Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Measuring or testing process involving enzymes or... – Involving nucleic acid
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-10
2004-09-21
Brusca, John S. (Department: 1631)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Measuring or testing process involving enzymes or...
Involving nucleic acid
C435S091200, C536S023500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06794143
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of pharmacogenomics, and is primarily directed to biallelic markers that are located in or in the vicinity of genes, which have an impact on arachidonic acid metabolism and the uses of these markers. The present invention encompasses methods of establishing associations between these markers and diseases involving arachidonic acid metabolism such as inflammatory diseases as well as associations between these markers and treatment response to drugs acting on arachidonic acid metabolism. The present invention also provides means to determine the genetic predisposition of individuals to such diseases and means to predict responses to such drugs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The metabolites of arachidonic acid and related fatty acids, collectively termed eicosanoids, exhibit a wide range of biological activities affecting virtually every organ system in mammals. Eicosanoids are among the most important chemical mediators and modulators of the inflammatory reaction and contribute to a number of physiological and pathological processes (See Hardman J. G., Goodman, Gilman A., Limbird L. E.;
Goodman
&
Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
, 9
th
edition, McGraw-Hill, N.Y., 1996).
Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacological Importance of the Eicosanoids
The eicosanoids are extremely prevalent and have been detected in almost every tissue and body fluid. These lipids contribute to a number of physiological and pathological processes including inflammation, smooth muscle tone, hemostasis, thrombosis, parturition and gastrointestinal secretion. Once synthesized in response to a stimulus, the eicosanoids are not stored to any significant extent but are released immediately and act locally. After they act, they are quickly metabolized by local enzymes to inactive forms. Accordingly, the eicosanoids are categorized as autocrine agents or local hormones. They alter the activities of the cells in which they are synthesized and of adjoining cells. The nature of these effects may vary from one type of cell to another, in contrast with the more uniform actions of global hormones such as insulin, for example. Therefore, the eicosanoids, as local chemical messengers, exert a wide variety of effects in virtually every tissue and organ system.
The principal eicosanoids are the prostaglandins (PG), the thromboxanes (TX) and the leukotrienes (LT), though other derivatives of arachidonate, for example lipoxins, are also produced. They fall into different classes designated by letters and the main classes are further subdivided and designated by numbers.
Inflammatory and Immune Responses
Eicosanoids are lipid mediators of inflammation and play a central, often synergistic, role in numerous aspects of inflammatory responses and host defense. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are released by a host of mechanical, thermal, chemical, bacterial, and other insults, and they contribute importantly to the genesis of the signs and symptoms of inflammation. The ability to mount an inflammatory response is essential for survival in the face of environmental pathogens and injury, although in some situations and diseases the inflammatory response may be exaggerated and sustained for no apparent beneficial reason. This is the case in numerous chronic inflammatory diseases and allergic inflammation. Acute allergic inflammation is characterized by increased blood flow, extravasation of plasma and recruitment of leukocytes. These events are triggered by locally released inflammatory mediators including eicosanoids and more particularly leukotrienes. The leukotrienes generally have powerful effects on vascular permeability and the leukotriene LTB
4
is a potent chemoattractant for leukocytes and promotes exudation of plasma. The prostaglandins PGE
2
and PGI
2
markedly enhance edema formation and leukocyte infiltration in the inflamed region. Moreover, they potentiate the pain-producing activity of bradykinin.
The participation of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and acute allergy is well established. Prostaglandins have been involved in inflammation, pain and fever. Pathological actions of leukotrienes are best understood in terms of their roles in immediate hypersensitivity and asthma. Lipoxygenases, e.g., 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO), 15-lipoxygenase A (15-LOA), and 15-lipoxygenase B (15-LOB), have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and arthritis.
Cardiovascular System
The prostaglandins PGEs, PGF
2
and PGD
2
cause both vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Responses vary with concentration and vascular bed. Systemic blood pressure generally falls in response PGEs, and blood flow to most organs, including the heart, is increased. These effects are particularly striking in some hypertensive patients. Cardiac output is generally increased by prostaglandins of the E and F series. The importance of these vascular actions is emphasized by the participation of PGI
2
and PGE
2
in the hypotension associated with septic shock. The prostaglandins also have been implicated in the maintenance of patency of the ductus arteriosus. Thromboxane synthase (TXA2), also known as CYP5, is a potent vasoconstrictor. Leukotriene C
4
synthase (LTC
4
) and the leokotriene LTD
4
cause hypotension. The leukotrienes have prominent effects on the microvasculature. LTC
4
and LTD4 appear to act on the endothelial lining of postcapillary venules to cause exudation of plasma; they are more potent than histamine in this regard. In higher concentrations, LTC4 and LTD4 constrict arterioles and reduce exudation of plasma.
Blood/Platelets
Prostanoids including prostaglandins and thromboxanes exhibit a wide variety of actions in various cells and tissues to maintain local homeostasis in the body. Eicosanoids modify the function of the formed elements of the blood. PGI2 controls the aggregation of platelets in vivo and contributes to the antithrombogenic properties of the intact vascular wall.
TXA2 is a major product of arachidonate metabolism in platelets and, as a powerful inducer of platelet aggregation and the platelet release reaction, is a physiological mediator of platelet aggregation. Pathways of platelet aggregation that are dependent on the generation of TXA2 are sensitive to the inhibitory action of aspirin, which inhibits the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway. There has been considerable interest in the elucidation of the role played by prostaglandins and TXA2 in platelet aggregation and thrombosis and by PGI
2
in the prevention of these events. The platelet thromboxane pathway is activated markedly in acute coronary artery syndromes and aspirin is beneficial in the secondary prevention of coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. PGI that is generated in the vessel wall may be the physiological antagonist of this system; it inhibits platelet aggregation and contributes to the nonthrombogenic properties of the endothelium. According to this concept, PGI
2
and TXA2 represent biologically opposite poles of a mechanism for regulating platelet-vessel wall interaction and the formation of hemostatic plugs and intraarterial thrombi. There is interest in drugs which inhibit thromboxane synthase and modulate PGI2 production.
Smooth Muscle
Prostaglandins contract or relax many smooth muscles beside those of the vasculature. The leukotrienes contract most smooth muscles. In general, PGFs and PGD2 contract and PGEs relax bronchial and tracheal muscle. LTC4 and LTD4 are bronchoconstrictors. They act principally on smooth muscle in peripheral airways and are 1000 times more potent than histamine both in vitro and in vivo. They also stimulate bronchial mucus secretion and cause mucosal edema. A complex mixture of chemical messengers is released when sensitized lung tissue is challenged by the appropriate antigen. Various prostaglandins and leukotrienes are prominent components of this mixture. Response to the leukotrienes probably dominates d
Blumenfeld Marta
Bougueleret Lydie
Chumakov Ilya
Cohen Annick
Brusca John S.
Genset S.A.
Saliwanchik Lloyd & Saliwanchik
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