The Notch pathway inhibitor stapled α-helical peptide derived from mastermind-like 1 (SAHM1) abrogates the hallmarks of allergic asthma.

BACKGROUND: The Notch signaling pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation. Targeting the active Notch transactivation complex by using the cell-permeable, hydrocarbon-stapled synthetic peptide stapled α-helical peptide derived from mastermind-like 1 (SAHM1) resulted in genome-wide suppression of Notch-activated genes in leukemic cells and other models. However, the efficacy of SAHM1 in allergic asthma models has remained unexplored.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of SAHM1 in a house dust mite (HDM)-driven asthma model.

METHODS: Topical therapeutic intervention with SAHM1 or a control peptide was performed during sensitization, challenge, or both with HDM in mice. Airway inflammation was assessed by using multicolor flow cytometry, and bronchial hyperreactivity was studied. Additionally, SAHM1 therapy was investigated in mice with established allergic airway inflammation and in a model in which we neutralized IFN-γ during HDM challenge to support the TH 2 response and exacerbate asthma.

RESULTS: SAHM1 treatment during the challenge phase led to a marked reduction of eosinophil and T cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with those in diluent-treated or control peptide-treated mice. Likewise, T-cell cytokine content and bronchial hyperreactivity were reduced. SAHM1 treatment dampened TH 2 inflammation during ongoing HDM challenge and enhanced recovery after established asthma. Additionally, in the presence of anti-IFN-γ antibodies, SAHM1 downregulated expression of the key TH 2 transcription factor GATA3 and intracellular IL-4 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid T cells, but expression of the TH 17 transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt or intracellular IL-17 was not affected. SAHM1 therapy also reduced serum IgE levels.

CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic intervention of Notch signaling by SAHM1 inhibits allergic airway inflammation in mice and is therefore an interesting new topical treatment opportunity in asthmatic patients.