[Effect of intranasal interleukin-12 gene therapy for allergic rhinitis in murine model].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the local application of IL-12 gene with EBV-plasmid vector to nasal mucosa could prevent allergic inflammation in murine allergic rhinitis model.


METHODS
Thirty-six BALB/C mice were randomly divided into allergic rhinitis group gene therapy group and control group. In mice with OVA-induced allergic rhinitis, the EBV/lipoplex (a novel cationic lipid combined with EBV-plasmid vector, pGEG. mIL-12) was locally administered into nasal mucosa before OVA challenge. The expression of IL-12 mRNA and protein, the change of eosinophilia and mast cell, and Th2 cytokine production in the nasal mucosa were measured.


RESULTS
The amounts of IL-12 mRNA positive cells and IL-12 positive cells in nasal mucosa of gene therapy group were significantly higher than that of allergic rhinitis group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The amount of eosinophils, mast cells, and the level of IL-5 expression in nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis group were significantly higher than those in gene therapy group and control group (P < 0.01). The level of total IgE of peripheral blood in allergic rhinitis group was significantly higher than that in gene therapy group and control group (F = 1216.21, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicated that IL-12 mRNA and protein were expressed effectively after the local administration of pGEG. mIL-12 in the nasal mucosa. The local application of pGEG. mIL-12 is effective in modulating nasal allergic response and may be a convenient method for future approach to allergic rhinitis.
Zhou
Bing
B
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to the Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China. entzhou@263.net
Han
De-min
DM
Wang
Tong
T
Wang
Xiang-dong
XD
Fan
Er-zhong
EZ
Liu
Zhong-yan
ZY
D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000628:therapy*
D018664:Interleukin-12