RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Identification and Characterization of a Novel Class of Interleukin-1 Post-Translational Processing Inhibitors JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 187 OP 197 VO 299 IS 1 A1 David G. Perregaux A1 Patricia McNiff A1 Ronald Laliberte A1 Natalie Hawryluk A1 Heather Peurano A1 Ethan Stam A1 Jim Eggler A1 Richard Griffiths A1 Mark A. Dombroski A1 Christopher A. Gabel YR 2001 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/299/1/187.abstract AB Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated monocytes and macrophages produce large quantities of pro-interleukin (IL)-1β but externalize little mature cytokine. Efficient post-translational processing of the procytokine occurs in vitro when these cells encounter a secretion stimulus such as ATP, cytolytic T cells, or hypotonic stress. Each of these stimuli promotes rapid conversion of 31-kDa pro-IL-1β to its mature 17-kDa species and release of the 17-kDa cytokine. In this study, two novel pharmacological agents, CP-424,174 and CP-412,245, are identified as potent inhibitors of stimulus-coupled IL-1β post-translational processing. These agents, both diarylsulfonylureas, block formation of mature IL-1β without increasing the amount of procytokine that is released extracellularly, and they inhibit independently of the secretion stimulus used. Conditioned medium derived from LPS-activated/ATP-treated human monocytes maintained in the absence and presence of CP-424,174 contained comparable quantities of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and IL-1RA, but 30-fold less IL-1β was generated in the test agent's presence. As a result of this decrease, monocyte conditioned medium prepared in the presence of CP-424,174 demonstrated a greatly diminished capacity to promote an IL-1-dependent response (induction of serum amyloid A synthesis by Hep3B cells). Oral administration of CP-424,174 to mice resulted in inhibition of IL-1 in the absence of an effect on IL-6 and TNFα. These novel agents, therefore, act as selective cytokine release inhibitors and define a new therapeutic approach for controlling IL-1 production in inflammatory diseases. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics