MCC950, a NLRP3 inhibitor, ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced lung inflammation in mice

Bioorg Med Chem. 2021 Jan 15:30:115954. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115954. Epub 2020 Dec 15.

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ARDS/COPD) is a diffuse inflammatory injury of the lung that is characterized by respiratory distress and vascular leakage and is caused by various factors. Although the treatment strategy for ARDS/COPD continues to be improved, it still lacks effective drugs. MCC950 is a potent and selective inhibitor ofthe nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like-receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. However, there have been no reports on the effects of MCC950 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation in mice. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of MCC950 (given either intranasally or intraperitoneally) on inhibiting LPS-induced lung inflammation in mice. Acute lung inflammation was induced by intratracheal administration of LPS in ICR mice. The results showed that MCC950 at 50 mg/kg efficiently suppressed neutrophil lymphocytes (p < 0.001) and macrophage accumulation (p < 0.01) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in LPS-instilled mice. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining revealed that MCC950 at 50 mg/kg significantly inhibited pathological progress in the lung tissues (p < 0.01). Furthermore, treatment with MCC950 substantially reduced mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-8, TGF-β1, and MMP-9 and also reduced protein levels of IL-1β, IL-18 and caspase-1 at 24 h after LPS instillation. The results of the present study indicate that MCC950 effectively inhibits LPS-induced lung inflammation in vivo, which can be considered for clinical translation.

Keywords: Lipopolysaccharide; Lung inflammation; MCC950.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Furans / pharmacology*
  • Indenes / pharmacology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Molecular Structure
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism
  • Neutrophil Infiltration / drug effects
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced
  • Pneumonia / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Furans
  • Indenes
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nlrp3 protein, mouse
  • Sulfonamides
  • N-(1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-S-indacen-4-ylcarbamoyl)-4-(2-hydroxy-2-propanyl)-2-furansulfonamide