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Nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid receptor (NOP) selective ligand MCOPPB links anxiolytic and senolytic effects

ABSTRACT: Accumulation of senescent cells may drive age-associated alterations and pathologies. Senolytics are promising therapeutics that can preferentially eliminate senescent cells. Here, we performed a high-throughput automatized screening (HTS) of the commercial LOPAC®Pfizer library on aphidicolin-induced senescent human fibroblasts, to identify novel senolytics. We discovered the nociceptin receptor FQ opioid receptor (NOP) selective ligand 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (MCOPPB, a compound previously studied as potential anxiolytic) as the best scoring hit. The ability of MCOPPB to eliminate senescent cells in in vitro models was further tested in mice and in C. elegans. MCOPPB reduced the senescence cell burden in peripheral tissues but not in the central nervous system. Mice and worms exposed to MCOPPB also exhibited locomotion and lipid storage changes. Mechanistically, MCOPPB treatment activated transcriptional networks involved in the immune responses to external stressors, implicating Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Our study uncovers MCOPPB as a NOP ligand that, apart from anxiolytic effects, also shows tissue-specific senolytic effects.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11357-021-00487-y.

SUBMITTER: Raffaele M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8612119 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:UnlabelledNociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor is a new class of opioid receptor that may play a pathophysiologic role in anxiety and drug abuse and is a potential therapeutic target in these disorders. We previously developed a high-affinity PET ligand, (11)C-NOP-1A, which yielded promising results in monkey brain. Here, we assessed the ability of (11)C-NOP-1A to quantify NOP receptors in human brain and estimated its radiation safety profile.MethodsAfter intravenous injection of (11)C-NOP-1A, 7 healthy subjects underwent brain PET for 2 h and serial sampling of radial arterial blood to measure parent radioligand concentrations. Distribution volume (V(T); a measure of receptor density) was determined by compartmental (1- and 2-tissue) and noncompartmental (Logan analysis and Ichise's bilinear analysis [MA1]) methods. A separate group of 9 healthy subjects underwent whole-body PET to estimate whole-body radiation exposure (effective dose).ResultsAfter (11)C-NOP-1A injection, the peak concentration of radioactivity in brain was high (∼5-7 standardized uptake values), occurred early (∼10 min), and then washed out quickly. The unconstrained 2-tissue-compartment model gave excellent V(T) identifiability (∼1.1% SE) and fitted the data better than a 1-tissue-compartment model. Regional V(T) values (mL·cm(-3)) ranged from 10.1 in temporal cortex to 5.6 in cerebellum. V(T) was well identified in the initial 70 min of imaging and remained stable for the remaining 50 min, suggesting that brain radioactivity was most likely parent radioligand, as supported by the fact that all plasma radiometabolites of (11)C-NOP-1A were less lipophilic than the parent radioligand. Voxel-based MA1 V(T) values correlated well with results from the 2-tissue-compartment model, showing that parametric methods can be used to compare populations. Whole-body scans showed radioactivity in brain and in peripheral organs expressing NOP receptors, such as heart, pancreas, and spleen. (11)C-NOP-1A was significantly metabolized and excreted via the hepatobiliary route. Gallbladder had the highest radiation exposure (21 μSv/MBq), and the effective dose was 4.3 μSv/MBq.Conclusion(11)C-NOP-1A is a promising radioligand that reliably quantifies NOP receptors in human brain. The effective dose in humans is low and similar to that of other (11)C-labeled radioligands, allowing multiple scans in 1 subject.

Project description:Sepsis is a dysregulated host response to infection that can cause widespread effects on other organs including cardiovascular depression, hypotension and organ failure. The receptor for Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), NOP is expressed on immune cells and these cells can release the peptide. Exogenous N/OFQ can dilate blood vessels and this peptide is increased in animal and human sepsis. We hypothesise that NOP receptors are present on vascular endothelial cells and therefore provide the target for released N/OFQ to cause vasodilation and hence hypotension. Using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMC) freshly prepared from umbilical cords and up to passage 4, we assessed NOP mRNA expression by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), NOP surface receptor expression using a fluorescent NOP selective probe (N/OFQATTO594) and NOP receptor function with N/OFQ stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. As an in vitro sepsis mimic we variably incubated cells with 100ng/ml Lipopolysaccharide and Peptidoglycan G (LPS/PepG). HUVECs express NOP mRNA and this was reduced by ~80% (n = 49) after 24-48 hours treatment with LPS/PepG. Untreated cells do not express surface NOP receptors but when treated with LPS/PepG the reduced mRNA was translated into protein visualised by N/OFQATTO594 binding (n = 49). These NOP receptors in treated cells produced an N/OFQ (1μM) driven increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation (n = 20). One (of 50) HUVEC lines expressed NOP mRNA and receptor protein in the absence of LPS/PepG treatment. In contrast, HVSMC expressed NOP mRNA and surface receptor protein (n = 10) independently of LPS/PepG treatment. These receptors were also coupled to ERK1/2 where N/OFQ (1μM) increased phosphorylation. Collectively these data show that an in vitro sepsis mimic (LPS/PepG) upregulates functional NOP expression in the vascular endothelium. Activation of these endothelial receptors as suggested from in vivo whole animal work may contribute to the hypotensive response seen in sepsis. Moreover, blockade of these receptors might be a useful adjunct in the treatment of sepsis.

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Nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid receptor (NOP) selective ligand MCOPPB links anxiolytic and senolytic effects

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