rta-408 and Inflammation

Patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) are susceptible to development of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) at sites of chronic inflammation and fibrosis. While triterpenoids such as RTA 408 (Omaveloxolone) have been shown to reduce inflammation and inhibit tumour growth in various cancer models, the utility of this class of drugs in the treatment of SCC has not been investigated. Given the dual anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic properties of triterpenoids, we hypothesized RTA 408 would be an effective treatment for SCCs that arise in the chronic inflammatory setting in EB. We tested the effects of topical RTA 408 on a mouse model of non-Herlitz, junctional EB. RTA 408 significantly reduced phenotypic severity in the affected ears of Lamc2jeb mice. In cultures, RTA 408 reduced cell viability in EB-associated SCC cell lines and normal human epidermal keratinocytes. When administered in vivo, RTA 408 inhibited SCC tumour growth in mice without cutaneous or systemic toxicity. These results suggest that RTA 408 can be a promising new therapy to reduce inflammation and inhibit SCC growth in patients with EB.

Topics: Animals; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Epidermolysis Bullosa; Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica; Humans; Inflammation; Mice; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Neoplasms; Triterpenes

Ozone is a strong oxidant in air pollution that exacerbates respiratory disorders and is a major risk factor for acute asthma exacerbation. Ozone can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and airway neutrophilic inflammation. In addition, γδT17 cells contribute to IL-17A production upon ozone challenge, resulting in neutrophilic inflammation. It is known, however, that Nrf2 can ameliorate oxidative stress. We therefore investigated whether RTA-408, an Nrf2 activator, can attenuate airway inflammation and inhibit ROS production and whether this effect involves γδT17 cells. Balb/c mice were sensitized/challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) and followed by ozone exposure. We investigated the effect of Nrf2 activator RTA-408 on airway hyperresponsiveness, neutrophilic airway inflammation, cytokine/chemokine production, and OVA-specific IgE level in a mouse model of O3 induced asthma exacerbation. Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in lung and intracellular ROS were measured. IL-17

Topics: Animals; Asthma; Cell Line; Inflammation; Interleukin-17; Lymphocyte Count; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Ozone; Protective Agents; Reactive Oxygen Species; Th17 Cells; Triterpenes