Effects of Inhibition of IKK Kinase Phosphorylation On the Cellular Defence System and HSP90 Activity

The present study was conceived to examine the effects of inhibition of BMS-345541 mediated IKK kinase phosphorylation on the cellular defence system as well as on anti-inflammatory response and HSP90 activity. The analysis was conducted in A549 cell line, since such cells carry a homozygous Keap1 mutation (G333C) that alters its interaction with Nrf2. Recent data have highlighted that Keap1, HSP90 protein and IKK kinase interact reciprocally and particularly Keap1 protein is involved in HSP90 and anti-oxidative pathway regulation. The activities of COX2 and HO1 were investigated by real time and immunoblot analysis along with the synthesis and activity of inducible forms of heat shock protein HSP90. Pre-treatment with IKK kinase inhibitor proved to be a protective means to lower the activity of inflammatory cascade, so preventing the formation of excessive amounts of pro-inflammatory molecules. The inhibitor of IKK kinase BMS-345541 was added to cultured A549 cells before the Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) addition. The viability of the cells was determined after 1–24 h incubation with BMS-345541 at concentrations ranging from 1,25–5 µM. It was found that 1 µM concentration does not significantly affected cell viability (data not shown). As a result, the treatment with 1 μM of BMS-345541 induces the inhibition of IKK phosphorylation. In the A549 cells treated with BMS-345541 and LPS, COX2 activity is not induced: mRNA and protein levels have not increased, while there is an increase in the level of HSP90, HO1 proteins and mRNA. The results suggest that the IKK inhibition is effective in the reduction of the inflammatory response thanks to mechanisms involving both the heat shock cellular defense system and the antioxidative pathway.