Specific modulation of astrocyte inflammation by inhibition of mixed lineage kinases with CEP-1347.
Inflammatory conversion of murine astrocytes correlates with the activation of various MAPK, and inhibition of terminal MAPKs like JNK or p38 dampens the inflammatory reaction. Mixed lineage kinases (MLKs), a family of MAPK kinase kinases, may therefore be involved in astrocyte inflammation. In this study, we explored the effect of the MLK inhibitors CEP-1347 and CEP-11004 on the activation of murine astrocytes by either TNF plus IL-1 or by a complete cytokine mix containing additional IFN-gamma. The compounds blocked NO-, PG-, and IL-6 release with a median inhibitory concentration of approximately 100 nM. This activity correlated with a block of the JNK and the p38 pathways activated in complete cytokine mix-treated astrocytes. Although CEP-1347 did not affect the activation of NF-kappaB, it blocked the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase at the transcriptional level. Quantitative transcript profiling of 17 inflammation-linked genes revealed a specific modulation pattern of astrocyte activation by MLK inhibition, for instance, characterized by up-regulation of the anti-stress factors inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 and activated transcription factor 4, no effect on manganese superoxide dismutase and caspase-11, and down-regulation of major inflammatory players like TNF, GM-CSF, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, and IL-6. In conclusion, MLK inhibitors like CEP-1347 are highly potent astrocyte immune modulators with a novel spectrum of activity.
H. Lundbeck, Valby, Denmark.
Jeppe
J
Falsig
Peter
P
Pörzgen
Julie
J
Lotharius
Marcel
M
Leist
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007118:Immunoassay; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
C469298:CEP-11004; D002227:Carbazoles; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007527:Isoenzymes; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011453:Prostaglandins; C106592:3,9-bis((ethylthio)methyl)-K-252a; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases