pyrimidinones and Fibrosis

G protein-coupled receptors are the target of more than 30% of all FDA-approved drug therapies. Though the purinergic P2 receptors have been an attractive target for therapeutic intervention with successes such as the P2Y

Topics: Dibenzocycloheptenes; Fibrosis; Humans; Pyrimidinones; Receptors, Purinergic P2Y2; Signal Transduction

Combined treatment with dabrafenib, a B-RAF inhibitor, and trametinib, a mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, is an effective option for patients with metastatic melanoma. A few cases of acute kidney injury associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis and 1 case of nephrotic syndrome have been reported in patients on this drug combination; however, progressive renal injury has not been reported. In this case study, we report a patient with metastatic melanoma who developed glomerular capillary endothelial toxicity and progressive glomerular sclerosis during combination therapy.. Our patient was an 80-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.. She was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and commenced combination therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib.. Her renal function progressively deteriorated; by month 20 after treatment commencement, her serum creatinine level had increased from 1.59 to 3.74 mg/dL. The first kidney biopsy revealed marked glomerular and endothelial cell damage. Her medication was stopped, but no improvement was evident. At 5 months after the first biopsy, her serum creatinine level had increased to 5.46 mg/dL; a second kidney biopsy revealed focal segmental glomerular sclerosis and marked tubulointerstitial fibrosis. She was started on hemodialysis.. We describe a patient with a metastatic melanoma who developed progressive kidney failure during treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib. The most prominent microscopy findings were glomerular endothelial damage in the initial kidney biopsy and accelerated glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the follow-up biopsy. We hypothesize that a decreased renal reserve and impairment of kidney repair capacity caused by inhibition of B-RAF, a downstream mediator of vascular endothelial growth factor, may explain the progressive kidney injury.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Creatinine; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Fibrosis; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Nephritis, Interstitial; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

To determine the anti-fibrotic effects of Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitors on urethral stricture.. Human fibroblasts were exposed to transforming growth factor beta 1 combined with various concentrations of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors (ICG-001, IWR-1, and PRI-724), and cell proliferation and migration were evaluated. Urethral fibrosis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by urethral injection of transforming growth factor beta 1 and co-treatement with inhibitors. Urethral tissues were harvested 2 weeks after the injection. The messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression was examined for fibrosis markers Axin-1, collagen type 1, alpha smooth muscle actin, and β-catenin. Histological analysis of fibrosis and collagen deposition was also performed.. Cell migration was ameliorated by ICG-001 and PRI-724. Protein and messenger ribonucleic acid expression of collagen type 1 and alpha smooth muscle actin in transforming growth factor beta 1-treated fibroblasts decreased in a concentration-dependent manner with the ICG-001 and PRI-724 treatments (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes with the IWR-1 treatment. Collagen type I and alpha smooth muscle actin messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression were both significantly increased in the urethral tissues of rats with transforming growth factor beta 1-induced urethral fibrosis. Rats co-treated with ICG-001 or PRI-724 showed relatively mild fibrosis and significantly reduced collagen type I and alpha smooth muscle actin messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression (P < 0.05).. ICG-001 and PRI-724 significantly ameliorated urethral fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor beta 1 in rats. These results suggest that ICG-001 and PRI-724 can be developed as therapeutics for treating urethral stricture.

Topics: Actins; Animals; beta Catenin; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Collagen; Collagen Type I; Fibrosis; Male; Pyrimidinones; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Urethral Stricture; Wnt Signaling Pathway

In heart failure (HF) caused by hypertension, the myocyte size increases, and the cardiac wall thickens. A low-molecular-weight compound called ICG001 impedes β-catenin-mediated gene transcription, thereby protecting both the heart and kidney. However, the HF-preventive mechanisms of ICG001 remain unclear. Hence, we investigated how ICG001 can prevent cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Four weeks after TAC, ICG001 attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in the left ventricular wall. The TAC mice treated with ICG001 showed a decrease in the following: mRNA expression of brain natriuretic peptide (Bnp), Klf5, fibronectin, β-MHC, and β-catenin, number of cells expressing the macrophage marker CD68 shown in immunohistochemistry, and macrophage accumulation shown in flow cytometry. Moreover, ICG001 may mediate the substrates in the glycolysis pathway and the distinct alteration of oxidative stress during cardiac hypertrophy and HF. In conclusion, ICG001 is a potential drug that may prevent cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis by regulating KLF5, immune activation, and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and inhibiting the inflammatory response involving macrophages.

Topics: Animals; beta Catenin; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cardiomegaly; Cardiomyopathies; Fibrosis; Glycolysis; Heart Failure; Inflammation; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; Macrophages; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Myocardium; Oxidative Stress; Phosphoproteins; Pyrimidinones; Wnt Signaling Pathway

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high prevalence worldwide. Renal fibrosis is the common pathological feature in various types of CKD. However, the underlying mechanisms are not determined. Here, we adopted different CKD mouse models and cultured human proximal tubular cell line (HKC-8) to examine the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and β-catenin signalling, as well as their relationship in renal fibrosis. In CKD mice and humans with a variety of nephropathies, CXCR4 was dramatically up-regulated in tubules, with a concomitant activation of β-catenin. CXCR4 expression level was positively correlated with the expression of β-catenin target MMP-7. AMD3100, a CXCR4 receptor blocker, and gene knockdown of CXCR4 significantly inhibited the activation of JAK/STAT and β-catenin signalling, protected against tubular injury and renal fibrosis. CXCR4-induced renal fibrosis was inhibited by treatment with ICG-001, an inhibitor of β-catenin signalling. In HKC-8 cells, overexpression of CXCR4 induced activation of β-catenin and deteriorated cell injury. These effects were inhibited by ICG-001. Stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α, the ligand of CXCR4, stimulated the activation of JAK2/STAT3 and JAK3/STAT6 signalling in HKC-8 cells. Overexpression of STAT3 or STAT6 decreased the abundance of GSK3β mRNA. Silencing of STAT3 or STAT6 significantly blocked SDF-1α-induced activation of β-catenin and fibrotic lesions. These results uncover a novel mechanistic linkage between CXCR4 and β-catenin activation in renal fibrosis in association with JAK/STAT/GSK3β pathway. Our studies also suggest that targeted inhibition of CXCR4 may provide better therapeutic effects on renal fibrosis by inhibiting multiple downstream signalling cascades.

Topics: Amino Acid Motifs; Animals; Benzylamines; beta Catenin; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Chemokine CXCL12; Cyclams; Disease Models, Animal; Fibrosis; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Humans; Janus Kinase 2; Kidney; Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; Mice; Pyrimidinones; Receptors, CXCR4; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; STAT3 Transcription Factor; STAT6 Transcription Factor

During kidney fibrosis, a hallmark and promoter of CKD (regardless of the underlying renal disorder leading to CKD), the extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway, is activated and has been implicated in the detrimental differentiation and expansion of kidney fibroblasts. An ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor, trametinib, is currently used in the treatment of melanoma, but its efficacy in the setting of CKD and renal fibrosis has not been explored.. We investigated whether trametinib has antifibrotic effects in two mouse models of renal fibrosis-mice subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) or fed an adenine-rich diet-as well as in cultured primary human fibroblasts. We also used immunoblot analysis, immunohistochemical staining, and other tools to study underlying molecular mechanisms for antifibrotic effects.. Trametinib significantly attenuated collagen deposition and myofibroblast differentiation and expansion in UUO and adenine-fed mice. We also discovered that in injured kidneys, inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway by trametinib ameliorated mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation, another key profibrotic signaling pathway. Trametinib also inhibited the ERK1/2 pathway in cultured primary human renal fibroblasts stimulated by application of TGF-. Further study of trametinib as a potential candidate for the treatment of chronic renal fibrotic diseases of diverse etiologies is warranted.

Topics: Animals; Biopsy, Needle; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Fibroblasts; Fibrosis; Immunohistochemistry; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; Mice; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Random Allocation; Reference Values; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Signal Transduction

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is the key cytokine involved in causing fibrosis through cross-talk with major profibrotic pathways. However, inhibition of TGF-β to prevent fibrosis would also abrogate its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. β-catenin is a common co-factor in most TGF-β signaling pathways. β-catenin binds to T-cell factor (TCF) to activate profibrotic genes and binds to Forkhead box O (Foxo) to promote cell survival under oxidative stress. Using a proximity ligation assay in human kidney biopsies, we found that β-catenin/Foxo interactions were higher in kidney with little fibrosis, whereas β-catenin/TCF interactions were upregulated in the kidney of patients with fibrosis. We hypothesised that β-catenin/Foxo is protective against kidney fibrosis. We found that Foxo1 protected against rhTGF-β1-induced profibrotic protein expression using a CRISPR/cas9 knockout of Foxo1 or TCF1 in murine kidney tubular epithelial C1.1 cells. Co-administration of TGF-β with a small molecule inhibitor of β-catenin/TCF (ICG-001), protected against kidney fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction. Collectively, our human, animal and in vitro findings suggest β-catenin/Foxo as a therapeutic target in kidney fibrosis.

Topics: Animals; beta Catenin; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cell Line; Disease Models, Animal; Fibrosis; Forkhead Box Protein O1; Gene Knockout Techniques; Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha; Humans; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Male; Mice; Pyrimidinones; Signal Transduction; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Combined Modality Therapy; Dermoscopy; Disease Progression; Drug Substitution; Epidermis; Fibrosis; Humans; Imidazoles; Indoles; Male; Melanoma; Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant; Melanosis; Mutation, Missense; Neoplasm Proteins; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Remission Induction; Skin Neoplasms; Substrate Specificity; Sulfonamides; Vemurafenib

Pirfenidone is an orally bioavailable synthetic compound with therapeutic potential for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It is thought to act through antioxidant and anti-fibrotic pathways. Pirfenidone inhibits proliferation and/or myofibroblast differentiation of a wide range of cell types, however, little studies have analyzed the effect of pirfenidone on the mesenchymal stem cells, which play an important role on the origin of myofibroblasts. We recently found that pirfenidone had anti-proliferative activity via G1 phase arrest and cell division cycle 7 (Cdc7) kinase expression decrease in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated murine mesenchymal stem C3H10T1/2 cells. Pirfenidone also had inhibiting effect on the migration and α-SMA expression. Moreover, in this study we showed for the first time that Cdc7 inhibitor XL413 enhanced the anti-fibrotic activity of pirfenidone via depressed the expression of Smad2/4 proteins, and also prevented the nuclear accumulation and translocation of Smad2 protein. In conclusion, we demonstrated that pirfenidone inhibited proliferation, migration and differentiation of TGF-β1-stimulated C3H10T1/2 cells, which could be enhanced by Cdc7 inhibitor XL413, via Smad2/4. Combination with pirfenidone and XL413 might provide a potential candidate for the treatment of TGF-β1 associated fibrosis. It needs in vivo studies to further validate its therapeutic function and safety in the future.

Topics: Cell Cycle; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Differentiation; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fibrosis; Humans; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Smad2 Protein; Smad4 Protein; Structure-Activity Relationship; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

To evaluate the mechanical property and biocompatibility of the Wnt pathway inhibitor (ICG-001) delivering collagen/poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (P(LLA-CL)) scaffold for urethroplasty, and also the feasibility of inhibiting the extracellular matrix (ECM) expression in vitro and in vivo.. ICG-001 (1 mg (2 mM)) was loaded into a (P(LLA-CL)) scaffold with the co-axial electrospinning technique. The characteristics of the mechanical property and drug release fashion of scaffolds were tested with a mechanical testing machine (Instron) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Rabbit bladder epithelial cells and the dermal fibroblasts were isolated by enzymatic digestion method. (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate the viability and proliferation of the cells on the scaffolds. Fibrolasts treated with TGF-β1 and ICG-001 released medium from scaffolds were used to evaluate the anti-fibrosis effect through immunofluorescence, real time PCR and western blot. Urethrography and histology were used to evaluate the efficacy of urethral implantation.. The scaffold delivering ICG-001 was fabricated, the fiber diameter and mechanical strength of scaffolds with inhibitor were comparable with the non-drug scaffold. The SEM and MTT assay showed no toxic effect of ICG-001 to the proliferation of epithelial cells on the collagen/P(LLA-CL) scaffold with ICG-001. After treatment with culture medium released from the drug-delivering scaffold, the expression of Collagen type 1, 3 and fibronectin of fibroblasts could be inhibited significantly at the mRNA and protein levels. In the results of urethrography, urethral strictures and fistulas were found in the rabbits treated with non-ICG-001 delivering scaffolds, but all the rabbits treated with ICG-001-delivering scaffolds showed wide caliber in urethras. Histology results showed less collagen but more smooth muscle and thicker epithelium in urethras repaired with ICG-001 delivering scaffolds.. After loading with the Wnt signal pathway inhibitor ICG-001, the Collagen/P(LLA-CL) scaffold could facilitate a decrease in the ECM deposition of fibroblasts. The ICG-001 delivering Collagen/P(LLA-CL) nanofibrous scaffold seeded with epithelial cells has the potential to be a promising substitute material for urethroplasty. Longer follow-up study in larger animals is needed in the future.

Topics: Animals; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cell Proliferation; Collagen Type I; Constriction, Pathologic; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Delivery Systems; Epithelial Cells; Fibrosis; Male; Pyrimidinones; Rabbits; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Urethra; Urethral Stricture; Wnt Signaling Pathway

Modulation of the stroma response is considered a promising approach for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three clinically available small molecule kinase inhibitors, regorafenib, trametinib and dactolisib, on effector functions of activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which play a key role in pancreatic fibrosis.. Cultured rat PSCs were exposed to small molecule kinase inhibitors. Proliferation and cell death were assessed by measuring the incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and cytotoxicity, respectively. Levels of mRNA were determined by real-time PCR, while protein expression and phosphorylation were analyzed by immunoblotting. Interleukin-6 levels in culture supernatants were quantified by ELISA. Zymography assays were performed to monitor collagenase activity in culture supernatants.. The MEK inhibitor trametinib and the dual phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mTOR inhibitor dactolisib, but not the multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib, efficiently inhibited PSC proliferation. Trametinib as well as regorafenib suppressed the expression of two autocrine mediators of PSC activation, interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor-beta1. Dactolisib-treated cells expressed less alpha1 type I collagen and lower levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, a marker of the myofibroblastic PSC phenotype. Simultaneous application of dactolisib and trametinib displayed additive inhibitory effects on cell growth without statistically significant cytotoxicity. Activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 was not affected by any of the drugs.. We suggest the combination of two drugs, that specifically target two key signaling pathways in PSC, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK (trametinib) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-mTOR (dactolisib), as a concept to modulate the activation state of the cells in the context of fibrosis.

Topics: Actins; Animals; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Collagen Type I; Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fibrosis; Imidazoles; Interleukin-6; Male; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Pancreatic Stellate Cells; Pancreatitis, Chronic; Phenylurea Compounds; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyridines; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Quinolines; Rats, Inbred Lew; Signal Transduction; Time Factors; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

The morphogen pathways Hedgehog, Wnt and Notch are attractive targets for antifibrotic therapies in systemic sclerosis. Interference with stem cell regeneration, however, may complicate the use of morphogen pathway inhibitors. We therefore tested the hypothesis that combination therapies with low doses of Hedgehog, Wnt and Notch inhibitors maybe safe and effective for the treatment of fibrosis.. Skin fibrosis was induced by bleomycin and by overexpression of a constitutively active TGF-β receptor type I. Adverse events were assessed by clinical monitoring, pathological evaluation and quantification of Lgr5-positive intestinal stem cells.. Inhibition of Hedgehog, Wnt and Notch signalling dose-dependently ameliorated bleomycin-induced and active TGF-β receptor type I-induced fibrosis. Combination therapies with low doses of Hedgehog/Wnt inhibitors or Hedgehog/Notch inhibitors demonstrated additive antifibrotic effects in preventive as well as in therapeutic regimes. Combination therapies were well tolerated. In contrast with high dose monotherapies, combination therapies did not reduce the number of Lgr5 positive intestinal stem cells.. Combined inhibition of morphogen pathways exerts additive antifibrotic effects. Combination therapies are well tolerated and, in contrast to high dose monotherapies, may not impair stem cell renewal. Combined targeting of morphogen pathways may thus help to overcome dose-limiting toxicity of Hedgehog, Wnt and Notch signalling.

Topics: Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases; Animals; Bleomycin; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fibrosis; Hedgehog Proteins; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred DBA; Mice, Transgenic; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Pyrimidinones; Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I; Receptors, Notch; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; Scleroderma, Systemic; Signal Transduction; Skin; Veratrum Alkaloids; Wnt Proteins; Wnt Signaling Pathway

Fibrosis is a major socioeconomic burden, but effective antifibrotic therapies are not available in the clinical routine. There is growing evidence for a central role of Wnt signalling in fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis, and we therefore evaluated the translational potential of pharmacological Wnt inhibition in experimental dermal fibrosis.. We examined the antifibrotic effects of PKF118-310 and ICG-001, two novel inhibitors of downstream canonical Wnt signalling, in the models of prevention and treatment of bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis as well as in experimental dermal fibrosis induced by adenoviral overexpression of a constitutively active transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor I.. PKF118-310 and ICG-001 were well tolerated throughout all experiments. Both therapeutic approaches showed antifibrotic effects in preventing and reversing bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis as measured by skin thickness, hydroxyproline content and myofibroblast counts. PKF118-310 and ICG-001 were effective in inhibiting TGF-β receptor I-driven fibrosis as assessed by the same outcome measures.. Blockade of canonical Wnt signalling by PKF118-310 and ICG-001 showed antifibrotic effects in different models of skin fibrosis. Both therapies were well tolerated. Although further experimental evidence for efficacy and tolerability is necessary, inhibition of canonical Wnt signalling is a promising treatment approach for fibrosis.

Topics: Animals; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Disease Models, Animal; Fibrosis; Mice; Mice, Inbred DBA; Pyrimidinones; Scleroderma, Systemic; Signal Transduction; Skin; Skin Diseases; Treatment Outcome; Triazines; Wnt Signaling Pathway

Telbivudine (beta-l-2'-deoxythymidine) is an orally administered nucleoside analog drug approved for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B since 2006. Initially, it was regarded as being generally well tolerated, with low adverse reaction profiles and no dose-limiting toxicity. Recently, with the result of the telbivudine worldwide phase III GLOBE trial and other clinical experiments, cases of myopathy and neuropathy have been reported undergoing long-term telbivudine treatments. Telbivudine-induced myopathy has been characterized by muscle pain, weakness and moderately elevated creatine kinase levels during treatments, although no severe adverse events have been observed. Rhabdomyolysis has not reported in any patient.

Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Antiviral Agents; Fatal Outcome; Fibrosis; Hepatitis B; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscular Diseases; Nucleosides; Pyrimidinones; Rhabdomyolysis; Telbivudine; Thymidine; Treatment Outcome

Kidney fibrosis, a typical characteristic of chronic renal disease, is associated with tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. The results of our recent studies have shown that Omi/HtrA2 (Omi), a proapoptotic mitochondrial serine protease, performs a crucial function in renal tubular epithelial apoptotic cell death in animal models of acute kidney injury, including cisplatin toxicity and ischemia-reperfusion insult. However, the role of Omi in tubulointerstitial disease-associated fibrosis in the kidney remains to be clearly defined. We evaluated the potential function and molecular mechanism of Omi in ureteral obstruction-induced kidney epithelial cell apoptosis and fibrosis. The mice were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) via the ligation of the left ureter near the renal pelvis. UUO increased the protein level of Omi in the cytosolic fraction of the kidney, with a concomitant reduction in the mitochondrial fraction. UUO reduced the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), a substrate of Omi, and pro-caspase-3, whereas it increased cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (cleaved PARP) and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells. When mice were treated with ucf-101, an inhibitor of the proteolytic activity of Omi (6.19 microg/day ip), on a daily basis beginning 2 days before UUO and continuing until the end of the experiment, the Omi inhibitor protected XIAP cleavage after UUO and reduced the increment of PARP cleavage and the numbers of TUNEL-positive cells. Furthermore, the Omi inhibitor significantly attenuated UUO-induced increases in fibrotic characteristics in the kidney, including the atrophy and dilation of tubules, expansion of the interstitium, and increases in the expression of collagens, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and fibronectin. In conclusion, Omi/HtrA2 is associated with apoptotic signaling pathways in tubular epithelial cells activated by unilateral ureteral obstruction, thereby resulting in kidney fibrosis.

Topics: Actins; Animals; Apoptosis; Caspase 3; Disease Models, Animal; Epithelial Cells; Fibrosis; High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 2; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Tubules; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Proteins; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; Protease Inhibitors; Pyrimidinones; Serine Endopeptidases; Signal Transduction; Thiones; Time Factors; Ureteral Obstruction; X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein

Using SAR from two related series of pyrimidinetrione-based inhibitors, compounds with potent MMP-13 inhibition and >100-fold selectivity against other MMPs have been identified. Despite high molecular weights, clogPs, and polar surface areas, the compounds are generally well absorbed and have excellent pharmacokinetic (PK) properties when dosed as sodium salts. In a rat fibrosis model, a compound from the series displayed no fibrosis at exposures many fold greater than its MMP-13 IC50.

Topics: Animals; Fibrosis; Hydroxamic Acids; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; Molecular Weight; Protease Inhibitors; Pyrimidinones; Rats; Salts; Sodium; Structure-Activity Relationship