Fig 2: UVB irradiation decreased body weight and inflammation. A Representative body weight in two groups. B The TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C level in mouse serum. C Representative protein expression of MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-1β in the aorta. n = 3. D Statistical analysis of C. E–G There was decreased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in UVB irradiation mouse serum. n = 4. **p < 0.01 vs CTR group

Fig 3: UVB irradiation decreased macrophage inflammatory cytokine expression. A Representative inflammatory cytokine protein expression of MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. n = 3. B Statistical analysis of A. C–H UVB irradiation decreased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α level in culture supernatant of peritoneal macrophages induced by OX-LDL or not induced by OX-LDL. n = 6–8. *p < 0.05 vs CTR group.**p < 0.01 vs CTR group

Fig 4: UVB irradiation increased M2 polarization of peritoneal macrophages in atherosclerotic mice. A Representative flow cytometry analysis of peritoneal macrophages in mice. B Statistical analysis of A. C Representative proportion of CD204 and CD163 positive cells in mouse peritoneal macrophages. n = 4 or 5. D Statistical analysis of C. E–H IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 mRNA expression in peritoneal macrophages from the two groups. n = 4. *p < 0.05 vs CTR group; **p < 0.01 vs CTR

Fig 5: Hirudin suppresses TGF-β-induced fibrosis and MCP-1 expression via S1P/S1PR2/S1PR3 signaling-mediated PAR1 inhibition. (A) Expression levels of collagen IV, FN and MMP-9 in HK-2 cells were determined by western blotting. (B) Relative mRNA level of MCP-1 in HK-2 cells was analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. (C) MCP-1 expression in HK-2 cells was quantified by western blotting. Error bars represent the mean ± SEM from three independent experiments. ***P<0.001 vs. the control. ###P<0.001 vs. TGF-β. ∆P<0.05, ∆∆P<0.01 and ∆∆∆P<0.001 vs. TGF-β+hirudun (1 mg/ml). MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; S1PR, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor; PAR1, protease-activated receptor 1; FN, fibronectin; S1P, sphingosine-1-phosphate; TFL, TFLLR-NH2.