Research Area
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Description
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Epilepsy |
Biological Activity
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Description
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VX-765 is a potent and selective inhibitor of caspase-1 with Ki of 0.8 nM. |
Targets
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Caspase-1 |
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IC50 |
0.8 nM (Ki) [1] |
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In Vitro
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VX-765 is an orally absorbed prodrug of VRT-043198, which exhibits potent inhibition against ICE/caspase-1 and caspase-4 with Ki of 0.8 nM and less than 0.6 nM, respectively. And VRT-043198 also inhibits IL-1β release from both PBMCs and whole blood with IC50 of 0.67 μM and 1.9 μM, respectively. [1] |
In Vivo
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In collagen-induced arthritis mouse model, VX-765 (200 mg/kg) inhibits LPS-induced IL-1β production by about 60%, and results in a dose-dependent, statistically significant reduction in the inflammation scores and effective protection from joint changes. [1] In vivo, VX-765 blocks kindling epileptogenesis in rats by preventing IL-1β increase in forebrain astrocytes without significant effect on afterdischarge duration. [2] In the mouse model of acute seizures, VX-765 (50 mg/kg-200 mg/kg) produces the anticonvulsant effect by delaying the time to onset of the first seizure and decreasing the number of seizures as well as their total duration by average 50% and 64%. [3] In adult rats with genetic absence epilepsy (GAERS), VX-765, after the 3rd drug injection, significantly reduces the cumulative duration and number of spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) by 55% on average by selectively blocking IL-1β biosynthesis. [4] |
Clinical Trials
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VX-765 is currently in Phase II clinical trials in patients with treatment-resistant partial epilepsy. |
Features
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VX-765 is a potent and selective inhibitor of interleukin-converting enzyme/caspase-1. |
Protocol
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Kinase Assay
[1]
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Protease Enzyme Assays |
Enzyme inhibition is assayed by tracking of the rate of hydrolysis of an appropriate substrate labeled with either p-nitroaniline or aminomethyl coumarin (AMC) as follows: ICE/caspase-1, suc-YVAD-p-nitroanilide; caspase-4, Ac-WEHD-AMC; caspase-6, Ac-VEID-AMC; caspase-3, -7, -8, and -9, Ac-DEVD-AMC; and granzyme B, Ac-IEPD-AMC. Enzymes and substrates are incubated in a reaction buffer [10 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 0.1% (w/v) CHAPS, 1 mM dithiothreitol, and 5% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide] for 10 minutes at 37 °C. Glycerol is added to the buffer at 8% (v/v) for caspase-3, -6, and -9 and granzyme B to improve stability of enzymes. The rate of substrate hydrolysis is monitored using a fluorometer. |
Animal Study
[1]
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Animal Models |
Collagen-induced arthritis mouse model. |
Formulation |
VX-765 is dissolved in 25% Cremophor EL. |
Doses |
≤200 mg/kg |
Administration |
Administered via p.o. |
References |
[1] Wannamaker W, et al. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2007, 321(2), 509-516.
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[2] Ravizza T, et al. Neurobiol Dis. 2008, 31(3), 327-333.
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[3] Maroso M, et al. Neurotherapeutics. 2011, 8(2), 304-315.
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[4] Akin D, et al. Neurobiol Dis. 2011, 44(3), 259-269.
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