Radotinib attenuates TGFβ -mediated pulmonary fibrosis in vitro and in vivo: exploring the potential of drug repurposing

• Published in: BMC pharmacology & toxicology Vol. 23; no. 1; p. 93
• Main Authors: Baek, Suji, Kwon, Seung Hae, Jeon, Joo Yeong, Lee, Gong Yeal, Ju, Hyun Soo, Yun, Hyo Jung, Cho, Dae Jin, Lee, Kang Pa, Nam, Myung Hee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central 15.12.2022; BMC
• Subjects: Actin; AKT protein; Antibodies; Bleomycin; Collagen; Collagen (type I); Extracellular matrix; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; Fibronectin; Fibrosis; Growth factors; Histology; Immunocytochemistry; In vitro methods and tests; In vivo methods and tests; Kinases; Laboratories; Leukemia; Lung diseases; Lung fibrosis; Lungs; Medical prognosis; Membranes; Metabolites; Muscles; Pantothenic acid; Pathogenesis; Phosphorylation; Polymerase chain reaction; Protein-tyrosine kinase; Proteins; Pulmonary fibrosis; Radotinib; Reagents; Smad2 protein; Smooth muscle; TGF-β1; Transforming growth factor-b1; Tyrosine; Tyrosine kinase; Western blotting; United States > US; South Korea; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; Tyrosine kinase; TGF-β1; Radotinib; Lung fibrosis
• ISSN: 2050-6511; 2050-6511
• DOI: 10.1186/s40360-022-00634-x

Tyrosine kinase (TK) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we aimed to investigate whether radotinib (Rb) could inhibit pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting TK in vitro and in vivo. The antifibrotic effects of Rb in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)1-stimulated A549 cells were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry assays. Rb inhibition of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats was determined by histopathological and​ immunohistochemical analyses. Rb-interfering metabolites were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Rb concentrations of up to 1000 nM did not affect the viability of A549 cells, but Rb (30 nM) significantly reduced expression of TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL)-induced ECM factors, such as Snail, Twist, and F-actin. Rb also regulated TGF-β1-overexpressed signal cascades, such as fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin. Furthermore, Rb attenuated the phosphorylation of Smad2 and phosphorylation of kinases, such as, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and protein kinase B. In the inhibitory test against bleomycin (5 mg/kg)-induced lung fibrosis, the Rb (30 mg/kg/daily)-treated group showed a half-pulmonary fibrosis region compared to the positive control group. In addition, Rb significantly reduced collagen type I and fibronectin expression in the bleomycin-induced fibrotic region of SD rats. Further, the identified metabolite pantothenic acid was not altered by Rb. Taken together, these results indicate that Rb inhibits TGF-β1-induced pulmonary fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that Rb may be an effective treatment for pulmonary fibrosis-related disorders and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.