Effects of anticholinergic agent on miRNA profiles and transcriptomes in a murine model of allergic rhinitis

Icariin restrains NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated Th2 immune responses and ameliorates atopic dermatitis through modulating a novel lncRNA MALAT1/miR-124-3p axis

CONTEXT

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized with hyperactivation of type 2 T helper (Th2) immune responses. Icariin is a flavonoid glucoside with anti-inflammatory activities, which has been used to treat multiple diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigates the underlying mechanisms by which icariin regulates Th2 responses and AD development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BALB/c mice were induced by DNFB to establish AD models, and injected with or without 10 mg/kg icariin for 2 weeks (i.p., daily). CD4+T cells were induced by Th2 condition to simulate AD in vitro, and also treated with or without 100 µM icariin.

RESULTS

Icariin ameliorated AD-like skin lesion, manifested as a significant decrease in dermatitis scores (from 8.00 ± 1.00 to 3.67 ± 0.58), serum IgE levels (from 3119.15 ± 241.81 to 948.55 ± 182.51 ng/mL), epidermal thickness (from 93.86 ± 4.61 to 42.67 ± 2.48 µm) and infiltration of mast cells (from 60.67 ± 3.21 cells to 36.00 ± 2.65 cells). Also, icariin inactivated NLRP3 inflammasome, inhibited Th2 skewing, reduced lncRNA MALAT1 expression, but elevated miR-124-3p expression in vivo and in vitro. MALAT1 increased NLRP3 expression through targeting miR-124-3p. Knockdown of MALAT1 repressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation and mitigated Th1/Th2 imbalance in Th2-conditioned CD4+T cells, whereas both MALAT1 overexpression and miR-124-3p inhibition ablated the inhibitory effects of icariin on Th2 immune responses.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The findings further improve our understanding of the mechanism by which icariin affects AD progression, and highlights the potential of icariin in the treatment of AD.

Effects of 101BHG-D01, a novel M receptor antagonism, on allergic rhinitis in animal models and its mechanism

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a nasal mucosal disease with sneezing and nasal itching as the main symptoms. Although AR treatment continues to improve, there remains a lack of effective drugs. There are still controversies regarding whether anticholinergic drugs can effectively and safely relieve the symptoms of AR and reduce inflammation in the nasal mucosa. Here, we synthesized 101BHG-D01, which is a novel anticholinergic drug that mainly targets the M3 receptor and may reduce the adverse effects of other anticholinergic drugs on the heart. We evaluated the effects of 101BHG-D01 on AR and investigated the potential molecular mechanism of anticholinergic therapy for AR. We found that 101BHG-D01 effectively alleviated AR symptoms, reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and attenuated the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, etc.) in various AR animal models. In addition, 101BHG-D01 reduced the activation of mast cells and the release of histamine from rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs) challenged by IgE. Moreover, 101BHG-D01 reduced the expression of MUC5AC in IL-13-challenged rat nasal epithelial cells (RNECs) and human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpCs). Furthermore, IL-13 stimulation significantly increased JAK1 and STAT6 phosphorylation, which was suppressed by 101BHG-D01. We demonstrated that 101BHG-D01 reduced mucus secretion and inflammatory cell infiltration in the nasal mucosa, which may occur through a reduction in activation of the JAK1-STAT6 signaling pathway, indicating that 101BHG-D01 is a potent and safe anticholinergic therapy for AR.

Antagonism of m3 Alleviates Type 2 Inflammation in Allergic Rhinitis Mice

Background

Type 2 immune cells play a pivotal role in allergic rhinitis (AR). Increasing evidence shows that inhibition of cholinergic nerve activity decreases the severity of airway diseases including asthma and AR. However, the role of the cholinergic receptor muscarinic 3 (m3) in type 2 inflammation in AR is unknown.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the effect of m3 on the type 2 immune response, including both T helper 2 (Th2)-mediated and type 2 innate lymphocyte (ILC2)-mediated inflammation, in AR.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from human were cultured in vitro. Treatment with the m3 antagonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide (4-DAMP) was used. The percentages of Th2 and ILC2 cells in PBMCs were evaluated by flow cytometry. AR mouse models were established by house dust mite (HDM) sensitization, and treated with tiotropium intranasally. The expression of Th2 cytokines, ILC2 cytokines and related factors in the nasal mucosa was assessed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum HDM-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Both Th2 and ILC2 percentages in PBMCs were decreased after 4-DAMP treatment. Similarly, the levels of Th2 cytokines (interleukin 4 [IL-4] and IL-13) and ILC2 cytokines and related factors (IL-25, IL-33, GATA3 and RORα) were significantly decreased in the nasal mucosa of AR mice after tiotropium treatment. Furthermore, tiotropium treatment decreased the nasal symptom score, the serum sIgE level and eosinophil infiltration in AR mice. In addition, tiotropium decreased phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1), PLCγ2, nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 (NFATc1), and NFATc2 mRNA levels in AR mice.

Conclusion

Antagonism of m3 alleviated type 2 inflammation in the nasal mucosa of AR mice.

Increased miR-124-3p alleviates type 2 inflammatory response in allergic rhinitis via IL-4Rα

Background and objectives

miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating immune responses. However, the effect of miR-124-3p on type 2 inflammation in allergic rhinitis (AR) is unclear. We aimed to study the immune regulation of miR-124-3p in AR and the mechanisms involved.

Methods

The direct interaction between miR-124-3p and IL-4Rα was confirmed through a dual-luciferase reporter assay. In vitro splenic lymphocytes from mice and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals were cultured and treated with miR-124-3p mimic/inhibitor. Twenty-four female C57BL/C mice were divided into four groups: control, AR model, miR-124-3p agomir, and miR-124-3p antagomir groups (n = 6 per group). The allergic responses were evaluated based on the number of sneezing and nasal scratching, the serum HDM-specific IgE (sIgE) levels, and the degree of nasal mucosa eosinophil infiltration. The expression of IL-4Rα, p-STAT6, and type 2 inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in lymphocytes or nasal mucosa was determined by qPCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

Results

miR-124-3p directly targets the 3'UTR of IL-4Rα. The miR-124-3p mimic lowered the IL-4Rα, p-STAT6, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 expression levels in both mouse splenic lymphocytes and human PBMCs in vitro, and the miR-124-3p inhibitor rescued these changes. Furthermore, the miR-124-3p agomir decreased the levels of IL-4Rα and IL-4 in nasal mucosa, Th2 differentiation in spleen, and allergic response in AR mice. Moreover, the miR-124-3p antagonist increased the IL-4Rα and IL-4 levels and further aggravated the allergic responses.

Conclusions

miR-124-3p might attenuate type 2 inflammation in AR by regulating IL-4Rα signaling, and miR-124-3p may be a promising new target in AR treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00011-022-01614-x.

Identification of lncRNA Biomarkers and LINC01198 Promotes Progression of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps through Sponge miR-6776-5p

Background

Chronic sinusitis (CRS) was a chronic inflammation that originated in the nasal mucosa and affected the health of most people around the world. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) was one kind of chronic sinusitis. Emerging research had suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) played vital parts in inflammatories and inflammation development.

Methods

We acquired GEO data to analyze the differential expression between the miRNA, immune genes, TF, and lncRNA data in CRSWNP and the corresponding control tissues. Bioinformatic analysis by coexpression of endogenous RNA network and competitive way enrichment, analysis, and forecasting functions of these noncoding RNA. The different pathway expressions in CRSwNP patients were confirmed using GSVA to analyze the differentially expressed immune genes and TF data sets in CRSwNP patients. The differential immune gene and transcription factor data set in CRSwNP perform functional notes and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network structure. We predicted the potential genes and RNAs related to CRSWNP by constructing a ceRNA network. In addition, we also used 19 hub immune genes to predict the potential drugs of CRSWNP. lncRNA biomarkers in CRSwNP were identified by lncRNAs LASSO regression. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to contrast the divergence in immune infiltrations between CRSwNP and usual inferior turbinate organizations in 22 immunocyte subgroups.

Results

We identified a total of 48 miRNAs, 304 lncRNAs, 92 TFs, and 525 immune genes as CRSwNP-specific RNAs. GO and KEGG pathways both analyzed differentially expressed immune genes and transcription factor data sets. We predicted the potential genes GNG7, TUSC8, LINC01198, and has-miR-6776-5p by constructing ceRNA and PPI networks. At the same time, we found that the above genes were involved in two important pathways: chemokine signal path and PI3K/AKT signal path. In addition, we predicted 5 small molecule drugs to treat CRSwNP by analyzing 19 central immune genes, namely, danazol, ikarugamycin, semustine, cefamandole, and molindone. Finally, we identified 5 biomarkers in CRSwNP, namely, LINC01198, LINC01094, LINC01798, LINC01829, and LINC01320.

Conclusions

We had identified CRSwNP-related miRNAs, lncRNAs, TFs, and immune genes, which may be making use of latent therapeutic target for CRSwNP. At the same time, we identified 5 lncRNA biomarkers in CRSwNP. The results of this study showed that LINC01198 promoted the progression of CRSwNPs through spongy miR-6776-5p. Our studies provide a new way for further analyses of the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.

The correlation of long non-coding RNA NEAT1 and its targets microRNA (miR)-21, miR-124, and miR-125a with disease risk, severity, and inflammation of allergic rhinitis

The present study aimed to investigate the correlation of long non-coding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1) with microRNA (miR)-21, miR-124, and miR-125a, and their associations with disease risk, severity, and inflammatory cytokines of allergic rhinitis (AR).Totally 70 AR patients and 70 non-atopic obstructive snoring patients (as controls) were recruited. Inferior turbinate mucosa samples were collected from all participants for lncRNA NEAT1, its targets (miR-21, miR-124, and miR-125a), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 detection via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Disease severity of AR patients was assessed using individual nasal symptom score (INSS) and total nasal symptom score (TNSS).LncRNA NEAT1 was upregulated, while miR-21, miR-124, and miR-125a were downregulated in AR patients compared with controls. Additionally, lncRNA NEAT1, miR-21, and miR-125a displayed good values in differentiating AR patients from controls, while miR-124 could only slightly differentiate AR patients from controls. In AR patients, lncRNA NEAT1 was negatively associated with miR-21 and miR-125a, but not miR-124. However, in controls, no correlation of lncRNA NEAT1 with miR-21, miR-124, or miR-125a was observed. Furthermore, in AR patients, lncRNA NEAT1 was positively, while miR-21 and miR-125a was negatively associated with INSS (rhinorrhea, itching, congestion scores), TNSS and inflammatory cytokines; however, correlation of miR-124 with INSS, TNSS, and inflammatory cytokines was slight.LncRNA NEAT1 and its targets (miR-21 and miR-125a) present close correlations with disease risk, severity, and inflammation of AR, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for AR assessment.

Clinical Efficacy and Possible Mechanism of Endoscopic Vidian Neurectomy for House Dust Mite-Sensitive Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endoscopic vidian neurectomy (EVN) for allergic rhinitis (AR) has good clinical effects. However, the pathophysiological basis of the effect of EVN on AR is still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of EVN on house dust mite (HDM)-sensitive AR and the dynamic changes of serum immunoglobulin E and some immune regulatory factors.

METHODS

Twenty HDM-sensitive AR patients were treated with bilateral EVN (EVN group), 15 HDM-sensitive AR patients were treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT group), and 15 healthy subjects served as healthy controls. Quality of daily life was assessed by the scores of the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQs). The visual analog scale was used to assess clinical efficacy. Serum molecules were measured by ELISA and the UNICAP system.

RESULTS

Compared with the SCIT group, the RQLQs in the EVN group were lower 12 months after treatment (both p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in improving nasal itching and sneezing (both p > 0.05), but the clinical efficacy of bilateral EVN was greater than SCIT in improving nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, eye itching, and lachrymation 12 months after treatment (all p < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, the serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (tIgE), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus- and Dermatophagoides farinae-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the EVN group and the serum levels of TNF-α and interleukin-4 in the SCIT group were lower 12 months after treatment (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The short-term efficacy of bilateral EVN is more effective than SCIT in treating HDM-sensitive AR. This may be because the surgery reduced the tIgE and sIgE levels. TNF-α may be involved in the therapeutic mechanism.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG alleviates β-conglycinin-induced allergy by regulating the T cell receptor signaling pathway

Currently, the need for safe and effective methods for relieving allergies is an important concern. In this study, we evaluated the role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in alleviating β-conglycinin (β-CG)-induced allergies and elucidated the related molecular mechanisms. Typical allergy symptoms and inflammatory factors in the serum showed that LGG intervention effectively alleviated β-CG induced allergy in mice, which was better than natural recovery (NR). Intestinal villi were restored and lower levels of CD4+ T cells infiltrated after LGG intervention. We evaluated whether LGG intervention weakened the proliferation ability of the spleen cells of allergic mice, balancing between T/B cells and Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cytokines. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 4106 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified by comparing the LGG group and β-CG group, and 546 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified by comparing the LGG group and NR group. KEGG pathway analysis identified that the T cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway was significantly enriched upon LGG intervention, and the upregulated Ifnar2 and the downregulated Tgfbr2, Il13r2 and Il4ra were further validated by qPCR analysis. Therefore, the above results fully revealed the important role of LGG in alleviating β-CG-induced allergies.

MicroRNA-345-5p acts as an anti-inflammatory regulator in experimental allergic rhinitis via the TLR4/NF-κB pathway

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa. The correlation of microRNAs (miRNAs) in AR has been highlighted particularly due to their roles in regulating inflammatory responses. The aim of this study was to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism by which miR-345-5p regulates the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB (TLR4/NF-κB) pathway in mice with AR. Initially, the putative miR-345-5p binding sites on the 3'untranslated region of TLR4 was predicted and verified. AR models were established using ovalbumin, after which the functional role of miR-345-5p in AR was determined using gain- and loss-of-function approaches. We found that miR-345-5p was poorly expressed in nasal mucosal tissues of mice with AR. Meanwhile, TLR4 expression and the TLR4/NF-κB pathway were identified to be promoted, which were then suppressed in the presence of overexpressed miR-345-5p. In addition, nasal epithelial cell apoptosis and fibrosis were inhibited in response to miR-345-5p overexpression and TLR4 silencing. Furthermore, miR-345-5p overexpression and TLR4 silencing were observed to decrease Th2 cells, expression of pro-inflammatory factors, but to increase Th1 cells and expression of anti-inflammatory factors. This study demonstrates an important role of miR-345-5p in alleviating the inflammatory response in mice with AR by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Therefore, a better understanding of this process may aid in the development of novel therapeutic agents of AR.

Cholinergic neuron-like D-U87 cells promote polarization of allergic rhinitis T-helper 2 cells

BACKGROUND

Parasympathetic nerve hypersensitivity contributes to the severity of allergic rhinitis (AR), but the precise mechanism underlying neuroimmune regulation in patients with AR remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of cholinergic nerve inhibition on AR CD4⁺ T-helper (Th)2-cell polarization and the underlying regulatory mechanism in vitro.

METHODS

An in-vitro neuroimmune coculture model of D-U87 cells and CD4⁺ T cells was established. D-U87 cells with cholinergic neuron characteristics were used as cholinergic neuron models. CD4⁺ T cells were derived from peripheral blood monocytes from AR patients (n = 60) and control subjects (n = 40). Th1- and Th2-cell percentages were measured by flow cytometry. Proteins involved in related signaling pathways were analyzed by protein chip assay and Western blotting.

RESULTS

The Th2-cell percentage among CD4⁺ T cells from AR patients was significantly increased after coculture with D-U87 cells and was decreased by ipratropium bromide (IB) treatment. In contrast, the Th1-cell percentage among control CD4⁺ T cells was significantly increased after coculture with D-U87 cells, but was unaltered by IB treatment. Furthermore, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) protein levels increased in CD4⁺ T cells from both controls and AR patients after coculture with D-U87 cells and decreased after IB treatment. However, higher p-Akt levels were observed in cells from AR patients than in cells from control subjects. Moreover, Akt inhibition decreased Th2-cell percentage in AR patients.

CONCLUSION

In-vitro cholinergic nerve inhibition with IB decreased AR CD4⁺ T-cell polarization into Th2 cells partially through an Akt-dependent mechanism.

Differential expression of miR-4492 and IL-10 is involved in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common types of respiratory disease and affects a large proportion of the population worldwide. The clinical differences between CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) facilitate studies on the development of polyps. In the present study, next-generation sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in CRSwNP vs. CRSsNP tissues and subsequently validated the expression of selected genes using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. In total, 6 miRNAs were identified to be downregulated in the CRSwNP samples compared with those in the CRSsNP samples. The predicted targets of these miRNAs were determined to be enriched in a number of signaling pathways, including the ErbB, Ras, cyclic adenosine monophosphate and Janus kinase (Jak)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways. The expression of miR-4492 and that if its targets predicted by a bioinformatics analysis, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-10, was validated in 96 clinical specimens. miR-4492 was downregulated and IL-10 was upregulated in CRSwNP vs. CRSsNP tissues, and an inverse correlation between miR-4492 and IL-10 was determined in CRS tissues; however no difference was identified in the expression of TNF-α between the different groups. The present results indicate that the miR-4492/IL-10 interaction in the Jak/STAT signaling pathway may be one of the key mechanisms in CRSwNP.

Bronchodilators in subjects with asthma-related comorbidities

Asthma is often associated with different comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, depression, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, osteoporosis, rhinosinusitis and mainly gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and allergic rhinitis. Although bronchodilators play an important role in the treatment of asthma, there is no overall description of their impact on comorbid asthma, regardless of whether favourable or negative. This narrative review examines the potential effects of bronchodilators on comorbidities of asthma.

Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis is a major chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract. A large number of epidemiological investigations have shown that the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing, resulting in a large burden of disease. Desensitizing drugs such as nasal glucocorticoids and antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis, but this method has a long treatment period and is prone to repeated attacks, and there are certain adverse reactions. Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases including allergic rhinitis without the occurrence of drug damage. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

METHODS

Relevant databases include the English databases incorporating Web of science, PubMed, Springer, Medline, Cochrane Library, EBASE, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), as well as the Chinese databases like the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Wanfang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database will be searched normatively according to the rule of each database from the inception to September 1, 2018. Reference list of identified studies, potential gray literatures, relevant conference abstracts, and clinical trial registrations will also be searched. The literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment will be conducted by 2 researchers independently. Data will be synthesized by either the fixed-effects or random-effects model according to a heterogeneity test. Symptom score will be assessed as the primary outcome. Rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ), participants with asthma can use asthma control test (ACT), medicine usage and scoring, laboratory examination, and side effects or adverse events will be evaluated as the secondary outcome. Meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan5.3.5 software provided by the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTS

This study will provide high-quality synthesis based on current evidence of acupuncture treatment for allergic rhinitis in several aspects, including symptom score, drug score, quality of life score, asthma control score, side effects and laboratory examination such as nasal function test, serum total immunoglobulin (IgE), nasal secretion smear, etc. CONCLUSION:: The results of this study will provide updated evidence for weather acupuncture is an effective and safe intervention for allergic rhinitis.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

It is not necessary for this systematic review to acquire an ethical approval. This review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or conference presentation.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42018109105.