Abstract
Objective and designThis study is aimed at exploring the role of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) in the development of allergic rhinitis (AR) in rats.MethodsSprague–Dawley rats were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin to induce AR. The rats were treated intranasally with saline, control, or NK-1R-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) before and during the challenge period. The numbers of sneezes and nose rubs and amount of nasal secretion in individual rats were measured. The levels of NK-1R expression in the nasal mucosal tissues after the last challenge were determined. The numbers of eosinophils in the collected nasal lavage fluid and the levels of serum interleukin (IL)-5 in individual rats were determined.ResultsThe levels of NK-1R expression in the nasal mucosal tissues of the AR rats that had been treated with saline or control siRNA were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls and the rats treated with NK-1R-specific siRNA, demonstrating NK-1R silencing. Furthermore, knockdown of NK-1R expression significantly reduced the amounts of sneezing, nose rubbing, and nasal secretions in AR rats. Knockdown of NK-1R expression also significantly eliminated eosinophil infiltration in the nasal tissues and reduced the levels of serum IL-5 in rats.ConclusionsKnockdown of NK-1R expression decreased allergic inflammation in nasal mucosal tissues and alleviated the allergic rhinitis symptoms, suggesting that NK-1R may be a critical mediator of the development of AR.
Highlights
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem, which is associated with severe consequences and disabilities
The levels of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) expression in the nasal mucosal tissues of the allergic rhinitis (AR) rats that had been treated with saline or control small interfering RNA (siRNA) were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls and the rats treated with NK1R-specific siRNA, demonstrating NK-1R silencing
While weak anti-NK-1R staining was detected in the nasal mucosal tissues of the NS rats, a markedly increased intensity of anti-NK-1R staining was observed in the nasal mucosal tissues of the NCS and NSAR rats
Summary
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem, which is associated with severe consequences and disabilities. AR can negatively affect life quality and school and work performance in patients [1, 2]. Accumulating evidence has shown that neuro-immune abnormalities play important roles in the development of AR [3]. High levels of SP have been detected in the nasal mucosal tissues of patients with AR [4]. Previous studies have shown that SP has a wide variety of biologic functions, such as increasing vascular permeability, stimulating mucous secretion, and chemotaxis of eosinophils, which are associated with symptoms in patients with AR [5, 6]. Exogenous SP induces nasal obstruction in a dose-dependent manner in humans and animals [7]. Modulation of SP activity will be a promising strategy for the intervention of AR
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