Ameliorative Effect of Melittin Encoded DNA Plasmid in an  Ovalbumin-induced Murine Model of Allergy

Hadi Esmaeili  Gouvarchinghaleh; Ali Farhadi  Biregani; Abbas  Doosti; Ramezan Ali  Taheri; Morteza  Mirzaei; Ali  Zahiri; Gholamreza  Farnoosh

doi:10.18502/ijaai.v23i6.17378

Hadi Esmaeili Gouvarchinghaleh Applied Virology Research Center, Biomedicine Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali Farhadi Biregani Biotechnology Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran
Abbas Doosti Biotechnology Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran
Ramezan Ali Taheri Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Morteza Mirzaei Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali Zahiri Students Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Gholamreza Farnoosh Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v23i6.17378

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Intranasal; Melittin; Plasmid

Abstract

Melittin is a natural toxin used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory drug. It seems that the anti-inflammatory properties of melittin are caused by suppressing the expression
of inflammatory genes and inhibiting signaling pathways. However, the use of melittin is limited
due to instability, rapid degradation, and impurity. The aim of this study was to investigate the intranasal administration of a melittin-encoded plasmid as a new melittin delivery method for allergic diseases.

After the induction of a mouse model of allergic rhinitis, mice received intranasal
melittin plasmid. After the final challenge with allergen and allergic symptom assessment, the required samples were collected, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) cytokine levels, serum levels of ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin
(Ig) E and histopathological changes were assessed. In addition to investigating the immune response, the effect of melittin on the expression level of genes involved in apoptosis was also investigated.

The melittin plasmid significantly improved nasal symptoms and decreased eosinophil infiltration into the nasal mucosa. Moreover, melittin decreased the expression levels of IL-4 and TGF-β in nasal lavage fluid, while IFN-γ expression was increased. Regarding the expression level of genes involved in apoptosis, melittin led to an increase in BAX mRNA expression.

These results suggest intranasal administration of a plasmid encoding melittin can suppress nasal symptoms, eosinophil infiltration, and immunomodulation of the immune response, which can be considered a promising approach in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.