Fig. 7
The FDA-approved drug bexarotene inhibits M1 macrophage polarization and alleviates arthritis in CIA model mice. A Workflow of the molecular docking and virtual screening analyses. B Molecular docking of bexarotene to Pim2 and the bonds between bexarotene and Pim2. C Pim2 (2IWI or 4X7Q) interacting with bexarotene at the beginning and end of 40-ns molecular dynamics simulations. D, E The RMSD and potential energy plot indicating the interaction between Pim2 and bexarotene (PDB 2IWI). F, G The RMSD and potential energy plot indicating the interaction between Pim2 and bexarotene (PDB ID: 4X7Q). H, I MFIs of HLA-DR and CD206 in CD68+ hMDMs treated with or without bexarotene (200 or 400 nM) after M1/M2 induction, as detected by flow cytometry (n = 3). J Schematic of CIA model mice treated orally with bexarotene (25 or 50 mg/kg). K CIA scores and hind paw thickness of the mice in each group (n = 6). L Macroscopic images, micro-CT, H&E, and safranin O staining of the ankles from the mice in each group (n = 6). M The expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in mice from each group after CIA induction, as detected by IHC. N The expression of iNOS and Arg-1 in the synovial macrophages of the mice in each group, as detected by immunofluorescence staining (F4/80, green; iNOS, red; Arg-1, red)
