Resumen de Anti-allergic function of α-Tocopherol is mediated by suppression of PI3K-PKB activity in mast cells in mouse model of allergic rhinitis

Geping Wu, Hongyan Zhu, Xinyang Wu, Lili Liu, Xingkai Ma, Yifang Yuan, Xingli Fu, Ling Zhang, Yan Lv, Di Li, Jianyong Liu, Jianbin Lu, Yan Yu, Minglin Li

• Background Alpha-Tocopherol (α-TCP), one major form of vitamin E, has been known as a treatment for airway allergic inflammation. However, the role and mechanism of α-TCP in treating allergic rhinitis remains unclear.

  Objective In this study we examined the inhibitory function of α-TCP in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis.

  Methods Allergic phenotype was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, OVA-specific IgG1 and OVA-specific IgG2a levels were examined by ELISA. mRNA expression was measured by qPCR, protein levels were examined by Western Blot.

  Results Histological analysis of the nasal membranes revealed that there was a significant reduction in inflammatory cells appearance in cross-sections in alpha-TCP treatment of Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice compared to OVA sensitized animals. In addition, eosinophils were significantly reduced in nasal mucosa of alpha-TCP treatment of OVA-sensitized mice compared to the OVA group. Lower total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, OVA-specific IgG1 and OVA-specific IgG2a levels were found in alpha-TCP treatment of OVA-sensitized mice compared to the OVA group. Furthermore, we found that the subepithelial distribution of tryptase positive mast cells was reduced in the alpha-TCP treatment of OVA-sensitized mice. More importantly, the PI3K-PKB pathway was suppressed by α-TCP in mast cells.

  Conclusions Our results demonstrated that α-TCP-mediated suppression of PI3K-PKB activity in mast cells is a potential mechanism of anti-allergic function of α-TCP.