Effects of lentivirus-mediated CCR3 RNA interference on the function of mast cells of allergic rhinitis in mice

Anti-Allergic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Bakuchiol on Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis in Mice

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent inflammatory disease primarily affecting the nasal mucosa and is caused by allergies. The common symptoms of AR include rhinorrhea, sneezing, itchy nose, congestion, teary eyes, and nasal rubbings. The present study assessed the beneficial properties of bakuchiol on OVA-induced AR in mice via the regulation of inflammatory responses. AR was induced by injecting (i.p.) OVA (50 µg) and aluminum hydroxide (1 mg) into mice at various time intervals. The bakuchiol treatment was done at dosages of 10 and 20 mg/kg with dexamethasone (2.5 mg/kg) as a positive control. The body weight and nasal symptoms were measured on the day of the last OVA challenge. For in vitro tests, mouse splenocytes were isolated, sensitized with 20 µL OVA, and then treated with 10 µM bakuchiol. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulins, histamine, leukotriene C4 (LTC-4), and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) were assayed using the corresponding assay kits. The assay kits were also used to analyze the status of oxidative stress markers. The Th1/Th2 cell proportion was assessed using flow cytometry. The bakuchiol (10 and 20 mg/kg) treatment reduced the nasal symptoms in AR mice. Bakuchiol decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, Igs (IgE and IgG1), histamine, IL-10, IL-33, and TNF-α in AR mice. Bakuchiol also reduced PGDA and LTC-4 levels in the NLF of AR mice. The ROS and MDA levels were decreased, whereas boosted SOD activity was observed in the bakuchiol-treated AR mice. The eosinophil count was decreased in the nasal tissues of bakuchiol-treated AR mice. Bakuchiol also influenced the Th1 and Th2 cell proportions in AR mice. The present findings suggest that bakuchiol is effective against OVA-mediated allergic and inflammatory responses in AR mice through its strong anti-inflammatory properties.

The study of the role of purified anti-mouse CD193 (CCR3) antibody in allergic rhinitis mouse animal models

The pathogenesis of allergic asthma is similar to that of allergic rhinitis, with inflammation cells producing and releasing inflammatory mediators and cytokines closely related to CCR3.Based on the theory of "one airway, one disease", the use of CCR3 monoclonal antibody may have a similar effect on allergic rhinitis. However, there are few studies on CCR3 monoclonal antibody in allergic rhinitis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effective concentration of CCR3 monoclonal antibody, to compare the effects of different methods of administration, and to examine the lung condition of allergic mice to investigate whether antibody treatment protects the lungs. In this study, we constructed a mouse model of allergic rhinitis and intraperitoneally injected different doses of CCR3 monoclonal antibody (5, 10, and 20 uL/mg) to observe its therapeutic effect: observing changes in tissue morphology of nasal mucosa, infiltration of inflammation, and using ELISA to detect changes in relevant inflammatory mediators and cytokines, studying the role of CCR3 mAb in inhibiting CCR3-related actions on the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis mice. Furthermore, In addition, the therapeutic effects of intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) and intranasal administration (i.n.) were studied on the basis of effective concentrations.

PGD2/PTGDR2 Signal Affects the Viability, Invasion, Apoptosis, and Stemness of Gastric Cancer Stem Cells and Prevents the Progression of Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) has been shown to restrict the occurrence and development of multiple cancers; nevertheless, its underlying molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study investigated the effect of PGD2 on the biological function of the enriched gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs), as well as its underlying molecular mechanism, to provide a theoretical basis and potential therapeutic drugs for gastric cancer (GC) treatment.

METHODS

The plasma PGD2 levels were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Silencing of lipocalin prostaglandin D synthetases (L-PTGDS) and prostaglandin D2 receptor 2 (PTGDR2) was carried out in GCSCs from SGC-7901 and HGC-27 cell lines. Cell Counting Kit-8, transwell, flow cytometry, and western blotting assays were used to determine cell viability, invasion, apoptosis, and stemness of GCSCs. In vivo xenograft models were used to assess tumor growth.

RESULTS

Clinically, it was found that the plasma PGD2 level decreased significantly in patients with GC. PGD2 suppressed viability, invasion, and stemness and increased the apoptosis of GCSCs. Downregulating L-PTGDS and PTGDR2 promoted viability, invasion, and stemness and reduced the apoptosis of GCSCs. Moreover, the inhibition of GCSCs induced by PGD2 was eliminated by downregulating the expression of PTGDR2. The results of in vivo experiments were consistent with those of in vitro experiments.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that PGD2 may be an important marker and potential therapeutic target in the clinical management of GC. L-PTGDS/PTGDR2 may be one of the critical targets for GC therapy. The PGD2/PTGDR2 signal affects the viability, invasion, apoptosis, and stemness of GCSCs and prevents the progression of GC.

CCR3 gene knockout inhibits proliferation, differentiation, and migration of eosinophils in allergic rhinitis model mice

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by various bothersome clinical symptoms of the nasal mucosa that impaired the quality of daily life. Different chemokine receptors play a crucial role in the recruitment of inflammatory cells in AR. However, the effect of CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 3 on the function of eosinophils (EOS) is still unclear. We investigated the effect of CCR3 on EOS in a murine model of OVA-mediated allergic rhinitis using CCR3-deficient (CCR3-/-) mice. In vitro, bone marrow of CCR3-/- and wild-type (WT) mice were used to investigate the induction and development of EOS. In vivo, Allergic rhinitis was initiated in CCR3-/- and wild-type (WT) mice by passive transfer OVA, followed by detecting the eosinophil infiltration of the nasal mucosa and bone marrow. Then CD34+ progenitor cells in bone marrow and blood were evaluated by IHC analysis. Furthermore, the degranulation proteins of EOS in nasal mucosa, marrow, blood and NALF were determined by IHC, real-time PCR analysis and Western blot. We found that CCR3 gene can regulate the growth and development of primary cultured eosinophils. Knockout CCR3 gene can inhibit the proliferation and degranulation of EOS. The infiltration of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa following OVA-challenged, was significantly higher in WT mice compared with those stimulated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for WT, but that was not seen in similarly treated CCR3-/- mice. Besides, the number of CD34+ progenitor cells in bone marrow and blood were also suppressed in CCR3-/- mice. The degranulation proteins of EOS expressed in nasal mucosa, marrow, blood and NALF were decreased in CCR3-/- AR mice compared with WT-AR mice. And the clinical symptoms were significantly alleviated. The expression of granulation proteins in NALF were not detected in both untreated CCR3-/- mice and WT mice. These results demonstrate a contribution of CCR3 to both the growth, migration, and degranulation of EOS during allergic rhinitis.

Mechanism of Kruppel-Like Factor 4 in Pyroptosis of Nasal Mucosal Epithelial Cells in Mice With Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic nasal inflammation, characterized by nasal epithelial dysfunction. Gene therapy targeting transcription factors is a promising strategy for quenching allergic inflammation, including AR.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to probe the mechanism of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in pyroptosis of nasal mucosal epithelial cells (NEpCs) in AR mice and provide targets for AR treatment.

METHODS

AR mouse models were established using sensitization with ovalbumin, followed by injection with short hairpin RNA KLF4 (sh-KLF4). AR symptoms were assessed by the times of sneezing and nose rubbing, hematoxylin-eosin, and periodic acid-Schiff staining. Levels of KLF4, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), cleaved caspase-1, and N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N) in nasal mucosal tissues were determined by Western blot assay, and levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in nasal lavage fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The binding of KLF4 to the NLRP3 promoter was verified using chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase assays. The functional rescue experiment was performed with oe-NLRP3 and sh-KLF4 in AR mice.

RESULTS

KLF4 was upregulated in nasal mucosal tissues of AR mice. KLF4 inhibition reduced the times of sneezing and nose rubbing, inflammatory cell infiltration, and goblet cell hyperplasia in nasal mucosal tissues, and levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18. KLF4 was enriched on the NLRP3 promoter and improved NLRP3 expression. NLRP3 overexpression reversed the inhibition of sh-KLF4 on pyroptosis of NEpCs in AR mice.

CONCLUSION

KLF4 bound to the NLRP3 promoter and promoted pyroptosis of NEpCs in AR mice via activating NLRP3.

The Effects of Saposhnikovia divaricata Aqueous Extracts on the Inflammation and Intestinal Microflora in Allergic Rhinitis Mice

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a type I allergic disease induced by IgE. Traditional Chinese medicine Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk (SD) has anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects.

Materials and Methods

AR model mice were constructed with ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization to observe the improving effect of SD treatment on AR by counting the number of sneezing and rubbing the nose, hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and toluidine blue stains. In addition, the allergy and inflammatory cytokines levels and inflammatory cells were observed by ELISA and Wright's-Giemsa stain. The protein levels of the TLR4/TRAF6/NF-κB and IL-6/ROR-γt/STAT3 pathways were measured by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blot. The intestinal microflora abundance in mice was observed by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing.

Results

SD treatment inhibited the sneezing and rubbing times of the nose, decreased the degree of a dense arrangement of cells and mucosal swelling and the number of goblet and mast cells of nasal lavage fluid, reduced the levels of IgE, histamine, Leukotriene B4, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17, the eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes number, the LR4, TRAF6, IL-6, ROR-γt, and STAT3 mRNA levels, respectively, while, it increased the IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TGF-β1 proteins. SD treatment inhibited the NF-κB, p-STAT3, TLR4, TRAF6, and p-IκBα/IκBα proteins. Besides, the effects of OVA and SD treatments were significantly correlated with the abundance of intestinal microflora. The abundances of Cytophagales, Burkholderia, Alteromonadales, Lactococcus, and Clostridiaceae were changed in SD treatment on AR mice.

Conclusions

This study provides a possibility that the improvement effect of SD treatment on allergies and inflammation in AR mice may be related to the TLR4/TRAF6/NF-κB and IL-6/ROR-γt/STAT3 pathways and intestinal microflora modulation.

Daphnetin Mitigates Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis in Mice by Regulating Nrf2/HO-1 and TLR4/NF-kB Signaling

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disorder of nasal mucosa resulting from allergen exposure. Daphnetin (DAP) is a coumarin derivative that has various bioactivities. Nevertheless, its specific function in AR is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This study is aimed to explore the specific function of DAP in AR.

METHODS

An AR murine model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) induction. Murine sneezing and rubbing behaviors were observed. Hematoxylin-eosin was used for histopathological observation of nasal mucosa. ELISA was utilized for detection of cytokine production in murine serum. Oxidative stress-associated markers were assessed by commercial assay kits. Western blotting was utilized for evaluating protein levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in nasal mucosa.

RESULTS

DAP alleviated OVA-induced nasal symptoms, inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the AR murine model. DAP activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling and inactivated TLR4/NF-κB signaling in murine nasal mucosa.

CONCLUSION

DAP mitigates OVA-induced AR in mice by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and inactivating TLR4/NF-κB signaling.

Mechanism of lncRNA H19 in Regulating Pulmonary Injury in Hyperoxia-Induced Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Newborn Mice

OBJECTIVE

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a pulmonary injury related to inflammation and is a major cause of premature infant death. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators in pulmonary injury and inflammation. We investigated the molecular mechanism of lncRNA H19 in pulmonary injury and inflammation in hyperoxia (Hyp)-induced BPD mice.

STUDY DESIGN

The BPD newborn mouse model was established and intervened with H19 to evaluate the pathologic conditions and radial alveolar count (RAC) in lung tissues of mice in the room air (RA) and Hyp group on the 4th, 7th, and 14th days after birth. The levels of BPD-related biomarkers vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and surfactant protein C (SPC) in lung tissues were detected on the 14th day after birth. The expression of and relationships among H19 and miR-17, miR-17, and STAT3 were detected and verified. Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, p-STAT3, and STAT3 levels in mouse lung tissues were detected on the 14th day after birth.

RESULTS

Hyp-induced mice showed increased alveolar diameter, septum, and hyperemia and inflammatory cell infiltration, upregulated H19, decreased overall number and significantly reduced RAC on the 7th and 14th days after birth, which were reversed in the si-H19-treated mice. VEGF was upregulated and TGF-β1 and SPC was decreased in si-H19-treated mice. Moreover, H19 competitively bound to miR-17 to upregulate STAT3. IL-6 and IL-1β expressions and p-STAT3 and STAT3 levels were downregulated after inhibition of H19.

CONCLUSION

Downregulated lncRNA H19 relieved pulmonary injury via targeting miR-17 to downregulate STAT3 and reduced inflammatory response caused by p-STAT3 in BPD newborn mice.

KEY POINTS

· lncRNA H19 was highly expressed in Hyp-induced BPD newborn mice.. · si-H19 relieved pulmonary injury in Hyp-induced BPD newborn mice.. · si-H19 upregulated miR-17 and downregulated STAT3 expression..

Gene knockdown of CCR3 reduces eosinophilic inflammation and the Th2 immune response by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway in allergic rhinitis mice

The CCR3 gene plays a critical role in allergic airway inflammation, such as allergic rhinitis (AR), and there is an inflammatory signal link between the nasal cavity and the CCR3 gene in bone marrow. However, the effects of the CCR3 gene in bone marrow cells on AR are not clear. The present study investigated the roles and underlying mechanisms of the bone marrow CCR3 gene in AR mice. Conditional knockout of the bone marrow CCR3 gene (CKO) in mice was generated using the Cre-LoxP recombination system, and offspring genotypes were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An ovalbumin-induced AR model was established in CKO and wild-type mice to measure eosinophilic inflammation and the Th2 immune response. The following mechanisms were explored using a specific PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor (Ly294002). We successfully constructed and bred homozygous CKO mice and confirmed a significant increase in CCR3 expression and PI3K/AKT pathway activity in AR mice. Deficiency of the bone marrow CCR3 gene caused a remarkable reduction of CCR3 expression and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activity, inhibited histopathological lesions and eosinophil infiltration of the nasal cavity, and reduced the production of Th2 cytokines in serum, which led to the remission of allergic symptoms in AR mice. Ly294002 treatment also decreased these inflammatory indexes in a concentration-dependent manner and blocked inflammatory signals from CCR3, but it did not affect the high expression of CCR3 in AR mice. Collectively, our results suggest that conditional knockout of the bone marrow CCR3 gene can reduce eosinophilic inflammation and the Th2 immune response, which may be due to inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

4-Carvomenthenol ameliorates the murine combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome by inhibiting IL-13 and mucus production via p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway axis

The aim of this study was to analyze the 4-carvomenthenol (carvo) oral treatment on the experimental model of the combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome (CARAS). BALB/c mice were OVA-sensitized on day zero and 7th (50 μg/mL OVA in 10 mg/mL Al (OH)3) and OVA-challenged (5 mg/mL, 20 μL/animal) for three weeks. In the last week, the animals were dally challenged with aerosol of OVA and the carvo treatment (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg) occurred one hour before each OVA-challenge. Data were analyzed and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Carvo (12.5-50 mg/kg) decreased significantly the eosinophil migration into the nasal (NALF) and bronchoalveolar (BALF) cavities as well as on the nasal and lung tissues of sick animals. The treatment also decreased mucus production on both tissue sections stained with PAS (periodic acid-Schiff satin). In addition, the histological analyzes demonstrated that sick mice presented hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the lung smooth muscle layer followed by increasing of extracellular matrix and carvo (50 mg/kg) inhibited these asthmatic parameters. We analyzed the allergic rhinitis signals as nasal frictions and sneezing and observed that carvo decreased these two signals as well as serum OVA-specific IgE titer, type 2 cytokine synthesis, mainly IL-13, with increasing of IL-10 production. Decreasing of IL-13 production corroborated with decreasing of mucus production and these effects were dependent on p38MAPK/NF-κB(p65) signaling pathway inhibition. Therefore, these data demonstrated that a monoterpene of essential oils presents anti-allergic property on an experimental model of CARAS suggesting a new drug prototype to treat this allergic syndrome.