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Mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) can differentiate into trophoblast cells, which constitute the placenta. Under conventional culture conditions, in a medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS), fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4), and heparin and in the presence of mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (MEFs) as feeder cells, TSCs maintain their undifferentiated, proliferative status. MEFs can be replaced by a 70% MEF-conditioned medium (MEF-CM) or by TGF-ß/activin A. To find out if KnockOutTM Serum Replacement (KSR) can replace FBS for TSC maintenance, we cultured mouse TSCs in KSR-based, FBS-free medium and investigated their proliferation capacity, stemness, and differentiation potential. The results indicated that fibronectin, vitronectin, or laminin coating was necessary for adhesion of TSCs under KSR-based conditions but not for their survival or proliferation. While the presence of FGF4, heparin, and activin A was not sufficient to support the proliferation of TSCs, the addition of a pan-retinoic acid receptor inverse agonist and a ROCK-inhibitor yielded a proliferation rate comparable to that obtained under the conventional FBS-based conditions. TSCs cultured under the KSR-based conditions had a gene expression and DNA methylation profile characteristic of TSCs and exhibited a differentiation potential. Moreover, under KSR-based conditions, we could obtain a suspension culture of TSCs using extracellular matrix (ECM) coating-free dishes. Thus, we have established here, KSR-based culture conditions for the maintenance of TSCs, which should be useful for future studies.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels may contribute to the pathophysiological bladder afferent hyperactivity, thus a TRPM8 antagonist would be a promising therapeutic target for the bladder hypersensitive disorders including urinary urgency in overactive bladder (OAB). We aimed to investigate a pharmacological effect of KPR-5714, a novel selective TRPM8 antagonist, on TRPM8 channels, M 3 receptors and β 3 -adrenoceptors using the transfected cells of each gene at first. Then, combination effects of KPR-5714 and mirabegron, a β 3 -adrenoceptor agonist, or tolterodine tartrate, an anticholinergic agent, were studied on rhythmic bladder contractions (RBCs) in normal rats and bladder function in frequent-voiding rats. In vitro measurements showed that KPR-5714 acts on neither β 3 -adrenoceptor nor M 3 receptor. In normal rats, KPR-5714 and mirabegron significantly reduced the frequency of RBCs, and a combined administration showed an additive effect. In rats with cerebral infarction, KPR-5714 and mirabegron significantly reduced the voiding frequency, and a combined administration showed an additive effect. In rats exposed to cold temperature, KPR-5714 and tolterodine tartrate significantly reduced the voiding frequency accompanied by the increased mean voided volume, and a combined administration showed additive effects. The present study demonstrated that the combined administration of KPR-5714 and mirabegron or tolterodine tartrate showed the additive effects on bladder dysfunction in different animal models, suggesting that the combination therapy of TRPM8 antagonist and β 3 -adrenoceptor agonist or anticholinergic agent can be the potential treatment option for obtaining additive effects in comparison with monotherapy for OAB., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a temperature-sensitive ion channel responsible for detecting cold, is an attractive molecular target for the treatment of pain and other disorders. We have previously discovered a selective TRPM8 antagonist, KPR-2579, which inhibited bladder afferent hyperactivity induced by acetic acid instillation into the bladder. However, additional studies have revealed potential adverse effects with KPR-2579, such as the formation of a reactive metabolite, CYP3A4 induction, and convulsions. In this report, we describe the optimization of α-phenylglycinamide derivatives to mitigate the risk of these adverse effects. The optimal compound 13x exhibited potent inhibition against icilin-induced wet-dog shakes and cold-induced frequent voiding in rats, with a wide safety margin against the potential side effects., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a temperature-sensing ion channel mainly expressed in primary sensory neurons (A δ -fibers and C-fibers in the dorsal root ganglion). In this report, we characterized KPR-5714 ( N -[( R )-3,3-difluoro-4-hydroxy-1-(2 H -1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)butan-2-yl]-3-fluoro-2-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1 H -pyrazol-3-yl]benzamide), a novel and selective TRPM8 antagonist, to assess its therapeutic potential against frequent urination in rat models with overactive bladder (OAB). In calcium influx assays with HEK293T cells transiently expressing various TRP channels, KPR-5714 showed a potent TRPM8 antagonistic effect and high selectivity against other TRP channels. Intravenously administered KPR-5714 inhibited the hyperactivity of mechanosensitive C-fibers of bladder afferents and dose-dependently increased the intercontraction interval shortened by intravesical instillation of acetic acid in anesthetized rats. Furthermore, we examined the effects of KPR-5714 on voiding behavior in conscious rats with cerebral infarction and in those exposed to cold in metabolic cage experiments. Cerebral infarction and cold exposure induced a significant decrease in the mean voided volume and increase in voiding frequency in rats. Orally administered KPR-5714 dose-dependently increased the mean voided volume and decreased voiding frequency without affecting total voided volume in these models. This study demonstrates that KPR-5714 improves OAB in three different models by inhibiting exaggerated activity of mechanosensitive bladder C-fibers and suggests that KPR-5714 may provide a new and useful approach to the treatment of OAB. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: TRPM8 is involved in bladder sensory transduction and plays a role in the abnormal activation in hypersensitive bladder disorders. KPR-5714, as a novel and selective TRPM8 antagonist, may provide a useful treatment for the disorders related to the hyperactivity of bladder afferent nerves, particularly in overactive bladder., (Copyright © 2020 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.)

Aims: Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is proposed to be a promising therapeutic target for hypersensitive bladder disorders. We examined the effects of KPR-2579, a novel selective TRPM8 antagonist, on body temperature and on mechanosensitive bladder single-unit afferent activities (SAAs) provoked by intravesical acetic acid (AA) instillation in rats., Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Effects of cumulative intravenous (i.v.) administrations of KPR-2579 (0.03-1 mg/kg) on deep body temperature were investigated (N = 18). In separate animals, effects of bolus administration of KPR-2579 (0.03 or 0.3 mg/kg, i.v.) on bladder hyperactivity induced by intravesical instillation of 0.1% AA were investigated using cystometry (N = 57) in a conscious free-moving condition or urethane-anesthetized condition, and SAA measurements (N = 41) were performed in a urethane-anesthetized condition., Results: KPR-2579 at any doses tested did not affect body temperature. In cystometry measurements, a high dose (0.3 mg/kg) of KPR-2579 counteracted the shortened intercontraction interval provoked by AA instillation. In SAA measurements, 48 single afferent fibers (n = 24 in each fiber) were isolated. AA instillations significantly increased the SAAs of C fibers, but not of Aδ fibers, in the presence of KPR-2579's vehicle and a low dose (0.03 mg/kg) of KPR-2579. Pretreatment with a high dose (0.3 mg/kg) of KPR-2579 significantly inhibited the AA-induced activation of C-fiber SAAs., Conclusion: The present results suggest that TRPM8 channels play a role in the AA-induced pathological activation of mechanosensitive bladder C fibers in rats. KRP-2579 may be a promising drug for hypersensitive bladder disorders., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

CDC-like kinase phosphorylation of serine/arginine-rich proteins is central to RNA splicing reactions. Yet, the genomic network of CDC-like kinase-dependent RNA processing events remains poorly defined. Here, we explore the connectivity of genomic CDC-like kinase splicing functions by applying graduated, short-exposure, pharmacological CDC-like kinase inhibition using a novel small molecule (T3) with very high potency, selectivity, and cell-based stability. Using RNA-Seq, we define CDC-like kinase-responsive alternative splicing events, the large majority of which monotonically increase or decrease with increasing CDC-like kinase inhibition. We show that distinct RNA-binding motifs are associated with T3 response in skipped exons. Unexpectedly, we observe dose-dependent conjoined gene transcription, which is associated with motif enrichment in the last and second exons of upstream and downstream partners, respectively. siRNA knockdown of CLK2-associated genes significantly increases conjoined gene formation. Collectively, our results reveal an unexpected role for CDC-like kinase in conjoined gene formation, via regulation of 3'-end processing and associated splicing factors.The phosphorylation of serine/arginine-rich proteins by CDC-like kinase is a central regulatory mechanism for RNA splicing reactions. Here, the authors synthesize a novel small molecule CLK inhibitor and map CLK-responsive alternative splicing events and discover an effect on conjoined gene transcription.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is activated by innocuous cold and chemical substances, and antagonists of this channel have been considered to be effective for pain and urinary diseases. N-(3-aminopropyl)-2-{[(3-methylphenyl)methyl]oxy}-N-(2-thienylmethyl)benzamide hydrochloride (AMTB), a TRPM8 antagonist, was proposed to be effective for overactive bladder and painful bladder syndrome; however, there is a potential risk of low blood pressure. We report herein the synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel phenylglycine derivatives that led to the identification of KPR-2579 (20l), a TRPM8 selective antagonist. KPR-2579 reduced the number of icilin-induced wet-dog shakes and rhythmic bladder contraction in rats, with no negative cardiovascular effects at the effective dose., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) selective agonist is considered a promising candidate for the treatment of estrogen deficiency symptoms in ERβ-expressing tissues, without the risk of breast cancer, and multiple classes of compounds have been reported as ERβ selective agonists. Among them, 6-6 bicyclic ring-containing structures (e.g., isoflavone phytoestrogens) are regarded as one of the cyclized analogues of isobutestrol 5b, and suggest that other cyclized scaffolds comprising 5-6 bicyclic rings could also act as selective ERβ ligands. In this study, we evaluated the selective ERβ agonistic activity of 1-(4-hydroxybenzyl)indan-5-ol 7a and studied structure-activity relationship (SAR) of its derivatives. Some functional groups improved the properties of 7a; introduction of a nitrile group on the indane-1-position resulted in higher selectivity for ERβ (12a), and further substitution with a fluoro or a methyl group to the pendant phenyl ring was also preferable (12b, d, and e). Subsequent chiral resolution of 12a identified that R-12a has a superior profile over S-12a. This is comparable to diarylpropionitrile (DPN) 5c, one of the promising selective ERβ agonists and indicates that this indane-based scaffold has the potential to provide better ERβ agonistic probes., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the importance of alternative splicing in various physiological processes, including the development of different diseases. CDC-like kinases (CLKs) and serine-arginine protein kinases (SRPKs) are components of the splicing machinery that are crucial for exon selection. The discovery of small molecule inhibitors against these kinases is of significant value, not only to delineate the molecular mechanisms of splicing, but also to identify potential therapeutic opportunities. Here we describe a series of small molecules that inhibit CLKs and SRPKs and thereby modulate pre-mRNA splicing. Treatment with these small molecules (Cpd-1, Cpd-2, or Cpd-3) significantly reduced the levels of endogenous phosphorylated SR proteins and caused enlargement of nuclear speckles in MDA-MB-468 cells. Additionally, the compounds resulted in splicing alterations of RPS6KB1 (S6K), and subsequent depletion of S6K protein. Interestingly, the activity of compounds selective for CLKs was well correlated with the activity for modulating S6K splicing as well as growth inhibition of cancer cells. A comprehensive mRNA sequencing approach revealed that the inhibitors induced splicing alterations and protein depletion for multiple genes, including those involved in growth and survival pathways such as S6K, EGFR, EIF3D, and PARP. Fluorescence pulse-chase labeling analyses demonstrated that isoforms with premature termination codons generated after treatment with the CLK inhibitors were degraded much faster than canonical mRNAs. Taken together, these results suggest that CLK inhibitors exhibit growth suppression and apoptosis induction through splicing alterations in genes involved in growth and survival. These small molecule inhibitors may be valuable tools for elucidating the molecular machinery of splicing and for the potential development of a novel class of antitumor agents.