Nemopilema nomurai jellyfish venom attenuates phenotypic modulation of PDGF BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and κ-carrageenan-induced rat tail thrombosis.

Jellyfish venoms have long been recognized as a potentially rich source of natural bioactive compounds with pharmacological potential for the creation of innovative drugs. Our previous study demonstrated that Nemopilema nomurai jellyfish venom (NnV) has a chymotrypsin-like serine protease with fibrinolytic activity in vitro. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the potential effect of NnV on cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC; A7r5 cells) involved in the probable mechanism pathways. We also determined its anti-thrombotic effect through κ-carrageenan-induced Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat tail thrombus model. NnV inhibits on Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated A7r5 cells migration and proliferation by decreasing matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) level and phosphorylation of ERK and Akt in a dose-dependent manner, but not p38. Furthermore, NnV regulates the phenotype transition of differentiation in PDGF-BB-stimulated A7r5 cells via ɑ-SMA and calponin in a dose-dependent manner. In an in vivo study, NnV treatment demonstrated clear anti-thrombotic activity in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with decreased thrombus formation and length in κ-carrageenan-induced SD rat tail. These findings suggested that NnV has a novel fibrinolytic enzyme that can be used to prevent and/or treat thrombosis-related cardiovascular disorders.