Engineered Panax notoginseng polysaccharide micelles inhibit macrophage polarization and delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway

Abstract Background The imbalance of macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Reprogramming macrophages from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype is considered a promising therapeutic strategy. Methods To address...

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Main Authors: Yang Yu, Liang Kong, Rui-bo Guo, Ya-ni Zhang, Shu-tong Li, Feng-yuan Zhang, Xin Wang, Yang Liu, Xiu-Ying Li, Xue-tao Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Nanobiotechnology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03576-8
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author Yang Yu
Liang Kong
Rui-bo Guo
Ya-ni Zhang
Shu-tong Li
Feng-yuan Zhang
Xin Wang
Yang Liu
Xiu-Ying Li
Xue-tao Li
author_facet Yang Yu
Liang Kong
Rui-bo Guo
Ya-ni Zhang
Shu-tong Li
Feng-yuan Zhang
Xin Wang
Yang Liu
Xiu-Ying Li
Xue-tao Li
author_sort Yang Yu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The imbalance of macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Reprogramming macrophages from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype is considered a promising therapeutic strategy. Methods To address this challenge, Panax notoginseng polysaccharides (PNP) with varying molecular weights were chemically conjugated with deoxycholic acid (DC) to obtain amphiphilic conjugates (PNP-DC), which self-assembled into micelles (PNP-Ms). After screening for optimal molecular weight, folic acid (FA) was introduced onto the micelle surface, and Polyphyllin I (PPI) was encapsulated to form FA-modified, PPI-loaded micelles (FA-PPI-Ms) with macrophage-targeting capability. Results FA-PPI-Ms showed enhanced cellular uptake via FA receptor–mediated endocytosis and effectively eliminated reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced inflammatory cytokine production, and exhibited good biosafety. In vivo, FA-PPI-Ms significantly alleviated joint swelling and inflammation in RA rat models. Mechanistic studies based on RNA sequencing and experimental validation revealed that FA-PPI-Ms suppressed the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby promoting M2 macrophage polarization and restoring the M1/M2 balance. Conclusion This study presents a novel FA-PPI-Ms delivery system for targeted macrophages. By modulating polarization through inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling, the system offers a promising therapeutic strategy for RA and potentially other inflammatory diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-2f39e32afb034422b6e657d1b76ac9f02025-08-20T04:03:07ZengBMCJournal of Nanobiotechnology1477-31552025-07-0123112410.1186/s12951-025-03576-8Engineered Panax notoginseng polysaccharide micelles inhibit macrophage polarization and delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathwayYang Yu0Liang Kong1Rui-bo Guo2Ya-ni Zhang3Shu-tong Li4Feng-yuan Zhang5Xin Wang6Yang Liu7Xiu-Ying Li8Xue-tao Li9College of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanxi Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug for the Treatment of Serious Diseases Basing on the Chronic Inflammation, Shanxi University of Chinese MedicineShanxi Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug for the Treatment of Serious Diseases Basing on the Chronic Inflammation, Shanxi University of Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanxi Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug for the Treatment of Serious Diseases Basing on the Chronic Inflammation, Shanxi University of Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Background The imbalance of macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Reprogramming macrophages from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype is considered a promising therapeutic strategy. Methods To address this challenge, Panax notoginseng polysaccharides (PNP) with varying molecular weights were chemically conjugated with deoxycholic acid (DC) to obtain amphiphilic conjugates (PNP-DC), which self-assembled into micelles (PNP-Ms). After screening for optimal molecular weight, folic acid (FA) was introduced onto the micelle surface, and Polyphyllin I (PPI) was encapsulated to form FA-modified, PPI-loaded micelles (FA-PPI-Ms) with macrophage-targeting capability. Results FA-PPI-Ms showed enhanced cellular uptake via FA receptor–mediated endocytosis and effectively eliminated reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced inflammatory cytokine production, and exhibited good biosafety. In vivo, FA-PPI-Ms significantly alleviated joint swelling and inflammation in RA rat models. Mechanistic studies based on RNA sequencing and experimental validation revealed that FA-PPI-Ms suppressed the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby promoting M2 macrophage polarization and restoring the M1/M2 balance. Conclusion This study presents a novel FA-PPI-Ms delivery system for targeted macrophages. By modulating polarization through inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling, the system offers a promising therapeutic strategy for RA and potentially other inflammatory diseases.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03576-8Rheumatoid arthritisPanax Notoginseng polysaccharideMicellesMacrophage polarizationJAK2-STAT3
spellingShingle Yang Yu
Liang Kong
Rui-bo Guo
Ya-ni Zhang
Shu-tong Li
Feng-yuan Zhang
Xin Wang
Yang Liu
Xiu-Ying Li
Xue-tao Li
Engineered Panax notoginseng polysaccharide micelles inhibit macrophage polarization and delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway
Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Rheumatoid arthritis
Panax Notoginseng polysaccharide
Micelles
Macrophage polarization
JAK2-STAT3
title Engineered Panax notoginseng polysaccharide micelles inhibit macrophage polarization and delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway
title_full Engineered Panax notoginseng polysaccharide micelles inhibit macrophage polarization and delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway
title_fullStr Engineered Panax notoginseng polysaccharide micelles inhibit macrophage polarization and delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway
title_full_unstemmed Engineered Panax notoginseng polysaccharide micelles inhibit macrophage polarization and delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway
title_short Engineered Panax notoginseng polysaccharide micelles inhibit macrophage polarization and delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway
title_sort engineered panax notoginseng polysaccharide micelles inhibit macrophage polarization and delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via jak2 stat3 signaling pathway
topic Rheumatoid arthritis
Panax Notoginseng polysaccharide
Micelles
Macrophage polarization
JAK2-STAT3
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03576-8
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