Abstract:

Objective  To explore the therapeutic effect of the intervention of TNF-α monoclonal antibody on rats with allergic rhinitis (AR) and the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods  Eighteen BALB/c rats were randomly divided into the control group, AR model group, and TNF-α antibody intervention group. The ovalbumin (OVA) induced AR model was established and TNF-α monoclonal antibody was dropped nasally before nasal cavity was stimulated. Behavioral scores of mice were obtained and histopathologic changes of nasal mucosa were observed by H-E staining. The apoptosis of cells was detected by the TUNEL method. Expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IgE in nasal mucosa fluid were detected with ELISA. Changes of expressions of NF-κB p65, IκB, and apoptosis-related proteins were measured by Western blotting. Results  Symptoms of AR and inflammatory response of the TNF-α antibody intervention group alleviated. Compared with the AR model group, expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IgE in nasal mucosa fluid and NF-κB p65, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax in nasal mucosa tissues decreased significantly, but expression levels of IκB and Bcl-2 increased. Conclusion  The intervention of TNF-α monoclonal antibody has certain therapeutic effect on rats with allergic rhinitis by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway, regulating Th1/Th2 balance, decreasing expression levels of inflammatory factors, and inhibiting apoptosis of cells.

Key words: TNF-&alpha, monoclonal antibody, allergic rhinitis, NF-κB signaling pathway