Solanum lycopersicum derived exosome-like nanovesicles alleviate restenosis after vascular injury through the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway

Food Funct. 2025 Jan 20;16(2):539-553. doi: 10.1039/d4fo03993a.

Abstract

Despite the significant alleviation of clinical cardiovascular diseases through appropriate interventional treatments, the recurrence of vascular restenosis necessitating reoperation remains a substantial challenge impacting patient prognosis. Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PELNs) are integral to interspecies cellular communication, with their functions and potential applications garnering significant attention from the research community. This study extracted Solanum lycopersicum-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (SL-ELNs) and demonstrated their inhibition of PDGF-BB-induced proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Mechanistically, miRNA164a/b-5p within the SL-ELNs reduced the expression of Keap1 mRNA, thereby increasing nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and enhancing the expression of antioxidant genes to alleviate oxidative stress. In a mouse carotid artery injury model, it was further confirmed that miRNA164a/b-5p within the SL-ELNs could inhibit neointimal hyperplasia. These results suggest that SL-ELNs inhibit VSMCs proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation, and they might be potential therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of restenosis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carotid Artery Injuries / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation* / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Exosomes* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1* / genetics
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1* / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL*
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* / cytology
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2* / genetics
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2* / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Vascular System Injuries / metabolism

Substances

  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nfe2l2 protein, mouse
  • Keap1 protein, mouse