Correlation between selective inhibition of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases and the contractile activity in human pregnant myometrium near term

Chorioamniotic infection is a leading cause of preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes (amnion and chorion). Bacterial infection induces an inflammatory response characterized by elevated production of proinflammatory cytokines; the latter activate the production of both PGs that stimulate uterine contractions, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade the extracellular matrix of the chorioamniotic membranes. The inflammatory response is under the control of cAMP content, which is partly regulated by phosphodiesterases (PDE). In this study, we investigated the role of the PDE4 family in the inflammatory process triggered by LPS in a model of amniochorionic explants. We found that PDE4 family is the major cAMP-PDE expressed in human fetal membranes and that PDE4 activity is increased by LPS treatment. Selective inhibition of PDE4 activity affected LPS signaling, because PDE4 inhibitors (rolipram and/or cilomilast) reduced the release of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and increased the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. PDE4 inhibition reduced cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression and PGE2 production and also modulated MMP-9, a key mediator of the membrane rupture process, by inhibiting pro-MMP-9 mRNA expression and pro-MMP-9 activity. These results demonstrate that the PDE4 family participates in the regulation of the inflammatory response associated with fetal membrane rupture during infection. The PDE4 family may be an appropriate pharmacological target for the management of infection-induced preterm delivery.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Evidence for a Role of Phosphodiesterase 4 in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Prostaglandin E2 Production and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activity in Human Amniochorionic Membranes

Oger

Méhats

Dallot

et al. 2005

“…We showed previously in humans that PDE4 inhibition blocks spontaneous contractions of myometrial strips. It also abolished the activation in fetal membranes of metalloproteases and prostaglandin syntheses that may lead to preterm premature rupture of the membranes (41)(42)(43). Here, we report that PDE4 inhibition blocks intrauterine inflammation, which may injure the fetus if uncontrolled.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

PDE4 Inhibition Prevents Preterm Delivery Induced by an Intrauterine Inflammation

Schmitz

Souil

Hervé

et al. 2007

The aim of this study was to explore the anti-inflammatory properties of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors in vivo and their potential ability to prevent inflammation-induced preterm delivery. Indeed, intrauterine inflammation is the major etiology of very preterm delivery, the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Intrauterine injection of Escherichia coli LPS in 15-day-pregnant mice induced an increase of PDE4 activity and PDE4B expression at the maternofetal interface, a rise of amniotic fluid levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 and provoked massive preterm delivery and fetal demise. Selective PDE4 inhibition by rolipram prevented the rise in the proinflammatory cytokines. Following the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NFκB, as a marker of cellular activation after the inflammatory challenge, showed a time-dependent sequential activation of the gestational tissues, from the uterine mesometrial to the fetal compartment, particularly in the glycogen-trophoblastic cells of the placenta. This activation was disrupted by PDE4 inhibition, and inflammation-induced preterm delivery and fetal demise were prevented. PDE4 selective inhibitors may thus represent a novel effective treatment to delay inflammation-induced preterm delivery and to prevent adverse outcomes in infants.

“…Our previous works showed that PDE4 inhibition is not only able to abolish metalloprotease activation and prostaglandin synthesis in fetal membranes but is also able to block spontaneous contractions of myometrial strips (21,40). Given its dual myorelaxant and anti-inflammatory properties (41), selective PDE4 inhibition may represent a novel approach in the management of inflammation-induced preterm delivery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The PDE4 Inhibitor Rolipram Prevents NF-κB Binding Activity and Proinflammatory Cytokine Release in Human Chorionic Cells

Hervé

Schmitz

Évain-Brion

et al. 2008

Spontaneous preterm delivery is linked to intrauterine inflammation. Fetal membranes are involved in the inflammatory process as an important source of mediators, and the chorion leave produces high levels of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α when stimulated by LPS. The transcription factor NF-κB is the main regulator of this inflammatory process and controls the production of cytokines by the chorion leave. Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors are recognized for their anti-inflammatory and myorelaxant effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PDE4 inhibition affects the LPS signaling in human cultured chorionic cells. We showed that these cells express TLR4, the main LPS receptor, and exhibit a predominant PDE4 activity. Upon LPS challenge, PDE4 activity increases concomitantly to the induction of the specific isoform PDE4B2 and chorionic cells secrete TNF-α. LPS induces the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit and the activation of three different NF-κB complexes in chorionic cells. The presence of the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram reduces the TNF-α production and the activation of the three NF-κB complexes. These data indicate that the PDE4 family interacts with the LPS signaling pathway during the inflammatory response of chorionic cells. PDE4 selective inhibitors may thus represent a new therapeutic approach in the management of inflammation-induced preterm delivery.