Therapeutic potential of a specific chymase inhibitor in atopic dermatitis

A novel therapeutic mechanism may be the key to improving the chief symptoms and signs of atopic dermatitis (AD), which are persistent pruritus and high serum IgE. We demonstrate here that mast cell chymase may be a possible initiating factor and that the orally active specific inhibitor Y-40613 may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD. We found that Y-40613 (2-[5-amino-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-1-pyrimidinyl]-N-{1-[(5-methoxycarbonyl-2-benzoxazolyl)carbonyl]-2-phenylethyl} acetamide) dose-dependently suppressed the scratching response in a mouse pruritus model, with inhibitory efficacy enhanced by combination with conventional drugs, suggesting that chymase contributes to the development of pruritus by a unique mechanism or mechanisms. In fact, chymase injected in the model induced the scratching response. In vitro IgE production from mouse B cells was increased by purified rat chymase and suppressed by Y-40613. Increased serum IgE observed in Brown Norway rats injected with mercury chloride was suppressed by Y-40613. Furthermore, Y-40613 lowered ear thickness as well as serum IgE level in a mouse contact dermatitis model. Taken together, these findings suggest that the specific chymase inhibitor Y-40613 may ameliorate symptoms of AD through the dual inhibition of the chymase-dependent IgE production pathway and itching sensation.