Effects of FK224, a $NK_1$ and $NK_2$ Receptor Antagonist, on Plasma Extravasation of Neurogenic Inflammation in Rat Airways

미주 신경의 전기적 자극으로 유발된 백서의 기도내 혈장 유출에 대한 FK224의 효과

Background: Asthma is an inflammatory disease because there are many inflammatory changes in the asthmatic airways. Axon reflex mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. Sensory neuropeptides are involved in this inflammation, which is defined as neurogenic inflammation. Substance p, neurokinin A, and neurokinin B may be main neuropeptides of neurogenic inflammation in airways. These tachykinins act on neurokinin receptors. Three types of neurokinin receptors, such as $NK_1$, $NK_2$, and $NK_3$, are currently recognized, at which substance p, neurokinin A, and neurokinin B may be the most relevant natural agonist of neurogenic inflammation in airways. The receptor subtypes present in several tissues have been characterized on the basis of differential sensitivity to substance p, neurokinin A, and neurokinin B. Plasma extravasation and vasodilation are induced by substance p more potently than by neurokinin A, indicating NK1 receptors on endothelial cells mediate the response. But airway contraction is induced by neurokinin A more potently than by substance P, indicating the $NK_2$ receptors in airway smooth muscles. These receptors are used to evaluate the pathogenesis of brochial asthma. FK224 was identified from the fermentation products of Streptomyces violaceoniger. FK224 is a dual antagonist of both $NK_1$ and $NK_2$ receptors. Purpose: For a study of pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, the effect of FK224 on plasma extravasation induced by vagal NANC electrical stimulation was evaluated in rat airway. Method: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180~450gm were anesthetized by i.p. injection of urethane. Plasma extravasation was induced by electrical stimulation of cervical vagus NANC nerves with 5Hz, 1mA, and 5V for 2 minutes(NANC2 group) and for sham operation without nerve stimulation(control group). To evaluate the effect of FK224 on plasma extravasation in neurogenic inflammation, FK224(1mg/kg, Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide; DMSO, Sigma Co.) was injected 1 min before nerve stimulation(FK224 group). To assess plasma exudation, Evans blue dye(20mg/kg, dissolved in saline) was used as a plasma marker and was injected before nerve stimulation. After removal of intravascular dye, the evans blue dye in the tissue was extracted in formamide($37^{\circ}C$, 24h) and quantified spectrophotometrically by measuring dye absorbance at 629nm wavelength. Tissue dye content was expressed as ng of dye per mg of wet weight tissue. The amount of plasma extravasation was measured on the part of airways in each groups. Results: 1) Vagus nerve(NANC) stimulation significantly increased plasma leakage in trachea, main bronchus, and peripheral bronchus compared with control group, $14.1{\pm}1.6$ to $49.7{\pm}2.5$, $17.5{\pm}2.0$ to $38.7{\pm}2.8$, and $12.7{\pm}2.2$ to $19.1{\pm}1.6ng$ of dye per mg of tissue(mean ${\pm}$ SE), respectively(p<0.05). But there was not significantly changed in lung parenchyma(p>0.05) 2) FK224 had significant inhibitory effect upon vagal nerve stimulation-induced airway plasma leakage in any airway tissues of rat,such as trachea, main bronchus, and peripheral bronchus compared with vagus nerve stimulation group, 49%, 58%, and 70%, respectively(p<0.05). Inhibitory effect of FK224 on airway plasma leakage in neurogenic inflammation was revealed the more significant in peripheral bronchus, but no significant in lung parenchyma. Conclusion: These results suggest that FK224 is a selective NK receptor antagonist which effectively inhibits airway plasma leakage induced by the endogenous neurotransmitters relased by neurogenic inflammation in rat airway. Tachykinin receptor antagonists may be useful in the treatment of brochial asthma.

연구배경: 여러 종류의 자극으로 감각신경(C-fiber)의 말단부에서 분비되는 신경단백질인 substance P와 neurokinin A는 기관지 평활근의 수축, 점막의 혈장 유출 및 점액의 과분비를 일으켜 기관지 천식 발병 기전에 중요한 역활을 한다. 이러한 기도 신경단백질은 $NK_1$, $NK_2$, $NK_3$ 등의 3종류의 수용체를 통하여 작용하며, $NK_1$ 수용체에 주로 작용하는 substance P는 기도의 혈관확장과 혈장 유출에 관여하며 $NK_2$ 수용체에 작용하는 neurokinin A는 기도의 수축에 주로 작용하며 기도혈장 유출에도 관여하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 목적: 저지들은 백서의 미주신경인 비교감 및 비부교감 신경을 전기적 자극으로 유발된 기도 혈장 유출에서 $NK_1$과 $NK_2$ 수용체 차단제인 FK224를 이용하여 기도내 신경성 염증에서 혈장유출에 대한 효과를 기도 부위별로 확인하였다. 대상 및 방법: 백서 21마리를 7마리씩 3군으로 나누어 미주신경에 전기적 자극을 하지 않은 대조군(control group), 2분간 자극한 군(NANC2군)과 신경 단백 수용체 차단제인 FK224를 미주신경 자극 전에 사용한 군(FK224군)에서 Evans blue dye를 이용하여 기도 부위별 혈장 유출의 정도를 각 군간에 비교하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 결과: 1) 2분간 신경 자극한 군(NANC2군)은 대조군에 비하여 기관에서 49.7(${\pm}2.5$)ng/mg으로 353%, 주기관지에서 38.7(${\pm}2.8$)ng/mg으로 221%의 증가와 말초기관지 19.1(${\pm}1.6$)ng/mg으로 151%로 혈장 유출이 모두 유의하게 높았으며(p<0.05), 주로 상부 기도에서 혈장 유출 정도가 심하였으나, 폐실질은 13.0(${\pm}1.8$)ng/mg, 76%로 대조군과 차이는 없었다(p>0.05). 2) 신경 단백질 수용체 차단제를 사용한 FK224군은 2분간 신경 자극한 군에 비하여 기관에서 24.3(${\pm}2.2$)ng/mg으로 49%, 주기관지에서 22.3(${\pm}1.6$)ng/mg 으로 58%의 억제와 말초기관지 13.3(${\pm}0.8$) ng/mg으로 70%로 혈장 유출이 모두 유의하게 감소되었다(p<0.05). 결론: 이상의 결과에 의하면 백서에서 미주신경(NANC)의 전기적 자극으로 유발된 혈장유출은 기도에서만 발생되고 주로 상부기도에서 혈장유출이 심하며, $NK_1$과 $NK_2$ 수용체 차단제인 FK224를 전처치하여 substance P와 neurokinin A의 수용체 차단으로 기도 혈장 유출이 억제됨을 알 수 있었다.