Kira8 more potently reduces IRE1α-driven apoptosis in INS-1 cells than KIRA6 and also reverses XBP1 splicing promoted by GNF-2.Kira8 blocks IRE1α oligomerization, and potently inhibits IRE1α RNase activity against XBP1 and Ins2 RNAs.

Male Ins2+/Akita mice are injected i.p. with KIRA8 (50 mg/kg; daily; for 35 days), significant reduction of hyperglycemia become apparent over several weeks. One week treatment of pre-diabetic NODs mice with Kira8 (50 mg/kg; i.p.; once a day) leads to significant reductions in islet XBP1 splicing and TXNIP mRNAs, and preserves Ins1/Ins2, BiP and MANF mRNAs.