Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of a squalene synthase inhibitor, TAK-475 active metabolite-I, in immune cells simulating mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD)-like condition

TAK-475 (lapaquistat acetate) and its active metabolite-I (TAK-475 M-I) inhibit squalene synthase, which catalyzes the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) to squalene. FPP is a substrate for synthesis of other mevalonate-derived isoprenoids (MDIs) such as farnesol (FOH), geranlygeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), and geranylgeraniol. In patients with MKD, a rare autosomal recessive disorder, defective activity of mevalonate kinase leads to a shortage of MDIs. MDIs especially GGPP are required for prenylation of proteins, which is a posttranslation modification necessary for proper functioning of proteins like small guanosine triphosphatases. Malfunction of prenylation of proteins results in upregulation of the inflammatory cascade, leading to increased production of proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1β (IL-1β), eventually leading to episodic febrile attacks. In vitro, TAK-475 M-I incubation in a concentration dependent manner increased levels of FPP, GGPP, and FOH in human monocytic THP-1 cells. In subsequent experiments, THP-1 cells or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were incubated with simvastatin, which inhibits hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and thereby decreases levels of the precursors of MDIs, leading to the depletion of MDIs as expected in MKD patients. Increased levels of GGPP and FPP attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-1β production in THP-1 cells and human PBMCs in statin-treated conditions. The MDIs also significantly reduced the damaged cell ratio in this active MKD-like condition. Moreover, TAK-475 M-I directly inhibited LPS-induced IL-1β production from statin-treated THP-1 cells. These results show anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of MDIs via TAK-475 M-I treatment in statin-treated immune cells, suggesting that possible therapeutic effects of TAK-475 treatment in MKD patients.