Prostanoid Receptors of the EP4-Subtype Mediate Gene Expression Changes in Human Airway Epithelial Cells with Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activity

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2021 Feb;376(2):161-180. doi: 10.1124/jpet.120.000196. Epub 2020 Nov 6.

Abstract

There is a clear, unmet clinical need to identify new drugs to treat individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in whom current medications are either inactive or suboptimal. In preclinical models, EP4-receptor agonists display efficacy, but their mechanism of action is unclear. In this study, using human bronchial epithelial cells as a therapeutically relevant drug target, we hypothesized that changes in gene expression may play an important role. Several prostanoid receptor mRNAs were detected in BEAS-2B cells, human primary bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) grown in submersion culture and HBECs grown at an air-liquid interface with PTGER4 predominating. By using the activation of a cAMP response element reporter in BEAS-2B cells as a surrogate of gene expression, Schild analysis determined that PTGER4 mRNAs encoded functional EP4-receptors. Moreover, inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 (roflumilast N-oxide [RNO]) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase augmented and attenuated, respectively, reporter activation induced by 2-[3-[(1R,2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-2-[(E,3S)-3-hydroxy-5-[2-(methoxymethyl)phenyl]pent-1-enyl]-5-oxo-cyclopentyl]sulphanylpropylsulphanyl] acetic acid (ONO-AE1-329), a selective EP4-receptor agonist. ONO-AE1-329 also enhanced dexamethasone-induced activation of a glucocorticoid response element reporter in BEAS-2B cells, which was similarly potentiated by RNO. In each airway epithelial cell variant, numerous genes that may impart therapeutic benefit in asthma, COPD, and/or IPF were differentially expressed by ONO-AE1-329, and those changes were often augmented by RNO and/or dexamethasone. We submit that an EP4-receptor agonist, either alone or as a combination therapy, may be beneficial in individuals with chronic lung diseases in whom current treatment options are inadequate. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Using human bronchial epithelial cells as a therapeutically relevant drug target, we report that EP4-receptor activation promoted gene expression changes that could provide therapeutic benefit in individuals with asthma, COPD, and IPF in whom current treatment options are ineffective or suboptimal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminopyridines / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Bronchi / cytology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclopropanes / pharmacology
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Methyl Ethers / pharmacology
  • Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / agonists
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / metabolism*
  • Response Elements
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Aminopyridines
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Cyclopropanes
  • Methyl Ethers
  • ONO-AE1-329
  • PTGER4 protein, human
  • Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
  • Dexamethasone
  • Cyclic AMP
  • roflumilast N-oxide

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