scholarly journals Advanced therapeutic inhalation aerosols of a Nrf2 activator and RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor for targeted pulmonary drug delivery in pulmonary hypertension: design, characterization, aerosolization, in vitro 2D/3D human lung cell cultures, and in vivo efficacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 175346662199824
Author(s):  
Maria F. Acosta ◽  
Priya Muralidharan ◽  
Carissa L. Grijalva ◽  
Michael D. Abrahamson ◽  
Don Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Residual Water ◽  
Particle Engineering ◽  
Rock Inhibitor ◽  
Molecular Fingerprint ◽  
Nrf2 Activator

Inhalable nanostructured microparticles of simvastatin, a Nrf2 activator and RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, were rationally designed for targeted pulmonary delivery as dry powder inhalers (DPIs) for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Advanced particle engineering design technology was employed to develop inhalable dry powders using different dilute feed concentrations and spray drying pump rates. Several analytical techniques were used comprehensively to characterize the physicochemical properties of the resulting powders. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize particle morphology (shape), surface structure, size, and size distribution. Karl Fischer titration (KFT) was employed to quantify the residual water content in the powders. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) was used to determine crystallinity. Hot-stage microscopy (HSM) under cross-polarizing lens was used to observe the presence or absence of birefringence characteristic of crystallinity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to quantify thermotropic phase behavior. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to determine the molecular fingerprint of simvastatin powders before and after particle engineering design. In vitro aerosol dispersion performance was performed with three different Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved human DPI devices. Cell viability and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) were demonstrated using different in vitro human pulmonary cell two and three-dimensional models at the air–liquid interface, and in vivo safety in healthy rats by inhalation. Efficacy was demonstrated in the in vivo lamb model of PH. Four different inhalable powders of simvastatin were successfully produced. They possessed nanostructured surfaces and were in the inhalable size range. Simvastatin retained its crystallinity following particle engineering design. The more dilute feed concentration spray dried at the lower pump rate produced the smallest particles. All powders successfully aerosolized with all three DPI human devices. Inhaled simvastatin as an aerosol restored the endothelial function in the shunt lamb model of PH, as demonstrated by the reduction of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

scholarly journals Advanced Microparticulate/Nanoparticulate Respirable Dry Powders of a Selective RhoA/Rho Kinase (Rock) Inhibitor for Targeted Pulmonary Inhalation Aerosol Delivery

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2188
Author(s):  
Priya Muralidharan ◽  
Don Hayes ◽  
Jeffrey R. Fineman ◽  
Stephen M. Black ◽  
Heidi M. Mansour
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Physicochemical Characterization ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Drug Dose ◽  
Particle Engineering ◽  
Rock Inhibitor ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Human Lung Cells ◽  
Aerosol Dispersion

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disease that eventually leads to heart failure and potentially death for some patients. There are many unique advantages to treating pulmonary diseases directly and non-invasively by inhalation aerosols and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) possess additional unique advantages. There continues to be significant unmet medical needs in the effective treatment of PH that target the underlying mechanisms. To date, there is no FDA-approved DPI indicated for the treatment of PH. Fasudil is a novel RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor that has shown great potential in effectively treating pulmonary hypertension. This systematic study is the first to report on the design and development of DPI formulations comprised of respirable nanoparticles/microparticles using particle engineering design by advanced spray drying. In addition, comprehensive physicochemical characterization, in vitro aerosol aerosol dispersion performance with different types of human DPI devices, in vitro cell-drug dose response cell viability of different human respiratory cells from distinct lung regions, and in vitro transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) as air-interface culture (AIC) demonstrated that these innovative DPI fasudil formulations are safe on human lung cells and have high aerosol dispersion performance properties.

scholarly journals Microparticulate/nanoparticulate powders of a novel Nrf2 activator and an aerosol performance enhancer for pulmonary delivery targeting the lung Nrf2/Keap-1 pathway

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Muralidharan ◽  
Don Hayes ◽  
Stephen M. Black ◽  
Heidi M. Mansour
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Physicochemical Characterization ◽  
Pulmonary Delivery ◽  
Dry Powder Inhalers ◽  
Particle Engineering ◽  
Aerosol Performance ◽  
Nrf2 Activator ◽  
Respirable Particle

Solid-state respirable particle engineering design, physicochemical characterization, & in vitro aerosolization of advanced microparticulate/nanoparticulate dry powder inhalers targeting the lung Nrf2/Keap-1 pathway.

Fasudil, a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, protects against ischemic neuronal damage in vitro and in vivo by acting directly on neurons

2007 ◽  
Vol 1154 ◽  
pp. 215-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Yamashita ◽  
Yoshinori Kotani ◽  
Yoshimi Nakajima ◽  
Masamitsu Shimazawa ◽  
Shin-ichi Yoshimura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Rock Inhibitor

The Rho-Kinase (ROCK) Inhibitor Y-27632 Protects Against Excitotoxicity-Induced Neuronal Death In Vivo and In Vitro

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byeong Tak Jeon ◽  
Eun Ae Jeong ◽  
Sun-Young Park ◽  
Hyeonwi Son ◽  
Hyun Joo Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Death ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Rock Inhibitor

scholarly journals Rho kinase inhibition maintains intestinal and vascular barrier function by upregulation of occludin in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (4) ◽  
pp. G514-G528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna S. Grothaus ◽  
Guillermo Ares ◽  
Carrie Yuan ◽  
Douglas R. Wood ◽  
Catherine J. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Tight Junction ◽  
Necrotizing Enterocolitis ◽  
Therapeutic Target ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Rock Inhibitor ◽  
Cellular Permeability ◽  
Rock Inhibition ◽  
Rat Pup

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a deadly disease that occurs in 5–10% of neonates. Although NEC has been extensively studied, no single therapeutic target has been identified. Rho kinase (ROCK) is a serine/threonine kinase that affects multiple cellular processes, including tight junction (TJ) function, cellular permeability, and apoptosis. We hypothesized that ROCK inhibition would decrease cellular permeability, stabilize TJ proteins (occludin), and decrease the severity of NEC. To test this hypothesis, human colon epithelial cells (Caco-2) and human endothelial cells were studied. Cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide to simulate an in vitro model of NEC. The effect of ROCK inhibition was measured by transepithelial membrane resistance (TEER) and cellular permeability to FITC-dextran. The effects of ROCK inhibition in vivo were analyzed in the rat pup model of NEC. NEC was induced by feeding formula supplemented with Cronobacter sakazakii with or without gavaged ROCK inhibitor. Rat intestines were scored based on histological degree of injury. RNA and protein assays for occludin protein were performed for all models of NEC. Treatment with ROCK inhibitor significantly decreased cellular permeability in Caco-2 cells and increased TEER. Intestinal injury scoring revealed decreased scores in ROCK inhibitor-treated pups compared with NEC only. Both cell and rat pup models demonstrated an upregulation of occludin expression in the ROCK inhibitor-treated groups. Therefore, we conclude that ROCK inhibition protects against experimental NEC by strengthening barrier function via upregulation of occludin. These data suggest that ROCK may be a potential therapeutic target for patients with NEC. NEW & NOTEWORTHY These studies are the first to demonstrate an upregulation of occludin tight junction protein in response to Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibition. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that ROCK inhibition in experimental models of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is protective against NEC in both in vitro and in vivo models of disease.

Role of Rho-kinase in reexpansion pulmonary edema in rabbits

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (6) ◽  
pp. L946-L953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoto Sawafuji ◽  
Akitoshi Ishizaka ◽  
Mitsutomo Kohno ◽  
Hidefumi Koh ◽  
Sadatomo Tasaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Edema ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Intratracheal Instillation ◽  
Epithelial Permeability ◽  
Rock Inhibitor ◽  
Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema

Reexpansion of a collapsed lung increases the microvascular permeability and causes reexpansion pulmonary edema. Neutrophils and their products have been implicated in the development of this phenomenon. The small GTP-binding proteins Rho and its target Rho-kinase (ROCK) regulate endothelial permeability, although their roles in reexpansion pulmonary edema remain unclear. We studied the contribution of ROCK to pulmonary endothelial and epithelial permeability in a rabbit model of this disorder. Endothelial and epithelial permeability was assessed by measuring the tissue-to-plasma (T/P) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid-to-plasma (B/P) ratios with 125I-labeled albumin. After intratracheal instillation of 125I-albumin, epithelial permeability was also assessed from the plasma leak (PL) index, the ratio of 125I-albumin in plasma/total amount of instilled 125I-albumin. T/P, B/P, and PL index were significantly increased in the reexpanded lung. These increases were attenuated by pretreatment with Y-27632, a specific ROCK inhibitor. However, neutrophil influx, neutrophil elastase activity, and malondialdehyde concentrations in BAL fluid collected from the reexpanded lung were not changed by Y-27632. In endothelial monolayers, Y-27632 significantly attenuated the H2O2-induced increase in permeability and mitigated the morphological changes in the actin microfilament cytoskeleton of endothelial cells. These in vivo and in vitro observations suggest that the Rho/ROCK pathway contributes to the increase in alveolar barrier permeability associated with reexpansion pulmonary edema.

scholarly journals Marliolide Derivative Induces Melanosome Degradation via Nrf2/p62-Mediated Autophagy

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 3995
Author(s):  
Cheong-Yong Yun ◽  
Nahyun Choi ◽  
Jae Un Lee ◽  
Eun Jung Lee ◽  
Ji Young Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Related Factor ◽  
Melanin Pigmentation ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Autophagy Pathway ◽  
Nrf2 Activator ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Agent

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which is linked to autophagy regulation and melanogenesis regulation, is activated by marliolide. In this study, we investigated the effect of a marliolide derivative on melanosome degradation through the autophagy pathway. The effect of the marliolide derivative on melanosome degradation was investigated in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-treated melanocytes, melanosome-incorporated keratinocyte, and ultraviolet (UV)B-exposed HRM-2 mice (melanin-possessing hairless mice). The marliolide derivative, 5-methyl-3-tetradecylidene-dihydro-furan-2-one (DMF02), decreased melanin pigmentation by melanosome degradation in α-MSH-treated melanocytes and melanosome-incorporated keratinocytes, evidenced by premelanosome protein (PMEL) expression, but did not affect melanogenesis-associated proteins. The UVB-induced hyperpigmentation in HRM-2 mice was also reduced by a topical application of DMF02. DMF02 activated Nrf2 and induced autophagy in vivo, evidenced by decreased PMEL in microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3)-II-expressed areas. DMF02 also induced melanosome degradation via autophagy in vitro, and DMF02-induced melanosome degradation was recovered by chloroquine (CQ), which is a lysosomal inhibitor. In addition, Nrf2 silencing by siRNA attenuated the DMF02-induced melanosome degradation via the suppression of p62. DMF02 induced melanosome degradation in melanocytes and keratinocytes by regulating autophagy via Nrf2-p62 activation. Therefore, Nrf2 activator could be a promising therapeutic agent for reducing hyperpigmentation.

scholarly journals In vivo assessment of a single adenine mutation in 5′UTR of Endothelin-1 gene in paediatric cases with severe pulmonary hypertension: an observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Kumar ◽  
Minati Choudhury ◽  
Sakshi Dhingra Batra ◽  
Kriti Sikri ◽  
Anushree Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Severe Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Endothelin 1 ◽  
Circulating Levels ◽  
In Vivo Assessment

Abstract Objective Endothelin-1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of severe pulmonary hypertension. The + 139 ‘A’, adenine insertion variant in 5′UTR of edn1 gene has been reported to be associated with increased expression of Endothelin-1 in vitro. The aim of present study was to explore the association of this variant with the circulating levels of Endothelin-1 in vivo using archived DNA and plasma samples from 38 paediatric congenital heart disease (cyanotic and acyanotic) patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. Results The plasma Endothelin-1 levels were highly varied ranging from 1.63 to75.16 pg/ml. The + 139 ‘A’ insertion variant in 5′UTR of edn1 was seen in 8 out of 38 cases with only one acyanotic sample demonstrating homozygosity of inserted ‘A’ allele at + 139 site (4A/4A genotype). The plasma Endothelin-1 levels in children with homozygous variant 3A/3A genotype were comparable in cyanotic and acyanotic groups. Lone 4A/4A acyanotic sample had ET-1 levels similar to the median value of ET-1 associated with 3A/3A genotype and was absent in cyanotic group presumably due to deleterious higher ET-1 levels. The discussed observations, limited by the small sample size, are suggestive of homozygous adenine insertion variant posing a risk in cyanotic babies with Severe Pulmonary Hypertension.

The effect of Rho Kinase inhibition on corneal nerve regeneration in vitro and in vivo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Mertsch ◽  
Inga Neumann ◽  
Cosima Rose ◽  
Marc Schargus ◽  
Gerd Geerling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Regeneration ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Kinase Inhibition ◽  
Corneal Nerve ◽  
Regeneration In Vitro

scholarly journals Accelerated Repurposing and Drug Development of Pulmonary Hypertension Therapies for COVID-19 Treatment Using an AI-Integrated Biosimulation Platform

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1912
Author(s):  
Kaushik Chakravarty ◽  
Victor G. Antontsev ◽  
Maksim Khotimchenko ◽  
Nilesh Gupta ◽  
Aditya Jagarapu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Mechanistic Modeling ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Angiotensin System ◽  
In Silico Modeling ◽  
Site Of Action ◽  
Line Of Therapy

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached over 100 million worldwide. Due to the multi-targeted nature of the virus, it is clear that drugs providing anti-COVID-19 effects need to be developed at an accelerated rate, and a combinatorial approach may stand to be more successful than a single drug therapy. Among several targets and pathways that are under investigation, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and specifically angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and Ca2+-mediated SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry and replication are noteworthy. A combination of ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers (CCBs), a critical line of therapy for pulmonary hypertension, has shown therapeutic relevance in COVID-19 when investigated independently. To that end, we conducted in silico modeling using BIOiSIM, an AI-integrated mechanistic modeling platform by utilizing known preclinical in vitro and in vivo datasets to accurately simulate systemic therapy disposition and site-of-action penetration of the CCBs and ACEi compounds to tissues implicated in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

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