ABSTRACT
Objective To explore a novel and highly specific small-molecule TNFβinhibitor by using computer-aid?ed virtual screening and cell-based assays in vitro. Methods Computer-aided drug design and virtual screening were used to design and identify chemical compounds that targeted TNFβbased on the crystal structure of the TNFβ-TNFR1 com?plex. The effect of the small-molecule compound against TNFβ-induced cytotoxicity of L929 cells was detected by MTT as?say, and the efficacy of the compound to inhibit TNFβ-induced apoptosis of L929 cells was determined by flow cytometry as?say. The impact of the compound on L929 cell cycle was examined by Propidium Iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry, and the influence of the compound on TNFβ-triggered signal pathway was analyzed by Western blot assay and Ultra VIEW VOX 3D Live Cell Imaging System. Results No.35 compound (named as C35 thereafter) could effectively inhibit TNFβ-induced cell death in a dose dependent manner, and the half-maximum inhibition concentration (IC50) was 8.19μmol/L. Furthermore, C35 had lower cytotoxicity and minimal effect on L929 proliferation. Here we further revealed that C35 could affect TNFβ-induced apoptotic pathway by blocking the activation of Caspase 3, and markedly reduce L929 cell apoptosis induced by TNFβ. Conclusion A novel TNFβsmall-molecule inhibitor was identified by combining computer-aided virtual screening with functional assays, and which could block TNFβ-triggered apoptotic pathway and efficiently inhibit the cell death in?duced by TNFβ.