Anti-allergic effect of intranasal 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment in allergic rhinitis mouse model

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The role of Vitamin D as a potential immune-modulator has been recently elucidated. However, the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis is unclear and its anti-allergic effect has not been established yet, especially in the mouse model. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-allergic effect of topically applied Vitamin D in the allergic rhinitis mouse model. Methods BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and alum, and they were intranasally challenged with OVA. Intranasal 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (0.02μg) was given to treatment group and solvent was given intranasally to sham treatment group. Allergic symptom scores, eosinophil infiltration, cytokine mRNA levels (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ) in the nasal tissue, serum total and OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a were analyzed and compared with negative and positive controls. Cervical lymph nodes were harvested for flow cytometry analysis and cell proliferation assay. Results In the treatment group, allergic symptom scores, eosinophil infiltration, and the mRNA levels of IL-4 and IL-13 in the nasal tissue were significantly reduced compared to positive control. IL-5 mRNA level, serum total IgE, and OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 levels showed a tendency to decrease in the treatment group, but did not reach to a significant level. In the cervical lymph nodes, CD11c+, MHCIIhigh, CD86+ activated dendritic cells were significantly reduced in the treatment group. There was a significant decrease of IL-4 secretion in the lymphocyte culture from cervical lymph node. Conclusion We have confirmed the anti-allergic effect of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 when intranasal topically applied. Also 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 decreased dendritic cell activation and Th2 mediated inflammation in the cervical lymphnode. Topical application of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may be a future therapeutic agent in allergic diseases.