Epigenetic modification of CD4⁺ T cells into Tregs by 5-azacytidine as cellular therapeutic for atherosclerosis treatment.

ABSTRACT: Recent research has explored the potential of the demethylating drug 5-azacytidine (Aza) as therapy for a range of diseases. However, the therapeutic efficacy of Aza for patients of atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study investigates the therapeutic application of Aza to atherosclerosis in order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We generated induced Tregs (iTregs) from CD4⁺ T cells by using Aza in vitro, and this was followed by the intravenous infusion of iTregs for the treatment of atherosclerosis. The adoptive transfer of Aza-iTreg significantly increased peripheral blood Treg cells, suppressed inflammation, and attenuated atherosclerosis in ApoE^-/- mice. Furthermore, we observed a notable demethylation of the Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)-regulatory T cell-sp

SUBMITTER: Zhu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11415506 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature