3D molecular modeling, free radical modulating and immune cells signaling activities of the novel peptidomimetic L-glutamyl-histamine: possible immunostimulating role

Peptides. 2005 Apr;26(4):551-63. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.11.012. Epub 2004 Dec 29.

Abstract

An original representative of the patented by author family of histamine-containing peptidomimetics L-glutamyl-histamine (L-Glu-Hist) was synthesized and characterized as a biologically active compound with a role of cytokine mimic leading to cellular responses of improved specificity. The study assesses the ability of L-Glu-Hist to affect molecular modeling, modulate free radical activity and influence immune cell signaling. The energy-minimized 3D conformations of L-Glu-Hist derived from its chemical structure resulted in stabilization for Fe2+ chelating complexes. L-Glu-Hist accelerated the decrease of ferrous iron in the ferrous sulfate solution in a concentration-dependent mode and showed the ferroxidase-like activity at concentrations less than 3 mM in the phenanthroline assay, whereas in the concentration range 3-20 mM L-Glu-Hist restricted the availability of Fe2+ to phenanthroline due to binding of ferrous ions in chelating complexes. L-Glu-Hist showed stimulatory effect on phosphatidylcholine liposomal peroxidation (LPO) catalyzed by the superoxide anion radical (O2*-)-generating system (Fe2+ + ascorbate) at low (less or about 1 mM) L-Glu-Hist concentrations and both revealed the inhibitory effect on LPO in this system of high (approximately 10 mM) L-Glu-Hist concentration. The stimulation of LPO by L-Glu-Hist was related to the ability of peptidomimetic in small (approximately 0.05 mM) concentrations to release O2*- free radicals as determined by the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction assay. O2*- release by L-Glu-Hist might result from its ferroxidase-like activity, while inhibition of LPO by L-Glu-Hist was caused by its chelating activity to Fe2+ ions, prevention of free radical generation and lipid hydroperoxide-degrading ability of 5-20 mM L-Glu-Hist. L-Glu-Hist released O2*- in concentrations which stimulated [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA and proliferation of mouse spleen lymphocytes and mononuclear cells from human blood. L-Glu-Hist modulates the ability of oxygen free radicals to act as signaling agents at low concentrations, influencing gene expression. The structural peptide-like analogues of L-Glu-Hist such as L-Glu-Trp, carcinine (beta-alanylhistamine), but not L-Pro-Glu-Trp were active in stimulating thymidine incorporation and in inducing proliferation of mononuclear cells as compared to mitogen concanavalin A at doses 2.5-25.0 microg/ml. Our data provide evidence that L-Glu-Hist may act as a very fast, specific and sensitive trigger for lymphocyte proliferation and immunoregulation. The cited abilities and further obtained in vivo results make Immudilin ((INCI: glutamylamidoethyl imidazole, aqueous solution), L-Glu-Hist) a useful immunoregulatory agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Chelating Agents
  • Cytochromes c / metabolism
  • Dipeptides / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Oligopeptides / chemical synthesis
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Superoxides

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Chelating Agents
  • Dipeptides
  • Oligopeptides
  • glutamyl-histamine
  • Superoxides
  • Cytochromes c