that spare the aminopeptidase pocket may therefore lead to more efficacious anti-inflammatory drugs. In this study, we conducted a high throughput screen (HTS) for LTA4H inhibitors and attempted to rationally design compounds that would spare the PGP degrading function. While we were able to identify compounds with preference for the epoxide hydrolase function, absolute selectivity was not achievable for highly potent compounds. In order to assess the relevance of designing such aminopeptidase-sparing LTA4H inhibitors, we studied the role of PGP in inducing inflammation in different settings in wild type and LTA4H deficient (LTA4H KO) animals but could not confirm its chemotactic potential.  Attempting to design highly potent epoxide hydrolase selective LTA4H inhibitors, therefore seems to be neither feasible nor relevant.

Topics: Aminopeptidases; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Catalytic Domain; Crystallography, X-Ray; Drug Design; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epoxide Hydrolases; High-Throughput Screening Assays; Humans; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Neutrophils; Oligopeptides; Pneumonia; Proline; Structure-Activity Relationship

Leukotriene A(4) hydrolase (LTA(4)H) is a proinflammatory enzyme that generates the inflammatory mediator leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)). LTA(4)H also possesses aminopeptidase activity with unknown substrate and physiological importance; we identified the neutrophil chemoattractant proline-glycine-proline (PGP) as this physiological substrate. PGP is a biomarker for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is implicated in neutrophil persistence in the lung. In acute neutrophil-driven inflammation, PGP was degraded by LTA(4)H, which facilitated the resolution of inflammation. In contrast, cigarette smoke, a major risk factor for the development of COPD, selectively inhibited LTA(4)H aminopeptidase activity, which led to the accumulation of PGP and neutrophils. These studies imply that therapeutic strategies inhibiting LTA(4)H to prevent LTB(4) generation may not reduce neutrophil recruitment because of elevated levels of PGP.

Topics: Acetylation; Animals; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cells, Cultured; Chemokines, CXC; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Epoxide Hydrolases; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Leukotriene B4; Lung; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neutrophils; Nicotiana; Oligopeptides; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumonia; Proline; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Smoke

Topics: Acetylation; Animals; Chemokines, CXC; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Epoxide Hydrolases; Humans; Inflammation; Leukotriene B4; Lung; Mice; Neutrophil Activation; Neutrophils; Nicotiana; Oligopeptides; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumonia; Proline; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Smoke