Pros and cons of NRF2 activation as adjunctive therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

Bivalent inhibitors of the BTB E3 ligase KEAP1 enable instant NRF2 activation to suppress acute inflammatory response

Most BTB-containing E3 ligases homodimerize to recognize a single substrate by engaging multiple degrons, represented by E3 ligase KEAP1 dimer and its substrate NRF2. Inactivating KEAP1 to hinder ubiquitination-dependent NRF2 degradation activates NRF2. While various KEAP1 inhibitors have been reported, all reported inhibitors bind to KEAP1 in a monovalent fashion and activate NRF2 in a lagging manner. Herein, we report a unique bivalent KEAP1 inhibitor, biKEAP1 (3), that engages cellular KEAP1 dimer to directly release sequestered NRF2 protein, leading to an instant NRF2 activation. 3 promotes the nuclear translocation of NRF2, directly suppressing proinflammatory cytokine transcription. Data from in vivo experiments showed that 3, with unprecedented potency, reduced acute inflammatory burden in several acute inflammation models in a timely manner. Our findings demonstrate that the bivalent KEAP1 inhibitor can directly enable sequestered substrate NRF2 to suppress inflammatory transcription response and dampen various acute inflammation injuries.

Dietary oleacein, a secoiridoid from extra virgin olive oil, prevents collagen-induced arthritis in mice

Olacein (OLA), one of the main secoiridoids derived from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), has been shown to modulate oxidative and inflammatory responses in various pathological conditions; however, its potential benefit in joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the preventive role of the effects of an OLA-supplemented diet in the murine model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), delving into the possible mechanisms and signaling pathways involved. Animals were fed an OLA-enriched preventive diet for 6 weeks prior to CIA induction and until the end of the experimental time course. On day 43 after the first immunization, mice were sacrificed: blood was collected, and paws were histologically and biochemically processed. Dietary OLA prevented collagen-induced rheumatic bone, joint and cartilage conditions. Circulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-17) levels were significantly decreased in the joint, as well as MMP-9 and cathepsin-K (CatK) expression in secoiridoid-fed animals. In addition, dietary OLA was able to decrease COX-2, mPGES-1 and iNOS protein expressions and, also, PGE2 levels. The mechanisms possibly involved in these protective effects could be related to the activation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 axis and the inhibition of proinflammatory signaling pathways, including JAK-STAT, MAPKs and NF-κB, involved in the production of inflammatory and oxidative mediators. These results support the interest of OLA, as a nutraceutical intervention, in the management of RA.

Understanding mechanisms of antioxidant action in health and disease

Several different reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated in vivo. They have roles in the development of certain human diseases whilst also performing physiological functions. ROS are counterbalanced by an antioxidant defence network, which functions to modulate ROS levels to allow their physiological roles whilst minimizing the oxidative damage they cause that can contribute to disease development. This Review describes the mechanisms of action of antioxidants synthesized in vivo, antioxidants derived from the human diet and synthetic antioxidants developed as therapeutic agents, with a focus on the gaps in our current knowledge and the approaches needed to close them. The Review also explores the reasons behind the successes and failures of antioxidants in treating or preventing human disease. Antioxidants may have special roles in the gastrointestinal tract, and many lifestyle features known to promote health (especially diet, exercise and the control of blood glucose and cholesterol levels) may be acting, at least in part, by antioxidant mechanisms. Certain reactive sulfur species may be important antioxidants but more accurate determinations of their concentrations in vivo are needed to help assess their contributions.

Computational Prediction of Cyclic Peptide Structural Ensembles and Application to the Design of Keap1 Binders

The Nrf2 transcription factor is a master regulator of the cellular response to oxidative stress, and Keap1 is its primary negative regulator. Activating Nrf2 by inhibiting the Nrf2-Keap1 protein-protein interaction has shown promise for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases. A loop derived from Nrf2 has been shown to inhibit Keap1 selectively, especially when cyclized, but there are no reliable design methods for predicting an optimal macrocyclization strategy. In this work, we employed all-atom, explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations with enhanced sampling methods to predict the relative degree of preorganization for a series of peptides cyclized with a set of bis-thioether "staples". We then correlated these predictions to experimentally measured binding affinities for Keap1 and crystal structures of the cyclic peptides bound to Keap1. This work showcases a computational method for designing cyclic peptides by simulating and comparing their entire solution-phase ensembles, providing key insights into designing cyclic peptides as selective inhibitors of protein-protein interactions.

Targeting transcription factors for therapeutic benefit in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a destructive inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes pain and disability. Many of the currently available drugs for treating RA patients are aimed at halting the progression of the disease and alleviating inflammation. Further, some of these treatment options have drawbacks, including disease recurrence and adverse effects due to long-term use. These inefficiencies have created a need for a different approach to treating RA. Recently, the focus has shifted to direct targeting of transcription factors (TFs), as they play a vital role in the pathogenesis of RA, activating key cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and enzymes. In light of this, synthetic drugs and natural compounds are being explored to target key TFs or their signaling pathways in RA. This review discusses the role of four key TFs in inflammation, namely NF-κB, STATs, AP-1 and IRFs, and their potential for being targeted to treat RA.