Phase 2, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of a c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitor in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal and progressive disease with limited treatment options. Objectives: We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of CC-90001, an oral inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1, in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: In a Phase 2, randomized (1:1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03142191), patients received CC-90001 (200 or 400 mg) or placebo once daily for 24 weeks. Background antifibrotic treatment (pirfenidone) was allowed. The primary endpoint was change in the percentage of predicted FVC (ppFVC) from baseline to Week 24; secondary endpoints included safety. Measurements and Main Results: In total, 112 patients received at least one dose of study drug. The study was terminated early because of a strategic decision made by the sponsor. Ninety-one patients (81%) completed the study. The least-squares mean changes from baseline in ppFVC at Week 24 were -3.1% (placebo), -2.1% (200 mg), and -1.0% (400 mg); the differences compared with placebo were 1.1% (200 mg; 95% confidence interval: -2.1, 4.3; P = 0.50) and 2.2% (400 mg; 95% confidence interval: -1.1, 5.4; P = 0.19). Adverse event frequency was similar in patients in the combined CC-90001 arms versus placebo. The most common adverse events were nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, which were more frequent in patients in CC-90001 arms versus placebo. Fewer patients in the CC-90001 arms than in the placebo arm experienced cough and dyspnea. Conclusions: Treatment with CC-90001 over 24 weeks led to numerical improvements in ppFVC in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis compared with placebo. CC-90001 was generally well tolerated, which was consistent with previous studies. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03142191).

Proliferation maintains the undifferentiated status of stem cells: The role of the planarian cell cycle regulator Cdh1.

The coincidence of cell cycle exit and differentiation has been described in a wide variety of stem cells and organisms for decades, but the causal relationship is still unclear due to the complicated regulation of the cell cycle. Here, we used the planarian Dugesia japonica since they may possess a simple cell cycle regulation in which Cdh1 is one of the factors responsible for exiting the cell cycle. When cdh1 was functionally inhibited, the planarians could not maintain their tissue homeostasis and could not regenerate their missing body parts. While the knockdown of cdh1 caused pronounced accumulation of the stem cells, the progenitor and differentiated cells were decreased. Further analyses indicated that the stem cells with cdh1 knockdown did not undergo differentiation even though they received ERK signaling activation as an induction signal. These results suggested that stem cells could not acquire differentiation competence without cell cycle exit. Thus, we propose that cell cycle regulation determines the differentiation competence and that cell cycle exit to G0 enables stem cells to undergo differentiation.

TLR-4 Agonist Induces IFN-γ Production Selectively in Proinflammatory Human M1 Macrophages through the PI3K-mTOR- and JNK-MAPK-Activated p70S6K Pathway.

IFN-γ, a proinflammatory cytokine produced primarily by T cells and NK cells, activates macrophages and engages mechanisms to control pathogens. Although there is evidence of IFN-γ production by murine macrophages, IFN-γ production by normal human macrophages and their subsets remains unknown. Herein, we show that human M1 macrophages generated by IFN-γ and IL-12- and IL-18-stimulated monocyte-derived macrophages (M0) produce significant levels of IFN-γ. Further stimulation of IL-12/IL-18-primed macrophages or M1 macrophages with agonists for TLR-2, TLR-3, or TLR-4 significantly enhanced IFN-γ production in contrast to the similarly stimulated M0, M2a, M2b, and M2c macrophages. Similarly, M1 macrophages generated from COVID-19-infected patients' macrophages produced IFN-γ that was enhanced following LPS stimulation. The inhibition of M1 differentiation by Jak inhibitors reversed LPS-induced IFN-γ production, suggesting that differentiation with IFN-γ plays a key role in IFN-γ induction. We subsequently investigated the signaling pathway(s) responsible for TLR-4-induced IFN-γ production in M1 macrophages. Our results show that TLR-4-induced IFN-γ production is regulated by the ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) through the activation of PI3K, the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2), and the JNK MAPK pathways. These results suggest that M1-derived IFN-γ may play a key role in inflammation that may be augmented following bacterial/viral infections. Moreover, blocking the mTORC1/2, PI3K, and JNK MAPKs in macrophages may be of potential translational significance in preventing macrophage-mediated inflammatory diseases.

C-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Post-Translational Regulation of Pain-Related Acid-Sensing Ion Channels 1b and 3.

Neuronal proton-gated acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) participate in the detection of tissue acidosis, a phenomenon often encountered in painful pathologic diseases. Such conditions often involve in parallel the activation of various signaling pathways such as mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that ultimately leads to phenotype modifications of sensory neurons. Here, we identify one member of the MAPKs, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), as a new post-translational positive regulator of ASICs in rodent sensory neurons. Recombinant H+-induced ASIC currents in HEK293 cells are potently inhibited within minutes by the JNK inhibitor SP600125 in a subunit-dependent manner, targeting both rodent and human ASIC1b and ASIC3 subunits (except mouse ASIC3). The regulation by JNK of recombinant ASIC1b- and ASIC3-containing channels (homomers and heteromers) is lost on mutation of a putative phosphorylation site within the intracellular N- and the C-terminal domain of the ASIC1b and ASIC3 subunit, respectively. Moreover, short-term JNK activation regulates the activity of native ASIC1b- and ASIC3-containing channels in rodent sensory neurons and is involved in the rapid potentiation of ASIC activity by the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα. Local JNK activation in vivo in mice induces a short-term potentiation of the acid-induced cutaneous pain in inflammatory conditions that is partially blocked by the ASIC1-specific inhibitor mambalgin-1. Collectively, our data identify pain-related channels as novel physiological JNK substrates in nociceptive neurons and propose JNK-dependent phosphorylation as a fast post-translational mechanism of regulation of sensory-neuron-expressed ASIC1b- and ASIC3-containing channels that may contribute to peripheral sensitization and pain hypersensitivity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT ASICs are a class of excitatory cation channels critical for the detection of tissue acidosis, which is a hallmark of several painful diseases. Previous work in sensory neurons has shown that ASICs containing the ASIC3 or the ASIC1b subunit are important players in different pain models. We combine here functional and pharmacological in vitro and in vivo approaches to demonstrate that the MAP Kinase JNK is a potent post-translational positive regulator, probably via direct phosphorylation, of rodent and human ASIC1b- and ASIC3-containing channels. This JNK-dependent, fast post-translational mechanism of regulation of sensory-neuron-expressed ASICs may contribute to peripheral sensitization and pain hypersensitivity. These data also identify pain-related channels as direct downstream effectors of JNK in nociceptors.

Pirfenidone attenuates acetaminophen-induced liver injury via suppressing c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation.

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury is the most frequent cause of acute liver failure in Western countries. Pirfenidone (PFD), an orally bioavailable pyridone derivative, is clinically used for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment and has antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Here we examined the PFD effect on APAP-induced liver injury. In a murine model, APAP caused serum alanine aminotransferase elevation attenuated by PFD treatment. We performed terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and vital propidium iodide (PI) stainings simultaneously. APAP induced TUNEL-positive/PI-negative necrosis around the central vein and subsequent TUNEL-negative/PI-positive oncotic necrosis with hemorrhage and caused the upregulation of hypercoagulation- and hypoxia-associated gene expressions. PFD treatment suppressed these findings. Western blotting revealed PFD suppressed APAP-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation despite no effect on JNK phosphatase expressions. In conclusion, simultaneous TUNEL and vital PI staining is useful for discriminating APAP-induced necrosis from typical oncotic necrosis. Our results indicated that PFD attenuated APAP-induced liver injury by suppressing TUNEL-positive necrosis by directly blocking JNK phosphorylation. PFD is promising as a new option to prevent APAP-induced liver injury.

Discovery of novel paeonol-based derivatives against skin inflammation in vitro and in vivo.

T-LAK-cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK), a novel member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family, is considered an effective therapeutic target for skin inflammation. In this study, a series (A - D) of paeonol derivatives was designed and synthesised using a fragment growing approach, and their anti-inflammatory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells were tested. Among them, compound B12 yielded the best results (IC50 = 2.14 µM) with low toxicity (IC50 > 50 µM). Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that this compound could inhibit the TOPK-p38/JNK signalling pathway and phosphorylate downstream related proteins. A murine psoriasis-like skin inflammation model was used to determine its therapeutic effect.

OAS-RNase L innate immune pathway mediates the cytotoxicity of a DNA-demethylating drug.

Drugs that reverse epigenetic silencing, such as the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi) 5-azacytidine (AZA), have profound effects on transcription and tumor cell survival. AZA is an approved drug for myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia, and is under investigation for different solid malignant tumors. AZA treatment generates self, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), transcribed from hypomethylated repetitive elements. Self dsRNA accumulation in DNMTi-treated cells leads to type I IFN production and IFN-stimulated gene expression. Here we report that cell death in response to AZA treatment occurs through the 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)-RNase L pathway. OASs are IFN-induced enzymes that synthesize the RNase L activator 2-5A in response to dsRNA. Cells deficient in RNase L or OAS1 to 3 are highly resistant to AZA, as are wild-type cells treated with a small-molecule inhibitor of RNase L. A small-molecule inhibitor of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) also antagonizes RNase L-dependent cell death in response to AZA, consistent with a role for JNK in RNase L-induced apoptosis. In contrast, the rates of AZA-induced and RNase L-dependent cell death were increased by transfection of 2-5A, by deficiencies in ADAR1 (which edits and destabilizes dsRNA), PDE12 or AKAP7 (which degrade 2-5A), or by ionizing radiation (which induces IFN-dependent signaling). Finally, OAS1 expression correlates with AZA sensitivity in the NCI-60 set of tumor cell lines, suggesting that the level of OAS1 can be a biomarker for predicting AZA sensitivity of tumor cells. These studies may eventually lead to pharmacologic strategies for regulating the antitumor activity and toxicity of AZA and related drugs.

Functional Roles of JNK and p38 MAPK Signaling in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members integrate signals that affect proliferation, differentiation, survival, and migration in a cell context- and cell type-specific way. JNK and p38 MAPK activities are found upregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Studies have shown that activation of JNK and p38 MAPK signaling can promote NPC oncogenesis by mechanisms within the cancer cells and interactions with the tumor microenvironment. They regulate multiple transcription activities and contribute to tumor-promoting processes, ranging from cell proliferation to apoptosis, inflammation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Current literature suggests that JNK and p38 MAPK activation may exert pro-tumorigenic functions in NPC, though the underlying mechanisms are not well documented and have yet to be fully explored. Here, we aim to provide a narrative review of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways in human cancers with a primary focus on NPC. We also discuss the potential therapeutic agents that could be used to target JNK and p38 MAPK signaling in NPC, along with perspectives for future works. We aim to inspire future studies further delineating JNK and p38 MAPK signaling in NPC oncogenesis which might offer important insights for better strategies in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decision-making in NPC patients.

Targeting of BCR-ABL1 and IRE1α induces synthetic lethality in Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BCR-ABL1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell survival is dependent on the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α) branch of the unfolded protein response. In the current study, we have focused on exploring the efficacy of a simultaneous pharmacological inhibition of BCR-ABL1 and IRE1α in Philadelphia-positive (Ph+) ALL using tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) nilotinib and the IRE1α inhibitor MKC-8866. The combination of 0.5 µM nilotinib and 30 µM MKC-8866 in Ph+ ALL cell lines led to a synergistic effect on cell viability. To mimic this dual inhibition on a genetic level, pre-B-cells from conditional Xbp1+/fl mice were transduced with a BCR-ABL1 construct and with either tamoxifen-inducible cre or empty vector. Cells showed a significant sensitization to the effect of TKIs after the induction of the heterozygous deletion. Finally, we performed a phosphoproteomic analysis on Ph+ ALL cell lines treated with the combination of nilotinib and MKC-8866 to identify potential targets involved in their synergistic effect. An enhanced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase α (p38α MAPK) was identified. In line with this findings, p38 MAPK and, another important endoplasmic reticulum-stress-related kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were found to mediate the potentiated cytotoxic effect induced by the combination of MKC-8866 and nilotinib since the targeting of p38 MAPK with its specific inhibitor BIRB-796 or JNK with JNK-in-8 hindered the synergistic effect observed upon treatment with nilotinib and MKC-8866. In conclusion, the identified combined action of nilotinib and MKC-8866 might represent a successful therapeutic strategy in high-risk Ph+ ALL.

S-allylcysteine inhibits chondrocyte inflammation to reduce human osteoarthritis via targeting RAGE, TLR4, JNK, and Nrf2 signaling: comparison with colchicine.

The discovery of new pharmacological agents is needed to control the progression of osteoarthritis (OA), characterized by joint cartilage damage. Human OA chondrocyte (OAC) cultures were either applied to S-allylcysteine (SAC), a sulfur-containing amino acid derivative, or colchicine, an ancient anti-inflammatory therapeutic, for 24 h. SAC or colchicine did not change viability at 1 nM-10 µM but inhibited p-JNK/pan-JNK. While SAC seems to be more effective, both agents inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), lipid hydroperoxides (LPO), advanced lipoxidation end-products (ALEs as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, HNE), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and type-II-collagen (COL2). IL-1ß, IL-6, and osteopontin (OPN) were more strongly inhibited by SAC than by colchicine. In contrast, TNF-α was inhibited only by SAC, and COX2 was only inhibited by colchicine. Casp-1/ICE, GM-CSF, receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), and toll-like receptors (TLR4) were inhibited by both agents, but bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) was partially inhibited by SAC and induced by colchicine. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was induced by SAC; in contrast, it was inhibited by colchicine. Although they exert opposite effects on TNF-α, COX2, BMP7, and Nrf2, SAC and colchicine exhibit anti-osteoarthritic properties in OAC by modulating redox-sensitive inflammatory signaling.

Inhibition of ER stress-activated JNK pathway attenuates TNF-α-induced inflammatory response in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) are characterized by their pluripotent differentiation and self-renewal capability and have been widely applied in regenerative medicine, gene therapy, and tissue repair. However, inflammatory response after BMMSCs transplantation was found to impair the osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying inflammation response will benefit the clinical use of BMMSCs. In this study, using a cell model of TNF-α-induced inflammatory response, we found that TNF-α treatment greatly elevated intracellular oxidative stress and induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by elevating the expression levels of ER sensors, such as PERK, ATF6 and IRE1A. Oxidative stress and ER stress formed a feedback loop to mediate TNF-α-induced inflammation response in BMMSCs. Moreover, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal pathway that coupled to the ER stress was significantly activated by increasing its phosphorylation upon TNF-α treatment. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of ER stress effectively eliminated the phosphorylation of JNK and attenuated the TNF-α-induced inflammation response. In conclusion, our results indicated that TNF-α induced oxidative and ER stress, thereby leading to JNK activation, and generating inflammation response in BMMSCs. This pathway underlying TNF-α-induced inflammation response may provide new strategies to improve BMMSCs osteogenesis and other inflammation-associated bone diseases.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases are involved in cucurbitacin D-induced antitumor effects on adult T-cell leukemia cells.

Adult T cell leukemia (ATL) is an aggressive and malignant blood disease. We previously reported that steroid-structured cucurbitacin D (CuD) induces apoptosis in ATL cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling inhibitors on CuD-induced cell death in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) isolated from ATL/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients and two human leukemia cell lines (MT-1 and MT-4). PBLs were isolated from an ATL/ALL patient as well as from a healthy donor. Cell surface markers were examined using flow cytometry. Serum cytokine levels were estimated using LEGENDplex or analyzed at the Center for Clinical and Translational Research of Kyushu University Hospital. Cell proliferation was assessed using the Cell Titer-Glo luminescent cell viability assay. Protein expression was determined by western blotting. PBLs from patients highly expressed CD4 and CD5. Serum from the patient contained high levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-18, and interferon-γ compared to the healthy donor. CuD-induced cell death was enhanced by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1/2 inhibitor U0126. However, a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor prevented CuD-induced cell death. Immunoblot analyses revealed that CuD reduced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and JNK, and co-treatment with CuD and U0126 did not affect the phosphorylation of ERK. MEK1/2 and p38 inhibitors enhanced CuD-induced cell death, and U0126 enhanced the CuD-induced de-phosphorylation of ERK in MT-1 and MT-4 cells. We conclude that CuD reduces ERK activation, resulting in enhanced antitumor effects on leukemic cells.

Sickle Cell Anemia Mediates Carotid Artery Expansive Remodeling That Can Be Prevented by Inhibition of JNK (c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase).

OBJECTIVE: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) causes chronic inflammation and multiorgan damage. Less understood are the arterial complications, most evident by increased strokes among children. Proteolytic mechanisms, biomechanical consequences, and pharmaceutical inhibitory strategies were studied in a mouse model to provide a platform for mechanistic and intervention studies of large artery damage due to sickle cell disease. Approach and Results: Townes humanized transgenic mouse model of SCA was used to test the hypothesis that elastic lamina and structural damage in carotid arteries increased with age and was accelerated in mice homozygous for SCA (sickle cell anemia homozygous genotype [SS]) due to inflammatory signaling pathways activating proteolytic enzymes. Elastic lamina fragmentation observed by 1 month in SS mice compared with heterozygous littermate controls (sickle cell trait heterozygous genotype [AS]). Positive immunostaining for cathepsin K, a powerful collagenase and elastase, confirmed accelerated proteolytic activity in SS carotids. Larger cross-sectional areas were quantified by magnetic resonance angiography and increased arterial compliance in SS carotids were also measured. Inhibiting JNK (c-jun N-terminal kinase) signaling with SP600125 significantly reduced cathepsin K expression, elastin fragmentation, and carotid artery perimeters in SS mice. By 5 months of age, continued medial thinning and collagen degradation was mitigated by treatment of SS mice with JNK inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial remodeling due to SCA is mediated by JNK signaling, cathepsin proteolytic upregulation, and degradation of elastin and collagen. Demonstration in Townes mice establishes their utility for mechanistic studies of arterial vasculopathy, related complications, and therapeutic interventions for large artery damage due to SCA.

JNK selective inhibitor, IQ-1S, protects the mice against lipopolysaccharides-induced sepsis.

Sepsis is a severe systemic inflammatory response induced by infection. Innate immunity recognizes pathogen components such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and mediates the polarization of immune cells and the release of cytokines. However, this process is also crucial for triggering sepsis and septic shock. To investigate the potential therapeutic function of 11H-indeno [1,2-b] quinoxalin-11-one oxime (IQ-1S) to sepsis, LPS plus d-galactosamine was used to establish a sepsis mouse model. Flow cytometry was performed to catalyze T cells and macrophages in mouse spleen. ELISA assay and qRT-PCR assay were performed to estimate the expression levels of cytokines and related genes including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, Nos2, Arg and Mrc. The protein levels of NF-κB, AP1, NF-Y, p-JNK2, JNK2, p-p38, p38, p-IκBα, IκBα, p-IKKß and IKKß were evaluated by Western blot assay. IQ-1S treatment significantly reduced mortality and lung inflammation in sepsis mice. IQ-1S treatment decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines in sepsis mice. Polarization of M1 macrophages was suppressed by IQ-1S in vitro. IQ-1S significantly inhibited the activation of the JNK signaling pathway and reduced the phosphorylation level of JNK2 in sepsis mice. IQ-1S protected the mice against LPS-induced sepsis through inhibiting JNK signaling pathway.

Artemisia annua L. Polyphenol-Induced Cell Death Is ROS-Independently Enhanced by Inhibition of JNK in HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is activated by chemotherapeutic reagents including natural plant polyphenols, and cell fate is determined by activated phospho-JNK as survival or death depending on stimuli and cell types. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of JNK on the anticancer effects of the Korean plant Artemisia annua L. (pKAL) polyphenols in p53 wild-type HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells. Cell morphology, protein expression levels, apoptosis/necrosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), acidic vesicles, and granularity/DNA content were analyzed by phase-contrast microscopy; Western blot; and flow cytometry of annexin V/propidium iodide (PI)-, dichlorofluorescein (DCF)-, acridine orange (AO)-, and side scatter pulse height (SSC-H)/DNA content (PI)-stained cells. The results showed that pKAL induced morphological changes and necrosis or late apoptosis, which were associated with loss of plasma membrane/Golgi integrity, increased acidic vesicles and intracellular granularity, and decreased DNA content through downregulation of protein kinase B (Akt)/ß-catenin/cyclophilin A/Golgi matrix protein 130 (GM130) and upregulation of phosphorylation of H2AX at Ser-139 (γ-H2AX)/p53/p21/Bak cleavage/phospho-JNK/p62/microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B)-I. Moreover, JNK inhibition by SP600125 enhanced ROS-independently pKAL-induced cell death through downregulation of p62 and upregulation of p53/p21/Bak cleavage despite a reduced state of DNA damage marker γ-H2AX. These findings indicate that phospho-JNK activated by pKAL inhibits p53-dependent cell death signaling and enhances DNA damage signaling, but cell fate is determined by phospho-JNK as survival rather than death in p53 wild-type HCT116 cells.

Novel c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) Inhibitors with an 11H-Indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one Scaffold.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) plays a central role in stress signaling pathways implicated in important pathological processes, including rheumatoid arthritis and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, inhibition of JNK is of interest for molecular targeted therapy to treat various diseases. We synthesized 13 derivatives of our reported JNK inhibitor 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one oxime and evaluated their binding to the three JNK isoforms and their biological effects. Eight compounds exhibited submicromolar binding affinity for at least one JNK isoform. Most of these compounds also inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor-κB/activating protein 1 (NF-κB/AP-1) activation and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in human monocytic THP1-Blue cells and human MonoMac-6 cells, respectively. Selected compounds (4f and 4m) also inhibited LPS-induced c-Jun phosphorylation in MonoMac-6 cells, directly confirming JNK inhibition. We conclude that indenoquinoxaline-based oximes can serve as specific small-molecule modulators for mechanistic studies of JNKs, as well as potential leads for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Role of JNK in the Regulation of Xenobiotic Metabolizing Function of Hepatocytes.

We studied the role of JNK in the regulation of the metabolism of xenobiotic venlafaxine by liver cells under in vitro conditions. The inhibitory role of this protein kinase in the biotransformation of this psychotropic agent by hepatocytes was demonstrated. JNK inhibitor added to the liver homogenate containing antidepressant enhanced and accelerated the formation of the only pharmacologically active venlafaxine metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine in the cell suspension. The results show the promise of studying modifiers of activity of intracellular signaling molecules (in particular, mitogen-activated protein kinases) to develop a fundamentally new approach to control the transformation of xenobiotics and to create a new class of pharmaceutical, target regulators of drugs metabolism.

Role of JNK, MEK and adenylyl cyclase signalling in speed and directionality of enteric neural crest-derived cells.

BACKGROUND: Cells derived from the neural crest colonize the developing gut and give rise to the enteric nervous system. The rate at which the ENCC population advances along the bowel will be affected by both the speed and directionality of individual ENCCs. The aim of the study was to use time-lapse imaging and pharmacological activators and inhibitors to examine the role of several intracellular signalling pathways in both the speed and the directionality of individual enteric neural crest-derived cells in intact explants of E12.5 mouse gut. Drugs that activate or inhibit intracellular components proposed to be involved in GDNF-RET and EDN3-ETB signalling in ENCCs were used. FINDINGS: Pharmacological inhibition of JNK significantly reduced ENCC speed but did not affect ENCC directionality. MEK inhibition did not affect ENCC speed or directionality. Pharmacological activation of adenylyl cyclase or PKA (a downstream cAMP-dependent kinase) resulted in a significant decrease in ENCC speed and an increase in caudal directionality of ENCCs. In addition, adenylyl cyclase activation also resulted in reduced cell-cell contact between ENCCs, however this was not observed following PKA activation, suggesting that the effects of cAMP on adhesion are not mediated by PKA. CONCLUSIONS: JNK is required for normal ENCC migration speed, but not directionality, while cAMP signalling appears to regulate ENCC migration speed, directionality and adhesion. Collectively, our data demonstrate that intracellular signalling pathways can differentially affect the speed and directionality of migrating ENCCs.

Aspirin inhibits osteoclast formation and wear-debris-induced bone destruction by suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Excessive osteoclast recruitment and activation is the chief cause of periprosthetic osteolysis and subsequent aseptic loosening, so blocking osteolysis may be useful for protecting against osteoclastic bone resorption. We studied the effect of aspirin on titanium (Ti)-particle-induced osteolysis in vivo and in vitro using male C57BL/6J mice randomized to sham (sham surgery), Ti (Ti particles), low-dose aspirin (Ti/5 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 aspirin), and high-dose aspirin (Ti/30 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 aspirin). After 2 weeks, a three-dimensional reconstruction evaluation using micro-computed tomography and histomorphology assessment were performed on murine calvariae. Murine hematopoietic macrophages and RAW264.7 lineage cells were studied to investigate osteoclast formation and function. Aspirin attenuated Ti-particle-induced bone erosion and reduced osteoclasts. In vitro, aspirin suppressed osteoclast formation, osteoclastic-related gene expression, and osteoclastic bone erosion in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanically, aspirin reduced osteoclast formation by suppressing receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced activation of extracellular signal-related kinase, p-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Thus, aspirin may be a promising option for preventing and curing osteoclastic bone destruction, including peri-implant osteolysis.

JNK-IN-8, a c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor, improves functional recovery through suppressing neuroinflammation in ischemic stroke.

C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a pivotal MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), which activated by ischemia brain injury and plays a fairly crucial function in cerebral ischemic injury. Emerging studies demonstrated that JNK-IN-8 (a JNK inhibitor with high specificity) regulates traumatic brain injury through controlling neuronal apoptosis and inflammation. However, the function of JNK-IN-8 in ischemic stroke and the mechanisms underlying of JNK-IN-8 about neuroprotection are not well understood. In this work, male rats were treated with JNK-IN-8 after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, and then the modified improved neurological function score (mNSS), the foot-fault test (FFT), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were assessed. We found that JNK-IN-8-treated rats with MCAO exerted an observable melioration in space learning as tested by the improved mNSS, and showed sensorimotor functional recovery as measured by the FFT. JNK-IN-8 also played anti-inflammatory roles as indicated through decreased activation of microglia and decreased IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α expression. Furthermore, JNK-IN-8 suppressed the activation of JNK and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling as indicated by the decreased level of phosphorylated-JNK and p65. All data demonstrate that JNK-IN-8 inhibits neuroinflammation and improved neurological function by inhibiting JNK/NF-κB and is a promising agent for the prevention of ischemic brain injury.