A highly selective, cell-permeable furin inhibitor BOS-318 rescues key features of cystic fibrosis airway disease

• Published in: Cell chemical biology Vol. 29; no. 6; p. 947
• Main Authors: Douglas, Lisa E J, Reihill, James A, Ho, Melisa W Y, Axten, Jeffrey M, Campobasso, Nino, Schneck, Jessica L, Rendina, Alan R, Wilcoxen, Keith M, Martin, S Lorraine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 16-06-2022
• Subjects: Cystic Fibrosis - drug therapy; Cystic Fibrosis - metabolism; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator - metabolism; Epithelial Sodium Channels - genetics; Epithelial Sodium Channels - metabolism; Furin - antagonists & inhibitors; Humans; Mucociliary Clearance; protease; protease inhibitor; cystic fibrosis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; proprotein convertase; mucociliary clearance; ENaC; furin; airway hydration; exotoxin A
• ISSN: 2451-9448

In cystic fibrosis (CF), excessive furin activity plays a critical role in the activation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), dysregulation of which contributes to airway dehydration, ineffective mucociliary clearance (MCC), and mucus obstruction. Here, we report a highly selective, cell-permeable furin inhibitor, BOS-318, that derives selectivity by eliciting the formation of a new, unexpected binding pocket independent of the active site catalytic triad. Using human ex vivo models, BOS-318 showed significant suppression of ENaC, which led to enhanced airway hydration and an ∼30-fold increase in MCC rate. Furin inhibition also protected ENaC from subsequent activation by neutrophil elastase, a soluble protease dominant in CF airways. Additional therapeutic benefits include protection against epithelial cell death induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. Our findings demonstrate the utility of selective furin inhibition as a mutation-agnostic approach that can correct features of CF airway pathophysiology in a manner expected to deliver therapeutic value.