Small Molecule Inhibitors of Nuclear Export and the Amelioration of Lupus by Modulation of Plasma Cell Generation and Survival

Objective To investigate the hypothesis that selective inhibitors of nuclear export (SINE compounds), recently approved for treatment of refractory plasma cell (PC) malignancy, may have potential in the treatment of lupus. Methods Female NZB/NZW mice were treated with the SINE compound KPT‐350 or vehicle control. Tissue specimens were harvested and analyzed by flow cytometry, using standard markers. Nephritis was monitored by determining the proteinuria score and by histologic analysis of kidney specimens. Serum anti–double‐stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA) levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and total numbers of IgG‐secreting and dsDNA‐specific antibody‐secreting cells were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunospot assay. Results KPT‐350 abrogated murine lupus nephritis at both early and late stages of the disease and rapidly impaired generation of autoreactive PCs in germinal centers (GCs). SINE compounds inhibited the production of NF‐κB–driven homeostatic chemokines by stromal cells, altering splenic B and T cell strategic positioning and significantly reducing follicular helper T cell, GC B cell, and autoreactive PC counts. KPT‐350 also decreased levels of cytokines and chemokines involved in PC survival and recruitment in the kidney of lupus‐prone mice. Exportin 1, the target of SINE compounds, was detected in GCs of human tonsils, splenic B cells of lupus patients, and multiple B cell subsets in the kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis. Conclusion Collectively, our results provide support for the therapeutic potential of SINE compounds, via their targeting of several molecular and cellular pathways critical in lupus pathogenesis, including autoantibody production by plasma cells.