Luteolin reduces fluid hypersecretion by inhibiting TMEM16A in interleukin-4 treated Calu-3 airway epithelial cells.

Rhinorrhea in allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by the secretion of electrolytes in the nasal discharge. The secretion of Cl- and HCO3- is mainly regulated by cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) or via the calciumactivated Cl- channel anoctamin-1 (ANO1) in nasal gland serous cells. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), which is crucial in the development of allergic inflammation, increases the expression and activity of ANO1 by stimulating histamine receptors. In this study, we investigated ANO1 as a potential therapeutic target for rhinorrhea in AR using an ANO1 inhibitor derived from a natural herb. Ethanolic extracts (30%) of Spirodela polyrhiza (SPEtOH) and its five major flavonoids constituents were prepared. To elucidate whether the activity of human ANO1 (hANO1) was modulated by SPEtOH and its chemical constituents, a patch clamp experiment was performed in hANO1-HEK293T cells. Luteolin, one of the major chemical constituents in SPEtOH, significantly inhibited hANO1 activity in hANO1-HEK293T cells. Further, SPEtOH and luteolin specifically inhibited the calcium-activated chloride current, but not CFTR current in human airway epithelial Calu-3 cells. Calu-3 cells were cultured to confluency on transwell inserts in the presence of IL-4 to measure the electrolyte transport by Ussing chamber. Luteolin also significantly inhibited the ATP-induced increase in electrolyte transport, which was increased in IL-4 sensitized Calu-3 cells. Our findings indicate that SPEtOH- and luteolin may be suitable candidates for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis. SPEtOH- and luteolin-mediated ANO1 regulation provides a basis for the development of novel approaches for the treatment of allergic rhinitis-induced rhinorrhea.

Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 by the methanolic extract of Schisandra chinensis fruit and its chemical constituent γ-schisandrin.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is a non-selective cation channel with modest permeability to calcium ions. It is involved in intracellular calcium signaling and is therefore important in processes such as thermal sensation, skin barrier formation, and wound healing. TRPV3 was initially proposed as a warm temperature sensor. It is activated by synthetic small-molecule chemicals and plant-derived natural compounds such as camphor and eugenol. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) has diverse pharmacological properties including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. It is extensively used as an oriental herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we investigated whether SC fruit extracts and seed oil, as well as four compounds isolated from the fruit can activate the TRPV3 channel. By performing whole-cell patch clamp recording in HEK293T cells overexpressing TRPV3, we found that the methanolic extract of SC fruit has an agonistic effect on the TRPV3 channel. Furthermore, electrophysiological analysis revealed that γ-schisandrin, one of the isolated compounds, activated TRPV3 at a concentration of 30 µM. In addition, γ-schisandrin (~100 µM) increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations by approximately 20% in response to TRPV3 activation. This is the first report to indicate that SC extract and γ-schisandrin can modulate the TRPV3 channel. This report also suggests a mechanism by which γ-schisandrin acts as a therapeutic agent against TRPV3-related diseases.

Differential modulation of TWIK-related K+ channel (TREK) and TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ channel 2 (TASK2) activity by pyrazole compounds.

Pyrazole derivatives were originally suggested as selective blockers of the transient receptor potential cation 3 (TRPC3) and channel. In particular, pyr3 and 10 selectively inhibit TRPC3, whereas pyr2 (BTP2) and 6 inhibit ORAI1. However, their effects on background K+ channel activity have not been elucidated. In this study, the effects of BTP2, pyr3, pyr6, and pyr10 were studied on cloned human TWIK-related K+ channels (TREKs) and TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ channel 2 (TASK-2) channels, which modulate Ca2+ signaling by controlling membrane potential, in HEK293T-overexpressing cells by using a whole-cell patch clamp technique. Pyr3 potently inhibited TREK-1 (ITREK1), TREK-2 (ITREK2), and TASK2 current (ITASK-2) with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 0.89±0.27, 1.95±1.44, and 2.42±0.39µM, respectively. BTP2 slightly inhibited ITASK-2 (80.3±2.5% at 100µM). In contrast, pyr6 at 100µM potentiated ITREK1 and ITREK2 by approximately 2.6- and 3.6-fold compared to the control and inhibited ITASK2 (38.7±9.2%). Pyr10 showed a subtype-specific inhibition of ITREK1 but not ITREK2. It also inhibited ITASK2 (70.9±3.1% at 100µM). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to describe the differential modulation of TREKs and TASK2 channels by pyrazole derivatives, previously used as inhibitors of TRPC3 and ORAI1. Therefore, studies using these drugs should consider their modulation of other channels such as TREK and TASK-2.