VX-765 (Synonyms: Belnacasan; VX-765)

VX-765 is a newly developed, selective, small molecule caspase-1 inhibitor that can pass the blood-brain barrier and reduce inflammation in vitro and in vivo^[1].

VX-765 potently and specifically inhibited human Casp1 (IC50 3.68 nM)^[2]. Increases of autophagy-related proteins were detected in VX-765-pretreated human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells(HUMSCs), indicating the potential of VX-765 for up-regulating autophagy. Meanwhile, increased p-AMPK and decreased p-mTOR were detected in VX-765-pretreated HUMSCs. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effect of VX-765 could be abolished by an autophagy inhibitor or AMPK inhibitor^[3]

In vivo，VX-765 ameliorated renal dysfunction, tubular injury, and renal inflammation in mice with DN, but had no effect on blood glucose level or body weight, illustrating that VX-765 represents a novel and efficacious therapeutic treatment for DN without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients^[4]

References:
[1]. Boxer MB, Quinn AM, et al. A highly potent and selective caspase 1 inhibitor that utilizes a key 3-cyanopropanoic acid moiety. ChemMedChem. 2010 May 3;5(5):730-8.
[2]. Flores J, No l A, et al. Caspase-1 inhibition alleviates cognitive impairment and neuropathology in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Nat Commun. 2018 Sep 25;9(1):3916.
[3]. Sun Z, Gu L, et al. VX-765 enhances autophagy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells against stroke-induced apoptosis and inflammatory responses via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2020 Sep;26(9):952-961.
[4]. Wen S, Deng F, et al. VX-765 ameliorates renal injury and fibrosis in diabetes by regulating caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis and inflammation. J Diabetes Investig. 2022 Jan;13(1):22-33.