Tomentosin suppressed M1 polarization via increasing MERTK activation mediated by regulation of GAS6

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Xanthium sibiricum Patrin ex Widder (X. sibiricum) are widely used traditional herbal medicines for arthritis treatment in China. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by progressive destructions of joints, which is accompanied by chronic, progressive inflammatory disorder. According to our previous research, tomentosin was isolated from X. sibiricum and revealed anti-inflammatory activity. However, the potential therapeutic effect of tomentosin on RA and the anti-inflammatory mechanism of tomentosin remain to be clarified. The present study lays theoretical support for X. sibiricum in RA treatment, also provides reference for further development of X. sibiricum in clinic.

Aim of the study: To investigate the effect of tomentosin in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice and reveal its underlying mechanism.

Materials and methods: In vivo, tomentosin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) was given to CIA mice for seven consecutive days, to evaluate its therapeutic effect and anti-inflammatory activity. In vitro, THP-1-derived macrophages were used to verify the effect of tomentosin on inflammation. Then, molecular docking and experiments in vitro was conducted to predict and explore the mechanism of tomentosin inhibiting inflammation.

Results: Tomentosin attenuated the severity of arthritis in CIA mice, which was evidenced by the swelling of the hind paws, arthritis scores, and pathological changes. Particularly, tomentosin effectively reduced the ratio of M1 macrophage and TNF-α levels in vitro and vivo. Then, molecular docking and experiments in vitro was carried out, indicating that tomentosin inhibited M1 polarization and TNF-α levels accompanied by the increase of MERTK and up-regulated GAS6 levels. Moreover, it has been proved that GAS6 was necessary for MERTK activation and tomentosin could up-regulate GAS6 levels effectively in transwell system. Further mechanistic studies revealed that tomentosin suppressed M1 polarization via increasing MERTK activation mediated by regulation of GAS6 in transwell system.

Conclusion: Tomentosin relieved the severity of CIA mice by inhibiting M1 polarization. Furthermore, tomentosin suppressed M1 polarization via increasing MERTK activation mediated by regulation of GAS6.

Keywords: Collagen-induced arthritis; GAS6; Inflammation; MERTK; Macrophages; Traditional Chinese medicine.