NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor OLT1177 suppresses joint inflammation in murine models of acute arthritis

Abstract

Background: Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in gout amplifies the inflammatory response and mediates further damage. In the current study, we assessed the therapeutic effect of OLT1177, an orally active NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor that is safe in humans, in murine acute arthritis models. Methods: Zymosan or monosodium urate (MSU) crystals were injected intra-articularly (i.a.) into mouse knee joints to induce reactive or gouty arthritis. Joint swelling, articular cell infiltration, and synovial cytokines were evaluated 25hours and 4hours following zymosan or MSU challenge, respectively. OLT1177 was administrated intraperitoneally by oral gavage or in the food by an OLT1177-enriched diet. Results: OLT1177 reduced zymosan-induced joint swelling (p<0.001), cell influx (p<0.01), and synovial levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) (p<0.05), respectively, when compared with vehicle-treated mice. Plasma OLT1177 levels correlated (p<0.001) dose-dependently with reduction in joint inflammation. Treatment of mice with OLT1177 limited MSU crystal articular inflammation (p>0.0001), which was associated with decreased synovial IL-1β, IL-6, myeloperoxidase, and CXCL1 levels (p<0.01) compared with vehicle-treated mice. When administrated orally 1 hour after MSU challenge, OLT1177 reduced joint inflammation, processing of IL-1β, and synovial phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase compared with the vehicle group. Mice were fed an OLT1177-enriched diet for 3 weeks and then challenged i.a. with MSU crystals. Joint swelling, synovial IL-1β, and expression of Nlrp3 and Il1b were significantly reduced in synovial tissues in mice fed an OLT1177-enriched diet when compared with the standard diet group. Conclusions: Oral OLT1177 is highly effective in ameliorating reactive as well as gouty arthritis.