Methods for identifying compounds for regulating muscle mass or function using vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors

Abstract

Screening methods for identifying compounds that regulate skeletal muscle atrophy or hypertrophy, regulate the activity or expression of the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors (VPAC) or regulate expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or VIP analogs are provided. Methods for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy utilizing VPAC as the target for intervention are described.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to methods of identifying candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function, regulating the activity or expression of a vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors (VPAC) or regulating expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or VIP analogs. The invention also relates to methods for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy or methods for inducing skeletal muscle hypertrophy utilizing VPAC receptors as the target for intervention.

SEQUENCE LISTING DESCRIPTION

[0004] Each of the VPAC receptor protein sequences included in the sequence listing, along with the corresponding Genbank accession number and animal species from which it is cloned, is shown in Table I.

TABLE I
			CORRESPONDING
VPAC Receptor			GENBANK
subtype	SEQ ID NO:	SPECIES	ACCESSION NOS.
VPAC1 Receptor	1	human	L13288, U11087
VPAC1 Receptor	2	human	X75299
VPAC1 Receptor	3	Rattus norvegicus	M86835
VPAC1 Receptor	4	Mus musculus	NM_011703
VPAC1 Receptor	5	Sus scrofa	U49434
VPAC1 Receptor	6	Rana ridibunda	AF100644
VPAC1 Receptor	7	Porcine	I28734
VPAC1 Receptor	8	Rattus sp	E05551
VPAC1 Receptor	9	Carassius auratus	US6391
VPAC2 Receptor	10	human	X95097, Y18423
VPAC2 Receptor	11	human	L40764, L36566
VPAC2 Receptor	12	human	U18810
VPAC2 Receptor	13	Mus musculus	D28132
VPAC2 Receptor	14	Rattus norvegicus	Z25885
VPAC2 Receptor	15	Rattus norvegicus	U09631
VPAC2 Receptor	16	Rat	A43808

BACKGROUND

VPAC and Ligands

[0005] Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its functionally and structurally related analogs (VIP analogs), are known to have many physiological functions including smooth muscle relaxation (bronchodilation, intestinal motility), regulation of microvascular tone (vasodepression) and permeability, regulation of mucus secretion, modulation of various immune functions (anti-inflammation, immune cell protection), neurological effects (memory improvement, hypnogenesis, food intake, circadian rhythm control, sexual behavior), maintenance of salivary gland function, developmental growth regulation and stimulation of hormone secretion (prolactin, growth hormone, insulin). VIP and VIP analogs mediate their effects through vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors via both neuronal (as putative neurotransmitters) and neuroendocrine pathways. There are two VPAC receptors identified to date (VPAC1and VPAC2). The VPAC1 receptor has been cloned from human, mouse (Mus musculus), rat (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus sp.), pig (Sus scrofa), frog (Rana ridibunda), goldfish (Carassius auratus), and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). The VPAC2 receptor has been cloned from human, mouse (Mus musculus), and rat (Rattus norvegicus).

[0006] VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors are classified in the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptor family based on sequence homology to other members of the PACAP family. Receptors in the PACAP family are further subdivided into two subclasses based on ligand affinity. The PACAP type I receptors have a much greater affinity for PACAP than for VIP, while the PACAP type II receptors have an approximately equal affinity for PACAP and VIP. Because VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors have similar affinities for PACAP and VIP, these receptors are classified as PACAP type II receptors. Selective agonists and antagonists can differentiate VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors from each other, both molecularly and pharmacologically, as well as from the PACAP type I receptors. These agonist and antagonists have been useful in matching biological activity to a particular VPAC receptor subclass.

[0007] VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors both belong to the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) class. The specificity of coupling of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors to a particular G-protein, appears to depend upon the tissue examined. In tissues such as muscle, agonist activation of VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptors leads to Gαs activation of adenylate cyclase. Adenylate cyclase catalyzes the formation of cAMP which in turn has multiple effects including the activation of protein kinase A, intracellular calcium release and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) activation. In other studies, the enhancement of intracellular inositol triphosphate synthesis after agonist activation of VPAC receptors suggests VPAC receptor coupling to either Gαi or Gαq.

[0008] Expression of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors is tissue specific and the pattern of expression of each receptor differs. In humans, the VPAC1 receptor has been shown to be expressed in brain, adipose, liver, and heart, while the VPAC2 receptor has been shown to be expressed in lung, pancreas, brain, kidney, skeletal muscle, stomach, heart, and placenta. In the rat, expression of the VPAC1 receptor has been found in the pineal gland, small intestine, liver, spleen, pancreas, lung, aorta, vas deferens and brain, while expression of the VPAC2 receptor has been shown in the stomach, intestine, skeletal muscle, spleen, pancreas, thymus, adrenal gland, heart, lung, aorta, brain, pituitary, and olfactory bulb.

Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Hypertrophy

[0009] Skeletal muscle is a plastic tissue which readily adapts to changes in either physiological demand for work or metabolic need. Hypertrophy refers to an increase in skeletal muscle mass while skeletal muscle atrophy refers to a decrease in skeletal muscle mass. Acute skeletal muscle atrophy is traceable to a variety of causes including, but not limited to: disuse due to surgery, bed rest, or broken bones; denervation/nerve damage due to spinal cord injury, autoimmune disease, or infectious disease; glucocorticoid use for unrelated conditions; sepsis due to infection or other causes; nutrient limitation due to illness or starvation; and space travel. Skeletal muscle atrophy occurs through normal biological processes, however, in certain medical situations this normal biological process results in a debilitating level of muscle atrophy. For example, acute skeletal muscle atrophy presents a significant limitation in the rehabilitation of patients from immobilizations, including, but not limited to, those accompanying an orthopedic procedure. In such cases, the rehabilitation period required to reverse the skeletal muscle atrophy is often far longer than the period of time required to repair the original injury. Such acute disuse atrophy is a particular problem in the elderly, who may already suffer from substantial age-related deficits in muscle function and mass, because such atrophy can lead to permanent disability and premature mortality.

[0010] Skeletal muscle atrophy can also result from chronic conditions such as cancer cachexia, chronic inflammation, AIDS cachexia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, genetic disorders, e.g. muscular dystrophies, neurodegenerative diseases and sarcopenia (age associated muscle loss). In these chronic conditions, skeletal muscle atrophy can lead to premature loss of mobility, thereby adding to the disease-related morbidity.

[0011] Little is known regarding the molecular processes which control atrophy or hypertrophy of skeletal muscle. While the initiating trigger of the skeletal muscle atrophy is different for the various atrophy initiating events, several common biochemical changes occur in the affected skeletal muscle fiber, including a decrease in protein synthesis and an increase in protein degradation and changes in both contractile and metabolic enzyme protein isozymes characteristic of a slow (highly oxidative metabolism/slow contractile protein isoforms) to fast (highly glycolytic metabolism/fast contractile protein isoforms) fiber switch. Additional changes in skeletal muscle which occur include the loss of vasculature and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Both fast and slow twitch muscle demonstrate atrophy under the appropriate conditions, with the relative muscle loss depending on the specific atrophy stimuli or condition. Importantly, all these changes are coordinately regulated and are switched on or off depending on changes in physiological and metabolic need.

[0012] The processes by which atrophy and hypertrophy occur are conserved across mammalian species. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the same basic molecular, cellular, and physiological processes occur during atrophy in both rodents and humans. Thus, rodent models of skeletal muscle atrophy have been successfully utilized to understand and predict human atrophy responses. For example, atrophy induced by a variety of means in both rodents and humans results in similar changes in muscle anatomy, cross-sectional area, function, fiber type switching, contractile protein expression, and histology. In addition, several agents have been demonstrated to regulate skeletal muscle atrophy in both rodents and in humans. These agents include anabolic steroids, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, and beta adrenergic agonists. Together, these data demonstrate that skeletal muscle atrophy results from common mechanisms in both rodents and humans.

[0013] While some agents have been shown to regulate skeletal muscle atrophy and are approved for use in humans for this indication, these agents have undesirable side effects such as hypertrophy of cardiac muscle, neoplasia, hirsutism, androgenization of females, increased morbidity and mortality, liver damage, hypoglycemia, musculoskeletal pain, increased tissue turgor, tachycardia, and edema (54th Edition of the Physicians Desk Reference, 2000). Currently, there are no highly effective and selective treatments for either acute or chronic skeletal muscle atrophy. Thus, there is a need to identify other therapeutic agents which regulate skeletal muscle atrophy.

[0014] One problem associated with identification of compounds for use in the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy has been the lack of good screening methods for the identification of such compounds. Applicants have now found that VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors are involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass or function and that agonists of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors are able to block skeletal muscle atrophy and/or induce hypertrophy of skeletal muscle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention relates to the use of VPAC receptors to identify candidate compounds that are potentially useful in the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy and/or useful to induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy. In particular, the invention provides in vitro methods for identifying candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function. In one embodiment of the invention the method comprises: contacting a test compound with a VPAC receptor, and determining whether the test compound binds to the VPAC receptor, wherein test compounds that bind to the VPAC receptor are identified as candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function. In another embodiment of the invention the method comprises: contacting a test compound with a cell expressing a VPAC receptor, and determining whether the test compound activates the VPAC receptor, wherein test compounds that activate the VPAC receptor are identified as candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function. In yet another embodiment of the invention the method further comprises generating a list of candidate compounds.

[0016] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of VPAC receptors to identify candidate therapeutic compounds which regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo. In particular, the invention provides a method comprising: contacting a test compound with a VPAC receptor, determining whether the test compound binds to the VPAC receptor, administering a test compound determined in the previous step to bind to the VPAC receptor, or previously known to bind to the VPAC receptor, to a non-human animal and determining whether the test compound regulates skeletal muscle mass or muscle function in the treated animal. Those test compounds that regulate skeletal muscle mass or function are identified as candidate therapeutic compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo. In another embodiment of the invention the method comprises: contacting a test compound with a cell expressing VPAC receptors, determining whether the test compound activates the VPAC receptor, administering a test compound determined in the previous step to activate the VPAC receptor, or previously known to activate the VPAC receptor, to a non-human animal and determining whether the test compound regulates skeletal muscle mass or muscle function in the treated animal. Those test compounds that regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo are identified as candidate therapeutic compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo.

[0017] The invention further provides methods for identifying candidate compounds that prolong or augment the activation of VPAC receptors or of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway. These methods comprise, (i) contacting a cell which expresses functional VPAC receptors with a VPAC receptor agonist at a concentration of agonist and for a period of agonist-receptor exposure sufficient to allow desensitization of the receptor; (ii) contacting the cells with a test compound; and (iii) determining the level of activation of the VPAC receptor. In the above-described embodiment of the invention, step (ii) may be performed before or after step (i). In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of determining whether those candidate compounds that prolong or augment the agonist-induced activation of VPAC receptors or a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway, can be used to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo by administering a candidate compound, alone or in conjunction with a VPAC receptor agonist, to a non-human animal and determining whether the candidate compound regulates skeletal muscle mass or function in the treated animal. Those candidate compounds that regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo are identified as candidate therapeutic compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo.

[0018] The invention further provides methods for identifying candidate compounds that increase VPAC receptor expression comprising contacting a test compound with a cell or cell lysate containing a reporter gene operatively associated with a VPAC receptor gene regulatory element and detecting expression of the reporter gene. Test compounds that increase expression of the reporter gene are identified as candidate compounds for increasing VPAC receptor expression. In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of determining whether those candidate compounds which increase VPAC receptor expression can be used to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo by administering a candidate compound to a non-human animal and determining whether the candidate compound regulates skeletal muscle mass or function in the treated animals. Those candidate compounds that regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo are identified as candidate therapeutic compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo.

[0019] In another embodiment the invention provides for antibodies specific for VPAC receptors. In particular the invention provides for chimeric or human antibodies specific for VPAC receptors.

[0020] The invention additionally provides methods for identifying compounds that increase VIP or VIP analog expression which include the steps of contacting a test compound with a cell or cell lysate containing a reporter gene operatively associated with a VIP or VIP analog gene regulatory element and detecting expression of the reporter gene. Test compounds that increase reporter gene expression are identified as candidate compounds which increase VIP or VIP analog expression. In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of determining whether those candidate compounds which increase VIP or VIP analog expression regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo by administering a candidate compound to a non-human animal and determining whether the candidate compound regulates skeletal muscle mass or function in the treated animal. Those candidate compounds that regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo are identified as candidate therapeutic compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo.

[0021] The present invention also relates to use of a VPAC receptor as a therapeutic target to increase skeletal muscle mass or function. This use includes, the use of a VPAC receptor agonist, a compound that prolongs or augments the activation of VPAC receptors or the activation of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway, an expression vector encoding a functional VPAC receptor, an expression vector encoding a constitutively active VPAC receptor, a compound that increases expression of VPAC receptors, a compound that increases expression of VIP or a compound that increases expression of a VIP analog to increase skeletal muscle mass or function and/or to treat skeletal muscle atrophy. In particular, the invention provides a method for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function in a subject in which such an increase is desirable, comprising: identifying a subject in which an increase in skeletal muscle mass or function is desirable and administering to the subject a safe and effective amount of a VPAC receptor agonist, a compound that prolongs or augments the activation of VPAC receptors or the activation of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway, an expression vector encoding a functional VPAC receptor, an expression vector encoding a constitutively active VPAC receptor, a compound that increases expression of VPAC receptors, a compound that increases expression of VIP or a compound that increases expression of a VIP analog. In another embodiment, the invention provides methods of treating skeletal muscle atrophy, in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a VPAC receptor agonist, a compound that prolongs or augments the activation of VPAC receptors or the activation of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway, an expression vector encoding a functional VPAC receptor, an expression vector encoding a constitutively active VPAC receptor, a compound that increases expression of VPAC receptors, a compound that increases expression of VIP or a compound that increases expression of VIP analog.

[0022] The present invention also relates to the use of a compound that prolongs or augments the activation of VPAC receptors, or of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway, to increase skeletal muscle mass or function and/or to treat skeletal muscle atrophy. In particular, the invention provides methods of treating skeletal muscle atrophy, in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering, alone or in conjunction with a VPAC receptor agonist, a safe and effective amount of a compound that prolongs or augments the activation of VPAC receptors, or of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] Abbreviations used in FIGS. 1-5:

[0024] VPAC1R agonist—[K15, R16, L27VIP(1-7), GRF(8-27)-NH2]

[0025] VPAC2R agonist—Ro 25-1553

[0026] PACAP-38—VPAC1/VPAC2 receptor non-selective agonist

[0027] Saline—physiological saline (vehicle control)

[0028] T—theophylline (30 mg/kg—administered 2×daily

[0029] g—gram

[0030] *—statistically significant response versus saline

[0031] FIG. 1A and 1B demonstrate the anti-atrophy effects of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor agonists (administered subcutaneously, 2×daily) in the mouse denervation atrophy model. FIG. 1A shows the anti-atrophy effects of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor selective agonists in denervated tibialis anterior muscle. FIG 1B shows the anti-atrophy cffccts of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor selective agonists in denervated medial gastrocnemius muscle. Legend for the X-axis: A: Saline, B: VPAC1R agonist (0.1 mg/kg) +T, C: VPAC1R agonist (0.3 mg/kg) +T, D: VPAC2R agonist (0.1 mg/kg) +T, E: VPAC2R agonist (0.3 mg/kg) +T, F: PACAP-38 (0.1 mg/kg) +T, G: PACAP-38 (0.3 mg/kg) +T.

[0032] FIG. 2A and 2B demonstrate the anti-atrophy and hypertrophy-inducing effects of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor selective agonists (administered continuously by osmotic minipump) in the mouse denervation atrophy model. FIG. 2A shows the anti-atrophy and hypertrophy-inducing effects of the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist in denervated and normal tibialis anterior muscle. FIG. 2B shows the hypertrophy-inducing effects of the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist in normal medial gastrocnemius muscle. Legend for the X-axis: A: water infused, B: VPAC1R agonist (0.3 mg/kg), C: VPAC1R agonist (1 mg/kg), D: VPAC1R agonist (3 mg/kg), E: VPAC2R agonist (0.3 mg/kg), F: VPAC2R agonist (1 mg/kg), G: VPAC2R agonist (3 mg/kg), H: PACAP-38 (0.3 mg/kg), I: PACAP-38 (1 mg/kg), PACAP-38 (3 mg/kg).

[0033] FIG. 3A and 3B demonstrate the anti-atrophy effects of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor selective agonists (administered subcutaneously, 2×daily) in the mouse glucocorticoid (dexamethasone)-induced atrophy model. FIG. 3A shows the anti-atrophy effects of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor selective agonists in glucocorticoid-induced atrophied tibialis anterior muscle. FIG. 3B shows the anti-atrophy effects of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor selective agonists in glucocorticoid-induced atrophied medial gastrocnemius muscle. Legend for the X-axis: A: Saline+Dexamethasone (1.2 mg/kg/day included in the drinking water), B: PACAP-38 (0.1 mg/kg) +Dexamethasone+T, C: PACAP-38 (0.3 mg/kg) +Dexamethasone+T, D: VPAC1 R agonist (0.1 mg/kg)+Dexamethasone+T, E: VPAC1 R agonist (0.3 mg/kg)+Dexamethasone+T, F: VPAC2R agonist (0.1 mg/kg)+Dexamethasone+T, G: VPAC2R agonist (0.3 mg/kg)+Dexamethasone+T.

[0034] FIG. 4A and 4B demonstrate the anti-atrophy and hypertrophy-inducing effects of a VPAC2 receptor selective agonist (administered subcutaneously, 2×daily) in the mouse disuse (casting) atrophy model. FIG. 4A shows the anti-atrophy effects of the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist, Ro 25-1553, in casting-induced atrophied tibialis anterior muscle. FIG. 4B shows the hypertrophy-inducing effects of VPAC2 receptor selective agonist, Ro 25-1553 in normal medial gastrocnemius muscle. Legend for the X-axis: A: Saline, B: VPAC2R agonist (0.03 mg/kg)+T, C: VPAC2R agonist (0.1 mg/kg)+T, D: VPAC2R agonist (0.3 mg/kg)+T. FIG. 5A and 5B demonstrate the anti-atrophy effects of a VPAC2 receptor selective agonist (administered subcutaneously, 2×daily) in the rat denervation atrophy model. FIG. 5A shows the anti-atrophy effects of the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist, Ro 25-1553, in denervation-induced atrophied tibialis anterior muscle. FIG. 5B shows the anti-atrophy effects of VPAC2R agonist, Ro 25-1553 in denervation-induced atrophied extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Legend for the X-axis: A: Saline, B: VPAC2R agonist (0.03 mg/kg)+T, C: VPAC2R agonist (0.1 mg/kg)+T, D: VPAC2R agonist (0.3 mg/kg)+T.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] I. Terms and Definitions

[0036] The following is a list of definitions for terms used herein.

[0037] “Agonist” means any compound that activates a receptor.

[0038] “Allelic variant” means a variant form of a given gene or gene product. One of skill in the art recognizes that a large number of genes are present in two or more allelic forms in a population and some genes have numerous alleles.

[0039] “Antibody”, in its various grammatical forms, means immunoglobulin molecules and immunologically active portions of immunoglobulin molecules, i.e., molecules that contain an antigen binding site which specifically binds an antigen. “Purified antibody” means an antibody which has been partially or completely separated from the proteins and naturally-occurring organic molecules with which it is naturally associated. Preferably, the preparation is at least 60% antibody, more preferably at least 75% antibody, more preferably at least 90% antibody, and most preferably at least 99%, by dry weight, antibody.

[0040] “Binding affinity” means the propensity for a ligand to interact with a receptor and is inversely related to the dissociation constant for a specific VIP ligand-VPAC interaction. The dissociation constant can be measured directly via standard saturation, competition, or kinetics binding techniques or indirectly via pharmacological techniques involving functional assays and endpoints.

[0041] “Chimeric antibody” means an antibody that contains structural elements from two or more different antibody molecules, i.e. from different animal species. Chimeric antibodies include, but are not limited to, antibodies known as “humanized antibodies” which include, but are not limited to, chimeric antibodies generated by the technique known as complementarity determining region grafting.

[0042] “Fusion” means two or more DNA coding sequences operably associated so as to encode one hybrid protein. A “fusion protein” therefore refers to such a hybrid protein.

[0043] “Inhibit” means to partially or completely block a particular process or activity. For example, a compound inhibits skeletal muscle atrophy if it either completely or partially prevents muscle atrophy.

[0044] As used herein, two DNA sequences are said to be “operably associated” if the nature of the linkage between the two DNA sequences does not (1) result in the introduction of a frame-shift mutation, (2) interfere with the ability of a promoter region to direct the transcription of the coding sequences, or (3) interfere with the ability of the corresponding RNA transcript to be translated into a protein. For example, a coding sequence and regulatory sequences are operably associated when they are covalently linked in such a way as to place the transcription of the coding sequence under the influence or control of the regulatory sequences. Thus, a promoter region is operably associated with a coding sequence when the promoter region is capable of effecting transcription of that DNA sequence such that the resulting transcript is capable of being translated into the desired protein or polypeptide.

[0045] “PACAP” means pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide.

[0046] “Percent identity” means the percentage of nucleotides or amino acids that two sequences have in common as calculated as follows. To calculate the percent identity for a specific sequence (the query), the relevant part of the query sequence is compared to a reference sequence using the BestFit comparison computer program, Wisconsin Package, Ver. 10.1, available from the Genetics Computer Group, Inc. This program uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman, Advances in Applied Mathematics, Issue 2: 482-489 (1981). Percent identity is calculated with the following default parameters for the BestFit program: the scoring matrix is blosum62.cmp, the gap creation penalty is 8 and the Gap extension penalty is 2. When comparing a sequence to the reference sequence, the relevant part of the query sequence is that which is derived from a VPAC sequence. For example, where the query is a VPAC/purification tag fusion protein, only the VPAC polypeptide portion of the sequence is aligned to calculate the percent identity score.

[0047] “Polypeptide” means any chain of amino acids, regardless of length or post-translational modification (e.g., phosphorylation or glycosylation).

[0048] “Promoter” means a DNA sequence which controls the initiation of transcription and the rate of transcription from a gene or coding region.

[0049] “Prophylactic treatment” means preventive treatment of a subject, not currently exhibiting signs of skeletal muscle atrophy, in order to completely or partially block the occurrence of skeletal muscle atrophy. One of skill in the art would recognize that certain individuals are at risk for skeletal muscle atrophy as discussed in the background section herein. Furthermore, one of skill in the art would recognize that if the biochemical changes leading to skeletal muscle atrophy are appropriately regulated, that the occurrence of atrophy would be prevented or reduced in at-risk individuals.

[0050] “Regulate” in all its grammatical forms, means to increase, decrease or maintain, e.g. to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function means to increase, decrease or maintain the level of skeletal muscle mass or function.

[0051] “Regulation of skeletal muscle mass or function” includes regulation of skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle function or both.

[0052] “Regulatory element” means a DNA sequence that is capable of controlling the level of transcription from an operably associated DNA sequence. Included within this definition of regulatory element are promoters and enhancers. E.g., a VPAC receptor gene regulatory element is a DNA sequence capable of controlling the level of transcription from the VPAC receptor gene.

[0053] “Reporter gene” means a coding sequence whose product can be detected, preferably quantitatively, wherein the reporter gene is operably associated with a heterologous promoter or enhancer element which is responsive to a signal which is to be measured. The promoter or enhancer element in this context is referred to herein as a “responsive element”.

[0054] “Selective agonist” means that the agonist has significantly greater activity toward a certain receptor(s) compared with other receptors, not that it is completely inactive with regard to other receptors.

[0055] “Skeletal muscle hypertrophy” means an increase in skeletal muscle mass or skeletal muscle function or both.

[0056] “Skeletal muscle atrophy” means the same as “muscle wasting” and means a decrease in skeletal muscle mass or skeletal muscle function or both.

[0057] “Splice variant” means a mRNA or protein which results from alternative exon usage. One of skill in the art recognizes that, depending on cell type, or even within a single cell type, a mRNA may be expressed in a slightly different form, as a splice variant, and thus the translated protein will be different depending upon the mRNA that is expressed.

[0058] A “therapeutically effective amount” of a substance is an amount capable of producing a medically desirable result in a treated subject, e.g., decreases skeletal muscle atrophy, increases skeletal muscle mass or increases skeletal muscle function, with an acceptable benefit: risk ratio; in a human or non-human mammal.

[0059] “Therapeutic treatment” means treatment of a subject in which an increase in muscle mass or muscle function is desirable. For example, treatment of a subject currently exhibiting signs of skeletal muscle atrophy in order to partially or completely reverse the skeletal muscle atrophy that has occurred or to completely or partially block the occurrence of further skeletal muscle atrophy would be therapeutic treatment of that subject. The term “therapeutic treatment” also includes, for example, treatment of a subject not exhibiting signs of skeletal muscle atrophy to induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy, e.g. treatment of a livestock animal to increase muscle mass.

[0060] The term “treatment” means prophylactic or therapeutic treatment.

[0061] “VIP” means vasoactive intestinal peptide.

[0062] “VIP analog” means polypeptides which act as ligands of VPAC receptors. Preferred VIP analogs are PACAP-27, PACAP-38, helodermin, peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHI), peptide histidine methionine amide, peptide histidine valine amide (PHV), growth hormone releasing hormone, secretin, glucagons, (Arg15, Arg21) VIP, [(Arg15,20,21Leu17)-VIP-Gly-Lys-Arg-NH2], [K15, R16, L27, VIP(1-7), GRF(8-27)-NH2], multimeric VIP fusion protein Ro 25-1392 or PACAP(6-38). More preferred VIP analogs are VIP, PACAP-27, PACAP-38, PHI, PHV, Ro25-1553, Ro 25-1392 and [K15, R16, L27, VIP(1-7), GRF(8-27)-NH2].

[0063] “VPAC receptor agonist” means a compound or molecule which has the ability to activate the VPAC1 or the VPAC2 receptor, or both. Activation of VPAC receptors can be measured as described hereinafter.

[0064] The nomenclature regarding the VPAC receptors used herein follows the convention proposed by Harmar, et al. in Pharmacological Reviews (1998) 50(2): 265-270.

[0065] “VPAC receptor” means the VPAC1 receptor or VPAC2 receptor.

[0066] “VPAC1 receptor” means the VPAC1 receptor from any animal species. The VPAC1 receptor has previously been referred to as the “VIP receptor”, “VIP1 receptor” (Lutz et al., FEBS Lett (1993) 334:3-8, “VIP/PACAP Type II Receptor” (Ciccarelli et al., Regul Pept (1994) 54:397-407, “HIVR” or “human intestinal VIP receptor” (Couvineau, A. et. al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (1994) 200(2), 769-776, and “PVR2” (Rawlings et al., Endocrinology (1995) 136:2088-2098.

[0067] The definition of VPAC1 receptor includes, but is not limited to, those receptors for which the cDNA or genomic sequence encoding the receptor has been deposited in a sequence database. These sequences include Accession Nos.: L13288, X75299, M86835, NM—011703, U49434, AF100644, I28734, U31991 (partial cDNA sequence), U56391, E05551 and 806702. The protein sequence of these VPAC1 receptors is obtained by translation of the coding region of these DNA sequences and is generally available as part of the database entry.

[0068] “VPAC2 receptor” means the VPAC2 receptor from any animal species. The VPAC2 receptor has also been referred to as “VIP2” (Lutz et al., 1993), “PACAPR-3” (Inagaki et al., (1994) Proc Natl Academy Sci USA 91:2679-2683 and “PVR3” (Rawlings et al., (1995) Endocrinology 136:2088-2098.

[0069] The definition of VPAC2 receptor includes, but is not limited to, those receptors for which the DNA sequence encoding the receptor has been deposited in a sequence database. These sequences include Accession Nos.: X95097, L40764, L36566, Y18423, U18810, D28132, Z25885, U09631 and A43808. The protein sequence of these VPAC2 receptors is obtained by translation of the coding region of these DNA sequences and is generally available as part of the database entry.

[0070] The term “VPAC receptor” includes truncated and/or mutated proteins wherein regions of the receptor molecule not required for ligand binding or signaling have been deleted or modified. For example one of skill in the art will recognize that a VPAC receptor with one or more conservative changes in the primary amino acid sequence would be useful in the present invention. It is known in the art that substitution of certain amino acids with different amino acids with similar structure or properties (conservative substitutions) can result in a silent change, i.e. a change that does not significantly alter function. Conservative substitutes are well known in the art. For example, it is known that GPCRs can tolerate substitutions of amino acid residues in the transmembrane alpha-helices, which are oriented toward lipid, with other hydrophobic amino acids, and remain functional. VPAC1 receptors differing from a naturally occurring sequence by truncations and/or mutations such as conservative amino acid substitutions are included in the definition of VPAC1 receptor. VPAC2 receptors differing from a naturally occurring sequence by truncations and/or mutations such as conservative amino acid substitutions are included in the definition of VPAC2 receptor.

[0071] One of skill in the art would also recognize that VPAC receptors from a species other than those listed above, particularly mammalian species, would be useful in the present invention. One of skill in the art would further recognize that by using probes from the known VPAC species' sequences, cDNA or genomic sequences homologous to the known sequence could be obtained from the same or alternate species by known cloning methods. Such VPAC1 receptors are included in the definition of VPAC1 and such VPAC2 receptors are included in the definition of VPAC2.

[0072] In addition, one of skill in the art would recognize that allelic variants or splice variants of VPAC receptors might be present in a particular species and that these variants would have utility in the present invention. Such VPAC1 receptor variants are included in the definition of VPAC1 and such VPAC2 receptor variants are included in the definition of VPAC2.

[0073] Fusions of a VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptor polypeptide, or a VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptor polypeptide fragment to a non-VPAC polypeptide are referred to as VPAC receptor fusion proteins. Using known methods, one of skill in the art would be able to make fusion proteins of a VPAC1 receptor or a VPAC2 receptor that, while different from native VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors, would remain useful in the present invention. VPAC1 receptor fusion proteins are included within the definition of VPAC1 receptor and VPAC2 receptor fusion proteins are included within the definition of VPAC2 receptor.

[0074] “Functional VPAC receptors” refers to VPAC receptors that bind VIP or a VIP analog in vivo or in vitro and are activated as a result of ligand binding.

[0075] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the arts of protein chemistry, pharmacology, or molecular biology. The methods, materials and examples described herein are not intended to be limiting. Other methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention.

[0076] II. The Role of VPAC Receptors in Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Mass

[0077] One of skill in the art would recognize the utility of the present invention given the information in the prior art and the teachings below. The results herein show that agonists of VPAC receptors induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy and/or inhibit skeletal muscle atrophy induced by denervation, disuse and corticosteroids, thus demonstrating the modulatory role and function of the VPAC receptors in the process of skeletal muscle atrophy. Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that the effect of VPAC receptor agonists on skeletal muscle atrophy and hypertrophy is due to a direct effect on the muscle cells. However, it is also possible that this effect is mediated, in whole, or in part, through a secretagogue effect of the agonist on a non-muscle tissue.

[0078] The specific role of VPAC receptors in vivo was investigated using pharmacological agents, which are selective agonists for PACAP receptors, the VAPC1 receptor or the VPAC2 receptor, in various models of skeletal muscle atrophy, described hereinafter. Selective agonists used include: PACAP-38 (non-selective for the VAPC1/ VPAC2/PAC1 receptors) (Bachem Biosciences Inc., King of Prussia, PA); [K15, R16, L27, VIP(l-7), GRF(8-27)-NH2] (VPAC1 receptor selective agonist with potency similar to PACAP38) which was synthesized according to the method of Gourlet, Vertongen et al., Peptides 18 (1997) 403-408; and Ro 25-1553 (VPAC2 receptor selective agonist with potency similar to PACAP38) which was purchased from Synpep Inc. (Dublin, Calif.). Before use, the agents were checked for purity by HPLC and for composition by mass spectrometry. These agents have been well characterized and are described in the scientific literature (Gourlet, Vandermeers et al., Peptides 18 (1997) 1539-1545; Gourlet, Vertongen et al., Peptides 18 (1997) 403-408; Gozes et al., Curr. Med. Chem. 6 (1999) 1019-1034).

[0079] FIGS. 1-5 show the results of experiments demonstrating that administration of agonists for VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptors result in statistically significant inhibition of skeletal muscle atrophy and or induction of hypertrophy. VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptor agonists administered twice daily in combination with theophylline resulted in inhibition of skeletal muscle atrophy in animal models of skeletal muscle atrophy. Theophylline was added to potentiate the duration and magnitude of action of the VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor agonists therefore resulting in increased efficacy of these compounds. Theophylline itself had no effect in these atrophy models, demonstrating that the anti-atrophy effect of the VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor agonists in combination with theophylline was due to the effect of the VPAC receptor agonists. Furthermore, continuous dosing of the VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor agonists in the absence of theophylline, via osmotic mini-pump, also resulted in inhibition of skeletal muscle atrophy and or in skeletal muscle hypertrophy.

[0080] Specifically, FIG. 1 (FIG. 1.) shows the results of a mouse denervation atrophy study utilizing the VPAC1 receptor selective agonist, [K15, R16, L27 VIP(1-7), GRF(8-27)-NH2](VPAC1R agonist), the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist, Ro 25-1553 (VPAC2R agonist), or the VPAC1/VPAC2 receptor nonselective agonist, PACAP-38. Following denervation of the right sciatic nerve, male mice were injected subcutaneously in the midscapular region twice daily, with either the above indicated agents at the doses indicated in FIGS. 1A and 1B or vehicle control (physiological saline) for nine days. These agonists were co-administered with twice daily intra-peritoneal dosing of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline (T—30 mg/kg) (included to increase the magnitude and the duration of action of cAMP signals induced by the VPAC receptor agonists). On day nine, the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were removed and weighed to determine the degree of atrophy. This experiment demonstrated that the non-specific VPAC receptor agonist, PACAP-38 inhibited atrophy of the denervated tibialis anterior (FIG. 1A) and medial gastrocnemius muscles (FIG. 1B). The VPAC1 receptor selective agonist [K15, R16, L27 VIP(1-7), GRF(8-27)-NH2] inhibited atrophy of the denervated medial gastrocnemius muscle (FIG. 1B). The VPAC2 receptor selective agonist Ro 25-1553 inhibited atrophy of the denervated tibialis anterior (FIG. 1A) and medial gastrocnemius (FIG. 1B) muscles. Statistical significance of the results was determined using ANCOVA (Douglas C. Montgomery, Design and Analysis of Experiments, John Wiley and Sons, New York (2nd ed. 1984)).

[0081] FIG. 2 (FIG. 2.) shows the results of a mouse denervation atrophy study utilizing the VPAC1 receptor selective agonist, [K15, R16, L27 VIP(1-7), GRF(8-27)-NH2] (VPAC1R agonist), the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist, Ro 25-1553 (VPAC2R agonist), or the VPAC1/VPAC2 receptor nonselective agonist, PACAP-38. Following denervation of the right sciatic nerve, male mice were dosed with the above indicated agents or vehicle control (physiological saline) by continuous infusion using an ALZeT osmotic minipump at 5 μl/ hr until the end of the experimental period. The daily delivered doses of the agents are as indicated on FIGS. 2A and 2B. Minipump implantation was performed at the same time as the sciatic nerve denervation. On day nine the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were removed and weighed to determine the degree of atrophy. The VPAC2 receptor selective agonist Ro 25-1553 inhibited atrophy of the denervated tibialis anterior (FIG. 2A) muscle. In addition, the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist, Ro 25-1553, induced hypertrophy of the non-denervated (control) tibialis anterior (FIG. 2A) and medial gastrocnemius (FIG. 2B) muscles. Statistical significance of the results was determined using ANCOVA.

[0082] FIG. 3 (FIG. 3.) shows the results of a mouse glucocorticoid-induced atrophy study utilizing the VPAC1 receptor selective agonist, [K15, R16, L27 VIP(1-7), GRF(8-27)-NH2](VPAC1R agonist), the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist, Ro 25-1553 (VPAC2R agonist), or the VPAC1/VPAC2 receptor nonselective agonist, PACAP-38. Following the addition of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone to the drinking water (1.2 mg/kg/d), male mice were injected subcutaneously in the midscapular region twice daily, with either the above indicated agents at the doses indicated in FIGS. 3A and 3B or vehicle control (physiological saline) for nine days. These agonists were co-administered with twice daily intra-peritoneal dosing of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline (T—30 mg/kg). Nine days following the initiation of dosing of the VPAC receptor agonists and dexamethasone, the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were removed and weighed to determine the degree of atrophy. This experiment demonstrates that the non-specific VPAC receptor agonist, PACAP-38, inhibits muscle atrophy of the medial gastrocnemius atrophy induced by glucocorticoid administration (FIG. 3B). The VPAC1 receptor selective agonist [K15, R16, L27 VIP(1-7), GRF(8-27)-NH2] inhibited muscle atrophy of the tibialis anterior induced by glucocorticoid administration (FIG. 3A). The VPAC2 receptor selective agonist Ro 25-1553 inhibited muscle atrophy of the tibialis anterior (FIG. 3A) and medial gastrocnemius (FIG. 3B) induced by glucocorticoid administration. Statistical significance of the results was determined using ANCOVA.

[0083] FIG. 4 (FIG. 4.) shows the results of a mouse disuse (casting) atrophy study utilizing the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist, Ro 25-1553 (VPAC2R agonist). Following casting of the right hind leg, male mice were injected subcutaneously in the midscapular region twice daily, with either the above indicated agent at the doses indicated in FIGS. 4A and 4B or vehicle control (physiological saline) for nine days. The VPAC2R agonist was co-administered with twice daily intra-peritoneal dosing of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline (T—30 mg/kg). On day nine, the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were removed and weighed to determine the degree of atrophy. The VPAC2 receptor selective agonist Ro 25-1553 inhibited disuse-induced atrophy of the tibialis anterior muscle (FIG. 4A). In addition, Ro251553 induced hypertrophy of the medial gastrocnemius muscle. Statistical significance of the results was determined using ANCOVA.

[0084] FIG. 5 (FIG. 5.) shows the results of a rat denervation atrophy study utilizing the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist, Ro 25-1553 (VPAC2R receptor). Following denervation of the right sciatic nerve, male rats were injected subcutaneously in the midscapular region twice daily, with either the VPAC2R receptor agonist at the doses indicated in FIGS. 5A and 5B or vehicle control (physiological saline) for nine days. The VPAC2R receptor agonist was co-administered with twice daily intra-peritoneal dosing of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline (T—30 mg/kg). On day nine, the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were removed and weighed to determine the degree of atrophy. This experiment demonstrated that the VPAC2 receptor selective agonist Ro 25-1553 inhibited atrophy of the denervated tibialis anterior (FIG. 5A) and EDL (FIG. 5B) muscles. Statistical significance of the results was determined using ANCOVA.

[0085] III. Preparation of VPAC receptors, VIP or VIP Analogs or Cell Lines Expressing VPAC Receptors

[0086] VPAC1 receptors, VPAC2 receptors, VIP and VIP analogs can be prepared for a variety of uses, including, but not limited to, the generation of antibodies, use as reagents in the screening assays of the present invention, and use as pharmaceutical reagents for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. It will be clear to one of skill in the art, that for certain embodiments of the invention, purified polypeptides will be most useful, while for other embodiments, cell lines expressing the polypeptides will be most useful. For example, in situations where it is important to retain the structural and functional characteristics of the VPAC receptor, e.g. in a screening method to identify candidate compounds which activate VPAC receptors, it is desirable to use cells which express functional VPAC receptors.

[0087] Because VIP and VIP analogs are short polypeptides, the skilled artisan will recognize that these polypeptides will be most conveniently provided by direct synthesis, rather than by recombinant means, using techniques well known in the art. In addition, many of these molecules are commercially available.

[0088] Where the source of VPAC receptors is a cell line expressing the polypeptide, the cells may, for example, endogenously express VPAC receptor, have been stimulated to increase endogenous VPAC receptor expression or have been genetically engineered to express a VPAC receptor. Methods for determining whether a cell line expresses a polypeptide of interest are known in the art, for example, detection of the polypeptide with an appropriate antibody, use of a DNA probe to detect mRNA encoding the protein (e.g. northern blot or PCR techniques), or measuring binding of an agent selective for the polypeptide of interest (e.g. a radiolabeled selective agonist).

[0089] The use of recombinant DNA technology in the preparation of VPAC1, VPAC2, or of cell lines expressing these polypeptides is particularly contemplated. Such recombinant methods are well known in the art. To express recombinant VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptors, an expression vector that comprises a nucleic acid which encodes the polypeptide of interest under the control of one or more regulatory elements, is prepared. Genomic or cDNA sequences encoding VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors from several species have been described and are readily available from the GenBank database (available at <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/>). The accession numbers for VPAC1 receptor sequences include: L13288 (human); U11079, U11080, U11081, U11082, U11083, U11084, U11085, U11086, U11087 which together make up the complete gene sequence for human VPAC1 receptor (the assembled listing is under 806702); X75299 (human); M86835 (Rattus norvegicus); NM—011703 (Mus musculus), U49434 (Sus scrofa), AF100644 (Rana ridibunda), I28734 (Porcine), E05551 (Rattus sp.) and U56391 (Carassius auratus). The accession numbers for VPAC2 receptor sequences include: X95097 (human), L40764 (human), L36566 (human), Y18423 (human), U18810 (human), D28132 (Mus musculus), Z25885 (Rattus norvegicus), U09631 (Rattus norvegicus), and A43808 (Rat). Using this publicly available sequence information, one means of isolating a nucleic acid molecule encoding a VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptor is to screen a genomic DNA or cDNA library with a natural or artificially synthesized DNA probe, using methods well known in the art, e.g. by PCR amplification of the sequence from an appropriate library. Another method is to use oligonucleotide primers specific for the receptor of interest to PCR amplify the cDNA directly from mRNA isolated from a particular tissue (such as skeletal muscle). Such isolated mRNA is commercially available. One of skill in the art would also recognize that by using nucleic acid probes corresponding to portions of the known VPAC receptor sequences the homologous cDNAs or genomic sequences from other species can be obtained using known methods. Particularly useful in the methods of the present invention are VPAC receptors from the species including, but not limited to, human, mouse, rat, pig, monkey, chimpanzee, marmoset, dog, cow, sheep, cat, chicken and turkey. By methods well known in the art, the isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the VPAC receptor of interest is then ligated into a suitable expression vector. The expression vector, thus prepared, is expressed in a host cell and the host cells expressing the receptor are used directly in a screening assay or the receptor is isolated from the host cells expressing the receptor and the isolated receptor is used in a screening assay.

[0090] The host-expression vector systems that may be used for purposes of the invention include, but are not limited to: microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., E. coli, B. subtilis) transformed with recombinant bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA, or cosmid DNA expression vectors containing VPAC receptor nucleotide sequences; yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces, Pichia) transformed with recombinant yeast expression vectors containing VPAC receptor nucleotide5 sequences; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containing VPAC receptor nucleotide sequences; plant cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, tobacco mosaic virus) or transformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti plasmid) containing VPAC receptor nucleotide sequences; or mammalian cell systems (e.g., COS, CHO, HEK293, NIH3T3) harboring recombinant expression constructs containing promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells (e.g., metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g. retrovirus LTR) and also containing VPAC receptor nucleotide sequences.

[0091] The host cell is used to produce the polypeptide of interest. Because the VPAC receptor is a membrane bound molecule, it is purified from the host cell membranes or the VPAC receptor is utilized while anchored in the cell membrane, i.e. whole cells or membrane fractions of cells are used. Purification or enrichment of the VPAC receptors from such expression systems is accomplished using appropriate detergents and lipid micelles by methods well known to those skilled in the art.

[0092] In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors may be advantageously selected depending upon the use intended for the gene product being expressed. For example, when a large quantity of such proteins is produced for the generation of antibodies to VPAC receptors, vectors which direct the expression of high levels of protein products are desirable. One skilled in the art is able to generate such vector constructs and purify the proteins by a variety of methodologies including selective purification technologies such as fusion protein selective columns and antibody columns, and non-selective purification technologies.

[0093] In an insect protein expression system, the baculovirus A. californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV), is used as a vector to express foreign genes in S. frugiperda cells. In this case, VPAC receptor nucleotide sequences are cloned into non-essential regions of the virus and placed under the control of an AcNPV promoter. The recombinant viruses are then used to infect cells in which the inserted gene is expressed and the protein is purified by one of many techniques known to one skilled in the art.

[0094] In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression systems may be utilized. Utilization of these expression systems often requires the creation of specific initiation signals in the vectors for efficient translation of the inserted nucleotide sequences. This is particularly important if a portion of the VPAC receptor gene is used which does not contain the endogenous initiation signal. The placement of this initiation signal, in frame with the coding region of the inserted nucleotide sequence, as well as the addition of transcription and translation enhancing elements and the purification of the recombinant protein are achieved by one of many methodologies known to one skilled in the art. Also important in mammalian host cells is the selection of an appropriate cell type which is capable of the necessary post translational modifications of the recombinant protein. Such modifications, for example, cleavage, phosphorylation, glycosylation, etc., require the selection of the appropriate host cell which contains the modifying enzymes. Such host cells include, but are not limited to, CHO, HEK293, NIH3T3, COS, etc. and are known by those skilled in the art.

[0095] For long term, high expression of recombinant proteins, stable expression is preferred. For example, cell lines which stably express VPAC receptors may be engineered. One of skill in the art, following known methods such as electroporation, calcium phosphate transfection, or liposome mediated transfection, can generate a cell line which stably expresses VPAC receptors. This is usually accomplished by transfecting cells using expression vectors which contain appropriate expression control elements (e.g., promoter sequences, enhancer sequences, transcriptional termination sequences, polyadenylation sites, translational start sites, etc.), a selectable marker, and the gene of interest. The selectable marker may either be contained within the same vector, as the gene of interest, or on a separate vector which is co-transfected with the VPAC sequence containing vector. The selectable marker in the expression vector may confer resistance to the selection and allows cells to stably integrate the vector into their chromosomes and to grow to form foci which in turn can be cloned and expanded into cell lines. Alternatively the expression vector may allow selection of the cell expressing the selectable marker utilizing a physical attribute of the marker, i.e. expression of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) allows for selection of cells expressing the marker using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis.

[0096] One of skill in the art is able to select an appropriate cell type for transfection in order to allow for selection of cells into which the gene of interest has been successfully integrated. For example, where the selectable marker is herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase or adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, the appropriate cell type would be tk-, hgprt- or aprt- cells, respectively. Or, wild type cells can be used where the selectable marker is dhfr, gpt, neo or hygro which confer resistance to methotrexate, mycophenolic acid, G-418 or hygromycin, respectively. Such recombinant cell lines are useful for identification of candidate compounds that affect the VPAC receptor activity.

[0097] IV Preparation of VPAC Receptor Antibodies

[0098] Antibodies that selectively recognize one or more epitopes of a VPAC receptor are also encompassed by the invention. Such antibodies include, e.g., polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antibodies, human antibodies, single chain antibodies, Fab fragments, F(ab′)2 fragments, molecules produced using a Fab expression library, human antibodies (polyclonal or monoclonal) produced in transgenic mice and epitope binding fragments of any of the above. For therapeutic uses, chimeric or human antibodies are preferred; human antibodies are most preferred.

[0099] The antibodies can be utilized in conjunction with the compound screening schemes described herein for the evaluation of test compounds, e.g. for immobilization of VPAC receptor polypeptides or such antibodies can be used in conjunction with gene therapy techniques to evaluate, for example, the expression of VPAC receptors either in cells or directly in patient tissues in which these genes have been introduced. In addition, antibodies of the present invention are useful in the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. Antibodies selective for the VPAC receptor can be screened by the methods of the present invention to identify a subset of the antibodies which are VPAC receptor agonists. In addition, anti-idiotype antibodies generated against antibodies specific for VIP or a VIP analog may be useful as VPAC receptor agonists and like anti-VPAC antibodies may be screened for their ability to activate the VPAC receptor by methods of the present invention.

[0100] For the production of antibodies, a variety of host animals may be immunized by injection with VPAC1 VIP or a VIP analog, anti-VIP antibody, anti-VIP analog antibody, or immunogenic fragments thereof by methods well known in the art. For preparation of an anti-idiotype antibody the irmmunogen is an anti-VIP antibody or anti-VIP analog antibody. Production of anti-idiotype antibodies is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,880, incorporated herein by reference. Suitable host animals include, but are not limited to, rabbits, mice, goats, sheep and horses. Immunization techniques are well known in the art. Polyclonal antibodies can be purified from the serum of the immunized animals, or monoclonal antibodies can be generated by methods which are well known in the art. These techniques include, but are not limited to, the well-known hybridoma techniques of Kohler and Milstein, human B-cell hybridoma techniques, and the EBV hybridoma technology. Monoclonal antibodies may be of any immunoglobulin class, including IgG, IgE, IgM, IgA, and IgD containing either kappa or lambda light chains.

[0101] Because of the immunogenicity of non-human antibodies in humans, chimeric antibodies are preferred to non-human antibodies when used for therapeutic treatment of human patients. Techniques of producing and using chimeric antibodies are known in the art, and are described in, for example, Vaswani et al., Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol., 1998;81:105-119, Farah et al., Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression, 1998;8(3-4):321-56, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,807,715; 4,816,397; 4,816,567; and 5,824,307, all incorporated herein by reference.

[0102] Completely human antibodies are particularly desirable for therapeutic treatment of human patients because they are less immunogenic than non-human antibodies. Such antibodies can be produced using transgenic mice which are substantially incapable of expressing endogenous immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes, but which can express human heavy and light chain genes. The transgenic mice are immunized in the normal fashion with a selected antigen, e.g., all or a portion of VPAC. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen are obtained using conventional hybridoma technology from these immunized transgenic mice. This technology is described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,874,299; 5,877,397; 5,569,825; 5,661,016; 5,770,429; and 6,075,181, all incorporated herein by reference. As an alternative to obtaining human immunoglobulins directly from the culture of the hybridoma cells, the hybridoma cells can be used as a source of rearranged heavy chain and light chain loci for subsequent expression or genetic manipulation. Isolation of genes from such antibody-producing cells is straightforward since high levels of the appropriate mRNAs are available. The recovered rearranged loci can be manipulated as desired. For example, the constant region can be eliminated or exchanged for that of a different isotype or the variable regions can be linked to encode single chain Fv regions. Such techniques are described in WO 96/33735 and WO 96/34096, all incorporated herein by reference.

[0103] V. Selection of Test Compounds

[0104] Compounds that can be screened in accordance with the assays of the invention include but are not limited to, libraries of known compounds, including natural products, such as plant or animal extracts, synthetic chemicals, biologically active materials including proteins, peptides such as soluble peptides, including but not limited to members of random peptide libraries and combinatorial chemistry derived molecular library made of D- or L- configuration amino acids, phosphopeptides (including, but not limited to, members of random or partially degenerate, directed phosphopeptide libraries), antibodies (including, but not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, human, anti-idiotypic or single chain antibodies, and Fab, F(ab')2 and Fab expression library fragments, and epitope-binding fragments thereof), organic and inorganic molecules.

[0105] In addition to the more traditional sources of test compounds, computer modeling and searching technologies permit the rational selection of test compounds by utilizing structural information from the ligand binding site of VPAC or from already identified agonists of VPAC receptors. Such rational selection of test compounds can decrease the number of test compounds that must be screened in order to identify a candidate therapeutic compound. VPAC receptors are GPCRs and thus knowledge of the VPAC protein sequence allows for the generation of a model of the binding site that can be used to screen for potential ligands. This process can be accomplished in several manners. The most robust approach involves generating a sequence alignment of the VPAC receptor sequence to a template (derived from the bacterio-rhodopsin or rhodopsin crystal structures or other GPCR model), conversion of the amino acid structures and refining the model by molecular mechanics and visual examination. If a strong sequence alignment cannot be obtained then a model may also be generated by building models of the hydrophobic helices. These are then fitted together by rotating and translating each helix relative to the others starting from the general layout of the known rhodopsin structures. Mutational data that points towards residue-residue contacts may also be used to position the helices relative to each other so that these contacts are achieved. During this process, docking of the known ligands into the binding site cavity within the helices may also be used to help position the helices by developing interactions that would stabilize the binding of the ligand. The model may be completed by refinement using molecular mechanics and loop building of the intracellular and extracellular loops using standard homology modeling techniques. General information regarding GPCR structure and modeling can be found in Schoneberg, T. et. al., Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 151 (1999), 181-193, Flower, D., Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1422 (1999), 207-234, and Sexton, P.M., Current Opinion in Drug Discovery and Development, 2(5), 1999, 440-448, incorporated herein by reference.

[0106] Once the model is completed, it can be used for screening for potential ligands for example by using one of several existing computer programs. The most general of these is the DOCK program (UCSF Molecular Design Institute, 533 Parnassus Ave, U-64, Box 0446, San Francisco, Calif. 94143-0446). In several of its variants it can screen databases of commercial and/or proprietary compounds for steric fit and rough electrostatic complementarity to the binding site. It has frequently been found that molecules that score well within DOCK have a better chance of being ligands. Another program that can be used is FLEXX (Tripos Inc., 1699 South Hanley Rd., St. Louis, Mo., 63144-2913). This program, being significantly slower, is usually restricted to searches through smaller databases of compounds. The scoring scheme within FLEXX is more detailed and usually gives a better estimate of binding ability than does DOCK. FLEXX is best used to confirm DOCK suggestions, or to examine libraries of compounds that are generated combinatorially from known ligands or templates.

[0107] VI. Screening Assays to Identify Candidate Compounds for the Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Mass or Function

[0108] The finding that VPAC receptors play a role in regulating skeletal muscle atrophy, enables various methods of screening one or more test compounds to identify candidate compounds that ultimately may be used for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. This invention provides methods for screening test compounds for their ability to bind to VPAC receptors, activate VPAC receptors, prolong or augment the agonist-induced activation of VPAC receptors or of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway, increase expression of VPAC receptor genes, or increase expression of VIP or a VIP analog gene.

[0109] For screening for compounds which ultimately will be used to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function through VPAC1 receptors in humans, it is preferred that the initial in vitro screen be carried out using a VPAC1 receptor with an amino acid sequence that is greater than 60% identical to the sequence of the human VPAC1 receptor, Accession No. L13288, (SEQ ID NO: 1). More preferably the sequence of the VPAC1 receptor is greater than 70% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1, more preferably greater than 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 and more preferably greater than 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1. Most preferably the test compounds will be screened against a human VPAC1 receptor. For screening for compounds which ultimately will be used to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function through VPAC1 in a non-human species, it is preferable to use the VPAC1 receptor from the species in which treatment is contemplated.

[0110] For screening for compounds which ultimately will be used to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function through VPAC2 receptors in humans, it is preferred that the initial in vitro screen be carried out using a VPAC2 receptor with an amino acid sequence that is greater than 60% identical to the sequence of the human VPAC2 receptor, Accession No. X95097, (SEQ ID NO: 10). More preferably the sequence of the VPAC2 receptor is greater than 70% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10, more preferably greater than 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10 and more preferably greater than 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10. Most preferably the test compounds will be screened against a human VPAC2 receptor. For screening for compounds which ultimately will be used to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function through VPAC2 receptors in a non-human species, it is preferable to use the VPAC2 receptor from the species in which treatment is contemplated.

[0111] The methods of the present invention are amenable to high throughput applications; however, the use of as few as one test compound in the method is encompassed by the term screening. Test compounds which activate VPAC receptors, prolong or augment the agonist-induced activation of VPAC receptors or of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway, increase expression of VPAC receptor genes, or increase expression of VIP or a VIP analog gene, as determined by a method of the present invention are referred to herein as “candidate compounds”. Such candidate compounds can be used to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function. However, more typically, this first level of in vitro screen provides a means by which to select a narrower range of compounds, i.e., the candidate compounds, which merit further investigation in additional levels of screening. The skilled artisan will recognize that a utility of the present invention is to identify, from a group of one or more test compounds, a subset of compounds which merit further investigation. One of skill in the art will also recognize that the assays of the present invention are useful in ranking the probable usefulness of a particular candidate compound relative to other candidate compounds. For instance, a candidate compound which activates VPAC at 1000 nM (but not at 10 nM) is of less interest than one which activates VPAC at 10 nM. Using such information the skilled artisan may select a subset of the candidate compounds, identified in the first level of screening, for further investigation. By the way of example only, compounds which activate VPAC at concentrations of less than 200 nM might be further tested in an animal model of skeletal muscle atrophy, whereas those above that threshold would not be further tested. The skilled artisan will also recognize that depending on how the group of test compounds is selected, and how the positives are selected, only a certain proportion of test compounds will be identified as candidate compounds, and that this proportion may be very small.

[0112] The assay systems described below may be formulated into kits comprising VPAC receptors or cells expressing the VPAC receptors which can be packaged in a variety of containers, e.g., vials, tubes microtitre well plates, bottles and the like. Other reagents can be included in separate containers and provided with the kit, e.g., positive control samples, negative control samples, buffers and cell culture media.

[0113] In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for screening one or more test compounds to identify candidate compounds that bind to VPAC receptors. Methods of determining binding of a compound to a receptor are well known in the art. Typically, the assays include the steps of incubating a source of the VPAC receptor with a labeled compound, known to bind to the receptor, in the presence or absence of a test compound and determining the amount of bound labeled compound. The source of VPAC receptor may either be cells expressing VPAC receptors or some form of isolated VPAC receptor, as described herein. The labeled compound can be VIP or any VIP analog labeled such that it can be measured, preferably quantitatively (e.g., 125I-labeled, europium labeled, fluorescein labeled, GFP labeled, 35S-methionine labeled). Such methods of labeling are well known in the art. Test compounds that bind to the VPAC receptor cause a reduction in the amount of labeled ligand bound to the receptor, thereby reducing the signal level compared to that from control samples (absence of test compound). Variations of this technique have been described in which receptor binding in the presence and absence of G-protein uncoupling agents can discriminate agonists from antagonists (e.g. binding in the absence and presence of a guanine nucleotide analog i.e. GpppNHp). See Keen, M., Radioligand Binding Methods for Membrane Preparations and Intact cells in Receptor Signal Transduction Protocols, R.A.J. Challis, (ed), Humana Press Inc., Totoway N.J. (1997).

[0114] When it is desired to discriminate between compounds which bind specifically to VPAC1 or VPAC2 (i.e. to one receptor type but not the other) the assays described above should be conducted using a cell, or membrane from a cell, which expresses only one of the VPAC receptors, or the assays can be conducted with a recombinant source of a particular receptor. Cells expressing more than one form of VPAC may be modified using homologous recombination to inactivate or otherwise disable the VPAC receptor gene that is not of interest. Alternatively, if the source of VPAC contains more than one VPAC receptor type, the background signal produced by the receptor which is not of interest must be subtracted from the signal obtained in the assay. The background response can be determined by a number of methods, including elimination of the signal from the VPAC receptor which is not of interest by use of antisense, antibodies or selective antagonists.

[0115] In another embodiment, the invention provides methods for screening test compounds to identify candidate compounds which activate VPAC receptors. Typically, the assays are cell-based however, cell-free assays are known which are able to differentiate agonist and antagonist binding as described above. Cell-based assays include the steps of contacting cells which express the VPAC1 or VPAC2 receptor with a test compound or control and measuring activation of the VPAC receptor by measuring the expression or activity of components of the VPAC receptor signal transduction pathways.

[0116] As described in the background section above, VPAC receptors appear to couple through several different pathways including Gαs, Gαq or Gαi, depending upon the cell type. It is thought that agonist activation of VPAC allows the receptor to signal via any of these pathways, provided that the necessary pathway components are present in the particular cell type. Thus, to screen for VPAC activation, an assay can use any of the signal transduction pathways as the readout even if the relevant cell type for treatment, in vivo, couples VPAC to skeletal muscle atrophy via a different pathway. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that a screening assay would be effective for identifying useful VPAC agonists independent of the pathway by which receptor activation was measured. Assays for measuring activation of these signaling pathways are known in the art.

[0117] For example, after contact with the test compound, lysates of the cells can be prepared and assayed for induction of cAMP. cAMP is induced in response to Gαs activation. Because Gαs is activated by receptors other than VPAC and because a test compound may be exerting its effect through VPAC receptors or by another mechanism, two control comparisons are relevant for determining whether a text compound increases levels of cAMP via activation of a VPAC receptor. One control compares the cAMP level of cells contacted with a test compound and the cAMP level of cells contacted with a control compound (i.e. the vehicle in which the test compound is dissolved). If the test compound increases cAMP levels relative to the control compound this indicates that the test compound is increasing cAMP by some mechanism. The other control compares the cAMP levels of a VPAC expressing cell line and a cell line, that is essentially the same except that it does not express the VPAC receptor where both of the cell lines have been treated with test compound. If the test compound elevates cAMP levels in the VPAC receptor expressing cell line relative to the cell line that does not express VPAC receptors, this is an indication that the test compound elevates cAMP via activation of the VPAC receptors.

[0118] In a specific embodiment of the invention, constructs containing the cAMP responsive element linked to any of a variety of reporter genes can be introduced into cells expressing VPAC receptors. Such reporter genes include, but are not limited to, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), luciferase, glucuronide synthetase, growth hormone, fluorescent proteins (e.g., Green Fluorescent Protein), or alkaline phosphatase. Following exposure of the cells to the test compound, the level of reporter gene expression can be quantitated to determine the test compound's ability to activate the VPAC receptor.

[0119] The cells useful in this assay are the same as for the VPAC receptor binding assay described above, except that cells utilized in the activation assays preferably express a functional receptor which gives a statistically significant response to VIP or one or more VIP analog. In addition to using cells expressing full length VPAC receptors, cells can be engineered which express VPAC receptors containing the ligand binding domain of the receptor coupled to, or physically modified to contain, reporter elements or to interact with signaling proteins. For example, a wild-type VPAC or VPAC fragment can be fused to a G-protein resulting in activation of the fused G-protein upon agonist binding to the VPAC portion of the fusion protein. Siefert, R. et al., Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 1999; 20: 383-389. The cells should also preferably possess a number of characteristics, depending on the readout, to maximize the inductive response by VIP or the VIP analog, for example, for detecting a strong induction of a CRE reporter gene; (a) a low natural level of cAMP; (b) G proteins capable of interacting with VPAC receptors; (c) a high level of adenylyl cyclase; (d) a high level of protein kinase A; (e) a low level of phosphodiesterases; and (f) a high level of cAMP response element binding protein would be advantageous. To increase the response to VIP or a VIP analog, host cells could be engineered to express a greater amount of favorable factors or a lesser amount of unfavorable factors. In addition, alternative pathways for induction of the CRE reporter could be eliminated to reduce basal levels.

[0120] In some instances, G protein-coupled receptor responses subside, or become desensitized, after prolonged exposure to an agonist. Another embodiment of the invention provides methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the agonist-induced activation of VPAC receptors, or the VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway, in response to a VPAC receptor agonist. Such compounds may be used, for example, either alone or in conjunction with a VPAC receptor agonist, for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. Typically the method uses a cell based assay comprising (i) treating cells expressing functional VPAC receptors with a VPAC receptor agonist at a concentration of agonist and for a period of agonist-receptor exposure sufficient to allow desensitization of the receptor, (ii) contacting the cells with a test compound and (iii) determining the level of activation of the VPAC receptor. One of skill in the art will recognize that several mechanisms contribute to receptor desensitization including, but not limited to, receptor phosphorylation, receptor internalization or degradation and VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway down-modulation. One of skill in the art can determine the appropriate time (i.e. before, during or after agonist treatment) for contacting the cells with the test compounds depending upon which mechanism of desensitization is targeted. For example, contacting the cells with test compounds following agonist treatment, can detect test compounds which block receptor desensitization which occurs as a result of phosphorylation of the receptor.

[0121] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of screening one or more test compound to identify candidate compounds which regulate transcription of VPAC genes or VPAC receptor expression. Candidate compounds which regulate transcriptional activity of VPAC genes may be identified using a reporter gene operably associated with a VPAC receptor regulatory region (reporter gene construct). Such methods are known in the art. In one such method, the reporter gene construct is contacted with a test compound in the presence of a source of cellular factors and the level of reporter gene expression is determined. A test compound which causes an increase in the level of expression, compared to a control sample, is indicative of a candidate compound which increases transcription of the VPAC gene. To provide the cellular factors required for in vitro or in vivo transcription, appropriate cells or cell extracts are prepared from any cell type that normally expresses VPAC receptors.

[0122] Candidate compounds which regulate VPAC receptor expression can also be identified in a method wherein a cell is contacted with a test compound and the expression of VPAC is determined. The level of expression of VPAC receptor in the presence of the test compound is compared with the level of expression in the absence of the test compound. Test compounds which increase the expression of VPAC are identified as candidate compounds for increasing muscle mass or muscle function. Such a method detects candidate compounds which increase the transcription or translation of the VPAC receptor or which increase the stability of the mRNA or VPAC receptors.

[0123] In another embodiment, this invention provides methods for screening one or more test compounds to identify candidate compounds which regulate the expression of the VIP or a VIP analog. Such assays are performed essentially as described above for the assays to identify candidate compounds which regulate expression of VPAC receptors with the following modifications. To identify candidate compound which regulate transcription from the VIP gene or a VIP analog gene, the reporter gene is operably associated with the regulatory region of the VIP gene or VIP analog gene of interest and the source of cellular factors should be from a cell type that expresses the gene of interest.

[0124] VII. Screening of Candidate Compounds using Models of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

[0125] Candidate compounds selected from one or more test compounds by an in vitro assay, as described above, can be further tested for their ability to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in model systems of skeletal muscle atrophy and/or hypertrophy. Such models of skeletal muscle atrophy or hypertrophy include both in vitro cell culture models and in vivo animal models of skeletal muscle atrophy. Such additional levels of screening are useful to further narrow the range of candidate compounds that merit additional investigation, e.g. clinical trials.

Cell Culture Models of Muscle Atrophy

[0126] In vitro models of skeletal muscle atrophy are known in the art. Such models are described, for example, in; Vandenburgh, H. H., In Vitro 24: 609-619, 1988; Vandenburgh, H. H. et al., J of Biomechanics, 24 Suppl 1: 91-9, 1991; Vandenburgh, H. H et al., In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol., 24(3): 166-74, 1988; Chromiak, J. A., et al., In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. Anim., 34(9): 694-70 1998; Shansky, J., et al., In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. Anim., 33(9): 659-61, 1997; Perrone, C. E. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270(5): 2099-106, 1995; Chromiac, J. A. and Vandenburgh, H. H., J. Cell. Physiol. 159(3): 407-14, 1994; and Vandenburgh, H. H. and Karlisch, P., In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol., 25(7): 607-16, 1989. Such models are useful, but not required, following the in vitro screening described above in order to further narrow the range of candidate compounds that merit testing in an animal model. Cell culture models are treated with candidate compounds and the response of the model to the treatment is measured by assessing changes in muscle markers such as: muscle protein synthesis or degradation, changes in skeletal muscle mass or contractile function. Those compounds which induce significant changes in the muscle markers are typically screened further in an animal model of skeletal muscle atrophy.

Animal Models of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

[0127] The candidate compounds are administered to non-human animals and the response of the animals is monitored, for example, by assessing changes in markers of atrophy or hypertrophy such as: skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle function, muscle or myofiber cross-sectional area, contractile protein content, non-contractile protein content or a biochemical or genetic marker that correlates with skeletal muscle mass or function changes. Candidate compounds which induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy or prevent any aspect of skeletal muscle atrophy should be considered as prospective therapeutic candidates for treatment of human skeletal muscle atrophy, and are referred to herein as candidate therapeutic compounds. In addition to assessing the ability of a candidate compound to regulate skeletal muscle atrophy, undesirable side effects such as toxicity may also be detected in such a screen. The absence of unacceptably high levels of side effects may be used as a further criterion for the selection of candidate therapeutic compounds.

[0128] A variety of animal models for skeletal muscle atrophy are known in the art, such as those described in the following references: Herbison, G. J., et al. (1979) Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 60:401-404, Appell, H-J. (1990) Sports Medicine 10:42-58, Hasselgren, P-O. and Fischer, J. E. (1998) World J Surg. 22:203-208, Agbenyega, E. T. and Wareham, A. C. (1992) Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 102A: 141-145, Thomason, D. B. and Booth, F. W. (1990) J Appl. Physiol. 68:1-12, Fitts, R. H., et al. (1986) J. Appl. Physiol. 60:1946-1953, Bramanti, P., et al. (1998) Int. J. Anat. Embryol. 103:45-64, Cartee, G. D. (1995) J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 50:137-141, Cork, L. C., et al. (1987) Prog. Clin. Biol. Res. 229:241-269, Booth, F. W. and Gollnick, P. D. (1983) Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 15:415-420, Bloomfield, S. A. (1997) Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 29:197-206. Preferred animals for these models are mice and rats. These models include, for example, models of disuse-induced atrophy such as casting or otherwise immobilizing limbs, hind limb suspension, complete animal immobilization, and reduced gravity situations. Models of nerve damage induced atrophy include, for example, nerve crush, removal of sections of nerves which innervate specific muscles, toxin application to nerves and infection of nerves with viral, bacterial or eukaryotic infectious agents. Models of glucocorticoid-induced atrophy include application of atrophy-inducing doses of exogenous glucocorticoid to animals, and stimulation of endogenous corticosteroid production, for example, by application of hormones which activate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Models of sepsis-induced atrophy include, for example, inoculation with sepsis-inducing organisms such as bacteria, treatment of the animal with immune-activating compounds such as bacterial cell wall extract or endotoxin, and puncture of intestinal walls. Models of cachexia-induced atrophy include, for example, inoculation of an animal with tumorigenic cells with cachexia forming potential, infection of an animal with infectious agents (such as viruses which cause AIDS) which result in cachexia and treatment of an animal with hormones or cytokines such as CNTF, TNF, IL-6, IL-1, etc. which induce cachexia. Models of heart failure-induced atrophy include the manipulation of an animal so that heart failure occurs with concomitant skeletal muscle atrophy. Neurodegenerative disease-induced atrophy models include autoimmune animal models such as those resulting from immunization of an animal with neuronal components. Muscular dystrophy-induced models of atrophy include natural or man-made genetically-induced models of muscular dystrophy such as the mutation of the dystrophin gene which occurs in the Mdx mouse.

[0129] Animal models of skeletal muscle hypertrophy include, for example, models of increased limb muscle use due to inactivation of the opposing limb, reweighing following a disuse atrophy inducing event, reutilization of a muscle which atrophied because of transient nerve damage, increased use of selective muscles due to inactivation of a synergistic muscle (e.g. compensatory hypertrophy), increased muscle utilization due to increased load placed on the muscle and hypertrophy resulting from removal of the glucocorticoid after glucocorticoid-induced atrophy. Preferred animal atrophy models include the sciatic nerve denervation atrophy model, glucocorticoid-induced atrophy model, and the leg casting disuse atrophy model which are described in further detail below.

[0130] The sciatic nerve denervation atrophy model involves anesthetizing the animal followed by the surgical removal of a short segment of either the right or left sciatic nerve, e.g. in mice the sciatic nerve is isolated approximately at the midpoint along the femur and a 3-5 mm segment is removed. This denervates the lower hind limb musculature resulting in atrophy of these muscles. Typically, innervation to the biceps femoris is left intact to provide satisfactory motion of the knee for virtually normal ambulation. Typically, in untreated animals, muscle mass of the denervated muscles is reduced 30-50% ten days following denervation. Following denervation, test compounds are administered e.g., by injection or by continuous infusion, e.g. via implantation of an osmotic minipump (e.g. Alza, Palo Alto, Calif.), to determine their effect on denervation induced skeletal muscle atrophy. At various times following denervation, the animals are euthanized and lower leg muscles are dissected rapidly from both the denervated and nondenervated legs, the muscles, cleaned of tendons and connective tissue, are weighed. The extent of atrophy in the affected muscles is analyzed, for example, by measuring muscle mass, muscle cross-sectional area, myofiber cross-sectional area or contractile protein content.

[0131] The glucocorticoid induced atrophy model involves the administration of a glucocorticoid to the test animal, e.g. 1.2 mg/kg/day of dexamethasone in the drinking water. Typically, in untreated animals, skeletal muscle mass is reduced 30-50% following ten days of dexamethasone administration. Concomitantly with, or following glucocorticoid administration, test compounds are administered e.g., by injection or by continuous infusion to determine their effect on glucocorticoid induced skeletal muscle atrophy. At various times following glucocorticoid administration, the extent of atrophy in the affected muscles is analyzed as described above for the denervation model.

[0132] The leg casting disuse atrophy model involves casting one hind leg of an animal from the knee down through the foot. Typically, muscle mass is reduced 20-40% after ten days of casting. Following casting, test compounds are administered by injection or by continuous infusion via implantation of an osmotic minipump (e.g. Alza, Palo Alto, Calif.) to determine their effect on leg casting induced skeletal muscle atrophy. At various times following leg casting, the extent of atrophy in the affected muscles is analyzed as described above for the denervation model.

[0133] One of skill in the art would recognize that in screening for compounds for human use, because there are differences between the human VPAC receptor and the VPAC receptor from other animal species, there may be some false positive or negative results which arise when the screen is carried out using non-human VPAC receptor. Thus, it is preferable to do the initial in vitro screen using human VPAC receptors. In certain circumstances, identified candidate compounds may be active toward only the human receptor and not toward a non-human receptor. In such circumstances, it may still be desirable to determine whether these candidate compounds are able to regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in a second level of screening. Because these candidates do not activate non-human VPAC, a standard in vivo screen with non-human animal is not advised. In such circumstances the second level of screening for these candidates may be performed in transgenic animals that express human VPAC receptors.

[0134] Animals of any species, including, but not limited to, mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, goats, dogs and non-human primates may be used to generate VPAC receptor transgenic animals. Mice and rats are preferred, mice are most preferred. A variety of techniques are known in the art and may be used to introduce the human VPAC transgenes into animals to produce the founder lines of transgenic animals. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, pronuclear microinjection, retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into germ lines, gene targeting in embryonic stem cells, electroporation of embryos and sperm-mediated gene transfer.

[0135] VII. Gene Therapy Methods for the Treatment of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

[0136] The expression of VPAC VIP and VIP analogs can be controlled in vivo using gene therapy approaches. VPAC VIP and VIP analog gene expression and/or activity can be increased by introducing a VPAC receptor, a constitutively active VPAC VIP or VIP analog gene, into the appropriate tissue. Overexpression of these genes will increase the total cellular VPAC activity, thus, regulating skeletal muscle atrophy. The gene or genes of interest are inserted into a vector suitable for expression in the subject. These vectors include, but are not limited to, adenovirus, adenovirus associated virus, retrovirus and herpes virus vectors in addition to other particles that introduced DNA into cells (e.g. liposome, gold particles, etc.) or by direct injection of the DNA expression vector, containing the gene of interest, into human tissue (e.g. muscle).

[0137] Additional methods which may be utilized to increase the overall level of VIP or VIP analog gene expression include the introduction of VIP or VIP analog-expressing cells, preferably autologous cells, into the patient. These cells may be either recombinant (e.g. engineered to express VIP or VIP analogs) or non-recombinant (e.g. cells which endogenously express VIP or VIP analogs). The cells can be delivered to multiple sites in the body (e.g. muscle) for treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. The technologies of cell-based gene therapy are known to those skilled in the art.

[0138] IX. Pharmaceutical Formulations and Methods for Use

[0139] Candidate compounds or candidate therapeutic compounds identified by screening methods described herein, can be administered to individuals to treat skeletal muscle atrophy. To this end, the present invention encompasses methods and compositions for modulating skeletal muscle atrophy, including, but not limited to, skeletal muscle atrophy induced by disuse due to surgery, bed rest, broken bones; denervation/nerve damage due to spinal cord injury; autoimmune disease; infectious disease; glucocorticoid use for unrelated conditions; sepsis due to infection or other causes; nutrient limitation due to illness or starvation; cancer cachexia; chronic inflammation; AIDS cachexia; COPD; congestive heart failure; sarcopenia and genetic disorders; e.g. muscular dystrophies, neurodegenerative diseases. Agonists of VPAC can be used to inhibit skeletal muscle atrophy. It is not necessary that effective compounds demonstrate absolute specificity for VPAC or for the VPAC receptor subtype of interest. It is contemplated that specific antagonist of other affected receptors can be co-administered with an effective, but nonspecific, agonist. Alternately, this lack of specificity may be addressed by modulation of dose alone, or the dosing regimen.

[0140] The candidate compounds or candidate therapeutic compounds identified by the screening methods of the present invention may be administered in conjunction with compounds which prolong or augment the activation of a VPAC receptor or of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway. These may be known compounds, for example, theophylline, or these compounds may be identified by the screening methods of this invention to prolong or augment the activation of a VPAC receptor or of a VPAC receptor signal transduction pathway.

Dose Determinations

[0141] Safety and therapeutic efficacy of compounds which agonize VPAC can be determined by standard procedures using either in vitro or in vivo technologies. Compounds which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred, although compounds with lower therapeutic indices are useful if the level of side effects is acceptable. The data obtained from the in vitro and in vivo toxicological and pharmacological techniques can be used to formulate the human range of doses which may be useful. The preferred dose lies in the range in which the circulating concentration of the compound is therapeutically maximal with acceptable safety. The circulating concentration of the compound may vary depending on the dose form, time after dosing, route of administration, etc. Doses outside this range are also useful provided the side effects are acceptable. Such matters as age and weight of the patient, and the like, can be used to determine such matters in the conventional manner. Pharmacogenetic approaches may be useful in optimizing compound selection, doses and dosing regimen in clinical populations.

Formulation and Use

[0142] Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the modulation of skeletal muscle atrophy in accordance with the present invention may be formulated using conventional methodologies using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients. The compositions of this invention are preferably provided in unit dosage form. As used herein, a “unit dosage form” is a composition of this invention containing an amount of a VPAC receptor agonist that is suitable for administration to an animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a human subject, in a single dose, according to good medical practice. Pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated for delivery by, for example, intranasal, transdermal, inhalation, parenteral, cutaneous, oral or rectal administration. For oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition may take the form of tablets or capsules containing the pharmacologically active compound and additives including, but not limited to, binding agents, fillers, lubricants, disintegrants, or wetting agents. The tablets may be coated. Liquid preparations for oral administration include, but are not limited to, syrups, suspensions or dry products which are reconstituted with liquid vehicle before use, containing the pharmacologically active compound and additives including, but not limited to, suspending agents, emulsifying agents, non-aqueous vehicles, preservatives, buffer salts, flavoring, coloring, sweetening agents, etc. Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration may be formulated for controlled release of the pharmacologically active compounds either in the mouth, stomach or intestinal tract.

[0143] For inhalation administration, the compounds for use according to the present invention may be delivered by, but not limited to, the following forms: liquid, powder, gel or in the form of an aerosol spray utilizing either pressurized or non-pressurized propellants in either premeasured or non-premeasured doses. The pharmacologically active compound may be formulated with appropriate fillers, vehicles, preservatives, buffers, etc. For parenteral administration, the pharmacologically active compound may be formulated with acceptable physiological carriers, preservatives, etc. and be prepared as suspensions, solutions, emulsion, powders ready for constitution, etc. for either bolus injection or infusion. Doses of these compounds may be administered by a variety of technologies including hypodermic needles, high pressure devices, etc. For rectal administration, the pharmacologically active compound may be formulated with acceptable physiological carriers, preservatives, etc. for delivery as suppositories, enemas, etc. For cutaneous administration, the pharmacologically active compound may be formulated with acceptable physiological carriers including lotions, emollients, etc. or incorporated into a patch type device. For long term administration, the pharmacologically active compound and appropriate additives such as, but limited to, polymers, hydrophobic materials, resins, etc. may be formulated as a depot preparation for either injection or implantation at multiple sites including but not limited to intramuscular and subcutaneous locations. In addition, the pharmacologically active compound may be administered by a dispensing device.

[0144] Monitoring of Effects During Clinical Trials

[0145] Monitoring the influence of compounds (e.g. drugs) on the expression or activity of VPAC can be employed not only in basic drug screening, but also in clinical trials. For example, the effectiveness of a compound determined by a screening assay to increase VPAC receptor activity or VPAC receptor expression can be assessed in clinical trials of patients with, or at risk for, skeletal muscle atrophy. At various times following administration of the test compound or placebo, the effect of the compound on the patient can be determined, for example, by observing the change in skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle function, biochemical markers of muscle breakdown or quality of life measures. Methods of measuring skeletal muscle mass in human subjects are known in the art and include, for example: measuring the girth of a limb; measuring muscle thickness with for instance, computer tomography, MRI or supersonics; or muscle biopsy to examine morphological and biochemical parameters (e.g. cross-section fiber area, fiber diameter or enzyme activities). Furthermore, because skeletal muscle mass is correlated with skeletal muscle function, muscle function can be used as a surrogate marker of mass and muscle mass changes can be assessed using functional measurements, e.g. strength, the force of a group of synergist muscles, or contraction characteristics found in electromyographic recordings. In addition, muscle protein loss as a result of muscle atrophy can be measured by quantitating levels of amino acids or amino acids derivatives, i.e. 3-methyl histidine, in the urine or blood of a subject. For a review of such methods see Appell, Sports Med. 10:42-58 (1990). Quality of life measures include, but are not limited to, the ease of getting out of a chair, number of steps taken before tiring or ability to climb stairs.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Construction of Vectors for Human VPAC2 Receptor Expression

[0146] The human VPAC2 receptor (hVPAC2R) DNA sequence (Accession No. X95097) is retrieved and two oligonucleotides including one containing the 5′ end of the gene beginning at the initiation codon (5′ oligonucleotide) and one containing the 3′ end of the gene containing the stop codon (3′ oligonucleotide) are synthesized. These oligonucleotides are designed to contain restriction endonuclease sites which are not present in the hVPAC2 gene with one unique site in the 5′ oligonucleotide and a different unique restriction endonuclease site in the 3′ oligonucleotide In addition, the 3′ oligonucleotide contains a polyadenylation addition signal sequence. Double stranded cDNA from human skeletal muscle is purchased from the Universal QUICK-Clone cDNA collection (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). Using the above 5′ and 3′ oligonucleotides, the hVPAC2R cDNA is amplified by PCR of the human skeletal muscle cDNA using the AdvanTaq PCR kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). The hVPAC2 gene PCR product is purified from PCR artifacts by agarose gel electrophoresis and the hVPAC2 gene DNA fragment is purified from the agarose gel using a purification product such as NucleoTrap (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA).

[0147] Cloning of the hVPAC2R PCR product into the pIRESneo vector (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) is accomplished by first cutting the hVPAC2R PCR product and the pIRESneo vector with the appropriate restriction endonucleases so that the 5′ and 3′ restriction endonuclease sites are ready for ligation. The pIRESneo vector DNA is ligated to the hVPAC2R PCR product DNA using DNA ligase, from the AdvantAge™PCR Cloning Kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA), according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The ligated vector and insert construct (pIRESneo/ hVPAC2R)is then used to transform TOP10F' competent E. coli cells (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). Transformed cells are plated on LB/X-gal/IPTG plus ampicillin containing agar. White colonies (positive clones) are selected and individually cultured in LB medium. Plasmid DNA is isolated using NucleoBond DNA Purification System (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). The insert from at least one clone is sequenced to ensure that the hVPAC2R sequence is correct. HEK293 cells containing a stably integrated Mercury CRE-LUC plasmid (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) are transfected with purified pIRESneo/ hVPAC2R DNA, having the correct sequence insert, utilizing the CalPhos™ Mammalian Transfection Kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA. Cells stably transfected with pIRESneo/ hVPAC2R DNA are selected by culturing the cells in G418. The stably transfected cells (HEK293/CRE-LUC/pIRESneo/ hVPAC2R cells) are propagated in DMEM (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA), penicillin/streptomycin solution (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.), L-glutamine (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.), and non-essential amino acid (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere. The clones are characterized for both VIP binding and CRE-LUC activation following exposure to VIP as described in Example 2 and Example 3. Cells expressing the hVPAC2 receptor at an appropriate level and which are appropriately coupled to the CRE-LUC reporter system are then utilized for further analysis.

Example 2

Receptor Binding Assays

[0148] Receptor binding analysis of compounds is performed in whole cells by plating the HEK293/CRE-LUC/pIRESneo/ hVPAC2R cells from Example 1 in a 96 well polylysine coated plate. Cells are seeded in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin/streptomycin solution, L-glutamine, and non-essential amino acid at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere and incubated overnight. The culture medium is removed and the appropriate amount of VIP covalently labeled with Europium (Eu-VIP) in MEM (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) +10% Seablock (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) is added. The cells are incubated with the Eu-VIP for 90 minutes at room temperature then washed 4 times with phosphate buffered saline lacking magnesium and calcium (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.). Following the final wash, enhancement solution is added (Wallac Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.) and the plate is read on a Wallac plate reader (Wallac Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.) using the BioWorks Europium program. For saturation binding analysis, log doses of Eu-VIP ranging from 10(−12) to 10(−3) M are added to the cells and binding analyzed both in the absence and the presence of a saturating concentration of unlabeled VIP for evaluation of non-specific binding. For competitive binding, a concentration of Eu-VIP is added which is half maximal, in terms of binding, in addition to varying concentrations of the compound of interest.

Example 3

Receptor Activation Assay

[0149] Receptor activation analysis is performed by seeding the HEK293/CRE-LUC/pIRESneo/ hVPAC2R cells of Example uinto Packard View Plate-96 (Packard Inc., Calif.). Cells are seeded in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin/streptomycin solution, L-glutamine, and non-essential amino acid at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere and incubated overnight. The medium is then removed and replaced with DMEM (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) containing 0.01% bovine albumin fraction V (SIGMA, St. Louis, Mo.) containing the compound of interest. The cells are then incubated for four hours at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere after which the medium is removed and the cells are washed twice with Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.). Lysis Reagent (Promega Inc., Madison, Wis.) is then added to the washed cells and the cells are incubated for 20 minutes at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere. The cells are then placed at −80° C. for 20 minutes followed by a 20 minute incubation at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere. After this incubation, Luciferase Assay Buffer and Luciferase Assay Substrate (Promega Inc., Madison, Wis.) are added to the cell lysates and luciferase activity quantitated using a luminometer. Relative activity of a compound is evaluated by comparing the increase following exposure to compound to the level of luciferase in HEK cells which contain the CRE-LUC construct without the hVPAC2 receptor following exposure to compound. Specificity of response is also checked by evaluating luciferase response of hVPAC2 receptor/CRE-LUC HEK cells to compound in the presence and absence of a 10-fold excess of hVPAC2 receptor antagonist.

Example 4

Screen to Identify Candidate Compounds that Prolong or Augment the Activation of hVPAC2 Receptors or of a VPAC2 Receptor Signal Transduction Pathway

[0150] Identification of compounds that prolong or augment the agonist-induced activation of VPAC2 receptors, or of a VPAC2 receptor signal transduction pathway, involves a variation of the Receptor Activation Assay described in Example 3. Specifically, this assay is performed by seeding the HEK293/ CRE-LUC/pIRESneo/hVPAC2R receptor cells into Packard View Plate-96 (Packard Inc., Calif.). Cells are seeded in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin/streptomycin solution, L-glutamine, non-essential amino acid, and saturating amounts of VIP at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere and incubated for 48 hours. The medium is then removed and replaced with DMEM (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) containing 0.01% bovine albumin fraction V (SIGMA, St. Louis, Mo.) and VIP in addition to the compound of interest. The cells are then incubated for four hours at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere after which the medium is removed and the cells are washed twice with Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.). Lysis Reagent (Promega Inc., Madison, Wis.) is then added to the washed cells and the cells are incubated for 20 minutes at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere. The cells are then placed at -80° C. for 20 minutes followed by a 20 minute incubation at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere. After this incubation, Luciferase Assay Buffer and Luciferase Assay Substrate (Promega Inc., Madison, Wis.) are added to the cell lysates and luciferase activity is quantitated using a luminometer. Test compounds which stimulate fluorescence significantly above the levels of control untreated cells, after correction for variations in cell density, are considered candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function. The compounds of most interest are those which induce relatively higher levels of fluorescence.

Example 5

Screens to Identify Candidate Compounds that Increase hVPAC2 Receptor Expression

[0151] The sequence containing the promoter region of the hVPAC2 receptor gene, beginning far enough upstream of the transcriptional initiation site to contain all the regulatory elements necessary for physiological expression of the hVPAC2 receptor gene in the appropriate tissue is retrieved from the human genome database. Two oligonucleotides, one containing the 5′ end of the promoter region (5′ oligonucleotide) and one containing the 3′ end of the promoter region including the transcriptional start site (3′ oligonucleotide) are synthesized. These oligonucleotides also contain restriction endonuclease sites which are not present in the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region with one unique site in the 5′ oligonucleotide and a different unique restriction endonuclease site in the 3′ oligonucleotide. The 5′ and 3′ oligonucleotides are used for PCR amplification of the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region from human DNA (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) using the PCR kit, Advantage®Genomic PCR kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). The hVPAC2 gene regulatory region PCR product is purified from PCR artifacts by agarose gel electrophoresis and the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region DNA fragment is purified from the agarose gel using a purification product such as NucleoTrap (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). Cloning of the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region PCR product into the pECFP-1 vector (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) is accomplished by first cutting the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region PCR product and the pECFP-1 vector with the appropriate restriction endonucleases so that the 5′ and 3′ restriction endonuclease sites are ready for ligation. Ligation of the pECFP-1 vector DNA to the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region PCR product DNA is accomplished using DNA ligase from the AdvantAge™PCR Cloning Kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The ligated vector and insert construct is then used to transform TOP 10F' competent E. coli cells (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). The cells are plated on LB plus kanamycin containing agar and kanamycin resistant colonies are selected for further analysis. Kanamycin resistant clones are cultured in LB containing kanamycin medium and plasmid DNA is isolated using NucleoBond DNA Purification System (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) and the construct containing the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region is analyzed by DNA sequencing to ensure construct correctness and integrity. Purified construct plasmid DNA containing the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region is then transfected into the HEK293 cells utilizing calcium phosphate-mediated transfection utilizing the CalPhos™ Mammalian Transfection Kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). Transfected cell clones are selected using G418, isolated and propagated in DMEM (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA), penicillin/streptomycin solution (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.), L-glutamine (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.), non-essential amino acid (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) and G418 (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere. G418 resistant clones are characterized by Southern blotting to ensure that they contain the hVPAC2 gene promoter sequence; in addition activation of the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region is analyzed using an appropriate stimulating agent. Cells expressing the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region-ECFP at an appropriate level are then used in assays designed to evaluate compounds which can modulate the activity of the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region as follows. The regulatory region activation analysis is performed by seeding the hVPAC2 gene regulatory region-ECFP containing HEK293 cells at an appropriate density into black with clear bottom 96 well microtiter plates and allowed to grow overnight. The following day, the medium is removed and the test compound added in fresh growth medium. The cells are incubated for 16 hours at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere followed by measurement of fluorescence (excitation at 433 (453) nm by detecting emission at 475(501) nm using a fluorometer (biolumin™960, Molecular Dynamics/Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, N.J). Test compounds which stimulate fluorescence significantly above the levels of control untreated cells, after correction for variations in cell density, are considered candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function. The compounds of most interest are those which induce relatively higher levels of fluorescence.

Example 6

Screens to Identify Compounds that Increase Human VIP Expression

[0152] The methods for identifying compounds that increase human VIP (hVIP) expression are essentially identical to those for identifying compounds which increase hVPAC2 receptor expression except the regulatory region used is that for the hVIP gene. The sequence containing the regulatory region of the hVIP gene, beginning far enough upstream of the transcriptional initiation site to contain all the regulatory elements necessary for physiological expression of the hVIP gene in the appropriate tissue is retrieved from the human genome database. Two oligonucleotides, one containing the 5′ end of the regulatory region (5′ oligonucleotide) and one containing the 3′ end of the regulatory region including the transcriptional start site (3′ oligonucleotide) are synthesized. These oligonucleotides also contain restriction endonuclease sites which are not present in the hVIP gene regulatory region with one unique site in the 5′ oligonucleotide and a different unique restriction endonuclease site in the 3′ oligonucleotide. The 5′ and 3′ oligonucleotides are used for PCR amplification of the hVIP gene regulatory region from human DNA (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) using the Advantage®Genomic PCR kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). The hVIP gene regulatory region PCR product is purified from PCR artifacts by agarose gel electrophoresis and the hVIP gene regulatory region DNA fragment is purified from the agarose gel using the purification product, NucleoTrap (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). Cloning of the hVIP gene regulatory region PCR product into the pECFP-1 vector (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) is accomplished by first cutting the hVIP gene regulatory region PCR product and the pECFP-1 vector with the appropriate restriction endonucleases so that the 5′ and 3′ restriction endonuclease sites are ready for ligation. Ligation of the pECFP-1 vector DNA to the hVIP gene regulatory region PCR product DNA is accomplished using DNA ligase from AdvantAge™PCR Cloning Kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The ligated vector and insert construct is then used to transform TOP10F' competent E. coli cells (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). The cells are plated on LB plus kanamycin containing agar and kanamycin resistant colonies are selected for further analysis. Kanamycin resistant clones are cultured in LB containing kanamycin medium and plasmid DNA is isolated using NucleoBond DNA Purification System (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) and the construct containing the hVIP gene regulatory region is analyzed by DNA sequencing to ensure construct correctness and integrity. Purified construct plasmid DNA containing the hVIP gene regulatory region is then transfected into the HEK293 cells utilizing calcium phosphate-mediated transfection utilizing the CalPhos™ Mammalian Transfection Kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). Transfected cell clones are selected using G418, isolated and propagated in DMEM (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA), penicillin/streptomycin solution (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.), L-glutamine (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.), non-essential amino acid (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) and G418 (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) at 37° C. in a 5% carbon dioxide/95% air atmosphere. G418 resistant clones are characterized by Southern blotting to ensure that they contain the hVIP gene regulatory region sequence; in addition activation of the hVIP gene regulatory region is analyzed using an appropriate stimulating agent. Cells expressing the hVIP gene regulatory region-ECFP at an appropriate level are then used in assays designed to evaluate compounds which can modulate the activity of the hVIP gene regulatory region as follows. The regulatory region activation analysis is performed as in Example 5 except that clones containing the hVIP gene regulatory region construct are used.

Example 7

Method of Making Human Antibodies which Activate the hVPAC2 Receptor

[0153] Fully human monoclonal antibodies which activate the hVPAC2 receptor are produced by first generating recombinant hVPAC2 receptor protein as follows. The procedure from Example 1 is followed to obtain the hVPAC2 PCR product. This hVPAC2 PCR product is then cloned into the pHAT20 vector (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) by first cutting the hVPAC2 gene PCR product and the pHAT20 vector with the appropriate restriction endonucleases so that the 5′ and 3′ restriction endonuclease sites are ready for ligation. Ligation of the pHAT20 vector DNA to the hVPAC2 gene PCR product DNA is accomplished using DNA ligase from the AdvantAge™PCR Cloning Kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The ligated vector/insert construct is then used to transform TOP10F' competent E. coli cells (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). Transformed cells are plated on LB plus ampicillin containing agar and ampicillin resistant colonies are selected for further analysis. Positive clones are cultured in LB medium containing ampicillin and plasmid DNA is isolated using NucleoBond DNA Purification System (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) and the construct containing the hVPAC2 gene is analyzed by DNA sequencing the ensure construct correctness and integrity. The hVPAC2-pHAT20 vector DNA is then used for additional PCR cloning by utilizing a 5′ oligonucleotide containing the beginning of the HAT sequence and a unique restriction endonuclease site not present in the hVPAC2-pHAT20 construct and the 3′ hVPAC2 oligonucleotide utilized previously. The oligonucleotide primers are used to PCR amplify the HAT-hVPAC2 fusion gene from the hVPAC2-pHAT20 construct and the PCR product is purified as described above. The HAT-hVPAC2 fusion gene PCR product is then utilized for cloning into the pBacPAK8 vector using the BacPAK Baculovirus Expression System from Clonetech (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). The ligation of the HAT—hVPAC2 fusion gene into the pBacPAK8 vector is essentially as described above. The hVPAC2/HAT-pBacPAK8 construct is then transfected into TOP10'F competent E. coli cells, ampicillin resistant cells are selected and plasmid DNA is isolated and checked for construct integrity as described above. This construct is then cotransfected with linearized BacPAK6 DNA into Sf21 insect host cells utilizing the CalPhos™ Mammalian Transfection Kit (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). The insect cells are then incubated for 2-3 days followed by harvest of virus from individual clear plaques. The virus is then amplified in Sf21 cells, the harvested virus titered, and the titered virus used for large scale infection of Sf21 cells utilizing BacPAK Insect Cell Media—all according to the manufacturers recommendations (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA). Recombinant HAT-VPAC2 fusion protein is then purified using the TALON® CellThru Purification Kit from Clonetech (Clonetech Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. USA) using conditions recommended by the manufacturer. Briefly, infected Sf21 cells are harvested 48 hours after infection and sonicated in extraction/loading buffer. The cell lysate is then put through a TALON® CellThru column. The column is washed twice with extraction/loading buffer and the bound HAT-hVPAC2 protein is eluted with elution buffer. The eluted protein is analyzed by SDS-PAGE for integrity and protein concentration is quantitated using the Bio-Rad SDS-PAGE system and protein quantitation systems according to the manufacturer's recommendations (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.). Purified HAT-hVPAC2 fusion protein is then used for immunizing XenoMouse animals (Abgenix Inc., Fremont, Calif.) for human monoclonal antibody production as follows. 10 μg of purified recombinant HAT-hVPAC2 fusion protein in combination with 25 μg of adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) is used to vaccinate 10 XenoMouse animals multiple times over an eight week period. Serum is obtained from vaccinated animals and utilized in an antigen capture ELISA utilizing purified HAT-hVPAC2 fusion protein to detect antibodies to the HAT-hVPAC2 protein by coating polystyrene ELISA plates (Corning Glass Works, Corning, N.Y.) with HAT-hVPAC2 fusion protein, blocked with PBS-1% BSA, washed and incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour with a 1:50 dilution of the serum samples. After washing 5 times with PBS, the plates are incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour with alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat antibodies to human immunoglobulin G. The plates are then washed 5×with PBS and antibodies detected with p-nitrophenyl phosphate substrate (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) in buffer. Optical densities at 405 nm were measured using a plate reader and signal quantitated. Mice with demonstrated high antibody production are used for hybridoma formation. Hybridomas are generated by fusion of splenic cells from the XenoMouse animals with nonsecreting myeloma cell line NSA-bcl 2 using a 4:1 ratio of spleen cells to NSA-bcl2 cells in the presence of 30% polyethylene glycol PEG1450. Fused cells are individually cloned by limiting dilution into 96 well plates and cultured in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, nonessential amino acids, sodium pyruvate, L-glutamine, 100 u/ml penicillin-streptomycin and hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (all from Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.). Supernatants from the hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine selected hybridomas were screened for human antibody production by ELISA as described previously. Hybridomas which produce human antibodies to the HAT-hVPAC2 fusion protein are selected for large scale antibody production. Monoclonal antibodies are purified by Protein G-Sepharose chromatography. Briefly, the supernatant from cultured hybridoma clones is loaded onto a Protein G-Sepharose column (SIGMA, St. Louis, Mo.) in loading buffer, washed 3 times and the IgG is eluted with elution buffer. These antibodies are then used for screening to evaluate hVPAC2 activation (agonism) potential. This is accomplished using the methodology as outlined in Example 3. Those human monoclonal antibodies which demonstrate agonist activity toward the hVPAC2 receptor are designated candidate compounds.

Example 8

Therapeutic Treatment of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy using a Human Antibody that is an Agonist of the VPAC2 Receptor

[0154] A human male subject weighing 50 kg and having significant muscular atrophy of the arms and legs due to prolonged bed rest, is treated to reverse the skeletal muscle atrophy. Once each week for a period of 3 months, 15 mls of an aqueous solution of pH 6.comprising the anti-VPAC2 receptor is administered to the subject via intravenous injection. The solution comprises the following:

Component                       Concentration (mg/ml)
VPAC2 receptor agonist antibody 20
L-histidine HCl                 0.47
L-histidine                     0.3
α,α-trehalose dihydrate         20
Polysorbate 20                  0.1
Bacteriostatic Sterile water    qs to 1 mL

[0155] At the end of the treatment period, the subject exhibits measurable increases of muscle mass, strength and mobility of the arms and legs.

Example 9

Prophylactic Treatment of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy using a Human Antibody that is an agonist of the VPAC2 Receptor

[0156] A human female subject weighing 55 kg is scheduled for hip joint replacement surgery in one month. The subject is treated to enhance skeletal muscle mass prior to and following surgery to ultimately reduce the level of skeletal muscle atrophy due to muscle disuse during post-surgery recovery. Specifically, once each week for a period of 1 month prior to surgery and for 2 months post-surgery, 18 ml of an aqueous solution of pH 6.0 comprising the anti-VPAC2 receptor is administered to the subject via intravenous injection. The solution comprises the following:

Component                    Concentration (mg/ml)
VPAC activating antibody     20
L-histidine HCl              0.47
L-histidine                  0.3
α,α-trehalose dihydrate      20
Polysorbate 20               0.1
Bacteriostatic Sterile water qs to 1 mL

[0157] At the end of the treatment period, the subject exhibits measurable preservation of muscle mass, strength and mobility of the arms and legs as compared to the subject's expected status without antibody therapy.

Example 10

Prophylactic Treatment of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy using a Human Antibody that is an Agonist of the VPAC1 Receptor

[0158] A human female subject weighing 45 kg undergoes a casting procedure to treat a simple fracture of the humerus after a fall. The subject is treated to prevent atrophy of the skeletal muscle of the affected arm and shoulder due to disuse and limited use during fracture healing. Specifically, once each week starting on the day of casting, 13 ml of pH 6.0 comprising the anti-VPAC1 receptor is administered to the subject via intravenous injection. The solution comprises the following:

Component                    Concentration (mg/ml)
VPAC1 activating antibody    20
L-histidine HCl              0.47
L-histidine                  0.3
α,α-trehalose dihydrate      20
Polysorbate 20               0.1
Bacteriostatic Sterile water qs to 1 mL

[0159] At the end of the treatment period, the subject exhibits measurable preservation of muscle mass, strength and mobility of the affected arm and shoulder and a reduced course of physical therapy as compared to the subject's expected status and follow-up treatment without antibody therapy.

Example 11

Prophylactic Treatment of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy using an Agonist of the VPAC2 Receptor, Ro 25-1553

[0160] A human female subject weighing 50 kg is admitted to the hospital in a comatose state. The subject is treated to prevent atrophy of the skeletal muscle of the entire body due to disuse while in the comatose state. Specifically, once each month while in the coma, the subject is administered, via intramuscular injection, 3 ml of an aqueous solution of pH 6.0 comprising the following:

Component                        Concentration (mg/ml)
Ro 25-1553 (VPAC agonist)        500
D,L lactic and glycolic acid copolymer 5

[0161] As a result of treatment, the subject exhibits measurable preservation of skeletal muscle mass and reduced physical therapy needs during the coma and after regaining consciousness, as compared to the subject's expected status without drug therapy.

[0162] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described which are intended solely as illustrations of individual aspects of the invention, and functionally equivalent methods and components are within the scope of the invention. These include, but are not limited to, species of test animal, nature and type of VPAC agonists, sex of the animal, model of atrophy, method of activating VPAC including genetic methodologies, etc. Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0163] All references herein are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A method for identifying candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function, comprising: a. contacting a test compound with a VPAC receptor; b. determining whether the test compound binds to the VPAC receptor; and c. identifying those test compounds that bind VPAC receptor as candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function.

2. A method for identifying candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function, comprising: a. contacting a test compound with a VPAC receptor; b. determining whether the test compound binds to the VPAC receptor; c. selecting the compounds that bind the VPAC receptor and further determining whether the test compound modulates muscle mass or function in a skeletal muscle atrophy model system; and d. identifying those test compounds that modulate muscle mass or function in a skeletal muscle atrophy model system as candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: in the step (a) the VPAC receptor is expressed on a cell surface, and binding of the test compound to the VPAC receptor activates the VPAC receptor.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: administering the test compound determined to bind to the VPAC receptor, to a non-human animal, and determining whether the test compound regulates skeletal muscle mass or function in the animal, wherein test compounds that regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in the animal are identified as candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo.

5. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 1, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC1 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1.

6. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 5, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC1 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1.

7. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 1, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC1 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2.

8. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 7, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC1 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2.

9. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 1, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC1 receptor, and is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

10. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 1, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC2 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10.

11. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 10, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC2 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10.

12. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 1, wherein the VPC receptor is a VPAC2 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 11.

13. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 12, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC2 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 11.

14. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 1, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC2 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12.

15. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 14, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC2 receptor, and has an amino acid sequence greater than about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12.

16. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 1, wherein the VPAC receptor is a VPAC2 receptor, and is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

17. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 3, wherein the VPAC receptor is expressed on a eukaryotic cell.

18. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 17, wherein determining whether the test compound activates the VPAC receptor involves determining cellular cAMP level.

19. The method for identifying candidate compounds according to claim 18, wherein the cell further comprises a reporter gene operatively associated with a cAMP responsive element and measuring the cellular cAMP level involves measuring expression or activity of the reporter gene.

20. A method for identifying candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function comprising: a. contacting a test compound with a cell expressing a functional VPAC2 receptor, and determining level of activation of VPAC2 receptor resulting from the interaction of the test compound with VPAC2 receptor; b. contacting the test compound with a cell expressing a functional VPAC1 receptor, and determining level of activation of VPAC1 receptor resulting from the interaction of the test compound with VPAC1 receptor; c. comparing the level of VPAC2 receptor activation with the level of VPAC1 receptor activation; and d. identifying those test compounds that selectively activate VPAC2 receptor over the VPAC1 receptor as candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function.

21. The method for identifying candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function according to claim 20, further comprising: selecting the compound that selectively activated VPAC2 receptor over VPAC1 receptor according to claim 20, and further determining whether the test compound modulates muscle mass or function in a skeletal muscle atrophy model system; and identifying those compounds that modulate muscle mass or function in a skeletal muscle atrophy model system as candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function.

22. The method according to claim 20 wherein the candidate compound exhibits about 100-fold or greater selectivity for VPAC2 receptor.

23. The method according to claim 20 wherein the candidate compound exhibits about 1000-fold or greater selectivity for VPAC2 receptor.

24. The method according to claim 20 wherein the candidate compound exhibits between about 1-fold and about 100-fold selectivity for VPAC2 receptor.