Salidroside protects pulmonary artery endothelial cells against hypoxia-induced apoptosis via the AhR/NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways
Wei Lei, Meihong Chen, Zu-feng Huang, Xiaoying Chen, Jinxia Wang, Jing Zheng, Yi Zhun Zhu, Xiaozhong Lan, Yuan He
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The apoptosis of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) is an important factor contributing to the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH), a serious cardio-pulmonary vascular disorder. Salidroside (SAL) is a bioactive compound derived from an herb Rhodiola, but the potential protective effects of SAL on PAECs and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the role of SAL in the hypoxia-induced apoptosis of PAECs and to dissect the underlying mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN: for 48 h. METHODS: Various techniques including hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, CCK-8, Western blot, qPCR, molecular docking, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were used to determine the role of SAL in rats and in PAECs in vitro. RESULTS: Hypoxia stimulation increases AhR nuclear translocation and activates the NF-κB signaling pathway, as evidenced by upregulated expression of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, IL-1β, and IL-6, resulting in oxidative stress and inflammatory response and ultimately apoptosis of PAECs. SAL inhibited the activation of AhR and NF-κB, while promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and increased the expression of its downstream antioxidant proteins HO-1 and NQO1 in PAECs, ameliorating the hypoxia-induced oxidative stress in PAECs. Furthermore, SAL lowered right ventricular systolic pressure, and decreased pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy in hypoxia-exposed rats. CONCLUSIONS: SAL may attenuate the apoptosis of PAECs by suppressing NF-κB and activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathways, thereby delaying the progressive pathology of PH.