Remdesivir inhibits endothelial activation and atherosclerosis by coupling TAL1 to TRAF6

Abstract Background Atherosclerosis is characterized by complex pathological processes, including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms have been well elucidated; however, effective treatments are yet to be validated. Our study explored the novel application...

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Main Authors: Hanning Zhang, Ruru Li, Qianqian Huo, Li Li, Min Li, Shunxin Hu, Changjie Ren, Zongyin Wu, Chenghu Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Translational Medicine
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06673-2
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author Hanning Zhang
Ruru Li
Qianqian Huo
Li Li
Min Li
Shunxin Hu
Changjie Ren
Zongyin Wu
Chenghu Zhang
author_facet Hanning Zhang
Ruru Li
Qianqian Huo
Li Li
Min Li
Shunxin Hu
Changjie Ren
Zongyin Wu
Chenghu Zhang
author_sort Hanning Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Atherosclerosis is characterized by complex pathological processes, including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms have been well elucidated; however, effective treatments are yet to be validated. Our study explored the novel application of a recognized antiviral agent, remdesivir, focusing on its impact on endothelial activation and atherosclerosis. Methods Pharmacological treatment with remdesivir significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in the total aorta and decreased VCAM-1 expression in aortic roots of ApoE−/− mice. Remdesivir notably attenuated ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell (EC) activation, monocyte adhesion, and ROS production. In HUVECs, TAL1 interference via siRNA significantly increased TRAF6 protein levels, which was reversed by remdesivir. Remdesivir also reduced both total and K63-linked ubiquitination of TRAF6 in HUVECs. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed diminished co-localization of the two proteins under ox-LDL treatment, but this effect was reversed by remdesivir. Importantly, ectopic adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of TAL1 reduced atherosclerotic lesions and VCAM-1 expression in the aorta of ApoE−/− mice. Results In ApoE–/– mice fed with a Western diet, remdesivir greatly attenuated atherosclerosis progression. At the cellular level, remdesivir suppressed oxidative stress, THP-1 adhesion, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 via oxidized low-density lipoprotein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia 1 (TAL1) functions by interacting with the ubiquitin E3 ligase TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) to ubiquitinate TRAF6, inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B activation. Remdesivir also restored the TAL1-TRAF6 interaction and decreased endothelial activation. Endothelial-specific TAL1 over-expression in ApoE–/– mice significantly reduced aortic plaque formation. Conclusions Remdesivir impedes atherosclerosis progression by re-establishing the interaction between TAL1 and TRAF6, diminishing endothelial activation. These findings offer an innovative therapeutic approach for atherosclerosis.
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spelling doaj-art-b18e55f0fd9f47e5bc887d10a7059a192025-08-20T03:04:20ZengBMCJournal of Translational Medicine1479-58762025-07-0123111810.1186/s12967-025-06673-2Remdesivir inhibits endothelial activation and atherosclerosis by coupling TAL1 to TRAF6Hanning Zhang0Ruru Li1Qianqian Huo2Li Li3Min Li4Shunxin Hu5Changjie Ren6Zongyin Wu7Chenghu Zhang8Shandong First Medical UniversityShandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, Jining First People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, Jining First People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, Jining First People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityShandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, Jining First People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, Jining First People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, Jining First People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityAbstract Background Atherosclerosis is characterized by complex pathological processes, including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms have been well elucidated; however, effective treatments are yet to be validated. Our study explored the novel application of a recognized antiviral agent, remdesivir, focusing on its impact on endothelial activation and atherosclerosis. Methods Pharmacological treatment with remdesivir significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in the total aorta and decreased VCAM-1 expression in aortic roots of ApoE−/− mice. Remdesivir notably attenuated ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell (EC) activation, monocyte adhesion, and ROS production. In HUVECs, TAL1 interference via siRNA significantly increased TRAF6 protein levels, which was reversed by remdesivir. Remdesivir also reduced both total and K63-linked ubiquitination of TRAF6 in HUVECs. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed diminished co-localization of the two proteins under ox-LDL treatment, but this effect was reversed by remdesivir. Importantly, ectopic adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of TAL1 reduced atherosclerotic lesions and VCAM-1 expression in the aorta of ApoE−/− mice. Results In ApoE–/– mice fed with a Western diet, remdesivir greatly attenuated atherosclerosis progression. At the cellular level, remdesivir suppressed oxidative stress, THP-1 adhesion, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 via oxidized low-density lipoprotein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia 1 (TAL1) functions by interacting with the ubiquitin E3 ligase TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) to ubiquitinate TRAF6, inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B activation. Remdesivir also restored the TAL1-TRAF6 interaction and decreased endothelial activation. Endothelial-specific TAL1 over-expression in ApoE–/– mice significantly reduced aortic plaque formation. Conclusions Remdesivir impedes atherosclerosis progression by re-establishing the interaction between TAL1 and TRAF6, diminishing endothelial activation. These findings offer an innovative therapeutic approach for atherosclerosis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06673-2
spellingShingle Hanning Zhang
Ruru Li
Qianqian Huo
Li Li
Min Li
Shunxin Hu
Changjie Ren
Zongyin Wu
Chenghu Zhang
Remdesivir inhibits endothelial activation and atherosclerosis by coupling TAL1 to TRAF6
Journal of Translational Medicine
title Remdesivir inhibits endothelial activation and atherosclerosis by coupling TAL1 to TRAF6
title_full Remdesivir inhibits endothelial activation and atherosclerosis by coupling TAL1 to TRAF6
title_fullStr Remdesivir inhibits endothelial activation and atherosclerosis by coupling TAL1 to TRAF6
title_full_unstemmed Remdesivir inhibits endothelial activation and atherosclerosis by coupling TAL1 to TRAF6
title_short Remdesivir inhibits endothelial activation and atherosclerosis by coupling TAL1 to TRAF6
title_sort remdesivir inhibits endothelial activation and atherosclerosis by coupling tal1 to traf6
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06673-2
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