Jia-Wang Ding1,2, Cai-Yun Luo3,4, Xin-An Wang3,4, Tian Zhou3,4, Xia-Xia Zheng3,4, Zai-Qiang Zhang3,4, Bin Yu3,4, Jing Zhang3,4, Xiao-Hong Tong3,4. 1. Department of Cardiology, First College of Clinical Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China, dingjiawang@163.com. 2. Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China, dingjiawang@163.com. 3. Department of Cardiology, First College of Clinical Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China. 4. Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is known to have proinflammatory properties; however, the mechanisms by which HMGB1 influences immune responses during atherosclerosis (AS) development are not well understood. Thus, this study investigated the relationship between HMGB1 and vascular inflammation in Apoe-/- mice and whether glycyrrhizin (GLY), a small inhibitor of HMGB1, could have atheroprotective effects in AS. METHODS: Apoe-/- mice on a high-fat diet were treated with GLY (50 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage once daily for 12 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: The GLY group exhibited significantly decreased serum lipid levels, atherosclerotic plaque deposition, and serum HMGB1 levels, as well as an increased Treg/Th17 ratio. The GLY group displayed increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-2 expression and decreased IL-17A and IL-6 expression. Furthermore, the GA treatment significantly reduced STAT3 phosphorylation in Th17 cells and increased STAT5 phosphorylation in Treg cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the attenuation of atherosclerotic lesions in Apoe-/- mice by GLY might be associated with the amelioration of lipid metabolism abnormalities, inhibition of HMGB1 expression, and alterations in the Treg/Th17 ratio.
BACKGROUND:High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is known to have proinflammatory properties; however, the mechanisms by which HMGB1 influences immune responses during atherosclerosis (AS) development are not well understood. Thus, this study investigated the relationship between HMGB1 and vascular inflammation in Apoe-/- mice and whether glycyrrhizin (GLY), a small inhibitor of HMGB1, could have atheroprotective effects in AS. METHODS:Apoe-/- mice on a high-fat diet were treated with GLY (50 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage once daily for 12 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: The GLY group exhibited significantly decreased serum lipid levels, atherosclerotic plaque deposition, and serum HMGB1 levels, as well as an increased Treg/Th17 ratio. The GLY group displayed increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-2 expression and decreased IL-17A and IL-6 expression. Furthermore, the GA treatment significantly reduced STAT3 phosphorylation in Th17 cells and increased STAT5 phosphorylation in Treg cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the attenuation of atherosclerotic lesions in Apoe-/- mice by GLY might be associated with the amelioration of lipid metabolism abnormalities, inhibition of HMGB1 expression, and alterations in the Treg/Th17 ratio.