Artesunate inhibits macrophage-like phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells and attenuates vascular inflammatory injury in atherosclerosis via NLRP3 - 29/02/24
Abstract |
Inflammation is one of the main pathogenic factors of atherosclerosis (AS), and the phenotypic transformation of macrophages in human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs) contributes to the inflammatory injury of blood vessels and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Artesunate reportedly exerts anti-inflammatory activity against AS. Herein, we aimed to explore the artesunate-mediated anti-inflammatory and HVSMC phenotypic switch effects against AS and elucidate potential underlying mechanisms. In vitro, artesunate decreased expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, and interleukin (IL)− 1β. Artesunate significantly inhibited low-density lipoprotein (LDL) expression in HVSMCs and macrophages. In vivo, artesunate reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE-/- mice, as well as decreased NLRP3 and CD68 expression in atherosclerotic plaques. Artesunate decreased serum levels of triglycerides and increased high-density lipoprotein levels in HFD-med mice; however, serum levels of total cholesterol and LDL were unaltered. Treatment with artesunate substantially increased α-smooth muscle actin expression in aortic tissues while inhibiting expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1β, heparinase, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). Collectively, our findings suggest that artesunate-mediated effects may involve inhibition of the ERK1/2/NF-κB/IL-1β pathway in HVSMCs via the downregulation of NLRP3 expression. Thus, artesunate could serve as a novel strategy to treat AS by inhibiting AS plaque formation and suppressing macrophage-like phenotype switching of HVSMCs.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
Highlights |
• | NLRP3/MAPKs/AP-1 inflammatory pathway is activated in atherosclerosis. |
• | Inhibition of macrophage-like transformation of VSMCs via NLRP3. |
• | Artesunate down-regulation of HPSE/MMP9 inhibits phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. |
• | NLRP3 inflammasome and HPSE/MMP9 interact to promote vascular inflammation. |
Abbreviations : ART, ANOVA, AS, ASC, CARD, DMEM, EVG, FBS, HDL, HE, HFD, HPSE, HVSMCs, JNK, KEGG, LDL, LPS, LRR, MAPK, MD, MMP, OMIM, PBS, RMSD, RMSF, TCMSP, TG, VSMC
Keywords : Artesunate, Atherosclerosis, HVSMCs, Macrophage-like phenotype switch, Heparinase
Plan
Vol 172
Article 116255- mars 2024 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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