Development of a TBK1 and ALK dual inhibitor for alleviating depressive behavior via anti-inflammatory effects

Ji Hun Wi1, Hyelim Lee2, Ji Min Park3

  • 1Medicinal Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.

Polypharmacology offers innovative strategies for treating immune and inflammatory dysregulation in complex diseases. Here, we identified ALS-04, a dual inhibitor of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which are closely linked to stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-mediated immune responses. ALS-04 effectively suppressed 2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced type I interferon and pro-inflammatory responses by targeting the STING-TBK1 and STING-ALK pathways. Furthermore, ALS-04 significantly alleviated depressive symptoms, including anhedonia and behavioral despair, in an LPS-induced mouse model of depression. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of dual TBK1 and ALK inhibition in depression by modulating immune and inflammatory pathways.

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