Ginseng exosomes modulate M1/M2 polarisation by activating autophagy and target IKK/IкB/NF-кB to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease
Abstract Background Exosomes are involved in intercellular communication and regulation of the inflammatory microenvironment. In a previous study, we demonstrated that fresh ginseng exosomes (GEs) alleviated inflammatory bowel disease. However, the precise mechanism by which GEs activate the immune...
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Nanobiotechnology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03292-3 |
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| author | Song Yang Liangliang Fan Lijia Yin Yueming Zhao Wenjing Li Ronghua Zhao Xuxia Jia Fusong Dong Ze Zheng Daqing Zhao Jiawen Wang |
| author_facet | Song Yang Liangliang Fan Lijia Yin Yueming Zhao Wenjing Li Ronghua Zhao Xuxia Jia Fusong Dong Ze Zheng Daqing Zhao Jiawen Wang |
| author_sort | Song Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Exosomes are involved in intercellular communication and regulation of the inflammatory microenvironment. In a previous study, we demonstrated that fresh ginseng exosomes (GEs) alleviated inflammatory bowel disease. However, the precise mechanism by which GEs activate the immune system and subsequently inhibit the formation of intestinal inflammatory microenvironment remains unknown. Methods Herein, we investigated the effects of GEs on autophagy, macrophage polarisation, intestinal inflammation, and the epithelial barrier by means of transcriptome sequencing, network pharmacology, transmission electron microscopy, immunoblotting, flow cytometry and small molecule inhibitors. Results GEs significantly activated autophagy and M2-like macrophage polarisation, which could be blocked by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. In the co-culture system of macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells, macrophages treated with GEs secreted more interleukin-10 (IL-10) and significantly reduced Nitric oxide (NO) levels in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. Furthermore, GEs acted directly on intestinal epithelial cells through the IKK/IкB/NF-кB signalling pathway to reduce inflammation and restore the intestinal barrier. Orally administered GEs could restore disrupted colonic barriers, alleviate inflammatory bowel responses, and regulate the polarisation of intestinal macrophages in vivo. Conclusion In summary, GEs may be a potential treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, and targeting autophagy and macrophage polarisation may help alleviate intestinal inflammation. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-53e6d4709df54a5590b83bbb7eee2bca |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1477-3155 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Journal of Nanobiotechnology |
| spelling | doaj-art-53e6d4709df54a5590b83bbb7eee2bca2025-08-20T03:01:34ZengBMCJournal of Nanobiotechnology1477-31552025-03-0123112010.1186/s12951-025-03292-3Ginseng exosomes modulate M1/M2 polarisation by activating autophagy and target IKK/IкB/NF-кB to alleviate inflammatory bowel diseaseSong Yang0Liangliang Fan1Lijia Yin2Yueming Zhao3Wenjing Li4Ronghua Zhao5Xuxia Jia6Fusong Dong7Ze Zheng8Daqing Zhao9Jiawen Wang10Changchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineAbstract Background Exosomes are involved in intercellular communication and regulation of the inflammatory microenvironment. In a previous study, we demonstrated that fresh ginseng exosomes (GEs) alleviated inflammatory bowel disease. However, the precise mechanism by which GEs activate the immune system and subsequently inhibit the formation of intestinal inflammatory microenvironment remains unknown. Methods Herein, we investigated the effects of GEs on autophagy, macrophage polarisation, intestinal inflammation, and the epithelial barrier by means of transcriptome sequencing, network pharmacology, transmission electron microscopy, immunoblotting, flow cytometry and small molecule inhibitors. Results GEs significantly activated autophagy and M2-like macrophage polarisation, which could be blocked by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. In the co-culture system of macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells, macrophages treated with GEs secreted more interleukin-10 (IL-10) and significantly reduced Nitric oxide (NO) levels in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. Furthermore, GEs acted directly on intestinal epithelial cells through the IKK/IкB/NF-кB signalling pathway to reduce inflammation and restore the intestinal barrier. Orally administered GEs could restore disrupted colonic barriers, alleviate inflammatory bowel responses, and regulate the polarisation of intestinal macrophages in vivo. Conclusion In summary, GEs may be a potential treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, and targeting autophagy and macrophage polarisation may help alleviate intestinal inflammation. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03292-3Ginseng exosomesAutophagyIntestinal barrierM1/M2 polarisation |
| spellingShingle | Song Yang Liangliang Fan Lijia Yin Yueming Zhao Wenjing Li Ronghua Zhao Xuxia Jia Fusong Dong Ze Zheng Daqing Zhao Jiawen Wang Ginseng exosomes modulate M1/M2 polarisation by activating autophagy and target IKK/IкB/NF-кB to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease Journal of Nanobiotechnology Ginseng exosomes Autophagy Intestinal barrier M1/M2 polarisation |
| title | Ginseng exosomes modulate M1/M2 polarisation by activating autophagy and target IKK/IкB/NF-кB to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease |
| title_full | Ginseng exosomes modulate M1/M2 polarisation by activating autophagy and target IKK/IкB/NF-кB to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease |
| title_fullStr | Ginseng exosomes modulate M1/M2 polarisation by activating autophagy and target IKK/IкB/NF-кB to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ginseng exosomes modulate M1/M2 polarisation by activating autophagy and target IKK/IкB/NF-кB to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease |
| title_short | Ginseng exosomes modulate M1/M2 polarisation by activating autophagy and target IKK/IкB/NF-кB to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease |
| title_sort | ginseng exosomes modulate m1 m2 polarisation by activating autophagy and target ikk iкb nf кb to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease |
| topic | Ginseng exosomes Autophagy Intestinal barrier M1/M2 polarisation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03292-3 |
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