Identification of a marine‐derived sesquiterpenoid, Compound‐8, that inhibits tumour necrosis factor‐induced cell death by blocking complex II assembly

Background and Purpose Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine that not only directly induces inflammatory gene expression but also triggers apoptotic and necroptotic cell death, which leads to tissue damage and indirectly exacerbates inflammation. Thus, identification of inhibitors for TNF‐induced cell death has broad therapeutic relevance for TNF‐related inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we isolated and identified a marine fungus‐derived sesquiterpenoid, 9 α ,14‐dihydroxy‐6 β ‐ p ‐nitrobenzoylcinnamolide (named as Cpd‐8), that inhibits TNF receptor superfamily‐induced cell death by preventing the formation of cytosolic death complex II. Experimental Approach Marine sponge‐associated fungi were cultured and the secondary metabolites were extracted to yield pure compounds. Cell viability was measured by ATP‐Glo cell viability assay. The effects of Cpd‐8 on TNF signalling pathway were investigated by western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence assays. A mouse model of acute liver injury (ALI) was employed to explore the protection effect of Cpd‐8, in vivo. Key Results Cpd‐8 selectively inhibits TNF receptor superfamily‐induced apoptosis and necroptosis. Cpd‐8 prevents the formation of cytosolic death complex II and subsequent RIPK1‐RIPK3 necrosome, while it has no effect on TNF receptor I (TNFR1) internalization and the formation of complex I in TNF signalling pathway. In vivo, Cpd‐8 protects mice against TNF‐α/D‐GalN‐induced ALI. Conclusion and Implications A marine fungus‐derived sesquiterpenoid, Cpd‐8, inhibits TNF receptor superfamily‐induced cell death, both in vitro and in vivo. This study not only provides a useful research tool to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of TNF‐induced cell death but also identifies a promising lead compound for future drug development.