Isoliensinine promotes the clearance of senescent vascular smooth muscle cells by natural killer cells [MOVAS]

Atherosclerosis (AS) is an age-related disease whose incidence increases with advancing age. During disease pathogenesis, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo senescence within the plaques and secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors, which contributes to the development and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. As key effector cells of the innate immune system, natural killer (NK) cells can specifically recognize and eliminate senescent cells; however, their role in inhibiting AS progression and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Isoliensinine (IsoL) is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from lotus plumule, which exerts anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Studies have shown that IsoL can effectively enhance the immune clearance of tumor cells by NK cells, suggesting that this compound may also have the potential to inhibit AS progression by regulating the recognition and elimination of abnormal target cells by immune cells.