Modulation of cytokine production and silica-induced lung fibrosis by inhibitors of aminopeptidase N and of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV-related proteases

Kuehlmann, Ulrike C.;Chwieralski, Caroline E.;Van Den Brûle, Sybille;Roecken, Christoph;Buehling, Frank;et.al.
(2009) Life Sciences — Vol. 84, n° 1-2, p. 1-11 (2009)

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Authors
  • Kuehlmann, Ulrike C.
    Author
  • Chwieralski, Caroline E.
    Author
  • Van Den Brûle, SybilleUCLouvain
    Author
  • Roecken, Christoph
    Author
  • Buehling, Frank
    Author
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Abstract
Aims: Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV)-related proteases and aminopeptidase N (APN) are drug targets in various diseases. Here we investigated for the first time the effects of DP-IV-related protease inhibitors and APN inhibitors on chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Main methods: A murine model of silica (SiO2)-induced lung fibrosis and in vitro Cultures of human lung epithelial cells and monocytes have been used and the influence of silica-treatment and inhibitors on inflammation and fibrosis has been measured. Key findings: We found increased inflammation and secretion of the chemokines IL-6, MCP-1 and MIP-alpha 2 weeks after SiO2 application, and increased lung fibrosis after 3 months. Treatment with the APN inhibitor actinonin reduced chemokine secretion in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and in cell culture, and decreased the level of fibrosis after 3 months. Treatment with inhibitors of DP-IV-related proteases, or a combination of DP IV inhibitors and APN inhibitors, had no significant effect. We found no obvious side effects of long-term treatment with inhibitors of APN and DP IV. Significance: Overall, our findings show that actinonin, an inhibitor of aminopeptidase N, might modulate chemokine secretion in the lung and thus attenuate the development of lung fibrosis. Additional targeting of DP-IV-related proteases had no significant effect on these processes. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Kuehlmann, U. C., Chwieralski, C. E., Van Den Brûle, S., Roecken, C., Reinhold, D., Welte, T., & Buehling, F. (2009). Modulation of cytokine production and silica-induced lung fibrosis by inhibitors of aminopeptidase N and of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV-related proteases. Life Sciences, 84(1-2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2008.10.001 (Original work published 2009)