Inhibition of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling pathway in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts using small molecule compounds

Background and purposeSignal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) may contribute to the proinflammation in the central nervous system diseases by modulating the microglial responses. Thus, this study was intended to investigate the effect of STAT3 on microglia-dependent neuroinflammation and functional outcome after experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).MethodsThe SAH model was established by endovascular perforation in the mouse. Real-time PCR (RtPCR) and western blot were used to examine the dynamic STAT3 signalling pathway responses after SAH. To clarify the role of the STAT3 signalling pathway in the microglia-dependent neuroinflammation after SAH, the microglia-specific STAT3 knockout (KO) mice were generated by the Cre-LoxP system. The neurological functions were assessed by Catwalk and Morris water maze tests. Neuronal loss after SAH was determined by immunohistochemistry staining. Microglial polarisation status after STAT3 KO was then examined by RtPCR and immunofluorescence.ResultsThe STAT3 and Janus kinase-signal transducer 2 activated immediately with the upregulation and phosphorylation after SAH. Downstream factors and related mediators altered dynamically and accordingly. Microglial STAT3 deletion ameliorated the neurological impairment and alleviated the early neuronal loss after SAH. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we examined the microglial reaction after STAT3 KO. STAT3 deletion reversed the increase of microglia after SAH. Loss of STAT3 triggered the early morphological changes of microglia and primed microglia from M1 to M2 polarisation. Functionally, microglial STAT3 deletion suppressed the SAH-induced proinflammation and promoted the anti-inflammation in the early phase.ConclusionsSTAT3 is closely related to the microglial polarisation transition and modulation of microglia-dependent neuroinflammation. Microglial STAT3 deletion improved neurological function and neuronal survival probably through promoting M2 polarisation and anti-inflammatory responses after SAH. STAT3 may serve as a promising therapeutic target to alleviate early brain injury after SAH.

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Signalling pathway inhibitors

10.1093/med/9780199642489.003.0081 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Roy Fleischmann

Keyword(s):

Tyrosine Kinase ◽

Tumour Necrosis Factor ◽

Small Molecule ◽

Tumour Necrosis ◽

Signalling Pathway ◽

Janus Kinase ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Necrosis Factor

Oral, small-molecule signalling pathway inhibitors, including ones that inhibit the JAK and SyK pathways, are currently in development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tofacitinib is an orally administered small-molecule inhibitor that targets the intracellular Janus kinase 3 and 1 (JAK1/3) molecules to a greater extent than JAK2 while baricitinib (formerly INCB028050) predominantly inhibits JAK1/2. Many of the proinflammatory cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of RA utilize cell signalling that involves the JAK-STAT pathways and therefore inhibition of JAK-STAT signalling, by targeting multiple RA-associated cytokine pathways, has the potential to simultaneously reduce inflammation, cellular activation, and proliferation of key immune cells. Fostamatinib disodium is an orally available inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase (SyK), which is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that is an important mediator of immunoreceptor signalling in mast cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and B cells. Interruption of SyK signalling may interrupt production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and metalloproteinase and therefore affect RA disease activity. Tofacitinib has been investigated in multiple phase 2 and phase 3 trials which have investigated its efficacy (clinical, functional, and radiographic) and safety in patients who have failed disease-modifying anti-inflammatory drugs (DMARDs) as monotherapy or in combination with DMARDs, compared to an inhibitor of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα‎) and in patients who have failed TNFα‎ inhibitors. The efficacy of fostamatinib and baricitinib has been investigated in phase 2 trials; both are in large phase 3 clinical programmes. Each of these medications has demonstrated efficacy; their safety profile has been shown to be different from each other and from currently approved biological agents. This chapter discusses what is currently known and understood about their efficacy and safety.

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