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Bernd W. Spur, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Science Center 102a 
856-566-7016 
spurbw@rowan.edu

Education

University Dusseldorf, Germany, Ph.D. (Chemistry)

 

 

Research Interests

Our research focuses on lipid mediators of inflammation (leukotrienes, prostaglandins, isoprostanes, neuroprostanes and their metabolites) and lipid mediators of resolution (lipoxin, aspirin-triggered 15(R)-lipoxin, resolvins, neuroprotectins and their metabolites). We developed new and general stereoselective syntheses of these lipid mediators in both naturally occurring as well as in isotopic labeled form. We reported the first general syntheses of isoprostanes and phytoprostanes via a two-component coupling process combined with diastereoselective protonation under reagent control. This is the shortest and most flexible synthesis reported to date. We further reported the first total syntheses of resolvin D2 and D5 shortly after their discovery. (Serhan et al. J Exp Med. 2002) (Rodriguez and Spur; Tetrahedron Lett. 2004, Tetrahedron Lett. 2005)

In earlier work we investigated the biological activities of lipoxin and their analogs on human neutrophils and eosinophils. Lipoxin A4 showed a profound anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the action of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators and blocked the chemotactic activity of all known chemotactic active agents.

We had previously monitored lipoxin in humans with various diseases at London University. This work was done in collaboration with the Harvard Medical School and University of Pennsylvania/Scripps Institute. In samples from healthy patients we observed a correlation between high levels of lipoxin and low levels of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes. In contrast, patients with chronic diseases had low levels of lipoxin but high levels of leukotrienes and isoprostanes.

In a subsequent human trial (Christie, Spur, Lee; Amer. Rev. Respir. Dis. 1990) we were able to show that lipoxin A4 was safe and blocked airway challenge and hyperreactivity in asthmatic patients. This trial established for the first time the important protective role of lipoxin in asthma.

Acute inflammation has several outcomes that include resolution, or if not controlled, progression to chronic inflammation. Resolution had been considered a passive process in vivo, but with identification of the endogenous anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediator lipoxin A4 it became clear that resolution in humans is an active process involving biosynthesis of these lipid mediators at the side of inflammation. In the case that the biosynthesis is compromised or these pro-resolution mediators are not formed we observe chronic inflammatory diseases.

Oxidative stress, as measured by increased urinary isoprostane excretion, is a biochemical marker of inflammation that can be down regulated by lipoxins and resolvins. We described high levels of isoprostanes in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. T.P. Stein found similar results in children with Autism. In addition, we measured low contents of docosahexaenoic acid, the major essential fatty acid in brain in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In the clinical situation, fatty acid deficiencies can be reversed by supplying this fatty acid to the patient with improvements in symptoms; however in Alzheimer’s patients the biosynthesis of the anti-inflammatory resolvins has been reported to be >95% reduced compared to age matched healthy individuals, explaining the marginal benefit in clinical trials with fish oil supplementation.

Earlier we described the effects of dietary enrichment with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid on in vitro neutrophil and monocyte leukotriene generation and neutrophil function. These studies were performed in healthy individuals as well as in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and mild to moderate asthma. Overall we saw clinically relevant improvement using fish oil in certain patients but not in all. Today we can address this by an impaired biosynthesis of the pro-resolution mediators lipoxin and resolvins, a finding now under investigation in autism. Our current studies in autism include analysis of polymorphic variants of genes of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) synthesis and metabolism to predict responses to DHA therapy as assessed by behavioral and functional improvement. Other genes related to detoxification pathways in the brain are included. The gene analysis will be performed using SNPstream (AGRE 500K chip for SNPs and HapMap SNPs) (by W.G. Johnson and S. Stenross, UMDNJ-RWJMS Department of Neurology, Piscataway). These studies will help us to pinpoint defects in biosynthesis of pro-resolution mediators. We are investigating the effects of low dose docosahexaenoic acid on children with autism by analyzing the change in the biomarkers of oxidative stress (isoprostanes) and pro-resolution mediators. High dose docosahexaenoic acid can have negative impact by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the resolvins and providing the substrate for auto-oxidation to neuroprostanes. We observed clinical improvements in 7 out of 42 patients with a low dose docosahexaenoic acid intervention. (X. Ming, New Jersey Medical School UMDNJ-Newark) Subsequent studies will address the imbalance of resolution in other chronic inflammatory diseases.

At present we have started to proceed with the development of lipoxin and several resolvins as drug candidates according to the guidelines of the FDA. Meetings with the FDA and the NIH indicated a great interest in these natural anti-inflammatory compounds. As part of this effort we are developing new methods for the large-scale synthesis of these mediators including asymmetric reduction and carbon-carbon formation in water.

Recent Publications

(Updated September 2018)

  1. Chiang N, Riley IR, Dalli J, Rodriguez AR, Spur BW, Serhan CN. New maresin conjugates in tissue regeneration pathway counters leukotriene D4-stimulated vascular responses. FASEB J, 32(7): 4043-4052, July 2018
  2. de la Rosa X, Norris PC, Chiang N, Rodriguez AR, Spur BW, Serhan CN. Identification and Complete Stereochemical Assignments of the New Resolvin Conjugates in Tissue Regeneration in Human Tissues that Stimulate Proresolving Phagocyte Functions and Tissue Regeneration. Am J Pathol, 188(4): 950-966, April 2018.
  3. Chiang N, Riley IR, Dalli J, Rodriguez AR, Spur BW, Serhan CN. New maresin conjugates in tissue regeneration pathway counters leukotriene D4-stimulated vascular responses. FASEB J, 1-10, February 2018.
  4. Dalli J, Vlasakov I, Riley IR, Rodriguez AR, Spur BW, Petasis NA, Chiang N, Serhan CN. Maresin conjugates in tissue regeneration biosynthesis enzymes in human macrophages. Proc Natl Acad Sci, 113(43): 12232-7, October 2016.
  5. Wu H, Rodriguez AR, Spur BW, Venkataraman V. An Acute Retinal Model for Evaluating Blood Retinal Barrier Breach and Potential Drugs for Treatment. J Vis Exp, 115, September 2016.
  6. Wu B, Capilato J, Pham MP, Walker J, Spur B, Rodriguez A, Perez LJ, Yin K. Lipoxin A4 augments host defense in sepsis and reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence through quorum sensing inhibition.FASEB J, 30(6): 2400-10, June 2016.
  7. Dalli J, Sanger JM, Rodriguez AR, Chiang N, Spur BW, Serhan CN. Identification and Actions of a Novel Third Maresin Conjugate in Tissue Regeneration: MCTR3. PLoS One, 11(2): e0149319, February 2016.
  8. Wu B, Walker J, Spur B, Rodriguez A, Yin K. Effects of Lipoxin A4 on antimicrobial actions of neutrophils in sepsis. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 94: 55-64, March 2015.
  9. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW. First total synthesis of the macrophage derived anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediator Maresin 2. Tetrahedron Letters, 56(1); 256-9, January 2015.
  10. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW. Total synthesis of the potent anti-inflammatory lipid mediator Protectin D1.Tetrahedron Letters, 55(43); 6011-5, October 2014.
  11. Wu B, Walker JA, Temmermand D, Mian K, Spur B, Rodriguez A, Stein TP, Banerjee P, Yin K. Lipoxin A(4) promotes more complete inflammation resolution in sepsis compared to stable lipoxin A(4) analog. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 89(1): 47-53, July 2013.
  12. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW.  Total synthesis of Resolvin D1, a potent anti-inflammatory lipid mediator.  Tetrahedron Letters, 53(51): 6990-4, Dec 2012.
  13. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW. Total synthesis of the macrophage derived anti-inflammatory lipid mediator Maresin 1. Tetrahedron Letter, 53(32): 4169-72, Aug 2012.
  14. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW.Total synthesis of the anti-inflammatory lipid mediator Resolvin E2. Tetrahedron Letter, 53(15): 1912-5, April 2012.
  15. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW.  First total synthesis of the anti-inflammatory lipid mediator Resolvin D6. Tetrahedron Letter, 53(1): 86-9, Jan 2012
  16. Walker J, Dichter E, Lacorte G, Kerner D, Spur B, Rodriguez A, Yin K. Lipoxin A4 Increases Survival by Decreasing Systemic Inflammation and Bacterial Load in Sepsis. Shock, 36(4): 410-6, Oct 2011.
  17. Stein TP, Scholl TO, Schluter MD, Leskiw MJ, Spur BW, Rodriguez AR, Chen XH. Oxidative Stress early in Pregnancy and Pregnancy outcome. Free Radical Res, 42(10): 841-8, Oct 2008.
  18. Spokas EG, Harshman S, Cohen GM, Jiang C, Levine JM, Rodriguez AR, Foglein J, Spur BW. Release of the Lipid Marker 8-epi-PGF2α from Isolated Gill Pavement Cells. Environ Toxicol Chem, 27 (7): 1569-75, Jul 2008.
  19. Spokas EG, Spur BW, Smith H, Kemp FW, Bodgen JD. Tissue Lead Concentration during Chronic Exposure of Pimephales promelas (Fathead Minnow) to Lead Nitrate in Aquarium Water. Environ Sci Technol, 40(21): 6852-8, Nov 2006.
  20. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW. First total synthesis of  7(S), 17(S)-Resolvin D5, a potent anti-inflammatory docosanoid. Tetrahedron Lett, 46(21), 3623-7, May 2005.
  21. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW. First total synthesis of  7(S), 16(R), 17(S)-Resolvin D2, a potent anti-inflammatory lipid mediator. Tetrahedron Lett, 45(47): 8717-20, Nov 2004.
  22. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW. First total synthesis of the E type I phytoprostanes. Tetrahedron Lett, 44(40), 7411-5, Sept 2003.
  23. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW. Total synthesis of isoprostanes via the two-component coupling process. Tetrahedron Lett, 43(26): 4575-9, May 2002.
  24. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW. Total synthesis of E1 and E2 isoprostanes by diastereoselective protonation. Tetrahedron Lett, 43(50), 9249-53, Dec 2002.
  25. Spokas EG, Spur BW. Rapid Measurement of Low levels of Sodium, Potassium-ATPase Activity by Ascorbic Acid Reduction without Strong Acid. Anal Biochem, 299(1), 112-6, Dec 2001.
  26. Tuppo EE, Forman LJ, Spur BW, Chan-Ting RE, Chopra A, Cavalieri TA. Signs of Lipid Peroxidative Damage as Measured in the Urine of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Res Bull, 54(5): 565-8, Mar 2001.
  27. Rodríguez A, Nomen M, Spur BW, Godfroid J-J, Lee TH. Total synthesis of 12(R)-HETE, 12(S)-HETE, 2H2 -12(R)-HETE and LTB4 from racemic glycidol via hydrolytic kinetic resolution. Tetrahedron, 57: 25-37, 2001.
  28. Rodriguez AR, Spur BW. Total synthesis of aspirin-triggered 15-epi-lipoxin A4. Tetrahedron Lett,42(35): 6057-60, Aug 2001.
  29. Rodríguez A, Nomen M, Spur BW, Godfroid J-J, Lee TH. Total synthesis of lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 from butadiene. Tetrahedron Lett, 41(6): 823-6, Feb 2000.
  30. Rodríguez A, Nomen M, Spur BW, Godfroid J-J, Lee TH. Total synthesis of leukotrienes from butadiene. Eur J Org Chem, 2000(17): 2991-3000, Sep 2000.
  31. Danielsson KG, Swahn ML, Marions L, Wong PYK, Rodriguez A, Spur BW. Bygdeman M. Comparison between oral and vaginal administration of misoprostol on uterine contractility. Obstet Gynecol, 93(2): 275-80, Feb 1999.
  32. Rodríguez A, Nomen M, Spur BW, Godfroid J-J. Synthesis of 2H3-labelled misoprostol and its primary plasma metabolite. J Labelled Cpd Radiopharm, 42(9): 843-50, Sep 1999.
  33. Ho H, Wang MC, Tseng SL, Lin LH, Chen KT, Chiang HS, Spur BW, Wong PYK, Sheu MT. The percutaneous penetration of prostaglandin E1 and its alkyl esters. J Control Release, 58(3): 349-55, Apr 1999.
  34. Rodríguez A, Nomen M, Spur BW, Godfroid J-J. Selective oxidation of primary silyl ethers and its application to the synthesis of natural products. Tetrahedron Lett, 40(28): 5161-4, Jul 1999.
  35. Rodríguez A, Nomen M, Spur BW, Godfroid J-J. An efficient asymmetric synthesis of prostaglandin E1. Eur J Org Chem, 1999(10): 2655-62, Oct 1999.

(Further Bibliography)