Peptidomimetic fluoromethylketone rescues mice from lethal endotoxic shock

Background: Septic shock is a leading cause of mortality in intensive care units. No new interventions in the last 20 years have made a substantial im pact on the outcome of patients with septic shock. Identification of inhibi table pathways that mediate death in shock is an important goal. Materials and Methods: Two novel caspase inhibitors, (2-indolyl)-carbonyl-A la-Asp-fluoromethylketone (IDN 1529) and (1-methyl-3-methyl-2-indolyl)-carb onyl-Val-Asp-fluoromethylketone (IDN 1965), were studied in a murine model of endotoxic shock. Results: IDN 1529 prolonged survival when given before or up to 3 hr after high-dose LPS (p < 0.01) and increased by 2.2-fold the number of animals su rviving longterm after a lower dose of LPS (p < 0.01). Despite its similar chemical structure, IDN 1965 lacked these protective effects. Both compound s inhibited caspases 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9, and both afforded comparable red uction in Fas- and LPS-induced caspase 3-like activity and apoptosis. Parad oxically, administration of IDN 1529 but not IDN 1965 led to an increase in the LPS-induced elevation of serum cytokines related directly (IL-1 beta, IL-18) or indirectly (IL-1 alpha, IL-1Ra) to the action of caspase 1. Conclusions: A process that appears to be distinct from both apoptosis and the release of inflammatory cytokines is a late-acting requirement for leth ality in endotoxic shock. Inhibition of this process can rescue mice even w hen therapy is initiated after LPS has made the mice severely ill.