Identification of a small molecule that primes the type I interferon response to cytosolic DNA.

Abstract

The type I interferon response plays a pivotal role in host defense against infectious agents and tumors, and promising therapeutic approaches rely on small molecules designed to boost this system. To identify such compounds, we developed a high-throughput screening assay based on HEK-293 cells expressing luciferase under the control of Interferon-Stimulated Response Elements (ISRE). An original library of 10,000 synthetic compounds was screened, and we identified a series of 1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxamide compounds inducing the ISRE promoter sequence, specific cellular Interferon-Stimulated Genes (ISGs), and the phosphorylation of Interferon Regulatory Factor (IRF) 3. ISRE induction by ChX710, a prototypical member of this chemical series, was dependent on the adaptor MAVS and IRF1, but was IRF3 independent. Although it was unable to trigger type I IFN secretion per se, ChX710 efficiently primed cellular response to transfected plasmid DNA as assessed by potent synergistic effects on IFN-β secretion and ISG expression levels. This cellular response was dependent on STING, a key adaptor involved in the sensing of cytosolic DNA and immune activation by various pathogens, stress signals and tumorigenesis. Our results demonstrate that cellular response to cytosolic DNA can be boosted with a small molecule, and potential applications in antimicrobial and cancer therapies are discussed.

• Authors: Samira Khiar, Marianne Lucas-Hourani, Sébastien Nisole, Nikaïa Smith, Olivier Helynck, Maryline Bourgine, Claude Ruffié, Jean-Philippe Herbeuval, Hélène Munier-Lehmann, Frédéric Tangy, Pierre-Olivier Vidalain
• Journal: Scientific reports (Sci Rep) Vol. 7 Issue 1 Pg. 2561 (05 31 2017) ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28566766 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• IRF3 protein, human
• Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
• Interferon Type I
• Small Molecule Libraries
• DNA

Topics

• Cytosol (chemistry)
• DNA (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• HEK293 Cells
• High-Throughput Screening Assays
• Humans
• Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics)
• Interferon Type I (antagonists & inhibitors, chemistry, genetics)
• Promoter Regions, Genetic (drug effects)
• Response Elements (genetics)
• Small Molecule Libraries (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Transfection