Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of the Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737 on experimental allergic rhinitis models

Cang-ai volatile oil alleviates nasal inflammation via Th1/Th2 cell imbalance regulation in a rat model of ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis

We previously revealed that Cang-ai volatile oil (CAVO) regulates T-cell activity, enhancing the immune response in people with chronic respiratory diseases. However, the effects of CAVO on allergic rhinitis (AR) have not been investigated. Herein, we established an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR rat model to determine these effects. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to OVA for 3 weeks. CAVO or loratadine (positive control) was given orally once daily for 2 weeks to OVA-exposed rats. Behavior modeling nasal allergies was observed. Nasal mucosa, serum, and spleen samples of AR rats were analyzed. CAVO treatment significantly reduced the number of nose rubs and sneezes, and ameliorated several hallmarks of nasal mucosa tissue remodeling: inflammation, eosinophilic infiltration, goblet cell metaplasia, and mast cell hyperplasia. CAVO administration markedly upregulated expressions of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, and IL-12, and downregulated expressions of serum tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, immunoglobulin-E, and histamine. CAVO therapy also increased production of IFN-γ and T-helper type 1 (Th1)-specific T-box transcription factor (T-bet) of the cluster of differentiation-4+ T-cells in splenic lymphocytes, and protein and mRNA expressions of T-bet in nasal mucosa. In contrast, levels of the Th2 cytokine IL-4 and Th2-specific transcription factor GATA binding protein-3 were suppressed by CAVO. These cumulative findings demonstrate that CAVO therapy can alleviate AR by regulating the balance between Th1 and Th2 cells.

The Protective Effect of a Functional Food Consisting of Astragalus membranaceus, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Angelica gigas or Its Active Component Formononetin against Inflammatory Skin Disorders through Suppression of TSLP via MDM2/HIF1α Signaling Pathways

An herbal mixture (SH003) of Astragalus membranaceus, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Angelica gigas exhibits therapeutic effects on carcinomas and immunosuppression. However, the role of JRP-SNF102, which is an advanced mixture of SH003, in regulating inflammatory responses is unexplored. We aim to substantiate the therapeutic potential of JRP-SNF102 and its active component, formononetin (FMN), as a functional food that moderates inflammatory responses. The inhibitory effects of JRP-SNF102 or FMN on thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels were evaluated in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187-activated human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) cells and a mouse model of PMA-induced ear edema. The JRP-SNF102 or FMN inhibited the secretion and mRNA expression of TSLP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the activated HMC-1 cells. The expression levels of murine double minute 2 (MDM2), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), and NF-κB were also suppressed by JRP-SNF102 or FMN in the activated HMC-1 cells. The JRP-SNF102 or FMN inhibited TSLP and VEGF levels, attenuating redness and ear thickness in mice with acute ear edema; JRP-SNF102 or FMN reduced the expression levels of MDM2, HIF1α, and NF-κB in the ear tissues. These findings suggest the potential for JRP-SNF102 as a functional food in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders through suppression of TSLP and VEGF.

MicroRNA-214-3p facilitates M2 macrophage polarization by targeting GSK3B

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa. M2 macrophage polarization can reduce inflammation and repair tissue injury during AR development. Studies have substantiated the involvement of miRNAs in AR pathogenesis. Herein, the molecular mechanism of miR-214-3p in AR development was explored. To mimic the AR environment, ovalbumin (OVA) was used to treat macrophages. MiR-214-3p and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) expression in nasal mucus tissues and macrophages was assessed by RT-qPCR. The M2 phenotypic signature of CD206 in macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry. The protein expression of GSK3B and M2 macrophage markers (ARG-1 and IL-10) was evaluated by western blotting. The correlation between miR-214-3p and GSK3B was validated by a luciferase reporter assay. We found that miR-214-3p was overexpressed in macrophages and nasal mucus tissues from AR patients. MiR-214-3p facilitated M2 polarization of macrophages upon OVA stimulation. Mechanistically, miR-214-3p targeted the GSK3B 3' untranslated region in macrophages. In addition, GSK3B was downregulated in macrophages and nasal mucus tissues from AR patients. In rescue assays, GSK3B downregulation reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-214-3p silencing on M2 polarization of macrophages treated with OVA. Overall, miR-214-3p facilitates M2 macrophage polarization by targeting GSK3B.

Dual Role of p73 in Cancer Microenvironment and DNA Damage Response

Understanding the mechanisms that regulate cancer progression is pivotal for the development of new therapies. Although p53 is mutated in half of human cancers, its family member p73 is not. At the same time, isoforms of p73 are often overexpressed in cancers and p73 can overtake many p53 functions to kill abnormal cells. According to the latest studies, while p73 represses epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis, it can also promote tumour growth by modulating crosstalk between cancer and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, M2 macrophage polarisation, Th2 T-cell differentiation, and angiogenesis. Thus, p73 likely plays a dual role as a tumor suppressor by regulating apoptosis in response to genotoxic stress or as an oncoprotein by promoting the immunosuppressive environment and immune cell differentiation.

Inhibition of miR-16 Ameliorates Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Modulating Bcl-2 in Mouse Models

BACKGROUND

In recent years, microRNA (miRNA) is considered as a potential therapy target. To study the regulatory mechanism and therapeutic effect of miRNAs on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we investigated microRNAs that regulate apoptosis-related protein B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). We examined the role of miR-16 in IBD and the effect of inhibiting the expression of miR-16 on disease progression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dextran sulfate sodium was used to induce ulcerative colitis in mice. RNA and protein were extracted from the rectal mucosa of mice. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of miR-16 and Bcl-2. The effects of miR-16 on intestinal mucosal immunity were studied by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and inflammatory factors such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were detected. The weight changes, disease activity index, length of the rectal colon, and pathological score of the mice were used to evaluate the effect of inhibiting miR-16 on disease progression. Through the establishment of overexpression and low expression cell lines of miR-16, the regulation of miR-16 on Bcl-2 was studied.

RESULTS

MiR-16 was overexpressed in the IBD model, whereas Bcl-2 had lower expression in the mucosa. Inhibiting expression of miR-16 significantly decreased the expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. In mice, the weight change, disease activity index, and pathological score decreased in the experimental group, in which miR-16 was inhibited. High expression of miR-16 can inhibit Bcl-2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-16 plays a critical role in IBD via Bcl-2 and is a promising target in IBD therapy.

Potential anti-inflammatory effect of Madi-Ryuk and its active ingredient tannic acid on allergic rhinitis

Madi-Ryuk (MDR) is a traditional Korean medicine and it has been widely used in Korea to treat arthritis and we previously reported the anti-allergic inflammatory effect of MDR in vitro model. However, therapeutic evidence of MDR on in vivo model of allergic inflammatory reaction has not yet been demonstrated. The research purpose was to investigate the efficacy of MDR and its active ingredient tannic acid (TA) in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR mice model. OVA-challenged AR mice orally medicated MDR or its active ingredient TA daily for ten days. In mice having a AR, MDR and TA prominently diminished number of rubs and levels of histamine, IgE, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-33, and tumor necrosis factor-α. In addition, protein expression levels and activities of caspase-1 were declined by oral medication of MDR and TA. Decline in levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and intercellular adhesion molecules-1 and reduction in penetrations of inflammatory cells into inflamed tissue were also noted in MDR and TA groups. Taken together, identification of MDR effect in preclinical models suggests that MDR may be a therapeutic drug for the treatment and prevention of AR.

Pharmacology mechanism of Flos magnoliae and Centipeda minima for treating allergic rhinitis based on pharmacology network

Chinese herbs such as Flos magnoliae (FM) and Centipeda minima (CM) can be effective in treating allergic rhinitis (AR). However, there is little research on the therapeutic mechanism of these two drugs acting on AR at the same time. In order to systematically understand the mechanism of action of two drugs acting on AR at the same time, we searched various databases to obtain 31 components and 289 target proteins of FM, 25 components and 465 target proteins of CM. The interaction networks of FM, CM, and AR proteins were constructed by Cytoscape-v3.2.1 software. The core protein of two network intersections was obtained by using Venny 2.1.0. The R platform was used for the core target protein gene ontology (GO) comment analysis and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway analysis. Thirteen common targets and seven acting pathways were obtained. The results of animal experiments showed that FM and CM volatile oil could effectively improve the symptoms of AR by regulating the common targets. In summary, this study successfully explained the potential therapeutic mechanism of FM and CM in the treatment of AR. At the same time, it indicates that the two drugs can be compatible as a new application.

The ameliorative effect of AST2017-01 in an ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis animal model

OBJECTIVE

AST2017-01 is developed to be used for treatment and prevention of allergic diseases and composed of processed-Cordyceps militaris and processed-Rumex crispus. But, effect of AST2017-01 remains unclear in an allergic rhinitis (AR). So, this study aimed to explore the effects of AST2017-01 in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR animal model.

METHODS

OVA-induced AR animals were orally administered AST2017-01 and chrysophanol, an active component of AST2017-01 for 10 days.

RESULTS

In mice with AR, AST2017-01 and chrysophanol markedly decreased number of rubs, IgE, histamine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in serum or nasal mucosa tissues. Moreover, activities and protein levels of caspase-1 were markedly diminished by oral administration of AST2017-01 and chrysophanol. Declines of macrophage inflammatory protein-2, intercellular adhesion molecules-1, eosinophil, and mast cells were also noted in nasal mucosa tissues of AST2017-01 and chrysophanol groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings indicate that AST2017-01 has an anti-allergic effect as a therapeutic agent or functional food for treating and preventing AR.