ACT001 alleviates sepsis-induced acute lung injury by downregulating PANoptosis via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. ACT001, a novel derivative with anti-inflammatory properties, has shown potential for mitigating lung injury; however, its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study investigates the protective effects of ACT001 against sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and explores whether these effects involve the regulation of PANoptosis via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated A549 alveolar epithelial cells and a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic rat model, we evaluated the effects of ACT001. Assessments included CCK-8 viability assays, survival analysis, histopathological examination (H&E staining), and ELISA for inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β). Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were performed to detect PANoptosis markers (ZBP1, cleaved caspase-3, p-MLKL, N-GSDMD) and JAK2/STAT3 pathway proteins. The JAK2 inhibitor AG490 was employed to validate the involvement of this pathway.

ACT001 significantly improved the viability of LPS-stimulated A549 cells and extended the survival of septic rats. It attenuated alveolar histopathological injury, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased plasma cytokine levels. Molecular analyses revealed that ACT001 suppressed the expression of PANoptosis markers (ZBP1, cleaved caspase-3, p-MLKL, N-GSDMD) and inhibited JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation in both models. Notably, treatment with AG490 reproduced these protective effects, supporting the mechanistic role of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

This study demonstrates that ACT001 mitigates sepsis-induced lung injury, likely by inhibiting PANoptosis through the suppression of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. These findings provide new insights into the interplay between inflammatory cell death and JAK/STAT signaling, suggesting that ACT001 warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis-related ARDS.