Ox-LDL-induced CD80+ macrophages expand pro-atherosclerotic NKT cells via CD1d in atherosclerotic mice and hyperlipidemic patients.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of blood vessels involving the immune system. Natural killer T (NKT) cells, as crucial components of the innate and acquired immune systems, play critical roles in the development of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism and clinical relevance of NKT cells in early atherosclerosis are largely unclear. The study investigated the mechanism influencing NKT cell function in apoE deficiency-induced early atherosclerosis. Our findings demonstrated that there were higher populations of NKT cells and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-producing NKT cells in the peripheral blood of patients with hyperlipidemia and in the aorta, blood, spleen, and bone marrow of early atherosclerotic mice compared with the control groups. Moreover, we discovered that the infiltration of CD80+ macrophages and CD1d expression on CD80+ macrophages in atherosclerotic mice climbed remarkably. CD1d expression increased in CD80+ macrophages stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) ex vivo and in vitro. Ex vivo coculture of macrophages with NKT cells revealed that ox-LDL-induced CD80+ macrophages presented lipid antigen α-Galcer (alpha-galactosylceramide) to NKT cells via CD1d, enabling NKT cells to express more IFN-γ. Furthermore, a greater proportion of CD1d+ monocytes and CD1d+CD80+ monocytes were found in peripheral blood of hyperlipidemic patients compared with that of healthy donors. Positive correlations were found between CD1d+CD80+ monocytes and NKT cells or IFN-γ+ NKT cells in hyperlipidemic patients. Our findings illustrated that CD80+ macrophages stimulated NKT cells to secrete IFN-γ via CD1d-presenting α-Galcer, which may accelerate the progression of early atherosclerosis. Inhibiting lipid antigen presentation by CD80+ macrophages to NKT cells may be a promising immune target for the treatment of early atherosclerosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This work proposed the ox-LDL-CD80+ monocyte/macrophage-CD1d-NKT cell-IFN-γ axis in the progression of atherosclerosis. The proinflammatory IFN-γ+ NKT cells are closely related to CD1d+CD80+ monocytes in hyperlipidemic patients. Inhibiting CD80+ macrophages to present lipid antigens to NKT cells through CD1d blocking may be a new therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

How I do it? Preoperative Microsoft HoloLens 2 planning-assisted surgical clipping of a fetal posterior cerebral artery aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of intracranial aneurysms has predominantly shifted towards endovascular strategies, but complex cases still necessitate microsurgery. Preoperative stimulation can be beneficial for inexperienced young neurosurgeons in preparing for safe microsurgery. METHOD: A 72-year-old female with a left irregular fetal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysm underwent clipping repair. Microsoft HoloLens 2, utilizing mixed reality technology, was employed for preoperative stimulation and anatomical study. During the operation, we successfully identified the planned relationship between the aneurysm and the fetal PCA. The patient was cured without any complications. CONCLUSION: We hope that this report will highlight the significance of Microsoft HoloLens 2 in microsurgical planning and education.

Novel Effect of p-Coumaric Acid on Hepatic Lipolysis: Inhibition of Hepatic Lipid-Droplets.

p-coumaric acid (p-CA), a common plant phenolic acid with multiple bioactivities, has a lipid-lowering effect. As a dietary polyphenol, its low toxicity, with the advantages of prophylactic and long-term administration, makes it a potential drug for prophylaxis and the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanism by which it regulates lipid metabolism is still unclear. In this study, we studied the effect of p-CA on the down-regulation of accumulated lipids in vivo and in vitro. p-CA increased a number of lipase expressions, including hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) and hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL), as well as the expression of genes related to fatty acid oxidation, including long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSL1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1), by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, and γ (PPARα and γ). Furthermore, p-CA promoted adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and enhanced the expression of the mammalian suppressor of Sec4 (MSS4), a critical protein that can inhibit lipid droplet growth. Thus, p-CA can decrease lipid accumulation and inhibit lipid droplet fusion, which are correlated with the enhancement of liver lipases and genes related to fatty acid oxidation as an activator of PPARs. Therefore, p-CA is capable of regulating lipid metabolism and is a potential therapeutic drug or health care product for hyperlipidemia and fatty liver.

The role of UNC5b in ox-LDL inhibiting migration of RAW264.7 macrophages and the involvement of CCR7.

The formation of macrophage foam cells by ingesting ox-LDL and focal retention in the subendothelial space are the hallmarks of the early atherosclerotic lesion. The C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) is positively correlated with the macrophage migration. But the mechanism of CCR7 regulation is not fully clearness. In the present study, we demonstrates that expression in UNC5b and netrin-1 was enhanced in respond to ox-LDL in Raw264.7 macrophage and associated with decreasing cell migration. Interestingly, it was found that ox-LDL significantly downregulate CCR7 gene expression. The expression of CCR7 in mRNA and protein levels were decreased in ox-LDL treated Raw264.7 macrophage when we over expression of UNC5b with pcDNA3.1-UNC5b plasmid. We got the inverse results after silence UNC5b gene with siUNC5b. Meanwhile, the data show that in ox-LDL inducement, UNC5b down-regulated CCR7, and then inhibited macrophage migration. This novel phenomenon is of a crucial highlights to understand deeply the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The molecular mechanism of CCR7 regulation deserves intensive study.

A self-assembled photoresponsive gel consisting of chiral nanofibers.

A novel compound based on a glutamic acid skeleton, containing azobenzene as a photoresponsive group and ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) as a connection site, was designed and synthesized. The monomer is capable of forming an organogel in nonpolar organic solvents and different types of nanostructures in other solvents. The state of the gel and the chirality of the nanostructures could both be adjusted by subsequent light irradiation at different wavelengths. The helical nanofiber-like morphology was verified in the internal structure of the gel. The performance of this gel was investigated by a series of methods, such as UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism, scanning electron microscopy and rheological techniques. This work provides a new method for facile synthesis of chiro-optical gels.

[Berberine action targets and its absorption behavior：how to use old drug for new mechanisms].

A variety of pharmacological effects of berberine (BBR) are constantly being discovered with the deepening of BBR research. What followed is how to rationally use the drug according to these new pharmacological effects. Because of some cardiac toxicity and poor oral absorption, conflicts may arise between improving the bioavailability and controlling the toxicity of BBR. Meanwhile some new therapeutic uses of BBR, such as hypolipidemia, hypoglycemia as well as prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, need long-termoral administration, thereby may lead to alteration of intestinal flora and potentially affect body's other physiological functions. Based on the stated targets of BBR and related pharmaceutical properties, comprehensive analysis of these issues was conducted in this study. Some suggestions were presented below：the effect of long-term oral administration on body function, especially the intestinal flora, needs to be further investigated; risks shall be considered in changing the composition of the formulation to improve the absorption rate of oral administration; for the medication with higher concentration demand (such as anti-cancer), targeted drug-delivery is worthy to be considered.

[Understanding differences between Rheum palmatum and R. franzenbachii from perspective of chemistry, efficacy and toxicity].

Rheum franzenbachii (called Tudahuang in local) has some similarities with R. palmatum (rhubarb) collected by "China Pharmacopoeia" and is often used as a substitute of rhubarb. Can Tudahuang simply replace rhubarb in the application or whether is there difference between Tudahuang and rhubarb, and what is the difference it is important to verify the difference and understand its proper application in the field of clinical practice. In this paper, we discussed the differences of the two herbs from the views of chemistry, efficacy and toxicity based on the author's previous research work as well as literatures, by using the major role of the rhubarb "diarrhea" as the basic point. The analysis result showed that the role of diarrhea Tudahuang was much weaker than that of rhubarb. The reason lies in the difference between the contents of combined anthraquinones component. While acute toxicity in mice of Tudahuang is stronger than that of rhubarb. Thus, Tudahuang should not simply replace rhubarb in practice.

Celastrol ameliorates energy metabolism dysfunction of hypertensive rats by dilating vessels to improve hemodynamics.

The impact of hypertension on tissue and organ damage is mediated through its influence on the structure and function of blood vessels. This study aimed to examine the potential of celastrol, a bioactive compound derived from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, in mitigating hypertension-induced energy metabolism disorder and enhancing blood perfusion and vasodilation. In order to investigate this phenomenon, we conducted in vivo experiments on renovascular hypertensive rats, employing indirect calorimetry to measure energy metabolism and laser speckle contrast imaging to evaluate hemodynamics. In vitro, we assessed the vasodilatory effects of celastrol on the basilar artery and superior mesenteric artery of rats using the Multi Wires Myograph System. Furthermore, we conducted preliminary investigations to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Moreover, administration of celastrol at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg yielded a notable enhancement in blood flow ranging from 6 to 31% across different cerebral and mesenteric vessels in hypertensive rats. Furthermore, celastrol demonstrated a concentration-dependent (1 × 10-7 to 1 × 10-5 M) arterial dilation, independent of endothelial function. This vasodilatory effect could potentially be attributed to the inhibition of Ca2+ channels on vascular smooth muscle cells induced by celastrol. These findings imply that celastrol has the potential to ameliorate hemodynamics through vasodilation, thereby alleviating energy metabolism dysfunctions in hypertensive rats. Consequently, celastrol may hold promise as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of hypertension.

Sialic acids promote macrophage M1 polarization and atherosclerosis by upregulating ROS and autophagy blockage.

Accumulating evidence suggests that sialic acids is closely related to atherosclerosis. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of sialic acids in atherosclerosis have been not defined. Macrophages are one of the most important cells during plaque progression. In this study, we investigated the role of sialic acids in the M1 macrophage polarization and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Here we found that sialic acids can promote the polarization of RAW264.7 cells to the M1 phenotype, thereby promoting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in vitro. The proinflammatory effect of sialic acids may result from the inhibition of LKB1-AMPK-Sirt3 signaling pathway to upregulate intracellular ROS and impairing autophagy-lysosome system to block autophagic flux. In the APOE-/- mice, sialic acids in plasma increased during the development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, exogenous supplement of sialic acids can promote plaque progression in aortic arch and aortic sinus being accompanied by the differentiation of macrophages into M1 type in peripheral tissues. These studies demonstrated that sialic acids can promote macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype to accentuate atherosclerosis via inducing mitochondrial ROS and blocking autophagy, thus providing clue to a novel therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.

Oscillatory shear stress-mediated aberrant O-GlcNAc SIRT3 accelerates glycocalyx inflammatory injury via LKB1/p47phox/Hyal2 signaling.

Glycocalyx coating on endothelial surface layer helps to sense shear forces and maintain endothelial function. However, the underlying mechanism of endothelial glycocalyx degradation upon disordered shear stress stimulation is not fully understood. SIRT3, a major NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases, is required for protein stability during vascular homeostasis and partly involved in atherosclerotic process. While few studies showed that SIRT3 is responsible for endothelial glycocalyx homeostasis under shear stress, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that oscillatory shear stress (OSS) induces glycocalyx injury by activating LKB1/p47phox/Hyal2 axis both in vivo and in vitro. And O-GlcNAc modification served to prolong SIRT3 deacetylase activity and stabilized p47/Hyal2 complex. OSS could decrease SIRT3 O-GlcNAcylation to activate LKB1, further accelerated endothelial glycocalyx injury in inflammatory microenvironment. SIRT3Ser329 mutation or inhibition of SIRT3 O-GlcNAcylation strongly promoted glycocalyx degradation. On the contrary, overexpression of SIRT3 reverse glycocalyx damage upon OSS treatment. Together, our findings indicated that targeting O-GlcNAcylation of SIRT3 could prevent and/or treat diseases whereby glycocalyx injured.

Hypofucosylation of Unc5b regulated by Fut8 enhances macrophage emigration and prevents atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis (AS) is the leading underlying cause of the majority of clinical cardiovascular events. Retention of foamy macrophages in plaques is the main factor initiating and promoting the atherosclerotic process. Our previous work showed that ox-LDL induced macrophage retention in plaques and that the guidance receptor Uncoordinated-5 homolog B (Unc5b) was involved in this process. However, little is known about the role of Unc5b in regulating macrophage accumulation within plaques. RESULTS: In the present study, we found that Unc5b controls macrophage migration and thus promotes plaque progression in ApoE-/- mice. The immunofluorescence colocalization assay results first suggested that fucosyltransferase 8 (Fut8) might participate in the exacerbation of atherosclerosis. Animals with Unc5b overexpression showed elevated levels of Fut8 and numbers of macrophages and an increased lesion size and intimal thickness. However, these effects were reversed in ApoE-/- mice with Unc5b knockdown. Furthermore, Raw264.7 macrophages with siRNA-mediated silencing of Unc5b or overexpression of Unc5b were used to confirm the regulatory mechanisms of Unc5b and Fut8 in vitro. In response to ox-LDL exposure, Unc5b and Fut8 were both upregulated, and macrophages showed reduced pseudopod formation and migratory capacities. However, these capacities were restored by blocking Unc5b or Fut8. Furthermore, the IP assay indicated that Fut8 regulated the level of α-1,6 fucosylation of Unc5b, which mainly occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and genetic deletion of the main fucosylation sites or Fut8 resulted in hypofucosylation of Unc5b. Moreover, the macrophage migration mediated by Unc5b depended on inactivation of the p-CDC42/p-PAK pathway. Conversely, macrophages with Unc5b overexpression displayed activation of the p-CDC42/p-PAK pathway and decreased migration both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that hypofucosylation of Unc5b regulated by Fut8 is positively associated with the delay of the atherosclerotic process by promoting the migration of foamy macrophages. These findings identify a promising therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

Metabolite Neu5Ac triggers SLC3A2 degradation promoting vascular endothelial ferroptosis and aggravates atherosclerosis progression in ApoE-/-mice.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is still the major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as stroke. Endothelial metabolic disorder has been found to be activated and then promote endothelial cells (ECs) injury, which is regarded to initiate AS progression. N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), a metabolite produced by hexosamine-sialic acid pathway branching from glucose metabolism, was presented as a notable biomarker of CVD and is positively correlated with ECs function. However, few studies explain whether Neu5Ac regulate AS progression by affecting EC function as well as its involved mechanisms are still unknown. Methods: Here, we mimicked an animal model in ApoE-/- mice which displaying similar plasma Neu5Ac levels with AS model to investigate its effect on AS progression. Results: We found that Neu5Ac exacerbated plaques area and increased lipids in plasma in absence of HFD feeding, and ECs inflammatory injury was supposed as the triggering factor upon Neu5Ac treatment with increasing expression of IL-1ß, ICAM-1, and promoting ability of monocyte adhesion to ECs. Mechanistic studies showed that Neu5Ac facilitated SLC3A2 binding to ubiquitin and then triggered P62 mediated degradation, further leading to accumulation of lipid peroxidation in ECs. Fer-1 could inhibit ECs injury and reverse AS progression induced by Neu5Ac in ApoE-/- mice. Interestingly, mitochondrial dysfunction was also partly participated in ECs injury after Neu5Ac treatment and been reversed by Fer-1. Conclusions: Together, our study unveils a new mechanism by which evaluated metabolite Neu5Ac could promote SLC3A2 associated endothelial ferroptosis to activate ECs injury and AS plaque progression, thus providing a new insight into the role of Neu5Ac-ferroptosis pathway in AS. Also, our research revealed that pharmacological inhibition of ferroptosis may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for premature AS.

Comparative study of the effect of baicalin and its natural analogs on neurons with oxygen and glucose deprivation involving innate immune reaction of TLR2/TNFα.

This work is to study the baicalin and its three analogs, baicalin, wogonoside, and wogonin, on the protective effect of neuron from oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression in OGD damage. The results showed that baicalin and its three analogs did protect neurons from OGD damage and downregulated protein level of TLR2. D-Glucopyranosiduronic acid on site 7 in the structure played a core of cytotoxicity of these flavonoid analogs. The methoxyl group on carbon 8 of the structure had the relation with TLR2 protein expression, as well as the anti-inflammation. In addition, we detected caspase3 and antioxidation capability, to investigate the effect of four analogs on cell apoptosis and total antioxidation competence in OGD model.

Multicolor Light Mixing in Optofluidic Concave Interfaces for Anticounterfeiting with Deep Learning Authentication.

Anticounterfeiting technology has received tremendous interest for its significance in daily necessities, medical industry, and high-end products. Confidential tags based on photoluminescence are one of the most widely used approaches for their vivid visualization and high throughput. However, the complexity of confidential tags is generally limited to the accessibility of inks and their spatial location; generating an infinite combination of emission colors is therefore a challenging task. Here, we demonstrate a concept to create complex color light mixing in a confined space formed by microscale optofluidic concave interfaces. Infinite color combination and capacity were generated through chaotic behavior of light mixing and interaction in an ininkjet-printed skydome structure. Through the chaotic mixing of emission intensity, wavelength, and light propagation trajectories, the visionary patterns serve as a highly unclonable label. Finally, a deep learning-based machine vision system was built for the authentication process. The developed anticounterfeiting system may provide inspiration for utilizing space color mixing in optical security and communication applications.

Antigen-Presenting Cell-Like Neutrophils Foster T Cell Response in Hyperlipidemic Patients and Atherosclerotic Mice.

Neutrophils constitute abundant cellular components in atherosclerotic plaques. Most of the current studies are focused on the roles of granular proteins released by neutrophils in atherosclerosis. Here, we revealed a unique subset of neutrophils which exhibit the characteristics of antigen-presenting cell (APC) (which were called APC-like neutrophils afterwards) in atherosclerosis. The roles of APC-like neutrophils and relevant mechanisms were investigated in hyperlipidemic patients and atherosclerotic mice. Higher percentages of neutrophils and APC-like neutrophils were found in peripheral blood of hyperlipidemic patients than that of healthy donors. Meanwhile, we also identified higher infiltration of neutrophils and APC-like neutrophils in atherosclerotic mice. Ox-LDL induced Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-activated neutrophils to acquire the APC-like phenotype. Importantly, upon over-expression of APC-like markers, neutrophils acquired APC functions to promote the proliferation and interferon-γ production of CD3+ T cells via HLA-DR/CD80/CD86. In accordance with what found in vitro, positive correlation between neutrophils and CD3+ T cells was observed in hyperlipidemic patients. In conclusion, our work identifies a proinflammatory neutrophil subset in both hyperlipidemic patients and atherosclerotic mice. This unique phenotype of neutrophils could activate the adaptive immune response to promote atherosclerosis progression. Thus, this neutrophil subset may be a new target for immunotherapy of atherosclerosis.

Towards carbon neutrality: A study on China's long-term low-carbon transition pathways and strategies.

As the world's biggest carbon dioxide (CO2) emitter and the largest developing country, China faces daunting challenges to peak its emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality within 40 years. This study fully considered the carbon-neutrality goal and the temperature rise constraints required by the Paris Agreement, by developing six long-term development scenarios, and conducting a quantitative evaluation on the carbon emissions pathways, energy transformation, technology, policy and investment demand for each scenario. This study combined both bottom-up and top-down methodologies, including simulations and analyses of energy consumption of end-use and power sectors (bottom-up), as well as scenario analysis, investment demand and technology evaluation at the macro level (top-down). This study demonstrates that achieving carbon neutrality before 2060 translates to significant efforts and overwhelming challenges for China. To comply with the target, a high rate of an average annual reduction of CO2 emissions by 9.3% from 2030 to 2050 is a necessity, which requires a huge investment demand. For example, in the 1.5 °C scenario, an investment in energy infrastructure alone equivalent to 2.6% of that year's GDP will be necessary. The technological pathway towards carbon neutrality will rely highly on both conventional emission reduction technologies and breakthrough technologies. China needs to balance a long-term development strategy of lower greenhouse gas emissions that meets both the Paris Agreement and the long-term goals for domestic economic and social development, with a phased implementation for both its five-year and long-term plans.

[Investigation of inflammasome during excitation of IgG-HepG2 cells for evaluation of allergenic ingredients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the alteration of inflammasome and receptor during IgG promoter transfected to HepG2 cells. METHOD: By assay of Elisa to evaluate the secretion of IL-1 beta, IL-8, TNF-alpha and MCP-1 after puerarine and LPS administration, and by assay of real time PCR to evaluate the expression of mRNA of IL-1 beta, IL-8,TNF-alpha and MCP-1, as well as the receptors of TLR2, 4 and NOD2, MyD88. RESULT: IgG promoter did not active innate immunity and enhance the expression and secretion of inflammasome in HepG2. Puerarine did not active the inflammasome either. LPS activated the innate immunity and increased the secretion of IL-8, TNF-alpha and MCP-1. CONCLUSION: IgG-HepG2 cells could be used specifically as the model of allergy type II for ingredients screening. It is suggested that puerarine was suite for the activator for this type of allergy as positive control.

[Evaluation of allergen during processes of Fufang Kushen injection by IgG-promoter-HepG2 cell assay in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the allergen in key processes during the production of Fufang Kushen injection by IgG promoter-HepG2 cells in vitro. METHOD: By transfecting a IgG promoter-regulating the expression of green fluorescent protein(GFP) plasmid into HepG2 cells, this transferred cells were incubated with common allergens (like puerarin, ovalbumin, LPS or Sal typhoid vi polysaccharide vaccine), excipients using in Fufang Kushen injection (NaOH, acetic acid, Tween-80 and ethanol) and samples from the key production processes of the injection for 30 minutes . Fluorescent photographs were analyzed the fluorescence intensity of the cells by using an image analysis software. RESULT: All of common allergens significantly increased the IgG expression. Two of the excipicents, acetic acids and Tween-80 were shown to increased the IgG expression, while others had no effect on IgG expression. In the 8 samples from the key processes in the production of Fufang Kushen injection, two of them stimulated IgG expression. CONCLUSION: IgG promoter-HepG2 cells are highly sensitive and specific to allergens, and thus can be applied to rapid screening of allergens in components and injections in transcriptional level. It is possible to use the IgG-promoter HepG2 cells in a real-time monitoring of allergens in the production processes of Chinese medicine injections.

Stimulated Chiral Light-Matter Interactions in Biological Microlasers.

Chiral light-matter interactions have emerged as a promising area in biophysics and quantum optics. Great progress in enhancing chiral light-matter interactions have been investigated through passive resonators or spontaneous emission. Nevertheless, the interaction between chiral biomolecules and stimulated emission remains unexplored. Here we introduce the concept of a biological chiral laser by amplifying chiral light-matter interactions in an active resonator through stimulated emission process. Green fluorescent proteins or chiral biomolecules encapsulated in Fabry-Perot microcavity served as the gain material while excited by either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized pump laser. Owing to the nonlinear pump energy dependence of stimulated emission, significant enhancement of chiral light-matter interactions was demonstrated. Detailed experiments and theory revealed that a lasing dissymmetry factor is determined by molecular absorption dissymmetry factor at its excitation wavelength. Finally, chirality transfer was investigated under a stimulated emission process through resonance energy transfer. Our findings elucidate the mechanism of stimulated chiral light-matter interactions, providing better understanding of light-matter interaction in biophysics, chiral sensing, and quantum biophotonics.

Interleukin-17-Producing CD4+ T Cells Promote Inflammatory Response and Foster Disease Progression in Hyperlipidemic Patients and Atherosclerotic Mice.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Interleukin-17-producing CD4+ T cells (Th17 cells) play important roles in the progression of atherosclerosis. However, most of the studies were focused on the advanced stage of atherosclerosis. In the current study, we investigated the roles of Th17 cells, relevant mechanisms in hyperlipidemic patients, and different stages of atherosclerotic mice. Human blood samples were collected, and percentages of Th17 cells, macrophages, and neutrophils were analyzed by flow cytometry. ApoE-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) and sacrificed at different time points to evaluate the infiltration of inflammatory cells at different stages of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, essential mechanisms of IL-17A in atherosclerotic inflammatory milieu formation were studied in vivo by intraperitoneal injection with monoclonal anti-murine IL-17 antibody. Our study reveals the higher percentages of Th17 cells, monocytes, and neutrophils in hyperlipidemic patients compared to healthy donors. Meanwhile, we also identify an infiltration of Th17 cells in the early stage of atherosclerosis (4 weeks after HFD), which maintains at high level until late stage of atherosclerosis (20 weeks after HFD). What is more, inflammatory cells including macrophages and neutrophils were also accumulated in atherosclerotic lesions. Neutralization of IL-17 in ApoE-/- mice resulted in less infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils and smaller atherosclerotic lesions. Importantly, in accordance with what is found in the mouse model, positive correlations between Th17 cells and macrophages or neutrophils were observed in hyperlipidemic patients. In conclusion, our clinical and mouse model data together reveal a pro-atherogenic role of Th17 cells through the promotion of inflammation in hyperlipidemic conditions and different stages of atherosclerosis, which further supports the notion that IL-17 may be a therapy target for the treatment of atherosclerosis.