Effect of nilotinib on airway remodeling in a murine model of chronic asthma

Objective: The tyrosine kinase inhibitor nilotinib has potent inhibitory activity against the stem cell growth factor receptor c-Kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). The present study aimed to determine whether nilotinib suppresses airway remodeling and whether its effect is associated with the c-Kit and PDGFR pathways. We also aimed to compare the effect of nilotinib and imatinib on remodeling. Methods: We developed a mouse model of airway remodeling, which includes smooth muscle thickening, in which ovalbumin (OVA)-ensitized mice were repeatedly exposed to intranasal OVA administration twice a week for 3 months. Mice were treated with nilotinib or imatinib during the OVA challenge. Results: Compared with control mice, the mice chronically exposed to OVA developed sustained eosinophilic airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and exhibited features of airway remodeling, including thickening of the peribronchial smooth muscle layer. Administration of nilotinib significantly inhibited eosinophilic inflammation, AHR, and remodeling in mice chronically exposed to OVA. Nilotinib showed a trend of more potent effect than imatinib on attenuating remodeling in hydroxyproline assay and smooth muscle staining. Nilotinib treatment significantly reduced the expression of phosphorylated (p)-c-Kit, p-PDGFR beta, and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. The expression levels of the genes encoding c-Kit and PDGFR beta were also reduced by nilotinib treatment. Treatment with nilotinib did not affect significantly the level of OVA-specific IgE and IgG(1) in serum. In vitro, nilotinib significantly inhibited cell proliferation of fibroblast. Conclusions: These results suggest that nilotinib administration can prevent airway inflammation, AHR, and airway remodeling associated with chronic allergen challenge.