Genistein inhibits angiogenesis developed during rheumatoid arthritis through the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3/VEGF signalling pathway

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis plays an important role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which increases the supply of nutrients, cytokines, and inflammatory cells to the synovial membrane. Genistein (GEN), a soy-derived isoflavone, has been validated that can effectively inhibit the angiogenesis of several tumours. We thus carried out a study in vitro to investigate the effect of GEN in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and angiogenesis induced by the inflammatory environment of RA. METHODS: MH7A cells were used to verify whether GEN can inhibit the expression of VEGF in MH7A cells under inflammatory conditions and demonstrate the mechanism. EA.hy926 ​cells were used to verify whether GEN can inhibit the migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells in inflammatory environment. RESULTS: GEN dose-dependently inhibited the expression and secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and VEGF, as well as the nucleus translocation of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in MH7A. Furthermore, GEN inhibited IL-6–induced vascular endothelial cell migration and tube formation in vitro. CONCLUSION: GEN inhibits IL-6–induced VEGF expression and angiogenesis partially through the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/STAT3 pathway in RA, which has provided a novel insight into the antiangiogenic activity of GEN in RA. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: Our study provides scientific guidance for the clinical translational research of GEN in the RA treatment.