Regulation of inflammatory responses: Harnessing the Ruan Mai Jian targeting of EphA2/ephrinA1 pathway to enhance atherosclerosis amelioration

Abstract

Background

Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, driven by the chronic inflammatory proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which destabilizes atherosclerotic plaques. The EphA2/ephrinA1 signaling pathway plays a critical role in modulating VSMC inflammatory responses, making it an attractive therapeutic target. However, the clinical application of EphA2 inhibitors remains limited due to safety concerns. Ruan Mai Jian (RMJ), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has demonstrated potential efficacy in treating atherosclerosis, though its precise mechanisms remain insufficiently characterized. To date, no study has investigated a Chinese medicine compound capable of regulating atherosclerotic inflammatory responses via the EphA2/ephrinA1 pathway. This study aims to determine whether RMJ treats atherosclerosis both in vivo and in vitro by modulating the EphA2/ephrinA1 pathway, while evaluating its potential hepatic and renal toxicity.

Study Design

A combination of in vivo (ApoE-/- murine model) and in vitro studies was employed to investigate the effects of RMJ on atherosclerotic progression, inflammatory markers, and VSMC function.

Methods

ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet to induce atherosclerosis and subsequently treated with RMJ at varying doses. Serum lipid levels, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), and plaque morphology were analyzed. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses were performed to assess the modulation of the EphA2/ephrinA1 pathway. VSMC proliferation and migration assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of RMJ on cellular behavior in vitro.

Results

RMJ treatment significantly attenuated serum lipid levels, reduced systemic inflammation, and stabilized atherosclerotic plaques by increasing collagen content and decreasing lipid deposition. RMJ downregulated EphA2 expression and upregulated ephrinA1, effectively inhibiting VSMC proliferation and migration through suppression of the AKT1/ERK1/2 signaling cascade. Importantly, no hepatic or renal toxicity was observed in treated mice, indicating a favorable safety profile.

Conclusion

RMJ demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of atherosclerosis, primarily through modulation of the EphA2/ephrinA1 signaling pathway, resulting in reduced inflammation and VSMC proliferation. Its efficacy, combined with the absence of hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, highlights RMJ as a promising candidate for further investigation as a novel therapeutic agent for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.