TRIM24-Mediated Acetylation of STAT6 Suppresses Th2-Induced Allergic Rhinitis.

PURPOSE: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a T helper type 2 (Th2)-mediated inflammatory disease. The E3 ligase tripartite motif-containing 24 (TRIM24) regulates the recruitment of acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein (CBP) to signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). CBP mediates the acetylation of STAT6 and decreases its activity. To date, the precise role of TRIM24 in AR has not been fully interpreted. Herein, our study aimed to explore the functions of TRIM24 in AR. METHODS: The expression of TRIM24 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4+ T cells from patients with AR was measured. TRIM24-conditional knockout mice with TRIM24 deficiency in CD4+ T cells were generated. Wide-type (WT) AR mice and TRIM24-conditional knockout AR mice were established. Then, AR symptoms and interleukin (IL)-4 levels were compared. Further, the proliferation, activation and polarization of CD4+ T cells from WT mice and TRIM24 knockout mice after stimulation were determined. The effects of TRIM24 deficiency on STAT6 activities were also evaluated. RESULTS: Downregulated TRIM24 expression was detected in PBMCs and CD4+ T cells from patients with AR. TRIM24 conditional knockout mice had more sever AR symptoms with elevated IL-4 production. TRIM24-knockout CD4+ T cells had similar proliferation and activation when compared to WT CD4+ T cells, while they had enhanced Th2 polarization. TRIM24-knockout CD4+ T cells had decreased acetylation of STAT6 and enhanced STAT6 activities after IL-4 stimulation. The regulation of STAT6 activities by TRIM24 depended on TRIM24 N terminal RIGN domain and Lys383 acetylation site of STAT6. CONCLUSIONS: TRIM24 suppresses Th2-mediated AR by regulating the acetylation of STAT6.

Chinese Guideline on Allergen Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis: The 2022 Update.

In the last few decades, there has been a progressive increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) in China, where it now affects approximately 250 million people. AR prevention and treatment include allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy, allergen immunotherapy (AIT), and patient education, among which AIT is the only curative intervention. AIT targets the disease etiology and may potentially modify the immune system as well as induce allergen-specific immune tolerance in patients with AR. In 2017, a team of experts from the Chinese Society of Allergy (CSA) and the Chinese Allergic Rhinitis Collaborative Research Group (C2AR2G) produced the first English version of Chinese AIT guidelines for AR. Since then, there has been considerable progress in basic research of and clinical practice for AIT, especially regarding the role of follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells in the pathogenesis of AR and the use of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) in nasal secretions for the diagnosis of AR. Additionally, potential biomarkers, including TFR cells, sIgG4, and sIgE, have been used to monitor the incidence and progression of AR. Moreover, there has been a novel understanding of AIT during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Hence, there was an urgent need to update the AIT guideline for AR by a team of experts from CSA and C2AR2G. This document aims to serve as professional reference material on AIT for AR treatment in China, thus improving the development of AIT across the world.

High mobility group box 1 inhibition by BoxA attenuates ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in mice.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of BoxA on allergic rhinitis (AR). Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR mice model was employed and BoxA was administered to AR mice. AR symptoms, levels of cytokines and chemokines, and the expression of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), TLR2, and TLR4 were measured. BoxA treatment significantly ameliorated AR symptoms, decreased level of histamine, OVA-specific antibodies, suppressed the infiltration of immune cells in nasal tissues, inhibited the expression of IL-4, IL-6, IL-5, TNF-α, IL-13, IL-17, IL-2 while promoting the expression of IL-10, suppressed the expression of HMGB1, TLR2, and TLR4 in AR mice. BoxA ameliorated allergic rhinitis in mice by inhibiting HMGB1.

Luteolin ameliorates inflammation and Th1/Th2 imbalance via regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in allergic rhinitis rats.

OBJECTIVE: Luteolin has an anti-allergic effect but its mechanism is not clear. This study attempted to determine the mechanisms of luteolin in rhinitis. METHODS: Allergic rhinitis rat model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) stimulation. Then, the rats were treated with normal saline, luteolin, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 14 days. Nasal symptoms were scored; the histopathological changes of nasal mucosa were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Serum levels of Th1 type cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2), Th2 type cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), and OVA-specific IgE (sIgE) were determined by ELISA. The expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and p65 in nasal mucosa were detected by Western blot or immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Luteolin decreased symptom scores, specifically, the scores in control group, model group, model + 0.1 mg/kg luteolin, model + 1 mg/kg luteolin, and model + 10 mg/kg luteolin groups were 0.63 ± 0.52, 7.88 ± 0.83, 1.38 ± 0.52, 2.75 ± 0.46, and 5.00 ± 0.53, respectively. Luteolin ameliorated nasal mucosa inflammation by promoting the down-regulated levels of Th1 type cytokines, and suppressing the up-regulated levels of Th2 type cytokines, OVE-sIgE, TLR4, and p65. LPS further increased symptom scores, aggravated nasal mucosa inflammation, improved the unbalance of Th1/Th2 type cytokines, and lowered the expressions of OVE-sIgE, TLR4, and p65. Moreover, LPS reversed the effect of luteolin on allergic rhinitis rats. CONCLUSION: Luteolin ameliorated inflammation and Th1/Th2 imbalance via regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in allergic rhinitis rats. This study provided novel evidence that luteolin could be used as a candidate drug in allergic rhinitis treatment.

Effects of GPR81 silencing combined with cisplatin stimulation on biological function in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is a malignant tumor found in the head and neck region. Lactate receptor 1, also known as G protein­coupled receptor81 (GPR81), has been reported to play a vital role in cancer growth and metabolism. However, the function of GPR81 in HSCC remains largely unknown. The present study investigated the effect of GPR81 on cell survival and GPR81­mediated energy metabolism under cisplatin treatment in HSCC. GPR81 knockdown reduced the proliferation and invasion of the human HSCC cell line FaDu. Furthermore, GPR81 silencing combined with cisplatin treatment increased the expression of translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 at the mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). mRNA and protein expression of phosphofructokinase 1 in mRNA appeared to be downregulated in GPR81 knockdown FaDu cells treated with cisplatin, although this was not statistically significant. GPR81 silencing and cisplatin challenge showed no significant upregulation compared with the control, but significant downregulation in mRNA and protein levels compared with the shRNA­scramble group. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry with annexin V and 7­aminoactinomycin D. GPR81 silencing and cisplatin led to an increased apoptotic rate. Moreover, absence of GPR81 combined with cisplatin exposure increased caspase­3 expression and decreased Bcl­2 levels. The results of the present study suggested that GPR81 and cisplatin sensitivity played an important role in HSCC growth and metabolism.

Silencing of miR-17-5p suppresses cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis by directly targeting PIK3R1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence has suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) act as key post-transcriptional regulators in tumor progression. Previous studies have confirmed that miR-17-5p functions as an oncogene in multiple cancers and contributes to tumor progression. However, the role and biological functions of miR-17-5p in the development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) still remain unknown. METHODS: qRT-PCR was used to detect miRNA and mRNA expression levels in LSCC tissues and cell lines. CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell viability and flow cytometry was performed to evaluate cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein levels of BAX, BCL-2, cleaved Caspase-3, PIK3R1 and AKT. Luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the effect of miR-17-5p on PIK3R1 expression. Xenograft animal model was used to test the effect of miR-17-5p on LSCC cell in vivo. RESULTS: In the present study, we found that miR-17-5p expression level was upregulated in LSCC tissues and cell lines. Depletion of miR-17-5p in LSCC cells significantly reduced cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, knockdown of miR-17-5p in LSCC cells inhibited BCL-2 expression while enhanced BAX and cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression. Moreover, depletion of miR-17-5p in LSCC cells suppressed AKT phosphorylation but did not influence PTEN expression. Importantly, miR-17-5p positively regulated PIK3R1 expression by directly binding to its 3'-untranslated region (UTR). Additionally, PIK3R1, which expression was downregulated in LSCC tissues and cell lines, was involved in LSCC cell survival by modulating the activation of AKT signal pathway. Dysregulation of miR-17-5p/PIK3R1 axis was participated in LSCC cell proliferation and apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study indicates that the miR-17-5p/PIK3R1 axis plays an essential role in the development of LSCC and provides a potential therapeutic target for LSCC treatment.

Long Noncoding RNA Linc00632 Inhibits Interleukin-13-Induced Inflammatory Cytokine and Mucus Production in Nasal Epithelial Cells.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an allergic disease characterized as (immunoglobulin E)-mediated type I hypersensitivity disorder. The interleukin-13 (IL-13) signaling pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AR. In the present study, we investigated the regulatory role and mechanism of long noncoding RNA Linc00632 in IL-13-induced inflammatory cytokine and mucus production in nasal epithelial cells (NECs) from AR patients. We evaluated the expression of Linc00632 in nasal tissues from AR patients and in IL-13-treated NECs. We explored the role of Linc00632 in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), eotaxin, and MUAC5AC production in IL-13-treated NECs. We searched for the potential target of Linc00632. Downregulation of Linc00632 was identified in nasal tissues of AR patients and in IL-13-treated NECs. Linc00632 inhibited IL-13-induced GM-CSF, eotaxin, and MUAC5AC production. Linc00632 targeted miR-498 and negatively regulated its expression. MiR-498 targeted IL1RN and inhibition of miR-498 suppressed IL-13-induced GM-CSF, eotaxin, and MUC5AC expression. The regulation of IL-13-induced dysfunction of NECs by Linc00632 depended on miR-498. Linc00632 inhibited IL-13-induced GM-CSF, eotaxin, and MUAC5AC production in IL-13-treated NECs by targeting miR-498.

Upregulation of circFLNA contributes to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma migration by circFLNA-miR-486-3p-FLNA axis.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence shows that circular RNAs (circRNAs) plays vital roles in tumor progression. However, the biological functions of circRNAs in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) metastasis is still unclear. METHODS: qRT-PCR was used to detect circFLNA, miRNAs and FLNA mRNA expression. Transwell assay and western blot were performed to evaluate cell migration ability and to detect FLNA, MMP2 and MLK1 protein expression, respectively. RNA pull-down analysis was used to find the binding-miRNAs of circFLNA. Luciferase reporter assay was used to examine the effect of circFLNA on miRNAs and miR-486-3p on FLNA expression. RESULTS: In this study, we confirmed that a Filamin A (FLNA)-derived hsa_circ_0092012 known as circFLNA, was upregulated in LSCC, and the higher expression of circFLNA was correlated with LSCC lymph node metastasis. Increased circFLNA facilitates LSCC cell migration ability through upregulating FLNA and MMP2 protein expression. Mechanistically, we find that circFLNA sponges miR-486-3p in LSCC cells, relieving miR-486-3p-induced repression of FLNA which promotes LSCC cell migration. Accordingly, FLNA mRNA is overexpressed in LSCC tissues and a higher FLNA level is correlated with poor survival. Dysregulation of the circFLNA/miR-486-3p/FLNA regulatory pathway contributes to LSCC migration. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our study sheds light on the regulatory mechanism of circFLNA in LSCC migration via sponging miR-486-3p, which downregulates the FLNA protein expression. Targeting circFLNA/miR-486-3p/FLAN axis provides a potential therapeutic target for aggressive LSCC.

Morin hydrate promotes inner ear neural stem cell survival and differentiation and protects cochlea against neuronal hearing loss.

We aimed to investigate the effect of morin hydrate on neural stem cells (NSCs) isolated from mouse inner ear and its potential in protecting neuronal hearing loss. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays were employed to assess the effect of morin hydrate on the viability and proliferation of in vitro NSC culture. The NSCs were then differentiated into neurons, in which neurosphere formation and differentiation were evaluated, followed by neurite outgrowth and neural excitability measurements in the subsequent in vitro neuronal network. Mechanotransduction of cochlea ex vivo culture and auditory brainstem responses threshold and distortion product optoacoustic emissions amplitude in mouse ototoxicity model were also measured following gentamicin treatment to investigate the protective role of morin hydrate against neuronal hearing loss. Morin hydrate improved viability and proliferation, neurosphere formation and neuronal differentiation of inner ear NSCs, and promoted in vitro neuronal network functions. In both ex vivo and in vivo ototoxicity models, morin hydrate prevented gentamicin-induced neuronal hearing loss. Morin hydrate exhibited potent properties in promoting growth and differentiation of inner ear NSCs into functional neurons and protecting from gentamicin ototoxicity. Our study supports its clinical potential in treating neuronal hearing loss.

[The regulatory effect of IL-35 on the balance of Treg/Th17 cells in allergic rhinitis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the regulatory effect of IL-35 on the balance of Treg/Th17 cells in AR patients. METHOD: In this study, 30 cases were randomly selected from outpatients of otolaryngological department in the second hospital of Hebei Medical university who were diagnosed as AR. Another 20 healthy cases enrolled from physical examination branch of our hospital were control group. The expression level of IL-35 and IL-17 in peripheral blood were detected by using ELISA and defeced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cell and CD4+IL-17+T cell expression level were identified via flow cytometry. RESULT: The expression level of IL-35 in AR group was obviously lower than that in control group, and the difference was a statistically significance (t = -8.145, P < 0.01). The expression level of IL-17 in AR group was obviously higher than that in control group, and the difference was a statistically significance (t = 14.969, P < 0.01). There was a remarkable negative correlation between the IL-35 and IL-17 expression in the serum of AR group (r = -0.773, P < 0.01). The percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cell in CD4+ T cell was significant lower in AR group than that in control group (t = -13.678, P < 0.01). The percentage of CD4+IL-17+ T cell in CD4+ T cell was much higher in AR group than that in control group (t = 5.632, P < 0.01). There was a remarkable negative correlation between the Treg and Th17 expression in the peripheral blood of AR group (r = -0.613, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the expression of CD4+ CD25+Foxp3+ T cell and IL-35. There was a negative correlation between the IL-35 and Th17 in AR group (r = 0. -594, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The lower expression of IL-35 was related to the incidence of AR, and it was an important cytokines for that. The lower expression of IL-35 may inhibit the proliferation of Treg cells, lead to hyper function of Th17 cells, increase secretion of s IL-17 and result in unbalance of Treg/Th17 cells; these may be the important mechanism of the occurrence of AR, thus regulation of IL-35 may become a new target for the immunological therapy of AR.

[Investigation of SLC26A4 mutations associated with inner ear malformations].

OBJECTIVE: To study the molecular pathogenesis of SLC26A4 mutations associated with inner ear malformations including large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS), Mondini dysplasia and inner ear malformations but not accompanied with LVAS. METHOD: DNA sample and clinical material were obtained from 14 sporadic LVAS probands, six Mondini dysplasia probands and seven inner ear malformations excluding IVAS probands. SLC26A4 gene mutation was analyzed by direct sequencing for its 20 coding exons. GJB2 gene and also mt12SrRNA were analyzed by direct sequencing. RESULT: In 14 cases of LVAS, two mutations were detected in 12 patients (85.7%, either homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations), and one mutation was found in two patients (14.3%). In six cases of Mondini dysplasia, two mutations were detected in all of patients (100%). No mutation could be found in the seven cases of other inner ear abnormalities not accompanied with LVAS. No pathogenic mutation was detected in all of these 27 probands in GJB2 gene and mt12SrRNA 1555/1494T. CONCLUSION: We have shown that LVAS and Mondini dysplasia closely correlate with SLC26A4 gene. No mutation was detected in seven probands of inner ear malformations not accompanied with LVAS. We should study the molecular pathogenesis of this disease in depth.

[Effect of topical corticosteroids on expression of PKC, Bcl-2 and Bax in nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of intranasal glucosteroid on the expression of PKC, Bcl-2 and Bax in nasal polyps. METHOD: The expression of PKC, Bcl-2 protein and Bax were detected with immunohistochemistry in nasal polyps from the patients (n=16) pre and post treated for 4 weeks with intranasal glucosteroid. And which compared with normal mucous membrane of inferior turbinate concha. RESULT: The PKC and Bcl-2 protein expressed significantly higher in the pretreated patients (P < 0.01), which were significant reduced in the post treated patients compared with pretreated ones. The expression of Bax protein significantly higher in the post treated patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that abnormal expression of apoptosis related genes in nasal polyps tissues might play an important role in the occurrence and progression of nasal polyps. The treatment of intranasal glucosteroid may regulate the expression of apoptosis related genes.

[Expression of heparanase on the squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among expression of heparanase (HPSE), the clinical and pathologic characteristics of squamous carcinoma on head and neck and the patients' prognosis. METHODS: Sixty-two cases of postoperative tumor specimens were verified by immunohistochemistry S-P method and computer-assisted image analysis method was used. RESULTS: The expression of HPSE in normal epithelium mucosae of head and neck was negative or very weak; in tumor tissue was positive, mainly in cytoplasm and the positive rate was 69.3%. The expression of HPSE hadn't significant difference with the age of patients and pathologic grades of tumors (chi2 = 0.05, chi2 = 3.84, P > 0.05), but had it with clinical stages and metastatic lymph node lesions (chi2 = 3.96, chi2 = 8.06, P < 0.05). The relationship between expression of HPSE in primary tumors and that in metastatic lymph node lesions showed significantly positive correlation (r = 0.9162, P = 0.001). Both HPSE and TNM clinical stage of tumor had significant correlation with the prognosis of patients respectively (P < 0.05). Calculated by Kaplan-Meier method, the accumulative survival rate of 3 years in positive HPSE expression group (25.9%) was much lower than that in negative group (72.7%), there was a significant difference between them by Log-Rank test (chi2 = 11.607, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of HPSE is significantly increased in squamous carcinomas of head and neck, mainly expressed in cytoplasm. The expression of HPSE has a close relationship with clinical stages and lymph node metastasis of squamous carcinoma on head and neck. The higher the clinical stage, the more manifest the expression of HPSE. The expression of HPSE and TNM clinical stage of tumor are independent factors affecting prognosis.