Cytotoxic Tph subset with low B-cell helper functions and its involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus.

T peripheral helper (Tph) cells are thought to contribute to extra-follicular B cell activation and play a pathogenic role in autoimmune diseases. However, the role of Tph subsets is not fully elucidated. Here, we investigate the immunological functions of Tph subsets and their involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have defined four Tph subsets (Tph1: CXCR3+CCR6-, Tph2: CXCR3-CCR6-, Tph17: CXCR3-CCR6+, and Tph1-17: CXCR3+CCR6+) and performed RNA sequencing after cell sorting. Tph1 and Tph17 subsets express substantial levels of IL21, indicating B cell helper functions. However, Tph2 and Tph1-17 subsets express low IL21. Interestingly, we have found Tph2 subset express high levels of CX3CR1, GZMB, PRF1, GLNY, S1PR5, TBX21, EOMES, ZNF863, and RUNX3, indicating a feature of CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In SLE patients, the frequency of Tph1 and Tph2 subsets are significantly increased and positively correlated with SLE disease activity indexes. Tph1 cells expansion has been observed in patients with cutaneous and musculoskeletal manifestations. On the other hand, Tph2 cell expansion has been found in patients with lupus nephritis in addition to the above manifestations. Our findings imply that Tph1 and Tph2 subsets exert distinct immunological functions and are contributed to the complexity of clinical manifestations in SLE.

Th17/IL-17A axis is critical for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in systemic sclerosis (SSc): SSc patients with high levels of serum IL-17A exhibit reduced lung functions and increased prevalence of PAH.

BACKGROUND: It is thought that systemic sclerosis (SSc) might be a T helper 17 (Th17) cell-driven autoimmune disease. Noticeably, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a leading cause of death in patients with SSc. Here, we investigated the association between serum Th17-related cytokines and prevalence of PAH in SSc patients. METHODS: This study included 72 SSc patients and 51 healthy controls (HC). We determined clinical manifestations, immunophenotypes including Th subsets in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17A/F, IL-17B. IL-17C, IL-17D. IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-23. RESULTS: The frequency of Th17 cells was significantly increased in SSc patients compared to HC and was positively correlated with the modified Rodnan skin scores. Furthermore, the serum levels of IL-17A, IL-17D, IL-1ß, and IL-6 were significantly increased in SSc patients compared to HC. SSc patients with detected IL-17A showed high levels of IL-17A/F, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-22, and high frequency of Th17 cells. Interestingly, these patients exhibited the reduced lung functions and increased prevalence of PAH significantly compared to patients with undetected IL-17A. Similarly, SSc patients with detected IL-17A and high IL-6 (≥1.2 pg/mL) exhibited the decreased lung functions and increased prevalence of PAH compared to patients with undetected IL-17A and low IL-6. CONCLUSION: We found that SSc patients with high levels of serum IL-17A or both IL-17A and IL-6 show reduced lung functions and high prevalence of PAH. Consequently, it is highly probable that Th17/IL-17A axis is critical for the prevalence of PAH in SSc patients.

Role of interferons (IFNs) in the differentiation of T peripheral helper (Tph) cells.

Interleukin (IL)-21-producing T peripheral helper (Tph) cells are thought to contribute to extra-follicular B cell activation and play a pathogenic role in autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the relationship between Tph cells and interferons (IFNs) in several autoimmune diseases because our previous study demonstrated that type I IFNs promote the differentiation of IL-21-producing Tph-like cells. The frequency of Tph cells in the blood as well as serum IFN-α2a and IFN-λ1 were markedly elevated in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to other autoimmune diseases or healthy controls. Notably, the frequency of Tph cells was positively correlated with the SLE disease activity index, serum IFN-α and serum IFN-λ1 in SLE patients. Additionally, we found that type III IFNs (IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2 and IFN-λ3) promote the differentiation of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)+ CXCR5 -CD4+ T cells and enhance the secretion of IL-21, IFN-γ and CXCL13. IFN-λ1, like IFN-α, up-regulated the mRNA expression of IL21, IFNG, CXCL13, CD244, SLAMF7, GZMB, PRF1, CCR5 and PRDM1, whereas it down-regulated that of CXCR5 and BCL6, reflecting a Tph-related gene expression pattern. IFN-α in combination with IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2 or IFN-λ3 significantly increased the differentiation of PD-1+CXCR5- Tph-like cells and the secretion of Tph-related cytokines as compared with each IFN alone, suggesting a cooperative interaction. From these findings, it is highly probable that type III IFNs in addition to type I IFNs play a key role in the differentiation of Tph cells and that high levels of IFN-α and IFN-λ1 trigger the differentiation and expansion of Tph cells in SLE.

Role of interferons (IFNs) in the differentiation of T peripheral helper (Tph) cells.

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and T peripheral helper (Tph) cells produce interleukin (IL)-21 and are thought to contribute to follicular and extra-follicular B-cell activation, respectively, in autoimmune diseases. It is known that programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)-positive CXCR5+ Tfh-like cells are differentiated from human naive CD4+ T cells by IL-12 plus transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß. However, it remains unclear what cytokines are required for Tph differentiation. In this study, we found that interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-ß reduce the frequency of Tfh-like cells under the IL-12 plus TGF-ß condition, whereas they promote generation of PD-1+CXCR5-CD4+ T cells and secretion of IL-21, IFN-γ and CXCL13. Intracellular cytokine staining and T-cell-B-cell co-culture studies indicated that IFN-α promotes generation of IL-21+IFN-γ +CXCR5-CD4+ T cells thereby enhancing B-cell helper function. By IFN-α treatment, the mRNA levels of IL21, IFNG, CXCL13, CD244, SLAMF7, GZMB and PRDM1 were significantly up-regulated but BCL6 mRNA expression was down-regulated, suggesting a Tph-related gene expression pattern. On the other hand, IL-2-neutralization increased mRNA levels of IL21, CXCL13 and CXCR5, retained BCL6, but showed no clear effect on IFNG or PRDM1. RNA sequencing analyses revealed that PD-1hiCXCR5-CD4+ T cells prepared from in vitro culture show a Tph-related gene expression pattern similar with that of PD-1hiCXCR5- Tph cells obtained from the blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. From our findings, it is highly probable that type I IFNs play a key role in differentiation of Tph cells and trigger Tph cell expansion in autoimmune diseases.

Lymphadenopathy in IgG4-related disease: a phenotype of severe activity and poor prognosis, with eotaxin-3 as a new biomarker.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify relevant proteins and clinical characteristics of a phenotype of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) with lymphadenopathy. METHODS: We enrolled patients newly diagnosed with IgG4-RD in our department between January 2000 and June 2018 and performed proteomic analysis to measure serum concentrations of 1305 proteins. We extracted proteins overexpressed in patients with IgG4-RD with lymphadenopathy by comparing between those with lymphadenopathy, those without lymphadenopathy and healthy controls. We further reviewed all the patients with IgG4-RD in our institution and investigated the characteristics and prognosis of the patients with IgG4-RD with lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients with IgG4-RD were enrolled, of which, 55% had lymphadenopathy. Proteomic analysis in 31 patients with IgG4-RD and 6 healthy controls revealed that eotaxin-3 was a potential serum biomarker in the patients with lymphadenopathy versus those without lymphadenopathy and healthy controls. A cohort of 85 patients with IgG4-RD demonstrated that patients with lymphadenopathy showed a significantly higher serum IgG4, IgG4:IgG ratio, IgG4-RD responder index and eosinophilia (P < 0.001 for all), irrelevant of the extent to which organ involvement developed. Patients with lymphadenopathy treated with glucocorticoid alone relapsed with significantly higher rates than those without lymphadenopathy (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Lymphadenopathy in IgG4-RD represents a phenotype associated with high disease activities, eosinophilia and relapsing disease. Eotaxin-3 is a novel biomarker related to IgG4-RD with lymphadenopathy.

An Increase in Liver Polyamine Concentration Contributes to the Tryptophan-Induced Acute Stimulation of Rat Hepatic Protein Synthesis.

Tryptophan has a unique role as a nutritional signaling molecule that regulates protein synthesis in mouse and rat liver. However, the mechanism underlying the stimulating actions of tryptophan on hepatic protein synthesis remains unclear. Proteomic and metabolomic analyses were performed to identify candidate proteins and metabolites likely to play a role in the stimulation of protein synthesis by tryptophan. Overnight-fasted rats were orally administered L-tryptophan and then sacrificed 1 or 3 h after administration. Four differentially expressed protein spots were detected in rat liver at 3 h after tryptophan administration, of which one was identified as an ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) precursor. OAT is the main catabolic enzyme for ornithine, and its expression was significantly decreased by tryptophan administration. The concentration of ornithine was increased in the liver at 3 h after tryptophan administration. Ornithine is a precursor for polyamine biosynthesis. Significantly increased concentrations of polyamines were found in the liver at 3 h after administration of tryptophan. Additionally, enhanced hepatic protein synthesis was demonstrated by oral administration of putrescine. We speculate that the increase in ornithine level through suppression of OAT expression by tryptophan administration may lead to accelerated polyamine synthesis, thereby promoting protein synthesis in the liver.

Amiselimod (MT-1303), a novel sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 functional antagonist, inhibits progress of chronic colitis induced by transfer of CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells.

Amiselimod (MT-1303) is a novel sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1 receptor) modulator with a more favorable cardiac safety profile than other S1P1 receptor modulators. MT-1303 phosphate (MT-1303-P), an active metabolite of MT-1303, exhibits S1P1 receptor agonism at a lower EC50 value than other S1P1 receptor modulators currently being developed. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of MT-1303 and its mode of action in chronic colitis using an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model. Oral administration of MT-1303 (0.3 mg/kg) once daily for 3 days to mice almost completely abolished S1P1 receptor expression on CD4+ T cells from mesenteric lymph nodes, which corresponded to a marked decrease in CD4+ T cell count in peripheral blood, indicating that MT-1303-P acts as a functional antagonist of the S1P1 receptor. The potential benefit of MT-1303 for IBD was assessed using immunodeficient SCID mice with chronic colitis induced by adoptive transfer of CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells from BALB/c mice. An oral dose of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg MT-1303 administered daily one week after the cell transfer inhibited the development of chronic colitis with an efficacy comparable to that of an anti-mTNF-α mAb (250 µg/mouse). In addition, MT-1303 administration significantly reduced the number of infiltrating Th1 and Th17 cells into the lamina propria of the colon in colitis mice. Our results suggest that MT-1303 acts as a functional antagonist of the S1P1 receptor on lymphocytes, regulates lymphocyte trafficking, and inhibits infiltration of colitogenic Th1 and Th17 cells into the colon to inhibit the development of chronic colitis.

Amiselimod (MT-1303), a Novel Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor-1 Modulator, Potently Inhibits the Progression of Lupus Nephritis in Two Murine SLE Models.

Amiselimod (MT-1303) is a novel and selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1) modulator with a more favorable cardiac safety profile than other S1P1 receptor modulators. In this study, we evaluated the effects of MT-1303 on the progression of lupus nephritis in two well-known murine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) models, MRL/lpr and NZBWF1 mice, compared with those of FK506. Daily oral doses of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg MT-1303 not only inhibited the development of lupus nephritis when administered before onset in MRL/lpr and NZBWF1 mice but also improved symptoms of lupus nephritis when administered after onset in MRL/lpr mice. Its efficacy in these models was more potent or comparable to that of FK506 (1 and 3 mg/kg). In histological analysis, treatment with MT-1303 inhibited infiltration of T cells into the kidneys, mesangial expansion, and glomerular sclerosis. MT-1303 treatment resulted in a marked reduction in T cells and B cells in the peripheral blood and significantly inhibited increases in the number of plasma cells in the spleen and T cells in the kidneys. In addition, administration of MT-1303 suppressed elevations in serum anti-dsDNA antibody levels in MRL/lpr mice, but not in NZBWF1 mice. Our findings show that MT-1303 exhibits marked therapeutic effects on lupus nephritis in two SLE models, likely by reducing the infiltration of autoreactive T cells into the kidneys. These results suggest that MT-1303 has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for patients suffering from SLE, including lupus nephritis.

Amiselimod, a novel sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 modulator, has potent therapeutic efficacy for autoimmune diseases, with low bradycardia risk.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We conducted preclinical and clinical studies to examine the pharmacological, particularly cardiac, effects of amiselimod (MT-1303), a second-generation sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, designed to reduce the bradycardia associated with fingolimod and other S1P receptor modulators. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The selectivity of the active metabolite amiselimod phosphate (amiselimod-P) for human S1P receptors and activation of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels in human atrial myocytes were assessed. Its cardiac distribution was determined in rats, and cardiovascular telemetry was assessed in monkeys. We also examined the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of amiselimod in healthy humans. KEY RESULTS: Amiselimod-P showed potent selectivity for S1P1 and high selectivity for S1P5 receptors, with minimal agonist activity for S1P4 and no distinct agonist activity for S1P2 or S1P3 receptors and approximately five-fold weaker GIRK activation than fingolimod-P. After oral administration of amiselimod or fingolimod at 1 mg·kg-1 , the concentration of amiselimod-P in rat heart tissue was lower than that of fingolimod-P, potentially contributing to the minimal cardiac effects of amiselimod. A telemetry study in monkeys confirmed that amiselimod did not affect heart rate or ECG parameters. In healthy human subjects, peripheral blood lymphocyte counts gradually reduced over the 21 day dosing period, with similar lymphocyte count profiles with the highest doses by day 21, and no clinically significant bradycardia observed on day 1 or during the study. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Amiselimod exhibited potent therapeutic efficacy with minimal cardiac effects at the anticipated clinical dose and is unlikely to require dose titration.

A phenotypic drug discovery study on thienodiazepine derivatives as inhibitors of T cell proliferation induced by CD28 co-stimulation leads to the discovery of a first bromodomain inhibitor.

A phenotypic screening of thienodiazepines derived from a hit compound found through a binding assay targeting co-stimulatory molecules on T cells and antigen presenting cells successfully led to the discovery of a thienotriazolodiazepine compound (7f) possessing potent immunosuppressive activity. A chemical biology approach has succeeded in revealing that 7f is a first inhibitor of epigenetic bromodomain-containing proteins. 7f is expected to become an anti-cancer agent as well as an immunosuppressive agent.

IL-17-Producing Vγ4+ γδ T Cells Require Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor 1 for Their Egress from the Lymph Nodes under Homeostatic and Inflammatory Conditions.

Conventional αß T cells require sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor 1 (S1P1) for circulation through the lymph nodes (LN); however, it is unclear whether γδ T cells use similar mechanisms. In this study, we found that treatment with fingolimod (FTY720, 1 mg/kg, orally) markedly reduced not only conventional CD4 T cells but also circulating γδ T cells (Vγ4(+) and Vγ4(-) subsets) in the blood of mice. In contrast, IL-17(+)Vγ4(+), IL-17(+)Vγ4(-), and IL-17(-)Vγ4(-) subsets were significantly accumulated in the LN after 6 h of FTY720 treatment. By skin application of a synthetic TLR7/8 agonist, Vγ4(+) γδ T cells (IL-17(+) and IL-17(-) subsets) were accumulated and expanded in the draining LN (DLN), whereas the IL-17(+) subset predominantly migrated to the inflamed skin. FTY720 induced a marked sequestration of IL-17-producing Vγ4(+) γδ T cells in the DLN and inhibited their infiltration into the inflamed skin. Similarly, FTY720 inhibited infiltration of Vγ4(+) γδ T cells into the CNS by their sequestration into the DLN in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Vγ4(+) γδ T cells expressed a significant level of S1P1 and showed a migratory response toward S1P. FTY720 treatment induced almost complete downregulation of S1P1 expression and S1P responsiveness in Vγ4(+) γδ T cells. Our findings strongly suggest that IL-17-producing Vγ4(+) γδ T cells require S1P1 for their egress from the LN under homeostatic and inflammatory conditions. Consequently, inhibition of S1P1-dependent egress of pathogenic IL-17-producing Vγ4(+) γδ T cells from the DLN may partly contribute the clinical therapeutic effects of FTY720 in relapsing multiple sclerosis.

S1P lyase in thymic perivascular spaces promotes egress of mature thymocytes via up-regulation of S1P receptor 1.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and S1P receptor 1 (S1P1) play an important role in the egress of mature CD4 or CD8 single-positive (SP) thymocytes from the thymus. Fingolimod hydrochloride (FTY720), an S1P1 functional antagonist, induced significant accumulation of CD62L(high)CD69(low) mature SP thymocytes in the thymic medulla. Immunohistochemical staining using anti-S1P1 antibody revealed that S1P1 is predominantly expressed on thymocytes in the thymic medulla and is strongly down-regulated even at 3h after FTY720 administration. 2-Acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI), an S1P lyase inhibitor, also induced accumulation of mature SP thymocytes in the thymic medulla with an enlargement of the perivascular spaces (PVS). At 6h after THI administration, S1P1-expressing thymocytes reduced partially as if to form clusters and hardly existed in the proximity of CD31-expressing blood vessels in the thymic medulla, suggesting S1P lyase expression in the cells constructing thymic medullary PVS. To determine the cells expressing S1P lyase in the thymus, we newly established a mAb (YK19-2) specific for mouse S1P lyase. Immunohistochemical staining with YK19-2 revealed that S1P lyase is predominantly expressed in non-lymphoid thymic stromal cells in the thymic medulla. In the thymic medullary PVS, S1P lyase was expressed in ER-TR7-positive cells (reticular fibroblasts and pericytes) and CD31-positive vascular endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that S1P lyase expressed in the thymic medullary PVS keeps the tissue S1P concentration low around the vessels and promotes thymic egress via up-regulation of S1P1.

A new phenylpyrazoleanilide, y-320, inhibits interleukin 17 production and ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis in mice and cynomolgus monkeys.

Interleukin (IL)-15 and IL-17 are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because both pro-inflammatory cytokines are found in synovial fluid of RA patients. In this study, we examined the pharmacological profiles of Y-320, a new phenylpyrazoleanilide immunomodulator. Y-320 inhibited IL-17 production by CD4 T cells stimulated with IL-15 with IC50 values of 20 to 60 nM. Oral administration of Y-320 (0.3 to 3 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the development and progression of arthritis and joint destruction with reduction of IL-17 mRNA expression in arthritic joints of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice. Y-320 in combination with anti-murine tumor necrosis factor-α monoclonal antibody showed a synergistic effect on mouse CIA. Moreover, therapeutic treatment with Y-320 (0.3 and 1 mg/kg orally) ameliorated CIA in cynomolgus monkeys. Our results suggest that Y-320, an orally active inhibitor for IL-17 production, provides a useful therapy for RA.

Differential dose response of mTOR signaling to oral administration of leucine in skeletal muscle and liver of rats.

Phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1) in the rat liver increased in proportion to the amount of leucine administered, ranging from 0.169 to 1.35 g/kg of body weight. In the skeletal muscle, phosphorylation of these factors reached a plateau at 0.675 g/kg of body weight. The sensitivity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling to leucine in the skeletal muscle appeared to be higher than that in the liver.

Local administration of L-DOPA in the chicken ventromedial hypothalamus increases dopamine release in a dose-dependent manner.

L-DOPA induced extracellular dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) of chickens were measured by in vivo microdialysis. Several doses of 3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine (l-DOPA) were administered locally through the microdialysis probe into the VMH of chickens for 10 min. Local perfusion of l-DOPA increased the extracellular levels of DA. The increased DA was dose-related and was significantly higher compared to the baseline and control group. The maximal level of DA was 212% and 254%, respectively, of the baseline following administration of 1 and 2 µg/ml l-DOPA. There were no changes in NE and 5-HT levels from baseline after l-DOPA perfusion. l-DOPA (1 µg/ml) was mixed with Ca(2+)-free Ringer, tetrodotoxin (TTX) (2 µM) and high K(+) and was perfused for 30 min into the chicken VMH. TTX and Ca(2+)-free Ringer's solution inhibited the effectiveness of l-DOPA in increasing DA release. The NE and 5-HT levels were significantly lower than the baseline. After administration of K(+) a significant increase of DA, NE and 5-HT was observed. The microdialysis results are consistent with our objective that l-DOPA induced extracellular DA increases in the VMH in a dose-dependent manner and the released DA, NE and 5-HT within the dialysate were related to neuronal activity.

The mechanism underlying the central glucagon-induced hyperglycemia and anorexia in chicks.

We investigated the mechanism underlying central glucagon-induced hyperglycemia and anorexia in chicks. Male 8-day-old chicks (Gallus gallus) were used in all experiments. Intracerebroventricular administration of glucagon in chicks induced hyperglycemia and anorexia from 30 min after administration. However, the plasma insulin level did not increase until 90 min after glucagon administration, suggesting that glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells may be suppressed by central glucagon. The plasma corticosterone concentration significantly increased from 30 min to 120 min after administration, suggesting that central glucagon activates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis in chicks. However, central administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which activates the HPA axis in chicken hypothalamus, significantly reduced not only food intake but also plasma glucose concentration, suggesting that CRF and the activation of the HPA axis are related to the glucagon-induced anorexia but not hyperglycemia in chicks. Phentolamine, an α-adrenergic receptor antagonist, significantly attenuated the glucagon-induced hyperglycemia, suggesting that glucagon induced hyperglycemia at least partly via α-adrenergic neural pathway. Co-administration of phentolamine and α-helical CRF, a CRF receptor antagonist, significantly attenuated glucagon-induced hyperglycemia and anorexia. It is therefore likely that central administration of glucagon suppresses food intake at least partly via CRF-induced anorexigenic pathway in chicks.

L-DOPA induced extracellular dopamine increases in the ventromedial hypothalamus affects food intake by chickens on a lysine-free diet.

Previous work from our laboratory suggests that ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) dopamine levels were associated with decreased in food intake by chicken on a lysine-free diet. Dopamine in the VMH started to decrease from its baseline after presenting a lysine-free diet and subsequently food intake decreased. In the present study, the dopamine levels were manipulated by perfusing L-3-4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) into the VMH of chicken using the in vivo microdialysis technique and food intake was concomitantly measured when chickens received an experimental lysine-free diet. A microdialysis probe was implanted into the VMH. L-DOPA was then administered locally at 2 µg/ml through the dialysis probe into the VMH of free moving chicken for 15 min and the extracellular levels of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) were measured. Hourly food intake was also measured simultaneously both for control and experimental groups. Microdialysates collected from the VMH were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Local administration of L-DOPA in chicken VMH increased extracellular levels of DA, which was observed at 1-2.5h. There were no differences of NE and 5-HT levels from baseline in either group. Food intake was higher in L-DOPA treated chickens than controls at 2h. Chickens received the lysine-free diet ate as much of their diet as the controls in the subsequent 2h when the DA level was kept higher than the baseline. The findings suggest that L-DOPA induced extracellular DA increased in the VMH which was temporarily followed by the restoration of food intake in the lysine-free group.

Fingolimod (FTY720), sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator, shows superior efficacy as compared with interferon-ß in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Fingolimod (FTY720), a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, inhibits S1P-dependent lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid organs and is highly effective in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. In this study, we directly compared the therapeutic effects of FTY720 and recombinant mouse interferon (rm-IFN)-ß on relapse and progression of EAE in mice. When FTY720 at oral dose of 0.03 to 1 mg/kg was administered daily after establishment of EAE induced by myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) in SJL/J mice, relapse of EAE was significantly inhibited during administration period. Subcutaneous injection of rm-IFN-ß (10,000 IU/mouse) also inhibited the relapse of EAE at early period; however EAE was relapsed in all the mice within administration period. Therapeutic administration of FTY720 (0.03 to 1 mg/kg) significantly improved the symptoms of chronic EAE induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein in C57BL/6 mice whereas rm-IFN-ß (10,000 IU/mouse) showed no clear effect. These results indicate that FTY720 is more efficacious in mouse EAE as compared with rm-IFN-ß. FTY720 markedly reduced the frequency of PLP-specific Th17 and Th1 cells in the spinal cord of EAE mice. On the contrary, FTY720 increased the frequency of PLP-specific Th17 and Th1 cells in the inguinal lymph nodes, suggesting inhibition of egress of myelin antigen-specific Th cells from draining lymph nodes. From these results, the ameliorating effects of FTY720 on EAE are likely due to reduction of infiltration of myelin antigen-specific Th17 and Th1 cells into the central nervous system.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor type 1 regulates egress of mature T cells from mouse bone marrow.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and its receptor, S1P receptor type 1 (S1P(1)), are essential for lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid organs (SLO). Fingolimod (FTY720), the S1P receptor modulator, inhibits lymphocyte egress from SLO and decreases circulating lymphocytes; however, it also induces a significant decrease in the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes in alymphoplasia (aly/aly) mice lacking SLO. In this study, we demonstrated that the administration of FTY720 induced sequestration of mature lymphocytes, particularly T cells, into the bone marrow (BM) in aly/aly mice, implying that the reduction of circulating lymphocytes in these mice by FTY720 was due to inhibition of lymphocyte egress from the BM. Since sequestration of mature T cells into the BM was also induced in normal mice by selective S1P(1) agonist or S1P lyase inhibitor, it is suggested that S1P(1) expression and the S1P gradient play an important role in egress of mature T cells from the BM. Prophylactic administration of FTY720 to ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized mice significantly inhibited footpad swelling induced by OVA challenging with a marked reduction of OVA-specific T(h) cells in the BM, indicating that immunomodulation by FTY720 is likely due to reduced circulation of antigen-specific T(h) cells. On the other hand, OVA-specific T(h) cells, like naive T cells, were also sequestered into the BM and SLO of OVA-immunized mice by a short exposure of FTY720 after OVA challenging. These results suggest that the S1P-S1P(1) axis plays a regulatory role in egress of mature T cells including antigen-specific T(h) cells from the BM.

Removal of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-3 (S1P(3)) agonism is essential, but inadequate to obtain immunomodulating 2-aminopropane-1,3-diol S1P(1) agonists with reduced effect on heart rate.

A series of 2-substituted 2-aminopropane-1,3-diols having a biphenyl moiety and their phosphate esters were synthesized to obtain sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P(1)) receptor agonists with potent immunomodulatory activity accompanied by little or no effect on heart rate. Many of the synthesized compounds sufficiently decreased the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Some of the phosphates had potent agonism at S1P(1) but no agonism at S1P(3), which had been reported to be a receptor responsible for heart rate reduction. Although high S1P(1)/S1P(3) selectivity was considered to be favorable to reduce the effect on heart rate, almost all the phosphates showed a remarkable heart rate lowering effect in vivo. The results suggest that other factors in addition to S1P(3) agonism should be responsible for the heart rate reduction caused by S1P(1) agonists. Only 2-amino-2-[2-[2'-fluoro-4'-(4-methylphenylthio)biphenyl-4-yl]ethyl]propane-1,3-diol (6d) was identified as a desired S1P(1) receptor agonist having both the immunomodulatory activity and an attenuated effect on heart rate by a unique screening flow using in vivo evaluating systems primarily.