CS12192, a novel JAK3/JAK1/TBK1 inhibitor, attenuates autoimmune dermatoses in murine models.

OBJECTIVE: Autoimmune dermatosis (AID) occurs when the body's immune system attacks skin or tissue, leading to various types of skin disorders or injuries. Recent studies show that Janus kinases (JAKs) play critical roles in autoimmune diseases including AID by regulating multiple cytokine signaling pathways. CS12192, a novel JAK3/JAK1/TBK1 inhibitor, has been reported to exert ameliorative effects in rheumatoid arthritis. However, the efficacy of CS12192 on AID is undetermined. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of CS12192 on psoriasis (PSO), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and atopic dermatitis (AD) in mouse models. METHODS: Interleukin-23 (IL-23)-induced PSO model, spontaneous SLE model of MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/J (MRL/lpr) mice, and oxazolone (OXA) and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced murine AD models were used for the evaluation of curative effects of CS12192, respectively. The skin lesion, biochemical parameters, ear thickness, ear weight and histopathology were assessed accordingly. RESULTS: In PSO model, mice treated with CS12192 show reduced ear thickness and ear weight as compared with vehicle. In SLE model, CS12192 ameliorates cutaneous parameters such as lymphadenectasis and skin lesion but not systematic parameters such as proteinuria concentration and score, serum dsDNA and BUN concentration. In AD models, CS12192 dose-dependently improves ear swelling and reduces histological scores, exerting equivalent efficacy with baricitinib, a marketed JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the novel JAK3/JAK1/TBK1 inhibitor CS12192 is potentially to alleviate autoimmune dermatosis.

Targeting ASK1 by CS17919 alleviates kidney- and liver-related diseases in murine models.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a MAP3K kinase in the MAPK signaling pathway activated by stressors and triggers downstream biological effects such as inflammation and apoptosis; therefore, inhibition of ASK1 kinase activity can protect cells from pathological injury. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel selective ASK1 inhibitor, CS17919, and investigated its pharmacological effects in various animal models of metabolic injury. METHODS: First, we validated the ability of CS17919 to inhibit ASK1 in vitro and then tested the safety profile of CS17919 in cell lines compared with Selonsertib (GS-4997), a phase III ASK1 inhibitor. We then conducted pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in mice. Finally, we tested the in vivo efficacy of CS17919 in murine models of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). RESULTS: Compared to GS-4997, CS17919 demonstrated comparable inhibition of ASK1 in vitro, exhibited lower toxicity, and provided greater protection in palmitic acid-treated LO2 cells. CS17919 also showed pronounced pharmacokinetic properties such as a high plasma concentration. In the unilateral ureteral obstruction model (UUO), CS17919 and GS-4997 preserved kidney function and showed a non-significant tendency to alleviate kidney fibrosis. In the diabetic kidney disease (DKD) model, CS17919 significantly improved serum creatinine and glomerular sclerosis. In the NASH model, the combination of CS17919 and a THRß agonist (CS27109) was found to significantly improve liver inflammation and substantially reduced liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: CS17919 showed cell protective, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its therapeutic potential for metabolic-related kidney and liver diseases.