Bioengineered miR-124-3p prodrug selectively alters the proteome of human carcinoma cells to control multiple cellular components and lung metastasis

With the understanding of microRNA (miRNA or miR) functions in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis, efforts are underway to develop new miRNA-based therapies. Very recently, we demonstrated effectiveness of a novel humanized bioengineered miR-124-3p prodrug in controlling spontaneous lung metastasis in mouse models. This study was to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which miR-124-3p controls tumor metastasis. Proteomics study identified a set of proteins selectively and significantly downregulated by bioengineered miR-124-3p in A549 cells, which were assembled into multiple cellular components critical for metastatic potential. Among them, plectin (PLEC) was verified as a new direct target for miR-124-3p that links cytoskeleton components and junctions. In miR-124-3p-treated lung cancer and osteosarcoma cells, protein levels of vimentin, talin 1 (TLN1), integrin beta-1 (ITGB1), IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), cadherin 2 or N-cadherin (CDH2), and junctional adhesion molecule A (F11R or JAMA or JAM1) decreased, causing remodeling of cytoskeletons and disruption of cell-cell junctions. Furthermore, miR-124-3p sharply suppressed the formation of focal adhesion plaques, leading to reduced cell adhesion capacity. Additionally, efficacy and safety of biologic miR-124-3p therapy was established in an aggressive experimental metastasis mouse model

Effect of Buyang Huanwu Tang on Axonal Regeneration of Rats After Ischemic Stroke Injury / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of Buyang Huanwu Tang （BHT） on axonal regeneration and neurological rehabilitation of the rats suffering ischemic stroke （IS）. Method:A total of 180 SD rats were used to establish a middle cerebral artery infarction （MCAO） model. The animals that were successfully modeled were randomly divided into model group， BHT group （12 g·kg-1） and nimodipine group （20 mg·kg-1）， and a sham group was established， with 28 rats in each group. After seven-days intragastric administration of BHT， the animals were sacrificed. TTC staining was used to test cerebral infarction. Brain water content was measured to observe cerebral edema. Bielschowsky's silver staining and immunofluorescence were performed to observe axonal degeneration and the protein expression of neurofilament protein-200（NF-200）. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was used to analyze the mRNA expression of repulsion oriented molecule a （RGMa）， Ras homologous enzyme （Rho）， Rho kinase （ROCK）， and collapsion response regulatory protein 2 （CRMP2）. Neurological function scores assay was used to examine neurological recovery. Result:Compared with sham group， the cerebral infarction volume and brain water content increased significantly（P<0.01）， and motor function was markablely decreased in the model group. Axonal degeneration and nerve fiber damage were obviously observed. Also， gene expression of axon growth-related protein was deviation from normal （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the cerebral infarction rate （P<0.01）， brain water content （P<0.01） and axonal degeneration of BHT group and nimodipine group were significantly reduced. The expression of NF-200 was increased. Also， the mRNA expression of RGMa， Rho and ROCK was lower （P<0.05） while the mRNA expression of CRMP2 was higher （P<0.01）. And the neurological function was significantly improved （P<0.05）. Conclusion:BHT can promote axon regeneration after ischemic stroke injury by regulating the mRNA expression of axon growth-related protein， thereby improving nerve function.

Bioengineered miR-328-3p modulates GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake and metabolism to exert synergistic antiproliferative effects with chemotherapeutics

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small noncoding RNAs derived from genome to control target gene expression. Recently we have developed a novel platform permitting high-yield production of bioengineered miRNA agents (BERA). This study is to produce and utilize novel fully-humanized BERA/miR-328-3p molecule (hBERA/miR-328) to delineate the role of miR-328-3p in controlling nutrient uptake essential for cell metabolism. We first demonstrated successful high-level expression of hBERA/miR-328 in bacteria and purification to high degree of homogeneity (>98%). Biologic miR-328-3p prodrug was selectively processed to miR-328-3p to suppress the growth of highly-proliferative human osteosarcoma (OS) cells. Besides glucose transporter protein type 1, gene symbol solute carrier family 2 member 1 (GLUT1/), we identified and verified large neutral amino acid transporter 1, gene symbol solute carrier family 7 member 5 (LAT1/) as a direct target for miR-328-3p. While reduction of LAT1 protein levels by miR-328-3p did not alter homeostasis of amino acids within OS cells, suppression of GLUT1 led to a significantly lower glucose uptake and decline in intracellular levels of glucose and glycolytic metabolite lactate. Moreover, combination treatment with hBERA/miR-328 and cisplatin or doxorubicin exerted a strong synergism in the inhibition of OS cell proliferation. These findings support the utility of novel bioengineered RNA molecules and establish an important role of miR-328-3p in the control of nutrient transport and homeostasis behind cancer metabolism.

Bioengineered miR-27b-3p and miR-328-3p modulate drug metabolism and disposition the regulation of target ADME gene expression

Drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, and nuclear receptors are essential for the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs and xenobiotics. MicroRNAs participate in the regulation of ADME gene expression imperfect complementary Watson-Crick base pairings with target transcripts. We have previously reported that Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2) are regulated by miR-27b-3p and miR-328-3p, respectively. Here we employed our newly established RNA bioengineering technology to produce bioengineered RNA agents (BERA), namely BERA/miR-27b-3p and BERA/miR-328-3p, fermentation. When introduced into human cells, BERA/miR-27b-3p and BERA/miR-328-3p were selectively processed to target miRNAs and thus knock down and mRNA and their protein levels, respectively, as compared to cells treated with vehicle or control RNA. Consequently, BERA/miR-27b-3p led to a lower midazolam 1'-hydroxylase activity, indicating the reduction of CYP3A4 activity. Likewise, BERA/miR-328-3p treatment elevated the intracellular accumulation of anticancer drug mitoxantrone, a classic substrate of ABCG2, hence sensitized the cells to chemotherapy. The results indicate that biologic miRNA agents made by RNA biotechnology may be applied to research on miRNA functions in the regulation of drug metabolism and disposition that could provide insights into the development of more effective therapies.

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS Analysis of Brain and Blood Absorption Components of Buyang Huanwu Tang After Intragastric Administration / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To analyze and identify the brain and blood absorption components of rats after intragastric administration of Buyang Huanwu Tang(BYHWT). Method:The brain tissue,plasma of normal rats and the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS.The prototype components in BYHWT were identified according to retention time,accurate relative molecular weight,primary and secondary mass spectrometry data. Result:After the administration of BYHWT,five compounds were found to enter the normal brain tissue through the blood-brain barrier and identified as calycosin-7-glucoside,albiflorin,formononetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside-6″-O-acetyl,safflower yellow A and astragaloside A;two compounds penetrated the blood-brain barrier and entered modeling brain tissue,and they were identified as calycosin-7-glucoside and formononetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside-6″-O-acetyl;seven compounds entered normal plasma and were identified as calycosin-7-glucoside,albiflorin,hydroxysafflor yellow A,et al;three compounds entered model plasma and identified as calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside-6″-O-acetyl,6″-O-acetyl-(6αR,11αR)-9,10-dimetho-xypterocarpan-3-O-β-D-glucoside and formononetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside-6″-O-acetyl. Conclusion:BYHWT has different pharmacological material basis in normal and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats.

Current trends in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) processes of a drug. Understanding PK properties is essential for drug development and precision medication. In this review we provided an overview of recent research on PK with focus on the following aspects: (1) an update on drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in the determination of PK, as well as advances in xenobiotic receptors and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the modulation of PK, providing new understanding of the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms that result in inter-individual variations in pharmacotherapy; (2) current status and trends in assessing drug-drug interactions, especially interactions between drugs and herbs, between drugs and therapeutic biologics, and microbiota-mediated interactions; (3) advances in understanding the effects of diseases on PK, particularly changes in metabolizing enzymes and transporters with disease progression; (4) trends in mathematical modeling including physiologically-based PK modeling and novel animal models such as CRISPR/Cas9-based animal models for DMPK studies; (5) emerging non-classical xenobiotic metabolic pathways and the involvement of novel metabolic enzymes, especially non-P450s. Existing challenges and perspectives on future directions are discussed, and may stimulate the development of new research models, technologies, and strategies towards the development of better drugs and improved clinical practice.

Regulation of drug metabolism and toxicity by multiple factors of genetics, epigenetics, lncRNAs, gut microbiota, and diseases: a meeting report of the 21International Symposium on Microsomes and Drug Oxidations (MDO)

Variations in drug metabolism may alter drug efficacy and cause toxicity; better understanding of the mechanisms and risks shall help to practice precision medicine. At the 21International Symposium on Microsomes and Drug Oxidations held in Davis, California, USA, in October 2-6, 2016, a number of speakers reported some new findings and ongoing studies on the regulation mechanisms behind variable drug metabolism and toxicity, and discussed potential implications to personalized medications. A considerably insightful overview was provided on genetic and epigenetic regulation of gene expression involved in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) and drug response. Altered drug metabolism and disposition as well as molecular mechanisms among diseased and special populations were presented. In addition, the roles of gut microbiota in drug metabolism and toxicology as well as long non-coding RNAs in liver functions and diseases were discussed. These findings may offer new insights into improved understanding of ADME regulatory mechanisms and advance drug metabolism research.

Development of a mechanism-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model to characterize the thermoregulatory effects of serotonergic drugs in mice

We have shown recently that concurrent harmaline, a monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor (MAOI), potentiates serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonist 5-methoxy--dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)-induced hyperthermia. The objective of this study was to develop an integrated pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model to characterize and predict the thermoregulatory effects of such serotonergic drugs in mice. Physiological thermoregulation was described by a mechanism-based indirect-response model with adaptive feedback control. Harmaline-induced hypothermia and 5-MeO-DMT-elicited hyperthermia were attributable to the loss of heat through the activation of 5-HTreceptor and thermogenesisthe stimulation of 5-HTreceptor, respectively. Thus serotonergic 5-MeO-DMT-induced hyperthermia was readily distinguished from handling/injection stress-provoked hyperthermic effects. This PK/PD model was able to simultaneously describe all experimental data including the impact of drug-metabolizing enzyme status on 5-MeO-DMT and harmaline PK properties, and drug- and stress-induced simple hypo/hyperthermic and complex biphasic effects. Furthermore, the modeling results revealed a 4-fold decrease of apparent SCvalue (1.88-0.496 µmol/L) for 5-MeO-DMT when harmaline was co-administered, providing a quantitative assessment for the impact of concurrent MAOI harmaline on 5-MeO-DMT-induced hyperthermia. In addition, the hyperpyrexia caused by toxic dose combinations of harmaline and 5-MeO-DMT were linked to the increased systemic exposure to harmaline rather than 5-MeO-DMT, although the body temperature profiles were mispredicted by the model. The results indicate that current PK/PD model may be used as a new conceptual framework to define the impact of serotonergic agents and stress factors on thermoregulation.