17-(dimethylaminoethylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin and Lupus-Erythematosus--Systemic

Elevated expression of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) has been found in kidneys and serum of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and MRL/Mp-Fas(lpr)/Fas(lpr) (MRL/lpr) autoimmune mice. We investigated if inhibition of HSP90 would reduce disease in MRL/lpr mice. In vitro, pretreatment of mesangial cells with HSP90 inhibitor Geldanamycin prior to immune-stimulation showed reduced expression of IL-6, IL-12 and NO. In vivo, we found HSP90 expression was elevated in MRL/lpr kidneys when compared to C57BL/6 mice and MRL/lpr mice treated with HSP90 inhibitor 17-DMAG. MRL/lpr mice treated with 17-DMAG showed decreased proteinuria and reduced serum anti-dsDNA antibody production. Glomerulonephritis and glomerular IgG and C3 were not significantly affected by administration of 17-DMAG in MRL/lpr. 17-DMAG increased CD8(+) T cells, reduced double-negative T cells, decreased the CD4/CD8 ratio and reduced follicular B cells. These studies suggest that HSP90 may play a role in regulating T-cell differentiation and activation and that HSP90 inhibition may reduce inflammation in lupus.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Benzoquinones; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Disease Models, Animal; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Interleukin-12; Interleukin-6; Lactams, Macrocyclic; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Lymphocyte Activation; Mesangial Cells; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr; Nitric Oxide