Methotrexate attenuates vascular inflammation through an adenosine-microRNA-dependent pathway.

Abstract

Endothelial cell (EC) activation is an early hallmark in the pathogenesis of chronic vascular diseases. MicroRNA-181b (<i>Mir181b</i>) is an important anti-inflammatory mediator in the vascular endothelium affecting endotoxemia, atherosclerosis, and insulin resistance. Herein, we identify that the drug methotrexate (MTX) and its downstream metabolite adenosine exert anti-inflammatory effects in the vascular endothelium by targeting and activating <i>Mir181b</i> expression. Both systemic and endothelial-specific <i>Mir181a2b2</i>-deficient mice develop vascular inflammation, white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation, and insulin resistance in a diet-induced obesity model. Moreover, MTX attenuated diet-induced WAT inflammation, insulin resistance, and EC activation in a <i>Mir181a2b2</i>-dependent manner. Mechanistically, MTX attenuated cytokine-induced EC activation through a unique adenosine-adenosine receptor A3-SMAD3/4-<i>Mir181b</i> signaling cascade. These findings establish an essential role of endothelial <i>Mir181b</i> in controlling vascular inflammation and that restoring <i>Mir181b</i> in ECs by high-dose MTX or adenosine signaling may provide a potential therapeutic opportunity for anti-inflammatory therapy.