Whitmania Pigra Whitman Extracts Inhibit Lipopolysaccharide Induced Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Migration and their Adhesion Ability to THP-1 and RAW 264.7 Cells
Basic science published in J Atheroscler Thromb (2017)
Abstract
AIM: Atherosclerosis is a kind of chronic inflammatory disease. A crucial pathology change of atherosclerosis is the migration of activated VSMCs to the intima where they interact with leukocytes by expressing adhesion molecules, including intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Moreover, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expressed by VSMCs plays an important role in recruiting monocytes and macrophages. Leech (Whitmania pigra Whitman) is a traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, however previous research has rarely reported the molecular mechanism for its curative effect. Thus, our study focuses on the effects of leech extracts on the expression of inflammatory factors, adhesion molecules and MCP-1 in rat VSMCs. METHODS: In our present study, wound-healing assay and Boyden chamber model were applied to evaluate the anti-migration effect of LEE (Leech Enzyme Extracts) on LPS induced VSMCs. The anti-adhesion effect was assessed using DiI-labeled THP-1 and RAW264.7. RESULTS: LEE suppressed LPS-induced VSMCs migration and decreased the chemotaxis and adhesive capacity of THP-1 and RAW264.7 to LPS-stimulated VSMCs. LEE also attenuated the upregulation of a variety of pro-atherosclerotic factors by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. LEE was also observed to prevent NF-κB p65 nuclear localization using immune-fluorescent staining. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, LEE suppresses LPS-induced upregulation of inflammatory factors, adhesion molecules and MCP-1 in rat VSMCs mainly via inhibiting the p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathways, thus partly uncovered LEE's molecular mechanisms for its therapeutic effect on atherosclerosis.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Leech Enzyme Extracts suppress LPS-induced rat VSMC migration and reduce monocyte/macrophage adhesion via p38 MAPK/NF-kappaB pathway inhibition.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio examinó los efectos de los extractos enzimáticos de sanguijuela (LEE) de Whitmania pigra sobre la migración y adhesión de células de músculo liso vascular (VSMC) de rata inducidas por lipopolisacárido, encontrando que los LEE suprimieron la migración de VSMC, redujeron la adhesión de monocitos/macrófagos y atenuaron los factores inflamatorios proateroscleróticos mediante la inhibición de las vías p38 MAPK/NF-κB. Estos hallazgos son relevantes para el dominio de ASH, ya que describen parcialmente los mecanismos moleculares por los cuales las preparaciones derivadas de sanguijuela pueden ejercer efectos cardiovasculares protectores, un uso tradicional de la sanguijuela en la medicina china. Advertencia: se trata de un estudio in vitro de cultivo celular que utiliza VSMC de rata y líneas celulares inmunitarias cultivadas; no se proporciona validación in vivo ni clínica, y los hallazgos podrían no traducirse directamente a la práctica de la hirudoterapia.
Citación
Whitmania Pigra Whitman Extracts Inhibit Lipopolysaccharide Induced Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Migration and their Adhesion Ability to THP-1 and RAW 264.7 Cells.
Li S et al. · Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, 2017
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026