CU-115

CU-115 is a potent TLR8 antagonist (IC50=1.04 µM), and shows selective for TLR8 over TLR7 (IC50=>50 µM). CU-115 decreases TNF-α and IL-1β production activated by R-848 in THP-1 cells[1].

Signaling Pathways >> Immunology/Inflammation >> Toll-like Receptor (TLR)

Research Areas >> Inflammation/Immunology

TLR8:1.04 μM (IC50)

TLR7:50 μM (IC50)

In endosomal and non-endosomal TLR specificity studies, Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells expressing human tolllike receptor (hTLR) gene and an inducible secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter gene were incubated with CU-115 for 16 hours. As a result, CU-115 displays activity for TLR7 and TLR8 at low concentrations (0.5 μM). CU-115 does not modulate the NF-kB inhibition induced by Pam2CSK4, Pam3CSK4, Poly(I:C), LPS, R848, and Flic in HEK-293 TLR1/2, TLR2/6, TLR3, and TLR4 cells. And CU-115 inhibits TLR9 signaling at 1, 5, and 20 µM and ~10-25% inhibition. CU-115 (5-20 µM) inhibits increases in type I IFN transcriptional activity induced by the ssRNA nucleic acid ligands 3p-hpRNA or G3-YSD in a luciferase reporter assay. CU-115 (0.5, 1.0, 5, and 20 µM; 16 hours) is nontoxic at low concentrations (0.5 and 20 μM) and toxic at 100 μM in Hek293 TLR7 and TLR8 cells. CU-115 also is nontoxic at low concentrations (0.5 and 20 μM) and displays partial toxicity at 100 μM in THP Dual cells. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is performed to measure upregulation/inhibition of TNF-α in human THP-1 cells (hTHP-1). CU-115 (5-20 µM) abolishes the TNF-α production activated by R848 (1 µg/ml) in hTHP1. It also represses the expression of IL-1β in hTHP-1 cells. These results suggest that CU-115 suppresses TLR8 and TLR7 signaling pathways.

[1]. Rosaura Padilla-Salinas, et al. Discovery of Novel Small Molecule Dual Inhibitors Targeting Toll-Like Receptors 7 and 8. J Med Chem. 2019 Nov 27;62(22):10221-10244.