Interleukin-1 and the Inflammasome as Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular Disease

The intracellular sensing protein termed NLRP3 (for NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3) forms a macromolecular structure called the NLRP3 inflammasome. The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a major role in inflammation, particularly in the production of IL (interleukin)-1β. IL-1β is the most studied of the IL-1 family of cytokines, including 11 members, among which are IL-1α and IL-18. Here, we summarize preclinical and clinical findings supporting the key pathogenetic role of the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1 cytokines in the formation, progression, and complications of atherosclerosis, in ischemic (acute myocardial infarction), and nonischemic injury to the myocardium (myocarditis) and the progression to heart failure. We also review the clinically available IL-1 inhibitors, although not currently approved for cardiovascular indications, and discuss other IL-1 inhibitors, not currently approved, as well as oral NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors currently in clinical development. Canakinumab, IL-1β antibody, prevented the recurrence of ischemic events in patients with prior acute myocardial infarction in a large phase III clinical trial, including 10 061 patients world-wide. Phase II clinical trials show promising data with anakinra, recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist, in patients with ST-segment-elevation acute myocardial infarction or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Anakinra also improved outcomes in patients with pericarditis, and it is now considered standard of care as second-line treatment for patients with recurrent/refractory pericarditis. Rilonacept, a soluble IL-1 receptor chimeric fusion protein neutralizing IL-1α and IL-1β, has also shown promising results in a phase II study in recurrent/refractory pericarditis. In conclusion, there is overwhelming evidence linking the NLRP3 inflammasome and the IL-1 cytokines with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The future will likely include targeted inhibitors to block the IL-1 isoforms, and possibly oral NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors, across a wide spectrum of cardiovascular diseases.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:126

Enthalten in:

Circulation research - 126(2020), 9 vom: 24. Apr., Seite 1260-1280

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Abbate, Antonio [VerfasserIn]
Toldo, Stefano [VerfasserIn]
Marchetti, Carlo [VerfasserIn]
Kron, Jordana [VerfasserIn]
Van Tassell, Benjamin W [VerfasserIn]
Dinarello, Charles A [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Atherosclerosis
Cytokines
Inflammasome
Inflammasomes
Inflammation
Interleukin
Interleukin-1
Journal Article
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
NLRP3 protein, human
Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I
Review

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 24.02.2021

Date Revised 18.01.2022

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.315937

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM309088690