Connectivity mapping (ssCMap) to predict A20-inducing drugs and their antiinflammatory action in cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by chronic and exaggerated inflammation in the airways. Despite recent developments to therapeutically overcome the underlying functional defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, there is still an unmet need to also normalize the inflammatory response. The prolonged and heightened inflammatory response in CF is, in part, mediated by a lack of intrinsic down-regulation of the proinflammatory NF-κB pathway. We have previously identified reduced expression of the NF-κB down-regulator A20 in CF as a key target to normalize the inflammatory response. Here, we have used publicly available gene array expression data together with a statistically significant connections’ map (sscMap) to successfully predict drugs already licensed for the use in humans to induce A20 mRNA and protein expression and thereby reduce inflammation. The effect of the predicted drugs on A20 and NF-κB(p65) expression (mRNA) as well as proinflammatory cytokine release (IL-8) in the presence and absence of bacterial LPS was shown in bronchial epithelial cells lines (16HBE14o−, CFBE41o−) and in primary nasal epithelial cells from patients with CF (Phe508del homozygous) and non-CF controls. Additionally, the specificity of the drug action on A20 was confirmed using cell lines with tnfαip3 (A20) knockdown (siRNA). We also show that the A20-inducing effect of ikarugamycin and quercetin is lower in CF-derived airway epithelial cells than in non-CF cells

Prevention of Bleomycin-Induced Lung Inflammation and Fibrosis in Mice by Naproxen and JNJ7777120 Treatment

ABSTRACT Pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and lethal lung disease characterized by inflammation and accumulation of extracellular matrix components, is a major therapeutic challenge for which new therapeutic strategies are warranted. Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have been previously utilized to reduce inflammation. Histamine H 4 receptor (H 4 R), largely expressed in hematopoietic cells, has been identified as a novel target for inflammatory and immune disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of JNJ7777120 (1-[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]-4-methylpiperazine), a selective H 4 R antagonist, and naproxen, a well known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and their combination in a murine model of bleomycin-induced fibrosis. Bleomycin (0.05 IU) was instilled intratracheally to C57BL/6 mice, which were then treated by micro-osmotic pump with vehicle, JNJ7777120 (40 mg/kg b.wt.), naproxen (21 mg/kg b.wt.), or a combination of both. Airway resistance to inflation, an index of lung stiffness, was assessed, and lung specimens were processed for inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis markers. Both drugs alone were able to reduce the airway resistance to inflation induced by bleomycin and the inflammatory response by decreasing COX-2 and myeloperoxidase expression and activity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance and 8-hydroxy-29-deoxyguanosine production. Lung fibrosis was inhibited, as demonstrated by the reduction of tissue levels of transforming growth factor-b, collagen deposition, relative goblet cell number, and smooth muscle layer thickness. Our results demonstrate that both JNJ7777120 and naproxen exert an anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effect that is increased by their combination, which could be an effective therapeutic strategy in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis