Effects of montelukast on mRNA expression of MUC2 and MUC5B in human nasal epithelial cells

Abstract

In this study, the effects of leukotriene receptor antagonist on mRNA expression of MUC2 and MUC5B in human nasal epithelial cells were investigated. Human nasal epithelial cells were randomly assigned into 4 groups: control group, IL-1β group, montelukast + IL-1β group and montelukast group. After 24 h of treatment, the mRNA expressions of MUC2 and MUC5B were determined by fluorescent quantitation PCR. The mRNA expression of MUC2 in the control group, IL-1β group, montelukast + IL-1β group and montelukast group was 2.93±1.57×106copies/μg, 6.63±1.73×106 copies/μg, 3.48±1.41)×106 copies/μg and 1.63±0.47×106 copies/μg, respectively(P<0.01). The MUC2 level in montelukast + IL-1β group was lower than in IL-1β group (P<0.01), but there was no marked difference between montelukast group and control group. The mRNA expression of MUC5B in control group, IL-1β group, montelukast + IL-1β group and montelukast group was 8.21±3.54×105 copies/μg, 3.40±2.79×107 copies/μg, 1.75±0.69×106copies/μg and 5.15±2.16×105 copies/μg, respectively, showing significant difference among these groups (P<0.01). In addition, the MUC5B level in montelukast + IL-1β group was lower than in IL-1β group (P<0.05), but there was no marked difference between the montelukast and the control group. Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, can decrease the mRNA expressions of MUC2 and MUC5B in IL-1β treated nasal epithelial cells. Our results reveal montelukast may inhibit the inflammatory cytokine induced expression of mucins in nasal epithelial cells. Key words: Montelukast, leukotriene, MUC2, MUC5B, human nasal epithelial cells.