Tirzepatide mitigates atherosclerosis progression and modulates oxLDL-mediated proatherogenic effects in macrophages: evidence for M1/M2 homeostasis restoration

Abstract

Tirzepatide (TZP), a novel dual agonist of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors (GLP-1R/GIPR), has been shown to reduce cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with diabetes or obesity. This study investigated anti-atherosclerotic effects of TZP and the underlying mechanisms using apo E^−/− mice and cultured macrophages. In the present study, apo E^−/− mice were fed a high fat/high cholesterol (HF) diet with or without TZP treatment for 12 weeks. Atherosclerotic lesions, metabolic parameters, and M1/M2 macrophage homeostasis were assessed. In vitro, RAW264.7 and THP-1 macrophages were treated with oxLDL and TZP to evaluate foam cell formation, inflammation, and signaling pathways. The results showed that TZP significantly lowered body weight, plasma lipids, and atherosclerotic burden in vivo, and favorably modulated the expression of M1/M2 macrophage markers. ANCOVA suggested that the anti-atherosclerotic effect may be partially independent of metabolic improvements, although further studies are needed for confirmation. While these data support macrophage modulation as a key mechanism, other vascular cell types and plaque components likely contribute to the observed plaque-stabilizing effects. In vitro, TZP inhibited oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced cholesterol accumulation and foam cell formation, cluster of differentiation (CD) 36 expression and M1 inflammatory markers while promoting M2 markers. These effects were blocked by combined GLP-1R/GIPR antagonism and further confirmed in human THP-1 macrophages. Mechanistically, the anti-inflammatory effects and modulation of M1/M2 macrophage homeostasis by TZP were mediated via activating kruppel-like factor 4/the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ pathway. Collectively, these findings indicate that TZP confers CV protection and anti-atherosclerotic benefits through both lipid-lowering dependent and independent mechanisms, highlighting its therapeutic potential for diabetic and obese patients who are at high risk of atherosclerotic CV diseases.