Spiperone, identified through compound screening, activates calcium-dependent chloride secretion in the airway

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2009 Jan;296(1):C131-41. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00346.2008. Epub 2008 Nov 5.

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the gene producing the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR functions as a Cl(-) channel. Its dysfunction limits Cl(-) secretion and enhances Na+ absorption, leading to viscous mucus in the airway. Ca2+-activated Cl(-) channels (CaCCs) are coexpressed with CFTR in the airway surface epithelia. Increases in cytosolic Ca(2+) activate the epithelial CaCCs, which provides an alternative Cl(-) secretory pathway in CF. We developed a screening assay and screened a library for compounds that could enhance cytoplasmic Ca2+, activate the CaCC, and increase Cl(-) secretion. We found that spiperone, a known antipsychotic drug, is a potent intracellular Ca2+ enhancer and demonstrated that it stimulates intracellular Ca2+, not by acting in its well-known role as an antagonist of serotonin 5-HT2 or dopamine D2 receptors, but through a protein tyrosine kinase-coupled phospholipase C-dependent pathway. Spiperone activates CaCCs, which stimulates Cl(-) secretion in polarized human non-CF and CF airway epithelial cell monolayers in vitro and in CFTR-knockout mice in vivo. In conclusion, we have identified spiperone as a new therapeutic platform for correction of defective Cl(-) secretion in CF via a pathway independent of CFTR.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Bronchi / drug effects*
  • Bronchi / enzymology
  • Bronchi / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Polarity
  • Chloride Channels / drug effects*
  • Chloride Channels / metabolism
  • Chlorides / metabolism*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / drug therapy
  • Cystic Fibrosis / metabolism
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / genetics
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Discovery
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / drug effects
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Epithelial Cells / enzymology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred CFTR
  • Nasal Mucosa / drug effects
  • Nasal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Respiratory System Agents / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Spiperone / pharmacology*
  • Time Factors
  • Trachea / drug effects*
  • Trachea / enzymology
  • Trachea / metabolism
  • Type C Phospholipases / metabolism

Substances

  • CFTR protein, human
  • Chloride Channels
  • Chlorides
  • Respiratory System Agents
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
  • Spiperone
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Type C Phospholipases
  • Calcium