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Background and purpose:Combining 5-HT1A receptor activation with dopamine D2/D3 receptor blockade should improve negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. We describe the in vitro profile of F15063 (N-[(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-7-yloxy)ethyl]-3-(cyclopent-1-enyl)-benzylamine).Experimental approach:F15063 was characterised in tests of binding affinity and in cellular models of signal transduction at monoamine receptors.Key results:Affinities (receptor and pKi values) of F15063 were: rD2 9.38; hD2L 9.44; hD2S 9.25; hD3 8.95; hD4 8.81; h5-HT1A 8.37. F15063 had little affinity (40-fold lower than D2) at other targets. F15063 antagonised dopamine-activated G-protein activation at hD2, rD2 and hD3 receptors with potency (pK b values 9.19, 8.29 and 8.74 in [35S]GTPγS binding experiments) similar to haloperidol. F15063 did not exhibit any hD2 receptor agonism, even in tests of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and G-protein activation in cells with high receptor expression. In contrast, like (±)8-OH-DPAT, F15063 efficaciously activated h5-HT1A (Emax 70%, pEC50 7.57) and r5-HT1A receptors (52%, 7.95) in tests of [35S]GTPγS binding, cAMP accumulation (90%, 7.12) and ERK1/2 phosphorylation (93%, 7.13). F15063 acted as a partial agonist for [35S]GTPγS binding at hD4 (29%, 8.15) and h5-HT1D receptors (35%, 7.68). In [35S]GTPγS autoradiography, F15063 activated G-proteins in hippocampus, cortex and septum (regions enriched in 5-HT1A receptors), but antagonised quinelorane-induced activation of D2/D3 receptors in striatum.Conclusions and implications:F15063 antagonised dopamine D2/D3 receptors, a property underlying its antipsychotic-like activity, whereas activation of 5-HT1A and D4 receptors mediated its actions in models of negative symptoms and cognitive deficits of schizophrenia (see companion papers).British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 237–252. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707158; published online 20 March 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an inherited condition with variable phenotypic expression and a high medical and social burden. The objectives of this patient survey were to better understand the real-world experiences of patients living with cutaneous neurofibromas (cNF), to perceive their satisfaction and feelings about cNF current management (only laser and surgery are currently available), and to highlight their expectations of new therapeutic modalities., Results: One hundred seventy patients from 4 European countries took part in the study, 65% (n = 110) were women and mean age was 39 years old. 96% (n = 164) of respondents have cNF on visible parts of the body and the survey confirmed that total number of cNF and visibility increase with age. Patients reported that cNF mainly impacts everyday mood, general daily life and social life. The visibility of cNF had a higher impact than their number. 92% (n = 156) of patients have a regular and multidisciplinary medical follow-up. The dermatologist is one of the most consulted healthcare professionals. 76% (n = 130) of respondents have treated their cNF: 65% (n = 111) had surgery and 38% (n = 64) had multiple laser sessions. Frequency of operations and regrowth of cNF were the two most unsatisfactory aspects with both treatments for patients. Indeed, after removal, new cNF appear in more than 75% (n = 128) of cases. As a future treatment, patients expected a topical (30%, n = 51) or oral medication (29%, n = 50). Around 2 out of 3 patients would agree to take it at least once a day or more for life but they would like a well-tolerated treatment. According to patients, the most important effectiveness criteria of a new treatment are to block cNF growth and reduce their number. 70% (n = 119) of patients would consider a future treatment moderately effective to very effective if it could clear 30% of cNF., Conclusions: This first cNF European patient community survey confirmed that the visible stigma and unaesthetic aspect of cNF have an important impact on patients' quality of life. The survey highlighted that patients were not entirely satisfied with the actual surgery and laser treatments and revealed their clear and realistic expectations for future treatment of cNF.

Immunosuppressants used in organ transplant patients increase the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer. This study aimed to evaluate patient behaviours towards skin cancer prevention methods and to understand characteristics of a future prevention strategy based on patients' perspective. Carenity, a global online patient community, enabled the recruitment of 200 adult patients with solid organ transplants from four European countries: France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Most patients were well informed about the risk of skin cancer, but only 27% (53/200) monitored their skin. Most patients exposed themselves to intense sun exposure once a month or more. Nevertheless, more than half of patients were motivated to use additional prevention strategies and limit their sun exposure. The most appropriate prevention strategy was reported to be the use of a cosmetically attractive, water-resistant, paraben/fragrance-free cream. A one-size-fits-all approach is not an appropriate prevention strategy and an adapted approach based on patients' preferences may significantly contribute to better compliance and adherence.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate, in vitro and in vivo, the contribution of muscarinic receptors to the effects of Ruscus extract. Ruscus extract was tested in competition binding experiments at recombinant human muscarinic receptors, heterologous expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and in cellular assays measuring Ca 2+ liberation and activator protein-1 (AP-1) reporter gene activation. The impact of muscarinic blockade on prolonged treatment outcome was evaluated using the hamster cheek pouch (HCP) microcirculation examining macromolecular permeability increase induced by histamine or ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), mean arteriolar and venular diameters, functional capillary density and I/R-induced leukocyte rolling and sticking. Ruscus extract exhibited affinities for muscarinic receptor subtypes at a range of 50-100μg/ml and behaved as partial agonist at human recombinant M 1 and M 3 receptors for Ca 2+ liberation, confirmed in an AP-1 reporter gene assay. In the HCP model, topical application of atropine completely or partially blocked Ruscus extract-induced reductions of histamine- and I/R-induced increases of macromolecular permeability and leukocyte-endothelium interaction. Our results showed that Ruscus extract in vitro binds and activates different subtypes of muscarinic receptors and in vivo its anti-inflammatory effects are, at least partially, mediated via muscarinic receptors., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The Hedgehog (HH) pathway has been linked to the formation of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), medulloblastoma, and other cancers. The recently approved orally active drugs vismodegib (GDC-0449) and sonidegib (LDE-225) were not only efficacious for the treatment of advanced or metastatic BCC by antagonizing the smoothened (SMO) receptor, but also produced important side effects, limiting their use for less invasive BCC. Herein, we compared a large series of SMO antagonists, including GDC-0449 and LDE-225, the clinically tested BMS-833923, CUR-61414, cyclopamine, IPI-926 (saridegib), itraconazole, LEQ-506, LY-2940680 (taladegib), PF-04449913 (glasdegib), and TAK-441 as well as preclinical candidates (PF-5274857, MRT-83) in two SMO-dependent cellular assays and for G-protein activation. We report marked differences in inhibitor potencies between compounds as well as a notable disparity between the G-protein assay and the cellular tests, suggesting that classification of drugs is assay dependent. Furthermore, we explored topical efficacies of SMO antagonists on depilated mice using Gli1 and Ptch1 mRNA quantification in skin as biomarkers of the HH signaling inhibition. This topical model rapidly discriminated drugs in terms of efficacies and potencies for inhibition of both biomarkers. SMO antagonists showed also a large variation in their blood and skin partition, suggesting that some drugs are more favorable for topical application. Overall, our data suggested that in vitro and in vivo efficacious drugs such as LEQ-506 and TAK-441 may be of interest for topical treatment of less invasive BCC with minimal side effects.

μ-opioid receptors have been shown to form heterodimers with several G protein coupled receptors involved in pain regulation such as α(2A)-adrenergic and neurokinin 1 receptors. Because the 5-HT(1A) receptor is also involved in pain control, we investigated whether it can interact with the μ-opioid receptor in cell lines. Using epitope-tagged μ-opioid and 5-HT(1A) receptors, we show that both receptors can co-immunoprecipate when expressed in the same cells. This physical interaction was corroborated by a Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer signal between the μ-opioid receptor fused to Renilla luciferase and the 5-HT(1A) receptor fused to the Green Fluorescent Protein. Consistent with the presence of functional heterodimers, the μ-opioid receptor activated a Gα(o) protein covalently fused to the 5-HT(1A) receptor in membrane preparations as well as a Gα(15) protein fused to the 5-HT(1A) receptor in living cells. We demonstrate that both receptors can coexerce control of the ERK1/2 pathway: for example, μ-opioid receptor-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was selectively desensitized by 5-HT(1A) receptor activation. Although 5-HT(1A) and μ-opioid receptors were capable to internalize in response to their own activation, they were ineffective to induce the co-internalization of their partners. Thus, we show a functional heterodimerization of μ-opioid and 5-HT(1A) receptors in cell lines, a complex that might play a role in the control of pain in vivo. These results also support the potential therapeutic action of 5-HT(1A) agonists against nociceptive processes., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Following agonist action, G-protein-coupled receptors may exhibit differential coupling to G-proteins or second messenger pathways, supporting the notion of agonist-directed trafficking. To explore these mechanisms, we have designed and transfected synthetic siRNA duplexes to knockdown different G(α) subunits in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing human (h)5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptors (CHO-h5-HT(1A)). siRNAs against G(αi2) and G(αi3) transfected alone or in combination caused a large decrease in the corresponding mRNA level (64-80%) and also at the protein level for G(αi3) (60-70%), whereas a non-specific siRNA showed no effect. In membranes of CHO-h5-HT(1A), 5-HT stimulated guanosine-5'-O-(3-[(35)S]thio)-triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPγS) binding was differentially affected by transfection of siRNAs against G(αi) protein, siRNAs against G(αi2) inducing a more important decrease in the efficacy of 5-HT than transfection of siRNAs against G(αi3). The high potency component was abolished after transfection of siRNAs against G(αi3) and the lower potency component was suppressed after transfection of siRNAs against G(αi2). To directly investigate G(αi3) activation we used an antibody-capture/scintillation proximity assay. (+)8-OH-DPAT yielded bell-shaped curves for G(αi3) activation, a response that was abolished after transfection of siRNAs against G(αi3) protein. Interestingly, (+)8-OH-DPAT yielded a sigmoidal response when only G(αi3) protein was expressed. These data suggest that when efficacious agonists attain a high level of occupation of h5-HT(1A) receptors, a change occurs that induces coupling to G(αi2) protein and suppresses signalling through G(αi3) subunits., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

8-OH-DPAT [8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin] is the prototypical agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors; however, activity at other targets contributes to the functional effects of the compound as well. We examined the properties of 8-OH-DPAT and its enantiomers at recombinant human (h)alpha2-adrenoceptor subtypes, using a panel of radioligand binding and functional tests. In competition binding experiments using [3H]-RX821002, about 10-fold selectivity of (+)8-OH-DPAT for the halpha2B subtype (pKi about 7) over halpha2A- and halpha2C-adrenoceptors was observed. In contrast, the S(-) enantiomer of 8-OH-DPAT showed similar weak affinities for the three receptor subtypes (pKis<6). The binding affinity of (+)8-OH-DPAT at the halpha2B- and the halpha2A-adrenoceptor was found sensitive to GTPgammaS, a receptor/G protein-uncoupling agent, indicating agonist properties of the drug. Furthermore, using [35S]GTPgammaS binding determination at CHO-halpha2B or CHO-halpha2A cell membranes and G protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) current recordings in Xenopus oocytes expressing halpha2B, partial agonist activity of (+)8-OH-DPAT at the respective receptors was confirmed in these two different functional assays. Potency of (+)8-OH-DPAT for stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS incorporation was lower at the halpha2A- than at the halpha2B-adrenoceptor, consistent with binding affinities. Thus, (+)8-OH-DPAT and, as a consequence, racemic (+/-)8-OH-DPAT are partial agonists at halpha2-adrenoceptors with selectivity for the halpha2B subtype, a property that might contribute to the effects of the compound described in native systems., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Agonist activity at recombinant human dopamine D4.4 receptors was compared in stably transfected CHO cells using two functional readouts: G protein activation by [35S]GTPgammaS binding and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2). Results with a large series of agonists reveal markedly higher relative agonist efficacy in the pERK1/2 assay compared with [35S]GTPgammaS binding, while potencies were generally higher in the latter readout. Whereas efficacies were highly correlated when comparing both tests, potencies determined using the pERK1/2 assay were neither correlated with those for G protein activation nor with binding affinities. In order to examine if these differences may be attributable to distinct assay conditions (5 min incubation for pERK1/2 compared with binding equilibrium conditions for [35S]GTPgammaS), selected compounds were tested in a modified short-duration [35S]GTPgammaS binding assay. In these experiments, potencies were generally reduced; however, compounds exhibiting comparably high potency in the pERK1/2 assay were not affected by this duration-dependent potency shift. We conclude that assay parameters such as signal amplification and incubation time have to be considered with respect to the appropriate choice of experimental approaches that best reflect agonist activity at dopamine D4 receptors in vivo.

Several examples of agonist-directed trafficking of receptor signalling at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors have been reported that involve independent downstream transduction pathways. We now report the functional selectivity of a series of chemically diverse agonists at human (h)5-HT2A, h5-HT2B and h5-HT2C-VSV by examining two related responses, the upstream activation of Gq/11 proteins in comparison with its associated cascade of calcium mobilisation. At the h5-HT2A receptor, d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and the antiparkinsonian agents lisuride, bromocriptine and pergolide exhibit a higher potency for Gq/11 activation than calcium release in contrast with all the other tested ligands such as 5-HT, mCPP and BW723C86, that show an opposite preference of signalling pathway. Comparable observations are made at h5-HT2B and h5-HT2C-VSV receptors, suggesting a similar mechanism of functional selectivity for the three serotonin receptors. Interestingly, the non-hallucinogenic compound lisuride behaves as a partial agonist for both Gq/11 activation and calcium release at the three 5-HT2 receptors, in contrast with DOI, LSD, pergolide and bromocriptine, which are known to provoke hallucinations, and behave as more efficacious agonists. Hence, a functional selectivity for Gq/11 activation together with a threshold of efficacy at h5-HT2A (and possibly h5-HT2B and/or h5-HT2C-VSV) may contribute to hallucinogenic liability. Thus, our results extend the notion of agonist-directed trafficking of receptor signalling to all the 5-HT2-receptor family and indicate that measures of Gq/11 activation versus calcium release may be useful to identify more effective therapeutic drugs with limited side effects.

5-HT(7) receptors are present in thalamus and limbic structures, and a possible role of these receptors in the pathology of schizophrenia has been evoked. In this study, we examined binding affinity and agonist/antagonist/inverse agonist properties at these receptors of a large series of antipsychotics, i.e., typical, atypical, and third generation compounds preferentially targeting D(2) and 5-HT(1A) sites. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity was measured in HEK293 cells stably expressing the human (h) 5-HT(7a) receptor isoform. 5-HT and 5-CT increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate level by about 20-fold whereas (+)-8-OH-DPAT, the antidyskinetic agent sarizotan, and the novel antipsychotic compound bifeprunox exhibited partial agonist properties at h5-HT(7a) receptors stimulating AC. Other compounds antagonized 5-HT-induced AC activity with pK (B) values which correlated with their pK (i) as determined by competition binding vs [(3)H]5-CT. The selective 5-HT(7) receptor ligand, SB269970, was the most potent antagonist. For antipsychotic compounds, the following rank order of antagonism potency (pK (B)) was ziprasidone > tiospirone > SSR181507 > or = clozapine > or = olanzapine > SLV-314 > SLV-313 > or = aripiprazole > or = chlorpromazine > nemonapride > haloperidol. Interestingly, pretreatment of HEK293-h5-HT(7a) cells with forskolin enhanced basal AC activity and revealed inverse agonist properties for both typical and atypical antipsychotics as well as for aripiprazole. In contrast, other novel antipsychotics exhibited diverse 5-HT(7a) properties; SLV-313 and SLV-314 behaved as quasi-neutral antagonists, SSR181507 acted as an inverse agonist, and bifeprunox as a partial agonist, as mentioned above. In conclusion, the differential properties of third generation antipsychotics at 5-HT(7) receptors may influence their antipsychotic profile.

Background and Purpose: Combining 5-HT(1A) receptor activation with dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptor blockade should improve negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. We describe the in vitro profile of F15063 (N-[(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-7-yloxy)ethyl]-3-(cyclopent-1-enyl)-benzylamine)., Experimental Approach: F15063 was characterised in tests of binding affinity and in cellular models of signal transduction at monoamine receptors., Key Results: Affinities (receptor and pK(i) values) of F15063 were: rD(2) 9.38; hD(2L) 9.44; hD(2S) 9.25; hD(3) 8.95; hD(4) 8.81; h5-HT(1A) 8.37. F15063 had little affinity (40-fold lower than D(2)) at other targets. F15063 antagonised dopamine-activated G-protein activation at hD(2), rD(2) and hD(3) receptors with potency (pK (b) values 9.19, 8.29 and 8.74 in [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding experiments) similar to haloperidol. F15063 did not exhibit any hD(2) receptor agonism, even in tests of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and G-protein activation in cells with high receptor expression. In contrast, like (+/-)8-OH-DPAT, F15063 efficaciously activated h5-HT(1A) (E(max) 70%, pEC(50) 7.57) and r5-HT(1A) receptors (52%, 7.95) in tests of [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding, cAMP accumulation (90%, 7.12) and ERK1/2 phosphorylation (93%, 7.13). F15063 acted as a partial agonist for [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding at hD(4) (29%, 8.15) and h5-HT(1D) receptors (35%, 7.68). In [(35)S]GTP gamma S autoradiography, F15063 activated G-proteins in hippocampus, cortex and septum (regions enriched in 5-HT(1A) receptors), but antagonised quinelorane-induced activation of D(2)/D(3) receptors in striatum., Conclusions and Implications: F15063 antagonised dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptors, a property underlying its antipsychotic-like activity, whereas activation of 5-HT(1A) and D(4) receptors mediated its actions in models of negative symptoms and cognitive deficits of schizophrenia (see companion papers).