sFRP5 ameliorates atherosclerosis by suppressing the JNK/TLR9 pathway in macrophages

Abstract

Secreted frizzled related protein 5 (sFRP5), an anti-inflammatory adipokine, plays a crucial role in various diseases, and its serum levels are low in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, its role in atherosclerosis remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between sFRP5 and plaque stability, along with the molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis. In patients with CAD, serum sFRP5 levels were positively correlated with plaque stability, a predictor of thin-cap fibroatheromas (TCFAs). Recombinant sFRP5 (r-sFRP5) supplementation significantly increased plaque stability and ameliorated atherosclerosis progression in ApoE^-/- mice. Aortic RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed sFRP5-mediated regulation in inflammatory cells. Our experiments confirmed that sFRP5 inhibits inflammation and macrophage migration. Mechanistically, Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) was identified as a downstream target of sFRP5, and sFRP5 suppressed TLR9 expression by decreasing c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. These findings suggest that serum sFRP5 levels are associated with plaque stability and play a protective role in atherosclerosis by attenuating inflammation and macrophage infiltration via inhibition of the JNK/TLR9 pathway, thereby ameliorating the progression of atherosclerosis. This study highlights the potential of sFRP5 as both a biomarker and therapeutic target for plaque stability in atherosclerosis.