p38alpha-selective mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor SD-282 reduces inflammation in a subchronic model of tobacco smoke-induced airway inflammation.

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by pulmonary inflammation, which is relatively insensitive to inhaled corticosteroids. The extent of the pulmonary inflammation in COPD correlates with disease severity, and it is thought to play a significant role in disease progression. We have evaluated a selective p38alpha-selective mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, indole-5-carboxamide (ATP-competitive inhibitor of p38 kinase) (SD-282), in an 11-day model of tobacco smoke (TS)-induced pulmonary inflammation in A/J mice, by using dexamethasone as a reference steroid. Two oral treatment paradigms were evaluated in this TS model: prophylactic with daily pretreatment before each daily exposure, and therapeutic with daily treatment for 6 days commencing after 5 days of smoke exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage and histological evaluation of lung sections taken after exposure to TS revealed an inflammatory response composed of increased numbers of macrophages and neutrophils and enhanced mucin staining. Phospho-p38 staining in macrophages and type II epithelial cells after TS exposure was also observed. Given prophylactically or therapeutically, dexamethasone failed to inhibit any of the TS-induced inflammatory changes. By contrast, SD-282 inhibited TS-induced increases in macrophages and neutrophils. Furthermore, SD 282 reduced TS-induced increases in cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin-6 levels, and phospho-p38 expression in the lungs. In conclusion, SD-282 markedly reduced TS-induced inflammatory responses when given prophylactically or therapeutically whereas dexamethasone was ineffective. This is the first evidence that a p38alpha-selective MAPK inhibitor can exert pulmonary anti-inflammatory activity in a TS exposure model when given in a therapeutic mode, establishing the potential of p38 MAPK inhibitors as a therapy for COPD.

• Authors: Satyanarayana Medicherla, Mary F Fitzgerald, Dianne Spicer, Paul Woodman, Jing Y Ma, Ann M Kapoun, Sarvajit Chakravarty, Sundeep Dugar, Andrew A Protter, Linda S Higgins
• Journal: The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics (J Pharmacol Exp Ther) Vol. 324 Issue 3 Pg. 921-9 (Mar 2008) ISSN: 1521-0103 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18056868 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Indoles
• Smoke
• indole-5-carboxamide
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

Topics

• Animals
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Indoles (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Mice
• Pneumonia (drug therapy, enzymology)
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (drug therapy, enzymology)
• Smoke (adverse effects)
• Smoking (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Tobacco (adverse effects)
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)