Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic profiling reveals the anti-inflammatory mechanism of dihydroartemisinin in the treatment of acute liver injury by targeting CYBA and CYBB

Acute liver injury (ALI) is a prevalent inflammatory disease with no currently available effective targeted therapies that characterized by high mortality and morbidity. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a derivative of the renowned antimalarial compound artemisinin, has garnered attention for its anti-inflammatory property. However, the precise anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying its efficacy in treating ALI remain unclear. Notably, the excessive inflammatory cytokines secreted by macrophages represents a critical factor of liver damage. In our comprehensive study, transcriptome and proteomic analysis of M1 macrophages after DHA treatment was performed to unearth the potential anti-inflammatory targets for ALI treatment. Transcriptomics analysis indicated that DHA significantly mitigated inflammation, primarily by downregulating the expressions of CCL1, CCL2, CCL7, CCL13, and CXCL13. Concurrently, proteomics analysis identified six proteins, such as CYBA and CYBB, that were consistently downregulated in the DHA intervention groups compared to the M1 group. Intriguingly, a protein-protein interaction network analysis highlighted the close association of CYBA and CYBB with the aforementioned chemokine genes. Through meticulous screening, DHA curtailed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by targeting CYBA and CYBB, subsequently suppressing the secretion of several chemokines and dampening the inflammatory response in M1 macrophages. More importantly, DHA not only reduced ROS and chemokine levels but also restored liver function by downregulating CYBA and CYBB to inhibit NF-κB pathway in ALI mice, demonstrating strong anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, our findings throw novel light into the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism of DHA in ALI management, offering valuable insights for future clinical research and therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases.