Evaluation of Pirfenidone and Nintedanib in a Human Lung Model of Fibrogenesis

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, fatal lung disease with a poor prognosis and increasing incidence. Pirfenidone and nintedanib are the only approved treatments for IPF but have limited efficacy and their mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Here we have examined the effects of pirfenidone and nintedanib in a human model of lung fibrogenesis, and compared these with the putative anti-fibrotic compounds Lipoxin A4 (LXA4), and senicapoc, a K(Ca)3.1 ion channel blocker. Methods: Early fibrosis was induced in cultured human lung parenchyma using TGF beta 1 for 7 days, +/- pirfenidone, nintedanib, or LXA4. Pro-fibrotic responses were examined by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and soluble collagen secretion. Results: Thirty six out of eighty four IPF and fibrosis-associated genes tested were significantly upregulated by TGF beta 1 in human lung parenchyma with a >= 0.5 log2FC (n = 32). Nintedanib (n = 13) reduced the mRNA expression of 14 fibrosis-associated genes including MMPs (MMP1,-4,-13,-14), integrin alpha 2, CXCR4 and PDGFB, but upregulated alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA). Pirfenidone only reduced mRNA expression for MMP3 and -13. Senicapoc (n = 11) previously attenuated the expression of 28 fibrosis-associated genes, including alpha SMA, several growth factors, collagen type III, and alpha V/beta 6 integrins. Pirfenidone and nintedanib significantly inhibited TGF beta 1-induced fibroblast proliferation within the tissue, but unlike senicapoc, neither pirfenidone nor nintedanib prevented increases in tissue alpha SMA expression. LXA4 was ineffective. Conclusions: Pirfenidone and nintedanib demonstrate modest anti-fibrotic effects and provide a benchmark for anti-fibrotic activity of new drugs in human lung tissue. Based on these data, we predict that the K(Ca)3.1 blocker senicapoc will show greater benefit than either of these licensed drugs in IPF.

Automated summary

Pirfenidone and nintedanib show modest anti-fibrotic effects in a human model of lung fibrogenesis, while the K(Ca)3.1 blocker senicapoc may have greater benefits in treating IPF based on its attenuation of fibrosis-associated genes expression.