Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta inhibition attenuates asthma in mice.
BACKGROUND
Persistent activation of nuclear factor-kappaB has been associated with the development of asthma. Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta is known to regulate the activity of nuclear factor-kappaB.


OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta may have anti-inflammatory effects in allergic asthma.


METHODS
BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin developed airway inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was assessed for total and differential cell counts, and for cytokine and chemokine levels. Lung tissues were examined for cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion, and for the expression of inflammatory biomarkers. Serum immunoglobulin E levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Airway hyperresponsiveness was monitored by direct airway resistance analysis.


RESULTS
Intravenous administration of 4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione (TDZD-8), a selective glycogen synthase kinase-3beta inhibitor, significantly inhibited ovalbumin-induced increases in total cell counts, eosinophil counts, and IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin levels recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a dose-dependent manner. TDZD-8 substantially reduced the serum levels of ovalbumin-specific IgE. Histologic studies showed that TDZD-8 dramatically inhibited ovalbumin-induced lung tissue eosinophilia and airway mucus production. TDZD-8 also markedly suppressed ovalbumin-induced mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, Muc5ac, and three members of the chitinase family (acidic mammalian chitinase, Ym1, and Ym2). In addition, TDZD-8 significantly reduced ovalbumin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine. Western blot analysis of whole lung lysates revealed that TDZD-8 markedly attenuated the phosphorylation of the nuclear factor-kappaB subunit p65 from ovalbumin-challenged mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta may provide a novel means for the treatment of allergic airway inflammation.
Bao
Zhang
Z
Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore.
Lim
Shuhui
S
Liao
Wupeng
W
Lin
Yuzhi
Y
Thiemermann
Christoph
C
Leung
Bernard P
BP
Wong
W S Fred
WS
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010047:Ovalbumin; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013830:Thiadiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
C494356:4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione; D016207:Cytokines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D016328:NF-kappa B; D013830:Thiadiazoles; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; C000605507:Gsk3b protein, mouse; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3