A novel sorbicillinoid compound as a potent anti-inflammation agent through inducing NLRP3 protein degradation

Background and purpose: Chronic inflammation is pathogenic and contributes to many human diseases, positing a significant threat to the public health. The NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) is the best-characterized factor regulating inflammation. Therefore, targeting NLRP3 has the potential to treat inflammatory diseases and improves human health.

Experimental approach: Lipopolysaccharide was used to induce inflammation in cell cultures. Lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine and dextran sulfate sodium salt were used to induce acute liver inflammation and ulcerative colitis, respectively, in C57BL/6J mice. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, quantitative PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to evaluate the activation of the inflammatory response in cell cultures and in mice.

Key results: JNUTS013, a novel sorbicillinoid compound recently synthesized by us, significantly inhibited inflammation both in cell cultures and in mouse models. Mechanistically, JNUTS013 induced proteasome-dependent degradation of NLRP3; hence, it suppressed the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the production of downstream inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The inhibitory effect of JNUTS013 on NLRP3 protein expression was confirmed in mice. Importantly, JNUTS013 failed to ameliorate bowel inflammation in NLRP3 knockout mice, supporting NLRP3 as the biological target by which JNUTS013 inhibits inflammation. Further studies revealed critical chemical moieties of JNUTS013 required for inducing NLRP3 degradation.

Conclusion: This study identifies a novel compound JNUTS013 that inhibits inflammation through inducing NLRP3 protein degradation in vitro and in vivo, which not only supports the development of JNUTS013 as an anti-inflammation agent, but also creates a new paradigm in treating inflammation through chemically inducing NLRP3 degradation.

Inflammation; JNUTS013; NLRP3; acute liver injury; anti-inflammatory agent; protein degradation; ulcerative colitis.