SummaryEquilibrium binding studies on canine mononuclear and granulocytic cells allow the identification of a single high affinity receptor for the human C-C chemokine RANTES (dissociation constant, 14 ± 8 pM), that, in contrast to the human RANTES receptor, has no affinity for human macrophage inflammatory protein lcx (hMIP-lot) . A single intradermal injection of hRANTES in dog resulted in eosinophil-and macrophage-rich inflammatory sites within 4 h. Cell infiltration peaked at 16-24 h after hRANTES injection . There was histological evidence of intravascular activation ofeosinophils at 4 h, although eosinophils in the vasculature and interstitium contained apparently intact granules. Monocytes were the predominant cells adherent to venular endothelium at 16-24 h. Human MIP-1a elicited no response in canine dermis, whereas monoryte chemoattractant protein 1 caused mild perivascular cuffing with monocytes. In contrast, human interleukin 8 induced a neutrophilic dermal infiltrate that was maximal by 4 h after challenge. This provides the first direct evidence in vivo that RANTES has significant proinflammatory activity and, in addition, could be a mediator in atopic pathologies characterized by eosinophilic and monocytic inflammatory responses.

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A series of substituted 2-aminopyridines was prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of human nitric oxide synthases (NOS). 4,6-Disubstitution enhanced both potency and specificity for the inducible NOS with the most potent compound having an IC50 of 28 nM.

SummaryEquilibrium binding studies with recombinant human chemoattractant cytokines Rantes and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) on monocytic THP-1 cells have allowed the functional identification of two distinct receptors for C-C chemokines. One is a novel oligospecific receptor with high affinity for Rantes (50% maximal inhibitory concentration [ICs0], 0.68 nM) and low affinity (ICs0, 35 nM) for MCP-1, while the other is the previously described specific receptor for MCP-1 (ICs0, 0.5 nM). Receptor affinity for Rantes is enhanced on preparation of isolated membranes with a 12-fold decrease in receptor Kd. The basis of this enhancement is not understood. The Rantes receptor appears to be G protein linked, as binding activity is abolished by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ICs0, 7.3 nM). In contrast to the consequences of MCP-1 binding, we were unable to demonstrate ligand-dependent calcium fluxes on binding of Rantes to human monocytes or THP-1 cells. The binding of Rantes and MCP-1 to mononuclear cells from dog, rabbit, and rat were tested. While high affinity binding could be demonstrated in dog and rabbit, differences in ligand-induced Ca 2+ fluxes could be shown between species. This suggests that receptor-ligand interactions and receptor coupling is best examined with autologous receptors and cytokine.

A role for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, PPAR gamma and PPAR alpha, as regulators of energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism, has been suggested. Recently, three distinct uncoupling protein isoforms, UCP-1, UCP-2, and UCP-3, have also been identified and implicated as mediators of thermogenesis. Here, we examined whether in vivo PPAR gamma or PPAR alpha activation regulates the expression of all three UCP isoforms. Rats or lean and db/db mice were treated with PPAR gamma [thiazolidinedione (TZD)] or PPAR alpha (WY-14643) agonists, followed by measurement of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for UCP-1, UCP-2, and UCP-3 in selected tissues where they are expressed. TZD treatment (AD 5075 at 5 mg/kg x day) of rats (14 days) increased brown adipose tissue (BAT) depot size and induced the expression of each UCP mRNA (3x control levels for UCP-1 and UCP-2, 2.5x control for UCP-3). In contrast, UCP-2 and UCP-3 mRNA levels were not affected in white adipose tissue or skeletal muscle. Chronic (30 days) low-dose (0.3 mg/kg x day) TZD treatment induced UCP-1 mRNA and protein in BAT (2.5x control). In contrast, chronic TZD treatment (30 mg/kg x day) suppressed UCP-1 mRNA (>80%) and protein (50%) expression in BAT. This was associated with further induction of UCP-2 expression (>10-fold) and an increase in the size of lipid vacuoles, a decrease in the number of lipid vacuoles in each adipocyte, and an increase in the size of the adipocytes. TZD treatment of db/db mice (BRL 49653 at 10 mg/kg x day for 10 days) also induced UCP-1 and UCP-3 (but not UCP-2) expression in BAT. PPAR alpha is present in BAT, as well as liver. Treatment of rats or db/db mice with WY-14643 did not affect expression of UCP-1, -2, or -3 in BAT. Hepatic UCP-2 mRNA was increased (4x control level) in db/db and lean mice, although this effect was not observed in rats. Thus, in vivo PPAR gamma activation can induce expression of UCP-1, -2, and -3 in BAT; whereas chronic-intense PPAR gamma activation may cause BAT to assume white adipose tissue-like phenotype with increased UCP-2 levels. PPAR alpha activation in mice is sufficient to induce liver UCP-2 expression.