The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2024, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (14): 1922-1927.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2024.14.004

• Basic Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The role of NLRP3 signaling pathway in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Yubo GONG1,Xiaohua GUO1,Wenjun LU2,3,Yuanchao LI2,Changyu QIU1,Yuanyuan SHI1,Liping XIA1,Lin SHI1,Wei WU2(),Ling. LUO1   

  1. *.Department of Ophthalmology,Strategic Support Force Medical Center,Beijing 100101,China
  • Received:2023-05-17 Online:2024-07-25 Published:2024-07-15
  • Contact: Wei WU E-mail:ent306ww@126.com

Abstract:

Objective The objective of this study was to establish a mouse model of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and investigate the role of the NLRP3 signaling pathway in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Methods Thirty-three female C57 mice (SPF) were randomLy divided into 3 groups: the control group, the experimental group, and the NLRP3-/- group. On days 0, 4, 7, 14, and 21, the experimental group and NLRP3-/- group received a 0.2 mL intraperitoneal injection of medicine containing OVA (100 μg) and adjuvant Al(OH)3 (4 mg), respectively. After an interval of 3 days, each eye and nose were dosed with 10 μL of 5% OVA for five consecutive days a week to induce allergic symptoms. During sensitization and excitation stages, the control group was replaced with an equivalent amount of PBS. Ocular and nasal symptoms were observed and scored. The levels of OVA-specific IgE, IL-4, IL-17, and IL-18 in serum were measured using ELISA, while changes in palpebral conjunctiva and nasal mucosa were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression of NLRP3 mRNA in conjunctival tissue and nasal mucosa was determined using real-time PCR analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS17.0 software with P < 0.05 considered as statistically significant difference. Results The experimental group and NLRP3-/- group exhibited induced nasal and ocular allergic symptoms. In the experimental group, the duration of nasal allergy symptoms was (10.500 ± 1.080) days, while the duration of eye allergy symptoms was (20.300 ± 2.058) days. In the NLRP3-/- group, the duration of nasal allergy symptoms was (13.400 ± 1.955) days, and for eye allergy symptoms it was (20.900 ± 2.132) days. The duration of nasal allergies in the NLRP3-/- group significantly exceeded that in the experimental group (P < 0.05), whereas there were no significant differences observed in eye allergy durations between these two groups (P > 0.05). Levels of OVA-specific IgE, IL-4, and IL-17 were significantly higher in both the experimental and NLRP3-/- groups compared to those in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, serum IL-18 content increased significantly in the experimental group when compared with both control and NLRP3-/- groups (P < 0.05). Conjunctival tissue lesions as well as nasal mucosa damage were evident in both experimental and NLRP3-/- groups. mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 within conjunctival tissue and nasal mucosa from the experimental group showed a significant increase when compared to those from both control and NLRP3-/- groups(P < 0.05). Conclusion Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis pathogenesis is influenced by various factors; however, the involvement of NLPR3 signaling pathway promotes its development.

Key words: allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, ovalbumin, IgE, NLRP3

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