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Rho-associated kinase 2 (ROCK2) regulates the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and the development of autoimmunity in mice. Data from a phase 1 clinical trial demonstrate that oral administration of KD025, a selective ROCK2 inhibitor, to healthy human subjects down-regulates the ability of T cells to secrete IL-21 and IL-17 by 90% and 60%, respectively, but not IFN-γ in response to T-cell receptor stimulation in vitro. Pharmacological inhibition with KD025 or siRNA-mediated inhibition of ROCK2, but not ROCK1, significantly diminished STAT3 phosphorylation and binding to IL-17 and IL-21 promoters and reduced IFN regulatory factor 4 and nuclear hormone RAR-related orphan receptor γt protein levels in T cells derived from healthy subjects or rheumatoid arthritis patients. Simultaneously, treatment with KD025 also promotes the suppressive function of regulatory T cells through up-regulation of STAT5 phosphorylation and positive regulation of forkhead box p3 expression. The administration of KD025 in vivo down-regulates the progression of collagen-induced arthritis in mice via targeting of the Th17-mediated pathway. Thus, ROCK2 signaling appears to be instrumental in regulating the balance between proinflammatory and regulatory T-cell subsets. Targeting of ROCK2 in man may therefore restore disrupted immune homeostasis and have a role in the treatment of autoimmunity.

Original publication

DOI

10.1073/pnas.1414189111

Type

Journal article

Journal

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Publication Date

25/11/2014

Volume

111

Pages

16814 - 16819

Keywords

Human T cells, STAT3, STAT5, autoimmunity, proinflammatory cytokines, Administration, Oral, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Cells, Cultured, Humans, Interleukin-17, Interleukins, Phosphorylation, Promoter Regions, Genetic, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, STAT3 Transcription Factor, Transcription, Genetic, rho-Associated Kinases