RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-36 family cytokines have received increasing attention, especially in the fields of inflammation and immunity research. However, whether IL-36 family cytokine levels are correlated with the results of the assessment of allergic rhinitis (AR) and affect the severity of AR remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlations between IL-36 family cytokine levels and subjective and objective assessment results and to further analyze the possible mechanisms of IL-36 family cytokines in the development of AR. METHODS: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the concentrations of the IL-36 family cytokines IL-36α, IL-36ß, IL-36γ, IL-36Ra, and IL-38 in the peripheral blood of patients with AR. The condition of patients with AR was assessed by 22-item sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT-22) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for disease severity, and serum inhalant allergen immunoglobulin E (IgE) detection. Correlations between IL-36 family cytokine levels and subjective and objective assessment results in patients with AR were analyzed. RESULTS: The concentration of IL-36α in the peripheral blood of patients with AR was the highest, and the concentration of IL-36ß was the lowest. The concentration of IL-36α was higher in juvenile patients than in adult patients, and there was a difference in the IL-36Ra level between the perennial allergen group and the seasonal allergen group. There was a positive correlation between IL-36α level and IL-36γ level, IL-36γ level and IL-36Ra level, and IL-36Ra level and IL-38 level, and IL-36ß level was positively correlated with IL-36Ra and IL-38 levels, respectively. IL-36α level was positively correlated with VAS score for nasal congestion symptom. IL-36ß level was positively correlated with the total VAS score for ocular symptoms and VAS scores for ocular itching and eye pain symptoms. However, there was no correlation between the levels of all cytokines in IL-36 family and SNOT-22 score, the number of positive inhaled allergens, or the highest positive intensity of allergen specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE). CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood IL-36 family cytokines play an important role in AR, and the concentrations of IL-36α and IL-36ß were related to the severity of symptoms in patients with AR.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The identification of new approaches and intervention targets for the treatment of AR is urgently needed. We aimed to investigate the effect of blocking the OX40/OX40L signaling pathway by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR in a mouse model. METHODS: After establishment of the AR model, the mice were interfered by siRNA-OX40L (experimental group), siRNA-C (negative control group), or PBS (control group). Nose scratching, sneezing and nasal discharge were observed. OX40L mRNA and protein and the IL-5, TNF-α, regulatory T cell (Treg) -specific marker Foxp3, and eosinophil (EOS) levels were analyzed. RESULTS: The numbers of nose scratching and sneezing were significantly lower in the siRNA-OX40L-treated group (p <0.05). After the intervention of siRNA-OX40L, OX40L mRNA and protein levels were significantly inhibited (p <0.05), but the Foxp3 level was significantly increased in the experimental group (p <0.05). The IL-5 and TNF-α levels were significantly lower in the experimental group (p <0.05), and the reduction was more evident for the Th2-type cytokine IL-5 than for the Th1-type cytokine TNF-α. Few or no EOSs were found in the nasal mucosal epithelium of the experimental group (p <0.05), whereas EOS infiltration was significant in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Blockage of the OX40/OX40L signaling pathway with siRNA-OX40L interference can inhibit allergic reactions and relieve allergic symptoms in AR mice. The underlying mechanism may be related to correcting Th2 immune deviation, inducing immune tolerance, and promoting Treg production.
