Baicalein alleviates cardiomyocyte death in EAM mice by inhibiting the JAK-STAT1/4 signalling pathway

Abstract

Background: The experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) model is valuable for investigating myocarditis pathogenesis. M1-type macrophages and CD4⁺T cells exert key pathogenic effects on EAM initiation and progression. Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone, C₁₅H₁₀O₅, BAI), which is derived from the Scutellaria baicalensis root, is a primary bioactive compound with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. BAI exerts good therapeutic effects against various autoimmune diseases; however, its effect in EAM has not been thoroughly researched.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the possible inhibitory effect of BAI on M1 macrophage polarisation and CD4⁺T cell differentiation into Th1 cells via modulation of the JAK-STAT1/4 signalling pathway, which reduces the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors, namely, TNF-α and IFN-γ, and consequently inhibits TNF-α- and IFN-γ-triggered apoptosis in cardiomyocytes of the EAM model mice.

Study design and methods: Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), and western blotting were performed to determine whether BAI alleviated M1/Th1-secreted TNF-α- and IFN-γ-induced myocyte death in the EAM model mice through the inhibition of the JAK-STAT1/4 signalling pathway.

Results: These results indicate that BAI intervention in mice resulted in mild inflammatory infiltrates. BAI inhibited JAK-STAT1 signalling in macrophages both in vivo and in vitro, which attenuated macrophage polarisation to the M1 type and reduced TNF-α secretion. Additionally, BAI significantly inhibited the differentiation of CD4⁺T cells to Th1 cells and IFN-γ secretion both in vivo and in vitro by modulating the JAK-STAT1/4 signalling pathway. This ultimately led to decreased TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in cardiac tissues and reduced myocardial cell apoptosis.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that BAI alleviates M1/Th1-secreted TNF-α- and IFN-γ-induced cardiomyocyte death in EAM mice by inhibiting the JAK-STAT1/4 signalling pathway.

Keywords: BAI; EAM; M1-type macrophages; Myocyte death; Th1 cells.