Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) attenuate Th17 cell differentiation in CIA mice via inhibition of nuclear PKM2-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation

Context Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with aberrant Th17 cell differentiation. Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen (Araliaceae) saponins (PNS) have an anti-inflammatory effect and can suppress Th17 cell differentiation. Objective To investigate mechanisms of PNS on Th17 cell differentiation in RA, and the role of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). Materials and methods Naive CD4(+)T cells were treated with IL-6, IL-23 and TGF-beta to induce Th17 cell differentiation. Apart from the Control group, other cells were treated with PNS (5, 10, 20 mu g/mL). After the treatment, Th17 cell differentiation, PKM2 expression, and STAT3 phosphorylation were measured via flow cytometry, western blots, or immunofluorescence. PKM2-specific allosteric activator (Tepp-46, 50, 100, 150 mu M) and inhibitor (SAICAR, 2, 4, 8 mu M) were used to verify the mechanisms. A CIA mouse model was established and divided into control, model, and PNS (100 mg/kg) groups to assess an anti-arthritis effect, Th17 cell differentiation, and PKM2/STAT3 expression. Results PKM2 expression, dimerization, and nuclear accumulation were upregulated upon Th17 cell differentiation. PNS inhibited the Th17 cells, ROR gamma t expression, IL-17A levels, PKM2 dimerization, and nuclear accumulation and Y705-STAT3 phosphorylation in Th17 cells. Using Tepp-46 (100 mu M) and SAICAR (4 mu M), we demonstrated that PNS (10 mu g/mL) inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and Th17 cell differentiation by suppressing nuclear PKM2 accumulation. In CIA mice, PNS attenuated CIA symptoms, reduced the number of splenic Th17 cells and nuclear PKM2/STAT3 signaling. Discussion and conclusions PNS inhibited Th17 cell differentiation through the inhibition of nuclear PKM2-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation. PNS may be useful for treating RA.

Automated summary

This study investigated the mechanisms of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on Th17 cell differentiation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the role of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). PNS suppressed Th17 cell differentiation by inhibiting nuclear PKM2-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation. The results suggest that PNS may be beneficial for the treatment of RA.