scholarly journals NirA Is an Alternative Nitrite Reductase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Potential as an Antivirulence Target

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Fenn ◽  
Jean-Frédéric Dubern ◽  
Cristina Cigana ◽  
Maura De Simone ◽  
James Lazenby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Nitrite Reductase ◽  
Disease Models ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Isogenic Mutant ◽  
Virulence Traits ◽  
Infection Models

ABSTRACT The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces an arsenal of virulence factors causing a wide range of diseases in multiple hosts and is difficult to eradicate due to its intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. With the antibacterial pipeline drying up, antivirulence therapy has become an attractive alternative strategy to the traditional use of antibiotics to treat P. aeruginosa infections. To identify P. aeruginosa genes required for virulence in multiple hosts, a random library of Tn5 mutants in strain PAO1-L was previously screened in vitro for those showing pleiotropic effects in the production of virulence phenotypes. Using this strategy, we identified a Tn5 mutant with an insertion in PA4130 showing reduced levels of a number of virulence traits in vitro. Construction of an isogenic mutant in this gene presented results similar to those for the Tn5 mutant. Furthermore, the PA4130 isogenic mutant showed substantial attenuation in disease models of Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans as well as reduced toxicity in human cell lines. Mice infected with this mutant demonstrated an 80% increased survival rate in acute and agar bead lung infection models. PA4130 codes for a protein with homology to nitrite and sulfite reductases. Overexpression of PA4130 in the presence of the siroheme synthase CysG enabled its purification as a soluble protein. Methyl viologen oxidation assays with purified PA4130 showed that this enzyme is a nitrite reductase operating in a ferredoxin-dependent manner. The preference for nitrite and production of ammonium revealed that PA4130 is an ammonia:ferredoxin nitrite reductase and hence was named NirA. IMPORTANCE The emergence of widespread antimicrobial resistance has led to the need for development of novel therapeutic interventions. Antivirulence strategies are an attractive alternative to classic antimicrobial therapy; however, they require identification of new specific targets which can be exploited in drug discovery programs. The host-specific nature of P. aeruginosa virulence adds complexity to the discovery of these types of targets. Using a sequence of in vitro assays and phylogenetically diverse in vivo disease models, we have identified a PA4130 mutant with reduced production in a number of virulence traits and severe attenuation across all infection models tested. Characterization of PA4130 revealed that it is a ferredoxin-nitrite reductase and hence was named NirA. These results, together with attenuation of nirA mutants in different clinical isolates, high level conservation of its gene product in P. aeruginosa genomes, and the lack of orthologues in human genomes, make NirA an attractive antivirulence target.

scholarly journals Toll-Like Receptor 4 Agonistic Antibody Promotes Host Defense against Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection in Mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (7) ◽  
pp. 1986-1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeki Nakamura ◽  
Naoki Iwanaga ◽  
Masafumi Seki ◽  
Kenji Fukudome ◽  
Kazuhiro Oshima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Neutrophil Recruitment ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Bacterial Clearance ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 4 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Opsonophagocytic Killing

Chronic lower respiratory tract infection withPseudomonas aeruginosais difficult to treat due to enhanced antibiotic resistance and decreased efficacy of drug delivery to destroyed lung tissue. To determine the potential for restorative immunomodulation therapies, we evaluated the effect of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation on the host immune response toPseudomonasinfection in mice. We implanted sterile plastic tubes precoated withP. aeruginosain the bronchi of mice, administered the TLR4/MD2 agonistic monoclonal antibody UT12 intraperitoneally every week, and subsequently analyzed the numbers of viable bacteria and inflammatory cells and the levels of cytokines. We also performed flow cytometry-based phagocytosis and opsonophagocytic killing assaysin vitrousing UT12-treated murine peritoneal neutrophils. UT12-treated mice showed significantly enhanced bacterial clearance, increased numbers of Ly6G+neutrophils, and increased concentrations of macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) in the lungs (P< 0.05). Depletion of CD4+T cells eliminated the ability of the UT12 treatment to improve bacterial clearance and promote neutrophil recruitment and MIP-2 production. Additionally, UT12-pretreated peritoneal neutrophils exhibited increased opsonophagocytic killing activity via activation of the serine protease pathway, specifically neutrophil elastase activity, in a TLR4-dependent manner. These data indicated that UT12 administration significantly augmented the innate immune response against chronic bacterial infection, in part by promoting neutrophil recruitment and bactericidal function.

scholarly journals A Novel Anti-PcrV Antibody Providing Enhanced Protection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Multiple Animal Infection Models

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 4384-4391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Warrener ◽  
Reena Varkey ◽  
Jessica C. Bonnell ◽  
Antonio DiGiandomenico ◽  
Maria Camara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated ◽  
Potent Inhibition ◽  
Infection Models ◽  
High Risk Populations ◽  
Hospital Acquired

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosais a major cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in mechanically ventilated patients, and it is the leading cause of death in cystic fibrosis patients. A key virulence factor associated with disease severity is theP. aeruginosatype III secretion system (T3SS), which injects bacterial toxins directly into the cytoplasm of host cells. The PcrV protein, located at the tip of the T3SS injectisome complex, is required for T3SS function and is a well-validated target in animal models of immunoprophylactic strategies targetingP. aeruginosa. In an effort to identify a highly potent and protective monoclonal antibody (MAb) that inhibits the T3SS, we generated and characterized a panel of novel anti-PcrV MAbs. Interestingly, some MAbs exhibiting potent inhibition of T3SSin vitrofailed to provide protection in a mouse model ofP. aeruginosainfection, suggesting that effectivein vivoinhibition of T3SS with anti-PcrV MAbs is epitope dependent. V2L2MD, while not the most potent MAb as assessed byin vitrocytotoxicity inhibition assays, provided strong prophylactic protection in several murine infection models and a postinfection therapeutic model. V2L2MD mediated significantly (P< 0.0001) betterin vivoprotection than that provided by a comparator antibody, MAb166, a well-characterized anti-PcrV MAb and the progenitor of a clinical candidate, KB001-A. The results described here support further development of a V2L2MD-containing immunotherapeutic and may suggest even greater potential than was previously recognized for the prevention and treatment ofP. aeruginosainfections in high-risk populations.

scholarly journals OligoG CF-5/20 Disruption of Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm in a Murine Lung Infection Model

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 2620-2626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Hengzhuang ◽  
Zhijun Song ◽  
Oana Ciofu ◽  
Edvar Onsøyen ◽  
Philip D. Rye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Log Reduction

ABSTRACTBiofilm growth is a universal survival strategy for bacteria, providing an effective and resilient approach for survival in an otherwise hostile environment. In the context of an infection, a biofilm provides resistance and tolerance to host immune defenses and antibiotics, allowing the biofilm population to survive and thrive under conditions that would destroy their planktonic counterparts. Therefore, the disruption of the biofilm is a key step in eradicating persistent bacterial infections, as seen in many types of chronic disease. In these studies, we used bothin vitrominimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) assays and anin vivomodel of chronic biofilm infection to demonstrate the biofilm-disrupting effects of an alginate oligomer, OligoG CF-5/20. Biofilm infections were established in mice by tracheal instillation of a mucoid clinical isolate ofPseudomonas aeruginosaembedded in alginate polymer beads. The disruption of the biofilm by OligoG CF-5/20 was observed in a dose-dependent manner over 24 h, with up to a 2.5-log reduction in CFU in the infected mouse lungs. Furthermore,in vitroassays showed that 5% OligoG CF-5/20 significantly reduced the MBEC for colistin from 512 μg/ml to 4 μg/ml after 8 h. These findings support the potential for OligoG CF-5/20 as a biofilm disruption agent which may have clinical value in reducing the microbial burden in chronic biofilm infections.

scholarly journals Coculture of Staphylococcus aureus with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Drives S. aureus towards Fermentative Metabolism and Reduced Viability in a Cystic Fibrosis Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (14) ◽  
pp. 2252-2264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Filkins ◽  
Jyoti A. Graber ◽  
Daniel G. Olson ◽  
Emily L. Dolben ◽  
Lee R. Lynd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Aerobic Respiration ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coculture System

ABSTRACTThe airways of patients with cystic fibrosis are colonized with diverse bacterial communities that change dynamically during pediatric years and early adulthood.Staphylococcus aureusis the most prevalent pathogen during early childhood, but during late teens and early adulthood, a shift in microbial composition occurs leading toPseudomonas aeruginosacommunity predominance in ∼50% of adults. We developed a robust dual-bacterialin vitrococulture system ofP. aeruginosaandS. aureuson monolayers of human bronchial epithelial cells homozygous for the ΔF508 cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutation to better model the mechanisms of this interaction. We show thatP. aeruginosadrives theS. aureusexpression profile from that of aerobic respiration to fermentation. This shift is dependent on the production of both 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinolineN-oxide (HQNO) and siderophores byP. aeruginosa. Furthermore,S. aureus-produced lactate is a carbon source thatP. aeruginosapreferentially consumes over medium-supplied glucose. We find that initiallyS. aureusandP. aeruginosacoexist; however, over extended cocultureP. aeruginosareducesS. aureusviability, also in an HQNO- andP. aeruginosasiderophore-dependent manner. Interestingly,S. aureussmall-colony-variant (SCV) genetic mutant strains, which have defects in their electron transport chain, experience reduced killing byP. aeruginosacompared to their wild-type parent strains; thus, SCVs may provide a mechanism for persistence ofS. aureusin the presence ofP. aeruginosa. We propose that the mechanism ofP. aeruginosa-mediated killing ofS. aureusis multifactorial, requiring HQNO andP. aeruginosasiderophores as well as additional genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors.IMPORTANCEIn individuals with cystic fibrosis,Staphylococcus aureusis the primary respiratory pathogen during childhood. During adulthood,Pseudomonas aeruginosapredominates and correlates with worse patient outcome. The mechanism(s) by whichP. aeruginosaoutcompetes or killsS. aureusis not well understood. We describe anin vitrodual-bacterial species coculture system on cystic fibrosis-derived airway cells, which models interactions relevant to patients with cystic fibrosis. Further, we show that molecules produced byP. aeruginosaadditively induce a transition ofS. aureusmetabolism from aerobic respiration to fermentation and eventually lead to loss ofS. aureusviability. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms ofP. aeruginosacommunity predominance can provide new therapeutic targets and approaches to impede this microbial community transition and subsequent patient worsening.

scholarly journals ComparativeIn VitroandIn VivoEfficacies of Human Simulated Doses of Ceftazidime and Ceftazidime-Avibactam against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (12) ◽  
pp. 6137-6146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared L. Crandon ◽  
Virna J. Schuck ◽  
Mary Anne Banevicius ◽  
Marie-Eve Beaudoin ◽  
Wright W. Nichols ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Hollow Fiber ◽  
Time Profile ◽  
Fiber System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Concentration Time ◽  
Infection Models ◽  
Immunocompetent Mice

ABSTRACTThe combination of ceftazidime and avibactam possesses potent activity against resistant Gram-negative pathogens, includingPseudomonas aeruginosa. We compared the efficacies of human simulated doses of ceftazidime and ceftazidime-avibactam using a hollow-fiber system and neutropenic and immunocompetent murine thigh infection models. Twenty-seven clinicalP. aeruginosaisolates with ceftazidime MICs of 8 to 128 mg/liter and ceftazidime-avibactam MICs of 4 to 32 mg/liter were utilized in neutropenic mouse studies; 15 of the isolates were also evaluated in immunocompetent mice. Six isolates were studied in both the hollow-fiber system and the neutropenic mouse. In both systems, the free drug concentration-time profile seen in humans given 2 g of ceftazidime every 8 h (2-h infusion), with or without avibactam at 500 mg every 8 h (2-h infusion), was evaluated.In vivoactivity was pharmacodynamically predictable based on the MIC. Ceftazidime decreased bacterial densities by ≥0.5 log unit for 10/27 isolates, while ceftazidime-avibactam did so for 22/27 isolates. In immunocompetent animals, enhancements in activity were seen for both drugs, with ceftazidime achieving reductions of ≥0.3 log unit for 10/15 isolates, whereas ceftazidime-avibactam did so against all 15 isolates.In vitro, ceftazidime resulted in regrowth by 24 h against all isolates, while ceftazidime-avibactam achieved stasis or better against 4/7 isolates. Mutants with elevated ceftazidime-avibactam MICs appeared after 24 h from 3/7 isolates studiedin vitro; however, no resistant mutants were detectedin vivo. Against this highly ceftazidime-nonsusceptible population ofP. aeruginosa, treatment with human simulated doses of ceftazidime-avibactam resulted in pharmacodynamically predictable activity, particularlyin vivo, against isolates with MICs of ≤16 mg/liter, and this represents a potential new option to combat these difficult-to-treat pathogens.

scholarly journals NirA is an alternative nitrite reductase fromPseudomonas aeruginosawith potential as an anti-virulence target

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Fenn ◽  
Jean-Frédéric Dubern ◽  
Cristina Cigana ◽  
Maura De Simone ◽  
James Lazenby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrite Reductase ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Isogenic Mutant ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Drying Up ◽  
Tn5 Mutant

ABSTRACTThe opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosaproduces an arsenal of virulence factors causing a wide range of diseases in multiple hosts and is difficult to eradicate due to its intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. With the antibacterial pipeline drying up, anti-virulence therapy has become an attractive alternative strategy to the traditional use of antibiotics to treatP. aeruginosainfections. To identifyP. aeruginosagenes required for virulence in multiple hosts, a random library of Tn5 mutants in PAO1-L was previously screenedin vitrofor those showing pleiotropic effects in the production of virulence phenotypes. Using this strategy, we have identified a Tn5 mutant with an insertion in PA4130 showing reduced levels in a number of virulence traitsin vitro. Construction of an isogenic mutant in this gene presented similar results as those from the Tn5 mutant. Furthermore, the PA4130 isogenic mutant showed substantial attenuation in disease models ofDrosophila melanogaster,Caenorhabditis elegansas well as decreased toxicity in human cell lines. This mutant also presented an 80% increased survival in murine acute and agar-bead lung infection models. PA4130 codes for a protein with homology to nitrite and sulphite reductases. Overexpression of PA4130 in the presence of the siroheme synthase CysG enabled its purification as a soluble protein. Methyl viologen oxidation assays with purified PA4130 showed that this protein is a nitrite reductase operating in a siroheme and 4Fe-4S dependant manner. The preference for nitrite and the production of ammonium revealed that PA4130 is an ammonia:ferredoxin nitrite reductase and hence was named as NirA.

scholarly journals In VitroAnalyses of the Effects of Heparin and Parabens on Candida albicans Biofilms and Planktonic Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa H. Miceli ◽  
Stella M. Bernardo ◽  
T. S. Neil Ku ◽  
Carla Walraven ◽  
Samuel A. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Metabolic Activity ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heparin Sodium ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACTInfections and thromboses are the most common complications associated with central venous catheters. Suggested strategies for prevention and management of these complications include the use of heparin-coated catheters, heparin locks, and antimicrobial lock therapy. However, the effects of heparin onCandida albicansbiofilms and planktonic cells have not been previously studied. Therefore, we sought to determine thein vitroeffect of a heparin sodium preparation (HP) on biofilms and planktonic cells ofC. albicans. Because HP contains two preservatives, methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP), these compounds and heparin sodium without preservatives (Pure-H) were also tested individually. The metabolic activity of the mature biofilm after treatment was assessed using XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction and microscopy. Pure-H, MP, and PP caused up to 75, 85, and 60% reductions of metabolic activity of the mature preformedC. albicansbiofilms, respectively. Maximal efficacy against the mature biofilm was observed with HP (up to 90%) compared to the individual compounds (P< 0.0001). Pure-H, MP, and PP each inhibitedC. albicansbiofilm formation up to 90%. A complete inhibition of biofilm formation was observed with HP at 5,000 U/ml and higher. When tested against planktonic cells, each compound inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that HP, MP, PP, and Pure-H havein vitroantifungal activity againstC. albicansmature biofilms, formation of biofilms, and planktonic cells. Investigation of high-dose heparin-based strategies (e.g., heparin locks) in combination with traditional antifungal agents for the treatment and/or prevention ofC. albicansbiofilms is warranted.

scholarly journals Impact of n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Growth of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Interactions with Amikacin and Ceftazidime

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 2187-2189 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis ◽  
P. Grecka ◽  
A. Dionyssiou-Asteriou ◽  
H. Giamarellou
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Experimental Infection ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Gamma Linolenic Acid ◽  
Infection Models ◽  
Over Time ◽  
In Vitro Interactions

ABSTRACT Twenty-six multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosaisolates were exposed over time to 300 μg of gamma-linolenic acid or arachidonic acid per ml or to the combination of both acids at 150 μg/ml each with ceftazidime and amikacin with or without albumin to observe the in vitro interactions of the antibiotics. Antibiotics and albumin were applied at their levels found in serum. Synergy between acids and antibiotics was found against 13 isolates, and it was expressed after 5 h of growth in the presence of albumin. The results indicate that further application in experimental infection models is merited.

scholarly journals Exogenous Alginate Protects Staphylococcus aureus from Killing by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2019 ◽  
Vol 202 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney E. Price ◽  
Dustin G. Brown ◽  
Dominique H. Limoli ◽  
Vanessa V. Phelan ◽  
George A. O’Toole
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Late Time ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Alginate Production ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients chronically infected with both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus have worse health outcomes than patients who are monoinfected with either P. aeruginosa or S. aureus. We showed previously that mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa can coexist with S. aureus in vitro due to the transcriptional downregulation of several toxic exoproducts typically produced by P. aeruginosa, including siderophores, rhamnolipids, and HQNO (2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide). Here, we demonstrate that exogenous alginate protects S. aureus from P. aeruginosa in both planktonic and biofilm coculture models under a variety of nutritional conditions. S. aureus protection in the presence of exogenous alginate is due to the transcriptional downregulation of pvdA, a gene required for the production of the iron-scavenging siderophore pyoverdine as well as the downregulation of the PQS (Pseudomonas quinolone signal) (2-heptyl-3,4-dihydroxyquinoline) quorum sensing system. The impact of exogenous alginate is independent of endogenous alginate production. We further demonstrate that coculture of mucoid P. aeruginosa with nonmucoid P. aeruginosa strains can mitigate the killing of S. aureus by the nonmucoid strain of P. aeruginosa, indicating that the mechanism that we describe here may function in vivo in the context of mixed infections. Finally, we investigated a panel of mucoid clinical isolates that retain the ability to kill S. aureus at late time points and show that each strain has a unique expression profile, indicating that mucoid isolates can overcome the S. aureus-protective effects of mucoidy in a strain-specific manner. IMPORTANCE CF patients are chronically infected by polymicrobial communities. The two dominant bacterial pathogens that infect the lungs of CF patients are P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, with ∼30% of patients coinfected by both species. Such coinfected individuals have worse outcomes than monoinfected patients, and both species persist within the same physical space. A variety of host and environmental factors have been demonstrated to promote P. aeruginosa-S. aureus coexistence, despite evidence that P. aeruginosa kills S. aureus when these organisms are cocultured in vitro. Thus, a better understanding of P. aeruginosa-S. aureus interactions, particularly mechanisms by which these microorganisms are able to coexist in proximal physical space, will lead to better-informed treatments for chronic polymicrobial infections.

Cerebrovascular characterization of clazosentan, the first nonpeptide endothelin receptor antagonist clinically effective for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm. Part I: Inhibitory effect on endothelinA receptor—mediated contraction

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 1101-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hartmut Vatter ◽  
Michael Zimmermann ◽  
Veronika Tesanovic ◽  
Andreas Raabe ◽  
Lothar Schilling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Cerebral Vasospasm ◽  
Isometric Force ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Affinity Constant ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Right ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The central role of endothelin (ET)—1 in the development of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage is indicated by the successful treatment of this vasospasm in several animal models by using selective ETA receptor antagonists. Clazosentan is a selective ETA receptor antagonist that provides for the first time clinical proof that ET-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm. The aim of the present investigation was, therefore, to define the pharmacological properties of clazosentan that affect ETA receptor—mediated contraction in the cerebrovasculature. Methods. Isometric force measurements were performed in rat basilar artery (BA) ring segments with (E+) and without (E−) endothelial function. Concentration effect curves (CECs) were constructed by cumulative application of ET-1 or big ET-1 in the absence or presence of clazosentan (10−9, 10−8, and 10−7 M). The inhibitory potency of clazosentan was determined by the value of the affinity constant (pA2). The CECs for contraction induced by ET-1 and big ET-1 were shifted to the right in the presence of clazosentan in a parallel dose-dependent manner, which indicates competitive antagonism. The pA2 values for ET-1 were 7.8 (E+) and 8.6 (E−) and the corresponding values for big ET-1 were 8.6 (E+) and 8.3 (E−). Conclusions. The present data characterize clazosentan as a potent competitive antagonist of ETA receptor—mediated constriction of the cerebrovasculature by ET-1 and its precursor big ET-1. These functional data may also be used to define an in vitro profile of an ET receptor antagonist with a high probability of clinical efficacy.

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