Logo

American Heart Association

  34
  0


Final ID: TAC243

MODULATION OF TLR9-MEDIATED INFLAMMATION IN MACROPHAGES AS A THERAPEUTIC APPROACH FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IN OBESITY

Abstract Body: Erectile dysfunction (ED) in obesity is closely linked to chronic inflammation, immune activation, and endothelial dysfunction. Macrophages play a key role in this process, with Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) acting as a critical mediator. In obesity, elevated levels of circulating cell-free DNA function as damage-associated molecular patterns, activating TLR9 in macrophages and promoting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, which may impair erectile function. We hypothesized that TLR9 activation in macrophages exacerbates the inflammatory profile and contributes to vascular dysfunction involved in ED, and that the targeted inhibition of this pathway could be therapeutically beneficial. To investigate this, we developed poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles designed to be engulfed by macrophages via surface presentation of phosphatidylserine (PS:PLG), acting as carriers for TLR9-targeting agents. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that PLG microparticles alone were poorly internalized by macrophages, with uptake observed in only 18.1% of cells, whereas PS-coated PLG (PS:PLG) particles significantly enhanced internalization, reaching 70.1% of cells. In LPS-stimulated macrophages, PS:PLG reduced in ~50% the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 and increased in ~50% IL-10 levels, indicating an anti-inflammatory shift. When loaded with the TLR9 agonist, ODN2395, PS:PLG microparticles enhanced the pro-inflammatory cytokine release, confirming its selective targeting and delivery efficiency. To assess functional effects, isolated corpus cavernosum, aorta, and pudendal artery from C57BL/6J mice were co-incubated with macrophages and ODN2395. After 24 hours, tissues were mounted in myographs to assess vascular reactivity. ODN2395 increased phenylephrine-induced maximal contraction in the pudendal artery (Emax control: 8.11 ± 0.77 mN vs ODN2395: 12.51 ± 1.22 mN) and corpus cavernosum (Emax control: 0.8 ± 0.11 mN vs ODN2395: 1.5 ± 0.06 mN) independent of macrophage presence. No significant changes were observed in aorta. These findings suggest that TLR9 activation contributes to a pro-inflammatory phenotype and vascular dysfunction relevant to ED. Therefore, in vivo experiments are needed to support the potential of PS:PLG microparticles to selectively target macrophages and modulate TLR9-driven inflammation as a promising approach for the treatment of immune-mediated erectile dysfunction in obesity.
  • Vieira Dos Santos, Cintia  ( University of Sao Paulo , Ribeirao Preto , Brazil )
  • Silva Carneiro, Fernando  ( University of Sao Paulo , Ribeirao Preto , Brazil )
  • Priviero, Fernanda  ( University of South Carolina , Columbia , South Carolina , United States )
  • Tomazini Goncalves, Tiago  ( University of South Carolina , Columbia , South Carolina , United States )
  • Oliveira Assis, Victor  ( University of Sao Paulo , Ribeirao Preto , Brazil )
  • Elias-oliveira, Jefferson  ( University of Sao Paulo , Ribeirao Preto , Brazil )
  • Rodrigues, Rinaldo  ( University of South Carolina , Columbia , South Carolina , United States )
  • Dos Anjos Moraes, Raiana  ( University of South Carolina , Columbia , South Carolina , United States )
  • Carlos, Daniela  ( University of Sao Paulo , Ribeirao Preto , Brazil )
  • Gower, Michael  ( University of South Carolina , Columbia , South Carolina , United States )
  • Webb, R Clinton  ( UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA , Columbia , South Carolina , United States )
  • Author Disclosures:
    Cintia Vieira dos Santos: DO NOT have relevant financial relationships | Fernando Silva Carneiro: No Answer | Fernanda Priviero: DO NOT have relevant financial relationships | Tiago Tomazini Goncalves: DO NOT have relevant financial relationships | Victor Oliveira Assis: No Answer | Jefferson Elias-Oliveira: No Answer | Rinaldo Rodrigues: No Answer | Raiana dos Anjos Moraes: DO NOT have relevant financial relationships | Daniela Carlos: No Answer | Michael Gower: No Answer | R Clinton Webb: DO NOT have relevant financial relationships
Meeting Info:
Session Info:

Poster Session 1 and Reception (includes TAC Poster Competition)

Thursday, 09/04/2025 , 05:30PM - 07:00PM

Poster Session

More abstracts from these authors:
Yoda2, a Novel Piezo1 Agonist, Induces Relaxation in Mouse Vascular and Corpus Cavernosum Tissues

Dosanjos Moraes Raiana, Vieira Dos Santos Cintia, Rodrigues Dos Passos Rinaldo, Tomazini Goncalves Tiago, Webb R Clinton, Priviero Fernanda

Obesity in Early Life Leads to Endothelial and Erectile Dysfunction in Young Adult Rats.

Dos Passos Rinaldo, Silva Carneiro Fernando, Ceravolo Graziela, Webb R Clinton, Priviero Fernanda, Vieira Dos Santos Cintia, Moura Kawane, Townsend Jr Paul, Wilson Emily, Tomazini Goncalves Tiago, Dosanjos Moraes Raiana, Wenceslau Camilla, Mccarthy Cam

You have to be authorized to contact abstract author. Please, Login
Not Available