EphA2 blockage ALW-II-41-27 alleviates atherosclerosis by remodeling gut microbiota to regulate bile acid metabolism

Coronary artery disease (CAD), a critical condition resulting from systemic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and gut microbiota dysbiosis, poses a global public health challenge. ALW-II-41-27, a specific inhibitor of the EphA2 receptor, has shown anti-inflammatory prosperities. However, the impact of ALW-II-41-27 on atherosclerosis has not been elucidated. This study aimed to examine the roles of pharmacologically inhibiting EphA2 and the underlying mechanism in ameliorating atherosclerosis. ALW-II-41-27 was administered to apoE^-/- mice fed a high-fat diet via intraperitoneal injection. We first discovered that ALW-II-41-27 led to a significant reduction in atherosclerotic plaques, evidenced by reduced lipid and macrophage accumulation, alongside an increase in collagen and smooth muscle cell content. ALW-II-41-27 also significantly lowered plasma and hepatic cholesterol levels, as well as the colonic inflammation. Furthermore, gut microbiota was analyzed by metagenomics and plasma metabolites by untargeted metabolomics. ALW-II-41-27-treated mice enriched Enterococcus, Akkermansia, Eggerthella and Lactobaccilus, accompanied by enhanced secondary bile acids production. To explore the causal link between ALW-II-41-27-associated gut microbiota and atherosclerosis, fecal microbiota transplantation was employed. Mice that received ALW-II-41-27-treated mouse feces exhibited the attenuated atherosclerotic plaque. In clinical, lower plasma DCA and HDCA levels were determined in CAD patients using quantitative metabolomics and exhibited a negative correlation with higher monocytes EphA2 expression. Our findings underscore the potential of ALW-II-41-27 as a novel therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis, highlighting its capacity to modulate gut microbiota composition and bile acid metabolism, thereby offering a promising avenue for CAD.